Brooklyn

September 13, 2023

$16.75M Brooklyn Heights townhouse has historic layout and modern extras, like a basement movie theater

The graceful brick townhouse at the aptly-named 25 Grace Court is a landmarked beauty in one of New York City's loveliest historic districts. Asking $16,750,000, the five-story urban mansion is a 5,975-square-foot single-family home, perfectly renovated from top to bottom, but with rarely-seen care taken to preserve its original grandeur. The home has received architectural preservation awards from the NY Landmarks Conservancy and the Brooklyn Heights Association–and we can see why.
Tour this historic home
September 12, 2023

You can buy the 2023 Real Simple designer showcase home in Brooklyn’s Quay Tower for $8M

The Real Simple Home 2023 has officially been unveiled in Brooklyn. And it's available for purchase. Newly-minted Brooklyn Heights condo Quay Tower at 50 Bridge Park Drive has just listed a duplex penthouse asking $7,995,000. Crowned the magazine's sixth Real Simple Home, the 2,789-square-foot duplex has been transformed by top designers and influencers, who have put a one-of-a-kind, personalized touch on the sleek space–including Bobby Berk, host of Netflix's "Queer Eye," who designed the living room.
TOUR THE DESIGNER-ENHANCED PENTHOUSE
September 11, 2023

NYC’s Atlantic Avenue rezoning plan calls for 4,000 new homes and more open space

The city wants to bring 4,000 new apartments to a stretch of Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue currently home to vacant lots and auto shops. The Department of City Planning last week released the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a preliminary rezoning framework for 13 blocks of an industrially zoned area that runs through Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Fort Greene, and Bed-Stuy. The rezoning would allow for higher destiny residential and commercial use, with the potential for up to 1,550 income-restricted homes. Following additional community meetings and an environmental review, the proposal could enter the public review process in the spring of next year.
details here
September 6, 2023

For $2M, this Cobble Hill brownstone duplex includes a perfect private garden

If you've always envied the magical back gardens of brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods like Cobble Hill, here's a chance to enjoy your own–without having to buy a brownstone. This two-bedroom co-op at 193 Clinton Street, asking $2,000,000, spans the lower levels of a pretty townhouse. In addition to the outdoor oasis, there's bonus space on the lower level–and a laundry room.
home and garden, this way
September 5, 2023

$1.85M Dumbo loft condo has city and harbor views, plus plenty of room to live and work

If you've ever admired the views from the original loft-conversion condos in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood, here's your chance to gaze out on the city and New York Harbor daily. This one-bedroom-plus-office home at 70 Washington Street, listed for $1,850,000, also has two full baths, expansive living and entertaining space, and plenty of closets. The building's amenities are just right, too.
Dumbo condo tour, this way
August 29, 2023

New Downtown Brooklyn condo tower 9 Chapel has terraces that act like front porches

New renderings were released this week of 9 Chapel Street, a unique luxury condo tower under construction in Downtown Brooklyn. Developed by design-driven firm Tankhouse and designed by SO-IL, the 14-story building makes outdoor space a central feature, with open-air terraces that act as front porches, a mix of covered and uncovered private outdoor space, and weather-protected loggias. The goal of the design is to create a feeling that is "more house than high rise," as a press release describes.
Take a look
August 28, 2023

100 percent affordable housing to replace two Boerum Hill parking lots

New York City is moving forward with a development plan that will bring hundreds of new affordable apartments to a bustling part of Brooklyn. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development last week began community outreach for two 100 percent affordable developments on city-owned parking lots in Boerum Hill. The sites, located at 153 Nevins Street and 108-114 Third Avenue, will include 125 new apartments for families and seniors.
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August 22, 2023

Feds approve asylum seeker shelter at Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field

Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field will be home to New York City's latest migrant shelter. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced a deal was reached for the federal government to provide New York State with a proposed lease of the former naval air station in Marine Park. The governor said the new Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Response Center (HERRC) will be able to house up to 2,000 single adult asylum seekers. While the governor initially requested that the federal government pick up the bill for constructing and staffing the shelter, the state agreed to cover the expenses, according to Gothamist.
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August 21, 2023

