A sampling of last week’s press coverage of CORE and CORE properties.

Walker Tower photos by David Dunlap for the New York Times

“Downtown Prices Are Set to Get Lift”
Wall Street Journal
Last week’s launch of sales at CORE’s Walker Tower development in Chelsea may prove that “ultrawealthy New Yorkers will pay some of the highest prices in the city for a spot in the funky neighborhood,” the Wall Street Journal reports. With 25% of Walker Tower’s 50 ultra-luxury condominiums already in contract, that certainly looks true. Read on for more about the project, including analysis from CORE CEO Shaun Osher.

“Developer in Chelsea Honors a Great Architect While Redesigning His Work”
New York Times
Veteran journalist and architecture historian David Dunlap explores a different path regarding Walker Tower’s launch, focusing on the complexities of the $200 million restoration and renovation of the pre-war Art Deco building, and explaining how new elements “were based on existing decorative motifs found in the building entrance and lobby or on archival drawings showing how Walker’s design evolved.” Also check out Dunlap’s great photos of some of Walker Tower’s original design flourishes.

“Walker Tower, 25 percent sold, gets a warm welcome from residential brokers”
The Real Deal

“Walker Tower: Historic Icon + Modern Luxury Will Cost You”
New York Observer

“See The Views From Walker Tower’s Opening Party”
Curbed
Completing a week of Walker Tower media mania, the building’s launch party and early sales success are covered online by The Real Deal, the Observer and Curbed, including some excellent photo galleries.

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“Supersized” apartments are a hot sector of the market, The Real Deal magazine reports in its latest issue, as real estate developers look for ways to appeal to wealthy buyers. The list of new supersized buildings includes CORE’s upcoming Walker Tower development, but with the launch of sales at Walker Tower still a few weeks out, we thought we’d highlight three other supersized pads currently on the market.

Where: 213 West 23rd Street, Skyhouse
Size: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
Asking: $8,950,000
Listed by: Emily Beare and Christian Rogers

This Chelsea apartment isn’t called the “Skyhouse” for no reason. The mansion-in-the-sky, a triplex sitting atop a landmark building, has 5,000 square feet of indoor space along with an almost unheard of 6,000 square feet of private outdoor space. No neighbors, four exposures, and striking views of the Hudson River and Empire State Building — it’s a supersized home for a supersized lifestyle.

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Sure, an apartment with a wall of windows — a feature unique to relatively newer styles of construction — provides great views of the city. But these apartments also make you feel like a part of the streetscape, hovering amid the skyline. And you’re not going to find anyone complaining about a lack of light in one of these, our favorite apartments on the market with a penchant for keeping it glassy.

Where: 166 West 18th Street, PH
Size: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
Asking: $10,400,000
Listed by: Stuart Sussman

This full-floor penthouse at Chelsea’s Yves building has 10′ floor-to-ceiling windows with open views of the city. Though it’s also something to look at on the inside, with spacious living quarters and one of the most amazing contemporary styles we’ve seen. And if you want to step outside the glass house, there’s that private terrace that’s perfect for getting some fresh air. (more…)

Manhattan can never be described as average, but these apartments can. According to the latest market reports, the average sale price of a Manhattan apartment is $1.45 million. What does average look like? Pretty great, if you ask us. Here’s a look at three CORE listings priced around that magic number.

Where: 650 Sixth Avenue #5-A
Size: 1 bedroom/1 home office/2 bathrooms
Asking: $1,575,000
Listed by: Kirk Rundhaug, Mark Lynch and Ryan Fitzpatrick

There’s not much else that can be called average about this expansive (over 1,200 square feet) space that straddles Chelsea and the Flatiron District. The Cammeyer, a pre-war jewel that was once the world’s biggest shoe store, is one of the best loft buildings downtown. The finishes and location are second to none, the layouts are impressive — here there’s a 35′ x 12′ Great Room — and the building’s white-glove service goes above and beyond any concept of “average.”

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What’s New is a weekly look at one of CORE’s most striking new listings.

Where: 211 Madison Avenue #30-AB
Size: 4,500 square feet and several possible configurations
Asking: $7,400,000
Listed by: Reba Miller and Susan Rubell

Look beyond the Don Drapers and luxury boutiques lining Madison Avenue and you’ll find that the venerable boulevard also has some fantastic places to call home, especially just south of the hustle and bustle of Midtown. At the full-service, white-glove Morgan Court, this massive sky-high duplex offers the rare ability to customize your dream layout in an established condominium with the assistance of the building’s sponsor. Three bedrooms? Five bedrooms? Up to four additional oversized windows to add to the already incredible 360-degree views? It’s all possible, and more. If a little flexibility goes a long way, then this apartment has to be a shoo-in for gymnastics gold at the 2012 London games. What won’t change: The unit’s private elevator entrance and beautiful balcony, a glimpse of which is seen below.

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