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.

How to plan a safe COVID Thanksgiving

Photo by ?? Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

October 29, 2020

How to plan a safe COVID Thanksgiving

Here in NYC, Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo have both advised against traveling for Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate. One option is to host a virtual holiday. It won't be the same, but it's got its selling points (i.e. no squabbling with your mother-in-law in the kitchen or having dad refuse to turn the game off during dinner); it'll just take some extra planning in advance. If you have family and friends local, you may want to consider a safe, outdoor meal. But we recommend buying a heater now and figuring out how you'll keep the food warm. Ahead, we've put together a guide to planning a COVID Thanksgiving, no matter how you plan to enjoy the day.
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$4.65M Park Slope carriage house is big on ‘Southern Charm’

Photos by Allyson Lubow, courtesy of The Lesley Semmelhack Team at The Corcoran Group

October 29, 2020

$4.65M Park Slope carriage house is big on ‘Southern Charm’

Fans of Bravo's Southern Charm might confuse this home with one of the stylish Charleston pads featured in the show, but it's actually right here in Park Slope. Another surprising fact is that the two-family carriage house at 396 15th Street was built in 2014, however, it still has plenty of character including the elegant moldings, country-chic kitchens, and beautiful built-ins. Consisting of two, three-bedroom duplexes, the property also has a shared garage, garden, two terraces, and a roof deck. It's asking $4,650,000.
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Distinctive Homes

$2M for a West Village duplex with historic charm, modern updates, and a roof deck

Photo credit: Compass

October 28, 2020

$2M for a West Village duplex with historic charm, modern updates, and a roof deck

This $1,995,000, two-bedroom co-op in the West Village has major historic bones, but it's also seen some clever, contemporary additions over the years that make it a comfortable family home. Located at 92 Horatio Street, the duplex is laid out with both bedrooms on the second floor, and it has a nearly 300-square-foot roof terrace.
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Distinctive Homes

For $4.9M, own a private New York island with a 100-year-old Mediterranean-style mansion

Photo by Framework Home

October 28, 2020

For $4.9M, own a private New York island with a 100-year-old Mediterranean-style mansion

We'd be lying if we said we haven't dreamt of throwing in the 2020 towel and escaping to a secluded island. And while this private island that's up for sale is just 45 minutes from NYC, it still manages to feel like a magical oasis removed from the rest of the world. Asking $4,900,000, Oak Island is more than half an acre on Premium Mill Pond, overlooking the Long Island Sound. The main residence is a Mediterranean-style mansion built in 1917, and you'll also get a pool/hot tub, separate two-car garage/pool house, and gorgeous lush landscaping.
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Distinctive Homes

Rare townhouse in the Manhattan Avenue Historic District comes to the market for $2.5M

Photo credit: Compass

October 27, 2020

Rare townhouse in the Manhattan Avenue Historic District comes to the market for $2.5M

The Manhattan Avenue Historic District is a group of 40 buildings that encompasses barely two blocks in the Manhattan Valley section of the Upper West Side. Stretching from West 104th to 106th Streets, the majority of the district's structures are picturesque townhouses designed in the then-popular Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival styles and built between 1885 and 1890. One of these homes, at 127 Manhattan Avenue, has just come to the market for the first time in 50 years. The five-bedroom townhouse is asking $2,495,000.
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Live in your very own 19th-century castle above the Hudson River for $3.5M

Listing photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

October 26, 2020

Live in your very own 19th-century castle above the Hudson River for $3.5M

First spotted by Brownstoner, one of the most unique and recognizable properties in the Hudson Valley has come to the market. The gilded-age landmark known as Castle Rock was built in 1881 in Garrison, New York as a summer home for William H. Osborn, president of the Illinois Central Railroad. Sitting atop the hill of the same name, the stone castle is 620 feet above the Hudson River, with incredible panoramic views. The 10,500-square-foot home is now asking $3,450,000, for sale for the first time in 45 years.
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Did you know the world’s oldest pet cemetery is in Westchester, New York?

