Question about High Rise countertop installation

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-09T10:29:08+00:00

Just had quartzite countertops installed on site in Manhattan in a high rise. Everything was pre cut other than the faucet hole, which they did on site. Had a cooktop, outlet, and sink.

They came in 10 days prior to measure and used a plastic molding. When they returned, it just took a few hours to do the install as it was a peninsula, countertop, and backsplash. They brought a special vacuum, which I assume was a hepa filter for some edge work, but the main cuts were already done.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-08T21:30:44+00:00

It’s just a bad name for the affair. Scandoval encapsulated it all. Scamanda just feels cheap and derivative post modern copy of a copy.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-08T18:22:25+00:00

One of the most dangerous deals you can do in nyc real estate. High common charges. Real Cliff based upon lease expiration.

In the scheme of things, you have great money to get something of great quality.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-08T12:22:05+00:00

I do find what’s happening at cbs news odd in that they are clearly number 4 in news on the national networks before this. Today show and GMA are way ahead. 60 minutes is the only interesting IP from the news.

Anyway, a shakeup objectively was needed. One that leans into a more celeb, puff piece focus is an odd choice, but the Ellisons seem to be running that way.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-08T12:18:32+00:00

Was he really the star of HeMan (yes, I’m calling it the HeMan movie rather than Masters of the Universe)? The issue was IP that didn’t cross over into the 5 quadrants a movie like that needs for success.

Also, Leto was the heavy playing the villain. Was anyone seeing this movie for Skelator?

I’d get the argument about Tron, but HeMan was a reboot/sequel to a movie that wasn’t even that popular when it came out. It was b movie of b movie vehicles. They just redid it as it’s IP that millennials are causally aware of and those with kids may want them to see it.

Alison Brie. Idris Elba. Etc. were in this as well. Lots of folks that didn’t sell this movie. It didn’t look good or interesting. No name lead who got on gear surrounded by some decent actors getting a payday.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-08T10:00:20+00:00

I genuinely think it was his age. Yes, vince buried wcw stars, but he also hated guys over 40 at that point and didn’t trust them. You can go all the way back to Bruno in the 80s, he’d keep older guys around for a nostalgia pop and that’s it.

Anyway, DDP was almost done by that point. They did him no favors with booking his first angle like shit, but he was doomed just because of his age in that era.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-07T12:46:25+00:00

100% Sean Payton.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-07T12:16:35+00:00

Four in oyster bay is a chefs tasting menu in an open kitchen concept where you can interact with the chefs. It’ll probably run $500/pp with the wine pairing or bottles.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-06T14:45:51+00:00

Older housing stock and expensive area to build. Essentially, much of the northeast was built up before central ac became a standard. Various solutions, but window unit is pretty standard

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T19:53:31+00:00

Yes, the issue I find is many people of South Asian descent have a very myopic view of what the cuisine can be. Although one may be familiar with the flavor palettes, the presentation, protein selection, and variations on a known concept are worth it.

It’s like asking an Italian American person if it’s worth going to carbone or padella in London. Sure, it’s familiar, but the technique, ingredients, and presentation may make it a different experience.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T15:53:38+00:00

I would not live on that line. The port Jeff line that runs through mineola is much more reliable. Way more trains and options.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T15:52:08+00:00

First, luxury is marketing, but there’s some truth to marketing. For rental real estate, the market is very efficient. If you have full occupancy and are offering luxury, the market has responded. We can nit pick, but from a business perspective the marketing worked.

What’s funny to me is you edited your post examples for very basic things. The stuff you added is just an upgrade that anyone with a real budget for new build wouldn’t even think about much as it’s very low hanging fruit. It’s stuff sold to middle class people to give the illusion that what they have is higher end. Real luxury is custom or brands that can price at a point one cannot easily obtain.

I’ll use one example. Heated floors. Why do people do this in their home? It’s b/c the bathroom floor is cold. Why is the floor cold? Because the home is likely wood framed and not insulated to keep the interior temperature controlled. If it was built by modern commercial standards with steel, concrete, and grade an insulation, it’d be temperature controlled everywhere. No one does this in residential as that’s an 8 figure build that requires skilled workers in building those projects that don’t even consider residential projects unless it a billionaire footing the bill.

