All articles by Devin Gannon

Sales launch at curvy Olympia Dumbo, to be tallest and priciest condo in the neighborhood

Renderings courtesy of Marchmade

October 15, 2021

Sales launch at curvy Olympia Dumbo, to be tallest and priciest condo in the neighborhood

The curvy, twisting tower rising in Dumbo launched sales this week, with condos starting at $1.75 million. Developed by Fortis Property Group and designed by Hill West Architects, Olympia Dumbo contains 76 residences ranging from one- to five-bedroom apartments. According to a spokesperson for the project, the building's top-floor penthouses, which will list for $16 million and $15.5 million, could become the neighborhood's most expensive condos ever sold if they sell at the asking prices.
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October 15, 2021

This $7.25M loft in a star-studded Tribeca building is both beautiful and livable

By Devin Gannon

A classic Tribeca loft is available at a building known for its A-list residents. The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath apartment at 155 Franklin Street, a condo Taylor Swift, Orlando Bloom, Aziz Ansari, and others have all called home, is on the market for $7.25 million. Not only does the home boast designer-curated interiors, but the space is super livable, thanks to the flow of the living area and the addition of a home office and closet space.
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Distinctive Homes

NYC’s historic Five Points neighborhood is officially recognized with street co-naming

Photo on the left courtesy of Lloyd Trufelman; Photo on right courtesy of Wikimedia

October 14, 2021

NYC’s historic Five Points neighborhood is officially recognized with street co-naming

By Devin Gannon

The intersection that formed the notorious Five Points neighborhood in Manhattan will now be officially part of New York City's street grid. The city has installed a sign at Baxter and Worth Streets in Lower Manhattan, marking the exact location of the original Five Points, a notorious 19th-century slum that was home to a diverse group of immigrants. Before this year's street co-naming, there was no official marker at the site to honor the historic spot, considered to be one of the country's first "melting pots." But a successful effort spearheaded by Lloyd Trufelman, who is a tour guide with the Municipal Art Society of New York, along with groups like the New York Adventure Club and the Historic Districts Council led to the street co-naming, symbolizing the return of Five Points to the city 125 years later. Ahead, hear from Trufelman about his campaign to recognize the legendary neighborhood and learn how to sign up for his upcoming walking tour.
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History

Lottery opens for 69 affordable apartments next to Jamaica’s Rufus King Park, from $1,599/month

Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

October 14, 2021

Lottery opens for 69 affordable apartments next to Jamaica’s Rufus King Park, from $1,599/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery opened this week for 69 apartments designated for New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income. Located at 153-19 Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, the newly constructed 19-story building sits across from the historic Rufus King Park and is also just one block from the subway. Available apartments include 37 studios priced at $1,599/month and 32 one-bedrooms for $1,708/month.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

An architect’s glass-walled hilltop Hudson Valley home asks $5.9M

All photos by Dan Milstein

October 13, 2021

An architect’s glass-walled hilltop Hudson Valley home asks $5.9M

By Devin Gannon

An architect's Hudson Valley home with soaring ceilings, glass walls, and multiple terraces can be yours for $5.9 million. Designed by a Westchester-based architect, the unique property at 18 Bramblebush Road in Croton-on-Hudson is perched atop a hillside and boasts a glass facade, allowing for uninterrupted river and mountain views.
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Distinctive Homes

Brooklyn Public Library opens new branch under the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo

All photos by Gregg Richards

October 13, 2021

Brooklyn Public Library opens new branch under the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo

By Devin Gannon

At the Brooklyn Public Library's newest branch, reading comes with a view. The library opened the Adams Street Library in Dumbo this week, marking the first new library built in the borough in nearly 40 years and the first branch to open in the neighborhood. Bordering Brooklyn Bridge Park and tucked underneath the Manhattan Bridge, the library has 15-foot windows that face the East River and lower Manhattan skyline.
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NYC’s open streets program falls short of 100-mile promise, report says

