Fifth Avenue

The Classicist: Bergdorf Goodman Unveils High-Tech Holiday Windows [video]

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist, Video, Architecture & Design, Luxury Shopping

Legendary luxe New York department store Bergdorf Goodman, founded in 1901, is famous for its amazing, elaborate holiday windows which dazzle shoppers and passersby alike. This year is no exception, with the added attraction of some high-tech features debuting for the very first time. The 2010 windows, entitled "Wish You Were Here," take their inspiration from fantasy travel to far-flung places involving some rather unusual ways of getting there. The displays feature an array of "wild mash-ups of unexpected arrivals and departures", each with visual influences as diverse as Roman mythology, 1940s Hollywood musicals, the city's original Penn Station, and the very first science fiction film.

This year, for the first time, QR codes on several of the windows enable people to view an online Bergdorf Holiday Gift Finder and a video depicting the making of the holiday displays (above) simply by scanning the codes with their smartphone or handheld digital device. Produced entirely in-house by Bergdorf, the video features the song "Follow Me" by 17-year old emerging Sony artist Audrianna Cole. "We are in the surprise business," notes David Hoey, Bergdorf Goodman's Senior Director of Visual Presentation and Window Design. "This job is part architect and part cake decorator." Each of the landmark store's five main Fifth Avenue windows represents a different destination and a special method of conveyance:

Gallery: Bergdorf Goodman 2010 Holiday Windows

Tags: Bergdorf Goodman, Christmas shopping, department store, Fifth Avenue, holiday, Holiday 2010, holidays, Naeem Khan, New York, Oscar de la Renta, Polyvore.com, store, travel

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World's Richest Man Buys Duke-Semans Mansion for $44 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim, who beat out Warren Buffet and Bill Gates to capture the title of World's Richest Man earlier this year with an astonishing net worth of $53.5 billion, has purchased the stunning Duke-Semans Mansion in New York for a cool $44 million. As we reported back in January, cab driver-turned-fertilizer king Tamir Sapir had listed the palatial townhouse, said to be the only private mansion left on Fifth Avenue, for $50 million. According to the Wall St. Journal, Slim cut the deal to snag it for $6 million less with Sapir directly. Sapir bought the historic seven-story Beaux Arts mansion located across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from relatives of Doris Duke for $40 million in 2006. The 20,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1901, currently has a doctor's office in the basement, a five-story main residence, a penthouse duplex on top, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and 11 wood-burning fireplaces.

Gallery: Duke Semans Mansion

Tags: billionaire, Carlos Slim, celebrity real estate, Doris Duke, Duke Semans Mansion, Duke-Semans Mansion, Fifth Avenue, mansion, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mexico, New York, New York City, real estate, Tamir Sapir, worlds richest man

Rush Limbaugh Unloads NYC Penthouse for $11.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Back in March we reported that larger-than-life conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh had listed his pre-war Fifth Avenue penthouse for sale at $13.95 million after vowing to leave New York City. Following a $1 million price cut a month or so later, he has now found a buyer for the overdecorated spread who is shelling out about $11.5 million, according to the Wall St. Journal. The 20th-floor penthouse (above) at 1049 Fifth Avenue, which Limbaugh purchased in 1994, features 10 rooms with expansive Central Park and Reservoir views and four terraces, two of which face the park.

There's a double living room with a fireplace, a wood paneled library, large media room with a terrace, a kitchen with a breakfast room, a large dining room with two terraces, four bedrooms with en-suite baths, and his-and-hers dressing rooms and baths, each with an oversized tub and stall shower. There are hand painted mural ceilings and walls throughout by artist Richard Smith and gold leaf moldings. The foyer entry floor is patterned Italian hand-cut marble with herringbone mahogany in the uncarpeted rooms, and walls are upholstered in Fortuny fabric. There's also a separate maid's room with bath on the third floor.

Gallery: Rush Limbaugh on Fifth Ave.

