Introducing Urban Oasis
If urban living is your idea of a dream come true, soon you will have a chance to live the dream in the capitol of the world.
HGTV has teamed with house planner Jack Thomasson and world-renowned designer Vern Yip to create a posh pad located in the heart of New York City. The location? The Residences at W New York-Downtown. The space? A 900-square-foot fully-furnished residence that boasts sweeping views of the city — including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Our online virtual tour of this amazing space begins on August 12, 2010. Then, starting on September 1, we invite you to enter once daily on HGTV.com and FrontDoor.com for your chance to win the apartment and a luxury vehicle. Our first on-air tour of the home premieres on Monday, September 6, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Mark your calendar! And make plans to visit this blog regularly for updates, exclusive videos and more.
Joplay, I don't know how to reply to you– but LWOP is Leave without pay. Hawaii is expensive and rainy– though today was a beautiful day in between the rain. I'm learning to apreciate it one bit at a time!
Anyone interested in the DH floor plans? http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/photo_template/articl…
Thanks, Kathy. That is an awesome layout for a ski house: two comfortable bedrooms, ample living space and a "Dorm Room" and "Dorm Bath" to accommodate many guests. This house is truly special for bringing families/friends together on an active vacation. Wow.
Thanks for the link — what a beautiful place!
thanks Kathy for the floor plans site. WOW!!!! is all i can say
According to the Condominium Declaration filed with the Department of Buildings and recorded with the City, the "A" Line of the W Downtown New York has 799 square feet. I predict that the 900 square feet number came from a "fast talking salesperson" representing the unit to HGTV, and HGTV likely is just passing the erroneous number along.
For deeds and tax records, the block and lot for the condo have been established, but no individual assessment by the City's Department of Finance has been done yet. So there is no further information on the taxes, unless someone wants to contact the sales office of W Downtown New York.
For anyone that wants to independently research the condo declaration:
http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/DocSearch.dll/V…
The prize has a cool street address:
123 Washington Street, Apt. 33A, New York, NY 10006
I can’t wait for Sept.1! All my brothers and sisters live in NYC and i always wanted a place to be closer to them especially since the recent death of our mom. This would be a gift from God if i win.I’ll keep praying
Just a note that the picture changed and it looks nothing like the first picture with the huge corner window…so, we really don't know what this place will look like until the tour or if it is even a corner apartment. Leave it to HGTV to keep us guessing and on our toes.
The video above shows the corner window and the same furnishings as was posted in the link someone found above. There's not too much more to guess for 900sq foot apartment.
I replied to you elsewhere on here as I couldn't find this comment yesterday…while the furniture is the same, the corner window picture is not the same one in the video as the one they had up on the day they announced it.
where is that picture again?
The picture used to be the main picture on the page when you go to the link in the top corner that reads "more HGTV Urban Oasis."
dreamn_again…for some reason it won't link you to the comment from me. The picture that they showed the other day with a full corner window and white furniture with design ledges in the wall (it was the corner link where it says more HGTV Urban Oasis) is not the same corner that is shown in the video. The furniture shown now is the same as in the video…so you are right on that point.
I must have missed the particular picture you referred to. If you compare the blog video to the floorplan and pictures on this link… http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/08/03/inside_t… There's not too much left to reveal.
that was a great site – thank you. lot less to keep clean but my pups need outside more. wish you luck
There's likely a stackable washer/dryer in the cabinet beside the refrigerator. That room with a view is for cooking, dining, entertaining, relaxing, office, housing guests and laundry. Wow, that room gets a workout.
Okay I looked at the floor plans and photos. This place seems very small for 900 sq ft. I was at a friends and her place is small but seems a lot more spacious with 2 bedrooms than this does with 1. They supposedly have the same square footage.