Photo by Anthony22 via Wikimedia Commons

October 26, 2020

Did you know the world’s oldest pet cemetery is in Westchester, New York?

Did you know the country's first pet cemetery opened right here in New York, and still to this day is the world's largest such burial ground? Hartsdale Pet Cemetery was established in 1896 by NYC veterinarian Samuel Johnson (an early promoter of the ASPCA), who provided part of the apple orchard at his Westchester retreat to serve as a burial spot for a client's dog. Nearly 125 years later, this area is the resting place for more than 80,000 pets, from dogs and cats to reptiles to a lion cub who called the Plaza Hotel home. Known as "The Peaceable Kingdom," the grounds are also home to a 50-ton above-ground mausoleum for a pair of spaniels and the War Dog Memorial, a post-WWI tribute to military canines that was the first of its kind. Even Diana Ross, George Raft, and Mariah Carey have buried their four-legged friends here.
Find out more about this historic pet cemetery

History

Tiny West Village studio is big on Victorian style for $525K

Photo credit: Eitan Gamliely

October 26, 2020

Tiny West Village studio is big on Victorian style for $525K

This West Village studio may be petite, but it's got loads of Victorian-style charm and optimized storage space to make up for its small footprint. Asking $525,000, the co-op at 77 Perry Street has exposed brick walls, original tin ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling cherry wood built-ins that ensure every modern convenience is met.
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Distinctive Homes

Riverside Park opens new section with playgrounds, volleyball, lawns, and more

Photo courtesy of the Riverside Park Conservancy

October 23, 2020

Riverside Park opens new section with playgrounds, volleyball, lawns, and more

Yesterday, the fifth phase of Riverside Park South opened to the public. The 4.6-acre area stretches from West 65th to 68th Streets and includes new paths, stairs, and plazas; a playground and swings; lawns; sand volleyball courts; and a dog run. As West Side Rag tells us, the $21.1 million project--which was completed with federal, state, and private funds--was originally planned to open in 2018.
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Architecture And Design

Just 20 miles outside NYC, this 18th-century New Jersey home and barn asks $4M

Photo credit: Jump Visual

October 23, 2020

Just 20 miles outside NYC, this 18th-century New Jersey home and barn asks $4M

Earlier this year, the New York Times called Wyckoff, New Jersey "a peaceful suburb with a sense of community," and noted that the Bergen County town has been seeing "an influx of young families, who value its small-town atmosphere and relatively low taxes." This Wyckoff property may not be a starter home, but its $3,950,000 price tag gets you a piece of history set on four acres. The main residence, formerly known as the Halstead House, was built in 1779 and has been perfectly preserved over the years. There's also a renovated barn, a guest cottage, and a pool, all set against a beautiful pond.
See the whole place here

Popular Articles

$16M Chelsea penthouse has 3 outdoor spaces with incredible Hudson Yards views

Photos by Evan Joseph

October 23, 2020

$16M Chelsea penthouse has 3 outdoor spaces with incredible Hudson Yards views

The Emerson is the latest boutique condo in Chelsea to abut the High Line. Located at 500 West 25th Street, the 10-story building has just eight full-floor units, including the duplex penthouse, which has just hit the market for $16 million. The incredible four-bedroom home has 5,100 square feet of interior space along with nearly 2,600 square feet of outdoor space spread over two terraces and a roof deck with views of the High Line, Hudson River, Empire State Building, and Hudson Yards.
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Distinctive Homes

Midtown condo of the late ‘Odd Couple’ actress Carole Shelley lists for $1.35M

Photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

October 22, 2020

Midtown condo of the late ‘Odd Couple’ actress Carole Shelley lists for $1.35M

Tony Award-winning actress Carole Shelley, who is best known for her roles as Gwendolyn Pigeon in The Odd Couple and Madame Morrible in the original Broadway cast of Wicked, passed away in 2018 at the age of 79, leaving behind her NYC pied-à-terre at 340 West 57th Street. The Midtown West condo is located in the elegant, pre-war Parc Vendome, which is just a few blocks from Central Park South. The spacious one-bedroom home is listed for $1,350,000.
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New ‘Virtual Village’ platform offers 36 free history tours of Union Square South

