All articles by Alexandra Alexa

New York Botanical Garden’s largest exhibit to date will honor Brazilian designer Roberto Burle Marx

Photo courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden

June 5, 2019

New York Botanical Garden’s largest exhibit to date will honor Brazilian designer Roberto Burle Marx

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Brazilian modernist artist, landscape architect, and plant conservationist Roberto Burle Marx will be the subject of the latest exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden, opening on June 8. Brazilian Modern: The Living Art of Roberto Burle Marx will not only be NYBG's biggest exhibition ever, but it will also be the first to bring Burle Marx's horticultural visions to life in an immersive way. Alongside a gallery of his paintings, drawings, and textiles, visitors will also be able to walk through lush gardens inspired by his designs.
All the details
Roosevelt Island’s Manhattan Park pool transforms into a technicolor dreamscape for the summer

Images by Max Touhey for Citi Habitats

June 5, 2019

Roosevelt Island’s Manhattan Park pool transforms into a technicolor dreamscape for the summer

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For the fifth year in a row, the outdoor pool at Manhattan Park—a waterfront rental community at 30 River Road on Roosevelt Island—has gotten a whimsical makeover just in time for summer. Citi Habitats New Developments, along with K&Co and Pliskin Architecture, worked with local artist Elizabeth Sutton to create the pop-up art installation, which will remain open throughout the season.
More info
Jeff Bezos scoops up three Flatiron apartments for a record-setting $80M

Rendering of 212 Fifth Avenue by Visualhouse; Photo of Jeff Bezos via Wiki Commons

June 4, 2019

Jeff Bezos scoops up three Flatiron apartments for a record-setting $80M

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The Wall Street Journal reported today that Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos is closing on three apartments at 212 Fifth Avenue, next to Madison Square Park. Bezos is scooping up a penthouse and two units that are right under it for approximately $80 million, though the precise numbers haven’t been made public yet. Combined, the apartments add up to over 17,000 square feet. The deal is reportedly the largest to ever close in New York south of 42nd Street, and the second largest deal of the year, second to Ken Griffin’s now-infamous $240 million penthouse at 220 Central Park South.
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10 of New York City’s most important lighthouses
June 4, 2019

10 of New York City’s most important lighthouses

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Nestled in one of the busiest harbors in the world, New York City is home to many lighthouses which, over the years, have guided countless ships. Though many are now obsolete and out of use, the further you look into the histories of each lighthouse the more you realize that, beyond their architectural and historic significance, each lighthouse has at its core a deeply human story: tales of bravery, feats of engineering, and even a ghost story or two. Below, we round up ten of the most prominent lighthouses around the city.
Check them all out!
For $6,500/month this furnished Lower East Side two-bedroom is move-in ready for your cat too
June 4, 2019

For $6,500/month this furnished Lower East Side two-bedroom is move-in ready for your cat too

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Right across the street from Sara D. Roosevelt Park and steps away from East Houston and Bowery, this fully-furnished two-bedroom at 210 Forsyth Street offers an eclectic mix of contemporary, vintage, and rustic decor for the asking price of $6,500 a month. Available for a 12-month lease beginning on July 1st, the chic Lower East Side space doesn’t shy away from divisive design choices—there’s a bathtub in the bedroom—and even includes furnishings for cats.
Get the full tour
A-Rod will soon be a New York City landlord

East Village photo via Flickr cc; A-Rod photo via Wiki Commons

June 3, 2019

A-Rod will soon be a New York City landlord

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Best known for his impressive 22-year baseball career (and more recently, his relationship with J-Lo), Yankee legend Alex Rodriguez is making moves to solidify his status as a major real estate player. The New York Post reported that Rodriguez just picked up a 21-unit rental building in the East Village, his first big purchase in New York City though he's been quite active in Miami. Rodriguez partnered with fellow Shark Tank investor and real estate veteran Barabara Corcoran on the deal, and the duo isn't playing around. They plan to quickly develop a portfolio of multifamily buildings throughout the city, with a focus on "undervalued neighborhoods, undermanaged buildings [and] misused land,” per a statement.
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$1.1M Park Slope co-op with a private terrace charms inside and out