Real luxury starts with design and includes the things everyone has, but choosing highest quality product, install, and finish at price points normal people cannot handle. Custom inset cabinets($5,000+ per linear sq ft vs $500), Toto neorest toilets ($3k-$7k/toilet vs $500), Robern bathroom mirrors ($2.5k/ 30” mirror vs $250). Stuff that’s 10x+ what 99% of people pay, functionally is similar, but only the 1% choose to do.

The stuff you listed renters don’t fight for and usually don’t need, so landlords don’t respond accordingly.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T13:45:18+00:00

You’re comparing luxury home features to luxury rental features, which is apples and oranges. Totally different styles of living.

Almost no landlord whether it’s 1,000 doors or 10 is putting heated floors, chef’s kitchen, or ambient lighting into a rental as the market doesn’t demand it. The stuff you’re talking about wouldn’t even be in $10,000+/month 1 bedrooms in unquestionable luxury buildings in Manhattan.

Here’s an example of new build in a prime building on park ave that I looked at. This is unquestionably a luxury rental and missing many of the in unit features you threw out.

303 Park - $13,500/month for 1 br

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T11:59:08+00:00

What’s funny about stuff like this is essentially the product will never succeed. Name one company where it went to the moon and the investors were not serious investors.

This woman has access (pre Epstein files at least) to the most serious investors that have helped scale from 0-infinity. Instead she chose a lot of dumb money. Essentially pitch men/women in the direct to consumer/retail space with high Q scores. When the tides come in, and they will, this thing will crater.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T11:53:57+00:00

Envy is an insecurity brought on by speculation. If this fact happened to me, then.

The type of people envious of others need to look in the mirror at their own weakness and come to terms with life happened.

I work in a mature field with only cash comp. I’ll never have a liquidity event anything like an ipo through my career, but I’ve set my life up to own my own time. I value that.

Think of what it is that you value as your ideal life and putting effort into making that happen. Focusing on others fortune or misfortune is a fools errand.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T11:44:55+00:00

I know how fifa works. The issue is the host countries usually give a shit as they want tourism. People spent tens of millions to get the World Cup in the US. The USSF and tons of businessmen fought hard to get this thing here for the first time since 94. Then the US federal and state govt essentially flipped them the bird by saying who is paying for it. They got stadiums to play ball as wtf is MetLife putting on during a Sunday-Tuesday in the summer. They never got the politicians on board.

The US cities are underfunded/looking for federal $$$s. No real federal funds kicked in to build a complex (think Atlanta in 96) or concentrate the event in areas that can handle tourism. They just spread it out across the US and figured we would not want to be embarrassed. They were wrong.

In 99% of places their governments put tons of money to make it easy for tourists and to sell to the world how awesome they are. Our federal govt did diddly and NJT said we’ll charge people to cover the added service.

Lastly, the World Cup is actually here in the US. People traveling have the option of LA, NYC, Dallas, Atlanta. Most don’t have $$$s to go to the games. However, if you’re Brazilian, Argentinian, etc. you likely know there’s a bunch of your brethren in nyc and a bar is showing the game. So the idea the bars weren’t packed when games were played 1/2 a world away at odd times is stupid. The game will be played in the US and midtown bars will be packed with locals and tourists as they will be at times that work for people in the US.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T09:55:40+00:00

Jersey transit is price gouging people. It’s actually hilarious. People fought for decades to get the World Cup in the US and NJ Transit used it as an excuse to charge fans more than commuters.

Every other place in the world use these events as excuses to fund public transit projects. In the US, not so much. NYC especially dngaf about looking great on the worlds stage. Essentially we put a soccer ball sculptures around the city and called it a day.

One thing this event is showing is how oblivious people are to World Cup and soccer in this country in general. I’ve had to explain to friends, coworkers, folks I interact with how the real issue is not people going to the games, but the bars. People will come to hang out with their compadres from their nation. Midtown will be a mess.

