All articles by 6sqft

November 5, 2024

106 years ago, New York women voted for the first time

With New Yorkers and the nation showing up to the polls in record numbers this year, it's hard to imagine a time when women could not vote. About 106 years ago today, Catherine Ann Smith was among the first women to vote in the state of New York, as the New York Times previously reported. Smith joined Mary Waver at the front of the line, both casting their ballots in the early hours of November 5, 1918.
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October 24, 2024

A guide to voting in the 2024 election in NYC

With Election Day less than two weeks away, it's time to make a plan to vote. This year, it's easier than ever to vote in New York, with new laws allowing mail-in ballots for all voters and later registration deadlines. On Tuesday, November 5, New Yorkers can cast their votes for the 47th president of the United States, federal and state representatives, other local offices, and six ballot proposals. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about where, when, and how to vote, so you can participate in the democratic process with confidence.
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September 10, 2024

NYC pied-Ă -terre guide: Top condos for buying a second home

Translating from French meaning "foot on the ground," pied-Ă -terre is an apartment in New York City used as a secondary residence. It is only occupied part-time and is not the owner's primary home. These part-time apartments can range from modest studios to luxurious condos, often used by people who regularly visit the city for business or leisure. We take a look at the most popular buildings in NYC for second homes, from newer condos like One High Line in Chelsea and the Ritz-Carlton Residences, New York, NoMad to more established buildings like the Plaza on Central Park South.
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August 30, 2024

Where to watch the U.S. Open in NYC

The U.S. Open is in full swing at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. As the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, the U.S. Open is the last chance for the world's best tennis players to win a title, making it one of the most thrilling competitions in sports. If you can't make it to Flushing to see the action in person, we found a dozen spots across the city playing the matches, hosting watch parties, and even serving their own Honey Deuce dupes.
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August 2, 2024

Buying an apartment in NYC: Condo or co-op?

Choosing between a co-op and a condo is a significant decision for potential homebuyers in New York City, with each option offering unique benefits and challenges. Co-ops, where buyers purchase shares in a corporation that owns the building, often provide a more affordable and community-focused living experience but come with strict board approval processes and resale restrictions. Condos offer full property ownership with greater flexibility in renting and selling, although they typically come at a higher cost and with increased closing expenses. And condops, which provide features of both property types, allow for more flexibility but possibly higher closing costs. Ahead, learn about the key differences among these property types in New York City to find which one best aligns with your lifestyle and financial goals.
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May 17, 2024

The best real estate websites for New York City homebuyers

In a city as large, diverse, and fast-paced as New York City, buying an apartment here can be an overwhelming experience. These days, the process often starts online, with several websites offering an extensive list of the latest available apartments on the market, sales history, and neighborhood details. Some websites are better to use than others, though, whether it's the amount of property information provided, a user-friendly interface, or up-to-date figures. Ahead, we've rounded up the five best real estate websites for New York City homebuyers.
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December 29, 2023

6sqft’s top stories of 2023!

As 2023 comes to a close, 6sqft is looking back on our most popular stories of the year. Over the last 12 months, readers pored over articles on everything New York City-related, from new fare evasion-stopping subway turnstiles and the construction of the city's largest all-electric skyscraper to the best seafood spots and the return of the holiday nostalgia trains. Readers enjoyed getting a look inside some of the city's most unique real estate listings, too, including the homes of photographers William Wegman and Annie Leibovitz and a historic Brooklyn carriage house turned Passive House.
what you read this year
August 29, 2023

25 best rooftop bars in New York City

The city’s rooftop bars and restaurants provide some of the best views of iconic landmarks, all while enjoying delicious food and drinks with the skyline as a backdrop. Ahead, find a rooftop watering hole that checks all of the boxes, whether you're looking for a swanky terrace to impress out-of-towners or a more relaxed seaside bar with views of the Atlantic.
Full list ahead
August 22, 2023

All the MTA fare hikes of the last 100 years

The MTA's latest fare hike went into effect on Sunday, the first increase in the subway base fare since 2015. The agency approved a 5 percent increase for the cost of a single subway or bus trip, with the price jumping from $2.75 to $2.90.  Instead of just lamenting over another 15 cents lost, we're taking stock of all the ride increases over the last 100 years.
All the fares here
August 11, 2023

