All articles by Alexandra Alexa

After an HGTV-worthy renovation, this Sag Harbor getaway seeks $1.5M

Listing images courtesy of Douglas Elliman

October 8, 2019

After an HGTV-worthy renovation, this Sag Harbor getaway seeks $1.5M

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Ricky Paull Goldin, host of HGTV’s Spontaneous Construction, scooped up this 3,000-square-foot Sag Harbor home earlier this year for $685,000. In the months since, Goldin and his partner, style expert Gretta Monahan (known for her regular appearances on the Rachel Ray Show, Good Morning America, and The View), have completely reimagined the property in a stylish gut renovation. Sited on one acre in the private Northside Hills community and near Peconic Bay, the five-bedroom, five-bath home now comes with a pool, hot tub, and more for the asking price of $1.525 million.
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Hunters Point Library will move fiction shelves in response to accessibility criticism

Photo © Steven Holl Architects

October 7, 2019

Hunters Point Library will move fiction shelves in response to accessibility criticism

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Steven Holl's Hunters Point Library has garnered glowing architectural reviews since it's opening last month, but visitors quickly pointed out a critical issue with accessibility in the $41 million building. Although the library has an elevator, it doesn't stop at the fiction section which is tiered on three levels above the lobby and accessible only via stairs. In light of the criticism, a Queens Public Library official has announced that books in that section will be relocated to an accessible area of the library, as Gothamist reported.
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West Village townhouse with a storied past and light-filled present seeks $18M

Listing images courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

October 4, 2019

West Village townhouse with a storied past and light-filled present seeks $18M

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Publisher Barney Rossett started Grove Press in the 1960s for only $3,000 and turned it into a major publishing house notable for introducing American readers to authors like Henry Miller, Eugene Ionesco, Tom Stoppard, and Jean Genet. At the time, he was living in a 25-foot wide townhouse at 196 West Houston Street in the West Village, where he entertained creative luminaries like Norman Mailer and John Lennon. In 1989, the townhouse sold to another literary man, publisher Peter Mayer, who brought Salman Rushdie’s controversial “The Satanic Verses” to print. Today, the townhouse is just as inspiring and fresh on the market seeking $17.95 million, or $49,000 a month as a rental.
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Architect-transformed triplex in Brooklyn Heights’ landmarked Eagle Warehouse seeks $2.1M

Listing images by VHT; courtesy of The Corcoran Group

October 3, 2019

Architect-transformed triplex in Brooklyn Heights’ landmarked Eagle Warehouse seeks $2.1M

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A co-op in Brooklyn Heights’ iconic Eagle Warehouse & Storage Company at 28 Fulton Street—described by CityRealty as “one of the city’s great Romanesque-style landmarks”—is now available for just under $2.1 million. With a private street entrance, the residence is technically a maisonette spanning over three levels. Inside, the architect owners have added their touches to an already character-rich space.
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Mixed-income development with healthy grocery store breaks ground in East New York

Renderings courtesy of Pennrose, LLC

October 2, 2019

Mixed-income development with healthy grocery store breaks ground in East New York

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A groundbreaking celebration this week officially kicked off construction at 50 Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York. The Dattner Architects-designed project—referred to as 50 Penn—is led by Philadelphia-based developer Pennrose with RiseBoro Community Partnership, who will manage the property. It will bring 218 units of affordable and moderate-income housing to the neighborhood, alongside retail options on the ground floor that will include a healthy grocery store. The development is slated for completion in July 2021.
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For $12.5M, this Upper East Side townhouse comes with a 40-foot pool and a two-car garage

Listing images by Travis Mark for Sotheby’s International Realty

October 2, 2019

For $12.5M, this Upper East Side townhouse comes with a 40-foot pool and a two-car garage

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Just off Park Avenue, this townhouse at 107 East 61st Street spans over 10,100 square feet and comes with two rare amenities for the Upper East Side: a two-car garage and a 40-foot pool. Originally built in 1899, the residence has a modern feel with sleek finishes and dramatic skylights. The property has been on and off the market several times since 2015 (including as a rental), with asking prices reaching up to $29 million. It was recently listed again for a significantly reduced $12.5 million. 
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Hyperloop that could get you from NYC to DC in 30 minutes gains steam