The floor plan off of ny.curbed.com shows stacked washer/dryer located behind the door to left of the refrigerator. An alternative location could be in the second closet off the entrance hallway (behind the shower to access the necessary plumbing)
Wow.. I would like my dream be come true. I really would like to feel NYC and having my own house with my family around but I think NYC is not really for my family. We need private splace more and not too busy. If I win. I will move there too and after my family have to deside what we want.
Sorry if my english not right.
Thank you.
I've never lived in a big city; not sure if I'd like it. However if I did win, I'd try it on for a while. I'd go the great restaurants, museums, historic sites, etc. Then probably sell it. New York life is just not my speed, and I'm too accustomed to having living space and cars to drive in traffic that moves. I have never in my life used public transportation– well maybe once. I don't like taxis and subways confuse me. I am also of the opinion that if you live in an apartment, you aren't a homeowner. Besides, where would I walk my dogs for bathroom brakes?
Of course I'll enter and hope to win, but this would be one to sell asap.
guess if i won I could sublet it after I enjoy it for a few months to see all I have dreamed of seeing but the Acura sounds great. Wanted the car til I found out it cost more than my house. Both my cars get 26 – 31 mpg so that is not for me either. If I was a stockbroker or lawyer or something like that maybe I would fit in – - – I want something more green – hope I didn't offend anyone at HGTV.
It is a beatiful apartment but the more I have thought about it i dont think I would fit in to the New York lifestyle. It's like the techno music on the site RJMstone posted . . . about the W complex – I am just too earthy & that's over the edge. I am too much of a coward still. Elevators every day to go home – hussle bussle life – I am mellowing now. that is why the clam digging of Massachusetts was so appealing. Although I don't know if I could kill it myself to eat it. I am a wimp when it comes to me hurting God's creatures & that is strange coming from a TRUE Beef lover. But the beef I get is already dead & I didn't have to look at it alive. I am rambling again. I would love to visit New York – Statue of Liberty, play, Staten Island Ferry ride, Empire State Bldg, etc – but guess I won't enter. Someone who has dreamed of that LIFE needs to win.
No problem, SummerSilver. I've been following the HGTV giveaways for years, starting in 2002. Since this giveaway is in my hometown, I have an advantage on gathering information because I follow the local real estate blogs and am familiar with the city's website containing deeds, mortgages, condo declarations, property tax assessments etc.
All I can say is wow, wow, I love the way the residential views show the "windows to the world" in the "W" building. The floor shines and glistens against the backdrop of the view, this is true sophistication and style from corner to corner, angle to angle. I love this apartment, where it is located, all the amenities of the building, etc. I would indeed feel more privileged than Carrie in "Sex in the City" as I am a single woman, but unfortunately I would be considered a more mature sophisticate at age 55.
JOYS of Urban living!! Terrific!
Although this condo is tiny for it's high price tag…..I understand that NY is a huge city with a high crime rate. It is best to live in the most expensive part of town for this reason. So if I were to live in NY City, I would choose Manhattan as my home…..if money were no object.
Forget sensible Katydid. Your old enough to know your own tastes. Enjoy yourself! ^_^
Regarding The Residences at W, I have just a few words to say: start spreading the news, I'm leaving…soon. I want to be a part of it, New York, New York. These vagabond shoe-s, they're longing to stray, right to the very heart of it, New York, New York. I want to wake up in that Urban Oasis where I'll soon sleep, and find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap. My little Southern California blues, they're melting away…I see myself enjoying all of it, in New York, New York! So thanks, HGTV, I'll be looking forward to putting in my daily entries for my very own pied-a-terre right there in New York City.
I just have one question though—can you win both the 2011 Dream Home, and the Urban Oasis 2010? Need to know so I can start planning the logistics and travel dates between Vermont and NYC….
That is mighty ambitious of you…….winning both the Dream Home and the Urban Oasis! But I must say…..I do like the idea of owning a mansion in another state (my primary residence) and owning the condo in NY city (my weekend or vacation getaway).
Good job, Coop, on remembering the code for your vagabond shoe-s!
