All articles by Dana Schulz

Dana is a writer and preservationist with a passion for all things New York.  After graduating from New York University with a BA in Urban Design & Architecture Studies, she worked at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, where she planned the organization's public programs and wrote for their blog Off the Grid. In her free time, she leads walking tours about the social and cultural history of city neighborhoods. Follow her on Twitter @danaschulzNYC.
March 22, 2016

It Will Cost $3M to Repair Hudson Yards Train Station, Six Months After Opening

The Post reported last week that the Hudson Yards 7-train subway station, which opened just this past September after more than ten years of planning and delays, was a "disgusting, moldy mess," noting that "leaks, flooded bathrooms and water damage" had put nearly half the escalators out of service. According to a plumber, it's due to poor construction, with the ceilings not being made waterproof. If this wasn't disturbing enough, especially considering the station's $2.45 billion price tag, the Times has new information straight from the MTA: "A spokesman for the authority, Kevin Ortiz, said the contractor, Yonkers Contracting, would pay $3 million to fix the leaks. The work began last Friday and will take up to three months, Mr. Ortiz said."
Get a look at the damage
March 19, 2016

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

Katie Couric Buys $12M Upper East Side Condo This Couple Ditched Their Apartment to Live on a 200-Square-Foot Boat for $360/Month Housing Lottery Launches for Greenpoint Landing’s 33 Eagle Street, Rents Start at $494 One-Cent Coffee Stand Fed Hungry New Yorkers Back in the Day Richard Gere Picks Up $2.25M Old-World Condo With Keys to […]

March 16, 2016

Bjarke Ingels Reveals Glassy Wave-Like Design for 2 Penn Plaza Overhaul

Another day, another reveal from Danish wunderkind Bjarke Ingels. This time the starchitect has taken on a project at much-loathed Penn Station, transforming 2 Penn Plaza (the tower directly above the station and Madison Square Garden) from a nondescript, monolithic slab to a shiny, playful tower. The renderings, first spotted by NY Yimby, show a somewhat typical glass mass, but the fun begins above the ground levels, where a wave-like canopy of glass panels ushers people in to a new retail base.
More details on the proposal
March 15, 2016

This Couple Ditched Their Apartment to Live on a 200-Square-Foot Boat for $360/Month

When most New Yorkers want to start shaving money off the monthly rent bill they shack up with roommates, move far out in the boroughs, or relocate altogether. But this savvy couple found a way to save more than $4,500 a month without leaving downtown Manhattan, though they did sacrifice significantly on space (h/t Curbed). Mel Magazine made a video, "A Couple's Guide to Living on a Boat in New York in Winter," that profiles Victoria Fine and Jon Vidar, who share a 200-square-foot houseboat that's docked in the East River, along with their dog. Jon says he's been known to be "a drunken sailor" at times, but that being hungover on a boat is probably the worst part of sea living. And they both agree that you can forget personal space, with Victorian referencing a recent time she was sick with a cold.
Watch the full video
March 14, 2016

New Close-Up Renderings of Brooklyn’s Future Tallest Tower

About a month ago we were treated to a lone rendering of Brooklyn’s future tallest tower at 340 Flatbush Avenue Extension (now re-dubbed 9 DeKalb Avenue) that showed its full 1,066-foot height, towering against the rest of Downtown Brooklyn. Now, Curbed has spotted a full set of views, these showing more facade details and close ups of the building's triangular base next to the historic Dime Savings Bank.
All the renderings ahead
March 12, 2016

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

360º Views: This Is the Largest Panoramic Photo of New York’s Skyline Ever Taken Gwyneth Paltrow Lists Tribeca Penthouse With Fuzzy Nap Zones for $14M Property Markets Group Shares New Eye Candy of 111 West 57th Street Norah Jones Gets Approval to Renovate ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Carriage House MTA Reveals Its ‘Ferrari-Like’ Buses With WiFi […]

