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.

VIDEO: See ‘Mom-and-Pops of the Lower East Side’ sculpture being installed in Seward Park

Video © Michael Ursone Films

June 27, 2018

VIDEO: See ‘Mom-and-Pops of the Lower East Side’ sculpture being installed in Seward Park

By Dana Schulz

6sqft has been excitedly following the progress of photographers James and Karla Murray's Seward Park art installation "Mom-and-Pops of the LES," from the announcement that they'd been chosen through the Art in the Parks UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant Program to their wildly successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the wood-frame structure's build out. And now the piece, featuring four nearly life-size images of Lower East Side business that have mostly disappeared, is finally complete. James and Karla shared with 6sqft an exclusive time-lapse video of the installation process and chatted with us about why they chose these particular storefronts, what the build-out was like, and how they hope New Yorkers will learn from their message.
Watch the video and hear from James and Karla

Events & Things To Do

June 26, 2018

New Historic District more than doubles the landmarked buildings in Boerum Hill

By Dana Schulz

In a vote today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the Boerum Hill Historic District Extension. The 288-building district is split into three distinct sections, all adjacent to the existing 250-building Boerum Hill Historic District that was designated in 1973. According to an LPC press release, the extension "represents the diverse cultural and economic history of Boerum Hill, as well as its largely intact 19th-century architecture." It's mostly residential blocks, made up of late 19th-century brownstone and brick townhouses, along with a block-and-a-half commercial stretch of Atlantic Avenue.
READ MORE

Policy

Lottery opens for 29 affordable units at Crown Heights’ former Fox Savoy Theater site

2011 Google Street View of the Fox Savoy Theater before it was demolished

June 26, 2018

Lottery opens for 29 affordable units at Crown Heights’ former Fox Savoy Theater site

By Dana Schulz

It's been four years since Crown Heights' historic Fox Savoy Theater was torn down to make way for a 114-unit apartment building at 1511 Bedford Avenue. Designed by famed theater architect Thomas Lamb in 1926, the neo-classical structure was not landmarked, therefore, developer Realty Within Reach was able to replace it with Isaac & Stern Architects' 10-story rental building. Twenty-five percent of the apartments, or 29 units, are set aside for households earning 60 percent of the area median income, and as of today, they're available through the city's housing lottery. The units range from $816/month studios to $1,064/month two-bedrooms, and amenities include on-site parking, bike storage, a gym, roof deck, and rec room.
Find out more

Affordable Housing

See aerial renderings of COOKFOX’s massive St. John’s Terminal redevelopment

Rendering looking south down the Hudson River waterfront with COOKFOX’s design for 550 Washington on the left-hand side. Courtesy of COOKFOX.

June 26, 2018

See aerial renderings of COOKFOX’s massive St. John’s Terminal redevelopment

By Dana Schulz

This past December, COOKFOX Architects released up-close renderings of their nearly two-million-square-foot St. John’s Terminal redevelopment in Hudson Square. COOKFOX, known for their commitment to contextual and sustainable development, created a five-building plan that, according to the firm, takes inspiration from the early Hudson Square factories and printing press buildings "with massing assembled around finely sculpted towers, detailed with geometrically rigorous setbacks and planted terraces." Now, CityRealty has uncovered two aerial views of the residential, retail, and commercial project that show just how massive this development will be.
More details ahead

Photo via Wiki Commons

June 25, 2018

Two chances to live near the JFK AirTrain, from $1,418/month

By Dana Schulz

If you travel often for work, this affordable housing opportunity could make your life a lot easier, provided you earn between $48,618 and $83,440 annually. The city opened the lottery for a $1,418/month one-bedroom and a $1,599/month two-bedroom at 89-15 138th Street, which is just two blocks away from the J, M, Z trains and a slew of buses at Jamaica Station and the AirTrain to JFK. An added bonus? The two units up for grabs have balconies.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Rockaway beaches will reopen after controversial erosion closure

