Today was turning out to be a real snooze until I got an e-mail to check out this four bedroom penthouse over on East 57th Street.

Full floor and every room has floor to ceiling windows. Eat-in kitchen, two balconies and the biggest living room I've ever seen. Triple exposures.

Full specs here.



And me, on one of the two balconies, trying to get a shot of the amazing view. I bet it's even better at night.

Beekman Place Two Bedroom Penthouse -- $6800

Beekman Place is one of my favorite places in Manhattan. It's a tiny, tree-lined block where most people own their townhouse or pre-war apartment. It is pin-drop quiet. At a time when all things Mad Men are trendy, the neighborhood still looks as if it's straight out of 1962. There's something quite charming about that. Civility is underrated.

There is, however, a fantastic rental building on the block with some outrageous apartments within. Below is the two bedroom penthouse duplex that just came on the market. The living room has floor to ceiling windows that overlook the East River. There is a terrace. The master suite is enormous, has a walk-in closet and a new marble bath. There is a home office that could easily be a second bedroom. All this, in a white glove doorman, full service building.

Full specs are here. At $6800, it's a steal. It's Beekman Place!

It's A Lovely Day For A Penthouse

It's a great fall day in Manhattan -- and this one bedroom with wrap terrace is available on 38th Street and Third Avenue, in a pristine pre-war building with a doorman. Great space, huge bedroom and tons of closets. At $3800 a month it's practically free. Great bachelor pad.

Full Floor Penthouse In Murray Hill -- $6000

After months of looking at nothing but one bedrooms, I've been on a two bedroom kick. Today I found a whopper of one a block away from my place.

It's a full floor penthouse with a wrap terrace in Murray Hill. We're talking 360 degree views. A lot of brokers have it billed as a three bedroom, but it's a two bedroom with a den. It's massive, bright and once the renovation is done (someone moved out a few days ago) it's going to go to one very lucky person.

Full specs here. Photos below.

An Actual Conversation I Just Had With A Broker

Broker: I have a question about the listing on West 19th Street. The listing says Penthouse D, but this building has eight floors, no penthouses.

Me: Um, it would be the top floor.

Broker: You mean the roof? The apartment is on the roof?

Me: No. It's the top floor. The eighth floor.

Broker: I went up there and there are only units A through D. No penthouse.

Me: The available apartment would be 8D, then. Penthouses are generally the top floor.

How Not To Call A Broker

On Saturday afternoon my phone rang. It was a number with a 908 area code. Hmmm...Jersey.

The guy on the other end was responding to an ad that I have on Craigslist for a penthouse apartment on 92nd Street and Park for $5850 a month. In addition to be a gut renovated two bedroom, the apartment has a 600 square foot wrap around terrace that can easily hold 50 people. It faces south. It's an amazing place.

"Hey! Can you show that to me right now?" He shouted into the phone.

It was about 4:00 p.m. "I'm sorry," I said. "But I'm busy right now. Do you want to make an appointment?"

The guy was flustered. "But I need to see it today. My girlfriend and I want to move, and today is our day to look."

I considered this. "Well, I could show it to you at 6:00 p.m., but because it's on the top floor, it's best seen in the day light. (It was pouring rain on Saturday.) How about at two o'clock on Sunday afternoon?"

He wasn't sold. He began to stammer. Perhaps he had been a spoiled child and didn't like to hear the word "no"?. "I-I don't know what our schedule will be tomorrow. Can you just call me when you're near it?"

"As a broker, my schedule on the on the weekends is very tight," I said. This is true. "You'll have to make an appointment to see it. I can't just chase up there at the drop of a hat."

"OK," He said. "Maybe I'll call you tomorrow."

I hung up. I have two theories as to who this guy was, because I highly doubt he was a serious client. People who really need an apartment will make an appointment to see something they like, sometimes even a week in advance.

1. This guy was another broker, albeit not a very bright one, and was trying to find out the address of the apartment, perhaps for one of his clients.

2. He was some kid from the suburbs who wanted to spend his Saturday afternoon fantasizing about living large in a top floor penthouse. Also, he had little respect for people's time, considering that he wanted me to drop what I was doing and accommodate him.

Either way, he never called me again. The place is still available!