March 11, 2016

Barn Wood and Brick Abound at This $1.1M Cobble Hill Co-op

It's not surprising that this ridiculously charming Cobble Hill co-op restoration was featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine. From it's cozy furniture to rustic architecture, the one-bedroom home at 29 Tompkins Place has a little something for every type of design lover. We can't quite pinpoint the style, but it seems to be a mashup of country cabin, bespoke Brooklyn, and midwestern flair. It's currently on the market for $1,115,000 (h/t Curbed), which will get you details like exposed brick, crown moldings, wide-plank hardwood floors, and two cozy faux fireplaces.
You don't want to miss this one
March 10, 2016

Closing Time at 432 Park: A Look at the Numbers at NYC’s Tallest and Most Expensive Building

Closings at Macklowe Properties/CIM Group‘s Billionaires’ Row blockbuster 432 Park Avenue officially commenced just eight days into the new year, and now that enough time has gone by for these sales to be re-listed as rentals, CityRealty has put together an informative infographic that takes a look at the numbers at New York City's tallest and most expensive residential building. There's a lot of fun and fascinating info to be found ahead, but one of the most surprising facts? Of the 141 units available, only 13 have sold to date.
See the full infographic here
March 10, 2016

Reimagine the New York State Pavilion; Second Avenue Subway Commute Times

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and People for the Pavilion announced an international visioning competition to reimagine Philip Johnson’s beloved World’s Fair New York State Pavilion. [Untapped] The one-story mosaic murals of the city in Times Square may be preserved. [NYT] Forget standing desks, why not invest in a kneeling desk? [Chicago Tribune] Transit-app developer […]

March 9, 2016

MTA Reveals Its ‘Ferrari-Like’ Buses With WiFi and Charging Ports

Earlier in the year, Governor Cuomo announced a plan to transform the subway with free WiFi, USB chargers, and mobile payment. Though the idea sounded great in theory, skeptics were quick to question where the funding would come from, a sentiment echoed now that the MTA has revealed renderings and details for the 2,042 new buses that will come on board over the next five years. They'll include similar modernizations, including WiFi, between 35 and 55 USB charging ports, and two or three LCD information screens, according to Crain's. The Governor touted the new bus design -- "It has that European flair to it. It has almost a Ferrari-like look." -- but he still hasn't spoken about how the state will fund the MTA's five-year capital plan.
Just how much will the new bus fleet cost?
March 9, 2016

Long-Time Tribeca Sculptor Lists His Quirky Loft for $5M, Sauna and Porch Swing Included

16 Desbrosses Street in Tribeca has quite the artistic pedigree. The former textile warehouse, today a modern-day artists' cooperative, is where Lena Dunham's parents (painter Carroll Dunham and photographer Laurie Simmons), lived until recently and where the actress shot her breakthrough film "Tiny Furniture." It's also been home to architect Peter Moore, writer Zoë Heller and her boyfriend, "Sopranos" and "Boardwalk Empire" screenwriter Lawrence Konner, painter Matthew Ritchie, Seven Stories publisher Dan Simons, and sculptor Harry Rosenzweig, who has just listed his somewhat wacky loft for an impressive $4,970,000. Rosenzweig is best know for his "warriors," the larger-than-life, cartoon-like sculptures of men lined up in the 3,000-square-foot loft where he's lived and worked for the past 13 years. If this wasn't artsy enough for you, he also has a porch swing that faces the wall of windows, a sauna, and, though not mentioned in the listing, the factory's original restrooms, complete with urinals in the men's room.
See the rest
March 9, 2016

Apply Today for 47 New Affordable Apartments in Central Harlem, Starting at $847/Month

Starting today, you can apply for 47 brand-new affordable apartments in prime Central Harlem, according to the NYC HPD. Located at 2139 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, at the corner of 127th Street, the building will offer 12 $847/month one-bedroom units for households earning between $30,412 and $41,460 annually, as well as 35 $1,025/month two-bedrooms for those earning between $36,549 and $51,780. Designed by architects Urban Quotient, the building known as Harlem Dowling will also house community facility spaces for the Harlem Dowling West Side Center for Children and Services and Childrens’ Village, both foster care organizations. Harlem Dowling was founded in 1836 as the Colored Orphans Asylum, the first such institution devoted to children of color. In 1863, its building was burned down during the Draft Riots, and this new location will be the first time since that they've had their own home. Though the current housing lottery announcement doesn't specify this, a 2014 press release for the project noted that preference would be given to youth aging out of foster care.
More details ahead
March 9, 2016

