New York Habitat Blog

For the last of our three-part series on Cromwell Road’s Museum Mile, the focus is on the vast and varied Victoria & Albert Museum. A stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental in Kensington just wouldn’t be complete without a visit inside its venerable walls.

The V&A is a beautiful building housing acres of artifacts and artwork from different continents throughout different centuries. From the awe-inspiring Italian Renaissance Sculpture rooms to the haute couture collections in the Fashion Gallery, the contents of the Victoria & Albert are both exhaustive and eclectic. If there’s something specific you want to see, hang on to your museum map, which makes navigating the Underground seem simple in comparison. Otherwise, just wander from wing to wing, soaking up the scenery. Fans of British and European classical paintings, Asian craftsmanship, medieval tapestries, modern textiles and design, contemporary photography or intricate Chihuly glasswork may want to make the V&A their second home—their first hom

Victoria and Albert museum London

e, of course, being a comfortable, close-by New York Habitat vacation rental. Others, who may begin to feel a bit overwhelmed, might want to make use of the V&A’s outside courtyard, a relaxing square of greenery (complete with fountain) framed by the museum’s ornamental exterior. In the summertime, the courtyard hosts a celebrated fête and other late-night Friday festivities.

The V&A also regularly features fascinating, in-depth exhibits, such as the current “Blood on Paper: The Art of The Book,” which highlights works created and referenced by some of the most influential artists of the past two centuries. To continue this motif after leaving the museum, head to your neighborhood second-hand bookshop on Gloucester Road to browse the shelves and take advantage of the 20p racks. Afterwards, hit the luxurious Library Bar at the Lanesborough Hotel in nearby Knightsbridge, where the cocktails may set you back a bit but the interior décor will have you coming back for more.

If you’re still in the mood for art once you step outside the V&A, don’t overlook the nearly adjacent Brompton Oratory, a church whose decorative façade seems to change with the setting of the sun. A few blocks over, on Old Brompton Road, stop by the local outpost of Christie’s auction house, if not to place an actual bid then at least to gawk at the priceless items on display inside its windows. To top it all off, catch an art-house film a few steps away on Queensberry Place, at the French Institute’s Cine Lumiere, which is currently showing a series called “1968: All Power to the Imagination.” This retrospective includes the iconic works of Godard and Chris Marker’s thematically layered documentaries.

Kensington is an incomparable area in London for art lovers and Anglophiles alike—as such, we suggest you spend your stay there in one of New York Habitat’s incomparable accommodations:

A tastefully decorated 2-bedroom rental in Earl’s Court, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-294) between Old Brompton and Cromwell Roads. Our client testimonial describes this apartment, located in a period mansion block with elevator, as: “A very convenient and comfortable set up in London. The staff at the property were very professional and courteous” (Nov. 30, 2007).

A 2-bedroom rental in Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-187) on Cranley Gardens between Fulham and Old Brompton Roads. Located on the second floor of a period building with elevator, this flat features a gas fireplace and French windows that open onto a balcony.

London accommodation studio in Kensington (LN-463)

A newly decorated furnished studio in Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-463) on Onslow Gardens, a prestigious square between Fulham and Old Brompton Roads. Located in the heart of South Kensington, this lower ground floor apartment has French doors that lead to a small, private patio deck and a skylight that lets in plenty of sun.

The Museum Mile is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting London. Check out the article on The Science Museum and the Museum of Natural History and leave us your thoughts below about any highlights you’ve seen at the V&A.

From Marcel Duchamp’s famous urinal that shocked traditionalists to the proto street art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, New York City has always embraced the evolution of modern art. It’s no wonder then why New York’s Museum of Modern Art–to the chagrin of the MET–has quickly become the city’s favorite major museum. After all, New York has always been more Warhol and Jasper Johns than Rembrandt and Jan Van Eyck–more proud of Alphabet City’s grit than of the Upper East Side’s social clubs. The Museum of Modern Art–or MoMA–is one of the premier modern art museums in the world. New York Habitat knows a thing or two about MoMA, and even more about the neighborhoods and apartments that surround it.

