All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

January 10, 2025

15 best ice skating rinks in NYC

When the cool weather of fall fades into the freezing frostiness of winter, it takes a lot of effort to leave our warm, cozy homes. However, one festive activity that gets New Yorkers out of their apartments is ice skating, a New York City tradition since the 1850s. Ahead, find some of the best places in the city to ice skate, from iconic spots like Rockefeller Center and Central Park to new rinks under the Brooklyn Bridge and on the Williamsburg waterfront.
Hit the ice

January 10, 2025

Macy’s to close 5 NYC locations, including Downtown Brooklyn flagship

By Aaron Ginsburg

Macy's on Thursday announced the closure of 66 stores across the country, including five locations in New York City. The closures are part of the department store chain's "Bold New Chapter" strategy, which includes closing roughly 150 underperforming stores by 2026. The announcement follows the sale of Macy's location at 422 Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn last month for just $23 million, as first reported by the New York Post.
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Real Estate Trends

‘QueensLink’ receives $400K grant to study reactivation of abandoned railway

All images courtesy of QueensLink

January 10, 2025

‘QueensLink’ receives $400K grant to study reactivation of abandoned railway

By Aaron Ginsburg

A plan to reactivate a deserted railway as the first north-to-south subway line in Queens just got a financial boost from the federal government. The nonprofit group behind QueensLink, a proposal extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways along the abandoned Rockaway Beach Branch with accompanying bike paths and trails, received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. The funds would pay for a study measuring the impacts of the project, which the group hopes could bring more support for QueensLink; it is currently competing against a separate project to build a linear park on the same railway.
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Adams sets goal of 100K new homes in Manhattan over the next decade

Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

January 9, 2025

Adams sets goal of 100K new homes in Manhattan over the next decade

By Aaron Ginsburg

To further address New York City's critical housing shortage, Mayor Eric Adams has set an ambitious target of adding 100,000 new homes to Manhattan over the next decade. During his 2025 State of the City address on Thursday, the mayor said he aims to review zoning across the borough to unlock potential housing sites for development, using the tools included in the recently passed "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity." Dubbed the "Manhattan Plan," the new initiative includes the Midtown South rezoning, which is expected to create 10,000 new homes.
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Policy

Hochul wants to curb private equity firms buying single-family homes in New York

Photo by Niv Rozenberg on Unsplash

January 9, 2025

Hochul wants to curb private equity firms buying single-family homes in New York

By Aaron Ginsburg

To address the rising cost of housing across New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to limit purchases of single-family homes by private equity firms and hedge funds. As part of her 2025 State of the State, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed legislation discouraging institutional investors from purchasing large numbers of single- and two-family homes and requiring a 75-day waiting period before these investors can place bids on real estate. Additional measures include increased funding for innovative homebuilding, down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and the introduction of an affordable homebuyer tax incentive.
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Policy

Highest condo on the Brooklyn waterfront asks $7M

All photos courtesy of William Jess Laird unless otherwise noted.

January 8, 2025

Highest condo on the Brooklyn waterfront asks $7M

By Aaron Ginsburg

The highest condo on the Brooklyn waterfront just hit the market for $7 million. Atop One Domino Square in Williamsburg, the penthouse takes up half of the floor and has three bedrooms and three and a half baths. Designed by the acclaimed Irish brand Orior, the interiors echo the luxurious yet simplistic design of the Selldorf Architects-designed residential skyscraper and flaunt the magnificent views that stretch beyond the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines.
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City and state select team to transform historic Kingsbridge Armory into community hub with 450 affordable homes

Credit: FXCollaborative

January 8, 2025

City and state select team to transform historic Kingsbridge Armory into community hub with 450 affordable homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

A historic and long-vacant Bronx armory will be transformed into a state-of-the-art community hub with affordable apartments. City and state officials announced Tuesday the development team that will redevelop the century-old Kingsbridge Armory as an event space, sports field, cultural center, and 450 new affordable homes. Developed by 8th Regiment Partners LLC, a joint venture between real estate firm Maddd Equities LLC and Joy Construction, the project, dubbed El Centro Kingsbridge, is scheduled for completion in 2032.
details this way

New Developments

NYC to add 200 more NYPD officers to subway

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

January 7, 2025

NYC to add 200 more NYPD officers to subway

By Aaron Ginsburg

While crime in New York City dropped by three percent in 2024, city officials are adding 200 police officers to the subway system following a series of high-profile incidents. In a Monday press conference, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the move, aimed at making riders feel safe after a string of shocking crimes, including the death of a woman who was set on fire in Brooklyn last month. While the mayor argues that positive crime statistics have been overshadowed by high-profile incidents, he said the administration's priority is to now make New Yorkers feel safe.
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Citi Bike increased its prices this week

