All articles by Devin Gannon

Tenant group pushes for rent freeze for NYC’s stabilized apartments

New York State Tenant Bloc launched in January to counter the real estate lobby. Photo courtesy of New York State Tenant Bloc

April 10, 2025

Tenant group pushes for rent freeze for NYC’s stabilized apartments

By Devin Gannon

Tenant advocates are pushing for a rent freeze for New York City's one million stabilized apartments as new data shows that landlords' income has increased as renters continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. The Rent Guidelines Board officially kicked off its annual review of economic conditions for both landlords and tenants to determine adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments. In 2024, the board voted to raise rent for the third consecutive year.
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Policy

April 9, 2025

A glass house on the Hudson River designed by Roy O. Allen lists for $3M

By Devin Gannon

A restored mid-century glass house designed by a notable architect is for sale in the Hudson Valley. Roy O. Allen, an original partner of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), built the home at 104 Marlborough Road in Briarcliff Manor in 1957 in the International Style, evident through its glass-wrapped facade, simple form, and connection to nature. Following two renovations that have respected its architectural integrity, the home is back on the market for $2,999,000.
take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Trump cancels $325M in disaster prevention funds for New York

East Elmhurst, Queens, was flooded by torrential rains brought on by Hurricane Ida in 2021. Photo by Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor on Flickr

April 8, 2025

Trump cancels $325M in disaster prevention funds for New York

By Devin Gannon

Projects that would protect vulnerable New York City neighborhoods from flooding and intense storms are at risk after President Donald Trump's administration announced plans to cut federal funding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) canceled more than $325 million in grants to New York State that would go toward critical infrastructure and community resilience projects, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. A majority of the projects impacted are designed to help New York City prepare for weather disasters like flooding and extreme rainfall.
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Policy

Barclays Center announces second phase of $100M renovation

Renderings courtesy of BSE Global

April 7, 2025

Barclays Center announces second phase of $100M renovation

By Devin Gannon

The Barclays Center will undergo several upgrades enhancing the fan experience. BSE Global, parent company of the arena, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Liberty, announced last week that the second phase of a five-year, $100 million renovation will add a membership club and a fan zone with unobstructed views and a bar. The work will begin at the end of the Nets' current season and be completed ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
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Architecture And Design

Penthouse at 111 West 57th Street hits the market for $110M

All image courtesy of Hayes Davidson

April 3, 2025

Penthouse at 111 West 57th Street hits the market for $110M

By Devin Gannon

The penthouse at the very top of supertall skyscraper 111 West 57th Street has hit the market for $110 million. Taking up four floors of the Billionaires' Row tower, the "quadplex" apartment measures a palatial 11,480 square feet, with over 600 square feet of outdoor terraces. The residence is currently New York City's most expensive property publicly listed.
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Distinctive Homes

Hochul backs city’s broker fee ban set to take effect this June

Council Member Chi Ossé held a press conference before the City Council voted on the FARE Act. Photo credit: Gerardo Romo / NYC Council Media Unit on Flickr

April 3, 2025

Hochul backs city’s broker fee ban set to take effect this June

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday came out in support of a law banning forced broker fees amid a legal challenge from a real estate lobbying group. In a video posted online, the governor backed Council Member Chi Ossé's Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, which shifts the payment of broker fees from renters to landlords. Soon after the bill became law last year, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) sued the city to stop it from taking effect in June, claiming it preempts New York State law.
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Policy

Babe Ruth’s Upper West Side apartment asks $1.6M

All photos courtesy of Celeste Godoy Photography. Images are virtually staged.

April 1, 2025

Babe Ruth’s Upper West Side apartment asks $1.6M

By Devin Gannon

Baseball is back, and so is Babe Ruth's New York City apartment. The New York Yankees legend called this apartment at 345 West 88th Street on the Upper West Side home for more than 10 years near the end of his historic career. In 2015, the apartment was listed for $1,595,000. A decade later, the co-op returns to the market at the same price.
It's a homerun

Distinctive Homes

March 31, 2025

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost buy $13M Park Ave penthouse

By Devin Gannon

Actress Scarlett Johansson and SNL staff writer Colin Jost are moving to a Park Avenue penthouse. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the A-list couple paid $13,000,000 for a 14-room triplex at 1220 Park Avenue, a Rosario Candela-designed co-op in Carnegie Hill. The magnificent residence measures 6,000 square feet across three levels and includes six bedrooms, five terraces, and eight balconies.
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New York Liberty unveil state-of-the-art $80M practice facility in Greenpoint

Renderings courtesy of New York Liberty

March 27, 2025

New York Liberty unveil state-of-the-art $80M practice facility in Greenpoint

By Devin Gannon

The New York Liberty's new practice facility is fit for champions. The reigning WNBA champs on Thursday unveiled plans for an $80 million state-of-the-art training building on the waterfront in Greenpoint. Designed by Populous, the design team behind the Sphere in Las Vegas, the 75,000-square-foot facility will be one of the few dedicated practice spaces for a WNBA team and the first to be designed with insight from players.
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Architecture And Design

