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.

August 6, 2014

AquaFence Flood Barriers Pop Up at NYC Waterfront Buildings

By Dana Schulz

Nearing the two-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, developers, architects, and building owners are still wrestling with how to keep their waterfront properties safe from any future storms that may wash up on New York's shores. Some have moved mechanical systems above ground, white others have installed heavy duty generators and emergency lighting and elevator systems. But a popular preventative mechanism among the posh residences of the West Village and Lower Manhattan is AquaFence, a portable, temporary flood barrier system that can defend structures from flood heights of up to eight feet.
See how this product is constructed and installed

Policy

August 5, 2014

Spray-Painted Solar Cells Get One Step Closer to Reality

By Dana Schulz

You may have heard last year that scientists began exploring the idea of spray-paintable solar cells, and now researchers at Sheffield University in England have made a breakthrough that could bring this green energy dream one step closer to reality. The advance comes from the use of organometal halide perkovskite, a mineral/crystal, organic/metal hydra, which offers the potential to combine high-performing, mature solar cell technologies with organic photovoltaics that have a low embedded energy cost.
More on the technology ahead

August 5, 2014

CB4 Housing Plan Calls for 11,000 Units of Affordable Housing

By Dana Schulz

Mayor de Blasio called for all 59 New York City community boards to propose ways to increase the number of affordable housing units within their district, and CB4, which covers Chelsea, Clinton, and Hell's Kitchen, is the first to respond. The Manhattan District Board 4 Affordable Housing Plan was voted on internally by the board on July 23, but is expected to be officially presented to the city on August 8th. The 81-page plan, which could influence affordable housing policy throughout the city, focuses on six major themes that will outline how the west side neighborhoods tackle the addition of 11,000 units of affordable housing.
We break down the themes

August 4, 2014

Design Trust for Public Space Announces Winning Ideas to Redefine NYC Public Spaces

By Dana Schulz

Ever walk by an area with park benches, plantings, or public art, and think that something's missing... oh yeah, there's no people. Though positive in theory, some urban public spaces don't engage their communities and aren't efficiently designed. To address this issue, the Design Trust for Public Space held a competition, The Energetic City: Connectivity in the Public Realm, that requested project proposals to seed and develop projects that redefine New York City's public space. Four winning ideas were selected, and their implementation will begin immediately through a design prototype, pilot intervention, public artwork, and research, planning, or public outreach stages.
Check out the winning designs

Architecture And Design

August 4, 2014

Greenland Forest City Partners Selects COOKFOX and Thomas Balsley for Pacific Park Brooklyn (Formerly Atlantic Yards)

By Dana Schulz

Forest City Ratner Companies and Greenland USA, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based Greenland Group, announced today that their new joint venture, Greenland Forest City Partners, has selected COOKFOX Architects to design two residential buildings at their Pacific Park Brooklyn project. They've also chosen Thomas Balsley Associates to design the site's eight-acre public park, which will be called Pacific Park. Formerly known as Atlantic Yards, Pacific Park Brooklyn will be a 22-acre site anchored by the Barclays Center and containing 8 million square feet of mixed-use development. The public park will be revealed in phases, with permanent and temporary installations. COOKFOX has begun the design for its two residential buildings-- 550 Vanderbilt Avenue, set to feature 275 condominiums, and 535 Carlton Avenue, which will have approximately 300 affordable rentals. Construction is expected to begin on the latter this December, with 550 Vanderbilt not far behind. A third residential building will be designed by SHoP Architects, who were the minds behind the Barclays Center, at 30 Sixth Avenue with another 300 affordable rentals.
Much more on the project here

August 3, 2014

Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block in Cooper Joseph Studio’s Writer’s Studio

