Bracha Group Blog

OPENHOUSENEWYORK PRESENTS: 8TH ANNUAL WEEKEND CELEBRATION OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN // Launch Party – Friday, October 8th 7:00 – 9:00 pm at The Centurion

Citywide Free Access to Over 300 Sites and Programs Including Hard-Hat Tours, Dialogues with Architects and Designers, Performances, and Family Activities – Saturday & Sunday, October 9 & 10, 2010

openhousenewyork (OHNY) presents the 8th Annual OHNY Weekend, a five borough–wide celebration of architecture and design. OHNY Weekend, which is becoming a New York City tradition, engages the public in the built environment by offering free access to hundreds of sites that exemplify New York City’s diverse architectural, design, engineering, and cultural heritage.

“This year,” says Renee Schacht, executive director of OHNY, “we will be touring places and opening doors to sites that span the history of New York – from Staten Island’s Conference House, the only pre-Revolution manor house still standing to contemporary public and private spaces including The Centurion, a midtown Manhattan residential building designed by Pei Partnership Architects with I.M. Pei.”

Among the many new to OHNY Weekend participating sites/programs this year include two hard-hat tours – 1 World Trade Center, formerly known as the Freedom Tower (SOM), and the Louis Kahn designed Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island (to be realized by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects). The list also includes the first ever public tour of the newest and still closed section of The High Line (James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro), The Museum of Chinese in America (Maya Lin Studio with Bialosky + Partners), The Islamic Cultural Center (SOM), Rocking the Boat (WXY Architecture + Urban Design), Gowanus Canal Sponge Park (dlandstudio), the Motor Vessel Red Hook, New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s newest sludge boat, and an AIA Guide to New York City Walking Tour of Lower Manhattan led by the author Fran Leadon– list in formation.

In response to the New York City Departments of Design and Construction, Health and Mental Hygiene, Transportation, and City Planning, (with input from the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability and other agencies) and the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter’s call for promoting physical activity through design, OHNY Weekend will feature several new projects that incorporate those goals: Bronx Museum of the Arts (Arquitectonica), Diane von Furstenberg Studio (Work Architecture Company), The East Harlem School (Peter L. Gluck and Partners), The Visionaire (Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects), and the Whitestone Branch of the Queens Library and Learning Garden (Marpillero Pollak Architects), and the aforementioned High Line.

“It is rewarding,” says Margaret Sullivan, OHNY board president and director of interior design at H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture to offer New York City’s design professionals this opportunity to showcase their work, both completed and on the boards, and reach the tremendous audience that attends OHNY Annual Weekend. Simultaneously, the Weekend would not be as successful without the design community’s generous donation of time and effort.”

The Weekend also includes many family-friendly sites and programs such as Buildings on the Land/Arquitectura de Wave Hill, I ART NY at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, Kids Go Green on the roof of the new Diana Center (Weiss/Manfredi) at Barnard College, and creating Halloween costumes that look like famous buildings at the Skyscraper Museum. In addition, OHNY hosts an annual Family Festival with a variety of hands-on activities led by educational and design groups from around New York City such as the Japan Society, Solar One, Tenement Museum and Children’s Museum of the Arts.

Many perennial OHNY Weekend favorite sites and programs will once again be opening their doors to the public: Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, Chrysler Building, Duane Street Work/Loft, Eldridge Street Synagogue, Fairfax and Sammons Residence, Grand Lodge of the Masons, Kushner Residence, Richard Meier & Partners Model Museum, MTA Substation, Murray’s Cheese, Newtown Creek Visitor Center and Digester Egg Experience, the Old Croton Aqueduct Walking Tour, Tom Otterness Studio, the Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge, and for the eighth consecutive year, the Center for Architecture will serve as the OHNY Welcome Center. Also returning is the OHNY Passport – for a donation of $150 participants plus one guest can get front-of-the-line access at all sites that do not require advance reservations.

