The famed Crown Building located at 730 Fifth Avenue (formerly known as the Heckscher Building) recently hit the real estate market for a reported $2 Billion.

Famous for its golden top, the striking Art Deco tower was once owned by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos before a military-backed revolt toppled their regime.

Just a few days ago Bloomberg News reported that General Growth Properties Inc. (GGP) agreed to buy the Crown Building in partnership with New York landlord Jeffrey Sutton to build its presence in the world’s most-expensive retail district

Although negotiations are private, the partners agreed to pay about $1.75 billion for the 390,000-square-foot (36,200-square-meter) tower.

With much of the tower’s value in its retail space, the $4,490 price per square foot sets a world record for an entire office building, according to Ben Thypin, director of market analysis at Real Capital Analytics Inc., a New York-based real estate research firm.

The Crown Building, at 730 Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, has one of midtown Manhattan's finest roofs. When seen at night, its illuminated, striking 416-foot high crown with gilded details truly gives it a regal quality, befitting of its name. The French Renaissance octagonal tower section is very striking, with stone/terra cotta, dormers, parapets and a huge chimney stack. An original weathervane in the form of a rooster was removed in 1942 and melted down as part of the war effort. The best unobstructed view is from the north, where this photo was taken.

Illuminated like a star each evening, 730 5th Avenue has a grand feel.

Designed by Warren and Wetmore and built in 1921, it was one of the first buildings to go up after the setback provisions of the 1916 Zoning Resolution. It was originally called the Hecksher Building after its developer August Hecksher, a German immigrant (1867) who made his wealth from mining operations. In 1929, the Museum of Modern Art opened its first gallery here in rented rooms on the 12th floor.

In the 1960s it was known as the Genesco Building and again renamed in 1983 as the Crown Building.

Approximately 35,000 square feet is retail that includes Bulgari, Miimoto, Piaget and Bank of America. The 25 floor, 400,000 square-foot tower’s tenants include talent and literary agency ICM, private-equity giants KKR, Apollo Global Management and men’s designer Ermenegildo Zegna.

Tenants enjoy rare and beautiful Central Park views from the building's many windows. In addition, prestigious neighbors, such as the Trump building and the Chrysler Building, draw visitors to this area. There are numerous terraces and views to Central Park, making it a possible residential or hotel conversion candidate.

The holiday season is here and it's time to start thinking about tipping for services in our apartment buildings.

For those living in Manhattan, holiday tipping is the norm and can seem endless.

While it's important to be generous, it's also important to be realistic about what you can afford.

Some Manhattan apartment buildings pool tips so the workers receive one lump sum. Most leave it up to the individual resident.

I hope you will find the information below useful when tipping in your apartment building this holiday season!

These are suggested tips for Manhattan. Most importantly -- give what you can. If you are giving less this year, include a postscript saying "Wish it could be more" and your gift will be very appreciated.

During this holiday season, remember to take time for yourself so that you're not frazzled when entertaining. 

And keep in mind - if you're planning on putting your apartment on the market, the holidays are a great time to do this. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers! Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

Wishing you all the magic and blessings of the holiday season!

Be amazing, Be Wonderful, Be The Change in 2015!

With the holidays upon us, it's a time to give gifts to our loved ones, friends and customers.

We buy gifts for our loved ones but how often do we remember those in need who we could all MAKE A DIFFERENCE for?  There are wonderful groups doing important work whose donations are suffering. Here is my annual list of places where you can MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

This holiday season, rather than buying expensive gifts, I will be making donations to charity in the names of my loved ones, friends and customers. It's like giving twice!

Here is a list of top registered charities you may want to consider.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH ROSS!

 
Alzheimer's Associaton 

To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

American Heart Association
Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do.

America's Second Harvest (New name is FEEDING AMERICA)
The nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity

Boys and Girls Club of America

Enables all young people, especially those most in need to reach their full potential as productie, caring and responsible citizens.

Darfur - Not On Our Watch
Focusing global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities around the world.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.

Feed The Children
Feed The Children provides food, medicine, clothing, educational materials and other essentials to children and their families domestically and internationally.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Love Our Children USA
The national ‘go-to' prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S.  (Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is the founder and chief executive officer of this charity)

March Of Dimes
Dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

MS Society
The MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now-to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. They help each person address the challenges of living with MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

North Shore Animal League
North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world.

ONE
ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly. All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay.

Stand Up To Cancer
Stand up to cancer raised funds for research in unprecedented effort to end cancer's reign
as a leading cause of death.

Starlight Starbright Childrens Foundation
Enhancing the lives of critically and terminally ill children through granting wishes and hospital programs
(Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is a past volunteer with this Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation New York)

STOMP Out Bullying

Created in 2005, STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national anti-bullying/cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. It focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns. An additional focus educates parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online. (Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is the founder and chief executive officer of this charity)

Susan G. Komen For The Cure
The largest grassroot network of people working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care, and energize science to find a cure.

UNICEF
Raises funds for programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, they are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives.

For other registered charities please visit www.guidestar.org

The holidays are around the corner. So much to think about. So much to do.

So many of my clients tell me how busy they are -- in fact so busy they don't have time to decorate their homes for the holidays, let alone even get out to buy their Christmas tree.

When speaking with them, many ask if I know of someone who can purchase their tree, have it delivered and decorate it.

Some Manhattan florists offer this service. Some decorators offer this service. There are decorators such as Rick Garofalo inNew York, James Hunter in San Francisco and a few others. And there's Donna David. 

I've been using Donna as a professional organizing consultant for many of my clients and just learned that she will not only purchase your tree, but she have it delivered to your home and decorate it for you.

Donna David of DonnaDavidCo.com is amazing. This former Burberry executive is fast, efficient and has a keen eye for decor. She works with the simplest clients to the most high-end. From design through installation to takedown and storage, Donna David provides full service decorating for any holiday or special event.

Many decorators just wince at doing their own holiday decorations. Now there is help. Hire an outsourcing expert and watch the smile on your family's faces! 

Hope these hints are helpful for outsourcing your Christmas and holiday decor.

Wishing you Happy Holidays!

Q3 2014 Market Report

The average price for all Manhattan apartments was $1,675,021 in the third quarter, 18% more than a year ago. While this is slightly below the record level of 2014’s first quarter, it is the second highest average price ever. Much this increase over the past year has been due to luxury activity, as the median price rose only 3% during this time to $898,500. Lower inventory combined with rising prices led to fewer sales than a year ago, with reported transfers down 15%.

Resale apartment prices averaged $1,545,875, or 13% more than in 2013’s third quarter. Helped by a record-tying sale, the average resale co-op price was 15% higher than a year ago, at $1,311,093. Prices for previously-owned condos set a new record in the third quarter, reaching $1,952,403.

Apartments in new developments sold for an average of $2,672,066, a 43% jump from the third quarter of 2013. This figure was down from the second quarter of 2014, as luxury closings declined. Downtown south of 14^th Street accounted for 24.4% of new development closings in the third quarter, the most of any area. This was helped by a large number of closings at The Jefferson, at 211 East 13^th Street.

The full version of the report can be found here