The Hamilton Grange is part of the National Park Service and is now located in St. Nicholas Park, which sits on a small part of the once 32-acre estate of Alexander Hamilton. It is located in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood in upper Manhattan. While Alexander Hamilton only enjoyed two years at his beautiful residence before his fateful decision to accept the duel challenge with Aaron Burr in 1804, the building itself has had a lifetime of history after his death including two moves and many changes in ownership. Originally commissioned by Hamilton in the late 1790’s, the Grange was designed by architect John McComb Jr., and completed in 1802. It remained in the Hamilton family for the next 30 years following Hamilton’s death in 1804. However, by 1889, the Grange was in foreclosure and had been condemned for destruction in order to allow for the implementation of the Manhattan street grid, then just reaching that area of Harlem. The congregation of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church acquired the house and moved it a half-block east and about two blocks south, conforming to the new street pattern, to what became 287 Convent Avenue. The original porches and other features were removed for the move. The church used the house for services over the next 30 years, but after construction began on a new building for the church in 1924, the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society bought the Grange and turned it into a public museum where furniture and decorative objects associated with the Hamilton family were displayed. The Grange was designated a National Historic Landmark in December 1960. Congress authorized the National Memorial on April 27, 1962, requiring that it be relocated and the house be restored to appear as Hamilton knew it in 1804. It was decided that the now heavily built-up Convent Avenue setting was inappropriate and that the country house should be relocated, however, it took more than forty years to find a location that was acceptable to the community, since there was strong local opposition to any options proposed that required moving the Grange out of the neighborhood. Finally on May 9, 2006, the Hamilton Grange Memorial was closed to the public to allow for extensive architectural and structural investigations as part of a long-term plan to move the house to its final location in nearby St. Nicholas Park. The park location was judged a more appropriate setting for display that would permit restoration of features lost in the 1889 move. The new location would also keep the house in the neighborhood and keep it on land that was within the boundary of Hamilton's original 32-acre estate. The Grange re-opened to the general public in its current home on September 17, 2011. In the renovated house, a visitor's center is located in the entirely newly constructed ground floor, where the kitchen, laundry and servants' rooms would have been. Today, in the wake of recent Broadway hit “Hamilton” visits to the estate are up more than 400 percent according to DNAinfo, and there has been a resurgence of activity in Hamilton Heights. Set between the Upper West Side and Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights is a bucolic oasis of a neighborhood, full of unique historic architecture. It is home to many historic townhouses and brownstones, and even has some rustic Gothic and Romanesque buildings that add to the fusion of architectural styles in the area. Hamilton Heights stretches west from Edgecombe Avenue at its easternmost end to Henry Hudson Parkway to the west, and includes many beautiful vistas and parks along the Hudson River. One special subsection of this Hamilton Heights neighborhood is called Striver’s Row, or the St. Nicholas Historic District. It is home to a large collection of Italian Renaissance row-houses designed by Stanford White of the noted McKim, Mead & White architectural firm. Hamilton Heights is also home to the City College of New York campus and parts of Columbia University, along with Riverbank State Park. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

It is my pleasure to share Compass's newest market analysis tool with you. You can now find specific market data through the Compass Market App, which allows you to get an even more in depth read on trends and changes in specific boroughs and neighborhoods. I personally have spent a large part of Q1 working with multi-family and single family home buyers and I have been struck by how much you can get when you are willing to venture beyond Manhattan and the more established Brooklyn neighborhoods. For the price of a one or two bedroom condo in Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn Heights you can easily find both single and multi-family properties. I have also been working with several buyers in these areas at a slightly lower price point and am amazed at how many buyers are flocking to previously over looked neighborhoods. Flatbush, Hudson Heights, Weeksville, Greenwood Heights, and Stuyvesant Heights have seen a great surge in demand and these markets are growing quickly - it is a great time to look to new neighborhoods both for more space, but also to set yourself up for a nice return on investment as these markets continue to grow over the next few years. Even now, all of my buyers have ended up in bidding wars, and these areas are only gaining momentum: move over Park Slope and Gramercy, there's a new kid(s) in town. I hope that you find these key takeaways useful and enjoy reading the full analysis in this quarter’s app reports and analysis. I welcome your comments and look forward to speaking with you soon about the NYC real estate market or process. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts

