November 2019

The Ronita Kalra Team

   On the season finale of Million Dollar Listing NY, Luis exposed that he’s moving to Puerto Rico. I know this may be a bit confusing, so I really want to clear things up. Luis and I have decided to part ways as real estate business partners. Myself and my NYC real estate team will remain in business and in action, while Luis works on other projects in PR. Don’t be sad, this is good news for everyone on all fronts. Luis is spending quality time with his new baby- which is amazing- and I’m taking my career at Douglas Elliman to new levels. There’s tremendous things coming soon. We’re turning it up a notch and I’m really excited for 2020!

   Read press article from The Real Deal: HERE 

THANKSGIVING

   It's about that time of year... Thanksgiving. If you're planning on spending this Thanksgiving in New York City​, you won't want to miss the 93rd Annual New York Macy's ​Thanksgiving Day Parade​, which begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

   The parade travels down Central Park West from 77th Street to Columbus Circle, then along Central Park South to 6th Avenue, down 6th Avenue to 34th Street, and finally along 34th Street to ​Macy's​ Herald Square. This year's festivities will feature giant character balloons, numerous floats, over 1,000 dancers and clowns, and 12 marching bands. Not to mention the incredible line-up of celebrities such as Kelly Rowland, Lea Michele, Natasha Bedingfield, and even Santa Clause!

   To stake out a good viewing spot along the parade route, many people arrive before 6:30 a.m. on the morning of. Be sure to dress warm and bring a thermos with hot coffee or something stronger- wink wink- as it can be quite cold in NYC right now.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF NY

   November begins the giving season, with Thanksgiving and the holidays just around the corner. This time of year reminds us of how fortunate we are for everything that we have. Becoming a mom was life changing for me, and everyday I am thankful for my daughters health and happiness.

   The Ronald McDonald House provides families with kids suffering from cancer a place to stay while their children receive treatment in nearby hospitals.

   It costs the organization $315 per night to host a family and you can help by donating as little or as much as you want once, twice or on an ongoing basis.

   This year, our team decided to donate by purchasing tickets to their annual gala. It was a humbling experience, as we watched the faces' of kids and families brighten, by the ability to use the services and accommodations provided by the Ronald McDonald House. I hope to make this an annual tradition for myself and my team.

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH
106 WEST 123RD STREET, 4 - HARLEM, NEW YORK

A rare find in prime South Harlem location!

   At approximately 1,500 square feet, this charming 2 bed/2.5 bath duplex condo offers endless possibilities making it the ideal home for all — a beautiful property in Harlem, New York .

   The lower level offers an airy, open layout affording comfort and function. Generous living & dining space flows into the chef's kitchen featuring polished granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances. The living room showcases three large windows with northern exposure, a wood burning fireplace, extra high ceilings & hardwood flooring throughout.  

   On the top level, southern exposure boasts throughout the master bedroom with a 132 square foot private terrace facing a beautiful 95 year old church. The master also presents an en-suite bath with a deep soaking tub and a walk-in closet.

   Bedroom two is separated by a long hallway where you will find a washer and dryer as well as a hall closet. The second bedroom has two balconies with views of the NYC skyline that gives off an abundance of natural light. This bedroom also features an en-suite bathroom and custom cabinets situated in the wall.

   This charming Harlem brownstone is situated on a quiet tree lined block, just a stone's throw from the vibrant community of South Harlem. Enjoy all the rich culture NYC has to offer, convenience and delicious eateries that manifests just down the block. With close proximity to express subway systems, Fifth Avenue shopping, Central Park, Marcus Garvey Park and the new Whole Foods, living in the heart of Harlem has never been more desirable.

October 2019

BILLIONAIRE MOVES TO MIAMI TO AVOID NEW NYC TAXES
 

   Carl Icahn is taking his investment firm, Icahn Enterprises, from NYC and moving to Miami. Brokers and real estate professionals in Florida projected a large scale migration of hedge fund managers and investment professionals from high-tax states to South Florida. Icahn could be one of the first well-known investment managers to actually make the move. Icahn assured his staff that they will get paid at least their salary and bonus earned in 2019, according to the report.