Who Your Neighbors Are Voting For; Great NYC Apartment Buildings Designed by Women

This interactive map shows what presidential candidates your neighborhood backs. [Gothamist] Cole Haan’s spring 2016 campaign, “The Art of Elegant Innovation,” uses the World Trade Center Transportation Hub as a backdrop. [Cool Hunting] Meet the Brooklyn chef who’s hosting secret marijuana dinners. [Grub Street] Legendary actress Kathleen Turner sold her Trump Place condo for $3.8 million […]

March 8, 2016

$1.8M Flatiron-Shaped Prospect Heights Co-op Gets the Modern Loft Treatment

This interestingly shaped Prospect Heights co-op at 296 Sterling Place came on the market back in January for $1.8 million. It's now been re-listed, and though the price hasn't changed, it's gotten quite the interior overhaul, going from kitschy country to elegantly modern. Thanks to its location in a Flatiron-shaped building, the pre-war loft has open views on all three sides through eight picture windows, as well as 13-foot beamed ceilings, original hardwood floors, and exposed brick.
Take a look around
March 8, 2016

Renderings Revealed of Turkey’s Shiny, New 32-Story Consulate Tower

Though Perkins Eastman's design of Turkey's forthcoming 32-story consulate tower was inspired by a Turkish crescent (a large, ornate, gilded instrument), the firm took a very streamlined approach to their vision, using swooping curves and geometric patterns to "evoke Islamic themes and Turkish art and culture," as 6sqft previously described. The Turkevi Center will rise along Consulate Row, at 821 United Nations Plaza, the corner of 46th Street and First Avenue. According to a press release first spotted by Curbed, it will "feature prominent loggias along the upper floors of the south and east faces, and be stacked atop a podium wrapped in perforated metal paneling." The project had been on the drawing board for more than three years, but Perkins Eastman have now received the green light to move ahead with the building that will house new consulate offices, passport and visa branch offices, conference rooms, a multi-purpose prayer room, fitness center, auditorium, underground parking, and residential space for staff and visitors.
Additional details and renderings ahead
March 8, 2016

A Travel Pillow Inspired by Massage Chairs; New Yorkers Really Like to Sit By the Subway Doors

Mapping the hidden rivers of Brooklyn. [Harper’s] Inspired by portable massage chairs, this inflatable travel pillow rests on the seat-back tray so you can rest your head facing forward. [Contemporist] An eight-part podcast called “There Goes the Neighborhood” will focus on Brooklyn gentrification. [Bed Stuy Blog] According to a survey of 7,000 subway riders, New […]

March 7, 2016

New Renderings of the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Office Space and Food Hall

After announcing two weeks ago that they'd be launching a free shuttle service to connect with 13 subway lines, the Brooklyn Navy Yard has now released additional details about the shuttle, as well as new renderings of Building 77's $185 million renovation, reports Brownstoner. The 1,000,000-square-foot structure, a former ammunition depot, is the largest on the site, and when it reopens in 2017 it will offer luxury commercial space, a 16,000-square-foot rooftop, and its hotly anticipated food hall to be anchored by Lower East Side mainstay Russ & Daughters. The shuttle will have WiFi and will also connect to the LIRR. Additionally, the Navy Yard will get seven Citi Bike kiosks and 1,600 parking spaces.
More details and all the renderings
March 7, 2016

Chrystie Street’s Turn from Hardscrabble to Hip; Decoding the Empire State Building’s Lights

The Lower East Side’s Chrystie Street is transforming from a sleepy byway to a revitalized thoroughfare dotted with million dollar apartments. [CityRealty] Someone created a real estate listing for the White House using only emojis. [Digital Trends] After allocating $66 million for the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway, the MTA is now seeking contractors […]