Oh, by the way, if the food is as good in NYC as in Santa Fe, I won't be able to resist the temptations. My Santa Fe list includes the following: casual—Plaza Cafe; mid-range and very typical New Mexican cuisine—The Shed, and La Cantina; low-key but excellent Vietnamese!—Pho Kim; upscale—The Pink Adobe, and Viga (in/outdoor dining) or Fuego (indoor fine dining) both at La Posada Resort. Enough about food!
Back to the excitement swirling around the posh NYC pad…I'm ready, willing, and able to be really jazzed about the upcoming news and views of this first-of-its-kind HGTV giveaway. Bring it on, MARY.
Coop: Loved your take on "New York, New York". So glad you found the food in Santa Fe so tasty. But we need you to hop to NYC asap and give us some tips on the fine dining there. And all that jazz. Oh, yeah!
Glad you ate at the Pink Adobe. It's my favorite, and we use their cookbook often!
As much as I am a Boston Guy, never had a bad meal in NY – Last dinner was at the Homestead after an Emeril taping – chowed my Monster Delmonico – my buddies were not quite as hungry – when the waiter asked to package leftovers he stated that I had done a number on my dinner – I told him it was smaller than than my buddies – a manager in a $2000+ suit offered to make me full – nice touch – service was great……
Gorgeous, Glamorous and Great Views! Makes me remember greed is good. I lived in NYC ten years ago, but never had the luxury of living in the financial district! Can’t wait to enter in September.
I cannot decide which home I want to win more……..the condo in NY City, or the mountain lodge in VT. They are so very different…..but it is difficult to choose. Both homes have alot to offer.
I wonder how they decided on this list? Many of these cities havde the highest crime rates in the USA! Not my idea of cool cities.:S
Ed, I don't know about the other cities, but the crime rates here in Manhattan are very low. The police do an excellent job deterring crime. 25 years ago, however, was a different story.
I have no idea who decided to choose these cities as the "coolest". But I am pretty sure it has alot to do with things to do in the area……restaurants, museums, art & cultural events, sporting events, broadway musicals, festivals, beaches, retail shopping, job market, etc., etc. This may not be everyones ideal way to choose a good city to live in, but the people who do live there more than likely would never want to give it up.
Good luck to you Summer. If I won it, I would immediately sell it to pay the six or seven hundred thousand in income taxes! And use the left over for my idea of a dream home.
They don't Summer. Almost all of them immediately sell the home to pay the ridiculous income taxes. Then some of them are millionaires with what's left over after taxes! ^_^ It's just like winning the lottery. You don't have to be a millionaire to play, but if you win Uncle Sam is there to collect!!!
did not think of it that way. win to sell to someone who can afford it – fix my home up & maybe have enough left over to get my daughter – her hubby – & the kids a decent house. been looking for the blog cabin but haven't found it yet.
Ditto here Joplays. Try this link to the blog cabin: http://blog.diynetwork.com/blogcabin/
joplays: Repeat this three times. I am not a coward, have never been a coward and am not a wimp.
Personally, I could never cook a live lobster, but I don't consider myself a wimp. Don't over think this. Play your piano. Relax. Please enter and if you win, sell it. Needs don't count on this give-away. It's all luck. Take care, my friend.
Funny – - – got your email & just posted this below on the dream home blog. What timing! We were debating the income taxes on a 2.5 million home. So – when do I enter for New York.
think I may try to win the urban apartment. I could stay there for a few weeks to a month & see a broadway play, statue of liberty, take the staten island ferry, drive down to the pinehills out of curiosity & see Plymouth Rock, empire state bldg, Washington D.C. & over to Fairfax to visit a friend. Then may go up & see the Liberty Bell & see all I want. Then sublet it. It wouldn't break my heart letting go of the treehouse in Stowe. Seems it would be easier to rent than selling a dream.
since I wrote that I have gotten much braver. My ex said that my going to the poetry group was a waste of time. (his) I am now happily divorced & don't need a man in my life to be happy. I was the one the figured out enough was enough & one person couldn't fix it. According to him, if I didn't like it I could get the H out. Well I told him to & stood up for myself finally. My house may be a money pit but I have it paid off now & saving what I can to fix it. He is probably way over his head in debt. Not my problem any more. he was a spend spend spend – & I was a save in case something comes up. Any time I would save he would max out a charge card or buy a new truck or something unnecessary. So although I may still not know my place – I know where it isn't.