Of special interest this year – engineering firm Arup will open their SoundLab, a space usually reserved for architects and musicians, and give visitors a rare opportunity to experience an environment where one can understand how spaces will sound, the Emerging NY Architects of Committee (ENYA) of the AIA New York Chapter, hosts of an international ideas competition for High Bridge Park will show how winning designers envision the restoration and reopening of the historic High Bridge in the Bronx, the New York Society of Renderers (NYSR) will demonstrate how an architectural renderer takes an architect or designer’s idea and transforms it into a work of art by hand and through the use of computer technology, and Room & Board will host a salon with atelier KleinReid, designers of handmade porcelain ware who will discuss their collaboration with design legend Eva Zeisel.

This year’s event guide will be inserted in the September 29th issue of Time Out New York and will also be available in limited quantities at the Center for Architecture as well as at NYC & Co. Information Centers. All listings, including changes and additions, will be available online at www.ohny.org beginning September 29th.
More than 185,000 people are expected to participate in the event that includes over 300 sites, programs, events and tours, which in past years has drawn audiences from beyond the five boroughs to encompass all 50 states and many nations around the world.

SAVE THE DATE: OHNY Weekend Launch Party – Friday, October 8th 7:00 – 9:00 pm at The Centurion.

The Centurion is a 17-story luxury condominium building designed by internationally renowned Pei Partnership with I.M. Pei. Located at 33 West 56th Street off Fifth Avenue in the epicenter of midtown Manhattan’s most exclusive shopping, residential and cultural centers, The Centurion contains 47 exceptional one- to four-bedroom residences, each designed with its own unique and distinct floor plan.
For up-to-date information about OHNY Weekend, please visit www.ohny.org.

About openhousenewyork
Founded in 2001, openhousenewyork (OHNY) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of New York City’s built environment; broadening public awareness by exposing a diverse audience to distinctive examples of architecture, engineering and design; educating and provoking discussion of issues of excellence in design, planning and preservation; and showcasing outstanding new work as well as spaces of historic merit. In addition to its signature Annual OHNY Weekend event, OHNY hosts adult and youth educational programs throughout the year.

We appreciate the support provide by National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, New York State Council on the Arts, Hon. Daniel Garodnick, NYC Speaker Christine Quinn, Battery Park City Authority, Stephan Jaklitsch Architects PC, The Marrus Family Foundation, and The Whitman Foundation. Additional support provided by National Park Service, NYC & Company, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, The Architect’s Newspaper, Room & Board, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture LLC, Center for Architecture, The Centurion, Govino, Architizer, Sorrento, Oxford University Press, Yelp, and HopStop. This year’s print media sponsor is Time Out New York, radio sponsor WFUV, and television sponsor WABC.

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September 1, 2010 - 7:03 AM No Comments

The Centurion Hosts Hamptons Magazine Party for Nic Rolden

International polo star and Wilhelmina model Nic Rolden celebrated his August Hamptons magazine cover with hundreds of adoring fans and friends in the penthouse at the The Centurion, the 17-story luxury condominium building designed by internationally renowned Pei Partnership with I.M. Pei. Located at 33 West 56th Street in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the July 21 event attracted the likes of Amy Rosenblum, Debra Halpert, Gian Luca, Hoda Kotb, Jason Binn, Oscar Blandi, Samantha Yanks, Shay Haley, Rosanna Scotto and Sarah Gore. In addition to breathtaking views from the 3,400 square foot penthouse, the largest of the three Centurion penthouses where mannequins were dressed in Italian tailored men’s line Isaia and watches from Piaget were on display, guests also mingled on the third floor model unit’s 1,600 square foot outdoor terrace.

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August 24, 2010 - 1:50 AM No Comments

Velocity of Sales at Azure Reflects Rebounding NYC Market

Demand for Family-Sized Residences at New Construction Buildings Fuels Dramatic Sales Action on UES
The velocity of sales at Azure, a 34 story luxury residential building located at 333 East 91st street, has increased over the last several months due to the rising demand for family-sized residences in luxury new construction buildings in the Upper East Side Sub market. In addition, the surge in second quarter sales at Azure is credited to the quality of construction of the large 2, 3, and 4BR residences, the competitive pricing of the residences, the ease of financing, and the immediate occupancy being provided to purchasers. Sales are currently being managed by Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Bracha Group, the #1-ranked group within the brokerage.