MoMA New York

Originally founded in 1929, the museum recently went through a massive expansion and refurbishing project that ended in 2006. More than just an addition or touch-up, the Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi completely reinvented MoMA’s space, light and overall structure. Since its reopening the museum’s popularity has skyrocketed. MoMA has an excellent permanent collection, including famous works by Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Mattisse and Andy Warhol, among others. Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is housed here, as is Dali’s The Persistance of Memory. MoMA’s collection is so recognizable that one need not be an art lover in the traditional sense to recognize several pieces or be struck by a favorite painter.

While the MET and several other New York museums are essentially free (suggested donations are listed at ticket booths), MoMA’s entry fee is a pricey 20 dollars. Penny pinchers need not worry however, every Friday, from 4 to 8 pm, entrance to the museum is free of charge. Unfortunately, MoMA’s free Friday night is not a wellkept secret, the place can become downright packed. To avoid the crowds show up at 4 o’clock when the majority of New Yorkers are still toiling away in an office somewhere. And if that’s too much of a hassle you can always dish out the 20 bucks.

New York’s Museum of Modern Art is located on west 53rd street in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. New York Habitat has a long standing presence in the neighborhood and dozens of accommodations are available again this spring and summer. This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-9333) is literally 3 blocks from MoMA and has some mod-art touches itself (think whimsical toilet seat and decorative fireplace). This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-1984) is also around the corner from the museum and features a private terrace with plants, veggies and a lot of space. A little further south is the hardwood floors and direct sunlight of this 2-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-9895).

Tell us about your favorite work at the MoMA in the comments below.

As any Parisian will tell you, the start of summer is not marked by the solstice or a spell of hot weather, rather the season is kicked off on the courts of Roland Garros. The French Open is truly a national event, especially when a upstart Frenchman upsets a favorite or a native campion is crowned. Roland Garros Stadium has one of the most recognizable clay tennis courts in the world, holding an annual tournament rivaled only by the Australian and Wimbledon championships (sorry, US Open). Tickets are hard to come by, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be found outside the stadium or from a seller on the internet for a fair price. Billets or not, the energy of the tournament encapsulates Paris at a time when good weather already has Parisians sporting uncharacteristic smiles.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment (pa-1882)

This year, the 80th anniversary of Roland Garros Stadium, the tournament begins on May 20th and runs until the championship game on the 8th of June (won this year by Rafael Nadal). The French Open, or just Roland Garros as the French call it, is a who’s who of international celebrities, never mind the world-class tennis players. With a new crop of French talent on both the men’s and women’s side, an upset of either of last year’s champions, Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin, would be a major event. Should a Frenchman or woman advance deep into the tournament expect a show of Parisian solidarity reserved for World Cup victories or national rail strikes. Those unwilling to shell out 50 euros for a seat at the Open can visit the stadium all year long. For €7,50 visitors can take a behind the scenes guided tour of the legendary Roland Garros in English or French. Tours take guests into the athlete’s locker room, media center and among the ghosts of past champions on the mythic clay court. Roland Garros is located in the the Bois de Boulogne, a massive, forest-like park bordering western Paris, a place well worth a spring or summer day trip.

New York Habitat has been accommodating French Open guests for years. This renovated studio accommodation in La Muette, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-3701) is within short walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Bois de Boulogne and Roland Garros. This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel (PA-2431) has a decorators touch and is steps from the Seine and a few blocks from Roland Garros. A bit further from the action is this 1-bedroom rental apartment in Grenelle, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-1882), a deceptively spacious top-floor accommodation.

The best way to enjoy tennis in Paris? Buy a couple of cheap rackets, a sleeve of balls and head out to one of Paris’ myriad public courts.

Every July, the sports world focuses its eyes on France to witness the longest, toughest, most renowned bicycle race in the world, the Tour de France. This year, the race begins on July 5th in Brittany and will end, as always, down the Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 27th, while the cyclists face the mountains and plains of France (and with a quick stopover in Italy) in between. You can see the race for yourself as it travels through the South of France and ends in Paris with accommodations from New York Habitat.