Image of the Hyperloop pod at a test site in Las Vegas; courtesy of Virgin Hyperloop

October 1, 2019

Hyperloop that could get you from NYC to DC in 30 minutes gains steam

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Over the past few months, Virgin Hyperloop One has been bringing its XP-1 test Pod on a cross-country roadshow, allowing residents in cities that may adopt the technology to learn more about the project and its progress. They made a stop at Rockefeller Plaza last Friday, as the New York Post reported, giving visitors a glimpse inside the 20-foot vessel that may one day get passengers from NYC to Washington DC in just 30 minutes.
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Plans for new Metro-North stations in the Bronx move forward with first community meeting

Aerial view of Co-op City via Wiki Commons

September 30, 2019

Plans for new Metro-North stations in the Bronx move forward with first community meeting

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Plans to develop four new Metro-North Railroad stations in underserved areas of the Bronx are moving forward and beginning to engage the local community in the process. Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. and Westchester county executive George Latimer hosted the first Community Council meeting for the project last week, providing an overview of the broader Penn Station Access plan and kicking off discussions with key stakeholders. The council is composed of representatives from civic organizations and local businesses from the East Bronx and Westchester.
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DOT plans to roll out 14th Street ‘busway’ this week after judges give the stalled project a green light

Image via Oran Viriyincy / Flickr

September 30, 2019

DOT plans to roll out 14th Street ‘busway’ this week after judges give the stalled project a green light

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It looks like the 14th Street busway will finally roll out this week following a court ruling on Friday. As Streetsblog reported, a panel of judges from New York State Supreme Court's Appellate Division voted 3-2 to overturn an August 9th ruling that blocked the city from starting the pilot program. Not long after Friday's order was handed down, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Transportation confirmed plans to begin implementing the busway on Thursday, October 3.
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$3M Chelsea duplex is lofty and light with lots of built-ins

Listing images courtesy of Douglas Elliman

September 30, 2019

$3M Chelsea duplex is lofty and light with lots of built-ins

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Within walking distance of Chelsea Market, Union Square, and more, this three-bedroom Chelsea loft at 214 West 17th Street checks a lot of boxes. Beyond the location, the pad is in mint condition following a recent renovation and comes with conveniences like central air-conditioning and private laundry. The residence previously sold in 2012 for $1.865 million and is now back on the market with a fresh look and a $2.995 million price tag.
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Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

Renderings by Hargreaves Jones, courtesy of NYCEDC

September 27, 2019

Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

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During a Brooklyn Community Board 2 meeting on Wednesday, the group's Youth, Education, and Cultural Affairs Committee voted to rename Downtown Brooklyn's proposed Willoughby Square Park, as Curbed NY first reported. Jacob Morris, a historian and the head of the Harlem Historical Society and the New York City Freedom Trail, initially brought forward a resolution to co-name the square Abolitionist Place Park. By the end of the meeting, the board decided to recommend a full renaming to the city's Economic Development Corporation. The resolution will be voted on by CB2's full board on Oct. 7.
Details here
The new year will bring toll and fare hikes for NY-NJ bridges and tunnels

Image via alvaroreguly / Flickr

September 27, 2019

The new year will bring toll and fare hikes for NY-NJ bridges and tunnels

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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey voted to increase tolls and fares on Hudson River bridges and tunnels, paving the way for a costlier commute between New Jersey and New York. The agency also imposed fees on taxis and for-hire vehicles at the area's major airports and raised fares on the JFK and Newark AirTrain. The new tolls on bridges and tunnels will go into effect on January 5, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reports.
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The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets

September 26, 2019

The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

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Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets The Nets have revealed a new primary court design just in time for the 2019-20 season. It's the first full redesign of the court since the Nets moved to Barclays Center in 2012 and it's very much inspired by the team's roots.  The new floors retained their trademark herringbone pattern but got updated with a fresh gray hue—an unusual, but symbolic, choice.
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Chic Cobble Hill townhouse in converted Long Island College Hospital building asks $5.4M

