High Design on Beautiful Bond Street

By Linette Semino

NoHo's Bond Street, stretching from Broadway to The Bowery, might be Lower Manhattan's most fascinating street. It's quiet, paved with cobblestones, and home to breathtaking architecture. Less than a decade ago, Bond Street was an insignificant side street. How things have changed. Today, Bond Street is best known for its modern and luxury condominiums which merge with the architecture of yesteryear. This trendy street has been labeled by real estate agents as Downtown's most architecturally significant.

In 2007, with the construction of 40 Bond Street, the street's revitalization was evident. The much-publicized new development building was designed by 2001 Pritzker Architecture Prize winners Herzog & de Meuron of Switzerland and developed by hotelier and Studio 54 founder Ian Schrager; who still owns an expansive triplex penthouse in the building. Foremost, 40 Bond Street is considered an architectural masterpiece. The poured-concrete structure is wrapped in blackened copper and luminescent curved green glass imported from Barcelona. This glassy building also displays a daring, sculpture like, New York graffiti inspired 140-foot-long and 22-foot-tall brushed aluminum gate. Its distinctiveness draws the attention of the rich and famous. According to The Wall Street Journal, in 2007, an LLC with ties to the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer Ricky Martin purchased a 2,600 ft² three bedroom with 3½ baths condo for $5.7 million. The apartment was listed last November for $8.3 million. Also, there is a one bedroom condo currently asking $4,100,000. These stunning residences are worth their hefty price tags. The exclusive five town houses and the twenty three luxury condos offers attractive features like fireplaces with cast-iron hearths, Austrian smoked oak floors throughout, and Herzog & de Meuron-designed Corian counters. 40 Bond Street also offers five-star services, such as housekeeping and room service, 24-hour concierge, as well as baby-sitting services.

Directly across the street from 40 Bond stands 25 Bond, by New York's BKSK Architects, also built in 2007. According to the building's website, its bold façade employs two types of stones that create a double layered screen wall of varying widths and irregular separations. The limestone is placed in front of a bronze and glass wall with regularly spaced, floor to ceiling sliding sections, which run the full width of the building. This esteemed eight-story loft-style building was developed by the late SoHo pioneer Tony Goldman. Celebrated Japanese sculptor, Ken Hiratsuka, created a drawing on the granite sidewalk in front of the building, as well as a stone sculpture for the lobby. The nine residences, ranging in size from nearly 4,000ft² more than 11,000ft², feature open living rooms with two or more glassed balconies, up to four fireplaces, and soaring 11-foot-tall ceilings. The posh duplex and triplex homes have their own private rooftop pool. Residences at 25 Bond Street also command a high price per square foot. According to public records, last December, a 3,704 ft² three bedroom loft closed for $9,369,900 million. 25 Bond Street's bold facade significantly contributed to the block's on-going architectural transformation. The new kid on the block is 10 Bond Street which is currently being developed by a trifecta of SK Development, Ironstate Development and the Chetrit Group. With an estimated completion in the first quarter of 2015, sales are expected to launch later this year. The building and the eleven well-appointed residences, including one townhouse with a private garage, one penthouse with large, landscaped terraces and nine, two to three bedroom condos, were designed by star architect Annabelle Selldorf.

Before there were novel buildings on Bond Street, there were historic buildings. The NoHo Historic District Extension, which the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated on May 13, 2008, now protects buildings on Bond. Built in 1896, 50 Bond Street incorporates Greek Revival details all over the façade. This classy loft-style building is praised by those who strive to preserve the quintessential architecture of the NoHo Historic District. It offers six spacious residences, going in size from 2,800ft² to 3,900ft². The interiors perfectly blend original industrial-style details with contemporary finishes. Last summer, a 2,800 ft² home sold for $5.3 million. When it comes to significant cast-iron buildings, One Bond Street has the richest history. It was originally built in the 1870's, but was entirely destroyed by a fire in 1877. It was later rebuilt with an ornate façade displaying French-style mansard roofs and a clock set in a round dormer in the center. One Bond Street has a total of twenty condominiums comprising of one to five bedroom layouts. According to public records, this January, a 1,200 ft² one bedroom home sold for $1,925,000.

Whether you are in the market for traditional or modern architecture, Bond Street can't be overlooked. Every buyer looking to live Downtown should take a stroll down this interesting cobblestone street. •

Linette Semino
Associate Broker
The Corcoran Group
linette.semino@corcoran.com