Inside Agent Phillip Salem's Half Birthday Party

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Powerhouse Compass agent Phillip Salem, affectionately referred to as “Agent P”, recently hosted a celebration with family, friends, clients and colleagues at Glasshouse Chelsea in NYC for his inaugural half-birthday event. The evening was driven by a philanthropic purpose, raising funds to support Wise Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to advocating for and rescuing dogs of all ages and breeds.

Guests enjoyed artfully created vegan bites, custom craft cocktails and a picture-perfect sunset viewed from within the glass wrapped space along Manhattan’s West side, while dancing to Mariah Carey’s greatest hits for hours into the night.

Known for his authentic sense of self and passion for fashion, Agent P did not disappoint with several highly anticipated looks. Each custom look debuted with runway-worthy moments throughout the evening. His ensembles included custom pieces designed by Michael Brambila, LA ROXX, and BCALLA.

Though originally from Ohio, Phillip was drawn to the cultural diversity, art, and real estate of the Big Apple, moving to NYC 15 years ago. Since launching a career in real estate he has always believed that buying a home should be a fun and exciting process and injects warmth and passion into all he does. In addition to real estate, Phillip is also founder of the Agent P Lifestyle brand - guests were gifted with the latest candle from his collection, called “Festive Moments.”

Phillip currently lives with his husband and rescue dog Chiquita Banana. He is also deeply passionate about animals and giving back to the community, frequently volunteering at Animal Haven in SoHo and fostering senior dogs.

Phillip has performed as a top-producing agent throughout the pandemic, completing several high-profile deals. Most recently, he represented the buyers of a unit, formerly the home of Ariana Grande, at the iconic Zaha Hadid building in West Chelsea.

Our Favorite Listings For The Week

Looking for a new place to live or just curious about what's on the market? Check out our favorite homes you should make an appointment for this week. 

Have a listing you think should be featured? Submit your open house or contact us to tell us more! And be sure to view our new Listings Calendar

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260 West Broadway, Apartment 1/2C

Located in the super cool northern tip of TriBeCa, this unique triplex loft is one of a kind! The restoration and the exquisite pre-war details make this space spectacularly dramatic. Enter on the main level and immediately you are met with an original Keith Haring wall mural, which was drawn circa 1979 when he was a student at the School of Visual arts, and rediscovered decades later during a renovation. In front of you is a jaw dropping 45-foot by 45-foot great room with incredible 26-foot-high ceilings, cast-iron columns, a wall of dramatic 24-foot-high arched windows and a working fireplace! There is also a dining room with a Juliet balcony, an eat-in chef's kitchen, powder room, and wonderful storage on this floor. Up the fabulous stainless-steel sculpture like staircase is the 2nd floor where a mezzanine/library is open to the great room below and affords views of the historic neighborhood. Just off of the mezzanine is the private sleeping wing featuring a primary suite with a luxurious marble double bathroom, a wet bar, and an enormous dressing room, as well as a second bedroom with bathroom. There is also room for a possible third bedroom.

The lower level features a separate private entrance, making it the rare Manhattan maisonette. Here you will find a media room, game room, gym/office with half bath, a full laundry room, climate-controlled wine cellar, staff guest room with a 1/2 bath and incredible storage. This large private area also makes a great office and workspace. Represented by Lisa K. Lippman of Brown Harris Stevens. Asking $7,295,000.

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34 West 11th Street

An amazing opportunity to complete your dream home. This beautiful 22 foot wide Greek Revival style brick townhouse is located in the historic neighborhood of Greenwich Village. The home is positioned on one of the Gold Coast blocks between 5th and 6th Avenues. The lot is nearly 95 feet and the house is built 42 feet. 34 W 11 abuts the townhomes on the northern side of 10th street providing privacy and ample light with charming southern exposures. The Plans have been approved, which include an elevator, southern facing terrace, and extension of the roof, by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as well as the Department of Buildings. Construction has already commenced. Excavation of 4.5 feet has been completed and the house has been structurally reinforced. 6750 square feet (including finished basement). Please note that the photos are renderings. Represented by Chris Poore of Brown Harris Stevens. Asking $17,895,000.

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236 WEST 26TH ST. 2W

Asking $4,495,000 this homes offer over 4,100 square feet of sunny living space in one of Chelsea’s most iconic prewar buildings, this stunning, mint-condition loft includes three-bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, home office and a massive great room creating the perfect layout for any occasion. The sprawling great room is illuminated by abundant natural light from massive bronze encased curved windows, hand-forged in 1925 and beautifully preserved. Represented by Charles Curkin, Fox Residential.