Credit: Elvert Barnes on Flickr

January 7, 2025

Citi Bike increased its prices this week

By Aaron Ginsburg

Citi Bike is starting 2025 with another price increase, marking the fourth consecutive year the service has raised its rates. The bike-share service, which is operated by Lyft, raised its fees on Monday, with prices increasing from 24 cents to 25 cents per minute for Citi Bike and Lyft members, and from 36 cents to 38 cents per minute for non-members. The price of single ride passes and day passes will also rise to $4.99 and $25, respectively, effective February 3.
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The Dead Rabbit to debut new sports bar pop-up at Rooftop at Pier 17 this week

Credit: Ryan Muir

January 7, 2025

The Dead Rabbit to debut new sports bar pop-up at Rooftop at Pier 17 this week

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Dead Rabbit, one of New York City's most iconic Irish pubs, is kicking off the new year with an all-new concept in the South Street Seaport. Starting January 10, the celebrated bar will transform the Rooftop at Pier 17 into "Joxer's," a winter sports bar concept that combines the Dead Rabbit's Irish charm with a unique menu, striking decor, private dining cottages, bungalows, a full-service bar, and access to the rooftop's ice skating rink. The pop-up will run seven days a week through early March before transitioning into the pub's "Paddy's Not Patty's" St. Patrick's Day concept.
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Congestion pricing is in full effect: Here’s what to know

By Aaron Ginsburg

After years of preparation and a stunning last-minute reversal by Gov. Kathy Hochul, congestion pricing officially went live on Sunday. The controversial program now charges drivers a base fee of $9 when entering Manhattan below 60th Street—40 percent cheaper than the original $15 toll that was initially planned before the governor abruptly paused the program in June, just weeks before its scheduled start. Here’s everything you need to know about congestion pricing, from what to expect at the tolls to the capital improvements your money will fund.
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NJ towns must meet affordable housing deadline by end of the month

Credit: Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

January 6, 2025

NJ towns must meet affordable housing deadline by end of the month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Municipalities across New Jersey are approaching a crucial deadline in the state's efforts to address its affordable housing shortage. Local officials from all 564 municipalities have until January 31 to accept or object to the number of new affordable homes they must develop over the next decade and propose their own target. In October, the state’s Department of Community Affairs released calculations showing a current need for 65,410 low- and moderate-income homes, with an additional 84,698 needed over the next 10 years.
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Affordable Housing

NY comptroller audit finds gaps in MTA’s extreme weather preparedness

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

January 6, 2025

NY comptroller audit finds gaps in MTA’s extreme weather preparedness

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new audit by the state comptroller highlights safety weaknesses in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's extreme weather preparedness. In an audit released Thursday, New York Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli alleges that inspections and maintenance of flood protection equipment, particularly in the MTA's Bridges & Tunnels and bus operations, are not always on schedule and that protocols for responding to extreme weather events like flooding and tornadoes are insufficient.
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R train late-night service in Brooklyn suspended for two weekends starting Friday

Image via WikiCommons

January 3, 2025

R train late-night service in Brooklyn suspended for two weekends starting Friday

By Aaron Ginsburg

Brooklynites who take the R train will need to find a different way home late at night on two weekends starting Friday. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday announced it will be partially suspending R line service between 36th Street and 95th Street stations from 11:30 p.m. on Friday, January 3, to 5:30 a.m. on Monday, January 6, and again from 11:30 p.m. on Friday, January 10, to 5:30 a.m. on Monday, January 13. Free shuttle buses will serve the affected stations during this period.
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40 affordable apartments available in East New York, from $544/month

Renderings courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

January 3, 2025

40 affordable apartments available in East New York, from $544/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new seven-story residential building in East New York launched a lottery for 40 affordable apartments last week. Located at 365 Shepherd Avenue, Shepherd Glenmore offers tenants state-of-the-art apartments and modern amenities at affordable prices. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $544/month studios to $1,864/month two bedrooms.
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY

Affordable Housing

Plans filed to transform Times Square office building into 942 apartments

Exterior of 5 Times Square. Image via WikiCommons

January 2, 2025

Plans filed to transform Times Square office building into 942 apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

A coalition of prominent New York City real estate figures has filed plans to transform a 38-story office building in Times Square into more than 900 new homes. As reported by The Real Deal, Apollo Global Management, in partnership with RXR and SL Green, aims to convert 5 Times Square into a mixed-use building with 942 apartments. This office-to-residential conversion would be one of the largest in the city to date, and the first in the heart of Times Square.
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Real Estate Trends

Mulchfest is here: How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

Credit: Jim Griffin on Flickr

January 2, 2025

Mulchfest is here: How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

The holidays are officially over, and it's time to face the facts: that giant Christmas tree in your living room has got to go. Thankfully, the city's Parks and Sanitation Departments make it easy with Mulchfest, a sustainable way to recycle your tree. Through January 12, New Yorkers can drop off their trees at 75 sites across the five boroughs to be composted. Bring your tree to one of 35 chipping sites on the weekend of January 11 and take home a "tree-mento"—a bag of mulch for your backyard or a street tree’s winter bed.
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City-owned garage on Staten Island’s North Shore to become 232 affordable homes

