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Nest Seekers International Expands to New Jersey with Jersey City and Hoboken Offices


Industry Veterans Gilli Axel and Marc Brenner to Head New Offices and Meet the Thriving Region’s Demand for Global Reach

NEW YORK – May 12, 2016 – Nest Seekers International, a full-service brokerage firm with offices in New York, South Florida and Los Angeles, today announced the launch of its Jersey City and Hoboken offices. Slated to open on May 15, the new offices will be headed by Gilli Axel and Marc Brenner, real estate industry veterans with 20 years of combined experience working as real estate agents and principal developers in New Jersey.

“Expanding to New Jersey was always part of our business plan,” said Eddie Shapiro, president and CEO at Nest Seekers International. “Upon meeting Gilli and Marc, it was immediately clear that their extensive knowledge of Jersey City, Hoboken and Northern New Jersey, as well as their dedication to cultivating Nest Seekers’ uplifting culture, would make them the ideal candidates to head the new offices.”

The first loft-like storefront showroom will be located in the heart of Jersey City’s thriving WALDO District and will house 35 to 40 agents. These agents will capitalize on Nest Seekers’ global positioning and marketing expertise to effectively serve the higher end of the New Jersey market.

"Timing is a major factor in real estate," said Axel. "The Gold Coast market has never been more robust, and it is ready to join the global real estate conversation through Nest Seekers' international platform."

The Nest Seekers team is already slated to market a number of new development projects in the region. Details will be released in the coming months. 

“We are getting assignments by the sheer fact that Nest Seekers has a positive reputation for its brand value and dedication to providing a personalized boutique experience,” Brenner said. “Since the New Jersey marketplace is becoming increasingly driven by foreign investments, we are thrilled to meet the demand for the global positioning needed to sell these exceptional waterfront assets.” 


Things You May Not Know about the Flatiron Building


By Jiaxin Li

November 12, 2015

Not the tallest, but one of the most iconic


These days, one would not consider the Flatiron Building a skyscraper, but when it was completed in 1902, this 22-story building was the first steel-framed skyscraper north of 14th street.

With its unique wedge shape, the Flatiron Building quickly became an attraction for photographers. Built as a soaring structure rising straightly into the sky, with the quiet beauty bathed in snow and evening light, this building was born to be iconic, edgy and modern. At the time, people either loved or hated the Flatiron Building, but just as Alfred Stieglitz said, “(It is) the bow of a monster steamer – a picture of a new America still in the making”.

 

- Peculiar Space, Unfading Charm

Only 6.5 feet wide at the vertex, with walls cutting through at a 25-degree acute angle, the Flatiron Building imposes interior decoration challenges to its tenants. With the exception of the first floor, the building is leased by Macmillan Publishers. “We’ve tried to use every nook and cranny, but you’re lucky if you get 70 percent of the floor space”, said Steve Cohen, chief operating officer for St. Martin’s.

Regardless of interior design challenges, tenants are obsessed with the Flatiron Building. “I never, never wanted to leave (this building),” said Matthew Shear, executive vice president at St. Martin’s. When sitting in one of the offices at the building’s apex, surrounded by a stunning and panoramic New York City, watching the Empire State light up, how could one refuse to fall in love with this building?


Arts, Entrepreneurship & Luxurious Life

The Flatiron Building enjoys great recognition in films. In the Spider-Man trilogy it was the headquarters of the Daily Bugle, at which Peter Parker was a freelance photographer. In Godzilla, the US Army destroyed it while in pursuit of Godzilla. In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it was the location of the Channel 6 News headquarters where April O'Neil worked.



The “cowcatcher” space in front of the building, known as Flatiron Prow Artspace, now serves as one of the most exquisite galleries in the neighborhood. In 2013, the Artspace presented an impressive 3D installation of Edward Hopper’s masterpiece Nighthawks. Flatiron is where this iconic painting came to life.


Nighthawks, Edward Hopper (American 1882–1967)

© Filip Wolak, Courtesy of Photoshare

In the modern era, the Flatiron district has transformed into a myriad of arts, high-tech, entrepreneurship, and luxury real estate. Flatiron is one of the most desirable places to purchase a condo in Manhattan. Flatiron is an amalgamation of young designers, artists, writers, photographers, and tech entrepreneurs, creating consistent vibrancy, innovation and excitement in this historic neighborhood.

References

[1] Bender, Thomas. The Unfinished City: New York and the Metropolitan Idea. Illustrated, Reprint ed. New York: NYU, 2007. 42. Print.

2 Stapinski, Helene. "A Quirky Building That Has Charmed Its Tenants." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 25 May 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/content/help/rights/copyright/copyright-notice.html>.


10 Inspiring Rustic Meets Industrial Interior Design Concepts


Rustic meets Industrial.

A very popular up and coming design trend that has deep historical roots and brings design back to nature.

Below is a selection of interior design concepts that we believe embodies this aesthetic

1. Add Green

Interior design is always more appealing when plants and organics are incorporated. Adding plants not only provides a splash of color, but also has numerous health benefits including higher air quality.


