All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

A permanent immersive art center will open inside a Lower Manhattan landmark this summer

Image courtesy of Culturespaces / Eric Spiller

February 9, 2022

A permanent immersive art center will open inside a Lower Manhattan landmark this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

A permanent museum dedicated to immersive art experiences will open this summer in Lower Manhattan. Dubbed Hall des Lumières, the art center will take over the former Emigrant Industrial Saving Bank building across from City Hall and feature animated and glowing 30-foot displays of famous paintings. Developed by French museum operator Culturespaces and IMG, the center's inaugural installation will be Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion, "a thematic journey through the golden, sensuous and revolutionary art of the Viennese painter," according to a press release.
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Events & Things To Do

Hochul lifts New York’s indoor mask mandate

Photo: Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

February 9, 2022

Hochul lifts New York’s indoor mask mandate

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced New York will be following in the footsteps of New Jersey and California and dropping its indoor mask mandate. The mandate, which required all businesses to verify proof of full vaccination or require mask-wearing, was set to expire on Thursday. Masks will still be required in schools, childcare centers, health care facilities, and public spaces like subways, trains, buses, and airports.
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Policy

With $50M redevelopment, MetroTech Center will become ‘Brooklyn Commons’

Rendering courtesy of Brookfield Properties

February 8, 2022

With $50M redevelopment, MetroTech Center will become ‘Brooklyn Commons’

By Aaron Ginsburg

Brookfield Properties today announced the rebranding of the MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn to Brooklyn Commons. The $50 million redevelopment project aims to modernize the property through the renovation of several of the office buildings within the campus, upgrades to the central public park space, and a year-round arts and event program that will be free and open to the public.
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Real Estate Trends

MTA to roll out fare-capping pilot program for OMNY this month

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

February 8, 2022

MTA to roll out fare-capping pilot program for OMNY this month

By Aaron Ginsburg

In an effort to get riders back on the New York City subway system, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced a pilot fare-capping program that they believe will be "more affordable, more flexible, and more fair." Starting on February 28, subway or bus riders who use the OMNY contactless payment system 12 times within a seven-day period will be automatically upgraded to an unlimited pass for the rest of that week. The fare-capping program will last for at least four months.
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New Jersey will end mask mandate in schools in March

Image courtesy of Josue Lora/NJ Governor’s Office on Flickr

February 7, 2022

New Jersey will end mask mandate in schools in March

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Jersey's school mask mandate that's been in effect since September 2020 will end March 7, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Monday. The state mandate required all students, staff, and visitors to wear face coverings while inside New Jersey school facilities. School districts can choose to keep the mandates in place, but the statewide requirement will be lifted. The mandate's removal comes as positive tests and hospitalizations have dropped significantly statewide and the rate of vaccinations continues to rise.
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Policy

How to celebrate Black History Month 2022 in New York City

“Renaming Project” Exhibition, Photo Credit: Daniel Avila / NYC Parks

February 7, 2022

How to celebrate Black History Month 2022 in New York City

By Aaron Ginsburg

In the United States, February is a month dedicated to the celebration of African American history and culture. Ahead find a variety of events to commemorate Black History Month in New York City, ranging from community service and walking tours to jazz concerts and live performances.
Full list ahead

New Morris-Jumel Mansion photo exhibit preserves the faces of historic Washington Heights

“Children on 162nd Street.” Gliclée print on archival fiber paper, 1901 (re-print 2021), Courtesy of the descendants of the Ettlinger Family.

February 7, 2022

New Morris-Jumel Mansion photo exhibit preserves the faces of historic Washington Heights

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of New York City's most historically significant neighborhoods is getting the attention it deserves in a new museum exhibition. The landmarked museum Morris-Jumel Mansion last month opened History Now, a collection of photographs by local artist Rose Deler that features large-format, black and white film portraits depicting the residents and architecture from the Jumel Terrace Historic District in Washington Heights. The exhibition will be open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through April 3.
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Events & Things To Do

Late-night cocktail bar ‘Peakaboo’ to open on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards

Image courtesy of Charissa Fay

February 4, 2022

Late-night cocktail bar ‘Peakaboo’ to open on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new high-end cocktail bar is opening this weekend on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards, just above the sky-high observation deck Edge. Located within the David Rockwell-designed restaurant Peak, "Peakaboo" is an upscale bar offering guests a nightlife experience complete with a live DJ and incredible views of the city. Run by hospitality group RHC and set to open on February 5, Peakaboo will feature a unique selection of food and drink that builds off of Peak's menus.
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Food & Dining

Penthouse at 15 Hudson Yards hits rental market for $70K/month, a new record for the neighborhood