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A Look At The Vienna Philharmonic Society and Salzburg Festival Society Celebrate Festival's 100th Anniversary

From New York to Salzburg Austria: Marifé Hernández and Joel Bell hosted a dinner at the Sacher Hotel’s Wintergarten on August 12th reuniting friends of the Vienna Philharmonic Society USA and Salzburg Festival Society USA for a celebration of Salzburg Festival’s 100th Anniversary.

Among the guests were violinist Hannah Cho of New York and trombonist Kelton Koch of Texas - two members of the first graduating class of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Academy and playing with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Academy, a longtime ambition of the Orchestra, was founded in the summer of 2018 to train talented young musicians in the unique musical style of the Vienna Philharmonic.  Significant annual funding from the Vienna Philharmonic Society USA made the dream a reality and ensured the inclusion of American students in every biennial class.

A pianist serenaded guests during cocktails and the fine continental meal that finished with a traditional Austrian dessert and specialty of the Hotel, sacher savarin (biscuit and fresh fruits soaked in rum, doused with vanilla cream).

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Win The Kim Crawford “Make a Racket” Sweepstakes

With the official in-person return of the US Open, America’s #1 Selling Sauvignon Blanc brand Kim Crawford is excited to be this year’s proud partner, where they will have plenty of on-site offerings available for guests to enjoy throughout the tournament including their iconic Kim Crawford Frosé cocktail, signature wine glasses and core varietals of Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, and more. Leading up to the Open, Kim Crawford will be encouraging consumers to enter their “Make a Racket” sweepstakes where one lucky winner and a guest will have the chance to fly to NYC to watch the 2022 Women’s Championship and enjoy a 3 night hotel stay. 

Tennis fans looking to enjoy the stadium-experience at home can also recreate the Kim Crawford Frosé and several additional tennis-themed cocktail recipes below, perfect for a virtual viewing party! Whether you’re having a quite night of watching tennis in or hosting the viewing party of the season, you can order Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé through Instacart and Drizly (using code KIM and save $5).

Kim Crawford wines began in a small cottage in Auckland, New Zealand. Since 1996, we’ve gained critical acclaim around the world with our dedication to honest, exuberant flavors. We do things unconventionally and believe the moment is what you make it #1 Sauvignon Blanc in the United States1

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Simple Ways to Make Your Commute Less Awful

More people are physically going into work again. Some people are lucky to have a short drive. But what if you have a long way to go just to get to work? The drive can be a boring nightmare. It's even worse if you get stuck in NYC's notorious traffic. However, there is some good news. There are some ways to make the travel time to work go much faster. Take a look at these suggestions below.

Listen to a Podcast

More people are listening to podcasts every day. Even better, more podcasts are coming out in different genres with unique storylines and premises. It doesn't hurt to give it a try. What are you interested in? Are you interested in hearing about hidden histories? There are plenty of podcasts to scratch that itch. Do you like horror? There are several more podcasts that are created every day. You can even find podcasts on travel. It doesn't take too much to find what you are looking for. In fact, globally there are approximately 1.8 billion websites operating at the same time every day. All you have to do is subscribe and enjoy as you drive to work.

Listen to an Audiobook

If podcasts aren't for you, you can always buy or rent an audiobook for the road. You can choose from fiction or non-fiction from any place where audiobooks can be found. The more chapters, the better. A thriller can help you stay alert during traffic lulls, and mysteries can make you excited to get behind the wheel and figure out what happens next.

Keep Snacks on Hand

Sometimes traffic takes a lot longer than you expect it to. To help prevent road rage when you're "hangry," always keep snacks in the car. You never know where you are going to be stuck in traffic or have your car broken down when you least expect it. It's easy to go for things like candy and chips. However, it's better to go for something healthier on the road. Nonperishable items would be better if you were to keep them in the car.

Don't Get Too Distracted

Above all else, keep your eyes on the road. You don't want to end up in an accident on your travel to work. According to NCCI data, the number one most costly lost-time workers' compensation claims by cause of injury resulted from motor-vehicle crashes, and considering there are more than 500,000 refrigerated trucks in service at the same time you're on the road, you want to be sure you're paying close attention to your surroundings.

The commute to work doesn't have to be the worst part of your day. You can make it fun and go by much faster. The tips above will help your commute be less awful until you get to work. Your workday may be the pits, but the drive there and back doesn't have to be.

How to Decide What to Renovate Before Moving into a New House

There's nothing quite like the thrill of moving into a new home. But sometimes, your new home may require a little bit of TLC before you move all of your stuff in. If you've just bought your dream home, you can make it feel every bit the part if you do some renovations before moving day arrives.

