“Emanuele identified a real estate niche market amongst his fellow models who had moved to Milan”
At the age of 18, Emanuele Fiore, left Torino, Italy for Milan to start what would be a very successful modeling career, and he did just that and more.
While in Milan, Emanuele identified a real estate niche market amongst his fellow models who had moved to Milan from around the World to try their luck in the Fashion Capital. Emanuele started a real estate agency chain “CASA IN” handling rentals and sales throughout Italy as well as partnering with other agencies throughout Europe.
Having traveled the world for work as a model, Emanuele established a very strong and successful network in the fashion world, celebrities, politicians, and business leaders who are keen to be in the New York Real Estate market.
Being fluent in 4 languages, Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Emanuele has successfully par-laid that international experience into a discerning NY real estate career. Emanuele now with over 10 years of experience in the USA real estate market, can guide you through notable condominiums, cooperatives, and townhouses. He has worked with private individuals and developers to identify a townhouse for purchase, renovation, and resale at significant profits in addition to working with individuals to identify townhouses as long-term homes.
He is adaptive to client needs, discreet, and known for his careful negotiations on their behalf.
DOWNTOWN had the opportunity to interview Emanuele Fiore
DTM: What do you like most about being a broker in New York City?
EF: Being a broker in New York City, is probably the most difficult and competitive city in the world.. a good thing is that the price point of real estate is high compared to everywhere else, so once the hard work is done and the deal is sealed, the commission is worth the immense effort. I very much like being a broker here in New York, the properties are spectacular!
EF: Unit 56 at 23 East 22nd Street in Flatiron entered contract this week, with the last asking price of $16,995,000. Built-in 2009, this gut-renovated condo spans 3,310 square feet with 4 beds and 3 full baths. It features a 360-degree park, river, and city views, a private foyer with a south-facing view, a primary suite with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet, hardwood floors, and much more. The building provides a full-time doorman and concierge, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor pool, a steam room, a parlor room, and many other amenities.
Compass – Unit 56 at 23 East 22nd Street
Also signed this week was Unit 36B at 15 Central Park West on the Upper West Side, with the last asking price of $15,250,000. Built-in 2007, this condo spans 2,367 square feet with 2 beds and 2 full baths. It features unobstructed park views, floor-to-ceiling windows, custom white rift oak shelving and storage throughout, a paneled wall that accommodates a gas fireplace, an open eat-in kitchen with high-end appliances, a west-facing primary suite with an en-suite bathroom, and much more. The building provides a large fitness center, a lap pool, a private restaurant/catering, and many other amenities.
Unit 36B at 15 Central Park West
Looking for the perfect broker, while finding just the right home, look no further!
Emanuele Fiore Licensed Real Estate Salesperson M: 516.653.8279 efiore@compass.com
A new plan to protect Lower Manhattan from rising waters and the effects of climate change was unveiled last week, calling for flood walls, improved stormwater infrastructure, new open spaces, and a drastic reshaping of the shoreline.
The master plan from the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency and New York City Economic Development Corporation aims to defend the one-mile stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery from future storms like Superstorm Sandy and intense rainfall, like the soaking the city got from the remnants of Hurricane Ida last summer.
The plan would dramatically reshape the neighborhood’s relationship to the waterfront — adding more soft spaces to absorb water and extending the shoreline into the East River via a walkway. It calls for a multi-level construction that would add a water-level esplanade underneath the extended shoreline, where floodwalls would absorb waves from coastal storms. Piers and terminals for the NYC Ferry would also be reinforced.
The problem the plan is addressing is one that much of the borough, and the city, is facing in the climate crisis: Manhattan is made of hard surfaces, which give rain and floodwaters nowhere to go. The new plan would fix that via new stormwater pumps and green spaces that sponge up the water while creating coves to protect wildlife.
The project is expected to cost between $5 to $7 billion and would take an estimated 15 to 20 years to design and build. That’s already a tight timeline: according to the New York City Panel on Climate Change’s projections, rising tides have long been expected to flood Lower Manhattan on a monthly basis by the 2050s; in another 30 years after that, floods could become daily. Some frequent tidal flooding might occur as early as the 2040s, less than 20 years away.