Listing images by VHT

June 3, 2019

$1.1M Park Slope co-op with a private terrace charms inside and out

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Just one block away from Prospect Park, this sunny two-bedroom co-op at 50 7th Avenue in Park Slope comes with a terrace that “allows you to enjoy a vast outdoor space without the compromises of a garden level unit,” as the listing notes. The apartment charms on the inside as well, where high ceilings, exposed brick, hardwood floors, and other pre-war details bring warmth and character, while a recent renovation adds modern comfort. The unit is now listed for $1.1 million.
Peek inside
Late night service changes will disrupt nearly every subway this week

Image via Flickr

June 3, 2019

Late night service changes will disrupt nearly every subway this week

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The weekday service changes coming up this week are arguably worse than the weekend's, with some stretching into next week as well. Most of the planned work will impact late-night service, but there will be some disruption during the day as well, with downtown 1 trains and Huson Yards-bound 7 trains skipping several stops from late morning through the afternoon.
Here's what to expect
$2.2M Wallabout townhouse comes with multiple outdoor spaces and two parking spots
May 31, 2019

$2.2M Wallabout townhouse comes with multiple outdoor spaces and two parking spots

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Adjacent to Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard is one of Brooklyn’s oldest but least known neighborhoods: Wallabout. Though somewhat isolated due to its lack of public transportation, the area boasts a rich history dating back to the 17th century. It was once home to the area’s second largest producer of chocolate (second only to Hershey’s), Brooklyn’s first free African-American school, and where Walt Whitman wrote the first edition of “Leaves of Grass” while living at 99 Ryerson Street. Wallabout contains the largest concentration of pre-Civil War wood-frame houses in the city, but amid the historic homes are some contemporary gems, like this 2011 metal-clad townhouse at 336 Park Avenue. The 2,500 square-foot property—complete with a side yard, a roof terrace, and two parking spots—is currently on the market for $2,200,000.
Take a look inside
This weekend’s subway changes are a glimpse at what’s in store next week

Image via Flickr

May 31, 2019

This weekend’s subway changes are a glimpse at what’s in store next week

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The usual roster of service changes is coming to a subway near you this weekend. There will be limited service uptown and in the Bronx on 1 and 2 trains, heavy delays continue on the 5, and for the majority of the weekend, Flushing-bound 7 trains will be skipping a bunch of stops in Queens. The worse news is that those changes won't simply go away at 5 a.m. on Monday—the week ahead has its own list of service changes, and it's a lot longer than usual. For now, check out the weekend's damage below.
Know before you go
Cozy Upper West Side two-bedroom with lots of built-ins seeks $749K
May 30, 2019

Cozy Upper West Side two-bedroom with lots of built-ins seeks $749K

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This cozy Upper West Side two-bedroom stands out with multiple custom built-ins and proximity to both Riverside and Central Parks. It also benefits from two more unusual perks: The co-op at 242 West 104th Street runs a small lending library from the basement, and residents can also be part of the West 104th Street Association, which provides private block security and hosts an annual block party in addition to numerous other community events. It's now listed for $749,000 after last selling in 2014 for $637,000.
Peek inside
After a successful pilot program, city’s first shared e-moped service expands its fleet in Brooklyn and Queens

Images courtesy of Revel

May 29, 2019

After a successful pilot program, city’s first shared e-moped service expands its fleet in Brooklyn and Queens

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After launching last summer with an initial fleet of 68 mopeds, Brooklyn-based tech startup Revel has released 1,000 new electric mopeds throughout Brooklyn and Queens today. The new models will replace the old ones and expand the service area from only Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint to more than 20 neighborhoods, including Astoria, Red Hook (where Revel has also opened a new 10,000-square-foot warehouse), Crown Heights, and Bed-Stuy. Since launching their pilot program last July—the first of its kind in New York City—there have been 34,000 Revel e-moped rides with 4,000 riders using the mopeds.
More info
For $8.9M, a glamorous Murray Hill townhouse once owned by Liza Minnelli
May 29, 2019