2. Hanging Lights

We have a penchant for open living arrangements with high ceilings-- that said, incorporating hanging lights into the space adds both the wow factor and an underlying elegance. 


3. Organic Palatte

Man is ultimately from nature. Choosing an organic palatte rife with colors and textures witnessed in the natural world will add a heightened sense of well-being.


4. Large Windows

Large windows = more light. 


5. Old-World Furnishings

Choose elegant looking old world furnishings that have a focus on function. When designing the space place emphasis on muted neutral colors such as brown, sepia, cream, black, dark red, and dark green. Metallics such as steel and brass will also give the room a masculine feel. Bonus points will be awarded for having a wet bar or a decanter in the space.

6. Rainfall Shower

Prior to the advent of running water, our ancestors bathed in rivers, lakes, streams, and often summer rain. A large open shower with ceiling level rainfall would be an excellent addition to any contemporary bathroom.


7. Exposed Brick

Exposed brick is an excellent addition to any apartment or home. The deep red color makes the space feel warm and cozy. In addition, It is very easy to pair exposed brick with any kind of wood or metallic color schemes so this will fit in easily in an industrial living space.


8. Fresh Air

Without large windows or doors that can be opened, apartments run the risk of having stale air. Open up the windows or consider Juliette balconies to remedy this potential shortfall.


9. Multi-level

Having a multi-tiered living environment will not allow for a variety of interior design options.


10. Books

Books are knowledge, and nothing is more impressive than knowledge. 


Try adding some of these design components to your home today and see the immediate benefits to yourself, and your visitors!


Living life on the edge, literally


Renowned Greek architects OPA Works have created an innovative house design named 'Casa Brutale'.

OPA referrs to Casa Brutale as "... a geometrical translation of the landscape. It is an unclad statement on the simplicity and harmony of contemporary architecture. It is a chameleonic living space, created to serve its owner and respect the environment. It is the inverted reference to Casa Malaparte, encased and protected by the tender earth that has hosted the human civilization for millennia. It is a complete study of aesthetics, structure, function and engineering..."

Simplified, Casa Brutele consists of three concrete slabs driven into the earth and cliffside which provide the home with structure and allow for the buildout of various levels and the rooms within. The crystalline pool, made of reinforced glass, allows an abundance of natural light to enter the residence. The massive glass facade appears run in tandem with the cliffside and provides panoramic views for miles. 

Casa Brutele is a tastefully candid yet aesthetically innovative piece of modern architecture - We hope to see it realized at some point in the near future.




Brace yourselves, Manhattanhenge is coming!


Manhattanhenge 2015 will occur this weekend. For those of you in the know, skip to the bottom of this post for the dates and times. For everyone else, prepare for an incredible and seldom occurring spectacle. 

Manhattanhenge is a term coined by none other than the legendary and prolific scientist and personality, Neil Degrasse Tyson. The term Manhattanhenge pays homage to Stonehenge in the UK and describes a bi-annual phenomenon where the sunset aligns perfectly with Manhattan's grid. Shortly after 8 PM on Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th, the sun will set between the buildings and illuminate every cross street. Traffic will undoubtedly be halted due to swarms of people standing in the middle of the street attempting to capture the perfect instagram shot. 

Wondering where to get the best view of this phenomenon?

Station yourself on the major cross streets -- 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th -- and travel as far east as you can without losing sight of New Jersey.

Half Sun:

Friday, May 29 8:12 P.M. EDT

Monday, July 13 8:21 P.M. EDT

Full Sun:

Saturday, May 30 8:12 P.M. EDT

Sunday, July 12 8:20 P.M. EDT

 View from 42nd street - Photograph by Gerry V Photography


How to host an open house and attract serious offers


The Basics

If the owner resides in the home currently, give them at least three to five days of advance notice so that they can schedule plans elsewhere during the open house. Make sure the apartment, condo, townhouse, or estate is meticulously cleaned beforehand. Wipe down all surfaces inside the apartment and make sure dishes are cleaned and trash is removed. Make sure to have show sheets printed well in advance and that they are cleanly designed with all of the relevant information and financials regarding the residence.


Advertising

It is crucial that you advertise the open house online earlier during the week. There are numerous online platforms that allow agents to advertise listings and open houses. These portals include but are not limited to; Zillow, StreetEasy, Trulia, Realtor.com and many others. Agents at Nest Seekers International are particularly fortunate because our listings are advertised across these platforms instantly at no cost to the individual agent or the homeowner.  In addition, make certain that the open house is advertised to the brokerage community.

Open House Day

Arrive 30 minutes early to straighten up if necessary (see above) and to greet the owner on his or her way out. When guests arrive greet them with a warm smile and an introduction at the door. Upon entering the home request that the guests sign in and provide their name and contact information. Accompany the guests on tours throughout the property to give them the tour or answer any questions they may have. If you are predicting a particularly busy turnout, enlist the help of others in your brokerage firm to help with the flow of buyers and other agents. When all of the guests have departed, gather your things, turn off all the lights and secure the property for the homeowner.

