All articles by Devin Gannon

Can Times Square ever be completely car-free?

Rendering courtesy of 3deluxe

November 10, 2020

Can Times Square ever be completely car-free?

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It's been over ten years since cars were first banned in some sections of Times Square. Is it time for additional street closures along bustling Broadway? In a new design study, the Germany-based architecture firm 3deluxe has reimagined Times Square to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, trading vehicular traffic lanes for recreational activities, landscaped features, and public transportation. The concept comes as New York and other cities continue to reexamine the value of safe public space as the fight to control the coronavirus pandemic continues.
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See inside Bjarke Ingels’ new Harlem rental The Smile, with apartments from $2,056/month

Photo courtesy of NOISE

November 10, 2020

See inside Bjarke Ingels’ new Harlem rental The Smile, with apartments from $2,056/month

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Living in a starchitect-designed apartment building is now slightly more attainable. The Smile, a new rental tower in East Harlem designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, has officially opened. The 11-story tower at 158 East 126th Street, named for its grin-like shape, contains 233 apartments, 70 of which are affordable. Leasing kicked off in September, with pricing for the market-rate rentals starting at roughly $2,056/month. New photos released this week take us inside the minimalist model residences and the impressive amenity package that is tailored to those working from home, including a co-working studio and a rooftop with a plunge pool, three whirlpools, and an outdoor movie theater.
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‘Say Their Names’ installation at The Public Theater honors Black lives lost to police brutality

Photo by Peter Cooper

November 9, 2020

‘Say Their Names’ installation at The Public Theater honors Black lives lost to police brutality

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The Public Theater will debut this week a new art installation that honors Black American lives lost to police brutality. Starting November 11, the facade of the East Village theater will display "SAY THEIR NAMES," a visual exhibit that includes at least 2,200 names of Black people killed at the hands of police between 2013 and 2020. Curated by Garlia Cornelia Jones, the projection covers the entire building at 425 Lafayette and features work by ten artists.
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For $4.7M, live in this amazing upstate lodge set on 125 acres

Photo credit: Courtesy Corcoran Country Living

November 6, 2020

For $4.7M, live in this amazing upstate lodge set on 125 acres

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If you want to reconnect with nature, be neighbor-free, and happen to have $4.685 million on hand, this stunning lodge-style home in Dutchess County may be a perfect fit. Located at 112 North Farm Way in Stanfordville, the three-bedroom home sits on 125 private acres, including a five-acre lake stocked with fish. Adding to its seclusion, a mile-long driveway leads to the home.
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On Fire Island, an octagon-shaped home with bay views and two decks asks $1.78M

All photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

November 5, 2020

On Fire Island, an octagon-shaped home with bay views and two decks asks $1.78M

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A unique octagon-shaped home on Long Island's Fire Island has hit the market for $1.775 million. Clad in cedar, the property's shape allows for 180-degree views of the Great South Bay and two levels of wraparound decking. Located at 95 West Lighthouse Walk, the home is within Kismet, a neighborhood on the western end of the beach community and near the Fire Island Lighthouse.
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Pearl River Mart opens first food-focused store in Chelsea Market

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Market

November 5, 2020

Pearl River Mart opens first food-focused store in Chelsea Market

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In some much-needed good news for New York City, popular Pearl River Mart has unveiled its first food-focused store in Chelsea Market. The Asian emporium, which has sold one-of-a-kind Asian-inspired decor and cookware in Manhattan since 1971, last week opened Pearl River Mart Foods, a food market with grocery items and three food stalls. After closing its Chinatown location in 2016, the beloved store returned to the city amid much fanfare with a location in Tribeca, followed by two more locations in Chelsea Market and the Museum of Chinese in America. Pearl River Mart's new food market expands its existing Chelsea market footprint to the lower level.
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New Acme Smoked Fish factory proposed for mixed-use project in Greenpoint

Rendering of Acme Smoked Fish’s proposed new manufacturing headquarters. Credit: Gensler

November 4, 2020

New Acme Smoked Fish factory proposed for mixed-use project in Greenpoint

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Plans to build a new home for century-old Acme Smoked Fish in Greenpoint are moving forward. The Brooklyn company and developer Rubenstein Partners announced on Monday their proposed mixed-use project on Wythe Avenue that includes manufacturing and commercial space entered the city's uniform land use review procedure (ULURP), the first step in securing approval. The project would expand Acme's headquarters by about 30,000 square feet and create 580,000 square feet of "compatible" commercial space.
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Here’s where to volunteer and donate in NYC this holiday season

Photo by Ethan Covey for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen

November 3, 2020

Here’s where to volunteer and donate in NYC this holiday season

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This year has been tough on all New Yorkers, but especially those unemployed, hungry, and experiencing homelessness. While every holiday season is a chance to give back to your community, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made helping those in need this year more important than ever. Ahead, find out where to volunteer and donate across the city, whether it's contributing to Thanksgiving food drives, delivering holiday meals, making greeting cards for seniors, or donating to coat drives. Please note, each organization has put in place protocols related to COVID-19 that need to be followed, including mask and social distancing requirements.
Full list here
Travelers to New York must test negative for COVID-19 to avoid quarantine

Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

November 2, 2020

Travelers to New York must test negative for COVID-19 to avoid quarantine

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Most travelers to New York must get tested for the coronavirus before and after arriving in the state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. The new rule replaces the travel advisory put in place in June that required a 14-day quarantine for travelers coming to New York from places with significant community spread. Under the new guidelines, which will go into effect on Wednesday, visitors will be able to "test out" of the mandatory quarantine if both COVID-19 tests come back negative.
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191-year-old Neir’s Tavern stays afloat in Queens with new five-year lease

Mayor Bill de Blasio and owner Loycent Gordon at the ceremonial lease signing at Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, Queens. Thursday, October 29, 2020. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 30, 2020

191-year-old Neir’s Tavern stays afloat in Queens with new five-year lease

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Historic Neir's Tavern will stay open in Queens for at least another five years. The 191-year-old bar nearly shuttered earlier this year after a rent increase. It then temporarily closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, Loycent Gordon--the owner of the Woodhaven watering hole--signed a new agreement with the landlords that was brokered by local officials and the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The new five-year lease gives Gordon the option to extend it an additional five years, which would bring the business into its 200th-year.
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Greenwich Village home of urbanist Jane Jacobs gets historic plaque

Courtesy of Village Preservation

October 30, 2020

Greenwich Village home of urbanist Jane Jacobs gets historic plaque

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The former New York City home of author and organizer Jane Jacobs was honored this week with a historic plaque. The Village Preservation on Thursday unveiled the plaque at 555 Hudson Street in Greenwich Village during a virtual event. The 1842-constructed row house is where Jacobs, who died in 2006, wrote "Death and Life of Great American Cities," a critique of urban planning of the 1950s and a call for more safe, walkable city streets and mixed-use development.
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Face masks, health screenings now required at all NJ workplaces

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

October 29, 2020

Face masks, health screenings now required at all NJ workplaces

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As New Jersey continues to see an uptick in coronavirus cases across the state, Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday mandated new health and safety rules for all workplaces. Starting November 5, workers at private and public sector companies must wear face masks, maintain at least six feet from one another, and undergo daily health screenings. Murphy's executive order comes as the state continues to fight against the spread of COVID-19. Last Saturday, nearly 2,000 new cases were reported statewide, the most recorded since May.
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Manhattan’s only production brewery is now open in Soho

All photos courtesy of Torch & Crown Brewing Company

October 29, 2020

Manhattan’s only production brewery is now open in Soho

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A massive new brewery and restaurant opened in Soho last week, becoming the only production brewery in Manhattan. Located at 12 Vandam Street, Torch & Crown Brewing Company measures 9,000 square feet over three levels and boasts soaring ceilings, ivy-covered walls, and enough seating for 250 people inside and 180 people in their heated outdoor space. Although the brewery's original May opening date was delayed because of the coronavirus, the team managed to stay afloat by launching a direct beer delivery service in the city.
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For $1.1M, a mid-century time capsule in Connecticut with pink accents and a retro bar

All photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

October 29, 2020

For $1.1M, a mid-century time capsule in Connecticut with pink accents and a retro bar

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With its vaulted ceilings, wood paneling, pink details, and retro rec room, this 1960-built home in Greenwich, Connecticut is the textbook definition of mid-century modern design. In addition to the attractive interiors, the home features a patio and is also set back from the road, which provides privacy and additional outdoor space. Located at 261 Cognewaugh Road in Cos Cob, the three-bedroom, two-bath home is now on the market for $1.125 million.
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Smash and smush your old pumpkins into compost at Hudson River Park

Credit: Max Guliani for Hudson River Park

October 28, 2020

Smash and smush your old pumpkins into compost at Hudson River Park

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What better way to celebrate fall, relieve some 2020 related-stress, and benefit the environment than smashing old pumpkins into compost. Hudson River Park's third-annual "smash it, don't trash it" Pumpkin Smash event returns next month, which invites New Yorkers to take a bat to post-Halloween gourds to dispose of them in an eco-friendly way.
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Upper West Side condo tower that replaced century-old synagogue reveals new looks

Renderings courtesy of ODA for Landsea Homes and Leyton Properties

October 28, 2020

Upper West Side condo tower that replaced century-old synagogue reveals new looks

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New renderings of the Upper West Side condo tower that replaced one of New York City's oldest synagogues were revealed this week. In 2017, Congregation Shaare Zedek sold its synagogue at 212 West 93rd Street to developers Leyton Properties and Landsea Homes. Some local residents and preservation groups opposed the sale and pushed for the nearly 100-year-old building to be landmarked, but their efforts fell short. Now as the project nears completion, we're getting an updated preview of the 14-story mixed-use condo designed by Eran Chen's ODA New York and a peek inside its 20 luxury residences, 70 percent of which will have private outdoor space.
Details here
New sculpture in Madison Square Park uses Lady Liberty’s torch to symbolize city’s struggles

