Manhattan has always been a place where dogs were abundant. Some co-op buildings have banned dogs. Some new buyers have actually had to have their lovable dogs interviewed by the co-op board.

But things seem to be changing for these adorable Manhattan pooches. Luxury buildings in Manhattan have created the ultimate service to take care of people’s four-legged family members.

Luxury buildings in New York City have been adding amenities such as fitness centers, roof decks and children’s playrooms, but a growing number of Manhattan real estate developers are adding a new must-have service—and it caters to dogs.

Developers are courting dog owners with everything from on-site dog runs, spas and day cares to pet concierges available to arrange for a pooch’s every need and desire.

As told to news sources by Jamie Kaufman, the manager of the concierge and amenity program at Rose Associates “More and more of our residents have dogs and treat them as their own kids.”

Later this summer, Rose Associates will unveil a concierge program in an initial 20 properties across the city that includes a partnership with the Spot Experience, a growing dog services provider with four locations in the city.

Residents will be able to arrange for drop-off and pick-up service at their apartments, home training sessions and priority access to Spot’s other services, including anesthesia-free dental work.

Membership fees, normally $200, will be waived for residents, who will also receive a 20% discount on services.

Although there is no official count for the number of dogs in New York City, 97,568 dogs were licensed with the Health Department in 2011. Dog groups put the number closer to 1.4 million.

In 2005, Manhattan Skyline dedicated an outdoor terrace to a “puppy playground” at its building at 205 E. 59th St.

Other developers noted that their policies toward dogs had loosened over the years. During the 1980s, buildings owned by Related Cos. limited residents to a single dog weighing about 50 pounds.

In 2005, the company built an unstaffed grooming and washing station for dogs into One Carnegie Hill. When developing the Caledonia three years later, developers incorporated a separate building entrance for dogs that opened into a grooming facility, so pets could dry or wash off after snowstorms or muddy days.

Last year, the company created “Dog City” at MiMA, which carved out indoor and outdoor place space on the third floor, including access to training, spa services, dog walkers and puppy play dates.

A $500 annual membership fee covers 24-hour access to the facilities and 10 emergency walks, along with other services. Owners are encouraged—and many have complied—to join a Facebook service for their dogs, called Dogbook.

Other service being offered to these precious four-legged darlings include:

Concierge Service

Property manager Rose Associates will soon begin rolling out a canine concierge program at 20 of its properties in partnership with the company Spot Experience. Services will include drop off and pick up at residents’ apartments, home training sessions for pets, and priority access to Spot Experience’s other services like dental care for dogs.

Puppy Playgrounds

One of the white glove building amenities at 205 East 59th Street is a puppy playground for tenants with dogs. One Brooklyn Bridge Park features Wag Club, a daycare center and spa for dogs on the buildings ground floor.

Doggy Doors

The Caledonia on West 17th Street caters to four-legged tenants who might get a little mussed on their walks around The High Line. The building has a separate dog door entrance that opens into a groom facility, so dogs can wash or dry off after getting caught in bad weather or particularly dirty rolling-around sessions. 220 Water Street in Dumbo also features a dog-washing room, where pooches can clean up before heading into their lofts upstairs.

Total Immersion Care

Dog City at MiMA in Hell’s Kitchen just pulls out all the stops and gives your dog everything. Dogs get walked, washed, groomed, fed, exercised, massaged, examined, pampered and hooked up with play dates. Will Dog City sniff your dog’s butt? Probably.

And when traveling, Manhattan dog owners should consider the new D Pet Hotels Chelsea. †Dog owners will soon be able to attend a trunk show at D Pet Hotels featuring

Nut Butt Bakery’s clothing line for dogs.

Let’s hear it for Manhattan’s dogs!

The kids are grown and living on their own. Empty nester parents are rambling around their large homes or apartments with space they no longer need and starting to think about their next phase in life. More and more are thinking of spending that next phase by unloading their large family homes in favor of spending their ‘empty nest’ years enjoying their newfound freedom.

According to AARP, for the next 18 years, baby boomers will be turning 65 at a rate of about 8,000 a day.

The Baby Boomer Generation is the largest age group of our population. They are either retired or about to retire, which means they are downsizing and looking to purchase new homes that meet the needs in their new lifestyles.

They are a wealthy generation who worked hard and saved well. Their retirement funds are strong and they have money to spend on downsizing into these new homes.

Location is an important factor. Many are making that move into Manhattan where they are in the middle of everything and have easy access to restaurants, culture, shopping and everything else New York City has to offer within walking distance.

This generation wants their space to feel contained, but manageable.† While some Boomers find older buildings offering more space appeal, others are attracted to new developments.

Many Boomers want to sell their homes and consider making a move now.

And for the single empty nesters, Manhattan offers so much. The convenience of living in the city has a huge appeal for older buyers.

And there are many advantages to downsizing. Smaller homes translate into less monthly expenses and a lifestyle upgrade.

An added bonus is less stuff. Manhattan professional organizing company Donna David & Co works with many empty nesters in downsizing and says “save the best and toss the rest” allowing Boomers to keep the sentiment and let go of things they no longer need.

