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.
PHOTOS: See an abandoned High Line before its days as a public park

All photos © Jonathan Flaum. Photo above: High Line Color 1. June 2005.

September 5, 2019

PHOTOS: See an abandoned High Line before its days as a public park

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6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Photographer Jonathan Flaum started going up on the abandoned High line in the '80s, when it was full of overgrown wildlife, to see some of his friends' graffiti work and find a quiet escape from the city. In the late '90s, he heard about plans to demolish the former elevated train tracks and decided to start photographing the structure. Soon thereafter, Joshua David and Robert Hammond started Friends of the High Line, then a small, grassroots organization advocating for its preservation and adaptive reuse into a park. When they built their website, they incorporated Jonathan's photos to provide a behind-the-scenes look for those who weren't as adventurous to venture up there. The park's first phase officially opened in 2009 and to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Jonathan has shared with us his collection of photos. Ahead, hear from him on his experiences with the High Line and see how far this NYC icon has come.
See all the photos
Brooklyn’s highest penthouse sells to Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie

All renderings via Extell; Photo of Kevin Dinwiddie via Eric Drost on Wiki Commons

September 5, 2019

Brooklyn’s highest penthouse sells to Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie

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Not only will Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie have some of the most insane views in New York City, but he'll be just a 15-minute walk from the team's court at the Barclay's Center. The New York Post reports that Dinwiddie is in contract to buy the penthouse unit at Brooklyn Point, the 720-foot-tall tower that is the borough's current tallest residential building and boasts the highest rooftop infinity pool in the western hemisphere. The 68th-floor apartment was last asking $3.9 million.
Have a look inside
This spring, you can spend the night in an off-grid Mars habitat upstate

All renderings via AI SpaceFactory, © Plomp

September 4, 2019

This spring, you can spend the night in an off-grid Mars habitat upstate

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If you're intrigued by all the talk of living on Mars but don't actually want to depart planet Earth, you can have a shot at semi-extraterrestrial living this spring. AI SpaceFactory, the architects behind NASA's Mars habitat MARSHA, are bringing a "Mars habitat designed for off-grid living on Earth" to a site an hour-and-a-half north of NYC along the Hudson River (h/t Curbed). For a donation as low as $175, you'll be able to spend the night in the TERA cabin and get "a glimpse into the future of sustainable life on and beyond our planet," according to a press release.
More details and views
My 2,400sqft: Inside Compass agent Christine Blackburn’s custom-designed Fort Greene home
September 3, 2019

My 2,400sqft: Inside Compass agent Christine Blackburn’s custom-designed Fort Greene home

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Ten years ago, Christine Blackburn and her husband built an entirely new home above two storefronts in Fort Greene. Christine is one half of the Barak/Blackburn Team at Compass. As a seasoned real estate agent who specializes in North Brooklyn and Downtown Manhattan, it's no surprise that she had the eye to create a home with a double-height living room, two terraces, a roof deck, and plenty of cool, custom design details. 6sqft recently paid Christine a visit to get a tour of her home, learn what it was like to build the residence from the ground up, and hear her thoughts on the real estate market in New York City.
Take the tour
121-year-old Middle Eastern grocery Sahadi’s opens second Brooklyn location at Industry City

All images courtesy of Industry City

August 29, 2019

121-year-old Middle Eastern grocery Sahadi’s opens second Brooklyn location at Industry City

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Today, beloved Middle Eastern grocery store Sahadi's is opening its second Brooklyn location at Industry City, and it'll now include a sit-down restaurant. It's the first expansion for the third-generation, family-owned business, whose production facility has long been located nearby in Sunset Park. The new 7,500- square-foot space will have 80 seats, Lebanese wines on tap, daily meze specials, grab-and-go options, and one of NYC's only operational Saj griddles. As co-owner Ron Sahadi says, "We were artisanal before it was cool."
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Gowanus’ historic Coignet Stone Building is for sale asking $6.5M