Ouch! This hurts. There are so many artists, writers and musicians on the blogs. New York is the place to be! So close, yet so far away. There can be only one winner. How wonderful if one of us got our work to New York by virtue of being able to live there?
It seems to me that, intentional or otherwise, not having the "Latest Comments" column turned on and visible for the 'Urban Oasis' and 'Living in New York' blog threads dooms them to a short-lived dead-end.
Well, I know we'll be hearing much more about this Urban Oasis Sweepstakes from MARY in the days and weeks to come, with lots of time for more ideas and inspired comments to fill up many blog pages.
Vern Yip has designed a very neat bachelor pad. Love that he designed furniture with secret storage compartments, like the dining table with storage in the legs. Maybe a little wasted storage space in the bathroom….. hard to tell from the picture. That Dune sofa is fabulous, converting to two lounges or a bed.
I'm wondering if you removed that odd looking bench and table with the circle thing under it in the window corner, would there be room for a baby grand piano?
hopefully there is a washer/dryer combo (apt style) in that bath
joplays: Me too. Seems to be enough room.
— On Wed, 8/11/10, IntenseDebate Notifications <notifications@intensedebatemail.com> wrote:
I remember my first visit to New York. I went with my hubby, he once worked at the Brooklyn Zoo, so he knew his way around the city. We visited the cheap electronics stores, the great Strand Book store, and the original Barnes and Noble. We had lunch in at a vegetarian restaurant in China Town and supper at a hole in the wall Indian place. On the way back to our hotel we changed subway lines and had to take a very long escalator down. As we descended I began to hear etherial violin music waft up the stairs. There was a middle aged man playing for tips, I was so enthralled I gave him a twenty.
I have always thought I would love to live in Manhattan as long as I didn't have to work there. We are both retired now so that is no longer a concern. It would be so much fun to go out and explore the city every day.
Thanks! Army Family, for the link to a site precisely about the HGTV condo. If any place were exactly meant for me, that would be the one. It is the perfect location for my home office with a company called Enchanted Minikins & Company of Outer Space! Even the Lion statue represents my sign- Leo…. Problem with all this advertising? HGTV is going to have many, many, many more entries and us bloggers are going to be lost in an ocean of competition to win. My question is what is this about monthly taxes along with the condo maintenance fees? I thought you pay taxes at the end of the year? NY has monthly taxes? What are the yearly taxes? Just as I was figuring anyone with a current mortgage of $1,500 per month and could pay off their existing balance, then use it for the condo maintenance/taxes $1,400. Now they have two paid off properties. If you had to go to a bank to pay the yearly taxes, surely you could borrow against the property if necessary. You could lease 6 months and live-in 6 months. But that is also income and more taxes! Looks like we need to win the lottery before we win the NY condo?
I see many posts referring to the "younger" artists or "young" generation going to NY to fit in and hit it big. What about us older types? Why would we not fit in the W? Seems to me there are a lot of bloggers not young? Some of us look fabulous for our age and have more energy than the younger generation. Doesn't wiser count for anything? Didn't you know the secret is W stands for wiser?
Well said, Sister !! I'm just a regular, ordinary person and didn't realise we were blogging with the elite young trendy set of writers and musicians ! Lol. All the best to them, i wish them happiness and success !
