All articles by Hannah Frishberg

104th Street J, Z service restored – and that’s the end of good weekend subway service news

Photo Adam B/Flickr

April 13, 2018

104th Street J, Z service restored – and that’s the end of good weekend subway service news

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The good news is that Manhattan-bound J and Z service has been restored at 104th Street. The bad news is the usual slew of weekend service changes, in addition to a number of longer-term station closures. Rockaway remains without shuttle service at Broad Channel, the 2 and 3 are still not going between Brooklyn and Manhattan on weekends, and this weekend, G trains are also offering straphangers less service than usual.
L train riders, feel lucky: there is no planned work on the line this weekend
$4M duplex in Park Slope’s Tracy Mansion is dripping with historic details
April 11, 2018

$4M duplex in Park Slope’s Tracy Mansion is dripping with historic details

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After struggling to sell for what would have been a record-breaking $25 million, Park Slope's grand Tracy Mansion – a Montessori School since 1970 – finally sold for $9.5 million back in 2013. Scott Henson Architect then divided the neoclassical landmarked structure into seven luxurious condos, the first-floor duplex now asking $3.85 million. In addition to a 432-square-foot backyard, the three-bedroom home boasts a myriad of historic details, an eight-foot-tall marble fireplace, tons of decorative molding, Corinthian pillars, wood paneling, herringbone wood floors, and a sweeping grand staircase that was featured in the HBO show "Boardwalk Empire."
Drool over this grand home
A 40-year sketching project pays homage to the subway’s historic mosaics

Times Square. July 16, 1979.

April 6, 2018

A 40-year sketching project pays homage to the subway’s historic mosaics

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6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites artists to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, Philip Ashforth Coppola shares some of the sketches from his life-long "Silver Connections” subway drawings. Are you an artist who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Despite its functional woes, the subway is absolutely teeming with historic art, from tile mosaics of station names to ornamental ceiling wreaths and wrought iron handrails. Philip Ashforth Coppola has committed himself to paying homage to these details often looked over by rushed straphangers, drawing the designs with meticulous care and attention. For the past 40 years, he's been on a mission to draw every subway station in New York City. Though he's not there quite yet, his amazing work has been compiled into a series of volumes called "Silver Connections." Ahead, Philip shares some of his drawings and discusses why he started the project, how he goes about his work, and his thoughts on the subway past and present.
Step into Coppola's world
Two stations to close for the long term this weekend and other service changes

Photo by Robert S/Flickr

April 6, 2018

Two stations to close for the long term this weekend and other service changes

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To add insult to injury, even the MTA's Weekender offered poor service regarding the subway's poor service this weekend, with more than usual repetitive data points, errors, and redundant information. Other bad news outside of this weekend's temporary subway changes is two more long-term ones: The Cathedral Park station will start being skipped in both directions by A, B and C trains through September and the Rockaway Park Shuttle will cease servicing Broad Channel until May. Additionally there are a number of other significant service changes this weekend, especially for 2, 3, 5, A, C and 7 riders.
All the weekend subway madness
Renderings revealed for Annabelle Selldorf’s $160M Frick Collection expansion
April 5, 2018

Renderings revealed for Annabelle Selldorf’s $160M Frick Collection expansion

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The Frick Collection has unveiled its $160 million Selldorf Architects-designed upgrade and expansion, which will open up the private living quarters of Henry Clay Frick's original 1914 home to the public for the first time. As the New York Times explained, the renderings illustrate a plan to expand the existing building's second level, add two set-back stories above the music room, and an addition behind the library that will match its seven-story height. These will house a 220-seat underground auditorium, an education center with classrooms, in addition to a renovated lobby and larger museum shop.
More details and renderings ahead
15-room Ditmas Park Victorian with a sun porch and Jardin à la Française asks $3M
April 4, 2018

15-room Ditmas Park Victorian with a sun porch and Jardin à la Française asks $3M

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This stunning home has everything you could possibly want from a Ditmas Park Victorian: sprawling, standalone, and full of original details such asparquet floors, stained glass, French doors, built-ins, a sun porch, and even a Jardin à la Française out back. Located within the neighborhood's eight-block historic district, 485 East 17th Street is asking $2.995 million for its three stories of well-maintained space.
See the whole place
3 service fully out, Rockaway without trains, and more weekend subway madness

Photo by Giuseppe Milo via Flickr

March 30, 2018

3 service fully out, Rockaway without trains, and more weekend subway madness

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Seasoned straphangers are certainly expectant of bad subway service news by this point, but that doesn't make this weekend's changeups any easier to navigate. The D and F are masquerading as each other across boroughs, 3 train riders are out of luck, and the Rockaways especially are hard hit by a lack of service on the only two lines which reach the area. On the bright side, free bus service to LaGuardia Airport on the LaGuardia Link Q70 has been reinstated through April 7. Also in the realm of good news, eight extra trains will run out of Penn Station on the Long Island Rail Road for Good Friday and the start of Passover today. See the MTA's press release for all of the additional afternoon departures. As well, MTA NYCTA President Andy Byford answered questions on Twitter yesterday and revealed his favorite Smiths song.
All the weekend service changes
The Urban Lens: Carrie Boretz remembers NYC street life in the 70s, 80s, and 90s

