In the history of New York City, there has always been the building to live in. Uptown, downtown, East Side, West Side, Brooklyn, and beyond, at any point in the city’s history, New York’s biggest names have always wanted to be a part of the It everything. Apartment locales are no exception.

Today, 443 Greenwich Street is the place to be. Packed with celebrities like Meg Ryan, Justin Timberlake, and its most recent resident Harry Styles, the building has become a magnet of New York’s coolest inhabitants. What makes the building such a draw though for people? Like its predecessors, 15 Central Park West, 150 Charles Street, The Police Building, 155 Franklin, and so many others, the building is a combination of great minds putting together an even greater building, a little bit of being at the right place in the right time, knowing the neighborhood, and appealing to the right kind of client.

"At 443 Greenwich, we designed a project based upon the provenance of this landmark building and delved into the specifics of the building that would create unique homes--not just places to live but an unparalleled lifestyle,” says Nancy Ruddy, Founding Principal of architecture and design firm CetraRuddy. “As we reflected on what luxury really is, we determined that privacy and respite from our busy lives was a luxury that all people want. We created a private garage within the building where people can drive into the building and get directly into their apartments. This ability to live a very private life, uninterrupted by the noise of the city, became a major asset to purchasers.” A concept would become an obvious draw to the celebrity influence of the building, let alone the proximity to some of the city’s best new restaurants, entertainment, and more.

The building is a former bookbindery in an area of TriBeCa historically used for manufacturing. The building utilizes the space in a way that offers larger units for its residents, and in doing so provides a sense of exclusivity that anyone on the outside would be green with envy over. There are only 53 apartments in the entire building. It also is a design modern enough to appeal to today’s styles, but without going too over the top that the look and feel of the building will stand for a long time. Looking back at It Buildings throughout the years in New York, many are towers on Central Park, or East Side landmarks that had been refurbished, and just like 443 Greenwich were in a neighborhood that at the time was a quiet place in close proximity to all the coolest elements of New York.

“The developer knew he wanted to make large apartments that would appeal to these buyers, people who entertain and enjoy the luxury of New York,” says Richard Cantor, head of marketing and sales for the building. “He created a private entrance to the second garage, it allowed people to come into the building without being bothered or noticed, by paparazzi or anyone who might intrude on their privacy. I think that appeals to people that are in aesthetic businesses like movies or the arts.”

Like every It Building though, celebrity tenants and a buzz were hoped for, but not expected. According to Cantor, “We didn’t plan this space for celebrities, that wasn’t even in our thinking. We just wanted to provide this for the people that would appreciate it. I think people like that they can get the same amount of living space they do in some of their other homes while still having access to the city.”

There is a certain method to the system though, qualities that each of the buildings have known and followed as they developed this following. Richard Cantor has seen 443 Greenwich follow a similar structure to success as the previous It Building, 15 CPW. “15 Central Park West was the first truly luxurious building built in 15 years, and its right on the park, which is perfect for New Yorkers. Our building was the largest building in the area, and located right near the river. We decided to go out of our way to put layouts and amenities that would appeal to people who wanted the best in life, and who wanted a New Yorker lifestyle to the fullest, and that’s what all of them do. They were all made to a level and finish that other buildings didn’t have. Once a building catches on and people know about it there’s a certain snowball effect that builds, an underground gossip about the building that builds, which I think has happened to us.” Whatever the secret of success to these buildings may be, 443 Greenwich has tapped into it and is breaking new ground for the rise for celebrity real estate in the city.

The post What Makes A Celebrity It Building? appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The River & Warren condominium connects Tribeca and Battery Park City and sits in the shadow of the new "One World Trade Center."

In Battery Park City, where residential land is unavailable, the apparent renaissance was already complete, or so we thought. This makes River & Warren (a 28-story condominium built the same year as 9/11) such an unexpected jewel—recently hitting the market with 192 residences from $1.475 million for two bedrooms to penthouses for more than $10 million.

Centurion Real Estate Partners and Five Mile Capital converted 324 rental apartments at 212 Warren Street to these contemporary two- to five-bedroom condos designed by architectural firm CetraRuddy. Few places in Manhattan (or the world for that matter) offer the location, view, privacy and convenience of River & Warren, formerly known as 22 River Terrace. Occupancy is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015 via Corcoran Sunshine, which exclusively handles sales and marketing.