Pre-Civil War church in Bed-Stuy to be demolished

A historic church in Bed-Stuy constructed in 1856 is set to be razed and will likely be replaced with apartments, according to Brownstoner. Last week an application was filed for the full demolition of the St. Lucy-St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at 295 Willoughby Avenue and 920 Kent Avenue. The church agreed to sell the property in July for $12.25 million to developer Water Capital Group. Due to the size of the lot and zoning in the area, investment firm JLL marketed the site as a "rare opportunity to develop a sizable luxury residential building in a burgeoning Brooklyn neighborhood."
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August 16, 2023

4 NYC seafood spots that will make you feel like you’re on vacation

Nothing says summer in the Northeast like sitting by the water with fresh seafood and a cold drink. Lobster rolls, oysters, and steamers on the coast probably conjure up images of weekends in the Hamptons, Cape Cod, or Maine, but there are some hidden gems right here in New York City that will make you feel like you’re on a summer getaway — and you don’t even have to battle that weekend traffic. Here are four spots to check out while summer is still in full swing.
see the spots
August 15, 2023

Newly-minted Bed-Stuy townhouse is filled with sunlight and fresh design for $3M

For all the ways townhouse living is near perfection in the city, modern homes with new interiors and tons of light can be a refreshing refuge. This four-story townhouse at 151 Monroe Street in Brooklyn's brownstone-filled Bed-Stuy neighborhood gives you both: The two-family home, asking $2,995,000, has four stories of living space, six bedrooms, and plenty of outdoor space. It's also a showcase of contemporary design and comfort, with sun-filled open rooms, colorful details, carefully-selected materials, and top-quality craftsmanship on every level.
see inside
August 15, 2023

569-unit rental planned next to Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Crown Heights

Plans for a 17-story mixed-use project with 569 rentals in Crown Heights are moving ahead. Carmel Partners acquired $233 million in construction financing for the development of the new building at 54 Crown Street, which sits just one block east of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Work has already begun on the complex, which will include both commercial and community space as well as parking for 170 vehicles.
See it here
August 10, 2023

Affordable senior housing to replace Prospect Heights parking lot

A plan to replace a Prospect Heights parking lot with affordable housing for low-income and homeless seniors is moving forward. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) on Tuesday announced its selection of Jobe Development, Corp., Mega Group Development, and the Institute of Community Living Room to convert a city-owned parking lot at 542 Dean Street into the residential development "Park Edge." The redevelopment is part of the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan (AAMUP), which found a community desire for new affordable housing projects on city-owned properties.
DetaILS HERE
August 7, 2023

New York hip-hop legends featured on limited-edition MetroCards

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released special-edition MetroCards in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the music genre born in the Bronx in 1973. The agency on Saturday said 40,000 MetroCards featuring rappers LL Cool J and Pop Smoke are available at subway station vending machines in Queens and Brooklyn, with additional cards featuring local legends Rakim and Cam'ron available later this month.
Find out more
August 4, 2023

Rec center in McCarren Park to house asylum seekers

New York City is preparing to house asylum seekers in a recreation center in Brooklyn's McCarren Park starting this weekend, Politico reports. Roughly 80 to 100 people will be housed within one wing of the Williamsburg rec center. Officials say public access to the pool and fitness center will not be impacted by the new shelter.
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August 4, 2023

NYC’s latest pickleball club coming to Downtown Brooklyn’s City Point

Downtown Brooklyn will be home to New York City's newest pickleball club. Located on the fourth floor of the mixed-use complex City Point, the 26,000-square-foot Court 16 will offer seven tennis and pickleball courts for kids and adults, with each court ranging in size from 36 feet for young players to full-sized courts for experienced players. The club’s August 28 grand opening coincides with the start of the 2023 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament finals.
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August 3, 2023

Dumbo’s most photographed block gets ‘BIG’ upgrade

One of New York City's most photographed blocks got a makeover this week. The Dumbo Improvement District on Thursday unveiled new streetscape furnishings for Washington Street, the iconic stretch of street that perfectly frames the Manhattan Bridge and is a popular spot among tourists. Bjarke Ingels Group designed new modular benches for the street, which is closed to cars during certain hours as part of the city's Open Street program.
See it here
August 2, 2023

This $1.2M Clinton Hill prewar triplex condo unfolds beneath the arches of a former seminary

