New York Habitat Blog

For the 35th year in a row the FIAC International Art Fair will take over two of Paris’ most grand exhibit spaces, the Grand Palais and the Cour Caree Du Louvre. From October 23rd to October 26th 2008, exhibit doors will usher in some of the world’s most renowned artists as well as impressive emerging exhibitors. New York habitat has got your accommodation needs covered, no matter what your artistic taste.

Like New York Habitat apartments, The FIAC International Art Fair draws both art enthusiasts and debutantes with a wide array of styles, origins and artistic personalities. Paris is one of the world’s great art cities and during the FIAC art fair Paris is truly at the epicenter of the contemporary art world. The Grand Palais was built for the 1900 World’s Fair and is as avant-garde and architecturally impressive as it was over 100 years ago. During the festival the juxtaposition of contemporary art with the architecture of the late 19th century reveals the contrasts and similarities of art separated by over one-hundred years. Similarly, the Cour Caree Du Louvre plays with the themes of art and time during the FIAC festival. Built in the 16th century, the opulence of the exhibit space contributes to the curiosity of FIAC’s many modern-minimalist pieces.

Both exhibit spaces are in the heart of central Paris, a short walk, bike or metro ride from several available New York Habitat accommodations. Just across the river from the Eiffel Tower is this open 2-bedroom rental apartment in Trocadero, Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-2039). For another old-world contrast to go with FIAC’s contemporary works try staying in this classic studio accommodation in Ile Saint Louis, Marais - Les Halles (PA-2746).

For more information on the FIAC International Art Fair visit www.fiacparis.com

What artists are you looking forward to seeing at this years FIAC Art Fair? Please comment below:

New York City’s landscape can be so overwhelming that the only way to take it all in is to cross the East River to Brooklyn. Brooklynites have long known the pleasure of enjoying Manhattan from a safe distance, away from the perpetually honking horns and human traffic of Downtown. While many Brooklyn natives claim that Sunset Park, the Brooklyn Bridge or their kitchen window has the best Manhattan view, we at New York Habitat crown the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park as the best place in Brooklyn to gaze at the Manhattan skyline. New York Habitat has accommodations that will put you in close proximity to the park, perhaps in an apartment with a city view of its own.

The Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park is a nine-acre green space on the East River that is devoted to the appreciation of its surroundings. That is to say that the park’s greatest asset is its environment–tucked between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, and staring directly at the mass of Downtown Manhattan, it is impossible to visit this park without ones eyes darting around like a bumper car. This park is meant to be a place for spectators, like the seats in a Roman theater. Photographers love this park but often find their lens to be insufficiently wide and their photos unjust. Anyone visiting here is sure to be reminded of the countless music videos and photo shoots that have taken place in the park. Also on the park grounds are the Empire Stores building and the Tobacco Warehouse, two late 19^th century buildings from the heyday of Brooklyn’s shipping past.
Staying in Brooklyn is a great idea if you plan on visiting the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park a few times. New York Habitat’s Brooklyn rentals have skyrocketed as the borough becomes more and more of a tourist attraction. This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn(NY-11601) features exposed brick and hardwood floors. For more space guests can take a look at this 4-bedroom apartment rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445). This 3-bedroom apartment rental in Prospect Height, Brooklyn (NY-12296) is just a few blocks from Prospect Park and the shopping/nightlife of Park Slope.

Brooklyn is an iconic American landscape built on the foundation of a staggeringly diverse population, rows of century-old brownstones and a glorious industrial past. While Brooklyn’s reputation has undoubtedly changed over the last 20 years, images of the borough have virtually remained the same—ethnic neighborhoods, artist enclaves and really good cheesecake. Though home to an excellent botanic garden, Americans rarely associate the borough with tranquil Japanese gardens, coy ponds and thousands of plant species. Since 1952 the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been a secret known only to Brooklynites and horticulturalists. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is truly a New York must see, and New York Habitat’s Brooklyn accommodations keep guests a mere sniff away from the closest roses.

Set on 52 acres smack dab in the center of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the premier public outdoor spaces in all of New York City. The garden features more than 10,000 different kinds of plants from around the globe and each month thousands of new plants are in full bloom. A visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is quite the New York experience, the fragrance and dramatic colors of the wildly abundant plant life come to life like the streets of Manhattan during rush hour. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is another one of those places where visitors have a hard time believing they are in New York City. The Garden is located adjacent to the fields of Prospect Park and the roundabout of Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn’s own version of the Chapms Elysees.
Guests looking to wake up near Brooklyn’s urban oasis should have a look at these available accommodations:

• This 2-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Brooklyn Heights (NY-12661) is a short subway ride from the island of Manhattan and has great Brooklyn-rooftop views.
• Just a few blocks from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is this spacious 1 bedroom rental accommodation in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn(NY-12480).
• This studio accommodation in a Williamsburg, Brooklyn (NY-12610) brownstone features exposed brick and easy access to lower Manhattan.