Photo: Transportation Alternatives

October 12, 2021

NYC’s open streets program falls short of 100-mile promise, report says

By Devin Gannon

In the summer of 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city would close 100 miles of streets to cars for use by pedestrians, a policy formed in response to the pandemic and the need for safe, socially distanced outdoor space. Over a year later, just over 24 miles of Open Streets are currently active, according to a report released this week by the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives (TA).
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This $1.9M Upper West Side brownstone co-op has a soaking tub and sunny private garden

All photos: Rich Caplan

October 12, 2021

This $1.9M Upper West Side brownstone co-op has a soaking tub and sunny private garden

By Devin Gannon

While this Upper West Side co-op is just a few blocks from Central Park, the apartment at 136 West 70th Street comes with its own slice of green space. Asking $1,895,000, the two-bedroom home takes up three floors of a pre-war brownstone, with even more space found in the spacious landscaped backyard. The sunny south-facing garden measures 700 square feet and features lots of plantings and plenty of space to entertain.
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Distinctive Homes

October 11, 2021

80-unit affordable building for seniors opens in East New York

By Devin Gannon

Photo: James Shanks Photography An affordable housing building for seniors opened in East New York last week, one of the final pieces of a long-awaited development project. Located at 516 Schroeders Avenue, the building is the sixth phase of the Nehemiah Spring Creek development, which includes the transformation of 45-acres of undeveloped wetlands and landfills into mixed-use, mixed-income Brooklyn community.
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Affordable Housing

Apply for 227 affordable apartments at new Far Rockaway complex, from $535/month

Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

October 11, 2021

Apply for 227 affordable apartments at new Far Rockaway complex, from $535/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are now being accepted for 227 affordable apartments across two buildings in Downtown Far Rockaway in Queens. The new complex, dubbed RadRoc, consists of two 10-story mixed-use structures, a steel and plank building at 19-38 Cornaga Avenue and a modular construction building at 10-18 Beach 20th Street. Qualifying New Yorkers earning between 40 and 80 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from $535/month studios to $2,059/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Plant pro The Sill opens new shop in the heart of Williamsburg

By Devin Gannon

Williamsburg residents will soon be able to fill their stylish pads with plants to match. The Sill, the popular direct-to-consumer houseplant company, opened its second location in Brooklyn this week. Located in the heart of the neighborhood at 190 Berry Street, the store is full of the company's best-selling items, from potted succulents and cacti to tropical plants and ferns.
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City Living

See Jean-Georges’ new dining destination opening at NYC’s former Fulton Fish Market

The Central Market; Renderings courtesy of Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors

October 7, 2021

See Jean-Georges’ new dining destination opening at NYC’s former Fulton Fish Market

By Devin Gannon

Ahead of next year's opening of the huge foodie destination from world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in the South Street Seaport, we're getting a first look at the 53,000-square-foot space. Several restaurants and bars, fast-casual concepts, and a sprawling central market will open at the Tin Building, a restored early 20th-century waterfront structure that once housed the iconic Fulton Fish Market.
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Food & Dining

600-unit final tower of Journal Squared complex breaks ground in Jersey City

Rendering: KRE Group

October 7, 2021

600-unit final tower of Journal Squared complex breaks ground in Jersey City

By Devin Gannon

The final tower of a massive three-building luxury complex in Journal Square broke ground this week, which will eventually add hundreds of apartments to Jersey City's burgeoning residential neighborhood. Dubbed Journal Squared, the development at the intersection of Pavonia and Summit Avenues includes three high-rise rentals, two of which have already opened. This week local officials joined Kushner Real Estate (KRE) Group and National Real Estate Advisors to celebrate the completed leasing of the 704-unit second phase tower and break ground on the third and last tower, a 60-story structure with 600 residences.
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Real Estate Trends

Manhattan apartment sales hit a 32-year high

Photo by Jason Krieger on Unsplash

October 6, 2021

Manhattan apartment sales hit a 32-year high

By Devin Gannon

More apartments sold in Manhattan in the third quarter of 2021 than at any point during the last 30+ years of tracking, a new real estate market report says. According to a Douglas Elliman report published this week, there were 4,523 closed co-op and condos sales in the quarter, more than triple the same period last year and 76.5 percent higher than the same time in 2019. Even more indicative of the market turnaround following Covid-19, this quarter passed the previous sales record of 3,939 reported in the second quarter of 2007. And in its own market report, The Corcoran Group found sales volume in Manhattan topped $9.5 billion, the highest quarterly volume total ever recorded. This passes the previous record of $8.54 billion set in the second quarter of 2019.
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Real Estate Trends

