Brooklyn

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

All photos courtesy of SERHANT. Studios

July 31, 2023

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

By Michelle Cohen

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

Distinctive Homes

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

The book giveaway from 2022. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

July 28, 2023

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

Brower Park Library reopens within the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Photos courtesy of Gregg Richards

July 24, 2023

Brower Park Library reopens within the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

By Aaron Ginsburg

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.
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Uncategorized

NYC announces major public space and transit improvements for Downtown Brooklyn

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 20, 2023

NYC announces major public space and transit improvements for Downtown Brooklyn

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Benefits of 421-a tax break extended to Gowanus developers

Photo by Danny Navarro / Flickr cc

July 19, 2023

Benefits of 421-a tax break extended to Gowanus developers

By Devin Gannon

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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Policy

NYC approves design for Shirley Chisholm monument in Prospect Park

Renderings courtesy of Amanda Williams and Olalekan B. Jeyifous/ NYC Public Design Commission

July 18, 2023

NYC approves design for Shirley Chisholm monument in Prospect Park

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

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

Photo credit: Anastazia Swerer-McNutt for The Corcoran Group

July 14, 2023

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

By Michelle Cohen

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

Distinctive Homes

Brooklyn Public Library opens surprise installation honoring Jay-Z

Photo © 6sqft

July 14, 2023

Brooklyn Public Library opens surprise installation honoring Jay-Z

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

Fort Greene’s historic Paramount Theatre to reopen as live music venue next year

Image used by Permission of Long Island University

July 13, 2023

Fort Greene’s historic Paramount Theatre to reopen as live music venue next year

By Aaron Ginsburg

The gilded Brooklyn Paramount Theatre is being restored to its original glory and will reopen as a world-class entertainment venue next year. Entertainment giant Live Nation, which will revive and operate the nearly 100-year-old theater, revealed plans and new renderings during a community board meeting last month. According to the company, the LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre will be able to accommodate 2,600 people. Located at 385 Flatbush Avenue Extension, the theater is scheduled to open in the first or second quarter of 2024, as first reported by Brownstoner.
See more here

Architecture And Design

New migrant shelter in Clinton Hill could serve at least 2,000 people

Streetview of 47 Hall Street. © 2023 Google

July 12, 2023

New migrant shelter in Clinton Hill could serve at least 2,000 people

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is opening two more emergency shelters to accommodate the thousands of migrants that continue to arrive in the five boroughs, one of which is set to become the largest dormitory-style shelter in the city's history. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the opening of two more humanitarian relief shelters, one at an existing respite center at 47 Hall Street in Brooklyn, which adds additional space to serve roughly 1,400 more migrant adults, and another at the Crowne Plaza JFK Airport New York hotel in Queens, which will serve more than 330 families with children seeking asylum.
Find out more

Policy

For $1.9M, this compact, renovated brick townhouse is a turn-key home in the heart of Stuyvesant Heights

Photo credit: Allyson Lubow

July 7, 2023

For $1.9M, this compact, renovated brick townhouse is a turn-key home in the heart of Stuyvesant Heights

By Michelle Cohen

This compact three-story townhouse at 703 Monroe Street in Bed-Stuy's historic Stuyvesant Heights district packs a lot of modern function and form into its 2,478 square feet. In addition to three stories above, the single-family property, asking $1,850,000, features a finished basement with a rec room and bath. There are four bedrooms within and a covetable freshly landscaped yard in the back.
More Bed-Stuy townhouse, this way

Distinctive Homes

Asking $2.25M, this modern townhouse is a two-floor home in a converted Bed-Stuy garage

Photo credit: M William Studio for The Corcoran Group

July 3, 2023

Asking $2.25M, this modern townhouse is a two-floor home in a converted Bed-Stuy garage

By Michelle Cohen

This unique converted garage at 222 Madison Street Brooklyn's buzzing Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood has the open, industrial feel of a loft and the privacy and space of a 3,000-square-foot townhouse, with two separate outdoor spaces. Bonus perk: Drive into your own private garage, all for $2,250,000.
Tour this unique Brooklyn home

Distinctive Homes

Hypnotizing flower-themed sculptural exhibit coming to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Jean-Michel Othoniel, view of the exhibition Treasure Gardens at Seoul Museum of Art and Imperial Palace Garden, Seoul (South Korea), 2022. Photo by CJY ART STUDIO. © Jean-Michel Othoniel / ADAGP, Paris & ARS, New York 2023.

