This is a compelling video of Sir Norman Foster that was filmed in Munich in 2007 at DLD (Digital, Life, Design); a conference covering digital innovation, science and culture. He presents a macro view of urban design and public buildings that are sustainable and "celebratory". These are agenda setting ideas. He illustrates them using his own work; including the London Gherkin, and mega scale projects in China and the Middle East. In Manhattan, Lord Foster has completed the striking Hearst building on 57th Street and is working on one of the new towers on the World Trade Center site.

This is a video report by Bradley Hope at The Sun about a lost work by Keith Haring which was recently uncovered during the redevelopment of a loft at The American Thread Building in my neighborhood of Tribeca. The space was formerly an exhibition space in the old days when Tribeca was an artist's neighborhood and you might find Haring at the Mudd Club on White Street a few blocks away. The work is similar to the painted patterns that he did on the walls, floors, and ceilings at the Pop Shop and the 23rd Street gallery at the School of Visual Arts, where he and I crossed paths in 1979, just before his rise on the 1980's art scene. I remember him taping similar drawings on the underside of the cover mats of copiers in the cafeteria at SVA one day, so that students would get a free little bit of art on the edges of their copies. Much of the work from this period like his famous subway drawings, were experimental, effusive and temporary in nature, a good deal has been painted over and lost. Keith Haring died in 1990 at the age of 31, of complications related to AIDS. His work is iconic of the 1980's New York Art scene and continues to inspire new generations.

I'd shown this space when it was on the market a couple of years ago. It was a huge, dramatic, but very clunky commercial space, which required a bit of vision on behalf of a purchaser and their architect to mold into a residence. There was no sign of Keith's work visible at the time. It was on the market then at about $4 million and in need of a complete gut renovation. Including the Haring mural, the renovated space is now being offered at just under $17 million. Since the art can't be moved, I certainly hope that whoever acquires it, will appreciate and preserve the work that accidentally graces their new home.

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.

Central Park snow storm from my holiday card, photo: Galina Dreyzina

As young Anne Frank writes in her diary about 1942, beauty exists everywhere we are willing to see it, and one of the things that brings happiness. It is as simple as new fallen snow, and natural as the face of my child on Christmas eve. It is sometimes created by design, or may be discovered in our midst. It lives in the eyes of those we love, whether in the face of joy or adversity. Beauty is an idea which defies definition, but not understanding. As a dialog between the world around us and that which is inside, it speaks to the possibility of who we are, and to transforming each moment. Seasons greetings to all.

Jessica Joyner, 39, and Jennifer Jones, 33, who both live in swanky upper East Side digs, were nabbed after being chased from an open house they were allegedly attempting to rip off.

I want to take a moment to commend Doug Heddings at True Gotham for breaking the story, after being victimized by the perpetrators. He helped to mobilize awareness, and the story quickly spread throughout the real estate community. The momentum began at his blog, and resonated throughout the internet on Curbed, Urban Digs and of course, here on Comitini.com. That raising of the bar probably helped discourage any further thefts by the duo, and put some media pressure on the NYPD to quickly apprehend the suspects. I'm pleased to report that his client's had their jewelry safely returned. Way to go Doug and NYPD!

related stories:
Open Houses Are Safe Once Again (curbed.com)
The bold and "looty-ful" (New York Post)
Open House Theft Suspects Wanted in N.J. (New York Sun)

You've been nice, so treat yourself to that new penthouse loft you so well deserve this holiday season, or if your budget is a little tighter, get a book about decorating one. Either way, start your search here. As we take a break for Thanksgiving, and start thinking about holiday gifts, I hope that you'll visit the bookshop. You can choose from a massive selection and great prices, on titles about real estate, investing, New York City, architecture, home design and every other category you can think of; plus use our search page to find any item available on Amazon.com. I'm sponsoring the development and hosting of this page for Corcoran Cares, created by Corcoran Group agents to give back to the communities we live in and serve. Its powered by Amazon so you'll have secure transactions, prompt delivery, and even a familiar experience when shopping for all of your holiday gifts. Click the image below to visit the live bookshop, or choose the link from above the comitini.com logo at anytime.

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