Photo courtesy of Rich Caplan. Image is virtually staged

February 4, 2022

Penthouse at 15 Hudson Yards hits rental market for $70K/month, a new record for the neighborhood

By Aaron Ginsburg

A never-lived-in-before luxury penthouse in Hudson Yards has been listed for $70,000/month, a record-breaking asking rent for the neighborhood. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom apartment is on the 87th floor of 15 Hudson Yards, a 914-foot-tall tower designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Measuring over 5,000 square feet, the unit is one of the largest residences in Hudson Yards. The massive apartment is the result of combining two units, 87C and 87D, which were purchased by the same private buyer pre-construction, combined, and renovated. The previous most expensive rental in the area was last asking $32,000/month.
Get the tour

Brooklyn’s Grand Prospect Hall to be replaced with luxury apartments

Image courtesy of Michael Roberto on Wikimedia

February 3, 2022

Brooklyn’s Grand Prospect Hall to be replaced with luxury apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

Brooklyn's cherished 119-year-old Grand Prospect Hall will be replaced with a new luxury apartment building. The Victorian-era banquet hall located at 263 Prospect Avenue in Greenwood Heights was owned for over 40 years by Michael and Alice Halkias, who captured the attention of New Yorkers through their over-the-top television commercials advertising the hall. As first reported by Yimby, permits were filed last month for a 147-unit apartment building at the site with 180 underground parking spaces, recreational spaces, and a fitness room.
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New Developments

Popular Articles

Lottery opens for 117 affordable units at health-focused complex in Brownsville, from $959/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 3, 2022

Lottery opens for 117 affordable units at health-focused complex in Brownsville, from $959/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 117 newly constructed apartments in Brooklyn. Located at 535 East 98th Street in Brownsville, Vital Brookdale is a health-focused mixed-use residential development that is part of New York State's Vital Brooklyn Initiative, an ongoing program for underserved communities in Central Brooklyn. New Yorkers earning 50, 60, and 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the units, which range from $959/month studios to $2,320/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

NYC commission withholds support for Hochul’s plan to rebuild Penn Station

Rendering courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

February 2, 2022

NYC commission withholds support for Hochul’s plan to rebuild Penn Station

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul's massive redevelopment plan of Penn Station hit a roadblock last week. The City Planning Commission said it will withhold support for Hochul's new transit hub due to uncertainties over funding and a lack of improvement to transit and the public realm. Before the city recommends its full support, the project's planners must resolve these issues, as the commission wrote in a letter to the Empire State Development Corporation.
Details here

Magnolia Bakery opens new location in Hudson Yards

The new Hudson Yards location. Image courtesy of Magnolia Bakery

February 2, 2022

Magnolia Bakery opens new location in Hudson Yards

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York's iconic Magnolia Bakery opened its eighth New York City location at The Shops at Hudson Yards last week. The new 600-square-foot store is located on the fourth floor of the massive mall and will offer the signature treats for which the bakery is known, like their famous banana pudding and cupcakes, including limited-edition items.
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Food & Dining

NYC-area transit agencies seek ways to restore ridership post-Covid

Image courtesy of Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

February 1, 2022

NYC-area transit agencies seek ways to restore ridership post-Covid

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City-area transit agencies are looking for ways to restore public transit ridership to the levels they were before the pandemic. The MTA, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, the city's Department of Transportation, and the Partnership for NYC announced on Monday the fourth round of the Transit Tech Lab, a program that aims to find solutions to problems facing the city's public transportation system. The agencies put forth two challenges; the first is a solution to help the public transit system recover from Covid-19 and restore its ridership to pre-pandemic levels. The second is a sustainability challenge, looking for innovations that will better prepare the transit system against extreme weather conditions while leaving less of a carbon footprint.
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New food hall at Pier 57 will be curated by the James Beard Foundation

Image courtesy of S9 Architecture

January 31, 2022

New food hall at Pier 57 will be curated by the James Beard Foundation

By Aaron Ginsburg

The culinary nonprofit organization the James Beard Foundation (JBF) announced on Friday they will be the anchor tenant of Pier 57's new food hall, which is set to open in the fall of 2022. The food hall will be developed in cooperation with real estate and development firm Jamestown, which will work with the JBF to curate vendors and manage it for Google.
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Food & Dining

New York requests additional $1.6B in federal rent assistance

Photo by Jonathan Riley on Unsplash

January 28, 2022

New York requests additional $1.6B in federal rent assistance

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday the state has requested an additional $1.6 billion from the United States Department of Treasury to help fund the state's Emergency Rental Assistance program. Although $1.4 billion has been distributed to New Yorkers struggling to pay rent due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are nearly 174,000 tenants whose applications to the state's program have not yet been fulfilled, according to the governor.
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Policy