6sqft unveils revamped website and logo

6sqft turns 10 next year and we are kicking off the celebration early by debuting a new look. Since 2014, we have been a go-to source for both New Yorkers and newbies navigating the five boroughs and beyond. With our coverage of real estate and housing news, design trends, neighborhood happenings, and distinctive New York City homes, 6sqft provides an up-close look at the people, places, and ideas shaping this amazing city.
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July 24, 2023

The best free museum days in New York City

When living in one of the most expensive cities in the country, it’s helpful to know the places in New York City that offer discounts and freebies. Thankfully, many of the Big Apple’s world-class museums and galleries offer free admission on certain days, from the tiny Mmuseumm in Chinatown to the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Ahead, we've rounded up some of the best free museum days in NYC to let you pinch pennies and get your culture fix at the same time.
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December 15, 2022

Vote for 6sqft’s 2022 Building of the Year!

Following a year of records, rebounds, and recovery, the real estate industry in New York City went for a roller coaster ride in 2022. And while the luxury market is always shifting, it's never boring. This year, we saw the resumption of projects brought to a stop by the pandemic, sales finally launching at the skyline's newest darlings, and some of the city's most creative architecture in years taking shape. 6sqft's picks are down to 14 of the most notable residential projects this year. Which do you think deserves the 2022 Building of the Year title? Polls for our eighth annual competition will remain open through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28. A winner will be announced on Thursday, December 29. Happy voting!
Vote here
July 19, 2022

During NYC’s heat wave, find a cooling center near you

With the heat index possibly hitting 100 degrees several days this week, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for New York City through Sunday. An advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more days in a row or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time. To keep New Yorkers safe from excessive heat, the city opened hundreds of cooling centers across the five boroughs on Tuesday. With this interactive map, you can find all of the air-conditioned public facilities in your neighborhood (and which ones accept your furry friends).
Here's how to beat the heat
June 17, 2022

15 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC

Although it was recognized as a federal holiday only last year, Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black Americans for more than 150 years. After President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, it took more than two years for the order to reach enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth was first observed in Texas as “Jubliee Day” on June 19, 1866. Now an official New York and federal holiday, Juneteenth is a day to commemorate and honor Black Americans, as well as renew the fight for equality. In New York City, there are several Juneteenth events happening this weekend, from panel discussions and a bike tour of Brooklyn to live music and a food festival featuring Black vendors.
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December 27, 2021

Announcing 6sqft’s 2021 Building of the Year!

The votes are in. The 2021 Building of the Year title belongs to Lantern House, the pair of bubbled towers on the High Line. The Chelsea condo project edged out the competition with 618 votes, or 23.9 percent of the 2,587 votes cast. Developed by Related and designed by Heatherwick Studio with SLCE Architects, Lantern House contains a mix of 181 one- to four-bedroom units split between the two towers, one which rises 10 stories and the other, 22 stories. This year's contest was a photo finish, with The Brooklyn Tower in a close second place with 615 votes, or 23.8 percent of the total votes.
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October 8, 2021

New York fans of ‘Ted Lasso’ can get the show’s famous biscuits from Milk Bar (for free!)

Apple TV+'s show "Ted Lasso," about an American football coach who crosses the pond to coach a football team with absolutely no knowledge of the sport, has taken the country by storm. Fans point to its tongue-in-cheek humor and endearing characters as part of the appeal. One of the feel-good aspects of the comedy is the delicious-looking biscuits Ted is always buying for Rebecca. And today only, Milk Bar is offering their take on the treat via their stores in LA and NYC. Along with her team, Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi created a recipe for the "tender, buttery, and delightfully crumbly biscuits," which will come in their signature pink boxes.
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August 24, 2021

Governor Hochul calls for mandatory vaccine or testing for all New York public school staff

On her first day in office, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that all public school staff in New York State will be required to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or participate in weekly testing. The news comes just one day after Mayor Bill de Blasio put a similar mandate in place for all teachers and staff, though there will be no test-out option in New York City.
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August 12, 2021