Signs of spring in NYC: Bryant Park’s famed lawn is installed

Photo by Jean-Christophe BENOIST on Wikimedia

March 26, 2025

Signs of spring in NYC: Bryant Park’s famed lawn is installed

By Devin Gannon

Bryant Park's seasonal transformation has begun. Last weekend, the landscaping team of the Midtown Manhattan park spent nine hours laying the grass sod of the central lawn, turning the ice skating rink at the Bank of America Winter Village into a green oasis for spring. While not quite ready for use, the lawn will soon be home to move nights, live performances, yoga, and other activities that make New York City so special during the warmer months.
spring is here

Events & Things To Do

Amy Schumer lists Brooklyn Heights townhouse for $14M

By Devin Gannon

Amy Schumer is selling her Brooklyn Heights townhouse and moving back to Manhattan. The actress and comedian has listed her Federal-style home at 19 Cranberry Street for $14 million; she paid $12.25 million for the property in 2022. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Schumer and her husband Chris Fischer are moving to be closer to their son's school.
take the townhouse tour

Printemps opens in NYC, bringing French flair and fashion to Wall Street

The Red Room. All photos courtesy of Gieves Anderson for Printemps New York

March 20, 2025

Printemps opens in NYC, bringing French flair and fashion to Wall Street

By Devin Gannon

Parisian retailer Printemps opened its first United States concept in New York City this week. The 160-year-old French store has taken over two floors of One Wall Street, a 50-story Art Deco tower in the Financial District that is now home to over 500 luxury apartments. Designed by architect Laura Gonzalez, the 55,000-square-foot concept is made to feel like a whimsical interpretation of a Parisian apartment, with five food and beverage experiences, beauty and treatment rooms, clothing repair, and more, bringing together retail, dining, hospitality, and culture under one roof.
see it here

$60M West Village condo is priciest ever sold in downtown Manhattan

Photo by Tdorante10 on Wikimedia

March 17, 2025

$60M West Village condo is priciest ever sold in downtown Manhattan

By Devin Gannon

An apartment in the West Village has sold for $60 million, becoming the most expensive condo ever sold in downtown Manhattan. The five-bedroom duplex at 150 Charles Street, a 15-story full-service building on the Hudson River designed by COOKFOX Architects, fetched about double what the prior owners paid.
details here

Real Estate Trends

NYC’s 10 best-selling residential buildings of 2024

Aman New York, courtesy of Aman New York; One High Line, courtesy of Evan Joseph; The Huron, courtesy of Redundant Pixel; The Cortland, courtesy of Related Companies

March 14, 2025

NYC’s 10 best-selling residential buildings of 2024

By Devin Gannon

A new report from CityRealty reveals New York City's best-selling residential buildings of 2024. Last year's total sales by dollar amount remained just under $22 billion, falling below the 10-year average of $26.9 billion, likely due to high interest rates and global uncertainties. But the luxury market remained strong, with the majority of best-selling buildings being all new developments, including One High Line and Aman New York Residences, which top the list. As CityRealty notes, the 30 top-selling buildings in Manhattan accounted for $4.4 billion in sales, 992 units sold, and 20 percent of the borough's total apartment sales by dollar volume.
see the list

All photos courtesy of Oleg Davidoff for The Corcoran Group

March 13, 2025

$5M Beekman Place duplex has 11 rooms and United Nations views

By Devin Gannon

A grand home on a secluded stretch of Midtown East is back on the market. Located in the distinguished pre-war co-op 1 Beekman Place, the 4,300-square-foot maisonette was owned by late real estate heir and philanthropist Patricia Bauman and husband John Landrum Bryant, whose Chinese art collection and antiques fill much of the sprawling home. After first listing last August, the apartment is back on the market, looking a bit tidier, and at a discounted $4,995,000.
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Distinctive Homes

NYC added 34,000 new homes in 2024: These neighborhoods built the most

Photo by Harry Gillen on Unsplash

March 12, 2025

NYC added 34,000 new homes in 2024: These neighborhoods built the most

By Devin Gannon

Nearly 34,000 new homes were completed in New York City in 2024, the most units in a single year since 1965. The increase in housing units, up over 6,000 units from last year, is driven by a surge of permits filed in 2022 before the 421-a tax incentive expired. The Department of City Planning this week released an update to its Housing Database with new tools highlighting housing production across the city. While the data reveals Brooklyn had the highest number of newly constructed units of all the boroughs, Long Island City in Queens led the city with 1,859 new building units in 2024.
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Billionaires’ Row condo sells for $82.5M, NYC’s priciest deal of the year

Photo by Jakub Hałun on Wikimedia

March 11, 2025

Billionaires’ Row condo sells for $82.5M, NYC’s priciest deal of the year

By Devin Gannon

Media executive Byron Allen has sold his condo on Billionaires' Row for $82.5 million, marking New York City's priciest deal of the year so far. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Allen paid $75 million in 2023 for the five-bedroom pad at 220 Central Park South, a limestone-clad tower designed by Robert A.M. Stern that is considered one of the most expensive condo buildings in the country.
details here

