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.
For under $400K, this Upper West Side studio is cozy, clever, and convenient
November 12, 2018

For under $400K, this Upper West Side studio is cozy, clever, and convenient

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It's a hard thing in this city to find a studio that doesn't induce claustrophobia and is still affordable, but this charming $375,000 co-op at 156 West 73rd Street rises to the challenge. Not only is it located less than two blocks from Central Park and a half block from the 1, 2, 3 trains at 72nd Street, but thanks to 10-foot ceilings, oversized street-facing windows, a sleeping loft, and separate kitchen, it feels a whole lot larger.
Get a closer look
In honor of the World War I armistice centennial, the city’s memorials get refurbished

The Washington Heights-Inwood War Memorial via Wiki Commons

November 12, 2018

In honor of the World War I armistice centennial, the city’s memorials get refurbished

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Did you know NYC has one of the largest collections of memorials erected in the aftermath of World War I? 103 to be exact. And to mark the centennial of the WWI armistice, the Parks Department has announced that they've completed refurbishments of several of these sites, including Father Duffy in Times Square, the Pleasant Plains Memorial on Staten Island, the Abingdon Square Doughboy in Greenwich Village, and the Carroll Park monument in Brooklyn.
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William Randolph Hearst’s one-time Central Park West penthouse returns for $18M
November 9, 2018

William Randolph Hearst’s one-time Central Park West penthouse returns for $18M

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Three years ago, T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere dropped $18 million on this palatial Upper West Side penthouse, but after first re-listing the sprawling duplex at 91 Central Park West for $22 million in February, he's now dropped the price down to $17,995,000--meaning he'll break completely even. Not only will the new buyer be able to say they're living in William Randolph Hearst's one-time home, but Legre worked with esteemed contemporary architectural design firm SheltonMindel to update the residence while retaining its magnificent historic details such as stained glass windows, elaborately carved woodwork, and ornate ceiling moldings. Plus, there's an equally expansive private terrace overlooking the park.
Get a look around
Gaudy Rockaway house lists for an eye-popping $2.5M
November 9, 2018

Gaudy Rockaway house lists for an eye-popping $2.5M

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Prices creeping toward the $3 million mark are typically reserved for Manhattan condos and Brooklyn brownstones, but this rather unsightly home in the Rockaways thinks it can fetch a similar sum. Sure it's on the water in the affluent enclave of Neponsit (and has enough parking for eight cars--what New Yorker doesn't want that?), but $2.5 million is much higher than most comparable houses in the area. But if you're willing to drop the dough, you'll get pretty impressive bay views, balconies off every bedroom, a rear deck, and a backyard with a greenhouse.
See inside
New housing lottery in Long Island City misses the ‘affordable’ mark

Photo via CityRealty

November 8, 2018

New housing lottery in Long Island City misses the ‘affordable’ mark

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With speculation about Amazon's chosen HQ2 cities landing on Long Island City this week, the questions of transportation and affordability in the neighborhood have come to the forefront. And a new affordable housing lottery in the area does not look good for the latter. As of tomorrow, New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for 10 units at the newly constructed, mixed-use rental 40-05 Crescent Street. Located on the border of Astoria, the building houses 32 rentals, an underground parking garage, and two floors of manufacturing space. The "affordable" units range from $2,125/month studios to $2,741/month two-bedrooms.
See what the qualifications are
Meet Candice and Malessa, real estate’s ‘new generation’ of brokers working to empower women
November 8, 2018

Meet Candice and Malessa, real estate’s ‘new generation’ of brokers working to empower women

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"Integrity, vigorous work ethic, and a strategic business approach," form the platform that Candice Milano and Malessa Rambarran bring as brokers to the NYC real estate world. But there's no "broker babble" here. The duo--who recently joined Halstead as the Milano-Rambarran Team--consider themselves the "next generation of real estate," forming important relationships with their new development clients and growing their luxury resale business. But what sets them apart the most is their mission to bring this knowledge of how to use real estate as a wealth building tool to the public, specifically women. They've even created their own platform, Women in Residential Real Estate (WIRRE) to foster this community and connect people through their series of curated events. Ahead, 6sqft chats with Candice and Malessa about how their approach, how they got into real estate, and why it's so important to support fellow females.
Read the interview
My 850sqft: Graphic designer Ksenya turned a raw Williamsburg loft into an industrial-chic oasis

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to graphic designer Ksenya Samarskaya’s industrial-chic Williamsburg loft. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

November 7, 2018

My 850sqft: Graphic designer Ksenya turned a raw Williamsburg loft into an industrial-chic oasis