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>GoldieLocksBear, Enchanting name, it could be one on my critters! Almost responded directly on the blog but had to leave to pick someone up at the doctor. So I erased back out. Now I am back. Hail to the ordinary people!!! I am a split personality. Also known as the recluse artist…. I usually read all the blogs and the replies as well. That is when it was obvious some bloggers referred to their writing or painting and one, a musician, contacted me. You just never know who you are talking to? Then there are ordinary people who do these arts along with their real jobs…</DIV> <DIV style=”FONT: 10pt arial”>
much less to clean.
Oh, Dear CaSSandra113 and GoldieLocksBear, you both brought a smile to my face. I have this great line I like to toss out—-especially to my Grandson-(he turns 19 this year)—when he discusses "older ones". I usually agree with whatever it is he's giving great advice about——and then I calmly say, "Wow, you know what? In—ten—short—-years—-You're going to be looking at "30" on the horizon!! Oh my gosh!!!! Thirty!!!!!! I usually am met with silence for a minute or so! I can't help myself—-it's just too much fun—–and worth the look on his face—-every time. LOL
I remember going to college in the 60's. The mantra at that time was, don't trust anyone over 30! ^_^
A little late but I have been catching up today. Like your comment to your Grandson. I use that too on my Sons. Eventually you think to yourself; Well I'm heading toward 40 and that's not so old. Then your looking at 50 and maybe it is the new 40? Hummm! Looking at 60 is much scarier. OMG! What in the world can you say about 70? Since family members lived to be 102 and 104, I am preparing my Sons'; Just wait til you are 50 and in no time at all you are looking at 100! Time here is never long enough. Lets just hope we are healthy until the end. Whatever that might be?
Power to the old farts. Why I just painted my house, that must qualify me as an artist.
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>Why yes. To paint a house well would qualify you as an artist. The more you do, the more the quality. By the time you become an old fart you might have enough skill to paint a mural or a painting. Some modern art is just painting a flat surface one color! And they call it art and put a big $ on the item. More than the price to paint an entire house. And there is a place for modern art- like the W. Some young pip-squeaks are catching on and making more of that art that fills the museums…NOT ME at any ages.!</DIV> <DIV style=”FONT: 10pt arial”>
Hi everybloggie,
I'm a great believer in the wise old adage: " You're as young as you feel" ! lol. I'm certainly no puppy but I can enjoy life as much as the next person, and we are all living much longer these days, so we should go out and have fun, keep fit and enjoy life to the full, just as much as the young generation. lol
My husband and I spent a wonderful weekend in NYC for one wedding Anniversary, way back when the earth was cooling, lol. it was magical ! A posh highrise hotel, dinner at a swanky restaurant in the meat packing district, followed by 2nd row tickets to the theatre, there was a street busker playing jazz on his trumpet, and my husband took me in his arms and we danced on the pavement by the light of the moon.
( So unlike him, as he's usually a bit shy :O) lol.
The next day we ate at a famous NY Deli and took a carriage ride around Central Park and had afternoon tea at The Plaza, ( which is now an apartment hotel and no longer has the famous tea rooms ).
I wanted to respond more but again my time has been interrupted all day. Your special Anniversary experience brought back memories of my special one and only visit to NYC. In the 70's I met someone in Wisconsin, I knew of when I was in grade school. He asked me to see him in a play. As I was on my way back to Arizona, we made plans to have a real first date in NYC. He was a tall, handsome, actor type with a big NY career in advertising. One day I spent the 4 days in NY and mostly I only remember him and the beautiful songs he sang to me playing the guitar. Such talent! He asked, me with 2 children, to move to Germany with him. Why I didn't I will always wonder. It was a magical memory.
As for NYC on the outside, someone left the entry door open- the police were searching all the units for a criminal. The streets at night had ladies on every corner lifting skirts in freezing weather and boldly asking your guy for dates. The bars were playing "canned" disco music. Not this artist's taste. Maybe we were on the wrong end of Lexington avenue? Obviously, a fire and ice experience! My agenda is business now and I hear they cleaned up NYC as well.