So what should you get to work on? That's really up to you. It's best to take a look at the house and take inventory of what might need fixing or replacing. But there are many easy renovations you can make before you move in too. An added bonus of putting the time in before you move is that you can start and complete projects without the hassle of having to watch out for furniture or belongings.

Start Painting

It seems that every new homeowner decides to undertake a painting project at some point, whether it's repainting the kitchen or you're prepping a nursery for a newborn. By picking colors out and painting, you can really make a new home feel like your own. You can use low VOC paints to keep the air in your house clean too. You'll find it's a lot easier to paint before furniture and appliances have been moved in and it can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it.

In 2016, it was estimated that more than 85% of renovations were paid for in cash or with savings. So if you've been keeping a rainy day fund for moving, you can head to your local home improvement store and pick up all that you need. If you're on a budget, you can choose an inexpensive paint or you can choose a high-end paint if you want to go that route.

Install Air Conditioning

It's estimated that more than 84% of American homes have some kind of air conditioning system. If your new home needs air conditioning, putting in the units is a good idea before you move everything else. That way you can have a nice, cool house, especially if you're moving in the summertime. On the flip side, you might also consider looking into a central air unit before you move into your home. This will eliminate the need for air conditioning units in every room and allow you to toggle between heat and air depending on the time of year.

Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, and the exterior of your home sets the tone for visitors and future buyers. Enhancing your home's curb appeal before moving in can make a significant difference. According to home flipping experts, simple upgrades like repainting the front door, power-washing the driveway, adding outdoor lighting, or updating landscaping with fresh plants and mulch can significantly boost a property's value. Even small changes, such as installing stylish house numbers or a new mailbox, can elevate the look of your home and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Go Green

Another option you have before you move into your home is making your home more energy-efficient. After all, it seems most companies these days are encouraging folks to go green and do things more efficiently. If you want to go big, you can certainly do that. Consider installing something like a new energy-efficient water heater. It may cost a lot up front, but it should save you money in the long run, considering water accounts for about 18% of a home's energy use. But realistically, you don't have to go that big. You can do small, but effective things like changing out light bulbs for energy-efficient ones. You can also add weather stripping around your windows to make them less drafty, or you could install low-flow showerheads to lower your water use. Even taking little steps can make a big difference.

Endless Possibilities

Being a new homeowner can be thrilling, but it can be even more thrilling doing renovations and really putting your stamp on your homestead before you move in. There are any number of renovations and projects you can undertake before you move, and it will make a big difference in the long run.

Your First Look At 147 Ludlow In The Lower East Side

Credit: MW Studio

Today Grid Group, a full-service family-operated real estate development firm with a dedication to quality and craft, has announced the launch of sales at 147 Ludlow. The timeless property features eight luxurious loft-style residences priced from $1.895M. Initial availability includes two and three-bedroom lofts along with a full-floor four-bedroom duplex with 37 ft of frontage on Ludlow Street, and 647 square feet of private outdoor space with panoramic views of the downtown skyline including a 36’ x 15’+ terrace and private balcony. Nicole Hechter and Masayo Hashimoto of Corcoran New Development are leading marketing and sales efforts.

147 Ludlow is 100% complete and buyers can move in imminently. It is designed by DHD Architecture and Interior Design, which has tremendous experience designing for indoor-outdoor living. All residences at 147 Ludlow boast 9’6 ceilings, white oak floors, and oversized European casement tilt and turn windows, allowing natural light to fill the expansive living spaces while providing the maximum sound attenuation. Every residence has gracious and private outdoor spaces, optimally built for relaxation and entertaining with a backdrop of quintessential New York City views. 

“147 Ludlow Street exceeds all expectations for today’s buyer,” says Yiannes Einhorn, Principal at Grid Group. “We’re excited to present this development to the market and continue our collaboration with Corcoran New Development who partnered with us on downtown sellouts 124 West 16th Street and 246 West 16th Street.” 

Scroll to see the Penthouse currently listed for $5,495,000

“147 Ludlow Street is a boutique offering with a very limited number of residences and offers great private outdoor space,” says Nicole Hechter, who is leading sales with Masayo Hashimoto for Corcoran New Development. “This is the exact product type that is commanding bidding wars and selling out during this time period so it’s critical that brokers and prospects engage now. Buildings developed by Grid have a track record of selling out quickly and we anticipate the same here.”

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Where To Eat And Lounge In The Hamptons This Summer

By Alexandra Reconco

The Hamptons is the place to be as Summer winds down, for its amazing lounges and restaurants. Here is a list of some of the best lounges and restaurants in the area for you to enjoy and discover.

