Easy street
Spears Building, W. 22nd St., wintering in the Hamptons, a popular LA Korean BBQ opening in NYC, Aruba, Super Bowl viewing, MORE
REAL ESTATE • In Contract
Catch 22
Last week’s Olshan luxury report, which tracks Manhattan signed contracts above $4M, was the fourth in a row to feature an apartment on W. 22nd St. With its tree-lined blocks and named new developments (The Cortland, Park House, 515W22), it’s an early contender for FOUND real estate’s Street of the Year.
For those keeping score, January was off to a strong start across Manhattan, with signed contracts up 9% YoY for condos and 13% for co-ops. Activity was especially strong north of $2M, with condo contracts tracking 23% ahead, and co-ops 24%.
Here, those four in contract above $4M on W. 22nd:
→ 525 W. 22nd St., 2F (Chelsea) • 3BR/3BA, 3000 SF condo • Closing ask: $6.75M • 13’ ceilings in Spears Building with 10’ x 20’ terrace • Days on market: 82 • Monthly taxes: $2260; Maintenance/CC: $2891 • Agents: Ariel Tavivian, Anna Kwon, and Yair Tavivian, Elliman.
→ 525 W. 22nd St., FL5 (Chelsea, above) • 2BR/2BA, 2956 SF condo • Closing ask: $4.35M • Another loft in Spears Building, “serene side” • Days on market: 82 • Monthly taxes: $2806; Maintenance/CC: $3308 • Agents: Lydia Sussek and Joelle Jensen, Elliman.
→ 555 W. 22nd St. 4EW (Chelsea) • 2BR/2.5BA, 2095 SF condo • Closing ask: $4.65M • In The Cortland, Robert A.M. Stern-designed on the Hudson • Sales launch: 6/14/22 • Monthly taxes: $3660; Maintenance/CC: $3161 • Agent: Sean Osher, CORE.
→ 129 W. 22nd St., 11th Fl. (Chelsea) • 4BR/3BA, 3600 SF condo • Closing ask: $4.995M • Full-floor with four exposures • Days on market: 94 • Monthly taxes: $2806; Maintenance: $5400 • Agents: Laurie Silverman, Sotheby’s.
NYC REAL ESTATE LINKS: Dog reiki is latest over-the-top amenity at luxe NYC apartment towers • New renderings revealed for 18-story tower 200 East 75th St. on Upper East Side • Harlem’s once-abandoned Victoria Theater reborn as apartments and hotel • Starchitects in Miami are so over — for new developments, it’s all about branding.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine
Ahgassi and Agassi
BOBBY KWAK • owner • Nōksu, Baekjeong, Sundaes Best, Ahgassi
Neighborhood you live in: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
Friday afternoon means I’m making lunch for my 13-year-old daughter, who trains full-time for tennis. Then I'm on the phone with my business partner, Joseph Ko, discussing our New York opening for Ahgassi, the Los Angeles Korean BBQ restaurant that we’re bringing to Fifth Ave. and 32nd St. (opening February 15) and the forthcoming Garden of Eve (our new Asian dessert food hall, opening fall 2024). Then, I’m hopping in my car and driving into the city for the 5:30 p.m. dinner service at Nōksu.
Where are you dining this weekend?
Trying to get a seat at Hooni Kim's restaurant Meju, but since they’re fully booked, I'm going to look into Semma instead (which will be just as difficult). If both of those fail me, I’ll end up at Tsujita Ramen in Fort Lee, or White Manna Burger in Hackensack.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Since my daughter competes at a national level for tennis, that means I’m traveling around the country with her at least two weeks a month. This has the added bonus of allowing me to research restaurants, and plan all our meals out. I’ve realized we’re truly lucky and privileged to live in New York City, with the best restaurants in America. A recent span of tennis tournaments in South Dakota, Alabama, Mississippi, and Ohio, all away from major cities, meant that finding good food was a real challenge, and we ended up at places like Panera or Five Guys.
Any weekend getaways?
