All articles by Alexandra Alexa

Dean & Deluca debuts a new fast food concept in the Meatpacking District

Images by Julian Faulhaber; drawings courtesy of Buro Ole Scheeren

April 4, 2019

Dean & Deluca debuts a new fast food concept in the Meatpacking District

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Dean & DeLuca has unveiled a new concept—separate from the renowned gourmet market—which seeks to slow down fast food consumption and highlight the artistry that goes into preparing food. STAGE, which opened yesterday at 29 Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District, was designed by the German architecture firm Büro Ole Scheeren. It transforms the typical buffet counter into a theatrical space that allows customers to interact with staff and watch their food being prepared.
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Bjarke Ingels reveals new proposal for a park-covered BQE

Rendering courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group

April 4, 2019

Bjarke Ingels reveals new proposal for a park-covered BQE

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The latest proposal to fix the crumbling BQE comes from Bjarke Ingels Group, who unveiled their plan to a crowd of 1,000 at a town hall meeting hosted by the Brooklyn Heights Association and advocacy group A Better Way last night. Dubbed the BQP—with the P standing for Park—the firm wants to build a new, six-lane highway that would be topped by a public park, saving the promenade and expanding Brooklyn Bridge Park by more than 10 acres. The proposal comes on the heels of Mayor de Blasio hitting the brakes on a $3 billion DOT plan and instead convening a "panel of experts" to determine the best path forward.
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Governors Island will offer expanded hours, a new ferry, and 70 free events this year

Image via Wikimedia Commons

April 3, 2019

Governors Island will offer expanded hours, a new ferry, and 70 free events this year

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Beginning in May, Governors Island will open to the public with a new season of programming and exploration. Just a quick ferry ride from Lower Manhattan, the Island is a perfect getaway, offering car-free recreational activities, lush green space, fantastic waterfront views, local food vendors, and 70 free events spanning visual arts, performance, culture, and science. This year, Governors Island will be open daily from May 1 to October 31, with extended late-night hours every Friday and Saturday between Memorial and Labor Day.
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The iconic Zagat New York City restaurant guide is coming back to print this fall

Image by Emily Schindler; courtesy of The Infatuation/Zagat

April 3, 2019

The iconic Zagat New York City restaurant guide is coming back to print this fall

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For the first time since 2016, the Zagat New York City Restaurants Guide will be printed later this year, just in time for its 40th anniversary. The iconic burgundy paperback launched in the 1980s and quickly became a gold standard for restaurant reviews, spreading to other cities in the US and beyond. The family-owned company was acquired by Google in 2011 for $151 million, moved to an online platform and stopped publishing books altogether. Zagat.com was bought by the Infatuation—a restaurant rating and guides platform—last year, with the goal of rebuilding the brand. News of the upcoming 2020 edition is a sign that the "Burgundy Bible" is coming back into relevancy.
You can be part of the ranking process!
Mod Midtown West penthouse with an enormous wraparound terrace seeks just under $1M

Listing images by Rise Media

April 3, 2019

Mod Midtown West penthouse with an enormous wraparound terrace seeks just under $1M

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Located just one block away from Central Park, this one-bedroom penthouse at 140 West 58th Street offers modern living in a classic Midtown West pre-war building. Dark-framed casement windows, fresh white walls, and black accents set a graphic palette and contemporary tone. The best part? Each room has views of the enormous wrap-around terrace that circles the residence. Now on the market for $975,000, the residence last sold in 2015 for $873,777. 
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A mix of rustic and industrial touches make this $539K Park Slope one-bedroom a cozy getaway

Listing images by Al Seidman for Corcoran

April 2, 2019

A mix of rustic and industrial touches make this $539K Park Slope one-bedroom a cozy getaway

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The layout of this two-room residence may be straightforward, but rustic details—exposed brick, a barn door that is both decorative and functional, and bamboo floors—and industrial-inspired accents give this Park Slope co-op at 411 15th Street plenty of character and a cozy vibe. Asking $539,000, it's on the market for the first time in 10 years, after previously selling in 2009 for $285,000.
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Legendary French bistro Pastis will reopen in the West Village in May