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Ten years ago when graphic designer and typographer Ksenya Samarskaya moved into Williamsburg's famous artist loft 475 Kent, the building and neighborhood were much different. Her view of the Williamsburg Bridge remains, but it's now obscured by the slew of glassy towers rising along the waterfront, a literal representation of how the area has lost some of its creativity to corporate entities. And though the building has seen its share of controversy, Ksenya's loft feels like stepping back to Brooklyn's Millenium-era artist boom. In true artist loft fashion, the space was completely raw when Ksenya moved in. With a little help from her friends and neighbors, she achieved the perfect balance of industrial charm and chic, minimalism. From staining the concrete ceiling and retaining the original floor and wooden beams to having custom multi-use furniture pieces designed, Ksenya created her own little oasis.
Take the tour
At $790K, this full-floor Hamilton Heights condo is a great investment
November 6, 2018

At $790K, this full-floor Hamilton Heights condo is a great investment

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The secret's been out about Hamilton Heights for quite some time now, but there are still some great real estate deals to be had. For example, this completely charming condo at 789 Saint Nicholas Avenue takes up the full floor of a townhouse, has two bedrooms, and offers a winning combo of vintage details and renovated amenities--all for $790,000. And with a location just four blocks from the A, C, B, and D trains at 145th Street, you can get to Midtown in no time.
Check it out
Citi Bike, Uber, Lyft offering New Yorkers free and discounted rides to vote

Photo via Citi Bike

November 5, 2018

Citi Bike, Uber, Lyft offering New Yorkers free and discounted rides to vote

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Just over 61 percent of Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election, and according to a Harvard poll, 14 percent of those who didn't turn out cited a lack of transportation as the reason. In response, public transportation agencies, car services, and bike/scooter shares in cities throughout the nation will offer free and discounted rides tomorrow for the midtern elections to those traveling to vote. Here in NYC, Citi Bike is offering free rides (as well as in Jersey City), Uber is giving $10 off in addition to adding a poll locater button in its app, and Lyft is giving half off rides, as well as code for free rides to underserved communities.
Get all the details
New Bed-Stuy rental opens affordable housing lottery, starting at $1,102/month
November 2, 2018

New Bed-Stuy rental opens affordable housing lottery, starting at $1,102/month

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A new rental building just a few blocks from the Myrtle-Willoughby Avenue G train stop in Bed-Stuy is opening an affordable housing lottery for 20 apartments. Conveniently, the 65-unit building at 633 Marcy Avenue will have a supermarket in its base, as well as a laundry room, gym and yoga room, kids room, and a landscaped roof terrace. The affordable units are open to households earning 80 or 130 percent of the area median income. Those on the lower end range from $1,102/month one-bedrooms to $1,327/month two-bedrooms. On the other end, however, the savings are minimal, as they range from $2,207 one/bedrooms to $2,665 two/bedrooms. Currently, the market-rate two bedrooms are going for $2,800/month.
See if you qualify
PHOTOS: One Vanderbilt reveals terra cotta facade and insane views

All photos © Max Touhey

November 1, 2018

PHOTOS: One Vanderbilt reveals terra cotta facade and insane views

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With less than two years left until it reaches its full 1,401-foot height, One Vanderbilt has released a slew of new construction photos that showcase its insane views of the MetLife Building, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and beyond, how it relates to its famous neighbor Grand Central, and an up-close look at its unique terra cotta facade. Developed by SL Green and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the 77-story office tower will become NYC's fourth-tallest skyscraper when completed in the third quarter of 2020. The building is expected to reach 50 stories by the end of this year, and it's already 37 percent leased.
See all the photos
$925K duplex with a secret arch and backyard fire pit is a Bed-Stuy oasis
October 31, 2018

$925K duplex with a secret arch and backyard fire pit is a Bed-Stuy oasis

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Located in the Stuyvesant Heights section of "arguably the most beautiful block in Bedford Stuyvesant," according to the listing, this charming duplex has a ton of hidden magic for under $1 million. The one-bedroom-plus-den condo occupies the garden and lower levels in a brownstone at 579 Jefferson Avenue and boasts a lovely backyard complete with a patio, fire pit, and rustic wooden walls. Inside, more architectural and decorative surprises await.
See for yourself
Take a walk down West 69th Street, the most over-the-top Halloween block in NYC

All photos © 6sqft

October 31, 2018

Take a walk down West 69th Street, the most over-the-top Halloween block in NYC

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There are plenty of neighborhoods throughout the city that get in on the Halloween spirit and make for the best trick-or-treating, but arguably the biggest spectacle exists on the Upper West Side--probably not your first guess for spooky, kooky, and downright insane holiday decor. But thanks to the West 69th Street Block Association, the stretch of the street between Broadway and Central Park West turns into a wonderland of skulls, zombies, bloody scenes, and even a table setting complete with brains and rats. 6sqft took a walk down 69th Street and captured all its Halloween mayhem in the photos ahead.
See all the over-the-top decorations
New East New York complex opens affordable housing lotto for 120 units, from $413/month

