Explore some of the coolest homes around NYC with one of the most distinguished real estate teams in the city.
With cinematic views of the Manhattan skyline, the De Niro Team’s newest listing, 111 Murray Street, PH2, is the pinnacle of luxury living.
The real estate business has changed a lot over the past 20 years. For Douglas Elliman’s De Niro Team, the past two decades have yielded an abundance of experience and established them as a top-performing, client-centric brokerage. Led by Associate Broker Raphael De Niro, each team member offers unique insight into New York City’s various neighborhoods—with jaw-dropping properties in each locale. Read on to explore some of the De Niro team’s most notable deals from the past 20 years.
“Each of us has done hundreds of transactions,” De Niro says. “Every deal has unique challenges. Since we’ve been through so much, we know how to adapt quickly and overcome any new roadblock that might come up to ensure the deal gets done in our clients’ best interest—which is always our primary concern. My standard is total transparency and maximum integrity in all dealings, whether it be with clients, other agents or developers. And my team operates accordingly. It’s been wonderful to watch everyone hone their craft over the years. Some colleagues have been on the team since the beginning and we’ve grown together through all the personal milestones, too: weddings, kids, houses—all of it!”
Raphael De Niro on Tribeca
Neighborhood Charm: De Niro grew up visiting his dad in Tribeca, where he fell in love with the character of the neighborhood. "I'm a fan of historic architecture. Tribeca has five Historic Districts, which cover a significant portion of the neighborhood. Even the new buildings that have been added to the neighborhood over my career complement that classic look and feel,” he says. "There's a great balance of retail, residential and office space, which helps keep the streets less crowded than areas that are majority residential."
Favorite listing: Atop one of Tribeca’s newest towers, one of De Niro’s current listings 111 Murray Street, PH2 represents the peak of the neighborhood’s development boom. “After being an early member of the development team that helped consult while prepping, constructing and launching the building, it’s a pleasure representing PH2 in its final form—which is exquisite,” he says. “It’s an outstanding Tribeca building, and PH2 further stands out among other Manhattan penthouses. The views, the space, the design, the entire experience is unmatched.”
James C. Flowers on The West Village
Neighborhood Charm: Working and living in the West Village, James Flowers is drawn to the neighborhood’s charming streets, historic brownstones, renowned restaurants and, most of all, its small-town vibe that can be hard to come across in a big city. “Practically any time I'm walking in the West Village, I bump into someone I know,” he says. “Whether a friend, client or another broker, the small-town feel is both the personality and essence of the neighborhood to me.”
Favorite listing: Situated on arguably one of the most beautiful blocks in the neighborhood, one of the team’s sold listings, 307 West 4th Street (pictured above), is a great example of a classic West Village townhouse. The 20-food wide newly gut-renovated home is complete with four spacious floors, a roof deck, a 1,000-bottle temperature-controlled wine cellar and a hydraulic elevator to ride to each level.
Katherine Shechtman on The Upper West Side
Neighborhood Charm: Katherine Shechtman fell in love with the Upper West Side for its proximity to Central Park. “As a mother of two little kids and a dog, we are in Central Park every day,” she says. “Our life in NYC would be very different if we didn't have easy access to Central Park, as there are so many beautiful places to explore and take in its beauty. I also got engaged on a bridge overlooking the reservoir in Central Park.”
Favorite listing: An absolutely grandiose home to take in those park views, 55 Central Park West, PH 19/20 (pictured above), is a past listing that stands out to Shechtman for its expansive terraces and spacious, sun-soaked interiors. The architectural masterpiece is a result of combining two penthouse units for an exquisite, approximately 5,000-square-foot Upper West Side oasis.
Elaine Feola on Greenwich Villiage
Neighborhood Charm: As a resident of Greenwich Village herself, Elaine Feola loves the vibrance and dynamic nature of the neighborhood. “I love living in the Greenwich Village for its charm and abundance of great restaurants, bars, parks, beautiful homes and its youthful feel,” she says. “I have the most fun walking to Washington Square Park and going to the comedy clubs on MacDougal.”
Favorite listing: Complete with a magnificent private 905-square-foot rooftop terrace, 738 Broadway, PH (pictured above) is a sold listing that showcases the luxurious accommodations available in Greenwich Village. Originally built in 1867 and known as The Broadway McKenna Building, the lofts at 738 Broadway have been transformed into contemporary full-floor homes. The De Niro represented the entire building as a new development and sold out every unit.
Jessica Wren on SoHo
Neighborhood Charm: Jessica Wren adores this effervescent neighborhood for its historic architecture and surprisingly calm atmosphere. “I’m a sucker for cobblestone blocks,” she says. “SoHo’s atmosphere is more serene than you would think for such a popular neighborhood. The side streets are quiet, without much foot or car traffic. The buildings’ architecture is all gorgeous since it’s a historic district as far west as 6th Avenue. It’s that cast-iron industrial look we love so much. And it’s convenient to everything!”