October 22, 2020

New ‘Virtual Village’ platform offers 36 free history tours of Union Square South

Non-profit Village Preservation has launched a new online platform called Virtual Village, which is part of their larger efforts seeking landmarks protections for the "South of Union Square" area, where Greenwich Village meets the East Village. The interactive online tool offers 36 free, guided walking tours of the neighborhood, ranging from architectural topics like the Cast Iron Tour to cultural topics like the German History Tour to social topics like the Women's History and LGBTQ Tours.
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History

$1.15M Astoria condo has a terrace twice the size of the apartment

Photo credit: Scott Costanzo

October 22, 2020

$1.15M Astoria condo has a terrace twice the size of the apartment

Located at the luxury Astoria condo known as the East River Tower, this two-bedroom home has a 1,000-square-foot interior and a whopping 2,000-square-foot terrace. Moreover, the deck features an outdoor kitchen and a shed that's currently set up as a personal gym. The residence is right on the waterfront, and it's asking $1,150,000.
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Distinctive Homes

Susan Sarandon sells her Chelsea duplex for $7.9M asking price

Photos: Eitan Gamliely for Sotheby’s International Realty

October 21, 2020

Susan Sarandon sells her Chelsea duplex for $7.9M asking price

Just three months after listing her massive Chelsea duplex for $7.9 million, Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon has sold her long-time home for its full asking price. Located at 147 West 15th Street, the 6,000-square-foot co-op is spread over two floors and has six bedrooms, four exposures including views of the World Trade Center and Empire State Building, and an outdoor terrace and balcony. Over the summer, Queens-native Sarandon told the Wall Street Journal that she isn't leaving the city just downsizing to a smaller apartment in the area. "I’ve always been a New Yorker and I’ll continue to be a New Yorker," she said.
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New Target stores in Columbus Circle and Hell’s Kitchen are now open

New Target store at 1863 Broadway on the UWS. Photo credit: AP Images for Target.

October 21, 2020

New Target stores in Columbus Circle and Hell’s Kitchen are now open

After construction and COVID-related delays, Target has officially opened three new small-format stores on the Upper West Side, Hell's Kitchen, and Staten Island. The store at 61st and Broadway at Columbus Circle was first announced two years ago and was planned to open in 2019. Likewise, the store on 10th Avenue and 45th Street was first announced four years ago and was also planned to open in 2019. The store in the North Shore section of Staten Island is only delayed by six months.
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City Living

$12.75M Cobble Hill townhouse has gated parking and a vineyard-like garden

Listing photos courtesy of Compass

October 21, 2020

$12.75M Cobble Hill townhouse has gated parking and a vineyard-like garden

If townhouses were students, this Cobble Hill home would definitely be the teacher's pet. Unlike most townhouses anywhere in New York City, it has a 25-foot wide adjacent lot that's used as gated parking, as well as 3,500 square feet of outdoor space that looks like it could be right out of a Napa Valley vineyard. The $12,750,000 house is currently configured as an owner's triplex and an income-generating garden-level apartment, though it could easily be transformed into a grand, single-family residence.
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Distinctive Homes

$1.5M Connecticut estate of 60 Minutes’ Morley Safer has a stone cottage, writer’s studio, and more

All photos by Caryn B. Davis Photography

October 20, 2020

$1.5M Connecticut estate of 60 Minutes’ Morley Safer has a stone cottage, writer’s studio, and more

Legendary 60 Minutes news correspondent Morley Safer was on the show for more than four decades, and during most of that time, he split his time between NYC and this gorgeous, seven-acre estate in Chester, Connecticut. The property includes the main stone house built in 1908, a cozy writer's studio, a heated pool and gazebo, and a 19th-century barn. Safer passed away in 2016, and his wife Jane Fearer is now selling the estate for the first time in 30 years. It's asking $1,450,000.
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Lovely Tribeca loft of the late Toni Morrison lists for $4.75M