October 6, 2021

NYC commits $170M to preserve Chinatown’s historic 70 Mulberry Street after fire

By Devin Gannon

The city will nearly double its investment in the restoration of a historic Chinatown building that was destroyed in a fire last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. After committing $80 million last July to the rebuilding of 70 Mulberry Street, a former public school constructed in the 1890s, the mayor said the city will tack on another $90 million, for a total of $170 million. In January 2020, a fire significantly damaged the site, forcing out five nonprofit organizations. According to the city, all of the groups will be welcomed back as tenants.
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Policy

Photo of 2019 Village Halloween Parade by Steven Pisano on Flickr

October 5, 2021

The 2021 Village Halloween Parade is officially back on

By Devin Gannon

The Village Halloween Parade is officially back this year thanks to a major donation. The beloved event was scheduled to return after a pandemic-related hiatus, but a lack of funds threatened to cancel the 2021 parade, according to organizers. The parade set a fundraising goal of $150,000 by October 5, and with the help of 183 donors who contributed over $11,000 and Jason Feldman and his wife Missy who made up the difference, the spooky show will go on.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

Brooklyn Public Library’s recently renovated Central Branch. Photo by Gregg Richards

October 5, 2021

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

By Devin Gannon

All of New York City's public libraries have permanently eliminated late fees and will not charge for overdue books and other materials starting Tuesday. This shift in policy, which was first established at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March, aims to create a more equitable and open system for communities in need, according to an announcement by library officials. Combined, the city's three library systems, made up of over 200 branches, are now the largest municipality in the country to eliminate fees.
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NYC is offering low-income, first-time homebuyers $100K toward down payments

Photo by Rachel Martin on Unsplash

October 5, 2021

NYC is offering low-income, first-time homebuyers $100K toward down payments

By Devin Gannon

With the goal of making the home buying process in New York more equitable, the city is expanding its existing down payment assistance program by more than double. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced on Monday it will offer up to $100,000 toward down payments or closing costs to first-time homebuyers who earn up to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), a major increase from the $40,000 in forgivable loan offered by the city previously.
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Policy

October 4, 2021

Zig-zagging office tower in Greenwich Village’s ‘Silicon Alley’ nabe nears completion

By Devin Gannon

The new modern office building that replaced the St. Denis Hotel in Greenwich Village is nearing completion. The ground-up development 799 Broadway sits where the Village and Union Square meet, a burgeoning tech hub known as "Silicon Alley." As a majority of construction work on the building wraps up in the coming weeks, Columbia Property Trust, Inc. announced on Monday it has secured its first lease at the building.
Details here

New Developments

Historic Neir’s Tavern honored with street co-naming in Queens

Photos courtesy of Neir’s Tavern

October 4, 2021

Historic Neir’s Tavern honored with street co-naming in Queens

By Devin Gannon

After a rent increase and the coronavirus pandemic left the fate of Neir's Tavern in question, the history of the nearly 192-year-old Queens establishment will be preserved forever following a street co-naming ceremony Saturday. The intersection of 78th Street and 88th Avenue in Woodhaven is now known as "Neir's Tavern Way," honoring the waterhole that opened on the corner in 1829 and is considered New York City's oldest bar.
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Food & Dining

$6.95M Prospect Park-facing penthouse to become priciest condo ever sold in Park Slope

All photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

October 4, 2021

$6.95M Prospect Park-facing penthouse to become priciest condo ever sold in Park Slope

By Devin Gannon

A Brooklyn penthouse overlooking Prospect Park went into contract last week for $6.95 million. As first reported by Mansion Global, the deal will become the priciest condo ever sold in Park Slope when it closes. The sprawling four-bedroom, four-bath residence is located at One Prospect Park West, a roughly 100-year-old building that originally served as a Knights of Columbus hotel and now has been converted into a luxury condominium with 64 homes.
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Real Estate Trends

