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.
June 30, 2016

Apply Today for Six $947/Month Apartments in Astoria’s Artsy Welling Court

Welling Court is a tiny enclave in Astoria, tucked between 30th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard, near the base of Astoria Park. It's best known for the funky street art that adorns its building's walls. Organized by the Welling Court Mural Project, there are now more than 140 murals from international artists, and each June the group puts on a huge block party to celebrate that year's art. If this arsty community appeals to you, a new rental building has recently gone up in Welling Court, and it comes with six low-income apartments that are now up for grabs through the city's housing lottery. 11-07 Welling Court is a six-story, 27-unit building from Architects Studio and developer Halil Todic. The affordable residences, created through the city's 421-a program, are $947 a month for individuals earning between $32,469 and $38,100 annually or two-person households earning between $32,469 and $43,500.
More info
June 29, 2016

Lottery Opens for 41 Units at Related’s Hudson Square Rental, Starting at $788/Month

If living right near the Holland Tunnel doesn't bother you, here are 41 low-income apartments on the border of Tribeca and Soho in a brand-new rental building from the Related Companies. 261 Hudson Street is in the up-and-coming Hudson Square neighborhood and was constructed as an 80-20 building through the city's Robert A.M. Stern Architects, it has 12 stories and 201 units total. The affordable apartments include $788/month studios, $847 one-bedrooms, and $1,025 two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
June 29, 2016

JDS and SHoP’s Cherry Street Tower Will Be Taller Than Expected, May Reach 1,000 Feet

Back in April, the power team of JDS Development and SHoP Architects unveiled plans for a 900-foot, 77-story rental building at 247 Cherry Street in the Two Bridges area of the Lower East Side. This neighborhood has become controversial for a recent influx of sky-high development; 247 Cherry will rise directly next to Extell's 850-foot One Manhattan Square and not far from two 50-story towers at 265-275 Cherry Street. Its 900-foot height would've made it the tallest tower between Midtown and Downtown, but left it 100 feet shy of the supertall status JDS and SHoP are known for (the duo is responsible for the 1,438-foot-tall 111 West 57th Street and 9 DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn’s first 1,000+ foot tower). However, Bowery Boogie reports today that the height may actually be at or above 1,000 feet, rising 80 stories.
More details ahead
June 29, 2016

Trump vs. Clinton: How the Design of Their Merchandise Stacks Up

On the political front, Hillary is racking in donation dollars, while Donald Trump's campaign had a mere $1.3 million to its name as of May 31st. But what about their swag? T-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, tote bags. Sure, online purchases won't sway either campaign significantly, but it's interesting to look at how the polar-opposite presidential candidates are marketing themselves through merchandise. 6sqft compared the goods from both camps, and found that while Hillary's merchandise is much more colorful, playful, and plentiful, and even features designer collabs, the Donald sticks to his message and caters to a very specific audience.
See how the merch stacks up
June 29, 2016

POLL: Is Sunset Park One of the 15 Coolest Neighborhoods in America?

Move over Bushwick and Williamsburg, Sunset Park is the new cool kid in the borough. Curbed shared a report from Cushman & Wakefield that names the 100 coolest streets in the country, and coming in among the top 15 neighborhoods is Sunset Park, "where boxes and independents co-exist." The report points to a bohemian exodus from Williamsburg, which has become more mainstream and pricey. And though hipsters are moving to 'hoods like Bed Stuy and Crown Heights, Sunset Park outdoes them with a unique type of retail growth and creative sector thanks to the Bush Terminal Park and Industry City. The millennial population is about 27 percent and the average household income is $81,529.
Let us know if you agree with this analysis
June 29, 2016

Pool Season Has Commenced; Buy $8 Bowls of Cereal in Times Square

On July 1st and 2nd, Lyft is offering rides in the “Ghostbusters” Ecto-1 car. [Metro] The city’s 55 outdoor pools open today! [DNAinfo] Kellogg’s teamed up with Milk Bar chef Christina Tosi and restaurant professional Anthony Rudolf on an all-day cereal bar in Times Square that will have automat-style dispensers. [Eater] Here are six of America’s most dangerous […]

June 28, 2016

Cost of Living Calculator Shows Just How Much Cheaper It Is to Live in Other U.S. Cities