Best weekend getaway was flying to Tucson, Arizona, for one of my daughter’s tournaments and staying at the El Conquistador Hilton resort. Just seeing the beautiful sunset with the mountains in the background (above) was mind-blowing. I felt like I was living in a painting.
What was your last great vacation?
I went to a wedding in Aruba and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, in a room with an oceanside view. Although I got the worst sunburn, it was still relaxing to just be away from the hustle and grind. But I couldn’t get away from NYC completely: we dined at BLT Steak and Casa Nonna New York, both located at the Ritz.
GETAWAYS • Hamptons
A winter weekend on the South Fork
Winter in the Hamptons is a stark contrast to the bustling summer months — no wonder many establishments (and locals) choose to hibernate or seek refuge in warmer climates. But winter out east has its rewards, especially at these places that continue to pulse with life.
To Work Out:
Truth Training (East Hampton): The best class in the Hamptons, it's a HIIT workout that moves through kettlebells, TRX, plyometrics, and cardio circuits. Private training and house calls also available.
Seed Center (East Hampton): Specializing in the Gyrotonic Method, originally conceived by professional ballet dancers, Charley Aldred (a professional ballet dancer herself) takes you through a unique series of twisting, spiraling, and elongating exercises. She hosts group classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and she’s also available for private instruction.
Align Yoga (Amagansett): Midway through Alison Burke’s Fire Flow 60 class, you’ll crave that cold, fresh air. Stay strong.
To Eat:
S&S Corner Shop (Springs): A combination coffee shop and homewares store, with excellent people watching.
Il Buco al Mare (Amagansett): The Hamptons outpost of NYC’s Il Buco, this may be the only restaurant out east that gets better in the off-season. After closing for a three-week renovation, it reopens on Valentine’s Day with a special prix fixe dinner ($125 per).
Monte’s at the Manor (Montauk): The Monte family, former owners of Gurney’s, have breathed life into the Montauk Manor with Italian classics and specialties like swordfish meatballs, on offer year-round.
To Shop:
E-E Home (Amagansett): Owner Elizabeth Eichner personally sources and procures alluring home goods from contacts worldwide.
Warm (Amagansett): An impressive range of fashion brands, from Vans to r13 to forte_forte.
Adam Mar (Montauk): Former Ralph Lauren designer Adam Mar has been creating his own menswear line for his namesake shop since 2018. Pick up one of his terrycloth Montauk Oxfords, perfect for the beach. He also stocks beautiful surfboards.
BONUS:
Art Classes with Barbara Thomas (above): Local artist Barbara Thomas hosts plein-air adult art classes, often on the beautiful grounds of the LongHouse Reserve, but occasionally on her property, around a giant fire pit overlooking Accabonac Harbor. Bring your own art supplies. Sign up for her mailing list. –Sarah Jackson
GETAWAYS LINKS: Delta readying business-class-only Sky Lounge at JFK T4 for June opening • Which United lounge at EWR is the best? • Chef Dominique Crenn now crafting new La Première and Business menus for Air France U.S. departures • How two ski chalets are redefining luxury skiing in Alaska • The elongation of Europe’s peak travel season • Is the free hotel minibar on the rise?
CULTURE & LEISURE • Classic Stages
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler: Restless Leg Tour, Beacon Theatre (Upper West Side), Fri @ 7p, orchestra prime, $303 per
Patti Smith, Bowery Ballroom (Lower East Side), Sat @ 7p, GA, $104 per
NY Philharmonic: Lunar New Year, Wu Tsai Theater (Lincoln Center), Tues @ 7p, orchestra 1, $150 per
CULTURE LINKS: A first look at the giant Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz art show at The Brooklyn Museum • André 3000 has two dozen flutes and a vision • Dinner and a movie with Keith McNally • Lincoln Center boss to leave for PR firm • Fashion Week gets some breathing room at the Starrett-Lehigh Building.
Ahead, a couple handfuls of favorite restaurants from new subscribers. But first, this week’s paid-subscriber-only list of FOUND recommendations:
RESTAURANTS & BARS • The Nines