Photos by Vanessa DeGarcia, courtesy of The Corcoran Group

August 28, 2019

Gowanus’ historic Coignet Stone Building is for sale asking $6.5M

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If there's one building that has come to represent the preservation movement in Gowanus, it very well might be the Coignet Stone Building. Built in 1873 as a showroom and physical advertisement for Francois Coignet's concrete construction company, it was the first documented concrete building in the city. Whole Foods purchased the property in 2005 and built its new supermarket next door, and the following year, the Coignet Buiding was landmarked. After years of neglect, Whole Foods completed a $1.3 million restoration in 2016, listing the property shortly thereafter for $6 million. It's now back for a hair more, and though a gut interior renovation is definitely required, it's being sold as a residential townhouse that has incredible potential.
See inside
10 bronze sculptures of powerful women are on view outside a Midtown office building

photos © 6sqft

August 28, 2019

10 bronze sculptures of powerful women are on view outside a Midtown office building

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It's been nearly two years since artists Gillie and Marc first revealed their "Statues for Equality" project. Noting that less than three percent of all NYC statues are of women, the husband-and-wife public art specialists created a series of 10 bronze sculptures of inspirational women who were voted on by the public--Oprah Winfrey, P!nk, Nicole Kidman, Jane Goodall, Cate Blanchett, Tererai Trent, Janet Mock, Tracy Dyson, Cheryl Strayed, and Gabby Douglas. Monday, on Women's Equality Day, the statues were unveiled in front of RXR's Realty's 1285 Avenue of the Americas (h/t Untapped Cities).
Check out all the statues
Where I Work: Shelly Fireman’s Redeye Grill has been serving the Carnegie Hall crowd for 25 years
August 13, 2019

Where I Work: Shelly Fireman’s Redeye Grill has been serving the Carnegie Hall crowd for 25 years

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When Sheldon “Shelly” Fireman opened Redeye Grill across from Carnegie Hall 25 years ago, the term "restauranteur" didn't exist. But by that point, he'd already gained local celebrity status for Greenwich Village's all-night Hip Bagel and had the foresight to open Cafe Fiorello near recently completed Lincoln Center. Today, Shelly is the CEO of Fireman Hospitality Group, which operates six restaurants in NYC as well as two on the Potomac River in Maryland. And though he can most definitely be called a restauranteur now, Shelly stands out amongst the myriad food influencers in the city. Though his establishments exude an old-school New York charm and certain nostalgia, he has found the formula to withstand the test of time. After a 2018 kitchen fire, the iconic Redeye Grill reopened in July. We recently sat down to lunch with Shelly to hear more about his story and take a tour of this classic Midtown restaurant.
Have a look around and meet Shelly
Sting drops $66M on penthouse in millionaire-magnet 220 Central Park South

Photo of 220 CPS via CityRealty; photo of Sting via Wiki Commons

August 1, 2019

Sting drops $66M on penthouse in millionaire-magnet 220 Central Park South

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It's been three years since rumors surfaced that Sting and wife Trudie Styler were in negotiations to buy an apartment in ultra-exclusive 220 Central Park South. Since then, they sold their nearby 15 Central Park West penthouse for $50 million and reportedly rented a swanky pad at Zaha Hadid's High Line condo. But now The Real Deal has confirmed those early whispers and reports that the couple has purchased a $66 million penthouse at the Central Park South building, which has become a magnet for high-wealth house hunters after hedge funder Ken Griffin dropped $238 million on a residence there, becoming the most expensive home in the country.
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My 1,400sqft: A bright Chelsea duplex does live-work duty for a hair stylist and her family
July 30, 2019

My 1,400sqft: A bright Chelsea duplex does live-work duty for a hair stylist and her family

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When Cassie Harwood-Jacquet moved to NYC from Adelaide, Australia eight years ago, she thought she'd only stay for a few months. But after scoring a job in a salon (she'd worked as a hairstylist for a decade back home), meeting her husband Matt, and having him move to New York from Paris to continue his career as a menswear designer, she decided to put down roots. Cassie and Matt now have an adorable three-year-old daughter named Fanella Rose and a lovely, family-friendly duplex in Chelsea. To balance her life as a working mom, Cassie set up her own salon, Maison Jacquet, in their apartment. 6sqft recently paid the Jacquets a visit and got a tour of their contemporary, colorful, and comfortable home and chatted with Cassie about raising children in Chelsea, working from home, and how she and Matt decorated their space.
Take the tour and meet Cassie
Asbury Park’s second act: How developer iStar is transforming this Jersey Shore town

Photo of Asbury Park’s Convention Hall by Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons

July 26, 2019

Asbury Park’s second act: How developer iStar is transforming this Jersey Shore town

