● RFR REALTY / VANKE
Gallery homes unveiled
One Hundred East Fifty Third Street, the new modernist skyscraper from RFR and Vanke has unveiled its collection of lofts.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the 15 residences “introduce a distinctive and unexpected downtown aesthetic and living experience in the middle of the Midtown Cultural District in Manhattan,ˮ say the developers.
The lofts are spread across five floors located in the 63-story tower’s base. One of the residences now hosts the building’s sales gallery while another an art gallery curated by Aby Rosen with works from his private collection.
The units were inspired by the neighboring Seagram Building, the iconic midcentury masterpiece designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, also owned by RFR.
Designed for art collectors, the residences offer open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows and city views.
Fluted concrete ceilings, exposed concrete columns, architectural concrete walls, and diamond-polished high-grade concrete flooring are among the details that include integrated reveals in the ceilings for customized lighting systems for displaying art collections.
“Norman Foster’s design strikes the perfect balance between the bright and open aesthetic of an art gallery and the comfortable intimacy of an elegant private home,” said Aby Rosen, co-founder and principal of RFR.
“The loft residences at One Hundred East Fifty Third Street bring the downtown sensibility to Midtown, making them by far the most unique apartments for sale in the area.”
Ranging from 1,140 to 4,607 s/f, prices begin at $2,250,000. They are now available to tour, with completion of the building scheduled to open later this year.
Compass and Classic Marketing are the exclusive sales and marketing agencies.
● MOINIAN GROUP
Moinian introduces Oskar
The Moinian Group has introduced Oskar, a 14-story, 118-residence property designed by CetraRuddy and named after the firm’s late executive, Oskar Brecher.
Located at 572 11th Avenue, where Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen converge, Oskar is the latest addition to the national developer’s growing portfolio of West Side properties.
“Our long-standing investment in this city’s Far West Side consistently results in great success from a residential prospective, and we look forward to the success of Oskar,” said Mitchell Moinian, senior vice president of The Moinian Group.
“We believe in the potential of this neighborhood, and have allocated the time, resources and expertise necessary to spearhead positive residential and commercial growth.”
Set on the corner of 43rd Street and 11th Avenue, the 183,000 s/f building sits on a white terracotta base, with a masonry exterior.
Punched openings in the lightly-colored materials allow for privacy from the bustling streets, while the continuous glass that fills each piercing creates a building that is airy and reflective.
Each of Oskar’s studio, one- and two-bedroom residences feature specialized entry doors with smart locks, custom taupe oak wood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
They have central HVAC systems, kitchens with Caesarstone counters, niche shelving and custom paneled appliances, bedrooms with custom closet interiors, and a Bosch washer/dryer.
The top floor will also have a penthouse collection and select residences will provide private outdoor space.
Residents will be privy to a private art collection, including a custom sculpture created for Oskar situated adjacent to the lobby’s private courtyard.
Additional common spaces include rooftop and indoor lounge areas, fitness studio, business center, café seating area, and second-floor garden terrace. Residents also have access to Life Time Athletic, the fitness center at Sky.
Monthly pricing begins at $3,050.
● ADAM AMERICA / VANKE
Art house project in LIC
Developers Adam America Real Estate and Vanke US have brought the art gallery home at their first development in Long Island City: GALERIE, a new 11-story, 182-residence condo that has just launched sales at 22-18 Jackson Avenue, directly across the street from MoMA PS1.
The ODA-designed building with interiors by Paris Forino Interior Design will feature a façade of concrete, brick and glass along with three unique architectural glazing styles – punched, curtain wall and window wall – creating diversity both in its exterior architecture and in living experiences for buyers to choose from.
It is the first new residential condominium development in Queens for both firms. 
GALERIE offers studio, one, two- and three-bedroom homes priced from $595,000 to more than $2.5 million. Completion is expected for mid-2019.
GALERIE will feature a curated art program for residents and the community through its ArtBox, a permanent street-level rotating art exhibit at both the sales gallery and, when complete, the building. ArtBox was conceptualized as a way to showcase local artists and create site-specific installations.
In total, the sales gallery includes artwork by more than 20 artists, most of whom are local. Works range in price from $275-$10,000, and many will also be available for sale directly through the artists.
“Art and artful living have been paramount to us in every aspect of design and development for GALERIE,” said Omri Sachs, founder, Adam America Real Estate. “Long Island City is an artistic enclave unto its own, and we wanted to celebrate and help promote local artists both within the building’s own spaces and for public viewing.”
Brendan Aguayo, head of The Aguayo Team and senior vice president, managing director at Halstead Property Development Marketing, is handling exclusive marketing and sales.
● ORIENT DEVELOPMENT
Bohemia selling Ammann
Bohemia Realty Group has been tapped as the exclusive agency for marketing The Ammann, a ground-up condominium project at 40 Pinehurst Avenue, at the corner of West 179th Street.
“Upper Manhattan is exploding with growth in every category, from residential development to retail and dining,” said Beth Gittleman, Head of Sales and Development for BRGDM, the development marketing division of Bohemia Realty Group.
“Hudson Heights is a stand out neighborhood uptown for buyers looking to put down roots in a great community. This is an incredibly exciting time to be involved in these neighborhoods and The Ammann is the kind of project that is already setting a new standard.”
The eight-story, boutique condominium features 24 one- and two-bedroom residences, including four two-bedroom penthouses, along with two ground-level commercial spaces.
Named for Othmar Ammann, the Swiss-American structural engineer responsible for designing the George Washington Bridge, The Ammann is being developed by Orient Development. The architect is Nickolas D. Kazalas RA of ND Kazalas Architecture P.C.