Image via Flickr

April 2, 2019

Legendary French bistro Pastis will reopen in the West Village in May

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Keith McNally’s Pastis was an iconic fixture of the New York dining scene since it opened in 1999, known for serving steak frites to an A-list celebrity crowd including regulars Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, and Sarah Jessica Parker (it also made regular appearances on "Sex and the City"). Replicating the vibe of an early 20-century French brasserie in the middle of the industrial Meatpacking District, the influential spot was credited with transforming the neighborhood into one of the city’s top dining destinations. Since it shuttered its doors in 2014, McNally has been resolved to reopen and now the anticipated arrival of Pastis 2.0 is almost here. Referred to as “the biggest comeback in NYC dining in years,” Pastis is set to open at its new West Village location, 52 Gansevoort Street, in just one month, Eater reports.
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Mr. Chow founder lists Dumbo penthouse with private courtyard and roof terrace for $6.5M

Listing images by Will Ellis of Donna Dotan Photography

April 1, 2019

Mr. Chow founder lists Dumbo penthouse with private courtyard and roof terrace for $6.5M

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Michael Chow, founder of the Mr. Chow restaurant chain, has just put his Dumbo penthouse on the market for $6,495,000. It seems the restaurateur is moving to the West Coast, as earlier this month Chow and his wife bought two Los Angeles properties from pop star Katy Perry, as Mansion Global reported. Chow bought his three-bedroom duplex at 1 John Street in 2016 for $5,760,000. The modern abode spans across 2,600 square-feet and is one of four homes in the 42-unit building to have a private courtyard and a private roof terrace. You’ll be able to enjoy the views from inside as well since every room overlooks the river and Manhattan skyline.
Take a look inside
Verrazzano Bridge is now the most expensive toll in the country—but only for Brooklynites

Image by Joe Mazzola via Wikimedia Commons

April 1, 2019

Verrazzano Bridge is now the most expensive toll in the country—but only for Brooklynites

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After a fare increase that went into effect this past weekend, the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge is now the most expensive bridge to cross in the country, the New York Post reports. The cost to take the Verrazzano from Brooklyn to Staten Island is now $19, up from $17. Drivers with an E-ZPass will be charged a lower rate of $12.24, up from $11.52. Staten Island drivers, however, will be spared the price increase and only have to pay $5.50 under a new rebate program. The cost in that direction was slated to increase to $6 but at the last minute Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature put up $6 million a year to keep the tolls low for folks living on the Forgotten Borough.
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Upper West Side duplex with plenty of pre-war charm and a serene terrace asks $1.1M
March 29, 2019

Upper West Side duplex with plenty of pre-war charm and a serene terrace asks $1.1M

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On a quintessential Upper West Side block—just two blocks away from both Riverside and Central Parks—this one-bedroom duplex at 141 West 85th Street packs a lot of pre-war Manhattan charm. Exposed brick and wood beams, a wood-burning fireplace, a spiral staircase—check, check, and check. Best of all, the top-floor residence comes with a patch of private outdoor space in the form of a lovely landscaped terrace off the bedroom. It’s now on the market for $1,075,000 after selling in 2017 for $915,000.
Take a look inside
Subway work eases up this weekend, but it’s not all smooth sailing

Image via Flickr

March 29, 2019

Subway work eases up this weekend, but it’s not all smooth sailing

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Overall, the subway service changes this weekend are more merciful than in past weeks but, as always, there are still some things to watch out for. Uptown F trains are running via the A and E, the 6 is running in two sections so you'll have to transfer at 125th Street, and there won't be any J or M service between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Check out more details below.
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320-square-foot West Village studio asks $500K after a crisp designer renovation

Listing images by DDreps – Hayley Day

March 28, 2019

320-square-foot West Village studio asks $500K after a crisp designer renovation

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A gut renovation transformed this West Village studio into an efficient space with custom built-ins throughout and a breezy palette of bright white, exposed brick, and maple hardwood. Located at 118 Perry Street, a largely residential street famous for housing Carrie Bradshaw's home, you’ll be right in the heart of the West Village and steps away from everything the neighborhood has to offer. The petite pad is a smart investment—it last sold in 2015 for $375,000, and just hit the market for $499,000.
Take a look inside
Modernist Upper East Side loft hits the market for the first time in 40 years for $4.9M
March 27, 2019