The results of a recent annual survey ranked New York as the city with the 11th highest cost of living in the world, the only U.S. city to crack the top 25 and jumping five spots from the past two years, according to NBC News. It's this increasingly burdensome financial state that causes many New Yorkers to relocate -- whether they want to start saving or just plain can't afford the skyrocketing rents and lifestyle anymore. But figuring out where to go next can be the hard part if you really want to make the most of your move. That's where the idea for the Cost of Living Calculator came from. The handy tool from Pay Scale uses your salary, job title, current location, and the city where you're considering a move to show the cost of living difference, as well as how much you'll need to earn in the new location to maintain your current standard of living.
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June 28, 2016

Furbo: An Interactive Dog Camera That Lets You Talk to Your Pet and Dispense Treats

Pet cams are nothing new, but imagine instead of simply sitting at your desk monitoring your dog, you could reward him for good behavior or even talk to him? All that and more is available through Furbo, "an interactive dog camera with a connected app that lets you see, talk, and even give treats to your dog when you're away." The device comes from Seattle-based startup Tomofun and works using two-way audio, wide-angle live HD video streaming, barking alerts, and an interactive treat tosser, all controlled through a simple app.
Find out how it works
June 28, 2016

New Report Says 56 Percent of 2015’s Airbnb Listings Were Illegal

Last week, both houses of the New York City legislature passed a bill that would fine advertisers of illegal short-term rentals on Airbnb up to $7,500. Current state law dictates that an apartment can't be rented out for less than 30 days if the lease holder isn't present. And a new report from two housing advocacy groups -- MFY Legal Services and Housing Conservation Coordinators -- shows that of Airbnb's 51,397 listings in 2015, 28,765, or 56 percent, fell into this illegal camp. Of those, 8,058 units were considered "impact listings," homes that "are rented out for brief periods for more than a third of a year, making them virtual hotels," according to the Post.
More findings
June 27, 2016

58 Chances to Live in a Morris Adjmi-Designed Flatiron Building for as Low as $913/Month

The latest project to come online from contextual king Morris Adjmi is an 18-story, block-through building at 7 West 21st Street in the Flatiron District. The two-tower design features a shared second-floor courtyard with ground-floor lobby and retail space. The lower facade is made of stone while the middle and upper portions are glazed terracotta. There are 288 rental apartments, 20 percent of which are reserved for households with a combined annual income of up to 60 percent of the area median income. These 58 units, created through the city's 421-a program, include $913/month studios, $980 one-bedrooms, $1,183 two-bedrooms, and $1,359 three-bedrooms. In addition to a stellar location, these affordable prices come with a 24-hour doorman, landscaped garden, roof terrace, game room, fitness center and virtual golf, media lounge and video game room. For an additional fee there's also a 200-car underground parking garage.
Find out if you qualify
June 27, 2016

New Owners May Close Waldorf Astoria for Three Years for 1,100-Room Condo Conversion

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, who had owned the landmarked Waldorf Astoria since 1972, agreed in October 2014 to sell the 1,413-room hotel to Beijing-based financial and insurance company Anbang Insurance Group for $1.95 billion. The deal closed the following February, along with plans from the new owners to convert part of the Art Deco building into luxury condos, and now the Wall Street Journal brings additional details on the conversion. The overhaul, which could close the property for up to three years and cost upwards of $1 billion, would convert as many as 1,100 hotel rooms to condos, with the hotel portion featuring between 300 and 500 luxury guest rooms. Currently, the hotel employs about 1,500 people, but this major decline in hotel rooms will eliminate hundreds of jobs. Sources say Anbang and Hilton have already reached severance agreements totaling at least $100 million.
More details ahead
June 25, 2016

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

Donald Trump’s Secret ‘Public’ Gardens Gave Him Extra Height at Trump Tower Buy Christie Brinkley’s 21-Acre Hamptons Estate for $30M Sleep in a Cozy, Converted Taxi in Long Island City for Just $39 a Night Take in the Views From Extell’s 850-Foot-Tall One Manhattan Square Massive Maya Lin-Designed Tribeca Townhouse Gets Thumbs Up From Landmarks […]

June 24, 2016

Will the Brexit Vote Drive Up NYC Real Estate?