While many New Yorkers would love to have the kind of space pictured on the right, in reality, huge open walls and massive display spaces are few and far between in most NYC apartments. I collect a variety of things, from Jonathan Adler vases to sea shells from my various travels, and it can be hard to find a visually appealing way to arrange them if I don't have the space to display the entire collection. One of my favorite things about collections is the sense of cohesiveness an entire arrangement of the same kind of items gives to a room, but when space is limited, it can be hard to get the same effect. Also, smaller collections like seashells tend to present a similar issue - putting out a massive tub of shells, or one single tiny shell alone, is not exactly in my decor scheme. However, I recently found an interesting article on design sponge that has lots of both effective and easy ideas for displaying collections - one of while involves photographing collections to create large wall art. Photographing arrangements that display your entire collection and having these blown up to create large but simple wall art is a clever way to display a collection with out actually having to deal with all the individual pieces. I am planning to do this with my shell collection and excited about creating a very cool wall hanging that both allows me to see the collection better and also does not take up any of my precious floor or shelf space. It is also a nice way to create wall art that is more meaningful, personal, and original - it can help give your home greater character and infuse your space with images that reflect your interests, memories, and personal style. So dust off those boxes of treasures you have been saving over the years. Also, check out lots of cool collection display ideas at design sponge, my inspiration behind the photography idea! Now you can enjoy them every day, even when they are once again packed soundly away. #DIYDecor #BlogPosts

There are few culinary delights that can rival a delicious aged cheese spread on some fresh bread or paired with the perfect wine. As a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur, my recent trip to France on re-affirmed my love of all things fromage. Here are a few of my favorite cheese spots on the city - take time to enjoy one of the simplest foodie pleasures this spring! Favorite Cheese Shops: 1. Murray's Cheese - 156 E. 2nd St (West Village) The old guard of NYC foodies will always swear by this west village cheese lovers mecca that has been delivering for over 75 years and now has two locations and can even be ordered online. 2. Caputo's Fine Foods - 460 Court Street (Carroll Gardens) Caputo's offers a range of delicious artisan foods, but their salt water dipped mozzarella is the best in the city and worth the trip from and borough. 2. Sahadi's - 187 Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill Border) Kashkaval cheese, which I grew up on in Turkey, is the best for grilled cheese - my favorite place to find it here in the city is Sahadi's, which sells a full range of specialty foods and grocery items from all over the world. 3. Stinky BKLYN - 215 Smith St (Cobble Hill) Stinky's offers many specialty cheeses from all over the world but also stock a good selection of locally produced cheese. They also stock a host of local Brooklyn goodies like McClure's Pickles and Mast Brothers chocolate. Favorite Restaurants for Cheese Dishes and Pairings: 1. Bedford Cheese Shop & Campbell Cheese & Grocery - 229 Bedford / 502 Lorimer (Williamsburg) Both of these well-loved cheese shops also offer casual dining - Campbell has a southern flare and my inner Texan loves the cheesy brunch biscuits and other delicious offerings. Both places manage to deliver cheese and charm in signature laid-back 'burg style. 2. Pair - 140 Atlantic Ave (Cobble Hill) A cozy wine bar with a patio that offers one of Brooklyn’s best cheese lists along with innovative dishes and perfect wine pairings - It is right near my apartment and my husband I and go at least once a week. Chung the owner is awesome. I highly recommend the Raclette mac n cheese; the shrimp croquettes are also to die for. My husband Bill loves the chocolate fondue! 3. Taureau - 558 Broome Street (Soho) If fondue is your cheese dish of choice, this is the place to go! A french fondue bistro, and along with their regular menu, offer a 3 course dinner that begins with a cheese fondue, followed by fondue bourguignonne (meat fondue) and ending with a desert fondue - all customizable by meat, cheese, and chocolate type. #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) was founded in 1910, and is located in Prospect Park. The 52-acre garden includes a number of specialty "gardens within the Garden", plant collections and the Steinhardt Conservatory. The Garden holds over 10,000 types of plants and each year has over 900,000 visitors. The City of Brooklyn purchased the land to create Prospect Park 1864. Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the original designers submitted their final plans to the city for approval in the 1860s. Legislation in 1897 reserved 39 acres for a botanic garden. When it was founded in 1910, the garden was known as the Institute Park and was run by the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, and first opened as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on May 13, 1911. Harold Caparn was appointed as the landscape architect in 1912 and designed most of the grounds over the next three decades, including the Osborne Garden, Cranford Rose Garden, Magnolia Plaza, and Plant Collection. Construction of the Laboratory Building and Conservatory, which is the main building on the grounds, began in 1912. It was designed by William Kendall of McKim Mead and White - the same architectural firm that built the Brooklyn Museum and many other prominent New York City buildings. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 2007 and is now simply an administration building for the park. The Garden has more than 200 cherry trees and is home to 42 Asian species and cultivated varieties. It is one most prominent cherry-viewing sites outside of Japan. The first cherries were planted at the garden after World War I, and were a gift from the Japanese government. Each spring when the trees are in bloom, the garden hosts a month-long cherry blossom viewing festival called Hanami. It is held at the Cherry Esplanade, ending in a weekend celebration called Sakura Matsuri. This year the festivities will be held April 30th - May 1st 10am-6pm. The Esplanade features two rows of cherry trees with trails and sitting areas on the side as well as in the row of lawn in between. Cherry trees can also be found in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden (pictured above) and in many other locations in the Garden. Depending on climate conditions, the cherries bloom from late March or early April to mid-May. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

