Photo above: Golden hour views from the private terrace of my newest Private Exclusive on the Upper West Side, just off Central Park West.

From sunset terraces to Central Park’s Pumpkin Flotilla and a new era in film production, we explore the season, and what’s shaping New York’s evolving landscape.

In This Week’s Edition:

“If you were to pick one time to be born and one place to be born... you’d pick today, and you’d pick America.” — Warren Buffett

In real estate and beyond, context matters. The progress of the past century — in longevity, education, and living standards — has reshaped not just how we live, but where and why we invest. These numbers put that transformation in perspective.

One of New York's most magical fall traditions returns this year as the Pumpkin Flotilla once again lights up the Harlem Meer on Thursday, October 30, transforming the water into a shimmering Halloween spectacle.

This beloved tradition takes on new significance against the backdrop of a major revitalization that has reshaped this corner of the park. Over the past two years, the northern section of Central Park has undergone an impressive transformation. The restoration of the Harlem Meer and Lasker Rink area reintroduced natural landscapes, improved accessibility, and added new community spaces. This transformation has been a thoughtful reimagining that has breathed new life into the surrounding neighborhoods, drawing more visitors and activity to the area year-round.

For this week's Halloween celebration:

Visitors are invited to bring their own hand-carved Jack-O'-Lanterns to join the floating display at sunset. Before the pumpkins set sail, families can enjoy an afternoon of live music, crafts, storytelling, and a costume parade at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, beginning at 4 PM.

To participate, pumpkins should be medium-sized and free of artificial decorations or candles. The flotilla launches around 6 PM, creating one of the city's most enchanting and photographed fall moments — a true New York Halloween classic.

New York’s office sector is defying national trends. In the first nine months of 2025, the city leased 23.2 million square feet of office space. This is the highest volume in 19 years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

While nationwide office leasing remains about 11% below pre-pandemic levels, New York’s recovery underscores the city’s enduring pull as a corporate and cultural hub.

The surge has been driven by demand from finance, tech, and media firms seeking high-end, amenity-rich buildings that support hybrid work.

Major landlords such as SL Green and Brookfield report strong momentum in Midtown and Hudson Yards, with recent deals including Verizon’s expanded footprint and renewed interest in trophy addresses along Park Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

Though vacancy rates remain elevated, the market’s rebound speaks to a broader truth about New York real estate: quality, location, and design continue to command attention — and confidence — even in a redefined workplace landscape.

Outside New York, rental markets are telling a very different story.

Across the country, renters are facing unprecedented competition, and some cities are feeling the squeeze more than others. A new RentCafe report highlights that demand is surging from Chicago to the Twin Cities and Manhattan. Supply is struggling to keep pace, and occupancy rates remain sky-high.

But one city is standing out above the rest: Miami. With 19 renters chasing every available apartment, it’s officially the most competitive rental market in the nation.

Manhattan is finally getting what it’s long been missing: a true purpose-built Hollywood-grade film studio.

Set to open in early 2026, Sunset Pier 94 Studios will be the first production complex of its kind in Manhattan, designed from the ground up for modern film, television, and digital production.

Located along the Hudson River, the 266,000-square-foot campus will feature six expansive soundstages with ceilings reaching up to 36 feet, ideal for large-scale set builds, live audience television, and advanced virtual production. Supporting facilities will include a mill, wardrobe and dressing rooms, production offices overlooking the Hudson, and ample parking and storage, which are rare in Manhattan.

City officials project the development will generate over $6 billion in local economic impact across the next 30 years, supporting hundreds of permanent jobs and creating consistent opportunities for New York’s production workforce.

Beyond its industry footprint, the project also brings broader public benefits including new waterfront amenities, community space, and upgrades to the Hudson River Park walkway, continuing the city’s west side revitalization.

Bookings are already open, with filming expected to begin in January 2026.

When completed, Sunset Pier 94 Studios will give New York something it has never had before, a fully modern, purpose-built production hub in the heart of Manhattan.

Tucked away within one of Los Angeles' most exclusive, celebrity-studded enclaves of Fryman Canyon, sits a private estate that redefines California living.

Designed by AD-published visionary design firm, Studio Rob Diaz. Envisioned in the spirit of the Swedish countryside and inspired by its natural setting, lies a sculptural composition of striking A-frame volumes, cladded harmoniously in wire-brushed cedar. Monumental and inviting, the architecture harmonizes seamlessly with its serene surroundings, where century old redwoods and natural rolling hillsides create a back canvas that only this 1.4 acre estate can offer.

Perfectly symmetrical in form, expansive living spaces are defined by soaring 30 foot ceilings in which custom Belgian oak floors, hand finished wall paneling, titanium travertine, copper accents and bespoke lighting, layer this home with warmth and refinement.

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