Photo via Dan DeLuca on Flickr

June 25, 2018

Rockaway beaches will reopen after controversial erosion closure

By Dana Schulz

In a last-minute move, the city closed a half-mile of Rockaway beach just days before beaches opened for the season on Memorial Day weekend, angering residents and general New Yorkers alike. The 11-block stretch between Beach 91st and Beach 102nd Street is considered the hub of the beach thanks to its proximity to concessions and free parking. The city made the decision due to safety issues from erosion, saying that it might be a years-long process to get it up reopened. However, amNY reports today that Parks Department officials announced that they will reopen the beach on a trial basis on June 30th after deciding with lifeguards that it is, in fact, safe for swimming.
More details

Uncategorized

June 25, 2018

Get a first look at the amenities at Bjarke Ingels’ High Line towers

By Dana Schulz

Less than two weeks after HFZ Capital revealed the marble-clad interior renderings for Bjarke Ingels’ High Line-facing XI condo/hotel project at 76 Eleventh Avenue, they've now launched the official website. First spotted by Curbed, the site gives us our first view of the amenities such as the huge, glass-enclosed pool, as well as an up-close look at the "Bridge Lounge," the swanky amenity space located within the development's skybridge. The double-height podium bridge, which connects the asymmetrical, twisting towers, will have a retractable movie screen, private wine tasting room, bar, and library.
See all this and more

June 22, 2018

This $5M Seaport District townhouse is just 12 feet wide and made of metal

By Dana Schulz

What this newly built townhouse lacks in width, it makes up for in height (h/t CityRealty). Located on one of the historic area's original cobblestoned streets, at 246 Front Street, the 12-foot-wide home has four stories, plus a basement and private roof terrace. In addition to its narrow frame, the house also stands out for its unique metal facade, made entirely of steel and zinc.
See it all right here

Distinctive Homes

Live in a new rental on Williamsburg’s South 4th Street for just $923/month

Looking west down South 4th Street with Pies n’ Thighs on the corner, via *Bitch Cakes*/Flickr

June 21, 2018

Live in a new rental on Williamsburg’s South 4th Street for just $923/month

By Dana Schulz

If you're a fan of Williamsburg's food scene (what good New Yorker isn't?) and earn between $31,646 and $50,100 annually, you may want to apply for one of two affordable apartments up for grabs at the new boutique rental 94 South 4th Street. For just $923 a month you'll get a one-bedroom unit right near hot spots like Pies n' Thighs, La Superior, Sunday in Brooklyn, Maison Premiere, and The Woods.
READ MORE

Affordable Housing

June 20, 2018

Where I Work: Tour FXCollaborative’s Flatiron architecture office with partner Dan Kaplan

By Dana Schulz

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 Flatiron office of architecture firm FXCollaborative. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! To mark their 40th anniversary, architecture firm FXCollaborative recently debuted their new name (formerly FXFOWLE), along with a slew of big-name projects such as the Statue of Liberty Museum, a nearly 1,000-unit affordable housing development in the Bronx, and Downtown Brooklyn's One Willoughby Square, which will be the borough's tallest office building as well as the firm's new home. Ahead of their big move when the tower is completed in a few years, 6sqft paid a visit to FXCollaborative's current Flatiron office space to see how these prolific architects make their magic happen, thanks to a behind-the-scenes tour and talk with senior partner Dan Kaplan. From sustainable architecture and office design to equality in architecture and the importance of collaboration, learn how FXCollaborative remains one of NYC's top firms after four decades.
Take the tour and hear Dan’s thoughts

The history of Brooklyn blackout cake: German bakeries and WWII drills

By Dana Schulz

Chocoholics all over the country know Brooklyn blackout cake, a three-tiered devil's food cake with layers of chocolate pudding and chocolate frosting topped with cake crumbs. In recent years, the rich cake has become re-popularized from its heyday in the first half of the 20th century. But most of us who gluttonously indulge in this tasty dessert have no idea where its borough-centric name came from or just how long this confectioner's delight has been around. It all started in 1898 at a German bakery called Ebinger's on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, but it wasn't until World War II that the moniker took hold.
Get the full story here