Photo via

75 Main

“The perfect Hamptons hangout,” 75 Mian is the premier Hamptons locale for modern Italian fare in a chic and seductive environment. Offering an assortment of sumptuous culinary specialities, 75 Main is the place to be to relax with sultry music and with a sophisticated atmosphere.

Oreya

Located in the beautiful Southampton, Oreya is a new mediterranean dining experience that features lush outdoor seating, a newly reinvented pool, and open air lounge. Serving innovative cocktails that feature the latest on mixology trends that are for sure to impress. Oreya’s mission is to restore the grandeur and sophistication of dining in the Hamptons. “Oreya is not a meal, it is a lifestyle experience.”

Gurney’s

This seaside restaurant is downtown Manhattan meets Montauk which offers soulful Italian food with seasonal dishes, fresh seafood selection and a list of world-class wines. Every table has a panoramic view of the ocean that makes this restaurant a place to visit when in the Hamptons.

668 The Gig Shack

Live Music. Surf Cuisine. Local Wine & Beers.
668 The Gig Shack is a local favorite that stays true to its Montauk root yet with a unique international twist. Offering live music, surf cuisine and local wine and bees, this lively location is the place to unwind and have some fun.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Our Favorite Listings For The Week

Looking for a new place to live or just curious about what's on the market? Check out our favorite homes you should make an appointment for this week. 

Have a listing you think should be featured? Submit your open house or contact us to tell us more! And be sure to view our new Listings Calendar

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11 Mercer Street, Apartment 3A

This chic quintessential prewar loft located in a prime Soho boutique condominium features over 4000+ square feet with soaring 13-foot ceilings. A keyed elevator opens directly into the full floor apartment with grand entertaining space and oversized windows. The apartment includes 3 bedrooms, a media room/office, 2 renovated bathrooms, and spacious closet space throughout. The open kitchen is ideal for interacting with guests and features top of the line appliances. Washer/Dryer in the unit. Represented by Chris Poore of Brown Harris Stevens. Asking $6,595,000.

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1280 Fifth Avenue, 14-EF

One of the largest layouts available at One Museum Mile, this Central Park-facing three or four-bedroom condo offers the best in design, flexibility, space, view, and customization. With oversized windows overlooking the most beautiful corner of Central Park and designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Andre Kikoski, this home offers a gracious layout including a kitchen with top-of-the-line Bosch and Thermador appliances and granite countertops, a master suite with a huge walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom, and one of the most expansive great room configurations in the building. The closets have been completely customized and the apartment comes wired for sound with built-in Sonos speakers.

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429 Kent Avenue #D714

This 2,333 square foot duplex at The Oosten in the heart of Williamsburg blends modern and classic design by acclaimed architect, Piet Boon. The lower level features a spacious open floor plan with kitchen and entertainment space. Double height ceilings and large casement windows bring in light and to the living room overlooking a beautiful courtyard. Additional building amenities include a gorgeous lap pool, state of the art fitness center with spa, 24-hour concierge and more. Alyssa Brody with Development Marketing Team is the Listing Agent.

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A Look At Olympia Dumbo Topping Out

Olympia Dumbo celebrated its topping out last Tuesday (August 3rd) to become the tallest residential building in DUMBO, Brooklyn, at 401-feet and 33 stories. Developed by Fortis Property Group with architecture by Hill West and interiors by Workstead, Olympia Dumbo will feature 76 condominiums and over 38,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities.

Sales are handled by The Eklund | Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman and Karen Heyman of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Why Your Family Should Vacation at a Timeshare

Is your family looking for a great place to stay on vacation, and you aren't sure exactly where you want to go? If so, you need to consider high-quality timeshares seriously. This option has become more and more popular in recent years due to the unique benefits that this option provides. Understanding why your family should own one will make it easier to identify an opportunity you enjoy. It’s also important to check reviews of timeshare cancellation companies.

Timeshares are Very Comfortable

While hotels can be pretty relaxing, a timeshare is more like a home away from home. They have separate rooms, great beds, comfortable seating areas, and much more. These benefits are enormous if you want to have a fantastic vacation with your loved ones that help everyone relax.

For families looking to explore the latest in timeshare offerings, understanding what is HGV Max can provide insights into innovative vacation options that combine luxury and convenience.

Perhaps that's why over 9.9 million families in the country own timeshares in various vacation spots. Whatever your needs, you should find a comfortable and enjoyable option that works for your loved ones and makes your vacations more enjoyable and exciting for your needs.