Follow Up

Make sure to follow up promptly with everyone who signed in and took a tour of the open house. Write a personal thank you to anyone who appeared particularly interested and offer to answer any questions they may have or accommodate additional showings. 



Nothin' better than a loft in Soho


New to market:

This stunning and spacious Condominium loft is now offered for sale for $11,500,000. The unit 2B is owned by none other than Mitch Alfus, also known as the leather king. In this short video prepared below, Mitch reminisces on his time spent in this beautiful unit in a tremendous location. In Mitch's words, "Theres nothin' better than a loft in Soho"


Nest Seekers agent looks to set the record for the most expensive single-family condo sale in Long Island City


Silvette Julian of Nest Seekers International looks to set the record for the most expensive condo sale in Long Island City with the sale of 46-30 Center Boulevard for $5,400,000. 46-30 Center Boulevard was purchased by Queens taxi magnate Basil Messados in 2009 for $2,500,000. The luxury property market in Long Island City real estate has grown tremendously since 2009 and properties are fetching higher and higher values.

This unique 3 bedroom penthouse boasts an expansive wrap-around terrace, impressive cathedral ceilings, and a sprawling sun-drenched living room with a fireplace. In addition, the Long Island City condo features floor-to-ceiling all-glass windows, and unobstructed panoramic views of Manhattan.

Designed by renowned architectural firm Handel Architects, the View condominium is the only luxurious water-front condo in Long Island City. Naturally, this property comes with all the bells and whistles of a new condominium development -- 24-hour doorman, fitness center and free membership to the Eastcoast Club which offers a lap pool, gym, sauna, spa, cinema room, as well as numerous indoor lounges.

This unique offering is sure to set the single-family record for Long Island City real estate!

Reach out to Nest Seekers International agent Silvette Julian for more information!


Cayman Islands real estate surges as the U.S. and global economy strengthens



International investors from the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia are turning their eyes toward the real estate market in Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands.

Overall sales on the Caribbean island jumped by an astronomical 40% in fiscal 2014. This represents an increase of over $150,000,000. The increase appears to be directly correlated with the growing interest  of developers catering to the high end tourism sector.  Most notably, developers such as Dart Realty have paved the way for others with their contributions to local infrastructure and avant-garde new projects such as Camana Bay. A beautiful new development project at the secluded and exotic St. James Point is currently in the planning process and will surely become one of the most desirable locations on the island. With an expected increase in available luxury product, and world-class development marketing teams entering the fray, Grand Cayman is quickly identifying itself as a global destination for tropical pied-a-terres.


Grand Cayman is approximately 22 miles long and 8 miles wide at its widest point – making up approximately 76 square miles of terrain. The country is most notably distinguished for its robust tourism and financial services sectors. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors make the trip to Grand Cayman to experience internationally renowned cuisine, engage in watersport activities, or simply to relax.

In 2014, The Cayman Islands saw a 10% increase in tourism, which compared with the 5% increase of the Caribbean as a whole, illustrates the high growth in the nations demand for travel. International travelers see a growth in infrastructure, hotels, and condominiums and view these capital improvements as signs of a continuing healthy economy, and opportunity for capital appreciation. 

Keep your eyes on Grand Cayman, big things are coming in 2015!


NYC Taxi Magnate To List $27 Million Penthouse With World Trade Center Views


New York City taxi king Symon Garber is about to list his 6,400-square-foot penthouse condo, which boasts views of the World Trade Center and the waterfront, for $27 million.

The 32nd floor apartment at 101 Warren Street in lower Manhattan is the result of a renovation that joined units 3210 and 3240 into a single condominium. The combined home features six bedrooms, with 2,500 square feet of outdoor terrace space, and a dining room that can seat as many as 24 people. Million Dollar Listing star Ryan Serhant, of Nestseekers, is the agent.

Serhant said the owner wished to remain anonymous and would not identify him. However, property records show that the apartment belongs to Symon Garber and his wife Elina. Garber reportedly operates 275 taxicab medallions in New York.

The interiors of Garber’s New York City penthouse were designed by Richard Mishaan. Among its unique features is a wall of lime-green, lacquer-like cabinetry in the massive kitchen. The kitchen also features a more serene area comprised of darker cabinetry set off with accents of white. The apartment has six full baths and two powder rooms (or half baths). ”It’s very, very luxurious,” said Serhant. “It’s new construction that’s still very classic.”

The building, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merril and built in 2006, is notable for amenities including staffed parking, a concierge, a gym as well as a yoga room and a dedicated spin room complete with classes. (The building also has a SoulCycle in its retail space.) There is a movie screening room and a shared roof deck. The ground floor retail includes a Whole Foods and a Barnes & Noble.

In August, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman hit Garber’s Yellow Cab SLS Jet Management Corp with $1.6 million in restitution and fines, over late fees he allegedly illegally charged drivers who lease his medallions. Garber also reportedly owns nearly 850 medallions in Chicago, and is the founder of the polo club of Colts Neck, N.J., where he lives.