165 Charles Street is the latest glass apartment house in a trio of multi-million dollar apartments designed by architect Richard Meier in NYC’s West Village.

Several units were open this past weekend to exhibit selected galleries and artists. This marketing campaign was a unique way to sell both art and real estate and reinforce the idea that this glass and steel residence is a “collector’s item”. At the lowest asking price of $5.6 million, with 80% allegedly sold, the builder seems to have no trouble making sales.

We later found ourselves eating dinner at “Bread: Tribeca” one of those great restaurants that seem to be on every corner in NY. Unlike LA, you can just pop into a NY neighborhood and find something top rate.

Both Tribeca and Soho are thriving. Yet we hear from Joel Kotkin that, “Dense, arty neighborhoods have failed to attract talent and capital. What people really want is affordable space.” When Soho and Tribeca were affordable they had no talent and capital. Now they are unaffordable, but even those who don’t own property in these districts can enjoy a thriving, dense and arty neighborhood of restaurants, architecture and theater. Much more exciting then spending an afternoon in the “fast growing Inland Empire”.

More Tribeca photos on Flickr.