Renderings courtesy of Purpose by Design Architects

December 31, 2024

City-owned garage on Staten Island’s North Shore to become 232 affordable homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

A city-owned sanitation garage on Staten Island's North Shore will be transformed into 232 affordable homes. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) on Monday revealed the development team and plans for Hillside Grove, which will convert an unsightly garage at 539 Jersey City into a mixed-use affordable housing complex with a grocery store, amenities, and open space.
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Affordable Housing

What to know about the 2025 Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop

Credit: ABC/ Lorenzo Bevilaqua on Flickr

December 31, 2024

What to know about the 2025 Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop

By Aaron Ginsburg

The world's most iconic New Year’s Eve celebration returns to New York City on Tuesday. Those eager to ring in 2025 will compete for a spot at the crossroads of the world to watch the 11,875-pound crystal ball descend from One Times Square. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, from the star-studded cast of hosts and live performers to the best spots to see the confetti rain down.
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Events & Things To Do

Congestion pricing to begin this weekend following ruling in NJ lawsuit, MTA says

Photo courtesy of strolicfurlan on Flickr

December 31, 2024

Congestion pricing to begin this weekend following ruling in NJ lawsuit, MTA says

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York State will proceed with congestion pricing as planned on Sunday, following a federal judge's ruling on New Jersey's lawsuit against the program. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Monday confirmed that the program will go into effect after Judge Leo M. Gordon determined the state had met all necessary requirements to launch the plan. However, the ruling ordered federal transportation officials to review certain aspects of the program, with a New Jersey lawyer arguing this prevents the program from starting.
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December 30, 2024

6sqft’s top ‘distinctive homes’ of 2024

By Aaron Ginsburg

In 2024, 6sqft continued to bring readers exclusive glimpses of New York City's most 'distinctive homes.' From opulent mansions (a palatial, eight-level Beaux Arts townhouse on the Upper East Side for $65 million) to Park Slope's priciest listing (a custom-engineered five-story townhouse asking $18 million), 6sqft showcased some of the most remarkable architectural gems across the five boroughs. Ahead, discover the most popular features of distinct NYC residences that graced the market this year.
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Distinctive Homes

NY’s first Dominican arts and cultural center in Inwood opens lottery for 484 apartments, from $555/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

December 30, 2024

NY’s first Dominican arts and cultural center in Inwood opens lottery for 484 apartments, from $555/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new mixed-use development in Inwood that will house New York City's first-ever Dominican arts and cultural center and more than 600 apartments has launched an affordable housing lottery. Located at 375 West 207th Street, the 30-story building will house a museum and exhibition space dedicated to showcasing and preserving the vibrant arts and culture of the Dominican Republic. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 70, and 110 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $555/month studios to $2,592/month two bedrooms.
Learn if you qualify

Affordable Housing

143 apartments available next to Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Crown Heights, from $914/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

December 27, 2024

143 apartments available next to Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Crown Heights, from $914/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery has opened for 143 mixed-income apartments just a block from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Crown Heights. Located at 54 Crown Street, Loden is a 17-story building offering residents thoughtfully designed apartments in a prime location within the vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood, with Prospect Park, the BBG, and public transit just steps away. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 100 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $914/month studios to $3,067/month two bedrooms.
Learn if you qualify

Affordable Housing

New York City’s longest-running Kwanzaa celebration returns for its 17th year

Credit: Winston Williams

December 24, 2024

New York City’s longest-running Kwanzaa celebration returns for its 17th year

By Aaron Ginsburg

Celebrate the spirit of Kwanzaa at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's 17th annual celebration in Crown Heights, the largest and longest-running Kwanzaa event in New York City. Hosted in partnership with the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, the five-day festival will take place from Thursday, December 26, through Monday, December 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features daily candle-lighting ceremonies, cultural performances, and hands-on workshops that explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, emphasizing unity, self-determination, collective work, and creativity.
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Events & Things To Do

24 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024 in NYC

Credit: Artem Kniaz on Unsplash

December 24, 2024

24 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024 in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

As 2024 draws to a close, it's time to celebrate the great moments we've had and kiss goodbye to the ones we'd rather forget. Whether you're looking for a high-energy dance party or a delicious five-course meal by a Michelin-starred chef, New York City offers something for everyone to ring in the new year. Ahead, here are some of the best ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in NYC, from dazzling fireworks and ball drop views atop towering sky decks to extravagant celebrations at luxurious hotels and rooftops.
say hello to 2025!

Events & Things To Do

All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

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