Modernist Upper East Side loft hits the market for the first time in 40 years for $4.9M

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In 1979, accessories designer Reva Ostrow asked artist and designer Ward Bennett to redesign her Upper East Side apartment. Located in the Rosario Candela-designed 955 Fifth Avenue, Bennett responded by gutting the classic pre-war apartment and transforming it into a stylish, industrial loft with exposed beams, terrazzo floors, stainless-steel accents, and iconic furniture. Over the past 40 years, Ostrow has kept the apartment in pristine “museum-like” condition, with every object still precisely where Bennett placed it. “Hiring him was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she once said. Now, in order to spend more time with her family, Ostrow has placed the one-of-a-kind residence on the market for $4,900,000.
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Jersey City’s Harborside gets a new food hall featuring 13 local vendors

All images by Ben Gancsos, courtesy of District Kitchen

March 27, 2019

Jersey City’s Harborside gets a new food hall featuring 13 local vendors

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Harborside, the Jersey City waterfront district, opened its ground-level food hall, District Kitchen, this week. Located just seven minutes from Manhattan via the PATH, the Mack-Cali led development brings 13 new culinary vendors to the Harborside Atrium at 210 Hudson Street. Designed by TPG Architecture, the 12,750-square-foot space features nods to Jersey City’s industrial past and classic striped black-and-white floor tiles. The eclectic offerings come from local purveyors and include everything from pizza and burgers to Turkish and Indian food to a banana pudding bar.
Check out the full list of vendors
Time Out reveals more vendors and views of Dumbo food hall

Via Time Out Market

March 26, 2019

Time Out reveals more vendors and views of Dumbo food hall

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Just ahead of its spring opening, Time Out Market has announced even more vendors for their upcoming 21,000-square-foot market in Dumbo’s Empire Stores. Brought to you by the same company as the freebie magazine Time Out New York, the food hall will feature 21 options, including a range of classic and new local spots, all vetted by Time Out food critics. "The culinary landscape in New York City is so diverse, and we are extremely proud to be showcasing many different cuisines, cooking styles and such outstanding personalities...we call it the democratization of fine dining," said Time Out Market CEO Didier Souillat. "Our mission is to serve New York on a plate."
Check out the full list of vendors
East Harlem, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Sunset Park co-ops may get state historic designation

Image via New York State Board for Historic Preservation

March 25, 2019

East Harlem, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Sunset Park co-ops may get state historic designation

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The New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 17 properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places today, sites that represent New York's rich history from Long Island through the Finger Lakes. In New York City, four nominees made the cut: the Alku and Alku Toinen buildings in Brooklyn, East Harlem Historic District, George Washington Hotel in Gramercy, and St. Luke's Hospital in Morningside Heights. Once the recommendations are approved by the state historic preservation officer, the properties are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed and, once approved, entered on the National Register.
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For $345K, a Tudor City studio with views of the park
March 25, 2019

For $345K, a Tudor City studio with views of the park

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Listing images by Ben Fitchett Tudor City, the Turtle Bay apartment complex built in the 1920s, is known for its tiny apartments that are priced to match. While this studio at 25 Tudor City Place doesn't offer a lot of extra space, the unit comes with a generously-sized kitchenette, a new renovation, and views of the private and lush Tudor City park. It's now on the market for $345,000 after selling in 2014 for $272,500.
Take a look inside
Discover Prospect Park through these interactive, guided tours

Image via Flickr

March 22, 2019

Discover Prospect Park through these interactive, guided tours

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With the weather finally warming up, there’s no better time to plan your spring and summer weekend excursions. In partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance, Turnstile Tours is offering a range of walking tours this season, exploring the history, architecture, and nature of the iconic park (h/t Brownstoner). New and seasoned visitors of the park alike will be able to discover hidden treasures, little-known tales, and learn about the Alliance’s new facilities and ongoing conservation efforts.
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For $1.4M, this Upper West Side two-bedroom blends old-world charm with sleek, modern lines

Listing photos by Travis Mark

March 22, 2019

For $1.4M, this Upper West Side two-bedroom blends old-world charm with sleek, modern lines