Rendering via Gluck+

October 30, 2018

New East New York complex opens affordable housing lotto for 120 units, from $413/month

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Two years ago, the city and MacQuesten Development broke ground on Van Sinderen Plaza, a redevelopment of two vacant lots in East New York into a 155,000-square-foot mixed-use complex with 130 high-quality affordable apartments, as well as retail and community space. Located just off the New Lots Avenue stop on the L train, the two-building project was built for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income households, or those earning 30, 40, 50, or 60 percent of the area median income. Apartments range from $413/month one-bedrooms to $1,281/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
April 27, 2019: MTA announces start date for L train shutdown

Photo via Flickr cc

October 30, 2018

April 27, 2019: MTA announces start date for L train shutdown

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L train riders, be warned. You have exactly six months until all hell breaks loose. The MTA announced that the line will officially cease running between 8th Avenue and Bedford Avenue for 15 months on April 27, 2019 (a Monday, in case you were wondering) so that the Canarsie Tunnel can be repaired from damaged sustained during Hurricane Sandy. For many, however, the L-pocalypse has already begun; the line was not running between Manhattan and Brooklyn for most October weekends, weeknight service has been suspended through November, and more weekend suspensions are to come in February, March, and April.
All the info
John Lennon, Muhammad Ali, and the 1970s: Jeff Rothstein takes us back to a bygone NYC

All photos © Jeff Rothstein

October 26, 2018

John Lennon, Muhammad Ali, and the 1970s: Jeff Rothstein takes us back to a bygone NYC

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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. In this installment, Jeff Rothstein shares a collection of 1970s street photos. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Brooklyn native Jeff Rothstein bought his first 35 mm camera in 1969, hoping to get some good shots at the Yankees and Mets game he frequently attended. But what he found was a love for NYC that turned him into an avid street photographer for the rest of his life. Jeff recently compiled a selection of these black-and-white images in his book "Today’s Special: New York City Images 1969-2006," and he shared a subset of 1970s photos with 6sqft. From John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Muhammad Ali to protests shows at the Filmore East, and candid shots of everyday New Yorkers, Jeff's work captures a bygone NYC with a delicate intimacy.
Hear from Jeff and travel back to 1970s NYC with him
If living in the theater district is your thing, 28 middle-income apartments are up for grabs

Photo via pxhere

October 25, 2018

If living in the theater district is your thing, 28 middle-income apartments are up for grabs

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New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can now apply for 28 middle-income units at the Avalon Midtown West. The 41-story, 440-unit rental is located at the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue and 50th Street, so if living across from the Gershwin Theatre and swarms of "Wicked" fans doesn't sound appealing this may be a pass. The available units range from $2,138/month studios to $2,993/month two-bedrooms. This may not sound immediately "affordable," but market-rate apartments of that size are going for $3,329 and $5,827, meaning you're actually getting close to a 50-percent discount.
Find out if you qualify
For less than $600K, you can own this Gilded Age NJ mansion with NYC skyline views
October 24, 2018

For less than $600K, you can own this Gilded Age NJ mansion with NYC skyline views

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Here in NYC, if you want skyline views, you're going to have to cough up some serious dough. But just 45 minutes away, in South Orange, New Jersey, you can get that, plus an entire historic mansion sitting on more than two acres, for less than $600,000 (h/t CIRCA). That is if the bidding doesn't get too out of control. This 11,000-square-foot Georgian-style home is headed to auction on November 18th and the minimum bid is set at $575,000. The winner will be living in Gilded Age glamour, as the 1924 home retains five ornate fireplaces, coffered ceilings, marble Corinthian columns, and an entire ballroom.
See inside
Where I Work: The Four Freedoms Park team talks Louis Kahn, FDR, and preserving a legacy
October 18, 2018

Where I Work: The Four Freedoms Park team talks Louis Kahn, FDR, and preserving a legacy

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As a media sponsor of Archtober–NYC’s annual month-long architecture and design festival of tours, lectures, films, and exhibitions–6sqft has teamed up with the Center for Architecture to explore some of their 70+ partner organizations. In 2012, 40 years after it was conceived by late architect Louis Kahn, Four Freedoms Park opened on four acres on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. Part park, part memorial to FDR (the first dedicated to the former president in his home state), the site was designed to celebrate the Four Freedoms that Roosevelt outlined in his 1941 State of the Union address--Freedom of speech, of worship, from want, and from fear. In addition to its unique social and cultural position, the Park is set apart architecturally--the memorial is constructed from 7,700 tons of raw granite, for example--and horticulturally--120 Little Leaf Linden trees are all perfectly aligned to form a unified sight line. And with these distinctions comes a special team working to upkeep the grounds and memorial, educate the public, and keep the legacy of both Kahn and Roosevelt at the forefront. To learn a bit more about what it's like to work for the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, we recently toured the park with Park Director Angela Stangenberg and Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications Madeline Grimes, who filled us in on their day-to-day tasks, some of their challenges, and several secrets of the beautiful site.
Take the tour!
‘Law & Order’ leading lady Mariska Hargitay lists stylish UWS brownstone for $10.75M
October 17, 2018