This master plan is the last link in an overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Strategy that has already proposed makeovers to shore up the rest of the tip of Manhattan. This particular stretch of neighborhood holds extra challenges because the built infrastructure — like subway tunnels, roads, and shipping ports — provides less green space and less wiggle room than other stretches of the waterfront.
The plan used input from the Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan, which includes the Alliance for Downtown New York.
Using your Echo device or Alexa app, say, “Alexa, play holiday music” to start up seasonal hits, including new exclusive Amazon Originals from Leon Bridges, Day + Shay, Camila Cabello, and more.
Take the whole family, pets, and friends for outdoor treats and cheer, experience the interactive holiday window ahead of the public display December 3-12, you can ask Alexa to turn on festive holiday smart lights, play Amazon Music holiday originals, and more.
Yes, the holiday spirit is back in NYC and there’s a new must-visit holiday window in town—the world’s first smart holiday window,“Alexa in a Pear Tree.”
Bring the Holiday Cheer with Smart Lights
As you’re decorating, add Smart Bulbs or Smart Lights -trips to control lights and change them to festive hues like red, green, and blue by voice with your Amazon Echo device.
Smarten Up Decor
Use an Amazon Smart Plug to add voice control to your electronic holiday décor, lamps and so much more. Just plugin, use the Alexa app to get started and then activate your holiday décor by voice (“Alexa, turn on the tree.”).
Get Help with Gift Lists
Last-minute shopping? Find out the latest device deals by asking “Alexa, what are my deals?”
Try Alexa Skills
Families can say, “Alexa, open Call Santa Claus,” and Alexa will connect them to Old St. Nick and all his friends at the North Pole!
If you say, “Alexa, open Holiday Yule Log” the Yule Log will pop up, specifically optimized for the Echo Show and Fire TV.
Create a Routine
Routines are shortcuts for Alexa, saving you time by grouping together actions so you don’t have to ask individually. For example, you can enable a Routine that is triggered when you say, “Alexa, make it festive” to create a fun, festive house feel by having Alexa turn on smart light effects and play cozy holiday music.
Stop by 63 Spring Street (corner of Lafayette Street) in SoHo
Dogpound trainers run individualized Virtual Personal Training (VPT) via FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangout, and more.
With the recent pandemic closures, our routines have switched from in-person to virtual. Without our NYC average of 8800 steps per day, our fitness needs to go virtual, too. We reached out to Dogpound’s Head of Training and Development Lala Duncan to get the scoop on their virtual training program.
Downtown Magazine: We see a lot of gyms selling pre-recorded VPT, what is the difference? Lala Duncan: Many gyms and fitness professionals started selling pre-recorded workout programs before the pandemic, given the low cost and ease of access of these programs. That market has grown with COVID.
Clients get to have access to a DP trainer with them whether they are at home, on vacation
Pre-recorded programs are great for people to stay active during uncertain times, but these are workout programs designed to appeal to a wide range of people. They are not designed for any one individual and, after a period of time, clients can become unmotivated and bored because of the lack of accountability or personal attention. Most people who purchase pre-recorded programs end up paying for programs they don’t use.
That is why Dogpound offers individualized VPT based on your goals and available equipment. Clients get to have access to a DP trainer with them whether they are at home, on vacation, or at a quarantine destination (Hawaii and St. Bart’s).
DTM: What does one need to prepare for VPT?
LD: Whether you are a current or new client, we ask each client to answer a short questionnaire about their fitness goals, time commitment and expectations as well as what type of equipment, if any, you have to train with at home. Once we have that information, the trainer can devise a long-term plan to keep their training and on track.
Clients with mild to moderate depression, sleep deprivation, and anxiety
DTM: Are clients staying motivated?