“With over 27 contracts signed in the past three months, additional contracts out for signature, and a continual volume of qualified purchasers, we can confidently say that Bracha’s team has been invaluable to the success of Azure” says Douglas Maclaury of the Mattone Group, the Queens-based development and construction company that co-developed the property with The DeMatteis Organizations.

“We are very excited to prime the building for late summer occupancy, as contract signings continue to rise,” says Ilan Bracha, Managing Director at Prudential Douglas Elliman and founder of The Bracha Group. “We saw a big jump in interest these past few months and now, with our great pricing and immediate financing for up to 80% loan to value from HSBC Mortgage Corp., we are expecting an exponential sales increase in the fall.”

Azure is comprised of 128 residences, offering spaces of all sizes, from 600-square-feet studios to 3,000-square-feet 4-bedroom units and penthouses. Sleek window-wall construction and floor-to-ceiling windows in every home, provide residents with options for panoramic city and river views .
Azure offers residents over 6,300 square-feet of amenity space, including a children’s playroom, game room, lounge, private dining facility, catering kitchen, fitness center, and rooftop terraces. The pet-friendly building also features a 24-hour concierge, valet service, and various storage units. Each residence comes complete with Bosch and Viking kitchen appliances, Brazilian Afromosia flooring, Bosch washer and dryer, imported European kitchen cabinets and Caesar stone countertop finishes.
Azure features a convenient, central location while still maintaining the intimate neighborhood feel. It is within walking distance of the idyllic Carl Schurz Park, Asphalt Green, 92nd Street Y, cultural institutions, and some of New York’s most acclaimed public and private schools.
For more information regarding the Azure, please visit www.azureny.com.

About the Owner/Developer
Azure is a joint venture between The Mattone Group and The DeMatteis Organizations.

The Mattone Group is a Queens-based development and construction company headed by Mr. Joseph M. Mattone Sr., responsible for notable properties such as Roosevelt Raceway, a $ 100,000,000 power retail center, the $28,000,000 Pathmark shopping center in South East Queens and the $80,000,000 Jamaica Center. Mr. Mattone owns and manages over 30 properties totaling over 2,000,000 square feet.

The DeMatteis Organizations is a family-owned group of companies with a 90-year track record in the real estate industry. Led by brothers Richard and Scott DeMatteis, DeMatteis has participated in a wide variety of large-scale projects and its diverse capabilities include development, property management, general contracting, construction management, interior construction and renovation. From luxury high-rise apartments such as Museum Tower and multifamily housing such as Rupert Yorkville Towers to many of our area’s most advanced office developments (EAB Plaza and Met Life Center at Bridgewater) and civic projects (Frank Sinatra High School for the Performing Arts and United States Mission to the United Nations), DeMatteis has also developed a number of signature international projects.

About The Bracha Group
The Bracha Group has been one of the top producers at Prudential Douglas Elliman for the past five years. The Wall Street Journal, lore Magazine and REAL Trends all named them one of the top 50 real estate teams in the country by sales volume. In 2009, Bracha Group was honored with company wide accolades: #1 Team in sales exclusives, #1 Team in gross commissions, and #3 Team in transactions. The Bracha team provides the full scope of residential brokerage and marketing services offering personal attention and customized sales plans for its clients.

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August 6, 2010 - 7:53 AM No Comments

CHADAD AND BALALO, TOP NESTSEEKERS AGENTS JOIN THE BRACHA GROUP

NEW YORK– July 2010– Ilan Bracha, President of The Bracha Group, a luxury residential branch of Prudential Douglas Elliman, announced today that Alon Chadad and Moshe Balalo have joined The Bracha Group.

