This year was huge for real estate in New York City, as new construction soared to pre-crash levels. Before we look forward to 2014, let's count down (in no particular order) 10 of the biggest real estate stories in 2013.

5Pointz, aka “Graffiti Mecca,” was painted over and approved for demolition in order to make way for new luxury condos in Long Island City. For months, artists fought with the building owners in an attempt to save the warehouse that was used for aerosol art, but to no avail.

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Construction in Hell’s Kitchen saw a surge this year, with the massive rental development called Gotham West, as well as luxury condos at 540 West 49th Street and 435 West 50th Street.

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One of the most architecturally beloved buildings in New York City, developers at the Apthorp in the Upper West Side presented a plan to add four additional penthouses to the roof of the recently-converted condo building.

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The once industrial neighborhood of Long Island City saw an incredible amount of new luxury condo construction in 2013, and shows no signs of slowing in 2014.

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Plans for the SoHo Chocolate Factory at 325 West Broadway were granted approval in March. The glass and aluminum covered building is expected to open in 2015.

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The most expensive home for sale in New York City is the five-story “Residence” at the River House. If sold, the 62,000-square-foot sale would be the most expensive in New York history.

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For years, the vacant lot at 211 East 13th Street sat dormant. Now rising in the lot is an eight-story luxury condominium called the Jefferson, named after the Jefferson Theatre which formerly occupied the site.

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The Hudson Yards development project on the far West Side of Manhattan will dramatically alter the City’s skyline when it is completed in 2024. The first residential components will be luxury condos at 35 Hudson Yards and 15 Hudson yards.

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What do One57, the Nordstrom Tower, 432 Park Avenue and 111 West 57th Street have in common? They’re all (or will be) over 1000 feet tall, all on or adjacent to 57th Street and will soon be home to some of the most luxurious condos in the world.

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Extell partaking in the 80/20 affordable housing plan was nothing out of the ordinary. What caused Extell to make headlines earlier this year, however, was when they announced that one of their new buildings would include a designated separate entrance for the affordable units.