Lottery opens for 21 middle-income units at new Bushwick rental, from $1,800/month

Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

October 1, 2021

Lottery opens for 21 middle-income units at new Bushwick rental, from $1,800/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are now being accepted for 21 below-market-rate apartments at a new rental in Bushwick that has a rooftop terrace, dog spa, and a gym. Located at 1510 Gates Avenue, the 11-story building is located off Myrtle Avenue, a hot spot of dining and entertainment venues. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,800/month studios to $2,400/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

September 30, 2021

A 24-ton stone sphere is hanging in the lobby of Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue tower

By Devin Gannon

A massive blue spherical stone now hangs in the lobby of the landmarked office building 550 Madison Avenue, part of a broader project to revitalize Philip Johnson's postmodern gem. The Olayan Group on Wednesday unveiled the renovated space, a project which included preserving the 110-foot arched entry, adding a multi-story window across from the entrance with views through to the new garden, still under construction, and the centerpiece art commission. Designed by artist Alicja Kwade, who had a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's roof garden in 2019, the art installation includes a 24-ton Azul Macaubas stone sphere hanging from ten polished stainless steel chains only 12 feet above the floor.
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Comedian Keegan-Michael Key sells his condo in NYC’s ‘Jenga’ tower for $5M

All photos: Arnaud Lecamus, Silvercup Lifestyle LLC

September 29, 2021

Comedian Keegan-Michael Key sells his condo in NYC’s ‘Jenga’ tower for $5M

By Devin Gannon

Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key has sold his Tribeca apartment for $5,000,000, less than the original asking price of $5,495,000. As the New York Post first reported, the two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath condo is located at 56 Leonard Street, better known as the "Jenga Building" because of each floor's unique layout.
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7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

Photo: Max Touhey/ NYPL

September 29, 2021

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

By Devin Gannon

More than 250 historic items and artifacts, many of which the public has never seen before, are now on display in New York City. The Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library's Treasures opened at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building last week, showing off just some of the institution's incredible collection of objects, images, letters, manuscripts, and more that spans 4,000 years in history. From a draft copy of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson to the stuffed bear that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the library's first permanent exhibition allows the public to connect intimately with history at no cost.
More here

All articles by Devin Gannon

Sales launch at curvy Olympia Dumbo, to be tallest and priciest condo in the neighborhood

This $7.25M loft in a star-studded Tribeca building is both beautiful and livable

NYC’s historic Five Points neighborhood is officially recognized with street co-naming

Lottery opens for 69 affordable apartments next to Jamaica’s Rufus King Park, from $1,599/month

An architect’s glass-walled hilltop Hudson Valley home asks $5.9M

Brooklyn Public Library opens new branch under the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo

NYC’s open streets program falls short of 100-mile promise, report says

This $1.9M Upper West Side brownstone co-op has a soaking tub and sunny private garden

80-unit affordable building for seniors opens in East New York

Apply for 227 affordable apartments at new Far Rockaway complex, from $535/month

Plant pro The Sill opens new shop in the heart of Williamsburg

See Jean-Georges’ new dining destination opening at NYC’s former Fulton Fish Market

600-unit final tower of Journal Squared complex breaks ground in Jersey City

Manhattan apartment sales hit a 32-year high

NYC commits $170M to preserve Chinatown’s historic 70 Mulberry Street after fire

For $20.5M, West Village townhouse meets suburban mansion behind a historic facade

The 2021 Village Halloween Parade is officially back on

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

NYC is offering low-income, first-time homebuyers $100K toward down payments

Zig-zagging office tower in Greenwich Village’s ‘Silicon Alley’ nabe nears completion

Historic Neir’s Tavern honored with street co-naming in Queens

$6.95M Prospect Park-facing penthouse to become priciest condo ever sold in Park Slope

Lottery opens for 21 middle-income units at new Bushwick rental, from $1,800/month

A 24-ton stone sphere is hanging in the lobby of Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue tower

Comedian Keegan-Michael Key sells his condo in NYC’s ‘Jenga’ tower for $5M

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

138 Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn

All articles by Devin Gannon

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