Lin-Manuel Miranda's latest creation, In the Heights, focuses on his beloved Brooklyn Heights' surroundings from his upbringing and the movie premiered last week.

In order to bring his childhood neighborhood to the screen, Miranda teamed with an all-star squad. The writer/producer/composer called upon director Jon M. Chu, Emmy-nominated production designer Nelson Coates and set decorator Andrew Baseman, who were all part of 2018's smash hit Crazy Rich Asians. This all-star team re-joined forces to display a tight-knit, multi-ethnic community for In the Heights.

The set displays an eclectic mix of sceneries and businesses one would expect to see in Brooklyn Heights: bodegas, apartments, hair salons and public parks. The movie was filmed at a soundstage in Brooklyn.

One of the challenges for Baseman was to differentiate the interiors of the characters' living spaces based off their respective country of origin. However, the set decorator masterfully succeeds at this. Flags and typical nods to cultural heritages are seen throughout set decorations.

Perhaps two of the most prominent sets are the corner bodega store and the local hair salon. The design team kept things very authentic on both fronts. From the old cardboard pieces below freezers to soak up water to a hand painted mural outside the bodega's walls, not a single detail was overlooked.

In the Heights is in theaters across the country and with its bustling street scenes, it should do just the trick from an audience craving human interaction after reeling from a global pandemic.

The post ‘In The Heights’ Design Team Pulls Off Impressive Feat To Bring New York To Big Screen appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

In the world of quick flips and maximizing purchase and construction dollars, renovating and restoring a brownstone for profit is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest for some exercise. Stripping and sanding and staining intricate wainscoting and moldings is a painstaking and costly affair that doesn’t result in a bump in resale value. Rather than restore the houses are denuded of their original charm, replaced by paint, expensive stone, light wood floors, sputnik lighting and gleaming commercial grade appliances. A scan of the NY Times real estate section shows a number of these type of townhouses asking top dollar.

59 Lincoln Place (photo courtesy of the New York Times)

Park Slope’s 59 Lincoln Place ($4,490,00), 151 President St in Carroll Gardens ($3,500,000) and 453 DeGraw Street in Gowanus ($4,200,000) are visually stunning and have a classic brownstone facade but inside are hardly recognizable from the conventional detail dripping Victorian houses we expect

292 16th St, Park Slope Brooklyn (photo courtesy of Zillow)

“There’s a difference between a restoration and renovation,” says Abdel Tarchid, a designer with Scavolini Kitchens in Brooklyn, who has been involved in many such renovations including  292 16th St in Park Slope. “Developers are not in the business of restoring. Certainly many of our clients, come to us for something very modern but tasteful, with clean lines where the electric and plumbing along with heating and cooling systems can be installed in an efficient manner. It would be painstaking to do if you had to navigate around old pipes and woodwork,” he says.

Doug Bowen a broker with Douglas Elliman has sold around 100 Brooklyn townhouses. He sees the kitchen as a driver for large-scale renovations in historic townhouses.

“The most successful townhouse renovations manage to craft open-plan kitchens seamlessly into these antique properties,” he told the Appliances Connection blog. “Townhouse configurations in the prime parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan trend to either a single family or a two family. Most commonly an upper triplex with a garden rental. Both are most successful with kitchens at the rear that bring the outdoors inside and visa versa.”

For those attached to these historic townhomes, who believe stripping them of their Victorian majesty is almost sacrilegious, a replacing battered vintage molding with newly made ones is often a faster, if still expensive, undertaking, resulting in something truly spectacular.

1 Verona Plce courtesy of Zillow.com

In 2017, 1 Verona Place shattered the sales record for a townhouse in Bed-Stuy when it sold for $3.3 million. The entire interior was gut renovated and with all new moldings custom built apart from part of the staircase and painted in black lacquer as was fashionable a century ago. The developers were Christiaan Bunce, a principal at the design firm KGBL, and Adam Dahill, a mortgage broker. 

What their renovation budget was, they didn’t disclose. The lofty sale though, succeeded in raising the comps for the neighborhood of other houses without their meticulous renovation.

“Old houses have layers of visual interest created by the elaborate details, but you don’t have to keep them all,” said Kimberly Neuhaus, founder of the full-service architecture firm Neuhaus Design who recently renovated 167 6th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. 

“When you renovate an old home many of the materials are pre-existing. Your new interventions should be constructed of materials that you love.”

The post Luxury Brooklyn Brownstones Are Increasingly Inspired By Ultra Modern, Pricey Condos appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The Avengers are everywhere these days. When they aren't fighting supervillains or attempting to prevent the destruction of the universe, where do the core members of the Avengers live? How do their cinematic superhero homes compare with the real-life residences of the actors who portray them? It's time to assemble the details.

Iron Man/Robert Downey Jr.

For luxury home design, it's hard to beat Iron Man's mansion. This real residence partially inspired Tony Stark's house in the movie. Located in La Jolla, California, the 11,000-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 6-bath architectural marvel doesn't come with any Iron Man suits–but it does have a private beach.

San Diego architect Wallace Cunningham was given an unlimited budget to design a home that enhanced the natural landscape of the Torrey Pines State Reserve and provided awe-inspiring views of the ocean waves below it.