50th Street and Lexington Avenue, 1980

March 21, 2018

The Urban Lens: Carrie Boretz remembers NYC street life in the 70s, 80s, and 90s

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6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, Carrie Boretz shares photos from her "Street: New York City 70s, 80s, 90s". Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. In New York's bad old days, the city was a house of horrors, but it made for some incredible photos. Carrie Boretz was there through the decades, documenting the madness and the emotion, the cops lunching on park benches, the conversations on out-of-order payphones, the open-air wig stores, the famous and the unknown, all joined by the city and its streets. In her new book, "Street: New York City 70s, 80s, 90s," these images line the pages in a nostalgic time warp to a glorious, if troubled, era. Boretz's photos are currently on display through March 31st at Umbrella Arts on East 9th Street.
See New York when she burned
The Urban Lens: Artist Janice McDonnell captures Brooklyn’s waterfront with her paintings
March 16, 2018

The Urban Lens: Artist Janice McDonnell captures Brooklyn’s waterfront with her paintings

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6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites artists to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, Janice McDonnell shares some of her paintings of the Brooklyn waterfront. Are you an artist who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. In a city as bustling and overbuilt as New York, it's easy to forget this metropolis' roots as a port city, and that all boroughs but the Bronx are islands. The timeless beauty of NYC's watery surroundings are not lost on artist Janice McDonnell, who has produced a series of paintings of the Brooklyn waterfront. "It started out as just documenting to enjoy myself," McDonell said. That's how it started, but the more she got into it from her Dumbo studio, the more the combination of buildings near the broad harbor and their contrast to the sky began to resonate with her. Ahead, see Janice's paintings and hear all about her inspiration and process.
Dive in
MTA bans booze, plans hellish commute for St. Patrick’s Day crowds

Photo by Yaffa Phillips via Flickr

March 16, 2018

MTA bans booze, plans hellish commute for St. Patrick’s Day crowds

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The MTA is blessing this St. Patrick's Day weekend with "Many Extra Trains" on the railroads (sorry, straphangers) but also an alcohol ban on Metro-North and LIRR trains. The subway's permanent alcohol ban will not be changed on this occasion, unsurprisingly and only somewhat disappointingly (based on SantaCon, it's probably for the best).
Certain lines' changes are truly baffling
Central Park’s Ladies Pavilion and the disappeared ice skating cottage

Photo via Wikipedia

March 15, 2018

Central Park’s Ladies Pavilion and the disappeared ice skating cottage

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To get to Central Park's Ladies Pavilion, it is necessary to go on, by New York City standards, a bonafide nature hike. Perched at the edge of the Lake, in a far corner of the Ramble, the cottage-like, open-air, Victorian-style structure was built in 1871 to serve as a "shelter for the horsecar passengers" near Columbus Circle, according to the New York Times.
It was once destroyed
When New York women were banned from smoking in public

A cartoon mocking the Ordinance from The Evening World

March 14, 2018

When New York women were banned from smoking in public

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On January 21, 1908, it became illegal for women to smoke in public in New York City. That day, the Committee on Laws of the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to ban females from lighting up in public places. The law, called the Sullivan Ordinance, put the responsibility of preventing women from smoking not on the women themselves but on business owners.
The full history
For $3M, live in a historic Carnegie Hill townhouse with all the perks of a condo
March 13, 2018

For $3M, live in a historic Carnegie Hill townhouse with all the perks of a condo

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Located within the posh Upper East Side enclave of Carnegie Hill at 1281 Madison Avenue, this gracefully restored 1,712-square-foot townhouse-style duplex is stunning inside and out, and asking an even $3 million. The lofty 11-foot ceilings and generously-sized West-facing windows allow for plenty of air and light throughout the apartment, but perhaps the best part is that it's connected to an adjacent condominium and is afforded all the perks of that property.
Take a tour
D and F rerouted, 4, A and C skipping tens of stops, and other weekend subway service horrors

Photo by Franck Michel via Flickr

March 9, 2018

D and F rerouted, 4, A and C skipping tens of stops, and other weekend subway service horrors

By
Beginning this weekend (well, 5am Monday morning), the 163 St-Amsterdam A and C stop will be closing in both directions at all times until the fall. A full load of brutal if temporary service changes will further frustrate straphangers this weekend, with the 4, A, and C trains in particular skipping a larger number of stops. The F and D will be significantly rerouted in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and 2 and 3 service remains suspended between the two boroughs.
Read on for more information, if less clarity
Live in the Soho loft customized by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne for $3.3M
March 8, 2018

Live in the Soho loft customized by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne for $3.3M

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The personally designed apartment of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne – who founded Morphosis Architects and designed Cooper Union's quirky 41 Cooper Square building – is back on the market and asking $3.29 million. Mayne bought the 2,000-square-foot co-op at 85 Mercer Street in 2007 for $2.67 million, the Post reported. After eight years of living there, he sold it in 2015 for $3.15 million.
Images may cause jaw-dropping
Ditmas Park five-bedroom with an in-ground pool asks $2.8M
March 6, 2018

