A Few Of Our Favourite (Real Estate) Things in 2017
Once a year we get to sit back and put together a list of all of our favourite real estate projects from the past year. See who made the cut in our inaugural best of list | Spark Blog 2017
The end of the year typically means a few things for us here at Spark — We get to take a moment to raise our proverbial glass to the clients and the projects we were so graciously able to be a part of.
But, of course, it isn’t all about us.
The end of the year is also when we really get to take the time to recognize the year’s superlatives in real estate. The real estate projects that got us all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
We saw some of the best architectural concepts come to life. We were introduced to Old World design in the New World.
Without a doubt within this last year we got to see the real estate projects that we’ve been wanting to see more of.
With all the excitement of this reflection, it only feels fitting that we put together our own series of “2017 Best Of” lists to toast to a few of our favorite things in real estate over the past year.
Now without further ado, we introduce to you the first list in our best of series aptly titled, “These Are A Few Of Our Favorite [Real Estate] Things In 2017”
Central Park Tower
Our favorite thing: The height
Developed by: EXTELL & SMI USA
Marketed by: EXTELL
It’s not everyday that a new development gets announced for NYC’s Billionaire’s Row, so, when EXTELL announced its latest project, Central Park Tower, needless to say we wanted to know more. Central Park Tower will be the City’s latest architectural landmark — a new super tall building to add to the city’s extraordinary landmarks. Central Park Tower will raise to 1,550 ft once the project is completed, making it the second tallest building in New York City next to One World Trade Center.
Woolworth Tower
Our favorite thing: The ‘Old World’ design
Developed by: Alchemy Properties
Marketed by: Alchemy Properties and Sotheby’s International Realty
Aptly monikered by renowned American architectural critic and educator, Paul Goldberger, as “The Mozart of Skyscrapers”,the Woolworth Tower project hits every note. The building itself is not new by any stretch. Woolworth Towers has been soaring over Manhattan’s City Hall Park since 1913. What is new are the additional 34 ultra-luxury units real estate developers, Alchemy Properties, added to the Towers’ top floors to combine a perfect blend of the Old World with the new. If that’s not mind-boggling enough, occupying the landmark Towers’ top levels is a seven-level penthouse spanning 9,400 square feet, with just under 500 square feet of outdoor space.
45 Park Place
Our favourite thing: The pool
Developed by: Soho Properties
Marketed by: Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group
Undoubtedly home to some of the most diverse modern architecture in North America, particularly within the past year, New York City’s 45 Park Place dropped jaws when early specs started circulating of the new luxury development. It wasn’t until real estate marketing experts Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group began to share images of the development’s luxury amenities that we fell in love. Not just any amenities, the luxury pool envisioned by Italian architect, Piero Lissoni, is nothing short of breathtaking. Marble covers the floors while stone walls offer a mellow, relaxing feel to the entire space. To say 45 Park Place’s pool is anything less than a work of art would be a massive understatement.
70 Vestry
Our favorite thing: The limestone, stone, and metalwork
Developed by: Related
Marketed by: Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group
When the minds behind 70 Vestry in New York City’s Tribeca waterfront district came together, their vision was simple — to create a timeless work of art that represented the heritage and architecture of the area. After we saw the unveiling of the building’s design, we, along with everyone else who couldn’t wait to see this project come to life, knew that they had respectfully achieved their vision. What makes the 70 Vestry project so unique are the carefully sourced materials they chose to use to represent the area — a blend of limestone, classic metalwork, and stone. Nothing was left to the imagination as both architecture firms working on the project took every little bit of attention to detail to deliver a condo development that, on its own, leaves neighboring developments in awe.
200 E 59th
Our favourite thing: The wraparound terraces
Developed by: Macklowe Properties
Marketed by: Douglas Elliman
Getting your hands on outdoor space in the densely populated New York City is no easy feat. So when Macklowe Properties announced their latest development, 200 E 59th, and its beautiful wraparound terraces, we were definitely intrigued. Once renderings started to surface of the proposed outdoor spaces we knew then that we would be talking about this project again in the near future. Residences located in 200 E 59th will have their own integrated indoor spaces with deep wraparound terraces to offer the best of both worlds. A true element of luxury.
One River Point
Our favourite thing: The amenities
Developed by: KAR Properties
Marketed by: Douglas Elliman
Miami, Florida’s postmodern architectural project, One River Point, by Rafael Vinoly, is simply put “a true work of architectural art”. The two-tower residential condo development will include 60 stories each with 350 residences. Each of the towers are to be connected by a three-storey glass skybridge. Yes, you read that right, a skybridge that opens to a member-only sky club. The skybridge will act as a pseudo waterfall which cascades below to its own pool. These are just a few of One River Point’s many amenities. The new development will also have its own five star dining restaurant, private members-only club, cigar lounge, and wine tasting room.
1 Great Jones Alley
Our favourite thing: The history
Developed by: Madison Realty Capital
Marketed by: Douglas Elliman
While the fair majority of us would avoid going into an alley on our own, 1 Great Jones Alley poses a stark exception to the rule. The development by Madison Realty Capital shares its history with the artists, politicians, and gangsters that once called this place home. Great Jones Street has always been a hub of creativity and vibrance. In the 1700s, judges and politicians flocked to the esteemed address surrounding the neighborhood. In the 1980s musicians and artists like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat showcased their art in spaces and galleries found along Great Jones Street, and now today, the iconic street is home to 1 Great Jones Alley, a minimalistic, sophisticated new development encased in its own private alleyway.
The Harrison
Our favourite thing: The views
Developed by: Maximus
Marketed by: Compass
The Harrison is one of San Francisco’s most anticipated real estate projects. The 49-story luxe tower is planned to marry both urban living with sophistication. Interior designer, Ken Faulk, first concepted the tower to collide the “ruggedness” of San Francisco with the city’s sense of sophistication. Each floor in The Harrison has been designed to include panoramic views of the city so as to never let you forget to take in where you are.
Nexus Seattle
Our favourite thing: The originality
Developed by: Burrard Group
Marketed by: Realogics
It seems as though much of the excitement of Seattle’s latest real estate developments have been overshadowed by the epic Amazon campuses which continue to grow and turn heads. It was just as exciting for us as it was for many others interested in new real estate projects to hear about the Burrard Group’s latest Seattle venture, Nexus Seattle. Perhaps drawing on some of the innovation and originality that oozes from the city’s tech scene, Nexus Seattle leaves nothing to the imagination — if you’ve thought about it in home, Nexus Seattle has it! Each room in the 364 unit development is ergonomically designed to push the boundaries of space and comfort. “Outside of the box” is how the Nexus Seattle has been described due to its unique architecture. There’s no argument that Nexus Seattle checks off all the boxes (pun intended) making it one of the most original projects we’ve seen all year.
1010 Park Avenue
Our favourite thing: Landmark status
Developed by: EXTELL
Marketed by: EXTELL
A truly exclusive project, 1010 Park Avenue, near New York City’s distinguished Park Avenue district, is one the most discussed and highly sought after real estate projects to surface in a city where you could argue that most new developments could hold the crown for best project. 1010 Park Avenue, however, is held in its own class. When it was announced that architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle, who were behind the restoration of the Empire State Building and Grand Central Terminal, were going to be taking on the ultra-luxe 11 unit development project, people within the industry started to talk. Us included. The potential for a condo development to instantly become a national landmark is exciting to say the least and is why 1010 Park Avenue has been one of our most favoured projects in 2017.
Over the next few days we’re going to be rolling out more of our favourites, from Canadian highrises to the most highly anticipated projects. Check back to follow along as we unveil a few of our favourite things [in real estate] in 2017.