Real Estate Trends

Rendering courtesy of Naftali Group

March 10, 2025

Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani will open new restaurant at Williamsburg development

By Devin Gannon

A residential development in South Williamsburg is adding a restaurant from a celebrity chef. Israeli chef Eyal Shani and Good People Group will open a new restaurant concept at Williamsburg Wharf, a project with five new residential towers and a public park currently under construction on the waterfront. Developer Naftali Group announced on Monday that the new eatery will occupy 4,000 square feet of ground-floor space along Kent Avenue.
learn more here

Moving on from the Nets, Ben Simmons lists Dumbo condo for $17M

Photos courtesy of Tyler Stuart of Real Estate Production Network for Douglas Elliman

March 7, 2025

Moving on from the Nets, Ben Simmons lists Dumbo condo for $17M

By Devin Gannon

About a month after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets, NBA point guard Ben Simmons is waving goodbye to his Dumbo condo. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the Australian-born basketball player put his combined apartment on the 21st-floor of new development Olympia Dumbo on the market for $16,995,000. Simmons, who recently moved across the country to join the LA Clippers, bought the apartment for about $14 million in 2023.
see it here

Financial District office tower to be razed and replaced with 1,000 apartments

100 Gold Street. Photo courtesy of NYCEDC

March 6, 2025

Financial District office tower to be razed and replaced with 1,000 apartments

By Devin Gannon

The city is looking for a developer to raze and replace an aging government building in the Financial District with over 1,000 apartments. On Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development issued a request for proposals (RFP) to transform 100 Gold Street into a mixed-income residential building. Currently, the nine-story office tower is occupied by several city agencies, with most of the space utilized by the housing department.
details this way

Affordable Housing

Rental on the Park Slope-Gowanus border opens lottery for 50 affordable apartments, from $874/month

All renderings courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 4, 2025

Rental on the Park Slope-Gowanus border opens lottery for 50 affordable apartments, from $874/month

By Devin Gannon

A new rental building on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus opened a lottery for 50 affordable apartments. Longview is a 17-story tower at 380 4th Avenue with 197 homes, 30,000 square feet of amenities, and 14,000 square feet of retail space. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 90 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $874/month studios to $2,532/month two-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

William Lescaze’s modernist Upper East Side townhouse is on the market again, for $15M

All photos courtesy of Anton Brookes of H5 Property

February 28, 2025

William Lescaze’s modernist Upper East Side townhouse is on the market again, for $15M

By Devin Gannon

One of New York City's first modernist residences is back on the market. The townhouse at 32 East 74th Street was designed by William Lescaze, a Swiss-born American architect credited with pioneering modernism in the United States. Known as the Raymond C. and Mildred Kramer House for the original owners, the Upper East Side property has an iconic white stucco and glass brick facade preserved to comply with landmarks law. Inside, however, several renovations over the years have left little traces of Lescaze's interior design. Now asking $15,000,000, the home, which has been divided into three duplex apartments, has been on and off the market for nearly a decade.
details this way

Distinctive Homes

A fish sculpture by Frank Gehry now hangs in the lobby of 3 World Trade Center

All photos courtesy of Spencer Lasky

February 27, 2025

A fish sculpture by Frank Gehry now hangs in the lobby of 3 World Trade Center

By Devin Gannon

A new sculpture by famed modernist architect Frank Gehry is now on display in New York City. Silverstein Properties on Thursday unveiled "Untitled (Fish on Fire, Greenwich Street) 2024," a 20-foot by 7-foot copper fish sculpture suspended in the lobby of 3 World Trade Center. Gehry, known for his creative use of materials and innovative designs found around the world, has used the fish as a motif in his work since the 1980s. The new sculpture is the "largest suspended fish sculpture ever created" by the architect, according to Silverstein.
details here

Events & Things To Do

Long Island City skyscraper opens lottery for 109 apartments, from $1,548/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 27, 2025

Long Island City skyscraper opens lottery for 109 apartments, from $1,548/month

By Devin Gannon

A new skyscraper in Long Island City opened a lottery for over 100 mixed-income apartments last week. Located at 26-32 Jackson Avenue in the neighborhood's Court Square section, The Italic sits across from its sister building The Bold, keeping with the typeface theme. The rental buildings were jointly developed by Fenter Group and Lions Group and designed by SLCE. The Italic is the taller of the two at 49 stories and contains over 360 apartments. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70, 90, 120, and 125 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $1,548/month studios to $4,173/month three-bedrooms.
do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

Two floors and two outdoor spaces for $999K in Turtle Bay

All photos courtesy of Al Siedman/VHT for The Corcoran Group

February 26, 2025

Two floors and two outdoor spaces for $999K in Turtle Bay

By Devin Gannon

Two floors plus two outdoor spaces in Turtle Bay for under $1 million equals one good deal. A one-bedroom duplex condo at 345 East 50th Street is generously sized across two floors, with bonus space in the form of a balcony and a private terrace. Asking $999,000, the East Side apartment is located in the M at Beekman condominium, which was constructed in 2007 by combining three pre-war brownstones.
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Distinctive Homes

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