All articles by Devin Gannon

KAWS unveils new 18-foot sculpture at Rockefeller Center

Courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

August 12, 2021

KAWS unveils new 18-foot sculpture at Rockefeller Center

The distinct art of KAWS is now on display at Rockefeller Center. The 18-foot tall bronze sculpture, dubbed SHARE, features two of the artist's signature cartoon-like figures, Companion and BFF. The installation, which coincides with the current sweeping exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, "KAWS: WHAT PARTY," will be on view at the Center Plaza until October 29.
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Events & Things To Do

Central Park’s famous carousel will reopen with Coney Island’s Luna Park as operator

Photo by ajay_suresh on Flickr

August 11, 2021

Central Park’s famous carousel will reopen with Coney Island’s Luna Park as operator

By Devin Gannon

One of the country's most popular carousels will soon spin again. Central Park's Friedsam Memorial Carousel will reopen to riders this fall after being closed since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As first reported by amNY, the operators of Coney Island's Luna Park, Central Amusement International, will operate the merry-go-round, replacing the Trump Organization, which had its contracts with the city canceled earlier this year after the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Details here

City Living

Free at-home Covid-19 testing now available for seniors and immunocompromised New Yorkers

Mayor Bill de Blasio is tested for COVID-19.June 16, 2020. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 11, 2021

Free at-home Covid-19 testing now available for seniors and immunocompromised New Yorkers

By Devin Gannon

New York City is expanding its at-home coronavirus testing program. The city's Health Department on Tuesday announced the free service will now be available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those aged 65 and older. In March, the at-home appointments first became available for those who had close contact with someone diagnosed with the virus. The expansion comes as the city sees an increase in new Covid-19 cases, and with it, the demand for testing.
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Policy

1 million daffodils will be planted around NYC to honor victims of 9/11

Photos courtesy of New Yorkers for Parks

August 11, 2021

1 million daffodils will be planted around NYC to honor victims of 9/11

By Devin Gannon

Daffodil bulbs will once again be planted across New York City this fall as part of a living memorial to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Led by open space advocacy group New Yorkers for Parks, the Daffodil Project launched in the spring after 9/11 and has continued every year since, with more than 8 million daffodil bulbs distributed for free and planted by volunteers. As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the organization will hand out more than one million daffodil bulbs, double the amount from the year prior. The project's expansion this year will also honor lives lost to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Events & Things To Do

Brooklyn Nets are giving away home game tickets this week at pop-up Covid vaccination site

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 10, 2021

Brooklyn Nets are giving away home game tickets this week at pop-up Covid vaccination site

By Devin Gannon

Take a shot and receive a free ticket to a Brooklyn Nets home game. The basketball team is partnering with Maimonides Medical Center and Industry Center to open a coronavirus vaccination site in Brooklyn this week. On Thursday, August 12, individuals aged 12 and older who receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Sunset Park pop-up will go home with a complimentary ticket to a game next season and some Nets swag.
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City Living

August 10, 2021

Queens’ Cambria Heights could gain two Tudor-filled historic districts

By Devin Gannon

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to calendar two historic districts in the Queens neighborhood of Cambria Heights. The proposed 222nd Street Historic District and the 227th Street Historic District contain a total of 96 intact Tudor Revival rowhouses that incorporate the whimsical Storybook style. One of several prosperous Black communities in southeastern Queens, Cambria Heights is home to many single-family homes, but the two blocks considered for landmark status stand out for their architectural integrity and cohesiveness, according to the commission.
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Policy

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

Maiden Korea, 316 5th Avenue; Courtesy of Alfresco NYC

August 9, 2021

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

By Devin Gannon

Over 11,500 restaurants across New York City currently participate in the city's outdoor dining program, which launched last summer to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, seven of them were recognized for being the best examples of outdoor dining setups across the boroughs as part of the first-ever Alfresco Awards. The program, created by a group of local nonprofits, also acknowledged the city's best Open Streets, an initiative that closes streets to cars for pedestrian use.
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First-ever Oreo cookie cafe opens at NJ’s American Dream mall

Photo courtesy of OREO

August 9, 2021

First-ever Oreo cookie cafe opens at NJ’s American Dream mall

By Devin Gannon

A sweets shop at New Jersey's American Dream mall just got even sweeter. The first-ever Oreo cafe opened last week on the top floor of the candy department store IT'SUGAR, a candy and gift shop that measures 22,000 square feet across three levels. The store features a menu of Oreo-inspired desserts, including do-it-your-self customizable treats, and limited-edition cookie merchandise.
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Food & Dining

283 mixed-income units up for grabs in the South Bronx, from $375/month

Rendering of 1115 Commonwealth Avenue courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

