Financial District

September 9, 2021

With Norman Foster back as the architect, 2 WTC construction could begin soon

Twenty years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan's World Trade Center complex is nearly complete. But one tower still hasn't got off the ground. After architecture firm changes and financing problems, developer Silverstein Properties said construction is set to begin in the coming months on 2 World Trade Center with a new design from Norman Foster's Foster + Partners. As first reported by Commercial Observer, the developer is close to securing an anchor tenant, which would lead to a construction loan and the start of work within "the next six to 12 months."
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World Trade Center’s St. Nicholas National Shrine will be lit for the first time this week

Rendering courtesy of Friends of St. Nicholas

September 8, 2021

World Trade Center’s St. Nicholas National Shrine will be lit for the first time this week

By Dana Schulz

On September 11, 2001, a Greek Orthodox church on Cedar Street was destroyed, resulting in plans to rebuild the structure at a new location on Liberty Street. Construction finally began on this new Santiago Calatrava-designed church, St. Nicholas National Shrine, in 2015, and though there were some hurdles along the way, the domed building will finally be lit for the first time. The church will commence the 20th-anniversary remembrance of 9/11 with a memorial service and the inaugural lighting of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine this Friday evening.
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Architecture And Design

Apply for 63 mixed-income units at new FiDi high-rise with rooftop terraces, from $1,329/month

Renderings courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

September 7, 2021

Apply for 63 mixed-income units at new FiDi high-rise with rooftop terraces, from $1,329/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery launched this week for 63 mixed-income apartments at a new 34-story tower in the Financial District. The mixed-use building 7 Dey Street is conveniently located next to the Fulton Center transit hub and boasts amenities like multiple outdoor spaces, a fitness center, a co-working room, and more. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70 or 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,329/month studios to $3,235/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Crown Shy team opens new restaurant SAGA on the 63rd floor of Art Deco landmark 70 Pine

The west terrace. Photo © 6sqft

August 25, 2021

Crown Shy team opens new restaurant SAGA on the 63rd floor of Art Deco landmark 70 Pine

By Dana Schulz

Most dinners don't begin with a welcome drink on a terrace 63 stories above Manhattan, but that's exactly the case at SAGA, a new fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar from James Kent and Jeff Katz, the Michelin-star team behind Crown Shy. Both restaurants are located in the Art Deco landmark 70 Pine, Crown Shy at ground level and SAGA nearly 800 feet in the sky. The new restaurant opens today and 6sqft got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful spaces and three outdoor terraces.
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Food & Dining

For $950K, this FiDi one-bedroom is big on closets and outdoor space

Listing images courtesy of Douglas Elliman

August 2, 2021

For $950K, this FiDi one-bedroom is big on closets and outdoor space

By Dana Schulz

For under $1 million, this one-bedroom Financial District apartment sure has a lot to offer. The place itself isn't huge at 583 square feet, but there's a beautiful 230-square-foot terrace and a surprising amount of closet space. It's located at the high-end Greenwich Club condo at 88 Greenwich Street.
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Distinctive Homes

New looks for the performing arts space coming to the World Trade Center

The Perelman at night, facing south © Luxigon

July 20, 2021

New looks for the performing arts space coming to the World Trade Center

By Devin Gannon

About a month after the Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC) topped out at the World Trade Center complex, new renderings of the unique project were released this week. As first spotted by Yimby, images showcase the flexible cube-shaped building and its glowing marble facade, the grand staircase, theaters, bar and restaurant, and terrace space. First envisioned nearly two decades prior, PAC is expected to open in 2023.
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Rendering by TMRW, courtesy of Brookfield Place New York

June 30, 2021

The Bungalow is a new Montauk-style hangout on the Lower Manhattan waterfront

By Dana Schulz

This Friday, the waterfront Upper Plaza at Brookfield Place will be transformed into The Bungalow, a "relaxing urban oasis inspired by the beachside retreats of Montauk." Guests can take in views of the Hudson River and New York Harbor while enjoying specialty cocktails and small bites. They'll also be able to enjoy live music and DJs, bocce courts, and weekly events and arts programming. The best part? It's free to enter.
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Photo of a past dinner by Lizzie Munro @lizziemunro

