November 29, 2023
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
Here’s a thought-provoking read from the New York Times, asking whether New York City should regulate its skyline. As someone who works and breathes real estate, watching the evolution of the NYC skyline is one of my greatest joys. New buildings bring diverse and exciting layers to our streetscape and are the hallmarks of a thriving, continuously evolving city that will never stop changing. And yet, I also agree that regulation must be present for our city to preserve its rich history and views to resist becoming a sea of pencil-thin blue-glass skyscrapers. As a fan of prewar architecture, the harmony of evolution and preservation is paramount. I’d love to hear your thoughts on skyline regulation—drop me a line by replying to this email!
NYC Insider: What’s Happening This Week
Finally, an ice skating rink has opened in Brooklyn! For the first time, Brooklyn Bridge Park opened a rink beneath the Brooklyn Bridge at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza. Open to the public as of last week, the rink will stay open until March 1. The views are spectacular, there’s food and hot chocolate for sale, and I bet the lines won’t be half as bad as those at Rockefeller. (But, hey, don’t quote me on that)! Who will I see there?? Brooklyn, Stand up!
Weekly Gem 💎
To improvise is the way.
When I think about the attributes needed to be successful, the ability to improvise is near the top. Some of us are great planners, regimented in our approach to the point where any shift or change in plans can cause extreme anxiety. Let’s say you’ve been asked to be a featured speaker on a specific topic. You prepare, practice, and feel good about your speech, only to be told to speak about something different at the last minute. It’s in your wheelhouse—so you can do it—but damn, that’s not what I planned for! It’s so important to assess the situation, be calm, be solutions-based, and proceed with a new action plan. I’m a big believer in what’s meant to happen always does. And to that end, having a wrench thrown into your plans can often yield amazing, unexpected results. So, keep planning, keep strategizing, AND keep a reserve of “if all else fails, I’ll do this instead” in your back pocket.
Columbia Waterfront Townhome for Sale: $2.9M
Listing courtesy of my Compass colleagues, Lisa Lonuzzi and Christina Lonuzzi Barranca
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a sucker for a Brooklyn townhouse, and 10 Carroll Street offers incredible value. Completely gutted and remodeled ten years ago, this residence is a three-bedroom duplex PLUS a large one-bedroom floor-through apartment located in an ‘in-the-cut’ part of Brooklyn. Find high ceilings, bright interiors, and charming elements on every floor. Here’s the highlight reel:
- Radiant heated floors throughout.
- An impeccable chef’s kitchen adorned with custom cabinetry, marble countertops, a farm sink, and a wine fridge.
- Split A/Cs and reclaimed barn floors complete the aesthetic.
- Flexible living options: the one-bedroom apartment is yours to rent or make your own.
- Who wants a tour? (This one won’t last long)!
Before you go…
🍸: My latest obsession: Thom Browne x Baccarat homeware collection.️🔥
🎵: Here’s a bit of nostalgia–Now That’s What I Call 40 Years! a just-released collection of 250 tracks spanning four decades of pop music, from Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon to Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam and everything in between. Do you have a favorite volume?
✈️: The best places to travel in 2024, courtesy of Vogue. Finding time to travel the world is on my bucket list in 2024; where should I go? Let me know, maybe we can all go together.
🖼️: Here’s why these four iconic NYC museums were designed so differently. So interesting!
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Looking to Buy, Sell, or Rent? Let’s talk.
Like I ask GOD every day, who can we help next?