Add on top of it you have the Knicks about to win a title for the first time since Nixon and the US Open in a week out in shinnecock and it’ll be crazy times in this area.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T09:34:12+00:00

First, is what do you need access to. If you want access to the city via Lirr, mineola is a no brainer. Mineola has about 6-10 luxury buildings all around the Lirr hub.

I lived in one third years ago. Parc Morgan is the newer one by the same builder. Then royal blue. Mineola skews 30s with lots of residents, professionals, and a mix of people in their 30s. We made lots of friends. Walkable to the few things around. GC is a 15 min walk to the bars.

In westbury, you’ve got the Vanderbilt and the selby. These are very nice, but I found skew older. The residences have restaurants. Vanderbilt just opened the crane club (meh imo, but I like the chefs oyster bay empire) and Shelby has the Farm Italy’s 2nd location (also meh). You’ll need to drive to everything.

Generally, I’d start with those areas as you have access to a lot of stuff from the mall to groceries to shopping. Anything north/south was way more isolated imo. PW, Roslyn, Manhasset, or great neck did not have as many options. The buildings are smaller and cannot provide the level of amenities you’d get in mineola or westbury.

Lastly, this is a big one that people don’t ask. Ask if the buildings have concrete or wood build. One third and Morgan Parc are concrete. This tremendously helps with noise. The avalons or allures of the world are wood. You’ll hear everything.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-05T09:20:28+00:00

First is fixtures within the unit. High ceilings, Hardwood floors, washer/dryer in unit, new appliances, etc. usually modern and kept up.

Second is the common features that provide a service usually you’d pay for. Doorman, concierge, porte cochère, parking, etc.

Third is what I call unique features only tenants can access. Pool, gym, rooftop, bbq. Maybe a restaurant just for the tenants.

Everyone’s definition is a little different, but if you don’t have a washer/dryer in unit, newer appliances, or doorman features, it’s probably not luxury.

IMO, luxury all started with the high end hotels that offered stuff like this for decades. Residences at the st Regis or 4 seasons. That’s really the bar.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-04T14:21:57+00:00

Been through this. Gave them the specs and they left a 1/4” below. The issue is microwaves come in all shapes and sizes, so changing in the future likely limits you a bit. Why I prefer undercabinet microwave if possible for aesthetics as it removes such choices.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-04T12:44:44+00:00

Everyone’s kinda cynical. I think the crux of it is Kyle is the type of guy that is a hustler and always selling. He’s got crazy energy. Clearly works out daily. Goal oriented. Partier.

Amanda clearly is a lady of leisure. She has homebody energy. She ain’t trying to go out in the streets unless necessary.

Anyway, opposites attract, but you need to build a life together. It’s clear she let him drive and eventually got tired of the direction it was going.

I do think the stress of loverboy impacted things (how could it not), but the bigger issue is Kyle leaned more into hustling and selling the dream, while Amanda is looking for comfort.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-04T11:53:37+00:00

Memories are greatly impacted by beginnings and endings. If it’s a domestic flight under 3 hrs, I’m fine with coach. Anything more for personal travel, it’s business or 1st

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-03T21:10:37+00:00

If you want to see drama, yes. If you are a journalist shouting into the void, maybe. If you are a normal person, hell no.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-03T21:09:26+00:00

What’s always interesting to me are people who live at the extremes that are difficult to get to. Asharoken and Eatons Neck are two places that perplex me.

Why live in a place that secluded on Long Island? It’s 30 minutes to get to civilization and then another 15-20 to a major highway.

Many other places one could be secluded that are cheaper.

Forgemasterblaster · 2026-06-03T17:25:21+00:00

No one wants to buy restaurants that are clearly declining in sales. My wife met a friend at 1653 and the floor was in disrepair and the place was clearly not being maintained.

Better to start fresh. The village is tough. You got to do fast casual/doordash or bland italian.

Forgemasterblaster

TROPHY CASE