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If you lived along the Jersey Shore in the '80s and '90s, Asbury Park was not a place you went. After getting its start in the late 1800s as a summer escape for wealthy residents of NYC and Philly, the 1.6-square-mile town boomed again in the '50s and '60s as a grungey, artsy hangout. But after the race riots in the 1970s, the town fell into disrepair and was forgotten by local stakeholders. Fast forward to today, and Asbury is booming--we once aptly described it as "Williamsburg meets Bruce Springsteen-land meets Venice Beach." Like many gentrifying/revitalized areas, the change can be attributed to a developer with foresight. In this case, the team at iStar realized the opportunity nine years ago. They now own 35 acres of land in Asbury, including 70 percent of the waterfront, and are investing more than $1 billion in the town. Their projects include the luxury condo Monroe, the renovated Asbury Lanes bowling alley/performance venue, The Asbury Hotel, and, most recently, the Asbury Ocean Club, a hotel-condo hybrid that made headlines for its $1,050/night suite. Unsurprisingly, iStar has received its share of criticism, but that hasn't stopped New Yorkers from flooding the seaside city in the summertime. Ahead, we delve into the social and cultural landscape of Asbury and talk with iStar's Brian Cheripka about the lesser-known politics behind their plans, why they decided to invest in Asbury Park, and what we can expect to see in the future.
READ MORE
Queens Night Market is bringing its global cuisine to Rockefeller Center

Queens Night Market, Photo by Storm Garner

July 24, 2019

Queens Night Market is bringing its global cuisine to Rockefeller Center

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Since launching in 2015, the Queens Night Market has become a favorite in the food market scene for its international offerings. But for those who can't make it out to Flushing Meadows, the Market will be opening a new daytime outpost at Rockefeller Center starting July 29th. Founder John Wang said The OUTPOST by Queens Night Market is "a chance to test out the area’s appetite for unique global offerings, and also a chance for some of our dedicated vendors to profit from all the passion and hard work they bring to the Queens Night Market."
Find out the vendors
Where I Work: Harlem’s Focus Lighting illuminates the field of architectural lighting design
July 9, 2019

Where I Work: Harlem’s Focus Lighting illuminates the field of architectural lighting design

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6sqft’s series “Where I Work” takes us into the studios, offices, and off-beat workspaces of New Yorkers across the city. In this installment, we’re touring the Harlem office of architectural lighting design firm Focus Lighting. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! After spending many years designing theatrical lighting, Paul Gregory decided to transition into the world of architectural lighting. He started his career working on nightclubs and in 1987, founded his own firm in his neighborhood of Harlem. Eight years later, Paul and his team at Focus Lighting garnered international recognization for their work on the Entel Tower in Santiago Chile, the world's first automated color-changing building. Since then, the firm has grown to have 35 employees and nabs commissions such as the Times Square ball, Tavern on the Green, and the Waldorf Astoria (and that's just here in NYC). But through all their success, Focus has kept their offices in Harlem, now at 116th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, where their close-knit employees work collaboratively. The converted loft space has a unique light lab, similar to a black box theater, as well as a gallery space where the team can test out new means of digital architecture and video projects. 6sqft recently visited Focus Lighting to learn more about their fascinating work, tour the space, and chat with Focus partner and principal designer Brett Andersen and principal designer Christine Hope.
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Apply for 60 affordable apartments in the heart of Harlem, from $562/month

Photo via Flickr cc

July 8, 2019

Apply for 60 affordable apartments in the heart of Harlem, from $562/month

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Just three blocks north of bustling 125th Street, a brand new all-affordable building known as the Frederick has just opened the lottery for 59 of its 75 units. Ranging from $562/month studios to $2,158/month three-bedrooms, the mixed-income apartments are available to households earning 40, 50, 60, and 110 percent of the area median income. In addition to being right near local landmarks such as the Apollo and the Red Rooster, the 15-story building at 2395 Frederick Douglass Boulevard is just a block away from St. Nicholas Park and a few blocks from the A, C, B, and D trains.
Find out if you qualify
South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 offering limited public access to see July 4th fireworks

Image via Wiki Commons

July 3, 2019

South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 offering limited public access to see July 4th fireworks