Favorite listing: Exhibiting the unique architecture in SoHo, a truly one-of-a-kind apartment, 5H in the police building at 240 Centre Street (pictured above), was one of Wren’s favorite past listings to market. “It used to be the NYPD’s gymnasium,” she says. “The architect Charles Gwathmy transformed it to showcase the owners’ breathtaking private art collection. It was a celebration of architecture, design and art all in one.”
Lauren De Niro Pipher on Chelsea
Neighborhood Charm: Lauren De Niro Pipher sees Chelsea’s allure in its blend of historic brownstones, vibrant art scene, dynamic food culture and the stunning High Line. The neighborhood’s picturesque streets, unique boutiques and the famous Chelsea Market create a lively and inviting atmosphere with a plethora of places to explore.
Favorite listing: The Capitol Building at 236 West 26th Street, #903-905 (pictured above), is an incredible pre-war loft that underwent a multi-million dollar gut renovation under the tasteful direction of the award-winning design team Suk Design before being sold by the De Niro Team. Boasting North, South, East and West exposures with Empire State views and two terraces, this 4,100-square-foot home showcases the one-of-a-kind residences in Chelsea.
Sara Dai Freeland on Park Slope
Neighborhood Charm: Sara Freeland is drawn to the tree-lined streets, historic brownstones and strong sense of community in Park Slope. The Brooklyn neighborhood’s historic architecture, family-friendly parks like Prospect Park, and collection of eclectic shops and cozy cafes lend themselves to a welcoming aura that feels both vivacious and serene.
Favorite listing: One past listing of Freeland’s, 45 Montgomery Place (pictured above), is a truly one-of-a-kind property in Park Slope. The 30.5-foot wide 1890s limestone and red brick mansion was exquisitely renovated for the modern homeowner. Featuring seven bedrooms, five skylights, a lush private garden, a bluestone patio and even a restored original Otis elevator, this home is unlike anything else you’ll find in New York.
Angelo Karras on Flatiron
Neighborhood Charm: According to Angelo Karras, Flatiron is one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in the city. “You can find an eclectic mix of boutique and high-end retail and a rich culinary scene,” he says. “Over the past few decades, it has also become a tech hub, earning itself the nickname ‘Silicon Alley.’ I think this really blends the future of city living: it's uniquely equal parts residential and commercial, access to green space (with Madison Square Park as the focal point) and in convenient proximity to other key neighborhoods.”
Favorite listing: Located in the heart of Flatiron, one of the team’s current listings, 240 Park Avenue South, 14B (pictured above), boasts 10-foot ceilings and incredible views of Gramercy Park. The 2,139-square-foot condo’s loft-like open floor plan and chef’s kitchen makes it perfect for entertaining. Combining sophistication, luxury and a prime location, this unit epitomizes stylish Flatiron living.
Jon Capobianco on Williamsburg
Neighborhood Charm: Jon Capobianco appreciates that the rapidly growing Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg has retained its character and charm. “Even though it's constantly expanding, it still has a neighborhood feel,” he says. “Everything from mom-and-pop shops to specialty boutiques, to larger very high-end brands all share the same streets, and there’s too many excellent restaurants to name and a live music scene like no other neighborhood in the City.”
Favorite listing: By far the most unique past listing of Capobianco’s was 2 Monitor Street (pictured above), a 6,000-square-foot home made from 21 shipping containers in East Williamsburg, complete with two terraces and indoor-outdoor living on every floor. “It was conceived by a local restaurateur and creative personality, Joe Carroll, and designed and built by NY architects Lotek,” he says. “The new owner works in the crypto industry and has one hell of a bachelor pad.”
Quinn Ferree on Carroll Gardens
Neighborhood Charm: To agent Quinn Ferree, the strong sense of community is what makes the tree-lined blocks of this Brooklyn neighborhood so special. “One day before an open house I was hosting, I walked up to the front stoop, and there was the most lovely gathering of neighbors with their children just sitting on the stoop laughing and telling stories,” he recalls. “It really showcases the strength of the community. I even see children playing in the streets around here—it warms my heart.”
Favorite listing: The story behind one of Ferree’s former listings, 31 1st Place, #5 (pictured above), showcases the pride residents have in this neighborhood and the desirability of its homes. A top-floor unit of a walk-up co-op, Ferree was nervous about pricing, given the number of stairs, but a letter from the previous owner, who had lived there for nearly three decades enticed buyers. “We wound up selling it for over ask, with multiple bids,” Ferree says. “I’m pretty sure the love letter I had the owners write helped a lot. The seller recounted her 27 years in the home, raising a child up and down four flights and why she loved it so much. It was received so well by the buyers.”
Explore the past 20 years of the De Niro Team's opulent listings, and learn more about the exciting, evolving future of New York City real estate.
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