INSIDE THE LINK CONDOMINIUM NYC

FOURTH AVENUE AT 12TH STREET NYC

UNION SQUARE - NEW YORK CITY

PHILIPPE STARCK BLDG - RECEPTION

BURJ DUBAI - UPDATE

I first wrote about the Burj Dubai last October (jump to here for the review & photo). Following is an update on the 'Symbol of Dubai.'

BBC news is reporting that "when finished, the skyscraper will have more than 160 floors, 56 elevators, apartments, shops, swimming pools, spas, corporate suites, Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's first hotel, and an observation platform on the 124th floor."

Currently at 141 storeys and already more floors than any other building in the world, Emaar Properties proudly boasts. Click on BBC News Service for the full scoop.

LIGNE ROSET

If you're not in town get here immediately and get in color with Ligne Roset's new collection Rue de Seine Limited Edition. June 15 - August 31 only, and very limited availability. Jump and linger here awhile - Lignet Roset.

THE BATTERY MARITIME BUILDING

At last, lower Manhattan's historic Battery Maritime Building is being developed. Designed by the firm Walker and Morris and completed in 1909, the big question is and I can't imagine an other than positive answer - will the stained glass skylight in the main concourse be restored?

The Financial District, the very birthplace of Manhattan, with so much historical resonance evidenced by its gorgeous buildings, narrow streets and parks is attracting smart, young, beautiful people from all over the world as a place to call home.

Watching the Financial District shed it's dead skin of typers, smoky deal rooms and ticker tape to become a celebrated international residential community is fascinating and not unlike experiencing the emergence of Soho and Tribeca as two of the most coveted residential communities on this tiny island of Manhattan.

Photos from Tom Fletcher's great site www.nyc-architecture.com. Check it out!

HERE'S HOW TO FLIP

Two downtown Manhattan properties sold & closed for the second time since January 2005:

129 Front Street - the southeast corner of Wall Street. The Exchange Hotel aka Seaport Suites, listed as 35,000 sq ft, closed in January of 2005 for $11,750,000 and new owners just closed on it in June 2007 for $31,500,000.

133 Greenwich Street closed in March of 2005 for $20,000,000. New owners bought the property for $45,000,000 and closed in June of 2007. Listed as approx 75 x 57 sq ft vacant lot. Between Thames & Cedar Streets.

PPG PLACE - PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Building - Built 1981-1984 Architects: Philip Johnson and John Burgee

CORNING GLASS BUILDING

aka the Steuben Glass Building - 56th & Fifth Avenue, New York City - Built 1956-59 - Architect: Wallace K. Harrison

HISTORY OF GLASS ARCHITECTURE

The Palm House in Kew 1845-46 Architects: Turner & Burton

SOLD & CLOSED DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN

339 Greenwich St $3.295 mil 2116 SF closed 6/07 $1557 per SF
82 Beaver St $1.275 mil 1494 SF closed 5/07 $853 per SF
7 Hubert St $7.52 mil 4016 SF closed 6/07 $1873 per SF
20 West St $509,125 530 SF closed 6/07 $961 per SF
7 Bond St $1.1 mil 1400 SF closed 6/07 $786 per SF
53 N Moore $1.95 mil 1895 SF closed 5/07 $1029 per SF
161 Hudson $4,033,330 3039 SF closed 6/07 $1327 per SF
2 Prince St $1.67 mil 1168 SF closed 6/07 $1430 per SF
473 Broadway $2.75 mil 1907 SF closed 6/07 $1442 per SF
57 Bond St $2.595 mil 1344 SF closed 6/07 $1931 per SF
275 Greenwich St $1.115 mil 1026 SF closed 5/07 $1087 per SF