This one-bedroom home at the rarely-available Cathedral Condominiums at 555 Washington Avenue on the border between Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights has a unique history to go with its dramatic architecture. Built in 1914, the striking building was first home to Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception. Converted to a 53-unit condominium in 1988, the building is a neighborhood landmark, noted for its Gothic design. In addition to access to the building's lushly landscaped common courtyard, the unit, asking $1,195,000, has a private, fenced-in brick patio for entertaining or growing one's own tranquil seminary garden.
More this way
July 31, 2023

For $11M, live in a Brooklyn Heights mansion with perfectly restored details and a literary past

From the wine cellar to the landscaped roof deck, this 19th-century Greek Revival mansion represents five stories of pristine restoration, with historic flourishes accenting modern style and ease of living. Asking $11,500,000, the 6,094-square-foot two-family townhouse at 20 Remsen Street in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District has some notable literary history: Norman Mailer had his writing studio here. The house was also, according to the listing, the inspiration for Mailer's 1951 novel "Barbary Shore."
Take the tour
July 28, 2023

NYC libraries to give out 15,000 free books this weekend

New York City public libraries are giving away 15,000 books to families this weekend. The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library are gifting the books as part of the annual summer reading and learning programs, which motivate kids and teens to maintain their reading and critical thinking skills while on summer break. The free books will be available on a first-come first-served basis at select library branches on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29.
See more here
July 24, 2023

Brower Park Library reopens within the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

The Brooklyn Public Library's Brower Park branch has joined forces with another Crown Heights institution: the Brooklyn Children's Museum. After facing a hefty price tag of $5.6 million to make necessary improvements at its existing building, the library instead moved to the ground floor of the museum, according to Patch, with the branch officially open as of last week. Located at 155 Brooklyn Avenue, the library includes a main reading room, a community room, a colorful children's space for both reading and play, as well as an outdoor reading terrace.
See more here
July 20, 2023

NYC announces major public space and transit improvements for Downtown Brooklyn

New York City is investing over $40 million in street safety improvements and new public spaces in Downtown Brooklyn. On Thursday Mayor Eric Adams said the investment will be put towards transformative improvements along Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue, with plans for improved pedestrian space, bus service, new public art, and safety upgrades to the streetscape.
More here
July 19, 2023

Benefits of 421-a tax break extended to Gowanus developers

Developers of certain residential buildings in Gowanus will qualify for a tax break with benefits similar to 421-a, the program which expired last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday. As part of an executive action issued by the governor, projects in the Brooklyn neighborhood that qualified for 421-a before it lapsed but won't meet the 2026 completion deadline would qualify for tax breaks. The order is one of several Hochul announced as a way to spur residential construction after state lawmakers failed to reach a deal on a housing plan.
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July 18, 2023

NYC approves design for Shirley Chisholm monument in Prospect Park

New York City this week approved the design for a monument to Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn native who became the first Black woman to serve in the United States Congress. The city's Public Design Commission on Monday unanimously approved plans for the monument: a 32-foot-tall sculpture depicting the congresswoman designed by artists Amanda Williams and Olalekan B. Jeyifous installed at the southeast entrance of Prospect Park. The artists were selected for the monument's design in 2019, but the process was delayed because of the pandemic.
Take a look
July 14, 2023

For $2.8M, this two-family Red Hook home with endless outdoor space is a modern townhouse dream

The Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook is known for its architect-designed modern townhouses; if you've ever admired their sleek interiors and unique facades, 138 Coffey Street is just what you're looking for. Asking $2,800,000, this three-story home with several decks, a landscaped backyard, and a roof terrace includes a two-bedroom garden apartment. A carefully considered renovation transformed the 1899 townhouse into a 21st-century multi-family home with 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. You can use the apartment for rental income or as a guest suite–or use the entire space as a single-family home.
Take the modern townhouse tour
July 14, 2023

Brooklyn Public Library opens surprise installation honoring Jay-Z

The Brooklyn Public Library on Friday opened a new installation celebrating the life and legacy of Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, from his beginnings in Bed-Stuy's Marcy Projects to worldwide fame. Located at the library's Central Branch next to Prospect Park, the exhibition, titled "The Book of HOV," features art, images, ephemera, and memorabilia from the rapper's archives that pay tribute to his incredible life and career and highlight the ways he helped redefine hip-hop, music, and culture on a global scale. The experience is free and open to the public for a limited time starting July 14.
See more here