All articles by Devin Gannon

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

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

Map data © 2020 Google

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

The 2021 Village Halloween Parade is officially back on

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.
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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

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

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.
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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.
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Affordable Housing

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

Photos: ©Fred Charles courtesy of Gensler

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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Popular Articles

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.
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NYC’s Governors Island will be open year-round for the first time

Photo by Kreg Holt

September 28, 2021

NYC’s Governors Island will be open year-round for the first time

By Devin Gannon

Starting November 1, Governors Island will be open to the public year-round for the first time in its history, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. Located in the heart of New York Harbor, the 172-acre island has typically had a limited season that ran between May and October but plans to make the site a 24/7 community have been in the works for nearly two decades. With the island open all year, the city also announced it will make Governors Island a daily stop on NYC Ferry, as well as launch a new route that departs from the Lower East Side.
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City Living

New York rolls out Covid-19 booster shot plan, launches new website

Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

September 27, 2021

New York rolls out Covid-19 booster shot plan, launches new website

By Devin Gannon

With an amended emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week, certain groups of people are now eligible for a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a plan to vaccinate New Yorkers who qualify for a booster dose and rolled out a new website with dedicated information about the additional dose. Booster doses are currently only approved for those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and should be administered at least six months after their second dose.
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Policy

New York announces $27M in Hurricane Ida aid for undocumented residents

Gov. Kathy Hochul, joined by Sen. Jessica Ramos and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, toured homes in the East Elmhurst section of Queens that flooded from torrential rains brought on by Hurricane Ida. ( Photo: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor on Flickr)

September 27, 2021

New York announces $27M in Hurricane Ida aid for undocumented residents

By Devin Gannon

Nearly a month after the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought record rainfall, more than $50 million in property damage, and claimed the lives of 13 city residents, New York officials announced a plan to provide financial assistance to undocumented residents affected by the storm. Announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday, the fund includes $27 million in city and state grants for New Yorkers who are ineligible for federal help because of their immigration status.
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Policy

Apple’s first store in the Bronx is now open

© Apple

September 27, 2021

Apple’s first store in the Bronx is now open

By Devin Gannon

Getting help from the Genius Bar or checking out the latest iPhone just got a lot easier for Bronx residents. Apple opened its first location in the borough on Friday, marking the company's 11th store in New York City. The Apple Store will be located on the ground level of Mall at Bay Plaza in Baychester.
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Uncategorized

NYC commission kills application for shadow-casting towers next to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Rendering: NYC Department of City Planning

September 23, 2021

NYC commission kills application for shadow-casting towers next to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

By Devin Gannon

The City Planning Commission this week voted unanimously to reject a rezoning application that would allow for two high-rise towers in Crown Heights next to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, ending the uniform land use review procedure for the project. First unveiled by developers Continuum Companies and Lincoln Equities in 2019, the plan called for a pair of 34-story towers with over 1,500 units of housing on a lot at 960 Franklin Avenue. The commission's decision came after a more than a two-year campaign against the project by the garden, which claimed the towers would block necessary light from shining on its greenhouses.
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Policy

New looks for 7-tower Bankside complex, the priciest development in the Bronx

Rendering: LCP360

September 23, 2021

New looks for 7-tower Bankside complex, the priciest development in the Bronx

By Devin Gannon

As the first phase nears completion, a fresh set of renderings has been released of one of the most expensive private development in Bronx history. Developed by Brookfield Properties, Bankside is a $950 million seven-tower complex that stretches across two Harlem River-facing parcels in Mott Haven. New images of the massive development show off the project's 450-unit rental set to open this year, as well as the new public waterfront park and esplanade.
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New members-only bar in Flatiron is located inside a 19th-century church

All photos courtesy of Chapel Bar

September 22, 2021

New members-only bar in Flatiron is located inside a 19th-century church

By Devin Gannon

New York City's latest hot spot is in a church. Opening this week, Chapel Bar is a members-only bar located inside a stunning 19th-century chapel in the Flatiron District that has been transformed into a dreamy cocktail spot, decked out with jewel tones and velvet. Tucked away inside the lobby of the Swedish photography museum Fotografiska, the watering hole is only open to members of the museum or NeueHouse, a company that provides workspaces for creatives.
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Food & Dining

Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

September 22, 2021

Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District

By Devin Gannon

Seven supersized origami-inspired sculptures are now on display in Midtown Manhattan as part of the neighborhood's latest public art exhibit. Installed by the Garment District Alliance and the Department of Transportation, the exhibition, Hacer: Transformations, features brightly colored steel sculptures of animals that vary in size and resemble the paper-folding art. Created by California-based artist Hacer, the installation will be on display along Broadway between 36th and 39th Streets through November 23.
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Events & Things To Do

First look at Robert A.M. Stern and Olson Kundig’s new Chelsea condo tower on the Hudson

All renderings courtesy of Related Companies

September 21, 2021

First look at Robert A.M. Stern and Olson Kundig’s new Chelsea condo tower on the Hudson

By Devin Gannon

The renowned teams of Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) and Olson Kundig have teamed up for a new condo project in Chelsea and ahead of its official launch later this fall, we're getting a first look inside. Located across the street from Hudson River Park at 555 West 22nd Street, The Cortland is a 25-story building with 144 total units. RAMSA designed the exterior of the condo and Olson Kundig handled the interiors, combining their distinguished architecture styles in one impressive waterfront development.
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Google will buy St. John’s Terminal building in Hudson Square for $2.1B

Renderings courtesy of COOKFOX Architects

September 21, 2021

Google will buy St. John’s Terminal building in Hudson Square for $2.1B

By Devin Gannon

Google will buy the Manhattan office building it currently leases for $2.1 billion next year. The tech giant announced on Tuesday plans to purchase St. John's Terminal at 550 Washington Street in Hudson Square during the first quarter of 2022. Google already leases the former freight terminal, which is currently undergoing a major renovation and addition as part of the company's new 1.7 million-square-foot campus in the neighborhood. As the Wall Street Journal first reported, the deal marks the priciest sale of a single office building in the United States since the start of the pandemic, as well as one of the most expensive ever recorded.
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Real Estate Trends

American Dream mall opens luxury retail wing, including NJ’s only Saks Fifth Avenue location

All photos courtesy of American Dream

September 20, 2021

American Dream mall opens luxury retail wing, including NJ’s only Saks Fifth Avenue location

By Devin Gannon

The upscale retail and dining wing of New Jersey's American Dream mall finally opened last week after a pandemic-related delayed. Dubbed "The Avenue," the 300,000-square-foot hall is anchored by a two-level Saks Fifth Avenue, now the only location in the Garden State. Other stores now open at American Dream include Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Mulberry, Johnny Was, and renowned Italian restaurant, Carpaccio, the first location of the establishment in the Northeast.
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Uncategorized

Leasing launches at The Willoughby, a new 476-unit rental in Downtown Brooklyn

All renderings courtesy of RXR Realty

September 20, 2021

Leasing launches at The Willoughby, a new 476-unit rental in Downtown Brooklyn

By Devin Gannon

Ahead of its opening this fall, a sleek new rental building in Brooklyn has launched leasing. Located where Fort Greene and Downtown Brooklyn converge, The Willoughby rises 34 stories and houses 476 rental units. Developed by RXR Realty and designed by Perkins Eastman, the 435-foot-tall building sits within the Long Island University campus and overlooks a new athletic field funded by the project. Starting rents are $2,870/month for studios, $3,840/month for one-bedrooms, and $5,660/month for two-bedrooms.
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Lottery opens for 267 affordable units at new Forest Hills complex, from $738/month

Rendering courtesy of FXCollaborative

September 20, 2021

Lottery opens for 267 affordable units at new Forest Hills complex, from $738/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery opened this week for 267 mixed-income apartments across a massive new residential complex in Queens' Forest Hills. The development, called Apex Place, includes three new buildings, contains over 440 total apartments, and connects to a former public housing site, creating a cohesive property with shared green spaces and pedestrian space. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 50, 70, 110, and 140 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $738/month studios to $2,975/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

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