Listing images by Tim Waltman, Evan Joseph Studios; courtesy of Compass

September 26, 2019

Chic Cobble Hill townhouse in converted Long Island College Hospital building asks $5.4M

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This four-bedroom unit at 355 Henry Street is one of three townhouse conversions inside the former Long Island College Hospital's Lamm Institute building (previously 110 Amity Street). The French Renaissance-style structure was designed by William C. Hough and constructed in 1902. It originally served as nurses residence's before the Lamm Institute for Developmental Disorders moved in during the 1970s. The landmarked Cobble Hill building and three adjacent lots were sold to investors in 2007 for $6 million. The modernized residence sprawls over four stories and boasts a roof deck with harbor views for the asking price of $5.4 million.
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Sou Fujimoto will design co-living complex at former Slave Theater site, his first New York project

Renderings courtesy of The Collective and Artefactorylab

September 25, 2019

Sou Fujimoto will design co-living complex at former Slave Theater site, his first New York project

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Days after filing building permits for 1215 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy—the site of the former Slave Theatre—London-based co-living startup The Collective has announced it will be partnering with renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto on the design, his first in New York. The 10-story structure will span over 240,000 square feet and be comprised of three buildings connected by an expansive “ground-floor hub” designed to feel like “an extension of the street.” The project aims to create “a new idea of how a community can come together in a building,” as the architects explained in a design statement.
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Facebook sets its sights on Midtown’s former Farley Post Office for new office space

Rendering courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill via Gov. Cuomo’s office

September 25, 2019

Facebook sets its sights on Midtown’s former Farley Post Office for new office space

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Facebook has been on the hunt for office space in NYC for several months and now the tech giant has set its sights on the former James A. Farley Post Office, as the New York Post first reported. Sources say the company plans to lease all 740,000 square feet of office space currently being built in the old post office across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. The landmarked building—redubbed Moynihan Train Hall—is being redeveloped by a team including Related, Vornado Realty Trust, Skanska USA and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It's on track to open next year.
Here's what we know so far
Owner of The Strand Book Store will challenge landmark status in court

Image via Wiki Commons

September 24, 2019

Owner of The Strand Book Store will challenge landmark status in court

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Following a City Council Land Use Committee vote on Monday that confirmed the landmark designation of The Strand, store owner Nancy Bass Wyden said she will sue the city. Wyden has been staunchly opposed to the designation since the building at 826 Broadway was first calendered, citing concerns about costly construction and renovation work that could force her out of the business her grandfather started 92 years ago. Wyden will sue the Landmarks Preservation Commission in Manhattan Federal Court "to start," according to the Daily News, who spoke with her lawyer, Alex Urbelis. Politicians "picked the wrong bookstore and they certainly picked the wrong woman,” Urbelis said.
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$1.7M Upper East Side duplex offers classic uptown elegance

Listing images by VHT; courtesy of The Corcoran Group

September 24, 2019

$1.7M Upper East Side duplex offers classic uptown elegance

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Right in the middle of the block between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, this two-bedroom duplex at 12 East 64th Street boasts an impressive address on the Upper East Side's posh Gold Coast, just steps away from Central Park and surrounded by the area's grand limestone mansions. Inside, original architectural details like elaborate molding, woodwork, and mantels bring charm to every room. The classic residence is now on the market, seeking $1.7 million.
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Site of former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy will get a 10-story co-living and hotel building

View of the Slave Theater in 2012. Map data ©2012 Google.

September 23, 2019

Site of former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy will get a 10-story co-living and hotel building

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London-based communal living company The Collective filed a building permit application last week for a planned development on the site of the former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy, which the company bought earlier this year for $32.5 million. As Brownstoner first reported, the application is for a 10-story, roughly 161,000-square-foot structure that will comprise residential units, a hotel, and community space. Ismael Leyva Architects will lead the project, which is expected to include 136 apartments, 222 hotel rooms, underground parking, a restaurant, a public courtyard, spa lounges, and other amenities. The finished building is expected to open in 2022.
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Rent a Federal-era West Village home with an industrial-chic makeover for $15K/month

Listing images by Brian Wittmuss of VHT Studios; courtesy of Compass

September 23, 2019

Rent a Federal-era West Village home with an industrial-chic makeover for $15K/month

