February 7, 2024
What Up Family?
Welcome to The Edit with Aaron Seawood, a lifestyle letter serving a weekly dose of real estate, culture, and wisdom—all in three minutes or less. Let’s dive in.
Real Estate Remix
Last week, Greenwich Village made headlines when a townhome sold for a record-setting $72.5M—downtown Manhattan’s most expensive sale ever. However, Manhattan’s priciest townhome sale is on the UES, a mansion that sold for $77.1M in 2019, which interests me for two reasons. First, it shows that when something is one-of-one, it will always trade for a premium, and this is as true for real estate as it is for art, bags, and watches. Good design and quality matter; when done right, it’s received accordingly. Second, this sale points to the strength of the ultra-luxury market in NYC. Compass’s new ultra-luxury report tells a similar story: the ultra-luxury market saw year-over-year growth in several key markets. Not surprisingly, NYC leads the pack at #1, with LA in second place. Naturally, real estate is not the only indicator of market strength, but it’s essential.
NYC Insider: What’s Happening This Week
Since I like to switch things up, this week’s event is in Mexico City! I’m leaning into art in a big way this year, so I’m heading to CDMX today for Art Week (AKA the international version of Miami’s Art Basel). I’m stoked about this trip, as I’ve heard it’s a complete vibe loaded with culture, rich history, and fantastic food. I’ve got a cheat sheet filled with “you have to do this,” but I’ll gladly take more recommendations if you have ‘em. I expect to be on full tilt when I’m back in NYC, so I’m organizing a small group to check out art. Let me know if you want to join. Otherwise, we can always tour some homes with dope art!
Weekly Gem ?
Art is everywhere.
True art is made for the artist—it’s never for us, the audience. It’s precisely what makes art exciting and worth experiencing. I love immersing myself in art and thinking about the artist behind it and everything that went into the finished product: their time, creativity, effort, challenges, self-doubt, and fear. It’s an important reminder that we’re all artists (no matter your career!) and must create for ourselves, not for validation. When you’re putting your ideas into the world, you’re the only one who needs to feel good about it. So, put forth your creations, and the right audiences will find you.
Special Clinton Hill Home At An Unbeatable Price
Listing courtesy of my Compass colleague, Andrew Booth
532 Clinton Ave, Unit #1A is a one-bed, one-bath in the heart of one of Brooklyn’s most charming neighborhoods. For $900,000 this home offers floor-to-ceiling windows, private outdoor space, and beautiful 8-inch white oak flooring. Here’s what else it’s giving:
- The kitchen is super fly—with white oak cabinets crafted by Brooklyn-based Iron Oaks and black Caesarstone counters and backsplash.
- Generous closets and a vented W/D closet.
- The building features a children’s playroom, a package room, and a beautifully furnished roof deck.
- Who wants a tour?
Before you go…
?: Valentine’s Day is one week away. For a memorable gift, the Strategist has you covered with some great ideas.
?: If you want to revamp your place, Harlequin Vintage in Bushwick is my new go-to for all things timeless, particularly furniture. I just bought a pair of rare Cy Mann chairs from the 70s that set my place off lovely. You get to support a local business and walk away with some killer shit—that’s a win/win in my books. If you go, tell Jordan that I sent you!
?: This stunning West Village loft, previously owned by Annie Leibovitz, just sold for $8.5M.
?: On how to conquer your fear. (I dig this whole IG account—I highly recommend following).
?: In honor of Killer Mike’s 3 Grammys, I’m running it back so you can enjoy MICHAEL, a beautifully crafted album, in case you didn’t the first go-round. This record bangs from beginning to end.
_______
Looking to Buy, Sell, or Rent? Let’s talk.
Like I ask GOD every day, who can we help next?