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.
6sqft Gift Guide: Metropolis Chalk Set Is Decorative and Functional
December 15, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Metropolis Chalk Set Is Decorative and Functional

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Here's a gift that both parents and children will get a kick out of. The Chalk Ware Metropolis chalk set contains eight custom-carved chalk pieces shaped like houses, skyscrapers, and everything in between. They don't resemble the buildings of a particular city, so they're perfect for your cousin in NYC or your aunt in Chattanooga. The fun pieces can be used as decorative objects on a mantle, and if mom or dad is feeling generous, the youngsters can take them and create their own works of art on the sidewalk or the chalkboard wall.
More on Chalk Ware
Daily Link Fix: A History of the Rockettes; Journalists and Researchers Have Different Ideas of Gentrification
December 15, 2014

Daily Link Fix: A History of the Rockettes; Journalists and Researchers Have Different Ideas of Gentrification

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Did you  know the Rockettes were originally the Missouri Rockets? Read this full history of the leggy holiday dancers. [Bowery Boys] A neighborhood guide to the Latino and Chinese cultures of Sunset Park. [Brooklyn Based] There seems to be a disparity between what journalists report as gentrification and what research actually finds. [City Lab] This […]

The Sea House by West Chin Architects Mixes Beachy Vibes with Contemporary Décor
December 14, 2014

The Sea House by West Chin Architects Mixes Beachy Vibes with Contemporary Décor

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Now that we've made it through the week of rain and dreary skies, we need a little extra sunshine in our lives, so we've decided to take a look at a beach house aptly titled the Sea. That whole nautical theme for a beach house can be a bit overdone, but we still like our seaside residences to feel as though we've been transported from the urban jungle to the sandy shores. That's why the Sea by West Chin Architects is the perfect getaway; it mixes contemporary décor with an easygoing design esthetic. Located in Long Beach, the Sea was designed to feel imposing, taking full advantage of its beach front location and stunning ocean views. Its other selling point is the abundance of outdoor spaces, including several balconies and terraces and the outdoor dining area with a bar and a lounge area by the pool.
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Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff
December 13, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

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Park Slope’s Iconic Pavilion Theater May Go Residential Telecom Mogul Michael Hirtenstein Combines Three Apartments into One Elegant Tribeca Triplex REVEALED: New Look for Hell’s Kitchen Radio City Lofts Built Atop Historic Post Office Lena Dunham Buys $4.8M Brooklyn Heights Condo Traffic Light Installation Lets You Play Pong with Pedestrians on the Other Side of […]

This Suspended Tent Gives New Meaning to “Sleeping Among the Trees”
December 12, 2014

This Suspended Tent Gives New Meaning to “Sleeping Among the Trees”

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What happens when you combine an idea for a multi-story camping tent with the childlike love for treehouses? You get this fanciful creation known as Vista, a suspended "tree tent" or "portable treehouse" that allows campers to sleep among the trees (literally). Designed by British tent makers Tentsile, the suspended tent hangs between trees with a series of straps and ratchets. The basic unit has a roof and insect mesh, but isn't fully sealed on the sides to give the true experience of being one with nature. To add more stories to the tent structure, additional units can be attached underneath.
Learn more about the Vista tent
Luxurious Upper East Side Townhouse Fetches Impressive $9M
December 12, 2014

Luxurious Upper East Side Townhouse Fetches Impressive $9M

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Massive townhouses that have received a modern overhaul can often feel cold and museum-like, but this Upper East Side stunner has managed to maintain its warm, cozy feel after getting a state-of-the-art contemporary upgrade from two-family home to one. Located at 435 East 87th Street, the five-story, six-bedroom home just sold for an impressive $8.9 million, according to city records. It was built in 1901, but its 6,500-square-foot interior has been completely reimagined as the ultimate "luxury entertainers' home." The classic décor, along with touches of the home's history like crown moldings and a sweeping staircase, make it pretty clear why the new owners dropped such a pretty penny.
Tour the rest of the home here
Ridgewood Gets Its Fourth Historic District with 990 Buildings

Photo © Cameron Baylock

December 12, 2014

Ridgewood Gets Its Fourth Historic District with 990 Buildings

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On the heels of the recent landmarks controversy, Queens' hottest new neighborhood just got its fourth landmarked historic district, the Central Ridgewood Historic District. The 40-block, 990-building area joins Ridgewood's three existing historic districts, Ridgewood North, Ridgewood South, and Stockholm Street. The district includes buildings along Madison Street and Catalpa Avenue, as well as others, which were recognized by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for exemplifying working class housing. Most of the Renaissance Revival brick row houses were built by German immigrants between 1906 and World War I.
More on Ridgewood's newest historic district
Turn Your Arm into a Touch Screen Device with the Cicret Bracelet
December 11, 2014

