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.
April 27, 2020

The Empire State Building’s new light shows honor essential workers and first responders

After kicking off on Saturday, the Empire State Building will continue to put on nightly light shows in honor of specific first responders and essential workers. The landmark began its #HEROESSHINEBRIGHT series by paying tribute to the FNDY and EMS on Friday, doctors, nurses, and the medical community on Saturday, and correction officers on Sunday. Tonight, watch the building blink orange, blue, and white in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as blue and gold in honor of the U.S. Navy.
See the rest of the lineup
April 27, 2020

Here’s what New York’s phased reopening will look like

"Let's start to put some meat on the bones" said Governor Cuomo yesterday in his press conference, referring to a reopening plan. After first reminding New Yorkers that the CDC recommends the state and regional hospitalization rate be in decline for 14 days before any action is taken, he laid out the phased reopening. The first phase brings back construction and manufacturing, while the second phase starts to reintroduce a wider net of businesses based on their risk and how essential they are. The plan will pay special attention to "summer activities" like beaches, and the governor also talked about bringing back sports without audiences.
More details here
April 27, 2020

31 middle-income apartments available just off McCarren Park in Greenpoint, from $1,288

Located just off McCarren Park in Greenpoint, 12 Eckford Street is a new rental building with 101 units. Thirty-one of these are now up for grabs through an affordable housing lottery for middle-income New Yorkers earning 80 or 130 percent of the area median income. The available apartments range from $1,288/month studios to $2,856/month two-bedrooms and include in-unit washer/dryers, dishwashers, and window shades. Amenities include a roof terrace, fitness center, resident lounge, bike storage, and package room.
Find out if you qualify
April 27, 2020

The L train ‘slowdown’ is over! Regular subway service resumes today

"Ahead of schedule" and "under budget" are not phrases commonly associated with the MTA, but the agency pulled it out when it came to the L train tunnel project. Originally planned as a major shutdown by the city, the project was downgraded to a partial "slowdown" in January 2019 after Governor Cuomo convened his own panel of engineers. And after work began last April, causing only reduced service on nights and weekends, the governor announced yesterday that L train service will resume on both tracks during overnights and weekends starting today. He also said that the project finished three months ahead of schedule and $100 million under budget.
Take a virtual first ride!
April 24, 2020

Upper East Side apartment has a funky Murphy bed and a futuristic white-box design for just $350K

Perhaps the pandemic lifestyle has inspired you to go more minimalist. If so, this alcove studio on the Upper East Side may be pretty appealing. Located at 205 East 63rd Street, just east of Third Avenue, the legal one-bedroom has a futuristic vibe with stark white walls, porcelain floors, and furniture, save for the strategically placed pops of lime green. For just $350,000, there's a foyer, full kitchen, large living room (currently outfitted with a modern Murphy bed to free up even more space), and a whopping six closets.
See more
April 24, 2020

11 virtual things to do in NYC this weekend: Sing with Stephen Sondheim, make pizza dough, and more

Happy Friday! Even if every day feels like a Saturday to you, there tends to be more virtual goings-on over the weekend, and this week is no exception. From live-streamed events like the Met Opera's at-home gala and Broadway.com's birthday concert for Stephen Sondheim to interactive happenings like Zoom "happy hours" at your favorite local bar and quarantine cooking classes, we've rounded up the 10 best virtual things for New Yorkers to do this weekend.
Check out the full list
April 24, 2020

$3M Washington Square Park condo has a secret closet and an Insta-friendly vintage kitchen

If you've been perusing Pinterest for design inspiration to spruce up your apartment during quarantine, look no further than this totally adorable Greenwich Village apartment. The seafoam kitchen has vintage attitude with SMEG's retro appliances, and there are cool boho accents all over. There are architectural details, too, like exposed brick and a 19th-century fireplace, and there's even a secret closet hidden behind part of the built-in bookshelf  (You need to pull the copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes to access!). What's even better is that when you step outside of the building at 106 Waverly Place, you're just around the corner from Washington Square Park.
Check it all out
April 23, 2020

These Twitter accounts will tell you how long the lines are at Trader Joe’s

Getting groceries is no easy task in the current climate, from waiting in lines to scavenging for toilet paper. But a couple of new Twitter accounts are hoping to make it a bit less stressful, at least for those New Yorkers still heading to Trader Joe's. Trader Joes Line Alert was started by a Brooklyn Heights resident to let people know how long the line currently is at the Court Street store. Likewise, EV TJs and Target Line will let you know how long the lines are at both the Trader Joe's and Target on 14th Street and Avenue A. And then there's Trader Joes Line Murray Hill.
READ MORE
April 23, 2020