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For the first time in five years, Macy's has moved its July 4th fireworks display to the Brooklyn Bridge, along with four barges that will launch pyrotechnics off the shore of the South Street Seaport's Pier 17. The Pier, recently redeveloped by the Howard Hughes Corporation and designed by SHoP Architects, consists of food and drink options, retail, and a rooftop entertainment complex, all of which is supposed to be publicly accessible during operating hours according to a deal with the city. However, as Gothamist first reported, the only ways to check out the fireworks from Piers 16 and 17 are to drop $500 on a ticket to a party at Jean Georges' restaurant The Fulton, be cool enough to land on the VIP list for a party atop Pier 17, or have scored one of just 300 community spots on the Seaport's Wavertree ship (registration closed today at noon).
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After a four-year renovation project, N train service in Brooklyn is fully restored

Photo via Wiki Commons

July 2, 2019

After a four-year renovation project, N train service in Brooklyn is fully restored

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The average New Yorker's biggest MTA gripe is delays at their station, but imagine having no station at all for two years? That's what residents in the Bensonhurst area of Brooklyn have endured. Beginning in July 2017, seven Coney Island-bound N train stations, starting at Fort Hamilton Parkway in Borough Park and stretching to 86th Street in Gravesend, were closed as part of the Sea Beach Line restoration project. After a sixth-month delay, the final phase is now complete, with four stations in Bensonhurst finally reopening, reports The City.
Get the details
Inside the Elizabeth Collective, Elizabeth Taylor’s former Midtown mansion turned arts collective
June 21, 2019

Inside the Elizabeth Collective, Elizabeth Taylor’s former Midtown mansion turned arts collective

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When you think of the heart of Midtown, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not a turn-of-the-century mansion dripping with historic details. But nestled amongst the office buildings on West 56th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues is just that. Designed by architects Warren & Wetmore of Grand Central fame, 10 West 56th Street has gone through several incarnations over its lifetime, from private residence (including the one-time home of Elizabeth Taylor!) to high-end retail space. Its most recent transformation was helmed by Roxana Q. Girand, founder of real estate development firm Sebastian Capital. Wanting to merge her expertise and passion in commercial space, art, and beauty, she opened the Elizabeth Collective this past fall as part art pop-up event space, part permanent studio workspaces. 6sqft recently visited Roxana at the Collective to get a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible French Renaissance Revival building, see how she's given the space a new life, and learn more about what's to come.
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Low-income senior housing lottery opens for 83 units at Perkins Eastman-designed building in Mott Haven

Rendering of Mill Brook Terrace courtesy of NYCHA

June 20, 2019

Low-income senior housing lottery opens for 83 units at Perkins Eastman-designed building in Mott Haven

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As 6sqft recently reported, "More than 17 percent of New Yorkers are over the age of 60." Recognizing the need to provide adequate affordable housing for this population, last year, the city committed $500 million to build 1,000 new apartments for low-income seniors. Though the plan has moved slower than hoped, there are new opportunities taking shape, such as this lottery for 83 low-income apartments in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The one-bedroom units are available to one- or two-person households in which at least one member is 62 years of age or older, who qualify for NYCHA's Section 8 program, and who earn between $0 and $42,700 annually. Those who are eligible will pay 30 percent of their income to live in the building at 570 East 137th Street, a new project from Perkins Eastman.
Learn more here
Central Park’s Belvedere Castle reveals $12M restoration

The restored Belvedere, courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

June 18, 2019

Central Park’s Belvedere Castle reveals $12M restoration

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After a 15-month, $12 million restoration and repair project, the Belvedere will reopen to the public on Friday, June 28th. In anticipation, the Central Park Conservancy today opened the historic structure to press, revealing its restored facade, expansive views through new clear-pane-glass windows, new mechanical and utility systems, and a recreation of a wooden tower that was part of Olmsted and Vaux's original plan 150 years ago. Though many New Yorkers refer to the site as Belvedere Castle, "Belvedere" actually means “beautiful view” in Italian and refers to the vistas from the second-highest point in Central Park. Belvedere receives approximately one million visitors each year, and starting this month, they will also be able to see the Castle illuminated at night, as the landmark will be lit for the first time ever.
See more right here
MTA rolls out rainbow MetroCards and train decals for Pride month