June 28, 2023

Hypnotizing flower-themed sculptural exhibit coming to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is hosting a new sculptural exhibition in three of its most well-known garden spaces this summer. Created by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, "The Flowers of Hypnosis" consists of six separate flower-like sculptures inspired by Othoniel's passion and observations of nature and work on a landscape scale. The sculpture series, Othoniel's largest exhibition in the United States since 2012, will be on view at the BBG from July 18 through October 22, 2023.
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Events & Things To Do

This $6.5M Montrose Morris-designed Clinton Hill corner mansion has a three-story round tower

Photo courtesy of Chapoteau Real Estate

June 28, 2023

This $6.5M Montrose Morris-designed Clinton Hill corner mansion has a three-story round tower

By Michelle Cohen

Even among its historic, landmarked Clinton Hill neighbors, architectural distinctions like a three-story round tower set this $6,500,000 Montrose Morris-designed corner mansion at 289 Dekalb Avenue apart. Built in 1891, the brick home, with its conical-roof-topped castle tower, is one of a trio of American Romanesque Revival-style row houses. Inside the 6,342-square-foot property you'll find beautifully preserved elegant interiors and seven bedrooms across three floors. There's also a deck and a modern parking garage.
Explore this romantic mansion

Distinctive Homes

This $3.6M Bed-Stuy townhouse has bay windows, a full-floor bedroom suite, and a basement speakeasy

Photo credit: DDreps & Hovey Design

June 26, 2023

This $3.6M Bed-Stuy townhouse has bay windows, a full-floor bedroom suite, and a basement speakeasy

By Michelle Cohen

Surrounded by the historic homes of Bedford-Stuyvesant, this 1893 limestone townhouse has been impeccably restored with loads of historic glamor intact. Filled with fabulous design flourishes, the 4,635-square-foot two-family house, asking $3,600,000, is fronted by carved octagonal bay windows. Within, chic, modern elements are right at home among classic architectural details. Configured as a one-bedroom garden apartment with a triplex above, the home has an unusual secret: A speakeasy room in the basement.
READ MORE

Distinctive Homes

From firehouse to Spike Lee’s movie HQ, this $4.35M Fort Greene home has a century of stories to tell

Photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

June 22, 2023

From firehouse to Spike Lee’s movie HQ, this $4.35M Fort Greene home has a century of stories to tell

By Michelle Cohen

This decommissioned firehouse at 124 Dekalb Avenue–currently asking $4,350,000–has a fascinating history that began in 1895, when it was built as a water tower. Converted into a neighborhood firehouse in 1903, the building's cellar was fortified as a bomb shelter at some point in the 20th century. After the firehouse was disbanded in 1974, the building became a live/work space for celebrated filmmaker Spike Lee, who headquartered his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks studio here. In the mid-1980s, the building was converted into two duplex loft apartments–and a multi-car garage.
The full eyeful, this way

This $2.4M Brooklyn Heights co-op is a turnkey classic six with a private balcony and skyline views

All photos courtesy of DDReps

June 19, 2023

This $2.4M Brooklyn Heights co-op is a turnkey classic six with a private balcony and skyline views

By Michelle Cohen

This spacious co-op at 75 Henry Street in one of the city's most sought-after neighborhoods is ready for whatever life brings. Asking $2,395,000, the three-bedroom home has three baths and a layout that provides privacy and plenty of work-from-home space, as well as closets to keep clutter out of the way. A private double balcony and bridge and city views are an inspiration in every season; an on-site parking garage adds rare convenience.
More details, this way

Distinctive Homes

Lottery opens for 300+ affordable apartments at major East New York project, from $419/month

Rendering courtesy of Dattner Architects

June 19, 2023

Lottery opens for 300+ affordable apartments at major East New York project, from $419/month

By Devin Gannon

The largest project to stem from the 2016 rezoning of East New York launched a housing lottery for over 300 affordable apartments this week. Developed by the housing nonprofit Phipps Houses, Atlantic Chestnut is a block-long development with three interconnected buildings and more than 1,100 units of affordable housing. As part of the first phase, 341 apartments are available at 250 Euclid Avenue. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 60, and 80 percent of the area median income can apply for the available apartments priced from $419/month studios to $2,273/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Williamsburg’s City Reliquary to host yard sale with unusual antiques and oddities from local collectors

Image courtesy of The City Reliquary

June 16, 2023

Williamsburg’s City Reliquary to host yard sale with unusual antiques and oddities from local collectors

By Aaron Ginsburg

The City Reliquary museum is hosting a yard sale next month with a variety of antiques, oddities, and ephemera as part of a Pride celebration. Located at 370 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, the sale will take place on Saturday, July 29 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the museum's backyard. Local artists and collectors will sell a diverse selection of unique vintage items, unusual collectibles, and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts. The event includes live music provided by Kyle Supley and DJ Yestergay, resident DJ at Julius’ Bar, and refreshments and pastries from Yardsale Cafe.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

East Flatbush’s new library is light-filled and inviting

Images courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library

June 9, 2023

East Flatbush’s new library is light-filled and inviting

By Aaron Ginsburg

A renovation of the East Flatbush Library has transformed it into a light-filled and modern space that will inspire visitors of all ages. After undergoing a complete renovation by architecture firm LevenBetts, the East Flatbush Library reopened to visitors this week. Located at 9612 Church Street, the revitalized library has achieved LEED silver status and features an innovative facade, windows, and skylights which fill the previously dimly-lit facility with abundant natural light.
See more here