August 6, 2021

283 mixed-income units up for grabs in the South Bronx, from $375/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are now being accepted for 283 mixed-income apartments at a mixed-use development in the South Bronx. The available units are found across three buildings, located at 1775 Watson Avenue, 1111 Commonwealth Avenue, and 1115 Commonwealth Avenue in Soundview. New Yorkers with households earning 30, 40, 50, 60, or 100 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $375/month studios to $2,143/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Architect Michael Haverland lists his modern glass house in East Hampton for $5M

Photos courtesy of Compass

August 5, 2021

Architect Michael Haverland lists his modern glass house in East Hampton for $5M

By Devin Gannon

Architect Michael Haverland is selling his modern East Hampton abode for $4,995,000. Designed in collaboration with his partner, New York Times columnist Philip Galanes, the "glass, steel, and stucco showpiece" at 73 Cove Hollow Road has been featured in over a dozen publications and even included in the Museum of Modern Art's tour of iconic East Hampton homes, according to the listing. Due to careful architectural planning, the one-acre property manages to fit a three-bedroom residence, pool house, patio, and work shed with plenty of space left for a large, lush front yard.
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Distinctive Homes

Here’s how you can show proof of vaccination in New York City

By Devin Gannon

Starting August 17, people who want to dine inside at a restaurant, exercise at the gym, or attend an indoor performance in New York City must present proof of Covid-19 vaccination. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday announced the "Key to NYC Pass" initiative, part of his administration's plan to increase the vaccination rate in the city and fight the very transmissible Delta variant. Plus, there are new vaccine mandates in place for city and state employees, including patient-facing public healthcare workers. There are three ways to prove you received the vaccine, including the state's Excelsior Pass, an app released by the city called NYC Covid Safe, or the paper record issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Policy

Portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama are coming to the Brooklyn Museum this month

(L) “Barack Obama” by Kehinde Wiley, oil on canvas, 2019. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; (R) “Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama” by Amy Sherald, oil on linen, 2018. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

August 5, 2021

Portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama are coming to the Brooklyn Museum this month

By Devin Gannon

The famous portraits of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are coming to the Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Heights this month. At the beginning of 2020, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery announced a five-city tour for the two popular paintings, which kicked off in June in the Obamas' hometown of Chicago. Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald are the first African American artists selected by the Portrait Gallery for the museum's official portraits of a president or first lady.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

Photo by Daniel Lee on Unsplash

August 4, 2021

New federal eviction ban covers renters in areas with high Covid rates, including New York

By Devin Gannon

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued a new temporary moratorium on evictions that covers renters in areas with high levels of coronavirus transmission. The new order, which replaces the previous federal ban that lapsed on Saturday, expires on October 3 and applies to renters in counties that are experiencing "substantial" or "high" levels of Covid-19 spread, which includes all of New York City. While New York's most recent state order halted evictions through the end of August, the new CDC moratorium provides renters an extra month of protection from eviction.
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Policy

Vibrant new street mural takes over Union Square’s 14th Street

Photo by Liz Ligon

August 3, 2021

Vibrant new street mural takes over Union Square’s 14th Street

By Devin Gannon

A huge nature-themed street mural was installed along the 14th Street Busway in Union Square this week. Titled "Collective Vision," the mural was painted on the pedestrian areas of the busway between Broadway and Union Square West. Brooklyn-based street artists GERALUZ and WERC designed the piece to highlight the strength of nature and unity, with a ruby-throated hummingbird at the center representing the "power of resilience in standing together against injustice and extinction." Over the last five days, community volunteers have helped the artists fill in the vibrant colors of the mural.
See it here

Events & Things To Do

NYC to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment

Credit: Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Flickr

August 3, 2021

NYC to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment

By Devin Gannon

New York City will require residents to provide proof of vaccination against the coronavirus to dine inside at restaurants, exercise at the gym, and visit indoor entertainment venues, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday. The new policy, which will take effect this month, comes as part of the city's effort to boost the vaccination rate while fighting the highly contagious Delta variant, which now accounts for nearly 90 percent of new cases analyzed by health officials.
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Policy

Gloria Vanderbilt’s Midtown East apartment lists for $1.1M

All photos courtesy of Anastassios Mentis/Brown Harris Stevens

August 3, 2021

Gloria Vanderbilt’s Midtown East apartment lists for $1.1M

By Devin Gannon

The apartment in Midtown East where Gloria Vanderbilt lived for nearly 25 years is for sale. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, the son of the late heiress-businesswoman-artist, is selling the three-bedroom, two-bath residence at 30 Beekman Place for $1,125,000, as first reported by the New York Times. Filled with artwork and family treasures, much of the apartment has remained the same since Vanderbilt's death in 2019 at the age of 95.
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Asking $18M, this waterfront estate in Quogue was designed by Norman Jaffe with a nautical feel

Listing photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

August 2, 2021

Asking $18M, this waterfront estate in Quogue was designed by Norman Jaffe with a nautical feel