“I am very excited that Alon and Moshe have joined the Bracha Group,” said Ilan Bracha. “They are two of the hardest working agents out there and they have a great reputation in the industry. They are truly a great addition to my team.”

Alon and Moshe were the top producing agents at Nestseekers International for the past 3 years consecutively and were named in the list of top 50 agents in The Real Deal. In 2009 alone, they closed over $50,000,000 in sales. Over the past two years, they began to focus heavily on the luxury market which allowed them to close deals well over $5,000,000. Their most recent sale was a $8,400,000 transaction at the renowned Bloomberg Building located at 151 East 58th Street.

“After spending 4 great years in Nestseekers we got to a point that we were looking to further grow our business. Joining the Bracha Group, the top team in the city’s biggest brokerage, Prudential Douglas Elliman was a natural step forward” said Moshe Balalo. “I have known Ilan for many years and have always respected his professionalism and I admire his ability to continue to grow his business year after year,” Alon Chadad added.

Chadad and Balalo will both join the team with the title of Senior Vice President of the Bracha Group. They will focus on the luxury market where Bracha states “we have a lot of inventory in the high seven figures and these guys would be the perfect agents to handle such product”.

The Bracha Group was named the number one team in Prudential Douglas Elliman for the year 2009 and The Wall Street Journal, lore Magazine and REAL Trends recently named The Bracha Group as one of the top 50 real estate teams in the country by sales volume. Experienced with over 500 transactions a year, Ilan and his team provide the full scope of residential brokerage and marketing services to both renowned and first-time developers as well as individual buyers and sellers. Mr. Bracha and his team provide personal attention and customized sales plans for their clients by helping them step by step through each transaction; they go the extra mile to make customers feel at ease and will always find time to give advice or answer any question the client may have. This includes highly specialized soup-to-nuts consulting in the areas of financing, construction design, sales and marketing.

July 26, 2010 - 9:52 AM No Comments

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 TICKETS OFFERED TO THE BROKER WHO HANDLES THE NEXT SALE AT THE CENTURION


Attention brokers!
I’m excited to announce that the Bracha Group is offering two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2010 Final in South Africa on July 11 to the next broker who can fully execute a contract on an apartment The Centurion, the only ground up residential condominium project in New York City designed by internationally renowned Pei Partnership Architects with I.M. Pei.

I have the tickets and I cannot go, so you brokers out there should hustle for a free ride and a once and a lifetime opportunity. You have until July 9 to find a new buyer for the luxury building located at 33 West 56th Street, the epicenter of midtown Manhattan’s most exclusive shopping, residential and cultural centers. The incentive includes the cost of flight tickets and hotel accommodations.
All brokers are welcome to participate. For more information please contact the Bracha Group at 212-888-5633.

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June 29, 2010 - 1:18 PM No Comments

AZURE LAUNCHES “I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE” CONTEST WITH iPAD PRIZE – Manhattan’s New Upper East Side Luxury Residence Announces Father’s Day Contest Hosts Celebration Party for Entire Family

The Upper East Side’s newest luxury residential building, Azure, announces an “I Love My Dad Because” contest for children ages 5 -17, in honor of Father’s Day. The grand prize winner, and his/her lucky dad, will receive a brand new 32G iPad with Wi-Fi and four tickets to the Tuesday, June 22nd New York Mets game. The winners will be announced at a Father’s Day party hosted at the Azure on Sunday, June 20th. Additionally, a lucky dad or mom will win a $1,000 Citibabes-to-go gift certificate in a raffle, redeemable for a private recreational class or birthday party.

Father’s Day is always a memorable family day, but elementary, middle, and high school students are given the chance this year to make the day even more special—by submitting a heartfelt and creative answer to the question, “Why do you love YOUR dad?”
“There are no precise criteria for kids’ entries,” says Joseph Mattone, Sr., Chairman of the Mattone Group and the contest judge. “As a grandfather to 27 kids, I know there is no limit to the creativity and precociousness of today’s youth. It will certainly be difficult to pick a single entry that rises above the rest, but I have a feeling I will know the winning entry when I see it.”