New York Habitat may have made its name with Manhattan rentals, but we nevertheless encourage visitors to stay in Brooklyn for the culture, restaurants and blooming flowers.

Famous for its cultural institutions, such as the Studio Museum and the Apollo Theater, its shopping district and for its multicultural community, 125th street in Harlem is going to be rezoned if it is up to the New York City Department of City Planning. New York Habitat is keen to share with you what is happening in the neighborhood so you can find the perfect apartment.

To support the ongoing renewal of this main street in Harlem, 24 Blocks along the 125th Street are going to change, with the two of the main goals to strengthen the continuity and maintain the unique character of this street.

At this moment, the neighborhood consists of many townhouses with few highrises in the area. The plans keep the townhouses intact however, the plan will change the character and the street scene of the neighborhood drastically and has already caused a lot of commotion and discussion among current residents.

Plans are to increase the number of people (residents and businessmen) in certain areas, residential use will be more strongly encouraged, and visitors and nightlife in this area will be encouraged to grow. Highrises will be constructed and about 1.8 million square feet of new commercial retail space will be developed. As a consequence, real estate values will likely increase, possibly causing some small businesses to disappear because they can no longer afford the higher rents.

Despite this fact, an increased number of businesses in the area is desired, preferably with a mix of businesses from different industries (including art and entertainment). Rezoning 125th street should create career opportunities for residents of Harlem as well.

At New York Habitat, we believe that change – a lot of times – is a good thing. The fact that New York City is always changing causes a lot of mixed feelings, but makes it a great and exciting city to live in! As long as improvement and development are key objectives, change should be present anywhere, anytime.

So, what if you want to live in this great changing city? You can check out our apartments in Manhattan. For example check out this beautiful 2 Bedroom unfurnished apartment rental in Harlem, Uptown (NY-12481) or this Garden Studio apartment in Harlem, near 125th street NY-7607 with an on site exercise room.

A more detailed description of the rezoning project of 125th street can be found on the website of New York City’s Harlem Redevelopment project.

We would like to know what your feelings are about the rezoning plan of 125th street. Give us your opinions and write a comment in the Blog below!

For most Americans Marie Antoinette is curiously the most interesting figure from the French revolution. From all accounts she was a beautiful yet naive character, an Austrian in French royalty who played a rather small, if only symbolic, role in the before, during and after of the revolution. Compared to that of a revolutionary like Maximilien Robespierre her life was rather boring (aptly portrayed in Sofia Coppola’s hate-it or love-it biopic). The seminal moment in her life was when her head was chopped off–and still we simply cannot get enough of Marie Antoinette. This spring at Paris’ Grand Palais, an exhibit explores Marie Antoinette and the multiple interpretations of her historical figure. Like everywhere in Paris New York Habitat has apartments big and small steps from the national gallery.

The Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais is truly one of Paris’ grandest exposition centers. The expo displays over 300 paintings, sculptures and art objects uncovering the life of Marie Antoinette from her youth in Austria, young adulthood at Versailles to her last days in the Conciergerie, a Seine-side prison still standing today. Perhaps her special draw is in the ambiguity of her story, she’s been portrayed as a naive victim, keen seductress and gluttonous despot sometimes all in the same story. Or it could just be that a beautiful French queen having her head chopped off by an angry mob makes for a good story. For some the pieces on display will clarify Marie Antoinette as a person and historical figure–for others the art at the Grand Palais will simply add to the dauphine myth.

This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Parc Monceau, Champs Elysees (PA-2586) is in one of the city’s chic neighborhoods and is a short walk from the Grand Palais. Also, this classic 1-bedroom rental apartment in Porte Maillot, Champs Elysees (PA-2920) is adjacent to the massive Bois de Boulogne. While This small and funky studio vacation rental apartment (PA-3551) is on the Avenue Champs Elysees, need we say more?

Let her eat cake or off with her head? Was Marie Antoinette an unfortunate victim of Versailles or a worthy test subject for the guillotine? How do you view Marie? Comment Below.

 Another exhibit to see in Paris:

Ben Franklin: the First American in Paris

New Yorkers are proud of the city’s myriad cultures and traditions, taking every chance they can to celebrate the richness of the city’s melting pot. Every March, New Yorkers from all walks of life trade in their business suits and sidewalk coffee for a bright green sweatshirt and a pint of Guinness in Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Once all the green beer is officially drunk and the New York Baseball season is finally underway New Yorkers come together to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May.

The Mexican holiday celebrates the victory of Mexican forces over Napolean’s French army in the battle in 1862. As the influx of Mexican-Americans in the United States continues to rise so too does the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Much like St. Patty’s Day has become an excuse for New Yorkers to drink Guinness and eat corned beef, Cinco de Mayo has become an excellent occasion to eat a fresh batch of Gaucamole or down a Margarita or two. New York Habitat loves New York’s cultural celebrations and has dozens of apartments that will put you in the thick of the lively Cinco de Mayo festivities.