Top NYC chefs featured in a new e-cookbook to benefit the restaurant industry

Everyone's experience during this current crisis is a little bit different, but the one thing that's emerged as the great unifier is cooking. From sourdough starters and banana bread to chefs cooking at home on Instagram, we can't get enough of both trying new recipes ourselves and seeing how the pros do it in their own kitchens. Family Meal, a new e-cookbook from Penguin Random House, combines the best of these comforts, featuring 50 recipes from famous chefs and home cooks. But the best part is that 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Restaurant Workers’ Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
READ MORE
April 23, 2020

For $9.3M, be the first to live in this designer Tribeca penthouse

Does quarantine have you dreaming about more apartment space? How about 3,000 square feet inside and 2,200 square feet outside? That's what you'll get at this penthouse at 430 Greenwich Street in Tribeca. The lucky new owner who drops $9,275,000 on the co-op will be the first tenant; previously a raw loft space, it was recently renovated and custom-designed by architect Robert Marino. Not only did he add an irrigated roof garden with an outdoor kitchen, but he complimented the interior's original features like exposed timber beams and steel supports with super-chic additions including imported Italianate bronze work.
You'll want to see more of this one
April 22, 2020

Mike Bloomberg donates $10.5M to develop New York region’s contact tracing program

After receiving positive news last night from the White House in regards to federal support for testing, Governor Cuomo today revealed new details on the contact-tracing-isolation program that the state will begin implementing immediately in conjunction with increased testing. Former NYC Mayor and billionaire philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has volunteered to help develop this program, which will operate across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Bloomberg Philanthropies has also made a financial contribution of $10.5 million.
READ MORE
April 22, 2020

Following meeting with Trump, Cuomo says New York will double COVID testing capacity

It was a question of friend or foe leading up to Governor Cuomo's meeting at the White House yesterday, but it looks like the governor, who has been referred to as the "Trump whisperer," came out of the chat with some concrete federal commitments when it comes to advancing coronavirus testing in the state. After the meeting, the governor announced a partnership with the federal government that will double the current daily testing capacity from 20,000 to 40,000, which includes both diagnostic and antibody tests. The state will manage the actual tests in its laboratories, but the federal government will be responsible for handling the international supply chain issues associated with testing that are out of the state's purview.
More details
April 21, 2020

NYC Council bill wants to block evictions for unpaid rent for a full year

Amidst calls for a statewide rent strike, the New York City Council will introduce a COVID-19 relief package tomorrow that extends the eviction moratorium for those affected by the coronavirus crisis until April 2021. "We must #cancelrent, but in the meantime, the Council is working to give tenants peace of mind so New Yorkers won’t suffer irreparable harms," tweeted Council Speaker Corey Johnson this afternoon. The bill, which the Council will introduce tomorrow at their first-ever remote hearing, extends the amount of time both residential and commercial tenants have to repay rent and blocks debt collection.
More details here
April 21, 2020

$6M Hamptons country home has a huge pool and a killer kitchen game

The warm weather is upon us, and it's undoubtedly going to make staying indoors harder. But not if this East Hampton home is where you're be sheltering in place. The incredible 7,000-square-foot residence has six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half bathrooms, and outdoor space that'll make you drool. The pool is a whopping 20' x 50' and has a sun shelf and hot tub. There's a covered dining area and an outdoor kitchen with a built-in gas grill and stainless steel refrigerator and drink drawers (did someone say pool-side cocktails?!).
The interior isn't too shabby, either
April 21, 2020

When NYC reopens, there will be a ticker-tape parade for health care workers and first responders

"The first thing we will do, before we think about anything else, is we will take a time as only New York City can do, to throw the biggest, best parade to honor these heroes," said Mayor de Blasio in his morning press conference, referring to his announcement that the city will hold a ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes for health care workers and first responders as soon as things reopen. "This parade will mark the beginning of our renaissance."
READ MORE
April 21, 2020

Sweet Upper West Side one-bedroom is a great first place for $525K

It might feel like the coronavirus crisis has halted life, but many New Yorkers still need to move. And for those looking to buy their first place, this adorable one-bedroom co-op at 46 West 65th Street could be the perfect place. First, there's the prime Upper West Side location just across from Lincoln Center. Then there's the cozy layout and modern finishes. And most importantly, the price is right at $525,000
Check it out
April 21, 2020