All entries must be submitted before midnight on June 18 at www.ilovemydadbecause.com. Parents may fill out the form for children too young to type the entry themselves. The winner will be chosen at Azure’s Father’s Day Party, which will be held in the building’s children’s playroom and game room from 10:00am-12:00pm. Refreshments will be served.

The Azure is a 34-story luxury building comprised of 128 residences, ranging from 600 square foot studios to 3000 square foot 4-BR apartments, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side at 333 East 91st Street (corner of First Avenue). Slated for June 2010 occupancy, the building offers 6,300 square-feet of first-class amenity space, including a children’s playroom, game room, lounge and event space, private dining facility and adjoining catering kitchen, fitness center, and two landscaped rooftop terraces offering direct elevator access. The building offers a 20-year tax benefit, and immediate financing is available for 80% loan to value. Azure is pet-friendly and also features 24-hour concierge and valet service, a live-in Resident Manager, Fresh Direct cold storage facility, free bicycle storage, and additional storage units available for purchase. For additional information, please visit www.azureny.com.

June 3, 2010 - 8:03 AM No Comments

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT NAMED TO MANAGE THE CENTURION

New York, NY – May 17, 2010 – Douglas Elliman Property Management, the leading residential real estate management firm in the New York metropolitan area, has been named property manager for The Centurion, the only ground up residential condominium project in New York City designed by internationally renowned Pei Partnership with I.M. Pei.

Effective June 1, Douglas Elliman Property Management will handle all management duties at The Centurion including concierge staff training, expanding services for residents and generally assisting in making the luxury building the best place to live.

“We bring the expertise of managing very high-end luxury buildings, coupled with our experience in working with relatively new buildings,” said John Janangelo, Executive Vice President of Douglas Elliman Property Management. “We value the importance of handling special requirements of tenants and strive to make their living experience a positive one.”
Located at 33 West 56th Street off Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, The Centurion is a 17-story luxury condominium building containing 48 opulent residences, each designed with its own unique and distinct floor plan. I.M. Pei, well known for the Pyramid entrance to the Louvre in Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, came out of retirement to work on this project with his son, Sandi.
Douglas Elliman Property Management was appointed by the Board of Managers of The Centurion Condominium. “Douglas Elliman is a market leader in New York City and we look forward to working with another branch of the reputable business,” said Board President Julius Schwarz.

The Centurion is a 17-story luxury condominium building designed by internationally renowned Pei Partnership with I.M. Pei. Located at 33 West 56th Street off Fifth Avenue in the epicenter of midtown Manhattan’s most exclusive shopping, residential and cultural centers, The Centurion contains 48 exceptional one- to four-bedroom residences each designed with its own unique and distinct floor plan. It’s a magnificent address at the commercial and residential nexus of the city, attracting sophisticated residents from New York and around the world.

About Douglas Elliman Property Management
Douglas Elliman Property Management manages many of the finest cooperative and condominium properties in the metropolitan area. The company prides itself on understanding the unique requirements and challenges presented by residential buildings and have developed a management that has proven to be successful. Currently, their management portfolio contains 250 buildings.

May 24, 2010 - 11:04 AM Comment (1)

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, international best-selling author had a book signing party at the AZURE / Thursday, May 13

On Thursday, May 13, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, international best-selling author; Oprah’s former marriage, parenting and relationship expert; and the late Michael Jackson’s spiritual advisor; hosted a book signing at the Azure penthouse on the 34th floor to promote the release of his 23rd book, Renewal: A Guide to the Values Filled Life. Rabbi Shmuley was adamant on living in the 3,400 square foot penthouse and the Azure team made it clear it could be his, for $5.6 million. The event was catered by Kosher.com and was an intimate evening with friends, family and fans.