2016 has been characterized by high economic volatility. Different areas of the market have changed dramatically and unexpectedly both up and down. The oil price was heading towards $20 per barrel causing havoc in the global equity markets, now it is up again at $40 per barrel. About a month ago, the DOW had dipped below 16,000, now it is up 9%. Since the start of the year, mortgage rates have been dropping -- almost unimpeded. Freddie Mac reports that U.S. mortgage rates have dropped on a weekly basis through January and February despite fears at the end of 2015 that they would rise in the New Year. In other parts of the world (Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland), interest rates have hit negatives causing many to wonder what's next. While January was slow for the Real Estate market overall, February transactions turned around to rise 50% above the number of transactions in January. What has become clear is that over-priced properties are staying on the market longer and seeing adjustments, particularly on the high end of the market. Properties over $4 million (representing 15% of the market share Manhattan) have seen softening in prices with buyers having greater ability to negotiate than we've seen in the last few years. By contrast, the $3 million and under market has been very hot, with properly-priced listings resulting in bidding wars and over-ask prices. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts

If you have ever walked down Fifth Avenue from 14th street to Washington Square Park, you have probably noticed a small quaint gated cobblestone street with small townhouses to your left just after crossing 8th street. The street looks like a tiny time capsule, far removed from the world of downtown Manhattan high rises and taxi traffic jams. The Washington Mews is a private gated street between Fifth Avenue and University Place 1 block north of Washington Square Park. The homes originally built on the land along the north side of Washington Square and the south side of Eighth Street came with two-story stables built along what became known as Washington Mews (meaning a row of stables). Along with MacDougal Alley and Stuyvesant Street, it was originally part of a trail that connected the Hudson and East Rivers. In 1881, New York City's Department of Public Works ordered the construction of Washington Mews first set of gates at each end, to distinguish the Mews from public streets. In 1916, Sailors' Snug Harbor, the land-owner at the time, remodeled many of the stables into artist studios, designed by Maynicke & Franke. During the 20th century, artists living there included Paul Manship, Gaston Lachaise, and later Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. In the 1950s, New York University leased most of the property and gradually converted the buildings along the Mews into offices and faculty housing. In 1988, NYU hired architect Abraham Bloch to design a new six-foot-high Fifth Avenue gate, replacing the simple posts-and-chain used since the studios were built. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