    He also offered an additional $50,000 relocation payment if they establish residency in Florida. It is unclear how many employees would be eligible for that, and where the new offices are located. Would you get up and relocate if you had to? Is this a new trend with New Yorkers? Many of us already have homes in Miami but would we make them our primary residence? Let’s see how many more companies follow Icahn's lead. It’s an interesting time for Manhattan real estate and broker life!

NYC PRESCHOOL ADMISSIONS  
 

   Do you have a toddler who will start preschool in a two’s program next Fall? Have you started applying to preschools? How many did you apply to? What’s the next step? Do you really have to be connected or know someone to get in? How many days a week should you send your child? Being a new mom I have so many questions since this is all new for me. 

Join us for a panel featuring Admit NY as we navigate our way through preschool admissions in NYC. Admit NY is a team of experts well versed in helping New Yorkers navigate their way into school admissions at all stages.

  Please RSVP to Victoria.Caggiano@elliman.com to attend the luncheon at our newest listing.

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT- aRoqa

     October is Diwali Month! The biggest Hindu Holiday lands on Sunday October 27th this year. In honor of Diwali, the team decided to go out for Indian, and our restaurant of choice was aRoqa. 

     A roqa is when two people are promised to each other to be married, more commonly called an engagement. If you are Indian or have Indian friends, you know that we are a culture that LOVES to celebrate and eat.  

     We met the owner, Monica Saxena who told us the story of her journey. At 50, after retiring from working with semiconductors she got married, moved to NY from LA and decided to open a restaurant. She was looking for a great date spot to come with her husband where she could enjoy a cocktail at the bar before sitting down for a fun Indian culinary experience, and yet she couldn't find one, so she decided to open one up for herself! After a year and some hardships, and a ton of debt, the critics told Monica she would have to close but she decided to revamp her team and start fresh. Despite all odds, she stuck to her passion and kept her dream alive.

   We had the pleasure of taking part in a tasting. We started with the Kurkuri Bhel (Crispy rice puffs, avocado, tomatoes, tamarind chutney with crispy lotus stem chips) and the Sunchokes Chaat which included sweet potato, pomegranate emulsion, and bean sprouts. We moved onto the Lasuni Gobi which came out in a little truck! (Gram flour battered cauliflower, garlic sauce & sprinkle of onion seeds). Next, we tried the Habanero Chicken Tikka Tandoor and the aRoqa Lamb Chop. The chicken was moist and the lamb came right off the bone. Then came out the Corn Paddu on a cute bicycle. (Corn & rice fritters, coconut kaffir lime chutney),  this was accompanied by Lamb Biryani and the Bhatti Murgh Ki Champ (Tandoor grilled chicken chops, rum flambé) - see picture below. Finally, for dessert, we were given this saffron mousse on dry ice which looked beautiful and tasted amazing! I highly recomend everyone trying aRoqa.

210 CENTRAL PARK SOUTH - PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

   Welcome to Residence 10-A, an NYC dream property with captivating tree-lined park views. A bright two bedroom and two bathroom Manhattan property, including a private outdoor space overlooking Central Park. Located above the trees, you are at the perfect level to enjoy the iconic park and city skyline. Recent renovations attesting to the homes' luxury include new city-proof windows, central air, top of the line wood floors, and Italian doors throughout.
 
 Entering into a gallery soaked with light, you turn to the spacious living and dining space ideal for hosting or relaxing recess. The other direction brings you to a luminous kitchen equipped with a breakfast bar, state of the art steel appliances, and Italian marble countertops.

   Comprised of two bedrooms, the second has bright uninterrupted south-facing windows and extensive closet space. The master- also bathed in southern light and comprised of massive closets- includes an en-suite bath.
 
   210 Central Park South is a first-rate full-service luxury co op supplied with a 24-hour doorman, garage, roof deck and exclusive outdoor patio for grilling and leisure. It really is a stunning NYC property!
 
   The perfect locale, you have the vast shopping in Columbus Circle a few steps left, the renowned Plaza hotel to the right, and a surrounding of New York City's finest dining scene. These photos are virtually staged.

BROKER APPRECIATION PARTY!

September 2019

A CONCIERGE TO TOP ALL CONCIERGES
 

   Director of residences is now a title someone holds for the Related Companies’ massive $25 billion Hudson Yards development — a vague title that masks the scope of his property-based role. He is responsible for the needs of every resident across Related’s luxury condo and luxury rental buildings in and around the 28-acre site, including 15 and 35 Hudson Yards and the Abington House, which sits just outside the megaproject in Chelsea, New York City. 