I liked hearing about your NYC experience, especially the image of "….we danced on the pavement
by the light of the moon." It sounds like one of those special moments in life that turns into a
wonderful memory!
Anyone? Still new at this blogging. When you get a debate response through your e-mail and it say you respond by hitting reply and go to send. My question do you go to original comment first? Or do you just use your e-mail reply and hit send? I sent a reponse to GoldieLocksBear but it does not show up as a reply here. GoldieLocksBear did you get my reply through your e-mail?
Hey bloggers, I just want to post another update. As I have said, this is a prime new building that is valued at a premium to nearby condos. There is currently an oversupply of condos in the FiDi (Financial District) neighborhood which makes it harder to sell condos at or near asking prices. The typical one bedroom condo in Manhattan is valued at less than $1 million, even for popular neighborhoods. Another Real Estate blog, The Real Deal, quoted the Wall Street Journal, saying the developer of W Downtown Hotel and Residences is working with his creditors.
http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/joseph-mo…
I just want to thank everyone at HGTV for recognizing this wonderful NYC opportunity and making this fantastic giveaway possible. Good luck everyone.
If it falls through maybe HGTV will just award a cash prize to the winner. Like they did on last year's blog cabin.
The developer is going to seek out flexibility to extend the selling period, or reduce prices, or rent units. In the current environment many lenders are working with developers. And this developer has a good reputation.
That may be true. But it sounds like whoever wins the condo will be stuck with an ARV of 1.5 million for a condo that is worth less than 1 million. That might make the IRS happy, but it wouldn't thrill me too much if I won!
It ain't the winnin" – it's the watchin" that keeps me here GL all………..
Believe it or not, the IRS can be persuaded to accept a lowered taxable valuation on just such a situation. It would be wise for the winner to hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in any case who knows exactly how to play the game, and win.
This link got me to the Wall Street Journal article on the developer:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703…
Joe Moinian has built some very appealing, sexy buildings in NYC. I wish him well in his creditor negotiations at the W Downtown Hotel and Residences. For another NYC condo project of his, check out Atelier at 635 West 42nd Street
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/building/atelier-condom…
although I don't have that much vacation time – I would ask to take 2 more weeks unpaid for a month to stay in NYC to see all I want to see on the east coast. It would be a once in alifetime opportunity although I could not afford to keep it.
So what do we know so far about this surprising development—this posh pad in New York City that HGTV, compliments of Jack Thomasson and Vern Yip, have sprung on us? Actually, plenty already…thanks to some helpful insights from MARY, and lots of great input from fellow bloggers, like peter_nyc for example. Good tips and fun reading, guys.
Excited? Planning on staying at The Residences at W New York-Downtown for a few nights to get a taste of urban living? Or maybe, as the lucky HGTV Urban Oasis winner, eagerly arriving a few days early while waiting to sign the closing documents and take ownership of your $1.5 million prize? Well, clearly, you've already got an incredible place to stay, but where will you go to eat for a quick bite—morning, noon or night?
Never fear, you needn't even leave the building. The Residences at W will have a BLT Bar and Grill with indoor and outdoor seating on its first two floors, a lounge and a spa, as well as the highest residential roof deck in Lower Manhattan, where BLT food will also be served.
DBCoop, these would be uncommon choices for me, but I think that my first meal after signing the closing papers would be a dinner at sunset on the roof deck. I'll order NY Strip steak and a Manhattan!
From a ny.eater.com article dated 7/28/10: "Yesterday following a huge food-fueled opening party on Monday night, BLT Bar & Grill, opened in the new W Hotel downtown. The restaurant covers two floors—creating…towering windows…and seats 23 at the bar, 30 on an outdoor patio, 53 on the first floor, and 95 on the second floor. It's somewhat industrial looking while also being incredibly busy with chalk boards covered in drawings, neon signage, brick-a-brac and shelves of books."