History

June 14, 2018

SHoP Architects design a food hall, co-working, and retail space for Midwood

By Dana Schulz

Midwood might not yet be considered an up-and-coming 'hood, but this new mixed-use project from trendy architects SHoP might be the first step. CityRealty spotted renderings for a 10-story commercial building at 1508 Coney Island Avenue, which will be one of the largest in the area. Preliminary outlines detail three floors of medical offices, three floors for non-profit offices, and two floors for co-working. Plus, there will be two levels of parking, two levels of retail, an event space, restaurant, and, of course, food hall. And while SHoP's design for the exterior seems pretty straightforward, the interiors take on a bit more of a fantastical approach.
Check it all out

My 500sqft: An art collector from Philly swaps space for amenities at Hell’s Kitchen’s 555Ten

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to retiree Andrew Ackerman’s new studio in Extell’s 555Ten. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

June 11, 2018

My 500sqft: An art collector from Philly swaps space for amenities at Hell’s Kitchen’s 555Ten

By Dana Schulz

A year ago, retired lawyer Andrew Ackerman gave up his long-time home, a 1,300-square-foot duplex in a Philadelphia brownstone, to move to NYC. Wanting to be near his friends, the theater district and art museums, and transportation options, he settled on Hell's Kitchen, and ultimately found the perfect high-rise apartment in Extell Development's luxury rental building, 555TEN. Getting used to the hustle and bustle of the city was easy for Andrew, but downsizing to a 500-square-foot alcove studio was a bit more challenging, especially considering he's been an avid art collector since childhood. 6sqft recently visited Andrew at 555Ten to see how he made the adjustment, which art pieces made the cut, and why the jump was all worth it.
Take a tour of Andrew's place

June 6, 2018

Rafael Viñoly reveals new renderings of ‘Auto Row’ office addition

By Dana Schulz

Historically, Auto Row, the stretch of eleventh in the 50s, has been somewhat a no-man's land to most, save for those rare New Yorkers who own a car. But with Hudson Yards pushing development westward, it's now coming out of the shadows. One of these projects is Rafael Viñoly Architects' addition to 787 Eleventh Avenue, an Art Deco industrial building that was originally home to the Packard Motor Company when it opened in 1927 to the designs of Albert Kahn. Viñoly's $100 million commission is adding two stories off office space to the top of the eight-story building, converting the other floors to commercial space, and retaining the current auto dealerships on the lower five levels. It's been more than two years since the first renderings were revealed, and now the firm has released an additional batch that show aerial views of the addition, more office views, and a closer look at the 12,000-square-foot roof deck.
More details and renderings ahead

June 5, 2018

Lottery opens for 13 middle-income units in Bed-Stuy, from $1,744/month

By Dana Schulz

As any New Yorker knows, convenience is key, but it'll often cost you. The city's latest affordable housing lottery, however, offers a location on the same block as the Franklin Avenue stop in Bed-Stuy, and just a short walk to both the subway and LIRR at Nostrand Avenue. The brand new building at 1068 Fulton Street has 13 middle-income units up for grabs for New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, including $1,744/month one-bedrooms and $2,099/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

June 4, 2018

For under $1M, this Soho co-op has a dreamy urban terrace

By Dana Schulz

The railroad layout may not seem ideal at first, but this one-bedroom Soho co-op more than makes up for it with two bathrooms and a dreamy outdoor terrace. Asking $945,000, the apartment at 57 Thompson Street lends itself to a shabby chic aesthetic, with whitewashed brick walls, cozy angled rooms, and large windows perfect for window boxes and hanging plants.
The inside is just as charming

Distinctive Homes

June 1, 2018

Greenwich Village apartment where Buddy Holly recorded his final songs lists for $1.6M