For $8.9M, a glamorous Murray Hill townhouse once owned by Liza Minnelli

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Once the home of several prominent figures—including Liza Minnelli—this elegant Second Empire-style townhouse at 115 East 38th Street in Murray Hill is seeking its new owner for $8.85 million. Steeped in history and landmarked in the Murray Hill Historic District, the gorgeous 1865 brownstone facade (which was painted in the mid-twentieth century) has remained remarkably intact, while the interior has received a modern renovation. Spanning across six floors and roughly 6,615 square-feet, the residence boasts five bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, an elevator, six working fireplaces, a garden, a roof terrace, and views of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings.
More photos here
A new food pop-up at Chelsea Market will provide temporary rent-free space for culinary entrepreneurs

Image via Flickr cc

May 28, 2019

A new food pop-up at Chelsea Market will provide temporary rent-free space for culinary entrepreneurs

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The East Harlem-based culinary nonprofit Hot Bread Kitchen has opened a new pop-up space in Chelsea Market that will host a rotating cast of alums from its incubator program, which provides training and low-cost kitchen rental facilities to culinary entrepreneurs. Up first is Gorsha, a fast-casual Ethiopian restaurant from Hiyaw Gebreyohannes, which will take residence in the space through October 31st. As the WSJ first reported, this reflects a new trend among food halls who are offering rent-free spaces to food startups in exchange for fresh flavors and ideas.
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A renovated Federal-era West Village home with a solarium seeks $5.1M
May 28, 2019

A renovated Federal-era West Village home with a solarium seeks $5.1M

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Part of the Greenwich Village Historic District, the Federal-style rowhouse at 41 Barrow Street was originally built in 1828 as a "two and one-half storied wood building with [a] brick front in Flemish bond, steeply pitched roof and dormer window," according to the 1969 LPC designation. For all the historic charm it oozes from the outside, the interior has undergone a thorough renovation that kept many of the original details—wide-plank wood floors, two of the three original fireplace mantels, exposed wood beams—while gaining some modern upgrades. Of these, a solarium built on the parlor floor is the highlight, bringing plenty of light into the home and better flow to a somewhat tricky layout. The historic West Village property is now on the market for a cool $5,100,000.
Take the tour!
The 1 isn’t running uptown, expect heavy delays on 5 trains, and more weekend service updates

Image via Flickr

May 17, 2019

The 1 isn’t running uptown, expect heavy delays on 5 trains, and more weekend service updates

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The weather forecast is looking good this weekend, but underground things aren't as bright. The usual roster of subway service changes will hit the tracks, and while some straphangers are lucky enough to avoid planned work on their lines—the C, F, and G are in the clear—others are not so fortunate. The 1 isn't running uptown, the 5 will only be running every 20 minutes, and there are scores of skipped stops and reduced service across the board.
Know before you go
David Adjaye’s first NYC skyscraper in FiDi tops out at 800 feet

Photo by Chris Coe for Optimist Consulting

May 16, 2019

David Adjaye’s first NYC skyscraper in FiDi tops out at 800 feet

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Construction at 130 William Street, starchitect David Adjaye’s first skyscraper in New York City, topped out at 800 feet this week. The 66-story tower is making its mark on the Financial District with its hand-cast façade featuring large-scale arched windows and bronze detailing. When complete, it will house 242 residences ranging from $1,300,000 for a one-bedroom to $20,000,000 for a four-bedroom, full-floor penthouse. According to developer Lightstone, there was enormous interest in the units as soon as sales launched less than a year ago, and the tower has since become one of the city’s best-selling condos.
More info and views
$1.9M Park Slope co-op has a lush roof terrace with views of nearby Prospect Park

Listing images by Allyson Lubow; courtesy of Corcoran

May 16, 2019

$1.9M Park Slope co-op has a lush roof terrace with views of nearby Prospect Park

By
Since it last sold in 2013 for $1,120,000, this top-floor co-op at 437 2nd Street in Park Slope has undergone a complete renovation and now it’s back on the market seeking $1,895,000. With new floors throughout and elegant finishes in the kitchen and bathrooms, the best part of this three-bedroom home may be the stunning roof terrace landscaped by Future Green Studio. With plenty to love both indoors and out, its proximity to Prospect Park—just two blocks away—is, as the listing puts it, “just the cherry on top.”
Peek inside
Former carriage house in Park Slope boasts a glass-enclosed courtyard for $4M
May 15, 2019