By Dana Schulz

It's not easy working from home as a writer with distractions like family, cell phones, emails, and the myriad of other interruptions that modern life creates. But Cooper Joseph Studio created a place to escape and be one with the keyboard. Nestled in a serene setting in Ghent, New York, the Writer's Studio is the perfect one-person getaway for meditation, writing, or any type of creation expression one might fancy. The single-room studio is a rectangular volume that overlooks ponds and fields on one side and the deep woods on the other. Each façade is specifically designed to highlight its views, and the minimalist interior is accented by walnut and black slate detailing.
More about this writer's dream home straight ahead

August 2, 2014

Franck Bohbot’s “Light On” Photographs Showcase NYC Landmarks After Dark

By Dana Schulz

You haven't truly become a New Yorker until you've learned to love the city in both daylight and darkness, and urban photographer Franck Bohbot has masterfully captured the latter in his series "Light On." Interested in cinematographic iconography and architecture, Bohbot plays with melancholic light and chromatics to highlight the relationship between the individual and his/her surroundings. In "Light On" he produces photos that appear to be stills from a movie, the landmarks warmly aglow against the nighttime background.
More about Bohbot's urban photography

Events & Things To Do

August 1, 2014

Soo Chan’s Soori High Line Will Offer 16 Private, Heated Swimming Pools

By Dana Schulz

Forget public pools and health clubs, the Soori High Line will offer private, heated swimming pools in 16 of its ultra-posh residences. Soo Chan, principal of Singapore-based SCDA Architects, has already made a name for himself in Asia as the pool master, designing towers with up to 120 private swimming holes. Now Chan's water-inspired interiors have also come to the surface in New York. The 11-story, 27-unit building at 522 West 19th Street will feature 16 pools ranging in size from 23 to 26 feet long, 7 to 9 feet wide, and 4 feet deep.
More about the Soori's pools this way

August 1, 2014

Rogers Marvel Architects Separate Public and Family Spaces in Their East Fifth Street Penthouse

By Dana Schulz

When Rogers Marvel Architects set out to combine and design this East Fifth Street top-floor renovation/penthouse addition, they wanted to create two separately functioning spaces. The entrance was moved to the penthouse, which houses the public zone--the kitchen, dining room, and formal living room. Downstairs is the family zone, with two bedroom/bathroom wings, one for the adults and the other for children, located off a central family and play room. The public spaces are outfitted with sleek, modern décor, while the private, family rooms are decidedly more playful.
Tour the rest of this East Village duplex

July 31, 2014

Sharif El-Gamal Commissions Jean Nouvel to Design Islam Museum Next to WTC

By Dana Schulz

Sharif El-Gamal, CEO of real estate developer Soho Properties, announced today that his company acquired 49-51 Park Place from Consolidated Edison for $10.7 million. He also confirmed that none other than Pritzker Prize-winning starchitect Jean Nouvel will be designing the site's three-story Islam museum and prayer space.
More on the breaking development

New St. Mark’s Bookshop is a “Twist” on an Old Favorite

By Dana Schulz

When the neighborhood institution St. Mark's Bookshop was struggling to pay its sky-high rent back in 2011, it asked landlord Cooper Union for a break to prevent having to relocate from its iconic 3rd Avenue and East 9th Street location. The institution wouldn't budge, so the East Village and book-loving communities banded together in an attempt to save the store. Though after petitions, cash mobs, and celebrity visits, the owners announced in March that they'd be moving their shop to 136 East 3rd Street at Avenue A. Longtime patrons were nervous about the new outpost, which recently opened its doors in the historic First Houses complex, but the contemporary design by Clouds Architecture Office does not disappoint. The undulating bookshelves snake through the shop, encouraging customers to peruse the eclectic collection of literature and freeing up interior space for neighborhood events. Through the storefront windows, the colorful books pop against the stark-white shelves, a true feast for the eyes.
More on the clever design ahead

July 31, 2014

Seasoned Real Estate Couple Grab Eclectic Central Park West Apartment for $5.3 Million