"Meanwhile the menu theme here is American bar food with a few cocktails thrown in for good measure. Press materials emphasize this is "everyday dining," "affordable," and so on and so forth. Think eggs and french toast for breakfast, sandwiches and burgers for lunch, and rotisserie chicken, pasta, steak, and fish and chips for dinner. At the helm are chefs Christophe Bellanca and David Craine."
Sounds like a fun time living it up in New York. Great food right at your own building.
Great place to live if you had a job there and were used to getting aound in NYC.
If I won… I'd stay there for awhile and then sell. Unless I fell in love.
All VERY intriguing. Now I have one question for MARY: are we going to be allowed unlimited daily entries for the Urban Oasis Sweepstakes? Oh what the heck—while I'm asking questions, can I please get authentic Vermont maple syrup on my french toast with breakfast at the BLT Bar & Grill? (I may be dreaming about this amazing NY Urban Oasis, but I've still got Spruce Peak at Stowe on my mind!)
Now now, don't go crazy entering for the Urban Oasis all day everyday, Coop. You only get two entries, one on HGTV.com and one at FrontDoor.com, per day, per person, per email address. But you probably already knew that.
So one may have a very very small advantage if they make sure they enter at both sites everyday.
Hmm, I wonder if that two entries a day works for alter egos or even multiple personalities?
me myself & I
blt bar & grill – blt's – that's my style. but I want a big glass of milk – I am not a teetotaler – I just love milk
The Residences at W – New York/Downtown may be unique to NYC, but they are joined by fellow Residences at W in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Hoboken NJ, Hollywood CA, Santiago Chile, Scottsdale, South Beach FL, soon to be in Singapore, and certainly not least, in Koh Samui, Thailand. Oddly enough, The Residences at the W Koh Samui site states that US citizens may not own property at that location. That's going to take some investigating, since US residents may purchase other real estate there…so what's up with that?
It seems that #33A at The Residences at W NY Downtown (might this be THE Urban Oasis?) entered under contract on February 5, 2010, at a price of $1,535,000. (According to streeteasy.com) Common monthly charges are $1,314 and taxes $88—for a reported 794 square feet one bedroom one bath unit.
By the way, in spite of the never-ending series of tax disaster scenarios that inevitably make their way onto the blogs with each HGTV sweepstakes prize, it'd be wise to keep in mind at least one significant fact: The Residences at W New York Downtown offers a 10 year tax abatement. Otherwise, as always, selling it off, squaring things with your friends at the IRS, and walking away with a pile of cash isn't such a bad alternative.
Actually,I think those figures are quite reasonable—for NY. My neice lived in NY a few years ago, and the "rent" on this sq footage, in certain parts of lower Manhatten—-was easily a $1000 plus.
HGTV has been doing this —-very successfully—-for so long, I can't imagine any winner, (regardless of their choice) not being assisted by them every step of the way. Obviously HGTV is doing something right.
And you're right, also. I think every winner has an "opportuniity" to come out ahead of the game in the end.
I would definitely sell it before the ten year period was up. Can you imagine what the future taxes would be on a 1.5 million dollar residence in NYC?:o
Umm, probably more than a couple of hundred dollars a month?
Umm, probably! There's your dry humor kicking in again Coop. ^_^
Now I wonder what the parking situation is for owners of The Residences at W? The Urban Oasis winner is going to need a nice spot to stash their super cool Acura ZDX four-door sports coupe when it's not being used to cruise the New York countryside in comfort and high style. (I can't IMAGINE driving it in NYC!)
There's plenty of space nearbye that one can rent for about $500 a month. Not quite like what you are used to in SoCal Coop.
I just realized that if I take up residence at The Residence (at W), I may have to change my name. After all, in NYC, if a local New Yorker asks me my name (for restaurant reservations, theatre tickets, and the like), and I respond D.B. Coop, they'll probably look at me funny for a moment and say "no, not the name of the CO-OP where you live, numbskull." (or something even less polite!) "Now, what's your NAME?!"