By Dana Schulz

Before his untimely death in 1959--the "day the music died"--Buddy Holly briefly lived at the then-brand-new Brevoort apartment building in Greenwich Village. His band the Crickets had moved to NYC in 1958 to be a part of the music scene, so Holly and new wife Maria Elena Santiago rented a corner two-bedroom apartment with a wrap-around terrace for just $1,000 a month. This unit, where he made his final recordings of "Crying," "Waiting, Hoping," and "Peggy Sue Got Married," has just hit the market for $1,595,000 (h/t Curbed).
See his former home

June 1, 2018

Own a pair of 1840s clapboard houses in Clinton Hill for $4.4M

By Dana Schulz

Wooden houses are certainly dispersed throughout Brooklyn, but it's a rare opportunity when one hits the market. A few months ago, we uncovered a listing for Crown Heights' oldest home, a circa-1850s wood frame. Now, a pair of rare clapboard homes have hit the market in Clinton Hill and they're even older. Numbers 448 and 450 Waverly Avenue are thought to have been built in the 1840s or even earlier, according to the neighborhood's designation report. "The unusual pair of extremely wide (25 feet) clapboard houses" are the only example of pure Greek Revival buildings in the district, and they can be yours, individually or together for $4.4 million.
Take the tour

Downtown’s historic glass sidewalks will be saved after Landmarks reverses rule changes

Vault lights in Soho, via WooJin Chung for 6sqft

June 1, 2018

Downtown’s historic glass sidewalks will be saved after Landmarks reverses rule changes

By Dana Schulz

"Viva Vault Lights!" wrote the Historic Districts Council in response to the Landmarks Preservation Commission's decision to backpedal on its rules amendments, which called for "more oversight by LPC staff but less time for public review" in proposals for alterations to historic buildings. HDC's celebratory sentiment is in response to one of the now-moot stipulations that Soho and Tribeca's vault lights--historic, industrial-era sidewalks made from small circular glass bulbs--could be removed by building owners and replaced with modern sidewalks.
Find out about all the other victories

May 31, 2018

New 9/11 Memorial monument honors first responders exposed to Ground Zero toxins

By Dana Schulz

Sixteen years ago as of yesterday, the rescue and recovery effort for the September 11th attacks ended. It's estimated that 400,000 people were exposed to life-threatening toxins, and since then, nearly 70,000 first responders and more than 14,000 survivors have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. Yesterday, former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart and 9/11 Memorial & Museum president Alice Greenwald revealed the official design for Memorial Glade, a monument to all those who have lost their lives or are sick due to these related illnesses. In addition to increasing awareness about the health crisis, the memorial will also "recognize the tremendous capacity of the human spirit, as exemplified during the rescue, recovery and relief efforts following the 9/11 attacks."
Learn about the design

Lottery opens for 12 new affordable units in East Harlem, from $856/month

Photo via Peter Ashe

May 30, 2018

Lottery opens for 12 new affordable units in East Harlem, from $856/month

By Dana Schulz

With East Harlem becoming hipper by the month, this affordable housing lottery for 12 units at the new building 2183 Third Avenue is a super steal, especially considering the building offers a gym, rooftop, recreation area, and laundry room. From $856/month studios to $1,114/month two-bedrooms, the apartments are available to households earning 60 percent of the area median income. Located at the northeast corner of East 119th Street and Third Avenue, the 12-story building is not only three blocks from the 6 train, but it's right near local hot spots like the original Patsy's Pizza and Hot Jalapeno, as well as the Target and Costco at East River Plaza.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

The Bronx Zoo, courtesy of Julienne Schaer on NYC &C Company

May 29, 2018

13 middle-income apartments up for grabs right near the Bronx Zoo

By Dana Schulz

With the warm weather officially here, living just a couple blocks from the Bronx Zoo and a short walk to the Crotona Park Nature Center sounds like a pretty nice idea. Throw in a location right alongside Mapes Ballfield and middle-income rent and you've got yourself a deal. There are 13 units at East Tremont's 2118 Mapes Avenue available for households earning 130 percent of the area median income, and they range from $1,100/month studios to $1,600/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