By Dana Schulz

It must have been a nice change of pace for Stephen Yalof to look for residential properties instead of the retail spaces he scoped out for 12 years as Senior Vice President of Real Estate for the Ralph Lauren Corporation and now as CEO of Premium Outlets. Though for his wife Liora Yalof, a broker with Corcoran, it was likely just another day at work. The couple paid $5.3 million for their new three-bedroom home at the St. Urban on Central Park West. Apartment 11E is an eclectic mix of historic details and global-inspired décor, perfect for such a well-rounded real estate pair.
READ MORE

July 31, 2014

A Suburban Enclave in Manhattan: Peeking Into Battery Park City

By Dana Schulz

As New Yorkers, we learn to be resourceful. We can turn a tiny patch of grass into a full-on park, double the space of our 400-square-foot apartment with lofted rooms and suspended shelving, and get all of our reading in on the commute to work. But for some, this sacrificial lifestyle becomes too much, and daydreams of suburbia set in. Not ready to pack your bags for Jersey or Westchester just yet? Look to Battery Park City, a suburban-like enclave that's just a five-minute walk from Wall Street. The 92-acre planned residential community is the largest "green" neighborhood in the world, with more than one third of its total acreage covered in parks and gardens. Additionally, the area boasts spectacular waterfront views, large apartments, slightly more affordable prices than its Financial District neighbors, and an impressive collection of public art.
READ MORE

Uncategorized

July 30, 2014

Starchitects Aren’t to Blame for “Ruining” the Skyline

By Dana Schulz

So often it's the starchitects who get a bad name--for ruining city skylines with their larger-than-life towers, for obscuring park views, or for neglecting to take into account their surroundings. But a new opinion piece in the New York Times by Allison Arieff argues that the blame can't be solely placed on these so-called starchitects, but rather on the architecture community at large.
Read more about Arieff's case here

Architecture And Design

July 30, 2014

Paolo Venturella’s Flex Tower Twists to Soak Up Sunlight

By Dana Schulz

It's 2040 in New York City, and the metropolis' population has doubled over, thereby drastically increasing energy consumption. How do architects alter their designs to deal with this new landscape? Italian architect Paolo Venturella thinks he's come up with the answer to this (currently hypothetical) conundrum. The Flex Tower concept combines the need for housing with a sustainable energy system that uses a new typology for photovoltaic panels. At ground level the structure is in keeping with the traditional street grid, but as it rises it rotates toward the sun to position the panels correctly.
More about the curving creation this way

July 30, 2014

A 19th Century Candy Store and WWI Fighter Plane Liven Up a Financial District Office Building

By Dana Schulz

Take a step back in time at 77 Water Street, a 26-story office tower designed by Emery Roth & Sons and built by the William Kaufman Organization. The Financial District building features a WWI fighter plane on its roof and a turn-of-the-century penny candy store in its lobby. Thinking that this tower looks too modern for these curiosities? You're right; it was erected in 1970. The William Kaufman Organization wanted to humanize the building and make workers forget they were in an office tower, and to accomplish this they had historic replicas of the plane and candy shop installed. They also added a variety of public art projects throughout the plaza and lobby.
More fun facts about 77 Water Street right this way

July 30, 2014

Tour Tommy Hilfiger’s Lavish Plaza Penthouse

By Dana Schulz

When we think of Tommy Hilfiger we might imagine him in an all-American, red-white-and-blue outfit, standing in a nautical seashore cottage, but his penthouse at the Plaza couldn't be any more the opposite than this vision. Instead of paintings of beach scenes there are Basquiats and Warhols (20 of the latter, to be exact); rather than white-washed walls there are entire rooms clad in marble; and instead of simple, shabby chic bedrooms there are opulent personal retreats that could fit entire NYC apartments within their footprint. In short, Mr. Hilfiger's city residence is nothing short of regal. He and his wife Dee Ocleppo purchased and combined three separate units in 2008, and they then embarked on a massive renovation of the duplex to emulate the old-world style of the landmarked building.
Take a tour through this magnificent home and see if the couple lived up to goal