Tour de France

The race enters the South of France on Friday July 18th, as the cyclists travel from Narbonne to Nimes. Arrive a few days early and enjoy some time in this 4 bedroom rental in Beaucaire, Avignon Region (PR-107), just minutes away from the center of Nimes. This beautifully-decorated large house offers sunny, open living spaces and recently renovated kitchen and bathrooms. The outdoor space, featuring a garden, patio, and pool provide a relaxing vacation spot before the excitement of the race invades the South. The town of Beaucaire itself, located on the Rhone river, is a picturesque small Provincial town but still near the larger cities, like Nimes.

The cyclists will only be in Nimes for a day; they leave and head for Digne-Les-Bains on Saturday. Stay in this studio in Digne Les Bains, Upper Provence (PR-568) for a few days and catch more of the race. After Digne, the cyclists will head to Italy but will return to the area by way of Embrun, located near Digne on Wednesday July 23rd, before heading north towards Paris. But don’t despair, Digne offers plenty to do in the meantime. Home to a thermal spa resort and a national park, this town offers something for everyone while also conveniently near some of the larger towns and cities of Provence.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom Apartment (PA-3448)

After watching the Tour de France loop through the south, hop on the TGV and head to Paris to wait for the grand finish down the Champs Elysees. Spend a few days shopping and eating as you wait for the cyclists. Stay in this fabulous 1 bedroom rental in Champs Elysees (PA-3448), located on Rue Balzac, just off the Champs Elysees. This lovely modern apartment features hardwood floors throughout, updated kitchen and bathroom, and a balcony. Take advantage of the washing machine, internet connection and parking space that come with the apartment! And on the morning of July 27th, all you have to do is walk a few feet for a front-row view of the exciting finish of the race.

If you’ve always wanted to see the Tour de France in person, now is your chance. New York Habitat offers great accommodations to catch many portions of the race or just to go sight-seeing around the region. Either way, it’s sure to be a great trip.

Do you follow competitive cycling? Have you even been to see the Tour de France yourself? Do you have any ideas on who will win the race this year? Please share with us in the comments section.

Being a real estate agency, we are always concerned with what is going on in the market today. High-rises that are being built, the ‘images’ of the different neighborhoods that are changing…even logistical changes in subways and roads play an important role in our ability to find the right apartment for you!

Street of Midtown West

Recently, a new plan to rezone part of New York City’s west side has been interrupted: a big thing for many New Yorkers.

Mayor Bloomberg once called it “the single most important economic project that this city has undertaken in decades”, and it was created, mainly to attract the 2012 Olympics to New York City. Bloomberg’s ambitions to redevelop West Side Manhattan, transforming warehouses, factories, parking lots and railroad tracks between Penn Station and the Hudson River seem to be in danger, even more now the economy is shaking.

The New York Times recently posted an article  on their website stating that the redevelopment problems of West Side Manhattan were caused by logistical problems, the economical ‘dip’ and, according to critics, “flaws” in the design of the Redevelopment Plans.

Is this a period of concern or is it an opportunity to think about this city’s future?

It can be disappointing for many parties involved, including apartment owners and renters, when redevelopment plans do not work out the way they were planned. The good thing about an economic decline or slowdown, however, is that more time will have to be spent on rethinking strategy, which will hopefully result in better plans for the future.

Robert D. Yaro, the President of the Regional Plan Association, acknowledges that it is unaffordable to implement everything that was planned. It is now time to make some serious choices. The question is: What will be changed and how will it affect this city’s image? Will it affect the number and type of accommodations in this neighborhood?

New York apartment: studio in Clinton (NY-2351)

For now, West Side New York will not change that much. First, it is time to consider this city’s budget and then we will just have to wait and see how this part of New York will be changed. Tell us what you think, because and we are happy to read your comments on this issue.

In the meantime, wouldn’t it be nice to spend your holiday in the West Side before all the changes occur. Take a look at this Studio apartment in Clinton - Midtown West (NY-2351) near where these projects have been proposed . Another great apartment in the area is this 1 Bedroom apartment Rental in East Village, Lower East Side (NY-12382).

Paris Apartment: rental studio in Pere Lachaise (pa-2323)

Paris is a jazz-lovers city, perhaps more so than any other. Turn on the radio and you’ll be sure to hear a quartet or two, smooth saxophonists play for change in the Metro and the cover price for the city’s jazz clubs says a thing or two about the value of jazz music here. Starting in early June and running until late July, the Paris Jazz Festival is a celebration of France’s love of jazz music. Each weekend Parisians gather in the Parc Floral de Paris for a series of performances by famous jazzmen. A New York Habitat accommodation is the best place to stay during the festival–as you know–hotel prices are high come summer and rooms are not easy to come by.