Ditmas Park five-bedroom with an in-ground pool asks $2.8M

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How many Brooklynites can boast an in-ground pool? A recently listed stunner at 520 Argyle Road in Ditmas Park brags this rare amenity, in addition to five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, original stained glass from the late 1800s, and 19-foot cathedral-style ceilings. The property, asking $2.785 million, has hit the market just in time for all your summer entertaining fantasies.
Luxuriate in the photos
All of New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day parades

Photo via Richie S/Flickr

March 5, 2018

All of New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day parades

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Some cities are lucky to have a single St. Patrick's Day parade, but New York City is blessed with a whopping nine parades dedicated to the holiday. While Saint Patrick's Day is not until March 17, three communities have already celebrated: Staten Island held its annual parade on Forest Avenue and Queens held its 43rd Saint Paddy's parade in Rockaway, as well as its LGBT-friendly St. Pat's For All in Woodside. No worries, though: There are still six other St. Patrick's Day Parades coming up, including NYC's biggest, in Manhattan.
Here's where and when to attend the remaining five
Roosevelt Island’s only subway stop closed, and more weekend service changes

Photo by Hannah Frishberg

March 2, 2018

Roosevelt Island’s only subway stop closed, and more weekend service changes

By
As a nor'easter wreaks havoc above ground this weekend, the MTA will be causing chaos in the subway below with a slew of service changes. The C train will be taking a break from running Saturday night on and the 7 won't be running between Manhattan and Queens. G service is restricted with service coming in two parts, and Roosevelt Island – which has but a single subway station – will be left with no subway service whatsoever as the Roosevelt Island F train station spends the weekend closed for "electrical improvements".
See you on the Tram
Elizabeth Jennings: The woman who helped desegregate NYC streetcars

The corner of Pearl and Chatham streets, where Jennings hailed the bus. Photo via New York Historical Society

February 28, 2018

Elizabeth Jennings: The woman who helped desegregate NYC streetcars

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In 1854, 99 years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to white passengers in Alabama, another brave African American woman forever changed local transit with her bravery. Elizabeth Jennings is not a household name, or even well-known, but her brave refusal to cow to 20th-century America’s racist customs and fight for her rights is historic, and the results of her actions have rippled down over the decades.
The whole history
The Urban Lens: Vintage photos show the New York Times’ 1940s printing process

Pressroom. Numbering cast plates with page numbers for identification.

February 23, 2018

The Urban Lens: Vintage photos show the New York Times’ 1940s printing process

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In September 1942, with humanity in the throes of WWII, one Marjory Collins photographed the inner workings of the New York Times for the U.S. Office of War Information. Her photos depict a culture of white men and machines working at individual tasks for the greater goal of creating the day's paper. The press printing process shown is a world apart from today's digital media industry, where so many human jobs have been antiquated by more advanced technology, which is, thankfully, more diverse.
See all the photos
3 trains down for the count, W trains picking up some slack in wacky weekend subway service

Photo by Hannah Frishberg

February 23, 2018

3 trains down for the count, W trains picking up some slack in wacky weekend subway service

By
The subways are a mess this weekend, with track replacement, electrical and structural improvements, and track maintenance wreaking havoc on service citywide – not that straphangers would expect anything better. Particularly detrimental this weekend is that the 3 is once again not running and 7 train service will be severely limited. The W train will be coming out of its usual weekend hibernation for some "special service" operating between Whitehall St and Ditmars Blvd.
Trains are masquerading as each other right and left
The Urban Lens: Documenting 20 years of Harlem architecture

6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, Albert Vecerka shares some images from his “Harlem project.” Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

February 16, 2018

The Urban Lens: Documenting 20 years of Harlem architecture

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After moving to New York in 1992 and earning a degree in architecture from City College, Yugoslavia-born photographer Albert Vecerka moved to Harlem and started documenting the neighborhood. Originally an attempt to dispel the notion that Harlem was "dangerous," his "Harlem project," also captures its architectural fabric and aesthetic changes over time. 6qft recently caught up with Vecerka to hear his thoughts on Harlem--what it was like 20 years ago and why he still calls it home.
See more photos and hear from Albert
MTA serves up debilitating service change schedule this long weekend

Photo by Hannah Frishberg

February 16, 2018

MTA serves up debilitating service change schedule this long weekend

By
Monday is a Federal Holiday, President's Day, and the MTA has both a trick and a treat planned for the long weekend. The treat is that the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus will be free through Tuesday. The trick is that both subways and buses will be operating on a Saturday schedule come Monday, meaning there will be no express service on the 6 or 7 trains and the B, J and W trains will not be running, in addition to a number of other service changes. The MTA is offering no rest for weary straphangers in terms of planned work line rerouting: 3 trains won't be running at all, and the Rockaways will be serviced largely by shuttle bus.
Good luck, straphangers
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