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This floor-through two-bedroom on the Upper West Side melds the old and the new in one of the city's most coveted neighborhoods. Located in a boutique townhouse at 121 West 80th Street, the $1,395,000 co-op was recently renovated and decked out with marble accents and top-of-the-line amenities to bring modern comforts into the home. But its old-world charm still comes through in the restored moldings and millwork. 
Take a look inside
Riders of the 3, 4, 6, and L trains luck out this weekend—most other lines will get significant service changes

Image via Flickr cc

March 22, 2019

Riders of the 3, 4, 6, and L trains luck out this weekend—most other lines will get significant service changes

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While there are no planned changes for the 3, 4, 6, and L trains this weekend, most other lines are not so lucky. The M isn't running between Queens and Manhattan, the J continues to take a break between Brooklyn and Queens, and there will be a significant amount of skipped stops across the board. Check out the full damage below.
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$1.75M Gramercy co-op feels Parisian but comes with keys to NYC’s most exclusive park

Listing photos by Elizabeth Dooley, Dooley Images; Staging by Jason Saft from StagedToSell LLC

March 21, 2019

$1.75M Gramercy co-op feels Parisian but comes with keys to NYC’s most exclusive park

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Originally built in 1883, Manhattan's first co-op at 34 Gramercy Park East was described as “a craggy, mysterious red brick and red terra-cotta pile whose Queen Anne forms are among the city's most spectacular," in the 1988 AIA Guide to New York. A rare listing in the nine-unit building has just hit the market for $1,750,000, and it comes with a coveted set of keys to Gramercy Park. The two-bedroom unit features beautiful original moldings, wood floors, a decorative fireplace, and exposed brick accents.
Take a look inside
Walnut finishes throughout this $3.1M Nomad loft combine glamour and utility
March 20, 2019

Walnut finishes throughout this $3.1M Nomad loft combine glamour and utility

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This four-bedroom loft in Park Avenue South Tower, a 1920's Art Deco industrial building that was converted to co-op loft apartments in 1980, just hit the market for a cool $3,100,000. The beautifully renovated corner unit boasts eleven large windows, beamed ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, and custom walnut cabinetry and storage built-ins that bring a mid-century glam vibe to the residence.
Look around
Two-thirds of voters say losing Amazon deal was bad for New York

Image via NYCEDC

March 19, 2019

Two-thirds of voters say losing Amazon deal was bad for New York

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According to a new poll conducted by the Siena College Research Institute, nearly two-thirds of New York state registered voters think Amazon’s decision to cancel its plans for a second headquarters in Queens was bad for New York. Sixty-one percent of the people who were polled say they would approve of the deal—in which Amazon would receive up to $3 billion in state and city incentives and create up to 25,000 jobs—if the company were to reconsider. The results are clear: “While some may have celebrated Amazon’s announcement to pull the plug, the vast majority of New Yorkers of every stripe thought it was bad for the Empire State,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.
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$2.8M from Met admission fees will be allocated to 175 NYC cultural organizations

Image via Pexels

March 19, 2019

$2.8M from Met admission fees will be allocated to 175 NYC cultural organizations

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When the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced it would start charging non-New Yorkers $25 for admission and waive its pay-what-you-wish policy for the first time since 1970, most people reacted with disapproval. But there was an under-the-radar benefit to this new policy: The Met agreed to share a portion of the new revenue from admission fees with the city, to be used by the Department of Cultural Affairs in support of the CreateNYC plan. A year after the admission fees went into effect, the de Blasio administration has announced that $2.8 million in additional funding will be allocated to over 175 cultural organizations in underserved communities throughout the five boroughs.
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Dining guide: Where to eat and drink at Hudson Yards
March 18, 2019

Dining guide: Where to eat and drink at Hudson Yards

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The food offerings at Hudson Yards are among the biggest draws of the new neighborhood, bringing restaurants from acclaimed chefs like Thomas Keller, David Chang, Estiatorio Milos, and more, alongside Chef José Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain, a 35,000-square-foot Spanish food hall. The restaurants at the development were carefully co-curated by Chef Thomas Keller and Kenneth Himmel and will feature every type of dining experience you could want, from coffee to cocktails, to grab-and-go salads and lavish dinners. Below, check out a guide to everything that's already opened and more soon to come.
Hope you're hungry
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