The hardest part of taking up residence at River & Warren is deciding the better view—inside or out. The easy answer is, both. River & Warren condos boast sweeping panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and/or uptown Manhattan’s gorgeous skyline. River & Warren will be among the most enviable locations to live in Manhattan, with its Warren Street address connecting the two vibrant neighborhoods of Tribeca and Battery Park City.

River & Warren offers two bedroom units from $1.475 million to penthouses for more than $10 million.

The kitchen’s bold centerpiece is a stainless steel range hood framed by an oak proscenium arch.

The condominium has a contemporary lobby with entrances on both sides.

The condominium is ideally located on premium waterfront along the landscaped Hudson River Promenade and 550 acres of unique parks—just between Nelson A. Rockefeller Park and Teardrop Park. It’s merely a short walk to North Cove Yacht Harbour, many subway stations, Tribeca’s neighborhood restaurants and independent retailers, and Brookfield Place, downtown’s pre-eminent luxury shopping destination. And if this convenience isn’t freeing enough, freedom is at your doorstep or terrace with sunset views of Lady Liberty.

CetraRuddy reimagined all of the River & Warren residences and amenities from the ground up. Amenities will include full time doorman and concierge, fitness center, children’s playroom, roof terrace with sundeck promenade, and private storage. Most condos range from 1,061-square-foot two bedroom, two bathroom units for $1.475 million to 2,988-square-foot five-bedroom, four bathroom units for $5.585 million. The eighteenth floor boasts four- and five-bedroom duplexes. These homes offer corner exposures, open living and dining areas enhanced by setback terraces. The upper level features the master suites and secondary bedrooms.

River & Warren is crowned by two oversized penthouses, each designed with more than 2,000 square feet of outdoor living space. The penthouses showcase floor-to-ceiling corner windows that perfectly capture the Hudson River and park panoramas. Centerpiece staircases lead up to a rooftop retreat with a grill—a landscaped private oasis in the sky.

River & Warren penthouses are designed with more than 2,000 square feet of outdoor living space.

River & Warren is located on premium waterfront along the landscaped Hudson River promenade.

Each residence offers ample light accentuated by a bright interior color palette of brilliant white walls and cabinetry, pale wide plank oak flooring, and oversized windows. Interiors are reflective of nature with light materials and subtle references to water throughout the condos, according to the firm.

“We chose a pale palette to complement the extraordinary light that streams into the residences,” Nancy J. Ruddy, founding principal of CetraRuddy, stated on the River & Warren website. “All of the finishes, from the stone, to the wood, to the textures in the kitchens and baths, exhibit a graceful softness. The end result is both harmonious and stylish.”

Design details include stones personally handpicked by Ruddy during a European trip, custom-stained floors, and wood portals that allow for open flow from room to room. Open layouts and the seamlessly integrated kitchen area contribute to the expansive feel of living spaces.

River & Warren’s master bathrooms are finished with imported Bianco Puro marble walls and chevron-patterned floors. The vanities are topped with imported Italian stone and crowned by a custom mirror inlay and surrounded by a beveled white frame. Select residences feature windowed master baths and freestanding tubs.

Bathrooms are finished with imported Bianco Puro marble walls, Italian marble floors and chevron-patterned floors.

The kids' playroom at River & Warren.

The condo amenities include a gym.

The kitchen’s bold centerpiece is a stainless-steel range hood framed by an oak proscenium arch, providing a warm focal point to the light and airy space. A custom oak and stainless-steel island features a countertop crafted from Bleu de Savoie, a French stone with an elegant gray-blue patina. Other highlights include floor-to-ceiling millwork cabinetry, white Italian Calacatta marble countertops and backsplashes, and a suite of Miele (with its Brilliant White Plus series paneling), Sub-Zero, and Bosch appliances.

The Battery Park City ice skating rink.

The new downtown Manhattan skyline (at night) featuring Battery Park City, the Statue of Liberty, and One World Trade Center.

Ample light is a common fixture inside River & Warren condos. In a bygone era, Warren Street itself was full of kerosene and gas lamp stores. Now, the busy downtown skyline provides all the light (and fresh emanating energy) that the historic district needs going forward post-9/11--lest we forget the past and how this new downtown was born. The iconic area doesn’t just belong to New York now, but to every American. In almost every regard, downtown Manhattan has its mojo back.

The post CetraRuddy’s River and Warren Lights Up Condo Market in Battery Park City appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.