Well before Marie Kondo made decluttering fashionable, New Yorkers have been masters at shedding unwanted clothing and other goods from their all-too-small closets. While I try to go through my closets at least once every few months, Spring and Fall are the perfect time to edit your belongings while swapping out your seasonal wardrobe. So what to do with all those items you have loved, worn, and now are ready to part ways with? And how about those impulse purchases that never really quite fit? Luckily, New York is full of amazing vintage stores that would LOVE to take on the burden of some of your unwanted layers. Here are a few of my favorite places to consign and donate... High-End Consignment Shops: 1. Ina: 6 locations in some of the most trendy, fashion-forward, high traffic neighborhoods in New York City, and a base of avid and loyal customers and consigners, Ina has a very high end legacy and clientele and is a great spot for your most luxury items. They also accept men's items, which many other stores do not. Noho Location (men+women): 15 Bleeker Street 2. Second Time Around: Focused on higher end consignment, STA has locations all over the country. They usually only purchase well known contemporary and designer items in great condition and from collections released in the last 2 years, but are a great option for those special pieces you want to ensure find a great new home. 10 NYC Locations: Soho Location: 111 Thompson Street 3. Eva Gentry: Very high end designer outpost in Brooklyn, curated by Eva Dayton, which accepts only barely used designer items but pays consigners well and is also a wonderful place to find new wardrobe updates to put back in your newly available closet space... I just bought a brand new Marni shopper I can't wait to carry this Spring! 371 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn Mid-Level Thrift Stores (usually they will buy items directly, and offer you the option of donating anything they don't want for you!) 1. Beacons Closet: Very hip and on trend with the college crowd, Beacon's closet has several locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan and will sort through all your donations, buy what they want, and then donate any leftover items to Salvation Army. Greenwich Village Location: 10 W. 13th Street 2. Buffalo Exchange. Another multiple location option, Buffalo Exchange has outposts in Williamsburg, East Village, and Chelsea. They accept donations as well as purchases clothing directly, and is usually a great stop for less high end items that you want to get out of your closet that aren't especially expensive but still in great condition. Chelsea Location: 144 W. 26th Street Donations Only Housing Works Thrift Stores: Housing works is a great option for any items you might now want to consign or sell but still want to send to a good home and a great cause. They accept donations at all of their 13 NYC locations, in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Just make sure you keep an itemized list for tax deducatons! They also accept furniture and household items, so your Spring Clean can go even beyond the closet if you get really ambitious! #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

The mild start to 2016, save a snow storm or two, have made for an already busy start to 2016. Open houses have stayed busy and sales have remained high, especially in light of mortgage interest rates hitting an recent record low in the first five weeks of the year. I have had two buyers move into contract already this month, and have several more active buyers who have been involved in multiple-bid situations. The main conversation in real estate circles and beyond has been Williamsburg. Governor Cuomo announced in the first week of January that extensive track work on the L train to repair damages sustained to the tunnels during Hurricane Sandy may require a potential 1-3 year halt in service, and is tentatively slated for Fall of 2017. Williamsburg has, in recent years, enjoyed a massive amount of new real estate development, both in the form of new buildings as well as condo and coop conversions and renovations in existing properties. While some investors see this impending transit halt as an opportunity to buy at greatly diminished prices, most experts are still hesitant to predict exactly what these potential transit changes will do to the sales market in the area. It seems inevitable, however, that once any train suspensions and service changes begin, the rental market in North Williamsburg will suffer tremendously, while rentals in the south near the JMZ lines, an area that has traditionally been less expensive when compared to the rest of the neighborhood, will see a big increase in rental prices. The long-term impact on sales and property values as a whole will be determined most by the length and severity of the changes in service. One or two years is a short enough window for most investors to accept lower rent rates if high rents are guaranteed to return to the area, but long term or even permanent disruptions in service could cause a more serious decline in the neighborhood. Local businesses are already worried about their ability to weather the storm - if the nightlife, restaurants, and small boutique shops Williamsburg is known for lose enough business, demographics in the area COULD shift enough that the real estate landscape in Williamsburg may be altered much more permanently. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts

Valentine's Day is a holiday dedicated to spending quality time with the person or people you love, be they a siginificant other or friends, but so often it becomes a race for reservations, tables and overpriced pre fixe menus. I am a huge fan of staying in and making a home cooked meal with my husband on Valentine's Day. What better way to eat and drink well, but also share the fun of preparing, cooking, and serving? Just because you choose to cook at home doesn't mean you can't get the best possible ingredients, recipes, wines, and decorations to bring your special meal to life. This is a list of some of my go-to spots for amazing ingredients. If you have more to add, I'd love to get more insider tips. Happy shopping, cooking, eating and I'm sure you will enjoy your memorable night! Favorite Specialty Stores: 1. Murray's Cheese Shop: iconic West Village mainstay - go for the selection (but also the free samples!): 254 Bleeker St, West Village 2. Brooklyn Wine Exchange: Focused on small wineries and quality bottles, the staff is incredibly knowledgable and they offer weekly classes and tastings as well: 138 Court St, Cobble Hill 3. Amy's Bread: 3 Locations, Chelsea Market, West Village, and Hell's Kitchen: This amazing bakery has everything from savory to sweet, loaves to baked treats. Even from Brooklyn, they are well worth the trek! 4. Fish Tales: Rated in the top 5 fish mongers in NYC and #1 in Brooklyn, everything is fresh and delicious, and what they don't carry normally, they can get for you with a day's notice! I plan to pick up oysters and dungeness crab, a Valentine's tradition for Bill and me. 191A Court Street, Cobble Hill 5. Union Square Green Market (Produce and Organic Meats): A year round massive selection of fresh and hot house conventional and a large amount of organic produce, the Union Square Green Market is one of the largest in the city. Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat Union Square, Manhattan #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

New York is full of amazing Museums that each tell a different story about the city's diverse past. The Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since it was founded almost 150 years ago, its mission has been to "discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition." The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which "serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world's cultures." Originally founded in 1869 by Albert Smith Bickmore, its original location was a small arsenal on the Upper East Side, but it moved to its current location in 1874, and construction was completed in 1877. Since then, it has grown and expanded to house many iconic exhibits on native american people, flora and fauna found in the region, and even exhibits on dinosaurs, primates, constellations, and environmental conservation. In 1967 the museum's exterior was declared a National Monument, and in 1992 the museum expanded to include a research center in evolutionary biology, biodiversity, and conservation. In the early 2000's a space center and research fascility was also developed on site, which now included the world's most advanced star projector and planetarium. Seasonal exhibits pop up every year, and from September through May, the Atrium attached to the museum is home to a butterfly conservatory. You can watch the clip below to learn more, and if you are feeling a little extra chilly one winter weekend, head in and visit this tiny tropical oasis in the middle of New York City. While you are there, make sure to visit some of the other amazing exhibits this expansive and timeless museum has to offer! #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

Especially in a city as busy as New York, your bedroom is an important haven where you can relax and unwind. Even the smallest details can make your bedroom a more special, comfortable, and enjoyable for you to recharge. From headboards to bedding, there are plenty of easy, quick, and inexpensive ways to customize and maximize your space! Headboards are usually the focal point of a bedroom, and there are endless DIY options for amazing headboards: Upholstered, tufted, reclaimed wood, repurposed shower curtains, antique mantels and doors, even wall art can all be made into a special and beautiful backdrop to your bed. My tufted headboard which I shared before has made a huge difference in my bedroom. This list has even more amazing ideas! Your bedding also plays a huge role in the character of the room, and with minimal to no sewing skills, you can easily create pillows and decorate existing sheets and throws to give them new life! Making decorative pillows from old button down shirts, sewing trim and other patterns on sheets, or EVEN (if you get ambitious) making your own duvet cover are all fun and fairly simple ways to give your little sanctuary an even greater stamp of your personal style! If you aren't much into DIY or throw pillows, even just fun patterned sheets can brighten up a room. I love the selection at West Elm and have scored fantastic deals on John Robshaw's gorgeous designs at his NYC sample sales. Above all, your room should make you feel at home, so find materials, photos, prints, and small details that truly make a bedroom your own! #DIYDecor #BlogPosts