Tags: celebrity real estate, Fifth Avenue, New York City, penthouse, Rush Limbaugh

Champs-Elysees Is Most Expensive Street For Retail Rents

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Farewell Fifth Avenue. The most recent report from Colliers International has Manhattan's luxury shopping destination falling to second place in the ranks of pricey streets for retail rent. In first place now is the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris with a two percent increase to $1,256 a square foot. Fifth Avenue fell 10.7 perent from last year and is now at a still hefty $1,250 per square foot. Third was Hong Kong's Russell Street with $1,205 followed by London's Bond Street with $1,174 per square foot. Via Monte Napoleone in Milan declined 1.3 percent to $929 and rents on New York's Madison Avenue fell 21 percent to $590. The real deals can be found in Canada. The cost of retail rentals on Montreal's Rue Ste-Catherine and Toronto's Bloor Street rank 32nd and 33rd on Colliers' list of the most 50 expensive locations.

Tags: champs-elysees, Fifth Avenue, manhattan, paris, retail renting

Uma Thurman Lists NYC Townhouse at $14.2 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Statuesque actress Uma Thurman has just listed her stunning New York City townhouse for sale at $14.2 million, the RealEstalker reports. Located on a bucolic block of West 9th Street off lower Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village, the elegant 25-ft. wide, five-story, 5,086-sq-ft. pre-war brownstone built c.1900 features seven bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, and six fireplaces. Described as a "rare and spectacular offering" by Sotheby's International Realty, its centerpiece is a grand, elegant parlor with an oversized bay window at the front and southern sun flooding in from the rear. The dining area overlooks the stylized south garden, which has its own outdoor gas fireplace, and has direct access via a stair from the terrace. The full-floor master suite and sitting area have grand proportions and ample closets. Four additional bedrooms and a full stair to a roof deck complete the upper floors. The garden level has an under-stoop entry, a separate guest apartment and a large family room which opens directly onto the garden. It seems Uma, who has not confirmed ownership of the property, may be downgrading; last summer she purchased a Gramercy Park duplex for $2.65 million.

Gallery: Uma Thurman's NYC Townhouse

Tags: actress, celebrity, celebrity real estate, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, movie star, New York, New York City, real estate, townhouse, Uma Thurman

Rush Limbaugh's Gaudy NYC Penthouse for Sale at $13.95 Million [UPDATE]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

It looks like Rush Limbaugh is making good on his threat to leave New York City because of the new tax hikes. The larger-than-life conservative commentator just listed his pre-war Fifth Avenue penthouse for sale at $13.95 million, Gawker reports. The gaudy 20th-floor penthouse (above) at 1049 Fifth Avenue, which Limbaugh purchased in 1994, features 10 rooms with expansive Central Park and Reservoir views and four terraces, two of which face the park. There's a double living room with a fireplace, a wood paneled library, large media room with a terrace, a kitchen with a breakfast room, a large dining room with two terraces, four bedrooms with en-suite baths, and his-and-hers dressing rooms and baths, each with an oversized tub and stall shower. In questionable taste are the hand painted mural ceilings and walls throughout by artist Richard Smith. Ditto the hand painted gold leaf moldings. The foyer entry floor is patterned Italian hand-cut marble with herringbone mahogany in the uncarpeted rooms, and walls are upholstered in Fortuny fabric. There's also a separate maid's room with bath on the third floor.

UPDATE: The asking price for Rush Limbaugh's Fifth Avenue Penthouse has dropped by $1 million. It is currently listed by Corcoran for $12.95 million.

Gallery: Rush Limbaugh on Fifth Ave.

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Tags: celebrity, Fifth Avenue, FifthAvenue, New York, NewYork, penthouse, radio, Rush Limbaugh, RushLimbaugh

Harold Ford's New York City Apartment For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Harold Ford Jr. has been in the news a lot lately over his potential New York U.S. Senate campaign and Gawker has drawn our attention to his New York City apartment which is on the market. Ford served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee's 9th congressional district from 1997 to 2007. He ran for a Tennessee Senate seat in 2006 and lost.

He married Emily Threlkeld and moved to New York City in 2008 where the pair took up residence in her colorful Fifth Avenue two-bedroom apartment. She bought the apartment in 2006 at which time it was listed at $1.597 million. An old listing from Corcoran reveals a very different look for this apartment. The bright yellow and vivid turquoise color scheme seems to be a recent addition. The apartment has a open floor plan but has a proper foyer that leads into a living area which is over 30 feet long and has separated dining and living room areas. The master bedroom includes a walk-through dressing room and custom bath. Listing information from Brown Harris Stevens reveals that the apartment recently had a $90,000 price cut and it is now for sale at $1.4 million.