Architecture And Design

In this beautiful $5.95M Park Slope brownstone, the kitchen is the star

Photos courtesy of Allyson Lubow for The Corcoran Group

June 5, 2023

In this beautiful $5.95M Park Slope brownstone, the kitchen is the star

By Devin Gannon

From its modern open-plan layout to the charming rear garden, there's a lot to like at this Park Slope brownstone, which underwent a gut renovation by renowned architect Elizabeth Roberts in 2015. But the home's true star is the kitchen, a stunning sun-lit space with a wall of casement windows, top-of-the-line appliances, and a wood-fired grill built inside an original wood-burning fireplace. The Italianate brownstone at 359 Bergen Street is now on the market for $5,950,000.
More dream kitchen, this way

Distinctive Homes

This $8M Boerum Hill home was an abandoned Navy boarding house before a total designer renovation

Photos courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Images

June 1, 2023

This $8M Boerum Hill home was an abandoned Navy boarding house before a total designer renovation

By Michelle Cohen

This 1920 Federal-style brick townhouse at 82 Dean Street in Boerum Hill was, in a former life, a boarding house for World War II Navy veterans. After being left vacant for half a decade, the building was stripped bare and brought back to life by a couple in search of a blank slate, according to a Curbed account of the multi-year renovation that yielded a designer home courtesy of the design firm Ashe + Leandro and Mercer Street Restoration. Asking $7,999,000, the home's interiors balance stunning design with comfort and ease of living; the renovation raised the ceilings and added an entire floor, a roof deck, a newly painted stucco facade, a custom bluestone stoop, and all-new windows.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Apply for 316 mixed-income apartments within Greenpoint Landing, from $410/month

Rendering courtesy of Handel Architects

June 1, 2023

Apply for 316 mixed-income apartments within Greenpoint Landing, from $410/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 316 mixed-income units at a new residential development on Brooklyn's waterfront. Located at 35 Commercial Street, the building is part of the 22-acre Greenpoint Landing development. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 80, and 110 percent of the area median income, or between $17,006 annually for a single person and $158,510 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $410/month studios to $2,572/month two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Free photography festival Photoville returns to NYC with 80+ outdoor exhibitions

Photo courtesy of Kisha Bari

June 1, 2023

Free photography festival Photoville returns to NYC with 80+ outdoor exhibitions

By Aaron Ginsburg

Starting this weekend, enjoy more than 80 free photography exhibitions across New York City. Returning for its 12th year, Photoville NYC is a two-week festival with outdoor exhibitions displaying diverse photographic works across the five boroughs, as well as workshops, artist talks, and other events. The festival, which will run from June 3 to June 18, will include its signature Photoville Village in Brooklyn Bridge Park, in addition to open-air installations in other parts of the city.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

See the 17-story mixed-use rental coming to Atlantic Avenue in Bed-Stuy

Rendering courtesy of Douglaston Development

May 31, 2023

See the 17-story mixed-use rental coming to Atlantic Avenue in Bed-Stuy

By Aaron Ginsburg

Another high-rise residential tower is coming to Brooklyn's once-industrial Atlantic Avenue corridor. Douglaston Development on Wednesday announced it secured financing for a 17-story, 474,000-square-foot mixed-use development at 1057 Atlantic Avenue in Bed-Stuy that will include 456 rental apartments and new neighborhood amenities. The tower joins several new and proposed developments on this strip of Atlantic Avenue that will bring hundreds of new homes to the area.
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125 affordable units available at energy-efficient building in East New York, from $419/month

Rendering by Nightnurse Images, courtesy of Magnusson Architecture and Planning

May 26, 2023

125 affordable units available at energy-efficient building in East New York, from $419/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 125 affordable units at Linden Terrace, an energy-efficient residential development in East New York. Located at 583 Emerald Street, the 156-unit building represents the third phase of the new affordable development. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, and 70 percent of the area median income, or between $16,938 annually for a single person and $115,850 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the units, which range from $419/month studios to $1,963/month three bedrooms.
Find out more

Affordable Housing

NYC’s first multi-family geothermal project tops out in Coney Island

Images courtesy of LCOR

May 25, 2023

NYC’s first multi-family geothermal project tops out in Coney Island

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's first multi-family geothermal project has topped out in Coney Island. The residential development at 1515 Surf Avenue will include 463 apartments, of which 139 will be designated as affordable. The building's geothermal system will use the Earth to heat and cool the property and power its water systems, eliminating the need for equipment that would run on fossil fuels.
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520 Fifth Avenue

Midtown West

Live at the center of NYC

1 beds starting at $2,445,000
2 beds starting at $3,435,000
3 beds starting at $6,775,000