May 24, 2010 - 8:49 AM No Comments

Azure Sees Dramatic Increase in Contracts After Hiring The Bracha Group as Exclusive Sales and Marketing Agent

Azure, a new 34-story luxury residential building located on 333 East 91st Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, has seen a dramatic increase in contracts—19 in the last month alone—courtesy of the sales and marketing force at Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Bracha Group. The Bracha Group, one of the top producing real estate brokerage groups in the country, is managing all sales and marketing efforts for Azure, which is slated for summer occupancy.
“I am proud to be representing this high quality development,” says Ilan Bracha, Managing Director at Prudential Douglas Elliman and founder of The Bracha Group. “Not only are the construction and finishes at Azure a notch above other new residential buildings on the Upper East Side, but the cost per square foot is 20 percent less than area competitors, making it a unique offering for the premier location.”
Azure is comprised of 128 residences, offering studios and 1-bedroom units located at the base of the building and 2, 3 and 4-bedroom units located in the tower – floors 7 and above. The floor plans range in size from 600 square-feet for studios to over 3,000 square-feet for terraced residences, including two penthouses. Floor-to-ceiling windows in every home allow residents amazing panoramic views of the East River, Triboro Bridge, the Hell Gate Bridge to the northeast, the George Washington Bridge to the north and the Queensboro Bridge to the southeast.
Azure features an advantageous and convenient location while maintaining the intimate neighborhood feel, in close proximity to the entrance of the future Second Avenue subway line, two blocks away from the 4/5/6 subway line, and a stone’s throw from the idyllic Carl Schurz Park, Asphalt Green, numerous boutiques and museums, Eli’s Vinegar Factory, 92nd Street Y, and some of the City’s most elite schools.
“We are very excited to be working exclusively with Bracha’s team, as we feel their impressive track record will prove invaluable to Azure’s success. This is evidenced by the dramatic achievement of generating 19 contracts in the last month alone,” says Douglas Maclaury of the Mattone Group, the Queens-based development and construction company who is co-managing the project with The DeMatteis Organization. “In combination with the building’s generous floor plans, affordability, first-class amenities, and immediate financing, we believe those wanting both an exclusive Manhattan address and easy access to Upstate New York, Long Island and Connecticut; will be drawn to the Azure.”
Azure offers over 6,300 square-feet of amenity space, including a children’s playroom, a game room, lounge and event space, a private dining facility and adjoining catering kitchen, a fitness center, and two landscaped rooftop terraces. The building features 24-hour concierge and valet service, a live-in Resident Manager, a Fresh Direct cold storage facility, free bicycle storage, additional storage units in the basement, and is pet-friendly.
A sleek window-wall construction that epitomizes modern elegance, Azure was designed by SLCE Architects, widely known for its sophisticated urban projects such as 15 Central Park West, and internationally-renowned interior design firm, Studio Morsa. Each residence comes complete with Bosch and Viking kitchen appliances, floor-to-ceiling windows, Brazilian Afromosia flooring, Bosch washer and dryer, imported European kitchen cabinets and Caesar stone quartzite countertop finishes. Azure’s lobby features soaring double height ceilings, tundra marble floors, American Walnut paneling and a fireplace. Weil Art Studios, which completed artwork for many Ritz Carlton Hotels and Condo Residences across the country, custom designed two glass art pieces, which are a focal point of the lobby, depicting “Poet’s Walk” in Central Park.

About the Owner/Developer
Azure is a 50/50 joint venture between The Mattone Group and The DeMatteis Organization.
The Mattone Group is a Queens-based development and construction company headed by Mr. Joseph M. Mattone Sr., responsible for notable properties such as Roosevelt Raceway, a $ 100,000,000 power retail center, the $28,000,000 Pathmark shopping center in South East Queens and the $80,000,000 Jamaica Center. Mr. Mattone owns and manages over 30 properties totaling over 2,000,000 square feet.
The DeMatteis Organizations is a family-owned group of companies with a 90 year track record in the real estate industry. Now in its third generation, and led by brothers Richard and Scott DeMatteis, the company has participated in a wide variety of large-scale construction and development projects throughout the world and today is one of the area’s largest and most respected family-owned real estate and construction companies. The DeMatteis Organizations’ diverse capabilities include real estate development, property management, general contracting, construction management, interior construction and renovation. From luxury high-rise apartments (Chelsea Tower, South Cove Plaza and Museum Tower) and multifamily housing (Ruppert Tower, Knickerbocker Tower and Yorkville Tower) to many of our area’s most advanced office developments (Met Life Center at Bridgewater) and civic projects (Frank Sinatra High School for the Performing Arts, MS 114 and United States Mission to the United Nations), DeMatteis has also developed a number of signature international projects, and has a long history of exporting its design, construction and development expertise around the world. Over its nine decades of existence, DeMatteis projects have contributed considerably to changing the architectural landscape of New York . Indeed, it is difficult to envision any view of the New York City skyline without picturing a DeMatteis building.