‘Law & Order’ leading lady Mariska Hargitay lists stylish UWS brownstone for $10.75M

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It's hard to believe actress Mariska Hargitay has been starring as NYPD Lieutenant Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: SVU" for nearly two decades, but when it comes to her living situation, she likes to change things up a bit more. She and her husband, actor Peter Hermann, bought a stunning Upper West Side brownstone for $10.7 million in 2012, and they've now put it on the market for $10.75 million. Hermann told the Wall Street Journal that they've decided to sell because their "family needs have changed," but they'd remain in the neighborhood. The six-story, 6,000+ square-foot home is located at 45 West 84th Street, between Central Park West and Columbus, and is "loaded with color and vibrancy,” according to Hermann, thanks to a collaboration with designer Jeffrey Bilhuber.
Take the grand tour
Smorgasburg opening two indoor food halls in Brooklyn

Photo via Flickr cc

October 17, 2018

Smorgasburg opening two indoor food halls in Brooklyn

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Photo via Flickr cc In a not-very-surprising move, foodie phenom Smorgasburg has announced that it will open indoor markets in Fort Greene and Williamsburg this winter, according to Eater. Since first opening as an outcrop of Brooklyn Flea in 2011, Smorgasburg has grown to operate seasonal outdoor markets in Williamsburg, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Flea, as well as the indoor Berg’n food hall and even another outdoor market in Downtown LA. Their newest spots will be a 25,000-square-foot space in the Atlantic Center mall across from the Barclays Center and a night market in collaboration with Vice Media at their Williamsburg event space Villian. The latter will also have a full bar, DJs, and art exhibitions.
All the details
My 730sqft: It’s a retro pink party at fashion designer Stella Rose’s Bushwick pad

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to designer Stella Rose’s bubblegum pink Bushwick apartment. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

October 16, 2018

My 730sqft: It’s a retro pink party at fashion designer Stella Rose’s Bushwick pad

By
"Why not make your living space look like a party every day?" says fashion designer, stylist, and model Stella Rose Saint Clair. And that's exactly what she did in her unapologetically pink Bushwick apartment. In fact, she's painted every NYC apartment she's lived in this same hue because it makes her feel "optimistic, rebellious, wacky." When asked to sum up her fun and festive aesthetic, she explained, "I love over-the-top vintage interiors and the retro obsession around pink for household decorating. I am also a sucker for tropical plants and party supplies." From the Rococo sofa she found on Craigslist and bought from an eccentric divorcée on Staten Island to the collection of vintage food packaging in the kitchen, everything in Stella's apartment has a story, many of which will make you laugh. But behind the giggles and bubblegum walls, Stella is not afraid to get real--"I don't have my shit together, and I'm okay with it."--and take a serious look at how obstacles in her life, such as being bullied as a teen, have shaped her into the creative force she is today. Ahead, take a tour of Stella's one-of-a-kind apartment and get to know her a bit better.
Take the tour!
Artist Abby Leigh unloads Upper West Side co-op for $4.8M
October 15, 2018

Artist Abby Leigh unloads Upper West Side co-op for $4.8M

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Abby Leigh may be famous around the world for her contemporary art, but here in NYC, she's becoming just as well known for her big-ticket real estate wheeling-and-dealing. In June of 2014, just three months after her husband, Tony-winning “Man of La Mancha” composer Mitch Leigh, passed away, she bought a $4.8 million Upper West Side artist co-op at 27 West 67th Street. The following year, she both listed her Upper East Side townhouse for $28 million (it sold for $20.4 million in 2016) and bought an $8 million home in one of the turrets of the former New York Cancer Hospital on the Upper West Side. And perhaps now Leigh has decided she only needs one UWS residence, as she's just unloaded the 67th Street residence for $4.8 million according to property records, breaking even on the sale.
Get a look around
For $29M, an Upper East Side townhouse designed by the historic architects of NYC’s elite
October 15, 2018

For $29M, an Upper East Side townhouse designed by the historic architects of NYC’s elite

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The NYC architectural firm of Delano & Aldrich designed some of the turn-of-the-century's most sophisticated structures, from the Knickerbocker and Colony Clubs to the Rockefeller's upstate estate Kykuit to a slew of uptown mansions. At the time, they veered away from the popular Beaux-Arts style and popularized an Anglo-American mix of Neo-Classical and -Federal designs. One such example is this grand townhouse at 15 East 88th Street, just listed for $28.8 million. As the listing states, it's one of their few intact mansions remaining in private hands. And since it's had only a few owners over the years, it retains its historic details and stately facades.
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