LD: In the beginning, there was the fear of “losing my gains.” People were rushing to buy dumbbells and weights or whatever they could get their hands on just to stay fit, not really knowing how long this would last. After a couple of months, I noticed that there was a slump in motivation with a lot of my clients. I had clients that were suffering from mild to moderate depression, sleep deprivation, and anxiety all brought on by the uncertainty of the pandemic. Some days my sessions would consist of talking and light stretching. Especially for New Yorkers, we were in the thick of it. For some of my clients, our VPT session would be the only interaction they had with anyone all day or week. Our amazing staff of trainers takes this responsibility very seriously. It’s not just about working out; it’s about health, longevity, and ultimately happiness.
“I now see clients more than I did in the actual gym”
DTM: Are clients getting the same results from virtual training?
LD: More, actually. Originally the goal was just to keep people moving and motivated. Now the goal is to keep progressing people forward in their long-term fitness goals. About 3/4 of my clients have set up some kind of home gym, whether it be some dumbbells and kettlebells or full gyms with squat racks and weights. Since we have started the VPT at Dogpound, I now see clients more than I did in the actual gym.
DTM: Do you think VPT here to stay?
LD: Absolutely! As the saying goes, it takes 30 days to create a habit, 60 days to make progress, and 90 days to see results. It’s not going anywhere; Virtual training is truly the new virtual reality.
If you are interested in signing up for virtual sessions with Lala Duncan or other Dogpound trainers, you can contact their NYC location at info@thedogpound.com or their LA location at lainfo@thedogpound.com
VMCASA was founded in 2012 by real estate industry veteran and NYU Schack alum Viviana Addo. The former properties and finance executive has a decade of practical, global assets and investment experience to complement her scholarship on the international real estate front.
Receiving her education from the vanguard of the business, Addo holds a Master’s degree in Real Estate Finance and Investment from New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate (2019). Viviana is equipped with expert education and a passion for providing honest, sustainable listings for buyers and investors worldwide.
Downtown had a chance to catch up for a Q&A with this powerhouse woman, founder of VMCASA Viviana Addo.
DTM: Tell me a bit more about VMCASA and how you got started in this new business venture and why?
VA: I started VMCASA to offer a fresh and holistic solution to real estate investment. We are committed to creating an honorable legacy of transparency, outside-the-box thinking, inclusion, and sustainability in the real estate industry.
DTM: What did you do before VMCASA?
VA: I started my career in industrial design as a junior furniture and lighting designer. From there I moved on to the fashion industry in operations. I studied Business Management at Baruch College and obtained my Masters at New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. After college, I started working for Cushman and Wakefield as an asset services associate where I managed the New York Presbyterian real estate portfolio.
DTM: What was your foray into real estate investment?
VA: I have always loved the arts and architecture, as well as finance and investment. I interned and worked in both industries. It was then that I discovered that real estate was the perfect mix of both worlds. I found that real estate also offered the opportunity to give back to the communities in a way that was special to me.
DTM: Where do you live?
VA: Downtown Manhattan in Battery Park City.
DTM: What do love about the area you reside in?
VA: I love the spirit of Downtown Manhattan. Forever cool, inspiring views, and there are always people from all over the world coming here! The new and old worlds are constantly colliding here—which creates such a vibrant culture.
DTM: Do you have a family, and if so, what is their favorite thing to do in your neighborhood?
VA: Yes. My family and I love Battery Park City, we love all the parks along the Hudson River, and its views.
DTM: How did you spend Mother’s Day 2021?
VA: I had an amazing surprise Mother’s Day Brunch with my husband and daughter at STK. Lovely food, space, music, and, of course—company!
Viviana Addo VMCASA
DTM: Do you think there are any common misconceptions about property investment?
VA: Yes. The key one being—that the options are limited. There are so many ways to invest in real estate. A limited partnership, shares on a REIT, or digital shares—just to name a few.
DTM: can anyone be a property owner?
VA: Yes—all it ever takes is a little bit of vision and the right advice.
DTM: Who in your industry is your mentor?