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

June 13, 2019

MTA rolls out rainbow MetroCards and train decals for Pride month

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The Federal government may be banning Pride flags at U.S. embassies, but here in New York, our city agencies are prouder than ever to show off the rainbow. The latest initiative comes from the MTA, who has revealed a special set of Pride MetroCards, along with Pride-themed Transit merchandise and a new Pride logo on select subway cars. All of the festive additions mark not only World Pride being hosted in NYC this year but the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
See more
1,250-name waitlist opens for affordable co-ops at Chelsea’s Penn South, starting at $84,000

23rd Street subway station and Penn South, via Wiki Commons

June 13, 2019

1,250-name waitlist opens for affordable co-ops at Chelsea’s Penn South, starting at $84,000

By
Though it's rare, the city does offer affordable apartments to purchase, and a new waiting list is now open for residences at Penn South, a limited-equity housing co-op (h/t Rachel Holliday Smith). The Chelsea development stretches between Eighth and Ninth Avenues from 23rd to 29th Streets and is comprised of 10 buildings and nearly 3,000 units. Though the complex was constructed almost 60 years ago, its location today is prime thanks to a booming Chelsea and proximity to Hudson Yards. Those who meet the income requirements can enter the 1,250-name waitlist for studios starting at $84,372, one-bedrooms from $101,247, and two-bedrooms from $151,870.
Find out if you qualify
32 middle-income units up for grabs at new Sheepshead Bay rental, from $1,450/month

Design and rendering by EranArc pllc

June 4, 2019

32 middle-income units up for grabs at new Sheepshead Bay rental, from $1,450/month

By
Several years ago, 6sqft referred to Sheepsheads Bay as "the once-sleepy waterfront community that’s almost as far out as Coney Island." Since then, a slew of new projects has started to rise in the neighborhood, including the tallest residential building in South Brooklyn and a luxury condo with prices up to $1.7 million. Adding to the buzz is a new affordable housing lottery at 2442 Ocean Avenue, a seven-story, 105-unit rental building that, thanks to its U-shaped design, offers an interior courtyard and many outdoor terraces. The 35 middle-income apartments up for grabs are available to those earning 130 percent of the area median income and range from $1,450/month studios to $2,499/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Moishe’s Bakery may get a new life in the East Village

Photo by James and Karla Murray of the store in 2015 after the original signage was replaced following the East Village gas explosion nearby.

May 31, 2019

Moishe’s Bakery may get a new life in the East Village

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"Formerly Moishe's" is the strangely straightforward name that may soon christen the beloved East Village Kosher bakery. A local tipster and friend of long-time owner Moishe Perlmutter told EV Grieve that Moishe recently let him know that a new group of bakers would be taking over the location. He said they'll still serve baked goods and coffee and he may stay involved in some limited capacity. After 42 years in business, the bakery closed its doors in March after Moishe decided to retire.
Get the scoop
MTA’s new tap-to-pay system begins replacing MetroCards today

Photo via Google

May 31, 2019

MTA’s new tap-to-pay system begins replacing MetroCards today

By
Before you get too distraught--you'll still be able to swipe (and "swipe again") your MetroCard until 2023. But for those techier New Yorkers, as of noon today, you'll be able to take advantage of the MTA's new tap-to-pay fare system when a pilot launches at 16 Manhattan and Brooklyn subway stations on the 4, 5, and 6 lines between Grand Central-42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, as well as all Staten Island buses. The new payment system, called OMNY (One Metro New York), will employ e-readers that can accept contactless credit, debit, or reloadable prepaid cards, along with digital wallet apps on mobile phones and wearables. Additionally, Google announced that they've teamed up with the MTA to enable Google Pay as a payment option.
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See inside Central Park’s revamped SummerStage venue
May 30, 2019

See inside Central Park’s revamped SummerStage venue

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This summer marks the 33rd SummerStage to take place in Central Park, but this year, NYC's largest, free outdoor performing arts festival has a completely revamped and reconceptualized venue to the tune of $5.5 million. The event, hosted by the City Parks Foundation, is comprised of 100 performances in 17 neighborhood parks throughout the city, but the flagship venue in Central Park is certainly the headliner. After 20 years, the 5,500-person space has a new stage with 20 percent more capacity and updated technology, along with a new circulation pattern meant to enhance the guest experience, new member and VIP viewing platforms, new concession areas, and more.
Go behind the scenes before the venue opens this weekend
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