Robby Browne

Last night, Avenue magazine threw a launch party for their newest--real estate-centric--issue. In a spread that stretches over 23 glossy pages, the kings and queens of Manhattan real estate strike their finest poses.

For Warburg Realty's Richard Steinberg, the movie-star spread was fitting. "It's the East Coast Hollywood," he said.

Nevertheless, it was still surreal to be drinking with a roomful of the elite--especially with glistening (and very flattering) portraits adorning the walls.

There's the "Moguls" (the Zeckendorf boys); "Leading Ladies" (11 in all, six from Corcoran, and rougly two-and-a-half smiles total); and "The Boss" (Donald Trump sitting in the boardroom, flanked by the straight-faced kiddies).  read more »

"I knew nothing about New York real estate," said photographer Josh Lehrer, standing beneath his Trump family portrait. "I guess this was a crash course. You know what surprised me? Every one of these people knew how to work it and pose."

The Pleasure Chest may be best known for a Sex and the City episode involving the "Rabbit," but the West Village sex shop has been around for decades.

Although it has remained in the same family's hands since purchasing the building in 1981, the four-story townhouse was recently sold for a little over $3 million. Pleasure Chest president Brian Robinson decided to unload the unique building because he was now living out on the West Coast, spending his time running the Los Angeles shop.

"The building is really cool," said top Corcoran broker Robby Browne, who worked alongside colleagues Maria Pashby and Chris Kann. "It’s like a post-modern structure."

Upstairs, there is a triplex apartment with excellent views. And the downstairs shop should be able to keep up with the rent.

"Now we’re on the Sex and the City tour," said Mr. Robinson. "We get about 5,000 girls a month!"

Hopefully, the new owners will be ready when the tour buses arrive.  read more »

-Michael Calderone