The Parc Floral is one of our favorite Paris concert venues. Contained within the enormous Bois de Vincennes, the Parc Floral de Paris is a vast aggregation of manicured plant life set around a tranquil, manmade lake. Best of all, visitors can literally lay amongst the flowers on small grass pathways that maze through the Versailles-worthy gardens and homemade picnics are encouraged. Even during the jazz festival, concert goers are encouraged to bring along food, wine and a blanket to lounge on. Concerts take place only on weekends during the festival and an all day entry price is a mere €5. Crowds are generally family-oriented and low key, don’t expect to see any mosh pits break out. This year’s lineup has yet to be released but past performers have included American guitar great Buddy Guy. While rock music is surely king in France, there are many jazz-inspired young Parisian bands that play at the festival as well.

Paris apartment 3-bedroom apartment in Pere Lachaise (PA-2472)

Visitors in town for the Jazz festival should consider staying in eastern Paris to cut down on travel time to the Parc Floral de Paris. This 3-bedroom rental apartment in Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-2472) offers a huge, open layout. Housed in a two-story duplex, the apartment looks out onto an alley garden and can accommodate up to 5 people comfortably. This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Bastille, Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-3084) features exposed wood beams running along the ceiling and is tucked in between central Paris and the Bois be Vincennes. For a studio guests should look into this studio in Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-2323), an apartment housed in the building of a former convent.

Which Paris jazz clubs have you visited? What can you tell us about them?

New York is a city of surprises– the $1.25 cup of coffee at the corner bodega often tastes better than the latte from Starbucks, top-notch entertainment can be found in the subway, and the best view of it all is aboard an urban gondola on the Upper East Side. We labored over choosing the most scenic New York view, but finally decided that the perspective aboard the Roosevelt Island Tram is unlike any other in the entire city. The view from the top of a skyscraper is stunning yet distant, the scene from the shores of Brooklyn dramatic but detached, aboard the aerial tram, however, visitors get at dazzling view of the city at its own eye level. New York Habitat has dozens of accommodations on the Upper East Side that place guests between the grass of Central Park and benches aboard the Roosevelt Island Tram.

Roosevelt Island tram

Out-of town motorists driving along the FDR highway on Manhattan’s East Side have been perplexed by the red and white lifts slowly climbing across the sky since the tram’s introduction in 1976. For many New Yorkers the Roosevelt Island Tramway has become the city’s most beloved quirk. Originally built as a temporary commuting solution for residents on Roosevelt Island in the East River, a lack of sufficient infrastructure to replace the tram kept it open. Though a subway stop now exists on the island, the tram’s public acclaim has kept it running.

Each cabin of the aerial tramway can hold 125 people. The tram departs from Second Avenue-59th street, climbs some 250 feet at 16 miles per hour and sets back down on Roosevelt Island. Though somewhat obstructed by the adjacent Queensboro bridge, 360 degrees of glass offer views of Uptown, Downtown and Midtown unlike any other in the city. In fact, until 2006 the Roosevelt Island Tram was the only aerial tram carrying commuters in the United States (Portland built one in 2006). Visitors may not be able to see the Statue of Liberty from here but riding the Tram is truly a unique New York experience–one filled with more commuting New Yorkers than picture-happy tourists.

Upper East Side Apartment New York Accommodation (NY-12315)

Visitors wishing to stay close to the tram should look for an accommodation on the Upper East Side. This 1-bedroom rental in Upper East Side (NY-3383), blocks from the tramway, is cheaper than just about every hotel in the neighborhood. This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Upper East Side (NY-6853) can accommodate up to 4 guests for under $200. While this alcove studio in Upper East Side (NY-12315) features exposed brick.

If you have missed the previous top New York Views read:

#5: Liberty State Park, Jersey City New Jersey

#4: Empire - Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn

#3: Governors Island

#2 Top of the Rock

What do you think about our choice for best Manhattan view? Let us know below.