10 houseplants that are safe for pets

Pet parents also tend to be plant parents, but it can be hard to get your green thumb on when you're worried about your pet chowing down on a houseplant that might hurt them. We spoke to Erin Marino from The Sill (an NYC-based plant delivery service specializing in providing plants to city dwellers) to learn about which houseplants are non-toxic and won’t harm our furry friends.
Find out more...
July 27, 2021

Kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, and more: NYC’s 8 best water activities

After last year's summer-that-wasn't, New Yorkers are spending extra time outdoors with beach trips and outdoor sports. And a great way to get the most out of the warm weather is to combine those two activities. Thanks to the city’s long list of available watersports, you have quite a few aquatic choices in the summer months, from kayaking to sailing, to surfing in the Rockaways. Ahead, we've rounded up eight of our favorite options.
Dive in
July 16, 2021

18 coolest ice cream shops in New York City

Summer is here! Whether you're soaking up the sun at a local beach, taking a dip in the city's pools, or staying inside with air conditioning on full blast, you deserve ice cream. With so many great places in the city, it's almost impossible to actually pick one. But we're here to help. Ahead, find some of our favorite scoop shops in New York City, from the iconic (The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Big Gay Ice Cream) to the inventive (Malai, La Newyorkina).
Get the scoop here
July 2, 2021

$8.25M Nolita penthouse has a roof deck with World Trade Center and Empire State Building views

199 Mott Street is a boutique condominium in Nolita, a neighborhood that is best known for its low-scale buildings and amazing dining and shopping options. The top-floor unit in the building is on the market for $8,250,000, and not only does it present a coveted penthouse opportunity in Nolita, but the three-bedroom home comes with a private, 1,500-square-foot roof deck with panoramic views stretching to the World Trade Center and Empire State Building.
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June 8, 2021

Dine al fresco at the historic Broad Exchange Building’s massive penthouse balcony

When outdoor dining took on a new life last summer, many restaurant and hospitality companies had to get creative. But Resident, a startup that hosts dinners on balconies and rooftops of luxury apartments, was already ahead of the game. This past fall, they launched a socially distant supper club on the balcony of the Financial District's landmarked Broad Exchange Building, including a rotating chef residency with newcomers who have experience at Michelin-starred restaurants. The supper club is now back, featuring a Venezuelan-inspired tasting menu from Chef Luis Herrera, redefined soul food from Chef Sakari Smithwick, a Filipino-inspired meal from Chef Harold Villarosa, and much more.
Get the details
June 1, 2021

100-year-old English Gothic mansion in Forest Hills asks $3.9M

Designed by architect Robert Tappan in 1925, this mansion in Forest Hills once served as the rectory for St. Luke's Episcopal Church, a national landmark from the same designer. Located at 11 Cranford Street in the exclusive enclave of Forest Hills Gardens, the seven-bedroom English Gothic style home features vaulted ceilings, cast iron windows, and a triple-height chimney crown. It's now on the market for $3,888,000.
See inside
May 11, 2021

See the massive public lawn that has taken over Lincoln Center’s famous plaza

The Lincoln Center's famed Josie Robertson Plaza has been transformed into a huge green space for the public. Designed by set designer Mimi Lien, the public installation, called "The Green" officially opened on Monday as a place for New Yorkers to lounge, borrow a book from the New York Public Library, and even enjoy pop-up performances hosted by the institution. The Green is the centerpiece of Lincoln Center's "Restart Stages" initiative, which converted the 16-acre campus into 10 new outdoor performance venues last month.
See it here
April 30, 2021

NYC opening guide: Dates and details for events, museums, dining, travel, and more

It's been over a year since the city first shut down due to COVID-19. It's been long and painful, but we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that most state-mandated capacity restrictions would be lifted on May 19, with some exceptions. Nearly all aspects of city living-- including sports stadiums and arenas, restaurants, events, museums, weddings, amusement parks, movie theaters, and travel--are gradually returning to a new normal. Ahead, we've put together a list of all the reopening dates and details in New York City. We'll be updating this list as more information becomes available.
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