One developing story that I have been closely following is the Long Island City Clock Tower aka the Bank of Manhattan building. I have been concerned with the fate of the Long Island City skyline icon hoping for the better good. Besides the Citigroup building this is probably one of my favorite skyscrapers in Long Island City. But then again Queens doesn't have that much skyscrapers to begin with. During my commute to college, I would always find myself admiring this building. Plenty of transactions are occurring in the area that seriously worries me the fate of the building. Last week the $142 million acquisition of the Center Building was closed, and this building is block away.
Property Markets Group, owns the adjacent lot across to the building. They submitted plans to build a tower on the adjacent lot at 29-37 41st Ave. The proposed building is a 70-story mixed-use high-rise with 930 apartments, retail space, gym and a parking garage. The proposed building is four times the size that current zoning allowed on the lot. This conundrum can be resolved by to combine two or more adjacent lots into one, and that adjacent lot is Clock tower and we don't want that. Last year, Property Market Group purchased the Clock Tower for more than $31 million. The building was pretty much vacant, but the remaining tenants received notices of lease terminations in November, effective May 31 which isn't away, informing them of the "landlord's intention to demolish all or part of the building." Quick facts about the skyscraper it was constructed in 1927 by designed by architect Morrell Smith during the big skyscraper fad. It's 772 feet height. Today, I (Yes I'm a real estate agent but a friendly one) had to show a wonderful client an apartment. On my way back home, I was trying to stay updated with the real estate news when I came across to some good news. This Tuesday the Landmarks Preservation Commission will decide whether or not to "calendar" the LIC Clock Tower to be considered for landmark status. If the building reaches landmark status the exterior can't be changed. This building should be a landmark, it's part of history, which is vanishing in Long Island City. Make sure you sign the petition and spread the word. Retweet, share do everything!!!
Today for my fbf (flash back Friday) I came across to this postcard of the Ansonia hotel that dates back to 1909. The Ansonia is located at 2109 Broadway between 73rd and 74th Streets. The beautiful hotel is one of the earliest buildings that actually put grace in the Upper West Side skyline. William Earl Dodge Stokes was the genius behind the hotel, that was an heir to the Ansonia copper fortune. The Ansonia was astronomical, it covered 550,000 square feet of space divided between 2,500 rooms, 300 suites, grand ballrooms, restaurants decorated in the style of Louis XIV, a palm court, tea rooms and cafes, a bank, a barbershop and tailor, writing rooms, Turkish baths, and the world's largest indoor swimming pool. The hotel was fireproof since its interior walls were terra cotta. An interesting fact is this was the first hotel to be air conditioned in New York City. Famous people that made the hotel their residence are Babe Ruth, Cornell Woolrich, and Jack Dempsey.
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| The Prices! |
One of my favorite hotels in New York City, The Waldorf Astoria is being sold to a Chinese insurance company Anbang Insurance Group for $1.95 billion. Making it the the most expensive ever sold. The famous hotel was built in 1931, by Schultze&Weaver, same architect firm that worked on other New York City landmarks like New York's Grand Central Terminal, The Pierre hotel, and The Sherry-Netherland. Conrad Hilton claimed in 1932 that the hotel was "The Greatest of Them All" and it was his goal to own the hotel. In October 1949, his goal came true and he purchased the New York City Landmark and obtained management rights to the property. The hotel has 1,416 guest rooms and suites. Each room is decorated differently; no two are exactly alike, which is pretty impressive. The Waldorf Hotel was the first to offer complete electricity&private bathrooms. It also popularized room service for guests. In 1993, it became an official New York City landmark. The hotel is the flagship hotel of the Hilton's luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. Part of the deal, the Hilton will continue to operate the property for 100 years and the hotel will undergo a major renovation. Money made from the sale will enable Hilton Woad Hiltonrldwide, the largest hotel group in the world based on number of rooms, to buy more properties in the USA. The deal is scheduled to close on Dec. 31 2014