VA: I’ve had so many over the years. The biggest influences on me have been Betty Castro from Cushman & Wakefield, she really opened my eyes to the industry. And of course, my professor Manish Srivastava at my alma mater over at NYU. There are also colleagues within the industry, whose careers can serve as great mentorship roles— like Mary Ann Tighe from CBRE.
DTM: What do you think are some of the most important aspects of being successful in your industry?
VA: A client-oriented vision to find value. Resilience to stick it through. And a true love for the craft. Ultimately I feel the passion to serve these communities is what drives long-term success within the industry.
DTM: Do you foresee a resurgence in buying in NYC, and will high home prices and high demand continue/or go back to being a trend in the future?
VA: I absolutely see a resurgence in buying in NYC. No other city provides a sense of inspiration, freedom, and opportunity as the capital of the world.
DTM: When you say VMCASA has global assets, what does this mean?
VA: I mean our digital assets. In 2021 I founded a media division to VMCASA called Growing Cities. The platform currently owns and produces international podcasts featuring some of the most interesting minds and voices in global real estate.
We have recorded 20 episodes that are streaming on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play as well as at the website www.growingcities.com. We recently were awarded a 2021 Creative Muse Award for the podcast and are in conversations with sponsors to grow this digital asset to reach more listeners in more cities around the world.
DTM: What is the difference between what you do and the everyday real estate broker, or high-end brokers like Ryan Serhant and Fredrik Eklund?
VA: I respect what Ryan Serhant and Fredrik Eklund do and I am a big fan of their work. Being a broker is just one part of my capability. I am a well-rounded real estate professional with real estate analysts and asset management experience.
I can see the big picture, and work at the institutional level in real estate. I am also very committed to giving back to the City of New York and my global community by raising awareness about sustainability in the built environment on my podcast Growing Cities.
DTM: Where do you hope VMCASA will be in 5 then 10 years from now?
VA: We would by then have created an array of memorable transactions that bring value to the lives of our clients. Our goal by then is to be one of the leading real estate consulting companies in New York and one of the premier investment sales companies in Colombia.
DTM: How is your industry toward women, and can women take the lead?
VA: In residential real estate, there are many successful female real estate professionals and valuable opportunities. However, within commercial real estate, there is a lack of opportunity for women and even more for women of color where we only make up 3% of the industry. I had to create my own opportunities since the barrier of entry to the industry (investment sales, and asset management) is so artificially high.
There is an even smaller percentage of women who make it to positions of leadership. That is a constant struggle for women in every industry and real estate is just showing signs of being open to inclusion.
That is one of the reasons why I joined forces with other women in real estate by becoming a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) New York. I am a member of the diversity and inclusion committee. I hope to inspire a new generation of real estate professionals to be pioneers, to think big, to lift others, and to leave a legacy for the community they serve.
Viviana Addo VMCASA
DTM: What book are you reading right now, and why?
VA: I am finishing Becoming by Michele Obama, and the Second Sex by Simon de Beauvoir. I chose them to inspire me to be resilient, and to break barriers.
DTM: As much as we hate to keep bringing it up, how did COVID affect your industry/and personal business?
VA: First, I would like to thank all the first responders and hospital workers in New York City and cities across the country and the world. Our industry was greatly slowed down. However, it was an opportunity to reinvent the previous approach the industry had. I am currently starting an exciting opportunity with a portfolio focused on the workforce and affordable real estate.
This is a segment of the industry, I anticipate will be very busy in the years to come, and one that allows me and the team to contribute to rebuilding New York post-Covid-19.
2020 – 2021 lockdown will be remembered for years to come. Not only we will look back on the thousands, of hysterical funny videos, of entire families lip-syncing and dancing on
TicToK to Justin Bieber songs, watching our favorite celebrity’s cooking videos, self-shot in their own kitchens, to couples cutting and coloring their partner’s hair.
Did you ever think that you would let your other-half color or cut your hair?
The good news is that hair salons have re-opened and like me, many gladly masked and gloved up to venture back to see our favorite professional colorist, and stylist.