Turn Your Arm into a Touch Screen Device with the Cicret Bracelet

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We still can't quite get used to people walking down the street "talking to themselves," but actually using their phone's Bluetooth. We're in for a whole different kind of confusion, though, because a new wearable device can turn your arm into a touch-screen device. Just imagine seeing that during your rush-hour commute. Created by a group of Paris-based designers, the Cicret Bracelet remotely connects to a mobile device and projects the screen of the smartphone onto the user's lower forearm, transforming one's skin into an operable touch screen to check emails, play games, and even answer calls.
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REVEALED: Interior Renderings for Robert A.M. Stern-Designed 520 Park Avenue
December 11, 2014

REVEALED: Interior Renderings for Robert A.M. Stern-Designed 520 Park Avenue

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Robert A.M. Stern's 520 Park Avenue has already been called "the next 15 Central Park West," and like its Stern predecessor, 520 is an ultra-luxury development with a stately façade wrapped in stone. Set to be completed in 2016, it will rise 51 stories high, but contain just 31 units, one of which is the $130 million penthouse, the city's most expensive apartment. And though most of the attention has been on "the greatest apartment on the Upper East Side," the fanfare has now shifted to the first batch of interior renderings for the building. 520 Park's full website is now live, and not surprisingly, the residences have classic layouts, impressive Central Park views, and a host of high-end amenities.
Take the tour here
6sqft Gift Guide: iBlock Is a Brooklyn-Made Cutting Board That Holds Your Tablet
December 10, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: iBlock Is a Brooklyn-Made Cutting Board That Holds Your Tablet

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We were recently introduced to the term "lumbersexual," used to describe a rising trend among males who, though they may spend no time outdoors at all, prefer to dress like upscale lumberjacks (think red flannels, stylish lace-up boots, and jeans) and buy woodsy, handcrafted goods. Does this sound like a guy you know who lives in Williamsburg or Bushwick? Well then we have the perfect rustic holiday gift for him–or anyone on your list who likes locally-made goods and cool kitchen supplies. Made by Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, iBlock serves double duty as a cutting board and tablet holder, so you can read your recipe (or watch Netflix) while chopping veggies. It's also reversible; the raised back that holds the tablet keeps the board flush to the edge of the counter.
Learn more about iBlock
Traffic Light Installation Lets You Play Pong with Pedestrians on the Other Side of the Street
December 10, 2014

Traffic Light Installation Lets You Play Pong with Pedestrians on the Other Side of the Street

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For New Yorkers addicted to their smart phones, standing still at traffic lights must be quite painful (unless they're texting of course), but a fun new invention would help pass those 13 seconds in no time. Known as the ActiWait project, this street light installation allows pedestrians on either side of a street to play pong (or "street pong," if you will) with each other while waiting to cross. There are currently two sets of the touch-screen devices installed in Hildesheim, Germany, so it shouldn't be long before New Yorkers are running late to work due to an intense game of pong on Park Avenue.
More on the ActiWait street pong project here
Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Reopens This Week After a Three-Year High-Tech Renovation
December 10, 2014

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Reopens This Week After a Three-Year High-Tech Renovation

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It's been three years since the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum was first cloaked in scaffolding, but the $91 million, LEED-certified renovation has finally come to a close. The museum, located in Andrew Carnegie's former Gilded Age mansion on Fifth Avenue, is set to reopen this Friday, December 12th. It now boasts 60% more exhibition space and a slew of new high-tech interactive features including downloadable 3D designs, multi-touch surfaces as large as pool tables and an interactive projection that allows guests to view 500 digital images of wallpaper right on the gallery walls.
More details on the revamped museum
O Christmas Tree: Where to See the Biggest Evergreens Around the City

New York Stock Exchange Christmas tree via Mille Fiori Favoriti

December 9, 2014

O Christmas Tree: Where to See the Biggest Evergreens Around the City

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Last week, we took a look back at the history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to mark the annual lighting celebration. Though this is probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world, many of us jaded New Yorkers would rather not deal with the crowds and traffic jams that come with visiting Rock Center. So as an equally festive alternative, we've rounded up some of the other huge trees illuminating the city this holiday season.
READ MORE
Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D in the All-Glass Photon Space
December 9, 2014

Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D in the All-Glass Photon Space

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It's raining, it's pouring, and all we can think of are sunnier days. Before people knew the health risks of tanning beds, they were a welcome cure for the winter blues, and a new, first-of-its-kind, all-glass modular structure could be just the safe replacement we've been looking for. The Photon Space was recently launched on Crowdcube, a British crowdfunding platform, by the Photon Project, a group of innovators in the fields of architecture, technology, engineering and design, along with scientists at Oxford University. It is a 147-foot compact living space that takes into account the health benefits of exposure to natural light. The distinguishing element of the Photon Space is its intelligent glass architecture, which can change in an instant from transparent to opaque.
More on the structure ahead
Daily Link Fix: Mapping Manhattan’s Disappearing Gas Stations; A Proposal to Reduce City Lights Kept On at Night
December 9, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Mapping Manhattan’s Disappearing Gas Stations; A Proposal to Reduce City Lights Kept On at Night