Gallery: Harold Ford In New York City

Tags: fifth avenue, FifthAvenue, Harold Ford, Harold Ford Jr., HaroldFord, HaroldFordJr., Jr., new york city, NewYorkCity, senate

Duke Semans Mansion for Sale at $50 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

Cab driver-turned-fertilizer king Tamir Sapir has just listed his palatial New York abode, the famed Duke Semans mansion on Fifth Avenue, for sale at $50 million with Brown Harris Stevens. The billionaire bought the historic seven-story Beaux Arts mansion (which we first mentioned back in 2005) across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Doris Duke's heirs for $40 million in 2006 after a single walk-through, and announced plans for a $10 million renovation project with the intention of turning it into a museum for his world-class collections; as we reported last year, Sapir's fondness for exotic animal trophies has gotten him into trouble with authorities. The 20,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1901, currently has a doctor's office in the basement, a five-story main residence, a penthouse duplex on top, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and 11 wood-burning fireplaces.

Gallery: Duke Semans Mansion

[via Curbed]

Tags: Duke Semans mansion, DukeSemansMansion, Fifth Avenue, FifthAvenue, New York, NewYork, Tamir Sapir, TamirSapir

960 Fifth Avenue, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

What a difference nearly a year can make when a home lingers on the market. The ample New York City duplex of shopping center mogul Murray Goodman first hit the market nearly a year ago for an astronomical $32.5 million. The pricey co-op at 960 Fifth Avenue has been sliding down ever since and recently, as Cityfile reports, had another price reduction down to $25.6 million. But don't feel too sorry for Mr. Goodman. He'll make money no matter what, he bought the home for just $1.41 million back in 1981.

The duplex is in a lovely Rosario Candela designed building. It has four wood-burning fireplaces and the leafy expanse of Central Park can be seen from eight large windows. Rooms include an oak-paneled library, traditional dining room, and an upstairs master suite that includes dressing closets and a private study.

Gallery: 960 Fifth Avenue

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Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, fifth avenue, FifthAvenue, murray goodman, MurrayGoodman, new york city duplex, NewYorkCityDuplex, rosario candela, RosarioCandela

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Stock up on Jewelry: Hyperinflation on the Way

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Lux Tips

If the fears of hyperinflation are realized, you'll look back with pride on your luxury purchases. All that money you've sunk into custom jewelry and top-of-the-line stones will make you look like an absolute genius. Well, that's the position of South African billionaire Johann Rupert, and I'd take the advice of a guy who can be described that way.

According to Bloomberg News, the told investors, "If we enter hyperinflation, you're going to be so glad that you bought that stuff two months or six months ago." He added, "If inflation picks up, you're going to see people running into your stores, buying high jewelry."

Will inflation cause a mob to form outside the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue? Well, I don't think I'd worry too much about the pushing and shoving, but being ready to throw an elbow probably isn't a bad idea.

Of course, Rupert has something to gain – his company, Richemont, is the world's second largest luxury goods maker (behind LVMH). In his talk with investors in the company controlled by his family, he forecasted "normal growth" with luxury sales showing signs of recovery this month and next.

Tags: billionaire, billionaires, cartier, Fifth Avenue, FifthAvenue, hyperinflation, inflation, luxury goods, LuxuryGoods, lvmh, LvmhMoetHennessyLouisVuitton, Richemont, wealthy

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Tommy Hilfiger's New Fifth Avenue Store

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The former Fortunoff store on Fifth Avenue in New York City has a new tenant, Tommy Hilfiger. The new store will have more Tommy Hilfiger products than of its other stores ranging from runway fresh designs to simple polo shirts, a mix of luxury and practicality that seems to be the norm these days. Obviously it's a daring move to open a big, expensive store in this economy but if anyone could pull it off it might just be Tommy. Walletpop's Andrea Chalupa took a tour of the new store with the man himself.