July 29, 2014

Specht Harpman’s Eiche Residence Uses Simple Lines to Create a Calming East Village Hideaway

By Dana Schulz

It's no secret that the East Village is the go-to neighborhood for NYU students and recent grads looking to mix, mingle, and party, and that can get a little rowdy at times. But the Eiche Residence by Specht Harpman is a peaceful retreat within this buzzing neighborhood. Simple horizontal and vertical lines mixed with clean volumes and planar surfaces help to maximize space and organize movement through this unusually laid out triplex unit. And with neutral furniture and an abundance of warm, natural wood, the calming feel achieved inside will make you forget that you're even in New York.
See why else we're swooning over this East Village pad

July 28, 2014

Hold Your Horses, This Clinton Hill Carriage House is Younger Than You Think

By Dana Schulz

Take a walk down this carriage house-lined block of Vanderbilt Avenue in the Clinton Hill Historic District, and you'll feel like you've been transported back to the 19th century. And in fact, most of the historic homes haven't changed much since then, except for number 407. Though this brick beauty blends in seamlessly with its fellow carriage houses, it was actually constructed in 2006 after receiving approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The four-story home has the look and feel of an old-time structure, but offers a modern layout and contemporary conveniences, plus it boasts 6,592 square feet of interior space and two outdoor oases.
Take a tour through the carriage house

Distinctive Homes

July 26, 2014

Sunny Park Slope Townhouse Gets an Artsy Makeover from The Brooklyn Home Company

By Dana Schulz

From making the list of most popular baby names, to having whole stores devoted to its wares, Brooklyn has become quite the brand these days. But for a classic feel of living in the borough that bucks trends, we can always look to The Brooklyn Home Company for their tasteful, functional, and timeless spaces — like this stunning 5th Street Park Slope townhouse. The firm undertook the entire interior/exterior renovation, as well as the nine-foot extension that was added to the garden and parlor floors, those which the building owners occupy. They transformed the space with a mix of historic and modern details, custom built-ins, and impressive millwork. During the demolition, the original beams were discovered behind the drop ceiling, a feature that was left exposed and now anchors the entire living space.
Take a tour through the rest of this expertly crafted home

July 25, 2014

This Central Park South Apartment Stands Out with a Gaudi-Inspired Ceiling

By Dana Schulz

Ears ringing? Yes, the neighbors are at it already, talking about you and your new swanky new home. Well, that is if you decide to drop the $11.8 million on this 3,050-square-foot apartment at the Trump Parc. Located at 106 Central Park South, this home features a 51-foot, semi-circular great room capped off with an 18-foot, undulating, Gaudi-inspired ceiling that will make even the most jaded real estate aficionados look twice.
Take a tour of the rest of this pad

Distinctive Homes

July 25, 2014

Grzywinski + Pons’ Dutchess House No. 1 is an Aluminum-Clad Country Retreat

By Dana Schulz

There are no cedar shakes or white picket fences at this country abode in Millerton, New York. At Dutchess House No. 1, the architectural firm Grzywinski + Pons met their client's needs for an upstate retreat with a strikingly modern yet traditionally functional design, incorporating sustainable elements, rustic details, and clever security features. The most unexpected element of the home is its aluminum-clad façade, playfully sculpted to resemble the surface of bricks. Contrasting the shimmery panels are Ipe wood screens and bright yellow doors, both of which connect to the surrounding landscape.
There are a lot more surprises in this home that you won't want to miss

July 25, 2014

Bull Head Not Included in This Cheery Fort Greene Apartment

By Dana Schulz

This apartment might not come with that funky piece of western decor, but don't let that deter you just yet. This cheery one bedroom apartment has plenty more to offer. If the bright, light-filled rooms don't sell you, maybe the private terrace will. Still want more? How about the unit's location in the Meltzer Mandl Architects-designed Clermont Greene? The sleek, curving residential is an ultra modern super abode, and best of all, comes with a large, beautifully landscaped courtyard.
See what else this Brooklyn apartment hides