By Devin Gannon

A stunning waterfront estate in the Hamptons designed by the late architect Norman Jaffe is on the market for just under $18,000,000. Located on Seascape Lane in the village of Quogue, the residence sits on five acres overlooking Quantuck Bay. With angular lines and an abundance of natural materials, the shingled home is an example of Jaffe's signature modernist style. The ship-like property boasts a massive wraparound outdoor deck, two docks, a tennis court, putting green, and a resort-like swimming pool.
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Distinctive Homes

8 income-restricted Upper West Side apartments available to buy for under $315K

Photo by Peter Burka on Flickr

August 2, 2021

8 income-restricted Upper West Side apartments available to buy for under $315K

By Devin Gannon

Eight income-restricted condos on the Upper West Side are available for purchase for under $315,000 as part of two housing lotteries that launched last week. Located at 107 West 105th Street and 981 Amsterdam Avenue, the apartments are Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) co-ops, which means they are priced below market rate and designated for New Yorkers with certain household incomes. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 110 percent of the area median income, or between $88,500 and $141,790 annually, can apply for the available two-bedroom apartments.
Find out if you qualify

See the tall residential towers coming to Jersey City’s low-rise Journal Square

Rendering of 26-28 Van Reipen Avenue (left) and 26 Cottage Street (right) courtesy of C3D Architecture

July 30, 2021

See the tall residential towers coming to Jersey City’s low-rise Journal Square

By Devin Gannon

More dense housing developments are headed to transit-rich low-slung parts of Jersey City. In the city's Journal Square neighborhood, developer Namdar Group plans to add several high-rise residential towers in an area near the PATH train that is currently made up mostly of two- and three-story homes. In total, the Long Island-based developer is bringing six new towers designed by C3D Architecture to a few blocks of Journal Square.
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Hip hop legends to perform at four free concerts in NYC for ‘Homecoming Week’

Orchard Beach concert in 2017; Photo by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr on Flickr

July 29, 2021

Hip hop legends to perform at four free concerts in NYC for ‘Homecoming Week’

By Devin Gannon

Four free concerts featuring both legendary and up-and-coming hip hop musicians are coming to a borough near you. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday revealed the lineup of the shows, which are taking place as part of the city's "Homecoming Week," a weeklong celebration of New York City's comeback following the pandemic. Produced by the Universal Hip Hop Museum, the concerts will feature stars like KRS-One, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Big Daddy Kane, George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, and nearly 40 more performers.
See the lineups

Events & Things To Do

On the 66th floor of the world’s tallest residential building, a carefully curated condo for $22M

All photos by Evan Joseph

July 29, 2021

On the 66th floor of the world’s tallest residential building, a carefully curated condo for $22M

By Devin Gannon

As residents start to move into the world's tallest residential building, we're getting another look at one of the impressive residences there. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom on the 66th floor of the Central Park Tower, the 1,500-foot tall condo tower on Billionaires' Row, has interiors designed by Australian-based Blainey North & Associates and features bold and elegant, but welcoming, elements throughout. The 3,165-square-foot sky-high home with incredible city and Central Park views is asking $21,890,000.
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New York orders all state workers to be vaccinated or tested regularly

Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 28, 2021

New York orders all state workers to be vaccinated or tested regularly

By Devin Gannon

All workers employed by New York State will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or get tested for the virus on a regular basis, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday. The governor put in place an even more stringent mandate for state hospitals: all patient-facing healthcare workers must now be vaccinated, with no test option offered. The announcement comes days after Mayor Bill de Blasio rolled out a similar requirement for all city workers and as President Joe Biden plans to announce all federal employees and contractors must be vaccinated or submit to testing.
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Policy

Pigpen Theatre Co. performs in “The Amph”; Photo courtesy of Little Island

July 28, 2021

Free four-week arts festival with 160 performances headed to offshore park Little Island

By Devin Gannon

A month-long arts festival featuring more than 160 events and 460 artists will take place in New York City's newest public park next month. Called NYC FREE, the celebration will bring a variety of music, dance, and comedy performances to Little Island, the offshore park in Hudson River Park that opened this spring, over four weeks starting in August. The festival is the culmination of the state's "NY PopsUp" initiative, which launched earlier this year to revive New York's art and culture scene.
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July 27, 2021

Robert A.M. Stern’s affordable housing building Edwin’s Place opens in Brownsville

By Devin Gannon

An affordable housing development designed by an architecture firm known for its pricey condo towers officially opened in Brooklyn this week. Located on the corner of Livonia Avenue and Grafton Street in Brownsville, Edwin's Place was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), the team behind renowned buildings like 220 Central Park South, 15 Central Park West, and 70 Vestry Street, all of which have apartments that cost millions of dollars. At Edwin's Place, there are 125 units of affordable and supportive housing set aside for formerly homeless families and low-income New Yorkers.
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