It just so happens that the beginning of May is a wonderful time to be in New York City. The heat and humidity of summer are only a few weeks away and the fields of Central Park are packed with picknickers and school children. As Cinco de Mayo becomes more popular in the city it has become an unofficial start to a long summer of parties and beautiful summer weather. As with any New York celebration, Cinco de Mayo holds its own festive parade. Usually scheduled for the closest Sunday to the fifth, the parade route follows the west side of Central Park, from 110th street down to 72nd. For most New Yorkers the May 5th celebration is all about drinking and eating a la Mexican. Virtually all of the city’s Mexican restaurants have special promotions or live music performances. Cinco de Mayo is a margarita, nacho, enchilada and music-filled celebration of Mexican culture here in New York City.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be going on all over the island of Manhattan making all of our city accommodations within a few steps of the closest Mariachi band or margarita blender. Three of our favorite early May apartments:

-A 1-bedroom apartment rental in Harlem, Uptown (NY-12659) that has a southern belle ambiance.

-The bold colors of this 1-bedroom vacation rental accommodation in Midtown West-Chelsea(NY-11191)recall Mexico’s unique flair.

-The bright green accent walls in this 1-bedroom apartment rental in Gramercy-Midtown East (NY-7905) add a panache worthy of a Cinco de Maya fiesta.

Like St. Patrick’s Dayin New York, Cinco de Mayo is not the most authentic cultural experience. Nevertheless, the Mexican celebration is a bigger event each year and is a not-miss New York experience.

A lot of tourists never get a glimpse of the London that exists outside of guidebooks. New York Habitat is here to change all that! To really see the city, venture off the beaten path, break free of Zone 1—and head over to Hackney, where some of our best holiday rentals are awaiting savvy visitors to take advantage of them.

Located in London’s East End, Hackney is an expansive area where Hitchcock filmed one of his first films, the art scene is alive and thriving, and over one hundred languages are spoken in a single day. Hoxton Square in Hackney’s southwestern corner is a hotbed for scenesters, artists and locals out for some sun. It’s surrounded by hip places to eat, laidback cafés, and galleries like White Cube that will make you wonder why you don’t live here permanently. Hackney Empire and Hothouse are edgy and progressive performance spaces, the Lux Cinema shows stuff that can’t be seen anywhere else without taking itself too seriously, and Hackney Marsh has the largest number of football pitches (er…soccer fields) in Europe, if you fancy a game or just want to watch some World Cup-worthy play.

Add to that the gorgeous gardens at the Geffrye Museum, historic buildings and blue plaque houses (including those once belonging to Marc Bolan, Mary Wollstonecroft and Edgar Allen Poe), a Burberry factory store hidden off Morning Lane (which is a pretty well-kept secret, so don’t tell anyone!), and bars and social spaces in happening SoSho (South of Shoreditch) that stay ahead of the trends…and you’ll start wondering why anyone is bothering with the West End at all.

To those of us at New York Habitat who are currently living vicariously through other people’s travel plans, here’s our idea of a perfect day in Hackney: Start with a Sunday morning trip to the Columbia Road flower market for bunches of fresh flowers to adorn your already sweet 2-bedroom rental in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-490).

Or, since you’re already up, stop at the Broadway and Ridley Road food markets, where you can smell the spices from blocks off. Buy handmade cheeses, organic breads, Turkish dates and fair trade coffee for a light lunch in your funky furnished studio in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-506), which is in the basement of a refurbished building used as a frame workshop in the ’20s.

In the afternoon, follow an architectural walk like the one suggested on Hackney Walks: Hackney Central that takes you to many of Hackney’s historical sights—though you’ll be hard-pressed to find one as aesthetically pleasing as your own furnished studio in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-536), with stainless steel shower and decorative fireplace.

After “bending it like Batista” at Hackney Marshes or London Fields (are you with me, Argentina fans?), go back to your super-stylish 3-bedroom rental in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-434) and take in the sunset from your balcony overlooking Regents Canal.

Our client testimonial raves: “The apartment was excellent. I think it is better than any hotel I’ve ever been [to].” Hear that, all you overpriced Holiday Inns in the West End?

Enjoy the spaciousness of your accommodation as you get ready for dinner at the eco-chic, canal-side Water House Restaurant, then follow it up with a drink at Hackney Central (a converted railroad station), a show at the Empire or a game at the Hackney Snooker Club, where a friendly local will gladly explain the rules of snooker before soundly schooling you.

Finally, on your short walk back to your Hackney vacation rental, remind yourself that a perfect day out in London doesn’t have to be expensive—not in the East End, anyway.

Have anything to add to our Hackney itinerary? Please leave your comments below.