   While fitness centers and concierges have long been mandatory for luxury condo buildings in Manhattan, more developers are now expanding in-house services, providing luxury real estate buyers and luxury renters with everything from pet care to private tutoring to urban farming. 

   Although there are no databases tracking these numbers, anecdotally it’s clear that the “director of residences” is part of a growing class of employees making their careers catering to the needs of New York’s wealthy — and helping developers differentiate luxury condos from competitors in a market that’s seeing swollen levels of inventory. His duties include everything from checking on dry cleaning to booking helicopter rides to the Hamptons to making sure a resident’s flat tire is changed in the middle of the night. 

   For developers, having all of these services and staffers comes down to selling units — which has gotten increasingly harder in this uncertain economic environment.

   But overdoing amenities, choosing the wrong one or gearing them to one specific group are all financial land mines. Some buyers will question, why do I have to pay for this when I will never use this service. Other wealthy clients may already have their own concierge on staff and would rather keep everything internal. Will this trend last? Only time will tell...

     While writing this piece I kept thinking of this painting by Jack Vettriano (see below), the man with the umbrella would be the director of residences and I can only imagine this job being one of one hundred random tasks he’d be asked to do. 

A CLOSER LOOK AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS  
 

   Few areas in New York City are as culturally rich and vibrant as Upper Manhattan’s Harlem. With a population of 138,535, Harlem is a densely populated area full of charm and character and one of our favorite neighborhoods in New York City for real estate.  

   Harlem is almost like a mini-borough within Manhattan instead of just an NYC neighborhood. It’s a tight-knit community where you’ll find kids outside playing pickup games of basketball and neighbors out interacting with one another. Even though it’s small, there are a few distinct neighborhoods inside of Harlem. 

   Hamilton Heights is located on the northern side of Harlem along the bank of the Hudson River. The neighborhood’s renovated brownstones and tree-lined streets make it an attractive place to call home. 
When Alexander Hamilton retired he built a house called the Grange at 141st Street. It was completed in 1802 and it was the only home Hamilton ever owned. 

   Hamilton Heights is also home to the City College of New York and Dance Theatre Harlem. With access to the New York City Subway system with the Seventh Avenue Line stopping at 137th and 145th streets, transportation is easy to use in Hamilton Heights. Check out our single family brownstone located on the famous Convent Avenue in Hamilton Heights here. 325 Convent Avenue. 

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH:  322 WEST 140TH ST
 

   Welcome home to 322 West 140th Street. This gut renovated two family home sits just one block away from the historic Strivers Row located in West Harlem, Manhattan. Built in the early 1900's, the rarely available brownstone situated near the corner of Edgecombe Avenue is over 3,500 total square feet (including interior & exterior). The reimagined brownstone comes equipped with modern amenities such as a Daikin heating & cooling System, "Smart" alarm system with video intercom & recessed lighting. 

   Stepping into the sun filled parlor level with 9.5 Ft ceilings you will find the dining room & living room divided by a custom, state of the art kitchen. This NYC Kitchen is any household chefs dream; with ample cabinetry, quartz counters, a marble backsplash, five burner Brushed Stainless Steel gas range, double wall oven and convection/microwave, bottom freezer drawer refrigerator, dishwasher and last but not least a hood vented to the outside. The living room opens to a back patio where you can enjoy your morning coffee that leads to your private south facing backyard. (A real treat to own in Manhattan real estate).

   Sitting on the Second floor of this NYC property is the master suite. It includes a large bedroom, a jack & jill full bathroom with a double vanity and standing shower that leads into a home office. The master suite has two large walk in closets, a brick decorative fireplace and three windows facing the street with northeast exposure. 

   Upon entering the Third floor you are greeted by a very large skylight with two bedrooms on each end. The bedroom facing South-West includes two closets and a brick fireplace. The large bathroom includes subway tile, and a large elegant clawfoot soaking tub. 

   With its own private entrance the Garden Level features a spacious one bedroom guest house perfect for your in-laws or a rental unit for extra income. 

   Watch Luis give a tour of this listing Here: