Need further proof that the Manhattan luxury real estate market never takes a day off, not even in the summer? Then check out The Real Deal’s report on 305W16, the 53-unit Chelsea cond-op being marketed by CORE. The building launched sales with a show-stopping rooftop party in June, at the start of what is typically considered a slow season when it comes to buying and selling property. Less than three months later, over 50% of the building’s apartments are in contract, and closings have kicked off, The Real Deal notes. The building has a massive attention-grabbing sculpture on its roof, but CORE’s Shaun Osher tells TRD the project stands out in other ways as well:

While the aforementioned sculpture has certainly contributed to the building’s unique identity, Osher said Core is using the cond-op’s website to market the building in a unique way. Rather than a traditional website, this is a blog updated regularly by the Core marketing team with news on the building and the Chelsea neighborhood.

“It connects to the person who is buying in this building,” Osher said, noting that the budding technology scene nearby, including Google’s new office across the street, is bringing in young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs. “[The website] is a living, breathing conduit of information for people that are constantly on the Internet.”

Speaking of the tech-savvy, they can click here for more details on 305W16’s current availability.

One positive thing the P.L.C.B.B. (Pre-Lehman Collapse Building Boom) gave us was a superior stock of well-conceived shiny new condos. Is it any wonder why these new condos are now selling for a premium, even now? A lengthy New York Times article this past Sunday explored this phenomenon, and I’d like to elaborate on my comments in the story – that product in new developments fares best even when the markets are in decline.

If you think about it, the way in which we live our lives today has changed about as dramatically as the way we communicate. (Remember the beeper and pay phone?) Buildings today are designed differently – because we live differently. To most, the layout of the un-renovated classic six on Park Avenue is not as desirable as the new loft apartment on lower Fifth Avenue. Does anyone (with a budget) in Manhattan still use a formal dining room? Certainly not as much as a playroom, home office, guest room or open kitchen.

And now that these newer buildings have amenities to match our lifestyles, their appeal is that much greater. The interesting observation to me of real estate relative to history is how it reflects our current culture. And it is changing more now than ever before. Our pipeline of new developments we will be bringing to the market in the next wave of housing reflects this. Not only as a representation of our lifestyle, but an evolution of our culture.

Shaun Osher is the founder and CEO of CORE.

If you build it, they will come. And in the case of the loft at 120 West 29th Street, “they” means the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News, The Real Deal, Curbed, Steampunk aficionado Dr. Grymm and a decked-out group of his faithful devotees. Following last week’s launch party, one of NYC’s most unique apartments is now one of NYC’s most famous apartments. And since the event was being filmed for HGTV’s Selling New York, this retro-futuristic fantasy pad (yep, the color-changing zeppelin is included in the $1.75 million price) may soon be sweeping the nation.

See CORE’s Shaun Osher, Parul Brahmbhatt and a host of well-dressed characters plucked straight from a sci-fi flick in the photos below, and check out CORE’s Facebook page for more.

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Welcome to Ten, CORE founder and CEO Shaun Osher’s rapid-fire interview series with prominent CORE agents. Read on to find out how this week’s subject deals with being on the hot seat.

I met Emily Beare five years ago when she joined CORE to work on our project at 520 West 19th Street, a high-profile West Chelsea condominium designed by Annabelle Selldorf and located steps from the High Line. She sold that project out in record time, and has built a business and reputation that is one of the best in the industry. Now she’s a busy Managing Director at CORE, but she still found the time to chat with me about her career.

1) What did you do before going into real estate?
Believe it or not, real estate is actually my fourth career! After studying art history and photography in college, I worked for several years at a museum and with photographers, before a total departure to work on the Commodities Exchange trading gold. After I got married, my husband started his own watch business. He handled the creative, while I ran the business end for 15 years.

2) Why did you go into real estate?
I was at a point in my life where I wanted to do something different and my daughter, Elizabeth, suggested I get my real estate license. I always had a passion for real estate and I was already involved with sales and marketing so it seemed to make sense. My friends and family all encouraged me…telling me I would be great at it since I loved working with people.

3) Who is your mentor?
In my personal life, I would say my mother and my grandmother. They were not only very strong career women, but also amazing mothers who knew how to do it all at a time when not many women were in the work force. In business I would have to say it is you, Shaun. You have been an inspiration in your knowledge, creativity and your focus and of course, your endless support.

4) What is your greatest daily challenge?
Trying to sleep past 5:00 AM. (more…)

Tom Postilio’s charismatic personality and top-notch client service were on display throughout last night’s episode of Selling New York, titled “World Trade Center,” which is why we’ve already received a lot of positive feedback from our fans. As we saw in the episode, Tom’s buyers were apprehensive about moving to the Financial District because of its proximity to the construction being completed at Ground Zero. However, Tom remained positive throughout the episode, doing anything it took to show the couple all the amazing features they could potentially miss out on by not choosing to live in this area.

Like all good stories this one had a happy ending, but what happened after the cameras stopped rolling? And what wound up on the cutting-room floor? Continue reading for some exclusive information on last night’s episode of Selling New York! (more…)

CORE is proud to present an interview with Rob Buchholz, the artist of the incredible Daisy Sculpture that lives on top of our new development project, 305W16. Please check out the 305W16 blog (www.305w16.com) for up-to-the-minute postings from CORE agents and happenings in and around Chelsea.

It isn’t difficult to tell the difference between an innovator and an imitator.

Innovators take risks. They have talent and skill. They expose themselves to criticism, and to failure. This is why innovation is a rarity.

Imitators, on the other hand, are lazy and risk averse. They prefer to let the innovators blaze a trail and lead the way. They swoop in on the innovator’s coattails and try to benefit. The problem with imitators is that they get lost in the smoke and are always behind the curve.

What separates the two?

Fear!

Fear of failure is debilitating, but once you overcome it, the opportunity to create and innovate becomes that much greater.

I admire anyone who takes a risk – even if they fail. It seems that many people in our industry love to criticize the entrepreneurial spirit, especially when the result is a failure.

When I left my previous company to start CORE, it was a huge risk for me.

Professionally and personally.

But that’s what made it exciting, and that’s what has allowed me to push the envelope. There is no other choice.

I feel very fortunate to still be here, especially after the last downturn in the market. Others were not that fortunate, but I still commend their efforts, spirit and innovation.

Even if they are out of business.

Even if they were criticized for their efforts.

More so than the imitators who hung around and took the easy road.

After Stellar First Season, CORE Agents Will Take to the Small Screen Once Again in 2011

CORE is pleased to announce that HGTV has ordered an additional 39 episodes of the hit series Selling New York, scheduled to premier in January 2011. Selling New York, a popular weekly series that began airing in March 2010, gives viewers a rare glimpse inside the high stakes world of buying and selling luxury Manhattan properties. CORE CEO, Shaun Osher, and his agents were featured in the first season of the wildly successful reality show, so successful that the network quickly ordered additional episodes for a new season.

“We are thrilled to be a part of HGTV’s Selling New York,” notes CORE CEO Shaun Osher. “The show successfully captures the hard work and integrity of CORE agents and I’ve been pleased with how well the show conveys CORE, our agents and our business. We can’t wait for viewers to see what we’ve been up to in the competitive New York City real estate market.”

In the new season, cameras will follow last season favorites Maggie Kent, Kirk Rundhaug and Tom Postilio as well as introduce a colorful new set of assertive, razor-sharp agents from CORE.

Shaun Osher was recently interviewed by Multi Housing News. He discussed The Realtime Report, the Manhattan housing market, green living and more…

This morning I spoke with Erika Schnitzer from Multi-Housing News and gave her my opinions about where the market is, and might be going. Read the story here.