Timeshares Have Fewer Restrictions

While timeshare options do have restrictions, they are much fewer. And the benefits that you get (such as easy access to a pool or exercise room) help make this benefit huge for those who want to go on a vacation every year. Although, holiday goers prefer to venture out a little more and don't necessarily want to be restricted to one place, so you will find that they look for best timeshare exit companies to help assist with leaving the timeshare, but this all depends on what kind of holiday your prefer. Timeshares are certainly a popular option for those who aren't looking for as many restrictions during their holiday!

While timeshare options do have restrictions, they are much fewer. And the benefits that you get (such as easy access to a pool or exercise room) help make this benefit huge for those who want to go on a vacation every year.

Timeshares Save You Money

While you might end up paying more for a timeshare initially, you'll save yourself a lot of money in the long term. Rather than renting overpriced hotel rooms, you can go to a great and relatively inexpensive timeshare, allowing you to focus more money on different elements of your life instead.

As a result, you can rent a car that will make it easier to get around during your vacation. We strongly suggest getting a car with window tint, as it can block 99% of harmful UV light and keep your loved ones safe from sunburns or even the risk of problematic melanoma dangers.

Timeshares Create Easier Accessibility

One of the most frustrating things about going on vacation is finding a place to stay the night when you get to where you want to go. However, if you book a timeshare in advance and work around its schedule, you will have a great place to stay that is immediately accessible.

Even better, you can walk into your timeshare and feel like you're at home right away. Unlike hotels, a timeshare is usually quite large, allowing you to relax in comfort and enjoy yourself. This benefit is critical for those who want to minimize their issues with finding a place to live.

Timeshares Can Be Insured

Lastly, you can ensure a timeshare in ways you can't if you rent a hotel room. This benefit is critical because it can make sure that your items are protected. And it will also help to give you the ability to protect the timeshare, as well. So in a sense, it works a lot like renters insurance.

When buying insurance, your cost will vary based on the property and the type of protection you want. Typically, you'll end up paying about 0.5% of the purchase price for the timeshare. So keep this factor in mind when you decide to buy a timeshare and use one for your vacation needs.

By now, you should know if a timeshare is right for your family or not or if the timeshare if you have is a timeshare sales scams. You might be surprised at just how many unique options are available and how well they work with most rental needs. With timeshare as a family vacation option, your memories will reflect the words in the best family adventure quotes.

Context Travel Around The World From Your Home

Annabella Pardo

Traveling the world is a luxury many of us crave and long for in order to live a long, happy, and fulfilling life. With the world slowly opening up again we are very excited to begin to visit our favorite museums, landmarks, and gelato shops once more. In preparation of our global travels, here at Off The Mrkt we are learning directly from the experts themselves at Context Travel. Context Travel is a network of scholars and experts who specialize in fields such as art history, archaeology, cuisine, architecture, history, and theology, who offer private, custom, and small group walking tours in 60 cities across six continents for almost 20-years. 

Photo via @ContextTravel

Context is now the only travel company that allows you to start learning before you hop on a plane. People are craving year-round learning to supplement their travel experiences or to serve as an alternative to in-person travel entirely.

The digital learning program is called “Context Learning,” and it offers live interactive seminars and courses on a variety of cultural and historical topics with the company’s vast network of well-versed, PHD or MA-level degree scholars. Think of this as a LIVE version of Netflix where theres tons of options to choose from, select which one is most of interest to you and learn about your favorite subject.

Photo via @ContextTravel

Now that travel is coming back IRL, Context is continuing these seminars and courses to help fulfill not only the pre- travel enrichment and allow them to learn before hopping on a plane, but also provide the opportunity for adults to become lifelong learners (the courses are so in-depth you feel like you’re learning from a professor in school).

Photo via @ContextTravel

Due to popular demand for long form travel, and because Context participants have built relationships with their experts/scholars over the course of the pandemic, Context is now taking one step further to launch  Context Journeys – the brand’s first fully planned, multi-day, small and group tours in cultural capitals across the globe.

Journeys will be led by the brand’s network of scholars, many of which hold PhDs or other terminal degrees in their field and teach at the university level, who specialize in fields such as art history, archaeology, cuisine, architecture, history, and theology. Not to be confused with your everyday tour guide, these experts have dedicated their lives to learning the history and culture of these cities and can offer unique insight and connections to provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for the destinations.  

Photo via @ContextTravel

The pre-planned itinerary, which includes hotel accommodations, on-the-ground tours and logistics and most meals, will also include experiences exclusively for Context travelers. For example, in Amsterdam, the small group will tour Rembrandt’s house before heading to dinner in an original canal house to tour a private art collection. As Context’s experts have deep and long-term connections with the museums and locations being toured, each Journeys participant will receive VIP treatment.  

Get started learning from the best travel experts in the world, at Context Travel.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.