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Looking for the ultimate NYC-themed holiday gift? The CityStore sells quirky urban treasures like manhole cover floor mats and FDNY dog coats. [Daily News] Check out this Greek Revival Sag Harbor home, filled with whimsical touches and seaside décor. [Domaine] Here’s a fun map of all the remaining gas stations in Manhattan. [Untapped] A City […]

Soho Broadway BID Will Support Local Residents in Addition to Businesses

Soho via CityRealty

December 9, 2014

Soho Broadway BID Will Support Local Residents in Addition to Businesses

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By definition, a Business Improvement District (BID) "is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development, and promotion of their commercial district." Typically, they're implemented in neighborhoods that need an economic boost, so Soho would seem like an unlikely candidate. Ever since the neighborhood's artist lofts were replaced with designer boutiques, residents have struggled to deal with the "mall-ification" of their home. And when the Soho Broadway BID was presented, local activists opposed it, citing that commercial activity was already bursting at the seams, and it was the residents who needed assistance. Now, after nearly four years of debate, the BID is moving forward, but with a decreased budget and an equal commitment to both residents and businesses.
More details ahead
6sqft Gift Guide: Andrej Urem’s Architecturally Inspired Eco-Candles
December 8, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Andrej Urem’s Architecturally Inspired Eco-Candles

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Candles are probably the easiest, most common holiday gift when you just don't have a clue what to get someone. But after several years of giving the same old candle, it gets a little boring. So we've found the perfect outside-the-box candle for architecture buffs, tech nerds, or anyone who will love an attractive eco-candle. The AU Collection by artist and designer Andrej Urem is a series of 3D-printed candles inspired by architectural forms. And they're made right here in Brooklyn.
More on the AU Collection
Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff
December 6, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

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Hudson Yards Observation Deck Will Offer a Death-Defying Way to Experience City Views Roman and Williams-Designed Brooklyn Brownstone Is an Eclectic Mix of Curiosities ThyssenKrupp’s New Elevator Could Revolutionize Skyscraper Design with Its Horizontal Capabilities Zaha Hadid Wants to Change Billboard Advertising with Her Signature Curves REVEALED: New Renderings for Christian de Portzamparc’s Riverside Center […]

Landmarks Drops Proposal to De-Calendar Nearly 100 Historic Sites After Public Outcry

Green-Wood Cemetery via wallyg via photopin cc

December 5, 2014

Landmarks Drops Proposal to De-Calendar Nearly 100 Historic Sites After Public Outcry

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Major controversy ensued earlier this week between preservationists and city officials when the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) released a proposal to de-calendar 94 historic sites and two historic districts. The plan would have left these locations, including Long Island City’s Pepsi sign, Manhattan’s Bergdorf Goodman building, and Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, completely unprotected and ripe for alterations […]

Former Padres Owner’s Ex-Wife Buys $55M Unit at One57, Second-Highest Condo Sale of the Year
December 5, 2014

Former Padres Owner’s Ex-Wife Buys $55M Unit at One57, Second-Highest Condo Sale of the Year

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Just yesterday, Bloomberg released a grim report that sales had come to a halt at One57, as only one condo unit was sold in the third quarter. But it looks like the fourth quarter might prove a bit more optimistic for the city's most expensive building. According to city records released today, Rebecca Moores, ex-wife of John Jay Moores, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former owner of the San Diego Padres, dropped $55.5 million on unit 81 at the building, making it the second-highest condo sale of the year, according to CityRealty. The number one spot also goes to One57 for Bill Ackman's $90 million flip-happy purchase. The former couple also made real estate headlines in 2013 when they listed their Del Mar, California home for $23 million, making it one of the most expensive in the San Diego area and probably the only one with its own moat. Let's take a look, though, at Rebecca's latest property venture at One57.
Check out the floor plan
Anmahian Winton Architects’ Red Rock House Is a Minimalist Berkshires Retreat
December 4, 2014

Anmahian Winton Architects’ Red Rock House Is a Minimalist Berkshires Retreat

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Plenty of New Yorkers have already begun weekend trips up to their second homes in the Berkshires, but once the snow starts falling all the winter-loving urbanites will really start making an exodus. And this estate in Red Rock, New York couldn't be any more perfect for a festive getaway. The work of Anmahian Winton Architects, the Red Rock House is a property made up of the main one-bedroom house and a combined guest house/garage. It's situated on a densely wooded, 16-acre site and was designed to work with the existing topography, taking advantage of the landscape, views, and daylight.
Tour the entire property
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