The vote by Britain to leave the European Union has shocked and confused the world to say the least. In addition to the political ramifications (Prime Minister David Cameron announced he will step down in October), the financial outcomes are staggering. The pound has already plummeted to its lowest level since 1985, with investors turning to the dollar and the yen and the entire European stock market dropping, according to reports from the Times. Though the Bank of England has earmarked roughly $344 million for potential stability measures, the world seems unsure of how the Brexit decision will affect international markets long term. London is currently one of the top locations for foreign real estate investment, but in the face of an uncertain future, Crain's presents the assertion that the vote could drive up real estate in New York City as "investors look for safe havens against the threat of a global recession."
More here
June 24, 2016

New Renderings Show Rooftop and Courtyards at ODA’s Massive Rheingold Brewery Project

In March of 2015, the cube-happy architects at ODA revealed their design for 10 Montieth Street, part of Bushwick's 10-block Bushwick's Rheingold Brewery site. The 400,000-square-foot, 400-unit rental building from the Rabsky Group has a bow-tie shape with a sloping zig-zagging green roof and amenity-laden courtyard. Last week, renderings were released for a second project from ODA at the Rheingold site, this one with developer All Year Management. Inspired by a "European Village" and dubbed Bushwick II, this rental one ups 10 Montieth; it will encompass one million square feet over two city blocks and have 800-900 units, as well as an entire system of interconnecting courtyards and common spaces that break from the street grid, an 18,000-square-foot central park, and a 60,000-square-foot rooftop with an urban farm and recreational spaces including a pool. Dezeen has uncovered additional renderings of Bushwick II that showcase these outdoor spaces, and they do not disappoint.
More details and renderings ahead
June 24, 2016

For Just $30, the AeroPress Coffee Maker Might Be the Next Big Thing in Brewing

Espresso machines can cost thousands, and traditional drip coffee pots (we're looking at you Mr. Coffee), while inexpensive, can often yield a subpar cup of Joe. But a $30 coffee maker is well on its way to providing a happy medium for caffeine aficionados. Business Insider took a look at the AeroPress coffee maker from Aerobie, which uses an airtight plunger to push coffee or espresso through the filter. The company claims its success is in the product's ability to brew under "ideal conditions"--proper temperature, total immersion, and rapid filtering.
Find out more
June 23, 2016

Take in the Views From Extell’s 823-Foot-Tall One Manhattan Square

Two Bridges, the area on the border of the Lower East Side and Chinatown, is seeing a wave of new, sky-high development, including a 900-foot tower from supertall team JDS and SHoP Architects and perhaps two 50-story buildings from L+M Partners. But the controversial surge in construction started with One Manhattan Square, an 823-foot tower from Extell. In anticipation of the 80-story condo building hitting the market this September, the developer has released a flashy new video that shows the sparkling Adamson Associates Architects-designed exterior, as well as the sweeping views from the upper floors. But as Curbed, who first spotted the video, notes, it ignores its potential supertall neighbors to make a point of just how much much it towers over its surroundings.
Watch the full video here
June 23, 2016

New Renderings of South Street Seaport’s Fulton Market Revamp From SHoP Architects

Though they didn't have much luck with their controversial tower at the Seaport, SHoP Architects and the Howard Hughes Corporation have gotten approvals for their revamp of the historic, 1983 Fulton Market Building. Yimby reports that on Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the revised design for the building's exterior, which alters the signage from the original 2014 proposal. To show how the signs will look, SHoP prepared several new renderings of the site.
See them all here
June 22, 2016

Poll: Will Phase One of the Second Avenue Subway Open on Time?

New Yorkers have learned to take deadlines and budgets from the MTA with a grain of salt, and the Second Avenue Subway may be the worst offender since it was first proposed all the way back in the 1920s. But the past couple years have restored some hope; in April 2015, it was announced that Phase I of the project was 82 percent complete and on track for its December 2016 opening, and last summer the MTA even went so far as to say the entire line could open sooner than originally planned. But yesterday the Post reported that there's a good chance the Second Avenue Subway won't be finished on time, blaming construction crews not showing up for work. This has put inspections behind schedule, and therefore "the agency has only completed 67 percent of the testing and needs to do another 1,100 checks by October."
What do you think this means for the deadline?
June 21, 2016

Sleep in a Cozy, Converted Taxi in Long Island City for Just $39 a Night

Here's your chance to sleep in a yellow cab without worrying about the meter. A listing has popped up on Airbnb for a "cozy one-of-a-kind NYC taxi van" that's been "renovated into swanky living quarters." This renovation outfitted the vehicle with a full-size bed that comes with soft pillows and bright yellow sheets (how fitting), a portable wireless air conditioner, and, according to the reviews, a couple bottles of Fiji Water. The $39/night price tag also covers the Long Island City location with views of the Manhattan skyline that's walking distance to a bathroom and cafes with WiFi.
Find out more about these unusual accommodations