May 24, 2018

Proposal revealed for new public park on the Gowanus Canal’s Salt Lot

By Dana Schulz

The Salt Lot is a triangular piece of land just south of the point at which all three branches of the Gowanus Canal meet. The city-owned site hosts a NYC Compost Project facility, as well as the Gowanus Canal Conservancy's nursery and educational facilities. However, the EPA has mandated a new four-million-gallon retention tank be placed there to manage combined sewer overflow. Gowanus by Design (GbD) saw this new infrastructure requirement as a catalyst for sparking conversation about much needed public urban space in the area. They've therefore created a conceptual proposal for the Gowanus Salt Lot Public Park, which includes three buildings constructed with materials that reference the Canal's industrial history, along with sloping hills and wetlands.
More details and renderings ahead

Architecture And Design

Help bring this sculpture of lost Lower East Side mom-and-pops to Seward Park

Rendering of the installation

May 23, 2018

Help bring this sculpture of lost Lower East Side mom-and-pops to Seward Park

By Dana Schulz

After publishing their first account of small businesses in NYC a decade ago with their seminal book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York,” photographers James and Karla Murray are now ready to bring their work back to the street. As 6sqft previously reported, "the husband-and-wife team has designed an art installation for Seward Park, a wood-frame structure that will feature four nearly life-size images of Lower East Side business that have mostly disappeared--a bodega, a coffee shop/luncheonette (the recently lost Cup & Saucer), a deli (Katz's), and a newsstand (Chung’s Candy & Soda Stand). Though the installation is part of the Art in the Parks UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant Program, there are still high costs associated with materials, fabrication, and installation, so James and Karla have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the additional funds.
More details

Events & Things To Do

All articles by Dana Schulz

VIDEO: See ‘Mom-and-Pops of the Lower East Side’ sculpture being installed in Seward Park

New Historic District more than doubles the landmarked buildings in Boerum Hill

Lottery opens for 29 affordable units at Crown Heights’ former Fox Savoy Theater site

See aerial renderings of COOKFOX’s massive St. John’s Terminal redevelopment

Two chances to live near the JFK AirTrain, from $1,418/month

Rockaway beaches will reopen after controversial erosion closure

Get a first look at the amenities at Bjarke Ingels’ High Line towers

This $5M Seaport District townhouse is just 12 feet wide and made of metal

Live in a new rental on Williamsburg’s South 4th Street for just $923/month

Where I Work: Tour FXCollaborative’s Flatiron architecture office with partner Dan Kaplan

The history of Brooklyn blackout cake: German bakeries and WWII drills

SHoP Architects design a food hall, co-working, and retail space for Midwood

My 500sqft: An art collector from Philly swaps space for amenities at Hell’s Kitchen’s 555Ten

Rafael Viñoly reveals new renderings of ‘Auto Row’ office addition

Lottery opens for 13 middle-income units in Bed-Stuy, from $1,744/month

This $8.75M Village townhouse is a downtown dream home with an elevator, three terraces, and a rooftop office suite

For under $1M, this Soho co-op has a dreamy urban terrace

Greenwich Village apartment where Buddy Holly recorded his final songs lists for $1.6M

Own a pair of 1840s clapboard houses in Clinton Hill for $4.4M

Downtown’s historic glass sidewalks will be saved after Landmarks reverses rule changes

New 9/11 Memorial monument honors first responders exposed to Ground Zero toxins

Lottery opens for 12 new affordable units in East Harlem, from $856/month

13 middle-income apartments up for grabs right near the Bronx Zoo

Proposal revealed for new public park on the Gowanus Canal’s Salt Lot

Help bring this sculpture of lost Lower East Side mom-and-pops to Seward Park

201 East 74th Street in Lenox Hill

All articles by Dana Schulz

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