"Coop" I again respond, ever so politely.
I'm then given a disgusted look as they turn their head and yell "security…we've got another one here!"
And I can just imagine how the phone calls would go….
Of course, using my alter-ego name of 'Show Me' might lead to even more trouble…real quick!
I responded to your comment in the wrong place (end of page 4). You seem to be missing in action. Now that I understand how the intense debate works in relationship to e-mail notification, I realize just posting does not let the person know someone has responded. And we can't look to the side and see what's going on either. Still learning blog bla, bla, bla.
where is the virtual tour?!?! it's august 12…!
I expect that the virtual tour along with the sweepstakes rules and disclosures will appear today.
Earlier Floorplan and some pictures……..
http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/08/03/inside_t…
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/…
The sellers of the 123 Washington and a nearby condo, 88 Greenwich, agree that this part of FiDi looks promising for investors, according to today's article in the NY Post. Also disclosed, HGTV is picking up the transfer tax for the lucky winner of this $1.5 million home.
I would like to see & meet the Operator (elevator man, right?).
Whomever wins …….. they will see alot of him……. if he exists.
With arms full of bags of groceries and clothing items…… could
use some help to push a FLOOR # button, please.
I was looking at the curbed http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/08/03/inside_t… pics again and notice a handle on the window nearest the dining table. Is it possible that one or more of the windows can be opened? I do love to open the windows in spring and fall to air out my house.
Does anyone know how to upload pictures here?
I used Google maps to find the location of the Oasis giveaway, then I saved a couple of screen shots to show where in Manhattan it's located.
You can't really upload pictures. If you have a location though, you can right click on the url and then click on the copy line. Then you can post here by right clicking and then clicking on the paste line.
Thanks Ed.
Unfortunately google Earth doesn't have URL's. I'll see if I can get something similar on google maps
Well I tried again but couldn't get the URL to work
The Oasis giveaway is about 2 blocks south of ground Zero. It's a skinny white building ( it's not quite square )
BluSky, Very positive name. Everyone has made extremely informative comments educating all on the NY giveaway. I am worried, having been brought to my senses, that the W may be in the line of future conflict between Ground Zero and the new Muslum Mosque, also 2 blocks away! Dare I say history tends to repeat itself? However; we have December 2012 End of The World coming up. First things first! Think I will change my name to "Yawning Sun" and relax.
Yea, too bad we have to put up with politics.
I'm with you on 2012 world ending….I'm going to spend all my wife's money first. lol
"Yawning Sun" is a great name, although it has a sleepy connotation to it.
Lucky YOU! You have a wife with money! I am still trying to make some megga bucks. "Yawning Sun" is one of my Alien Kachina dolls with a big sun head and face. Big seller though. The eyes looked closed and the arms up in the air made him look as if yawning. Still dreaming of the New Mexico home. Wanted to put some of my art and dolls in the Santa Fe Museum. It is harder if you don't live there. But there are plenty of galleries around the NY property. Really thought BlueSky was a female… Sorry
BluSky! If your still around and get a response on the upload of pictures let me know. I have not done a profice or Avatar yet. Cute picture on yours, Looks like me up until age 40. Where do we get the Icons for the Avatars? Or is the place of instruction. This is really new to me and I am very busy all the time. So I am quick in and out… I do check back however.
Thanks Sandra. I don't remember exactly where i got my avatar but I believe you can find many sites just by Googling "avatars". Mine winks too but from some reason it doesn't wink here.
I would love a place there I have wanted to live in NYC since I was 18 (ie for 20 years) I would love to win it.
WOW… even a red laptop on the clear dining table. Wonder if it is loaded with many HGTv programs? (home layout planning?…. landscape layou planningt -( just for fun)?….etc. )http://www.dnainfo.com/20100803/downtown/hgtv-shows-off-new-urban-oasis-apartment-downtown-w-hotel#ixzz0va664eBh