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May 10, 2010 - 8:42 AM Comments (2)

Prudential Douglas Ellman And The Bracha Group Appointed Exclusive Sales And Marketing Agent For The Centurion– Residential Masterpiece Designed By The Internationally Renowned Pei Partnership Architects With I.M. Pei

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Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Bracha Group, led by broker Ilan Bracha, has been named the exclusive New York sales and marketing agency for The Centurion, a 17-story luxury condominium building designed by internationally renowned Pei Partnership Architects with I.M. Pei.
Located at 33 West 56th Street off Fifth Avenue in the epicenter of midtown Manhattan’s most exclusive shopping, residential and cultural centers , The Centurion contains 47 exceptional one- to four-bedroom residences that range in size from 750 to 3,400 square feet. Each unit has been designed with its own unique and distinct floor plan. Pricing begin at around $2.5 million to more than $10 million. The building was constructed with Chamesson limestone imported from France, which contains a specific warm beige color the architect wanted for the project. Open since Spring 2009, sold and closed units are nearing 50 percent, according to Lawrence Lee, Vice President of the Bracha Group.
“The Centurion is a magnificent address at the commercial and residential nexus of the city, attracting sophisticated residents from New York and around the world. We’re thrilled to be a part of such a significant project that has taken its place among the most historic and significant architectural buildings of Midtown Manhattan, and has given new meaning to the Midtown standard of luxury, convenience and elegance,” Lee said.
The man behind The Centurion’s development is Roy Stillman of Stillman Development International. Stillman previously developed The Metropolitan residential condominium on Third Avenue at 90th Street, designed by influential architect Philip Johnson.
The building has an exquisitely designed lobby, private exercise facility, a 24-hour attended garage, a doorman, concierge, resident superintendent and storage units for purchase. It is noted for its cascading terraces and its five “lanterns,” which is what Pei calls the five, double-height windows on the 56th Street façade that offer units with ceilings as high as 18 feet.
The floor and one continuous wall of the attended lobby are soft, cream-colored Magny du Louvre French limestone accented by finishes of blonde Anigre wood, decorative marbles, and rich leathers. An elegant seating area with sophisticated artwork offers a tranquil place to rest and enjoy the Water Garden, which is visible through the lobby’s full glass wall.
The Centurion is the first ground-up residential condominium project to be designed in New York by Pei Partnership Architects with I.M. Pei . Well known for the Pyramid entrance to the Louvre in Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, I.M. Pei came out of retirement to work on this project with his son, Sandi.
For information on purchasing at The Centurion please contact (212)891-7268 or visit The Centurion website.

About I.M. Pei
I.M. Pei is a Chinese-born American architect considered by many to be a master of modern architecture. His work includes the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and Four Seasons Hotel in New York. He has been the recipient of countless awards including the Pritzker Prize, sometimes called the Nobel Prize of architecture.

About Pei Partnership Architects
Established in 1992, Pei Partnership Architects is a full service, international practice whose broad areas of expertise focus on a single goal – design excellence. Founding partners Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei, sons of I.M. Pei, adhere to the design commitment, innovation and distinction they gained in the 18 years they’ve built the firm.

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April 18, 2010 - 10:47 PM Comments (4)

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