See NYC’s latest Flatiron Building lookalike, the Nova in Long Island City

All images courtesy of Fogarty Finger and Hypertecture

January 28, 2022

See NYC’s latest Flatiron Building lookalike, the Nova in Long Island City

By Aaron Ginsburg

Queens is getting its own Flatiron Building lookalike in Long Island City. Designed by Fogarty Finger, The Nova is a 24-story mixed-use high-rise located on a triangular plot of land, giving way to a curved structure that evokes the Manhattan landmark. Slated to open in September, the luxury tower has 86 condominium units and ground-floor retail.
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New Developments

27 spots in NYC for Super Bowl Sunday spreads and specials

Image courtesy of Pig Beach

January 27, 2022

27 spots in NYC for Super Bowl Sunday spreads and specials

By Aaron Ginsburg

Whether you're watching Super Bowl LVI from one of the city's best sports bars and restaurants or from the comfort of your couch, good game day grub is a must. Ahead, find local spots with the best Super Bowl spreads, from in-person viewing parties with drink specials to ready-to-eat platters for pick-up and delivery.
Full list here

Lottery opens for 134 apartments at new waterfront rental in Mott Haven, from $1,795/month

Rendering courtesy of ArX Solutions

January 26, 2022

Lottery opens for 134 apartments at new waterfront rental in Mott Haven, from $1,795/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 134 middle-income units at a new development in the South Bronx. Developed by Brookfield Properties, Third at Bankside is the first phase of Bankside, the most expensive private development in Bronx history. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,795/month studios to $2,900/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

See inside NYC’s new luxury condo Flatiron House, where gardens bloom into apartments

Rendering courtesy of Wordsearch

January 25, 2022

See inside NYC’s new luxury condo Flatiron House, where gardens bloom into apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

Sales launched this week at a new luxury condo building in the Flatiron District that utilizes biophilic design principles. Designed by COOKFOX Architects, Flatiron House, located at 39 West 23rd Street, incorporates nature into its appearance, including planted and irrigated Juliet balconies and a lush central garden. Developed by Anbau Development, Flatiron House contains 44 total residences, priced between $1.98 million and $13 million.
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205 moderate-income apartments available on Greenpoint’s waterfront, from $1,528/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

January 25, 2022

205 moderate-income apartments available on Greenpoint’s waterfront, from $1,528/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 205 moderate-income units in a new residential building in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Developed by Halcyon Management Group, 23 West Street is a 14-story residential building that sits within the Calyer Place development project currently under construction on the Brooklyn waterfront. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,528/month studios to $1,955/month for two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

100% affordable mixed-use project with 376 rentals breaks ground in Coney Island

Rendering courtesy of BFC Partners

January 24, 2022

100% affordable mixed-use project with 376 rentals breaks ground in Coney Island

By Aaron Ginsburg

BFC Partners announced on Monday the groundbreaking for the second phase of their 100 percent affordable housing project in Coney Island. Located at 1607 Surf Avenue, the roughly 361,000-square-foot mixed-use development contains 376 affordable rental units, 9,000 square feet of community space, and 11,000 square feet of commercial space. The $189 million project also includes a new primary care location run by New York City Health and Hospital Corporation.
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Affordable Housing

14-mile ‘Interborough Express’ route between Brooklyn and Queens moves forward

Image courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

January 21, 2022

14-mile ‘Interborough Express’ route between Brooklyn and Queens moves forward

By Aaron Ginsburg

A public transportation project that could ease the lives of thousands of New Yorkers is gaining momentum. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the completion of a feasibility study for the Interborough Express, moving the project into its next phase of development. The feasibility study yielded promising results, revealing that the new line could serve anywhere between 74,000 and 88,000 riders a day while connecting to 17 subway stops and the Long Island Rail Road. From its start in Bay Ridge to its final stop in Jackson Heights, the route would take 40 minutes.
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New daily, year-round ferry service launches to and from Governors Island

Image courtesy of the Trust for Governors Island

January 20, 2022

New daily, year-round ferry service launches to and from Governors Island

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city's Economic Development and the Trust For Governors Island on Thursday announced that daily, year-round ferry service to Governors Island will begin on Monday, January 24. The NYC Ferry will add a stop at Yankee Pier on its South Brooklyn Route between Red Hook and Sunset Park, connecting New Yorkers to the island from the Lower East Side and Brooklyn. The new service’s hours will coincide with the Island's new winter hours, open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Live in a new luxury Long Island City rental, from $1,486/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

January 20, 2022

Live in a new luxury Long Island City rental, from $1,486/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 31 middle-income units in a brand new luxury building in Long Island City. Designed by Fogarty Finger Architects, Rise LIC is a 10-story residential building offering its residents spacious units with extensive amenities. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,486/month studios to $3,200/month three bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

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