Photos: Andy Romer Photography

October 27, 2020

New sculpture in Madison Square Park uses Lady Liberty’s torch to symbolize city’s struggles

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From 1876 to 1882, the Statue of Liberty's torch-holding arm was on view in Madison Square Park as a way to garner enthusiasm for the project before it arrived from France. Nearly 150 years later, the torch has returned, reimagined for a different purpose. Commissioned by the Madison Square Park Conservancy, Abigail DeVille's "Light of Freedom" sculpture includes a 13-foot-high torch encased in scaffolding and filled with a bell and the arms of mannequins. The work aims to reflect the current struggles New York City is facing with the pandemic, protests, and political climate while acknowledging the way in which conflict can create change.
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This $8.8M Westchester Colonial estate has indoor and outdoor basketball courts

Photos courtesy of Heather Harrison, Compass

October 27, 2020

This $8.8M Westchester Colonial estate has indoor and outdoor basketball courts

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In Westchester County, a 14-room Colonial with two basketball courts has hit the market for $8.795 million. The estate is located at 35 Morris Lane in Scarsdale, the second wealthiest town in the United States, according to Bloomberg. Measuring over 10,000 square feet on nearly two acres of land, the seven-bedroom home is nothing short of extravagant, from the custom-built interiors to the outdoor in-ground pool and adjacent cabana.
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See inside the ‘bubble’ apartments at the High Line’s new Lantern House condo

All photos by Colin Miller unless otherwise noted

October 27, 2020

See inside the ‘bubble’ apartments at the High Line’s new Lantern House condo

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While we've been following the progression of Thomas Heatherwick's first residential project in the United States from its unique exterior, new photos are providing a first peek inside the bubbles. Located at 515 West 18th Street, Lantern House features two condo towers that straddle the High Line in Chelsea, one rising 10 stories and the other 22 stories, both with facades designed to resemble a lantern. Ahead, see the model home designed by staging experts ASH NYC, which was able to complement the building's unique architecture with a mix of bold, contemporary furniture and vintage details.
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Newark rolls back reopening after resurgence of COVID-19 cases

Photo Paul Sabelman on Flickr

October 26, 2020

Newark rolls back reopening after resurgence of COVID-19 cases

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Starting Tuesday, New Jersey's largest city will implement new coronavirus restrictions after reporting an uptick in coronavirus cases. Non-essential businesses and indoor dining will now have to close at 8 p.m. and beauty salons and barbershops will be appointment-only, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced on Monday. The new measures come as Newark reported a test positivity rate of 11.2 percent over three days, compared to New Jersey's statewide rate of 5.28 percent.
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Astor Place Hairstylists to close next month after 75 years

Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated the Phase 2 reopening with a visit to Astor Place Hairstylists on June 23, 2020. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 26, 2020

Astor Place Hairstylists to close next month after 75 years

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Another New York City institution will close its doors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Astor Place Hairstylists in the East Village, which opened in the 1940s and is known for its affordable prices, multilingual stylists, and celebrity clientele, will shutter at the end of November, as the New York Post reported. Hair salons and barbershops were allowed to open in June as part of the city's second phase of reopening, but a lack of business, and no additional federal funding, has forced the iconic barbershop to close.
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NYC’s iconic Strand Bookstore says it’s struggling to survive because of COVID-19

Photo by Brianne Sperber on Wikimedia

October 23, 2020

NYC’s iconic Strand Bookstore says it’s struggling to survive because of COVID-19

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One of New York City's largest and most beloved independent bookstores is asking for help. Citing a decline in foot traffic, a lack of tourists, and zero in-store events because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Strand Bookstore's revenue has dropped nearly 70 percent compared to last year, owner Nancy Bass Wyden said on Friday. According to Bass Wyden, the business, one of the last bookstores of Union Square's former "Book Row," is not currently sustainable.
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Explore the 200 craft breweries found along New York’s Empire State Trail
October 23, 2020

Explore the 200 craft breweries found along New York’s Empire State Trail

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Home to more than 460 breweries statewide, New York knows beer. To make it easier to find a beer near you, the New York State Brewers Association in 2017 launched an app that allows users to find breweries across the state, check-in digitally, and earn stamps on their "tasting passport." To encourage support of local beer makers and the use of the under-construction 750-mile Empire State Trail, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday a new passport program specifically targeting 200 craft breweries found along the trail.
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On October 23, 1915, tens of thousands of NYC women marched for the right to vote

Pre-election parade for suffrage in NYC, in which 20,000 women marched. 1915. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress

October 23, 2020

On October 23, 1915, tens of thousands of NYC women marched for the right to vote

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This August marked the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave some women the right to vote. In New York, a hotbed of suffragist activity in the mid 19th- and early 20th-century, women won the vote a few years earlier in 1917. While New York women were on the frontlines of the suffrage movement early on, one event served as a major turning point in winning the vote. On October 23, 1915, tens of thousands of New Yorkers dressed in all white took to Fifth Avenue, marching roughly three miles from Washington Square to 59th Street. It was the largest suffrage parade to date, with city officials at the time estimating between 25,000 and 60,000 participants.
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