Aspiring billionaire playboys can watch Iron Man's cinematic journey in the glass and concrete home theater after getting some exercise in one of the many infinity pools dropped like luxury puddles all over the property.

Photo by Brown Harris Stevens

Actor Robert Downey Jr's East Hamptons cottage seems modest by Tony Stark's standards, but it does have a real working windmill and several clever touches of whimsy that you'd expect from one of Hollywood's most versatile actors.

Captain America/Chris Evans

At the end of Captain America: Civil War, super soldier Steve Rogers walks away from his shield and "Captain America" identity.

Maybe Steve Rogers will be looking for a new home soon as well–since the Brooklyn Heights apartment he keeps was damaged in battle. Over the years, the cozy nook with the warm fireplace provided a welcome hideout for many Marvel characters.

Presented by Coca-Cola and Marvel Entertainment

The borough of Brooklyn showed its pride in being tied to the First Avenger, as Prospect Park recently unveiled a 13-foot tall bronze Captain America statue.

On the other coast, Chris Evans lives in Laurel Canyon in a recently renovated house he purchased for $3.5 million. When not on set, the Avengers actor refreshes in his steam shower and free-standing tub in a master bathroom made of limestone and Calcutta marble.

He can also practice his cooking skills in the gourmet chef's kitchen with Wolf range, marble countertops, and built-in Miele coffee maker.

If the Avengers cast wants to have a Beverly Hills dance party, Chris Evans' pool patio–wired for dynamic surround sound might be the best place to do it.

Thor/Chris Hemsworth

After the destruction of Asgard at the end of the movie Thor: Ragnarok, the god of thunder is what you might call "in the market" for a new universe.

Chris Hemsworth, on the other hand, enjoys a $7-million estate comprised of six separate buildings in New South Wales, Australia. The Down-Under retreat near Byron Bay resembles a Balinese resort and meanders down to a secluded beach.

photo by Domain

The palatial environment is impressive, but Chris has even bigger plans. The whole Hemsworth family is living in the surrounding buildings while the main house undergoes a massive $8-million renovation.

Hulk/Mark Ruffalo

The Hulk was comfortable soaking in a tub for two years in the Sakaar suite he was kept in as a champion Gladiator, but now that Bruce Banner is back to stay, he's going to need a safe house with a well-equipped lab. The Avenger with the infamous alter-ego has been homeless for much of the Marvel adventures. Hopefully, this scientist with seven Ph.D.'s will get some shelter from the storm soon.

Mark Ruffalo was feeling the opposite with too many homes. He sold his Brooklyn brownstone last year for $3.1 million to make his primary residence the 50-acre farmhouse he shares with his wife Sunrise Coigney in the foothills of the Catskills. The Sullivan County homestead, which runs along the Delaware River, is an attractive step back to a simpler time.

photo by Coke Wisdom O'Neal

With a vegetable garden, a carved wooden bear sculpture, large barn and an eco-friendly guest house, Mark Ruffalo enjoys the breathing space of his country escape–learning what wild mushrooms he can eat and which natural plants heal bug bites. He is raising his kids to appreciate nature and feel connected to the land.

Black Widow/Scarlet Johansson

Natasha Romanoff, the S.H.I.E.L.D agent, otherwise known as "Black Widow" graduated from a Russian spy to a core member of the Avengers team.

When she isn't hanging with her buddy Hawkeye or helping Iron Man or Bruce Banner to get their head in the game, Black Widow can probably be found at the Avengers Mansion in New York City.

The Henry Clay Frick House on 5th Avenue was the real-life inspiration for the fictional base. The house has been enlarged three times to include a grand entry hall, an enclosed garden court, an oval room, a music room, and gallery. The bedrooms are located on the second floor and accessed by a marble staircase with wrought iron balustrade.

Meanwhile, Scarlett Johansson keeps her base in L.A. In fact, the famous Hollywood sign can be seen from her balcony. The 3,500-square-foot, two-story home sits on nearly an acre behind a secluded gate and cul-de-sac.

Dark wood floors accentuate the predominantly white walls and glass doors. A bathroom skylight provides ample views of the green hills that frame the pool and eight-person spa area.

It seems Scarlett has found her oasis in the middle of Los Feliz' historically Hollywood enclave.

See all of these famous stars and more in action in Avengers: Infinity War, still playing in theaters worldwide.

The post Haute Residence: Avengers Edition appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The home, a duplex located at 138 Columbia Heights, is a classic looking Brooklyn townhouse offering panoramic views, floor to ceiling windows, and incredible views of downtown Manhattan all the way to the Statue of Liberty. The home is also situated next to Brooklyn Bridge Park, making it a perfect home for anyone with kids, dogs, or anything else that needs to get taken out for a walk every so often.

There is a wood burning fireplace with an exquisite mantel and beamed ceiling in the living room, and a second wood burning fireplace in the Master Bedroom. Entrance foyer with built in bookshelves and cabinets with a graceful stairway leading to the second floor. In addition, on the parlor floor is a large bedroom and full bath. Upstairs are two large bedrooms, two bathrooms, and additional space for an office or guest room. The public entrance to this home has exquisite detail and serves just two large residences.

The home is being listed by Gabriel J Ford and Rhea L Cohen. It's currently listed at just under $5 million.

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