Distinctive Homes

July 24, 2014

Do Not Disturb! Peeking Into the NYC Condo Hotel Market

By Dana Schulz

Who wouldn't want to be able to order a juicy burger in the middle of the night and have it delivered in mere minutes? Or never have to worry about making the bed or folding sheets ever again (does anyone know how to fold the fitted sheet properly)? How about having an on-call masseuse? This is the life of living in a condo hotel. Today, the city is teeming with these luxurious hybrids. The Residences at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park City are home to the city's most expensive listing at $118 million. The landmark Plaza Hotel was partially converted to 181 residences in 2008. And let's not forget One57, the 90-story, 52-condo tower that will be the first five-star luxury hotel to rise in New York City in the last ten years. But do the vacation-worthy amenities at these buildings make them dominant in the real estate market?
We take a closer look

Events & Things To Do

July 24, 2014

Preservationists Publish Report Asking City to Better Protect Soon-To-Be-Landmarked Buildings

By Dana Schulz

It's not always as easy as one might think to successfully advocate for the landmark designation of an historic building in New York, especially when that building's owner is not on board with preservation efforts. According to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), more than 20 historically significant buildings (including those designed by renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Morris Lapidus) have been heavily altered or altogether demolished over the past 12 years after city officials gave word to owners that their buildings were under consideration for landmarking. This comes from a new report that GVSHP commissioned, which examines the Bloomberg administration's actions regarding the notification given to developers and owners that the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) was looking at their properties, allowing alteration and demolition permits to slip through before any historic protections were granted.
We take a closer look at this preservation predicament

Policy

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All articles by Dana Schulz

AquaFence Flood Barriers Pop Up at NYC Waterfront Buildings

Spray-Painted Solar Cells Get One Step Closer to Reality

CB4 Housing Plan Calls for 11,000 Units of Affordable Housing

Design Trust for Public Space Announces Winning Ideas to Redefine NYC Public Spaces

Greenland Forest City Partners Selects COOKFOX and Thomas Balsley for Pacific Park Brooklyn (Formerly Atlantic Yards)

Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block in Cooper Joseph Studio’s Writer’s Studio

Franck Bohbot’s “Light On” Photographs Showcase NYC Landmarks After Dark

Soo Chan’s Soori High Line Will Offer 16 Private, Heated Swimming Pools

Rogers Marvel Architects Separate Public and Family Spaces in Their East Fifth Street Penthouse

Sharif El-Gamal Commissions Jean Nouvel to Design Islam Museum Next to WTC

New St. Mark’s Bookshop is a “Twist” on an Old Favorite

Seasoned Real Estate Couple Grab Eclectic Central Park West Apartment for $5.3 Million

A Suburban Enclave in Manhattan: Peeking Into Battery Park City

Starchitects Aren’t to Blame for “Ruining” the Skyline

Paolo Venturella’s Flex Tower Twists to Soak Up Sunlight

For $25M, a Flatiron penthouse in a golden cupola, with Manhattan at your feet

A 19th Century Candy Store and WWI Fighter Plane Liven Up a Financial District Office Building

Tour Tommy Hilfiger’s Lavish Plaza Penthouse

Specht Harpman’s Eiche Residence Uses Simple Lines to Create a Calming East Village Hideaway

Hold Your Horses, This Clinton Hill Carriage House is Younger Than You Think

Sunny Park Slope Townhouse Gets an Artsy Makeover from The Brooklyn Home Company

This Central Park South Apartment Stands Out with a Gaudi-Inspired Ceiling

Grzywinski + Pons’ Dutchess House No. 1 is an Aluminum-Clad Country Retreat

Bull Head Not Included in This Cheery Fort Greene Apartment

Preservationists Publish Report Asking City to Better Protect Soon-To-Be-Landmarked Buildings

201 East 74th Street in Lenox Hill

All articles by Dana Schulz

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