Real Estate Journal Online

“When you feel well-made hardware, you know it,” says Perry Finkelman, owner of a new NYC development on East 24^th street. And Finkelman believes that his building’s custom hardware – he own custom line, in fact – will not only make his building stand out but help his sales as well[1]. The development, called One48, has 55 units with studio condos starting around $400,000. Finkelman was able to create “an unusually harmonious design” for the units thanks to his custom brand faucets, fixtures and doorknobs, which are silver, modern and very elaborate.

Interestingly, this fixation on fixtures appears to be part of a growing trend. Office building owners and developers are increasingly likely to design their own fixtures rather than going with the latest styles at Home Depot. Some developers are even limiting availability on their custom brands so that the practical or ornate designs are only available if you buy in their developments. And the fixtures add major value to the property as well. Some designers currently employed by developers may charge thousands for a faucet or door knob.

Do you think that this type of opulence and expense has a place in today’s real estate market? Is this wishful thinking or an innovative way to stand out from a crowd?

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Let us know what you think about these crazy-expensive bathroom fixtures in the space below. How would you feel about paying five- or ten-thousand extra for exclusive hardware in your home?