Tags: fifth avenue, FifthAvenue, fortunoff, tommy hilfiger, TommyHilfiger

834 Fifth Avenue, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

A classic Upper East Side Fifth Avenue apartment has hit the market. The New York Observer reports that Broadway producer and director Hal Prince and his wife Judy have put their apartment at 834 Fifth Avenue up for sale. This is one prime unit. The 11-room apartment has Central Park views and a large, plant-filled terrace from which you can watch the Central Park Zoo polar bears. This duplex has a large living room with an adjoining solarium/library and terrace. A formal dining room has been converted to a library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases. A staircase leads to a corner master suite on the second level as well as two other bedrooms and staff quarters. The apartment comes with two separate storage rooms and a private laundry room. Rupert Murdoch also owns a triplex in this building. The apartment is priced at $33 million. The current decor in some rooms might be a bit colorful for some people's taste but for lovers of books and graceful living this looks like paradise in the sky.

Gallery: 834 Fifth Avenue

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Tags: 834 fifth avenue, 834FifthAvenue, fifth avenue, FifthAvenue, hal prince, HalPrince

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1010 Fifth Avenue, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

I usually feature a New York City home on September 11 since that is where my heart always is on this day. Today's home reflects two key things about Manhattan real estate, its elegance and its falling prices. Cityfile reports that Tony Margolis, who retired as CEO of the Tommy Bahama Group in 2008, has dropped the price of his eighth-floor apartment at 1010 Fifth Avenue for the third time since listing it in January 2008 for for $11.995 million.

The home in one of Manhattan's classic pre-war co-ops has been renovated turning 11 rooms into nine with three full bedrooms. It has a large living room and two of the three bedrooms look out onto the Metropolitan Museum and Central Park. The best room in the house has to be the library with its wood paneling taken from the board room of a Manhattan bank and a flatscreen television mounted into the wall under a wood pediment. The three-bedroom co-op can now be yours for $9.95 million.

Gallery: 1010 Fifth Avenue

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Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, fifth avenue, FifthAvenue, new york city, NewYorkCity

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Is Apple Fifth Avenue's Top Destination Retailer?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

On New York City's pricey Fifth Avenue forget Tiffany & Co., the Apple store might just be the hottest address. Bloomberg reported this week that Apple's store on the popular shopping street could have annual sales of more than $350 million. It may just be the highest grossing store on Fifth Avenue beating out stores like Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston.

Sam Gustin, writing for our sister blog Daily Finance, is skeptical of the figure, saying that the idea that Apple sells around $1 million in merchandise in that store every single day might be a bit of an optimistic number. He interviewed a retail analyst who also expressed a bit of disbelief but entertained that it could be possible. New York City stores are rules unto themselves and the store is located in one of Manhattan's most visited areas and is open 24 hours a day. Also any Apple aficionado in the area will tell you that the store is often packed with people. Also while Tiffany and Harry Winston and other luxury retailers may attract a great deal of window shoppers Apple tends to attract those interested in buying more than looking.

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Tags: apple, entertainment-awards, fifth avenue, FifthAvenue

Steve Wynn In NYC, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

As we mentioned a little while back, the New York Observer recently reported that casino mogul Steve Wynn's New York City apartment was up for sale. Now thanks to a post from the Real Estalker, we found out that the listing has gone live. Wynn's Fifth Avenue palace is a two-bedroom apartment that measures around 3,500 square feet.

Steve and Elaine Wynn are getting a divorce (actually it's their second divorce, they were first married in 1963 but divorced in 1986 and then remarried five years later). Their full-floor apartment was once a four bedroom home but the renovation trimmed the number of rooms and expanded the spaces with an eye toward the grand and bland. The main living area was once the living room, formal dining room and library and has views over Central Park. The master suite was created from three bedrooms and has his and hers bathrooms.

As the floor plan reveals the resulting layout is a bit odd. The master bedroom has been placed next to the living room to take advantage of the best views but this means that the two bathrooms are sequential rather than side by side. The kitchen is directly opposite the second master bathroom and the dining room has been shoved to the back of the apartment right in front of the laundry and utility areas. The home has been redone in shades that design books likely refer to as variations of honey, taupe, caramel and rattan but mostly it's just beige, elegant, but beige and with a hotel's anonymity. Particularly curious is the kitchen which seems to have matching granite floors and counters. The apartment is priced at an outrageous $25 million but it seems doubtful that the Wynns will get their price.

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Gallery: Steve Wynn In NYC