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Originally built in 1855, this landmarked Federal-era home at 35 Perry Street in the heart of the West Village was last sold in 2015 for $6 million. Soon after, the current owner realized the building was in rather unstable condition and embarked on an ambitious gut renovation. Reclaimed wood from the original structure was used for the extensive detailing and steel framing was added and left exposed, contributing to the home’s industrial-chic vibes. Now divided into several units, the garden duplex is available for a long-term lease at $15,000 a month.
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Rare Tribeca townhouse with wine cellar and duplex roof terrace seeks $15M

Listing images courtesy of Compass

September 20, 2019

Rare Tribeca townhouse with wine cellar and duplex roof terrace seeks $15M

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Just listed for $15 million, this rare Tribeca townhouse was designed by John L. Petrarca, the architect credited with bringing “a modern sensibility” to the neighborhood’s “old blocks,” as his New York Times obituary put it. The seven-story residence at 152 Reade Street is one in a row of three—completed in 2001—that are notable for being “the first new single-family dwellings built in Tribeca in more than a century.” The current owners bought the property in 2005 for $7.4 million and soon embarked on a gut renovation helmed by Philip Koether Architects. Among many upgrades, they built out a temperature-controlled wine cellar in the basement, installed an elevator, and created a two-story roof deck complete with a hot tub.
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How to get around NYC during this year’s United Nations General Assembly

Image via Flickr

September 20, 2019

How to get around NYC during this year’s United Nations General Assembly

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The United Nations General Assembly already began on Sept. 17 but Midtown has yet to experience the traffic nightmare that will hit the neighborhood next week. With meetings taking place through Sept. 30, the city has designated weekdays between Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 as gridlock alert days. On top of UNGA, Climate Week events will add to the congestion. “Drivers should leave their cars at home next week if they can—and try walking, taking mass transit, or getting on a bicycle," Polly Trottenberg, commissioner of the Department of Transportation, said in a statement. Here's a handy guide to getting around the city during the busy week ahead, including street closures and traffic updates for those of you with nerves of steel.
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Robert de Niro-funded studio taps Bjarke Ingels to design $400M ‘vertical village for film’ in Astoria

Renderings courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group and Wildflower Ltd.

September 20, 2019

Robert de Niro-funded studio taps Bjarke Ingels to design $400M ‘vertical village for film’ in Astoria

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The star power involved with Robert de Niro’s planned production studio in Astoria continues to grow. The development group—which includes developer Wildflower Ltd, Raphael De Niro, and Jane Rosenthal—has just revealed a first look at the 650,000-square-foot facility designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. The $400 million project, called Wildflower Studios, will establish a hub for the creation of film, television, and other forms of entertainment, including augmented reality and virtual reality. The facility is expected to create more than 1,000 daily union jobs.
Get a first look at the renderings
Development plans for ex-Amazon site in LIC move forward with emphasis on local community goals

Previous rendering of Anable Basin, courtesy of WXY architecture + urban design

September 19, 2019

Development plans for ex-Amazon site in LIC move forward with emphasis on local community goals

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Soon after Amazon canceled plans to build a new headquarters in Long Island City, the city began reviving earlier plans to bring a mix of residential and industrial spaces to the neighborhood. Developers and city officials are still in talks over how the 28-acre site—which includes land owned by both the city and plastics company Plaxall—will be used. As Politico recently reported, the vision is starting to come into sharper focus with property owners now engaging the neighborhood and community board to help determine the future of the waterfront site.
Here's what we know so far
City expands benefits of rent freeze programs for seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities

Image via Flickr

September 19, 2019

City expands benefits of rent freeze programs for seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities

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The city has released updated guidelines for its rent freeze programs that help senior citizens (aged 62 and over) and tenants with qualifying disabilities (aged 18 and over) stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Eligible tenants living in rent-controlled apartments can now freeze their rent at the preferential level, instead of the legal rent. “The City’s rent freeze programs have given tens of thousands of New Yorkers peace of mind and housing stability,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Now that we can freeze preferential rents, the program will bring even more relief.” 
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