Former carriage house in Park Slope boasts a glass-enclosed courtyard for $4M

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A storied past led this Park Slope residence to its current incarnation as a townhouse with more of a loft feel. Originally a carriage house built in 1895, it was used as a car garage during the early 20th century, then it was a repair shop for boat engines, and later a sculptor’s studio. When the current owners—both architects—got their hands on the property, they transformed it into a two-story residence with an interior courtyard, a roof terrace, and a one-car garage. The three-bedroom home at 331 4th Street is currently listed for $3,985,000.
Get the tour
For $395K, this top-floor Columbus Circle studio is just two blocks from Central Park

Listing images by Rise Media, courtesy of Corcoran

May 15, 2019

For $395K, this top-floor Columbus Circle studio is just two blocks from Central Park

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This pre-war studio is definitely petite (it comes in just under 500 square feet), but it manages to pack in some charming details and has a great Midtown West location going for it. Located on the top floor of 457 West 57th Street, Columbus Circle and Central Park are less than two blocks away. The co-op is now on the market for $395,000 after last selling in 2003 for $180,000.
Peek inside
At Green New Deal rally, De Blasio tells Trump his NYC buildings could face $2M+ in annual fines

Photo via Flickr cc

May 14, 2019

At Green New Deal rally, De Blasio tells Trump his NYC buildings could face $2M+ in annual fines

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During a rally at Trump Tower yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio put the Trump Organization on blast as he promoted the city’s Green New Deal. Under the new climate change legislation, which requires large buildings in New York City to dramatically cut their greenhouse gas emissions, eight Trump-owned properties, referred to as "dirty, inefficient buildings," would cause the Organization to owe roughly $2.1 million in fines annually beginning in 2030. The 27,000 metric tons of greenhouse gasses that these buildings pump out each year is equal to 5,800 cars. After being passed by the New York City Council on April 18, the law is slated to go into effect on May 17.
More info
FXCollaborative’s skinny FiDi school-condo tower reveals new looks and launches sales

Renderings courtesy of Binyan Studios

May 13, 2019

FXCollaborative’s skinny FiDi school-condo tower reveals new looks and launches sales

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Sales at Trinity Place Holding’s new condominium tower at 77 Greenwich Street have officially launched, and a new batch of renderings are offering us a look inside the elegant residences. Designed by FXCollaborative, the 42-story high-rise will comprise 90 residential units on top of a new public elementary school. Though it hasn’t topped out yet, the finished building will hit 500 feet in height. The residences begin on the 15th floor and will feature sprawling river views with prices starting at $1,780,000 for a one-bedroom unit.
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For $4M, a newly renovated Brooklyn Heights carriage house on a car-free cul-de-sac
May 13, 2019

For $4M, a newly renovated Brooklyn Heights carriage house on a car-free cul-de-sac

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Located at Grace Court Alley in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, this charming red brick carriage house has just hit the market for $3,950,000. Originally built in 1895, the residence was recently restored by the current owner—an interior designer and teacher—who added a series of elegant touches, including brand new floors throughout, a balcony on the second floor, and an in-ground fountain in the back garden. The house is right at the end of the quiet block—which doesn't allow street parking—so you'll be removed from the typical noise and traffic of the city.
Get the full tour
A designer couple transformed this $3.2M Gowanus townhouse into a practical two-family home
May 10, 2019

A designer couple transformed this $3.2M Gowanus townhouse into a practical two-family home

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A few years ago designers Merrill Lyons and Charles Brill started the full renovation of their Gowanus townhouse, which involved "gutting it down to the brick facade, beams, and stair railings" and adding a deck in the back. The results—worthy of a feature in Dwell Magazine—mix the historic townhouse bones with modern lines and pops of color. With three bedrooms, space to spread out outdoors, and an inviting ambiance throughout, the residence is very family-friendly. The garden level is currently an income-generating rental unit, but it could be incorporated into the upper floors to create a larger single-family residence. Originally built in 1901, this completely transformed property is now on the market for $3,195,000.
Look inside
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