I always enjoy hearing positive thoughts on the current and future conditions of the housing market. The Managing Partner of the Rand Family of Companies, Greg Rand, provides insight regarding the current market conditions.
Greg Rand on Housing [Fox Business Video]
Photo from wallyg's Flickr photostream.
When I first saw this house on Flickr it reminded me of a Hansel and Gretel-esque type gingerbread house. Although I wouldn't recommend eating this house, despite how delicious it looks, since it is in fact a Staten Island Landmark built in 1855 by William S. Pendleton, a prominent business man who established the first commercially successful lithograph firm in the U.S. W.S. Pendleton wore many hats, serving as president of the North Shore Ferry Company and in addition to 22 Pendleton Place, built six other homes on the North Shore.
I think this house has a lot of personality and individuality, so anyone interested in the Gothic Revival movement and Victorian architectural styles would really appreciate, what I consider a work of art.
Situated on irregularly shaped high grounds overlooking Kill Van Kull, a prominent tower dominates the two-and-half story residence, a survivor of Victorian Romanticism. A gabled vestibule doorway, adorned with scalloped scroll work bargeboards, projects forward from the south elevation. Diamond shaped glass is used in all the various shaped windows. On the side of the house are two one-story extensions and a greenhouse of a later period. The steeply pitched gable roofs are covered with diamond shaped shingles as is the pyramidal shaped roof surmounting the tower. — by wallyg in NYC-Staten Island-New Brighton: W. S. Pendleton House Flickr post
Preserve Staten Island [pdf]
Hansel & Gretel Photo Gallery
As I’m taking my daily run on Clove Road, while listening to my blood stirring, energy pumping music mix, I end up passing by a banner advertising a new development called "The Club at Clove Lakes Park". This name intrigues me because it makes me think of a community for the elite. Still trying to keep the juices flowing as I'm jogging in place reading this advertisement, I tell myself why not pass by the welcome center to check out what this is all about. After all, if I like what I hear it will make for great content on my beloved blog.
One of the friendly sales reps named Michael gave me a run down of the project and showed me the welcome center. I come to find out that this is an upscale 24-unit age-exclusive project for active adults 55 and older. They brand themselves as “Staten Island’s Premier Over 55 Boutique Condominium”, which makes sense and goes along with my initial assumption based on just reading the name of the new development.
I think these guys really have something here because this is the first community on the north shore of Staten Island targeted towards this demographic. While this project is definitely aimed at the upscale market with a profusion of finishes, amenitites and services (lots of marble, granite, brand name appliances and fixtures, pools, fitness room, sauna, private rooms for all types of special events, library, game room, virtual concierge, etc.), it provides an alternative for Staten Islanders who no longer want to maintain their old homes, and just want to live peacefully and joyfully in their own little world. Michael said the offerring plans have recently been approved and all the amenties are finalized, so I'm interested to see what happens at this site.
I asked Michael, with absolutely no personal intentions in mind :) "what are the chances you guys will develop a community like this for people in their 30's and over?" He said, "hey, you never know...we make things happen". At this point my body has cooled down, since I spent more time than I would have liked talking to Michael...no offense Mike you were very kind, but I got to keep the groove going. I'll make it my duty to my fellow readers to follow the progress of The Club and any cool new stuff worth blogging about.
The Club at Clove Lakes Park [Official Website]
Check out this NY Times video about this reporter who takes a six day walking tour around the coastline of Staten Island. I don't know who in their right mind would do something like this, but it's pretty cool, and even I, as a Staten Island native found out some interesting things from this video.
I'm starting to wonder whether this country thinks Obama is some sort of super hero. Everyone feels that Obama will be our savior from economic demise, but there is a big journey ahead of him and our backs are up against the wall. I ponder to myself everyday, can Obama really come up with a solution to the laundry list of issues plaguing our society. At the end of the day all I, and the rest of the country can really do, is have faith and hope that everything Obama has promised us can be executed successfully.
The NY Times article I was reading really piles on the heat and discusses some of the crucial issues that economists say will test the new administration, and how it might address them. Read Full Article » [NY Times]
What do you guys think about this? Can Obama bring us back to life from this dreary economy?
I came across an interesting promotion here on Staten Island that I thought I would share with my readers. The new trend in the market is GREEN HOME BUILDING. Not much of this is happening on Staten Island yet, but it is definitely a trend that has hit the rest of the nation, and even in Brooklyn. So it's definitely on its way here -- stuff like solar power, and simpler stuff like more energy efficient appliances, compact fluorescent bulbs, and all that.
I know a lot of my friends think that this green stuff is a lot of baloney, but I think that The Estates at Opal Ridge might make them think twice just from realizing the amount of money they can save by buying an energy efficient home. The side benefit is that they are going to help save the environment.
The Estates at Opal Ridge on the South Shore of Staten Island are featuring a new program called "THE DOUBLE GREEN EVENT", which offers great environmentally friendly incentives when purchasing a new home at Opal Ridge. Not only does the Incredible Hulk GO GREEN, but so does The Estates at Opal Ridge!
GO GREEN OR GO HOME - PUN INTENDED!!!
Click here to download the Poll results [SINY]
So, what do my readers on this blog think?