For some empty nesters already living in Manhattan, they’re supersizing the empty nest. Some upsize and upgrade while some opt for less space in the city.†

An Upper West Side couple gained 600 square feet when they moved into a 2,100 square foot apartment when they bought the apartment next door to them and combined units when their daughter left for college. After a complete gut renovation they have a family room and an extra bedroom and bath.

Those looking for larger living spaces are thinking about a future that includes living space to accommodate grandchildren.

Some buyers may want an apartment with amenities that they dreamt of but didn’t find practical when raising their families.

As a real estate agent in Manhattan, the best advice: visit the various neighborhoods in Manhattan. See what works for you and your lifestyle.† Hire an agent whom you trust – someone who knows the market.

The next phase of your life could be an amazing one in Manhattan!

For a no-charge consultation feel free to contact Ross Ellis, at Halstead Property.
Twitter @NY_RealEstate

NYC Restaurant Week returns on  Monday, July 24th, and runs through Friday, August 18th. During this time, you can enjoy $29 three-course lunch menus and $42 three-course dinner menus at hundreds of venues across the city.
 
Click Here to find a list of participating restaurants and start making your reservations today!

Every year, twice a year, New Yorkers and those visiting Manhattan get the opportunity to dine in some of the "best of the best" restaurants for a three course prix-fixe lunch at these amazing prices.
 
The NY City Go web site includes notable chefs, new restaurant participants,  and features menu previews.
 
And for those of you thinking of making the move to Manhattan, it's not only a great way to try out our incredible restaurants, but it will help you relax over a sumptuous meal after browsing apartments all day with your broker to decide where you want to live.
 
Who knows -- you may want to live next door to one of these sensational Manhattan restaurants!
 
NYC Restaurant Week Tips:

Research - Get recommendations from friends and search the Internet for ratings. Most of the participating restaurants are the best that New York has to offer.
 
Reservations should be made in advance. DO Reserve Early - Normally, getting a reservation at these restaurants is difficult. Plan ahead. Reservations early in the week are usually easier than Thursdays or Fridays. Call to see if there were any cancellations as well.
 
Dress Code - When dining in New York's best restaurants, dress your best.
 
Tip Higher - Tipping more than 20% will get you first-class service that New Yorkers expect from these top restaurants.
 
A few of my fave participating restaurants and dishes:

Tao Downtown, 92 Ninth Avenue, NYC
My Fave Dish: Tuna Parmesan Sashimi with Parmesan, tomato wasabi salsa and crispy sesame stick

Morimoto, 88 Tenth Avenue, NYC
My Fave Dish: Duck, Duck, Duck – House-made croissant, roast duck, foie gras butter, duck egg and red miso sauce

Stanton Social, 99 Stanton Street, NYC
My Fave Dish: Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos, cilantro, avocado, crushed wasabi peas

Rôtisserie Georgette 14 East 60^th Street, NYC
My Fave Dish: Watermelon Salad and Roasted Half Chicken Provençal, Herbes de Provence,

Rosa Mexicano – Tribeca, 41 Murray Street, NYC
My Fave Dish: CARNITAS: Slow-braised pork with cilantro, white onion and grilled pineapple. Served in a cast iron skillet with handmade corn tortillas

Felidia’s 243 East 58^th Street, NYC
My Fave Dish: Traditional Italian Tasting Dinner! Guests are encouraged to eat the Italian way by experiencing a first course, a tasting of two pastas for the table, a main course, dessert & fruit

Records were set for the average and median apartment prices in the second quarter, as the luxury market rebounded from a sluggish 2016. Closings over $5 million were 41% higher than a year ago, as the pent-up demand for these apartments was released after the presidential election. Overall, the market saw 23% more sales than in 2016’s second quarter, with 2,601 reported closings.

The average apartment price of $2,179,172 was 6% higher than a year ago, while the median price rose 10% to $1,205,000. The real strength of the market was resale apartments, as their average price rose to $1,686,224, a 9% improvement from the first quarter of 2017. While down from previous quarter the average new development price remained above $4 million for the fourth straight quarter.

The luxury market stalled last year, as buyers were held back by the uncertainty of Brexit and the U.S. presidential election. But after the election in November, buyers returned to the market leading to a sharp pickup in closings in the second quarter. It appears this bump has now leveled off, as recent contract signed activity has slowed in response to increased global turmoil. 

Click Here To Read The Full Version Of The Report

The Manhattan apartment market rebounded in the first quarter, as both prices and the number of sales rose for resale apartments compared to a year ago. The average resale price rose 5% to $1,561,911—its highest level since the second quarter of 2015. A new record was set for the resale median price, which at $955,000 was 3% higher than 2016’s first quarter. There were 1,795 resale closings reported in the first quarter, which was 5% more than a year ago.

Including new developments, the average price for all apartments reached a new record of $2,174,105. The median price for all apartments of $1,150,000 was also a record, and 8% higher than in the prior quarter. A 17% decline in new development closings brought the number of sales for all types of apartments down 1% from the first quarter of 2016.

After slowing dramatically leading up to the presidential election, the Manhattan apartment market has started to pick up momentum. With much of the uncertainty now gone and sellers adjusting to the realities of the market, first-quarter market data was better than expected. While the data show a decline in new development closings, many of the deals are signed months or years in advance, so they are not always indicative of current market conditions.

The full version of the report can be found here