When I heard that one of our favorite make-up artists, and cosmetician with Sisley Paris, here in New York City was going to let her husband once again, color her hair, we stepped in!
When it comes to color, we must be careful, chemicals in hair coloring can damage your hair, especially if the color is not applied properly.
Our advice is to go to a professional salon, hair colorist, with professional-grade ingredients and application methods to ensure that your hair does not end up damaged, dry, or possibly even turning into a color you were not going for. Even worse, you could end up severely damaging your hair. If you want to become a platinum blonde without damaging your hair, then your hair colorist is the only one you should trust with your coloring and hair health. A professional colorist also has the knowledge and training to apply chemicals required, in the correct order to achieve the look you want.
Fekkai Soho New York City
At Downtown, we like giving give back to those who are there for us. Hence, our reason for stepping in before another husband completed his honey-do list. We gladly sent Marcia, one of our make-up artists, to the world-famous Fekkai Salon in Soho for color-correction after a long lockdown and home coloring.
Following the process, we asked the colorist Rae Ann Cotto a few questions:
Fekkai – Soho New York City
DTM: When did you start working in hair color?
RC: I started doing color 6 years ago. I got my job at Fekkai about a year after high school and spent time learning color theory and techniques before actually taking care of clients.
DTM: What inspired you?
RC: Since I was a child, I’ve been interested in all things beauty. Always wanting my hair done, playing with a red drugstore lipstick, I begged my mother to buy me. But it wasn’t until I was a teenager, with certain insecurities teens experience, that I decided to go to school to learn how to do the things that would teach me not only to appreciate my own beauty but to love it.
DTM: How do you know what color to color Marcia’s hair? It was stunning… really, beautiful great work Rae Ann!
RC: When it came to Marcia’s hair, I started with the basics looking at it, and asking her what she thought about her color, we both came to the same conclusion… it’s red. Too red. Using my knowledge of the color wheel, if I want to tone out red, I needed to use green. Also, knowing she wanted to lighten her roots, I opted for a neutral medium brown with green undertones. After bringing her to a solid more natural brown, I added some highlights around her face so she could feel nice and bright while keeping dimension in her beautiful thick hair!
Before – Marcia’s Color
DTM: With the COVID lockdown, have you experienced more botched DIY hair disasters coming in? a.) Is there ever a time when you cannot fix their hair?
RC: I was very surprised to not have a lot of corrections after returning to work! Even for me at the beginning working in color can be intimidating, and I think some people, really felt that at home. Doing corrections, the most important thing, and definitely the #1 rule for my work, is keeping the integrity of the hair. The only time a correction can’t be done is if it involves an excessive amount of potentially damaging elements like heat or bleach.
5. What is your favorite part of being a hair colorist?
RC: My favorite thing about being a colorist is I get to be the one to help people feel their best! I get to provide care and be apart of people’s self-care journey!
6. Any advice to give to our readers who may want to come in for color but are worried to leave their home during this pandemic?
RC: At Fekkai, we have a mission statement that starts with “Frederic Fekkai the leader in luxury clean hair care”, and that’s exactly what we are! We are clean, we are safe, and we do everything we can to make our clients feel that way too. For anyone that isn’t comfortable yet, you have nothing to fear, but whenever you’re ready, we’re here for you!
After Color with Rae Ann of Fekkai Soho
DTM: Anything you would like to share about your work?
RC: I am so in love with what I do. I’m passionate about what I do. Whether I wake up on a good day, or a not so good day, my passion and excitement never change. And it’s not just the hair, it’s every aspect of what I do; I love meeting new people, bonding with them, enhancing their beauty, and making them feel pampered, and then taken care of them for as long as they’re in my chair. I’m warm, bubbly, and welcoming, and I love having fun with everything I do. It’s so important to not only show this side through my work, but to have my clients experience the energy, feel it, and spread it too!
Rae Ann Cotto, Fekkai Soho New York City
We think that Rae Ann, has a very long career ahead of her, and we thank her for her excellent answers.