This week’s NYC sing along goes national with ‘Lean on Me’

Photo by Norbert Kundrak on Unsplash On April 3, three-time Grammy Award winner Bill Withers passed away at the age of 81. Among his top hits were "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lovely Day," and "Lean on Me," which will be the song New Yorkers will sing to out their windows this Thursday evening. Volunteer community choir Peace of Heart Choir kicked off the city-wide sing along last week with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” This week, the event is planned to reach the entire nation.
READ MORE
April 20, 2020

Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jon Stewart and more will perform on ‘Jersey 4 Jersey’ benefit

On Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund will host a star-studded benefit to support those in need in the severely impacted state. The event will include performances streamed from the homes of  New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa, Halsey, SZA, and Charlie Puth, as well as Tony Bennett, who long had a studio in the state. Others who hail from the state will make special appearances including Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa, Chelsea Handler, Saquon Barkley, Jon Stewart, and Chris Rock.
READ MORE
April 20, 2020

NYC cancels Pride March, Puerto Rican Day Parade along with all June gatherings

Though Governor Cuomo has only extended New York Pause through May 15, Mayor de Blasio went one step further and canceled all non-essential permitted events in June. Most notably this includes the Pride March (for which it would have been the 50th anniversary), the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the Celebrate Israel Parade. In addition to parades, concerts, rallies, and large gatherings will be canceled through June.
READ MORE
April 17, 2020

Jeff Bezos now owns $96M worth of apartments in Flatiron condo

Amazon behemoth and richest person in the world Jeff Bezos has been making headlines in recent weeks for his $100 million donation to U.S. food banks. He's also become $24 billion richer since the coronavirus crisis sent Amazon's stocks surging. And it looks like he's taking a very small percentage of that fortune and expanding his real estate investment in NYC. The Post reports that Bezos just dropped $16 million on an apartment in the Flatiron condo 212 Fifth Avenue. Last June, he bought three units in the building totaling $80 million, making it the largest deal to ever close in New York south of 42nd Street. Now he can create a mega-mansion in the sky.
READ MORE
April 17, 2020

NYC’s $20M fund will provide emergency relief to immigrant workers and their families

Federal stimulus checks started hitting bank accounts this week, but to qualify for the IRS' Economic Impact Payments one must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien and have a social security number. This omits about 7.6 million undocumented immigrant workers across the country, roughly 4.3 million of whom pay taxes using a taxpayer identification number, as CNN and Market Watch reported. Here in the city, however, Mayor de Blasio has announced the New York City COVID-19 Immigrant Emergency Relief program, a $20 million fund that will "reach 20,000 immigrant workers and their families with direct, one-time emergency relief." The program is funded by George Soros' Open Society Foundations.
READ MORE
April 17, 2020

$9.87M Noho penthouse has three terraces and a huge skylight

When you have three separate outdoor spaces and a massive atria skylight, cabin fever will definitely be less of a problem. All that and more is on offer at this $9,875,000 Noho condo. Located at 27 Great Jones Street, a traditional cast-iron loft, the duplex also has oversized windows, original wood-beamed ceilings, contemporary finishes, and views of the surrounding neighborhoods and all the way down to the World Trade Center.
Have a look around
April 16, 2020

This $8M Upper East Side townhouse feels like an Italian Chateau

Let's talk about these ceilings--soaring 21 feet with dramatic archways, they are undoubtedly the highlight of this $7,995,000 Upper East Side Townhouse. Add in architectural details like wrought iron railings, etched glass windows, ornate moldings, and carved marble fireplaces, and it feels like you've stepped into an Italian Chateau. In reality, the four-bedroom house is located at 234 East 61st Street, part of the exclusive, two-block Treadwell Farm Historic District.
Take the tour
April 16, 2020

Trains, buses, and ferries will #SoundTheHorn today at 3pm to honor transit workers

Image courtesy of the MTA The MTA is joining Amtrak, NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NYC Ferry, and other regional transit agencies to take part in the #soundthehorn campaign. Today at 3pm, all in-service trains, buses, and ferries will give two horn blasts to honor transportation workers across the region. "Our employees are heroes," said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye. "They are courageously coming to work each day to perform their essential duties, which are critically important to this region during the pandemic."
READ MORE