Listing images courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

October 20, 2020

Lovely Tribeca loft of the late Toni Morrison lists for $4.75M

The estate of the late Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison has just listed the novelist's former home. The Tribeca loft at 66 Leonard Street is asking $4,750,000. Morrison bought the three-bedroom condo for $3,800,000 in 2014, before passing away last year. Unsurprisingly, the home has lots of built-in shelves, filled with books, moments, and art.
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The backyard at this $2.6M Park Slope condo has designer cachet

Photo credit: Melanie Greene

October 20, 2020

The backyard at this $2.6M Park Slope condo has designer cachet

This three-bedroom condo has much of what you'd expect from a home within a Park Slope brownstone, but it's also got a couple of tricks up its sleeve. First, the lower level on the garden floor retains the home's original brick arches, which run the entire length of the space. And then, the gorgeous rear garden was designed by Future Green Studio, who also worked on projects at The Met, Nowadays, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Located at 134 Berkeley Place, the home is asking $2,575,000.
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Distinctive Homes

New York outlines initial strategy for prioritizing COVID vaccine distribution

Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

October 19, 2020

New York outlines initial strategy for prioritizing COVID vaccine distribution

Given the many unknowns surrounding a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as skepticism that certain vaccine trials could be politically motivated, Governor Cuomo announced last month that the state would put together a Clinical Advisory Task Force to advise New Yorkers on the vaccine's safety and effectiveness. In addition, over the weekend, the NYS Department of Health released a draft COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Program "that serves as an initial framework for ensuring the safe and effective distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine in New York." According to the preliminary plan, the vaccine would be distributed in five phases, with high-risk populations and essential workers prioritized.
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Policy

For $15M, this three-story UES penthouse is topped with a glass solarium

Listing photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

October 19, 2020

For $15M, this three-story UES penthouse is topped with a glass solarium

How's this for a work-from-home setup? The top floor of this triplex penthouse at 1158 Fifth Avenue is a "jewel box" solarium with a glass-enclosed arched atrium and five picture windows overlooking Central Park. Listed for $15 million, the four-bedroom home is classic Upper East Side with oversized living spaces, two landscaped terraces, and even a separate one-bedroom guest residence within the building.
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Distinctive Homes

After 50 years, Dangerfield’s comedy club closes from COVID burdens

Map data © 2020 Google

October 16, 2020

After 50 years, Dangerfield’s comedy club closes from COVID burdens

"I don't get no respect," goes the famous line by Rodney Dangerfield that would often echo through the Upper East Side comedy club in his namesake. And after the larger NYC comedy world has claimed that the state is showing them no respect in the wake of the pandemic, Dangerfield's will be closing after a 50-year run. First reported by Vulture, the club announced this week that the coronavirus "placed a severe financial burden" on them, "making operations in New York City untenable."
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City Living

For $2M, a 25-acre Catskills property with an 1835 farmhouse and a newly built log cabin

Photos by Tyler Blodgett for Heather Croner Real Estate Sotheby’s International Realty

October 16, 2020

For $2M, a 25-acre Catskills property with an 1835 farmhouse and a newly built log cabin

If you're like so many city residents looking for an upstate getaway these days, this incredible 25-acre property in Shawangunk, New York might definitely check a lot of your boxes. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Catskills residence is asking just $2,025,000 (the price of a pretty average NYC condo) and that includes a beautiful 1835 Greek Revival farmhouse, as well as a new log house built from salvaged, antique 1850s barns. All of this is surrounded by landscaped lawns and outdoor event spaces.
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Classic Beaux-Arts details abound at this $3.2M Upper West Side three-bedroom

Photo Credit: Empire Optix for Sotheby’s International Realty

October 16, 2020

Classic Beaux-Arts details abound at this $3.2M Upper West Side three-bedroom

This three-bedroom co-op is located in a row of combined 1899 Beaux-Arts townhouses at 329 West 108th Street, just off Riverside Drive. The $3,200,000 million home is about as grand and classic Upper West Side as they come. From the bay windows and stained glass to the elaborate moldings, coffered ceilings, and ornate mantles, there are gorgeously preserved architectural details in every room.
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