June 8, 2021

Dine al fresco at the historic Broad Exchange Building’s massive penthouse balcony

By 6sqft

When outdoor dining took on a new life last summer, many restaurant and hospitality companies had to get creative. But Resident, a startup that hosts dinners on balconies and rooftops of luxury apartments, was already ahead of the game. This past fall, they launched a socially distant supper club on the balcony of the Financial District's landmarked Broad Exchange Building, including a rotating chef residency with newcomers who have experience at Michelin-starred restaurants. The supper club is now back, featuring a Venezuelan-inspired tasting menu from Chef Luis Herrera, redefined soul food from Chef Sakari Smithwick, a Filipino-inspired meal from Chef Harold Villarosa, and much more.
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60 Wall Street revamp swaps out postmodern atrium for a skylight and massive 100-foot green wall

New atrium proposed for 60 Wall Street; Conceptual renderings courtesy of Paramount Group

May 18, 2021

60 Wall Street revamp swaps out postmodern atrium for a skylight and massive 100-foot green wall

By Devin Gannon

The eccentric 1980s atrium at the Financial District office tower 60 Wall Street is getting a 21st-century makeover. As part of a major renovation, owner Paramount Group is ditching the indoor palm trees and man-made rock displays and creating a public space they feel is more attractive in a post-pandemic era. With designs from Kohn Pedersen Fox, the updated atrium of the 47-story tower will boast a new skylight and a 100-foot-tall, block-long interior green wall.
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Real Estate Trends

Plan for 900-foot tower with 1,325 rentals at 5 World Trade Center moves forward

Photo by bilderkombinat berlin on Flickr

February 12, 2021

Plan for 900-foot tower with 1,325 rentals at 5 World Trade Center moves forward

By Devin Gannon

Plans to build a 900-foot mixed-use tower with 1,325 units of housing at 5 World Trade Center are moving forward. The boards of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation voted on Thursday to approve the recommendation of the selection committee for the proposal from Brookfield Properties, Silverstein Properties, Omni New York, and Dabar Development Partners. The site is the former location of the Deutsche Bank building which was damaged in the September 11 terrorist attacks and later demolished. The developer will now enter negotiations for a lease for the residential tower, expected to measure 1.56 million gross square feet.
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Three mixed-use buildings on historic Stone Street in FiDi ask $20.8M

All photos courtesy of Anthony Puopolo for Douglas Elliman

February 8, 2021

Three mixed-use buildings on historic Stone Street in FiDi ask $20.8M

By Devin Gannon

Here's an opportunity to influence the future of one of New York City's oldest streets. Goldman Properties is selling three of its mixed-use buildings located on Stone Street in the Financial District for $20.75 million. As the city's first paved street in New York, Stone Street's history dates back to the middle of the 1600s and today remains a car-free cobblestone-lined walkway with an outdoor dining scene that predates the pandemic. The portfolio includes three buildings with a total of ten free-market two-bedroom and three-bedroom loft rentals and three operating restaurants.
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See the shiny, amorphous tower imagined for Lower Manhattan

All renderings by Hayri Atak Architectural Design

January 26, 2021

See the shiny, amorphous tower imagined for Lower Manhattan

By Dana Schulz

Turkish firm Hayri Atak Architectural Design has proposed something extremely unique for the downtown skyline. Called the Sarcostyle Tower, the shining structure is a large rectangle with sinuous, carved-out sides. Conceptually placed amidst the historic landmarks and mid-century office towers of lower Manhattan, the 689-foot building was inspired by human anatomy and cells. An actual sarcostyle is a muscle fiber, so it makes sense that the firm decided upon this name for theior biologically inspired project.
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Architecture And Design

The first presidential inauguration was held in New York City in 1789

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

January 20, 2021

The first presidential inauguration was held in New York City in 1789

By 6sqft

One of the nation's most significant Inauguration Days has finally come, and while we're all looking forward, we also thought it was pertinent to take a look back. On Thursday, April 30, 1789, the first United States Congress met, and the first president was sworn in (the presidential term had already started on March 4 of that year, but logistical delays had kept the votes from being counted or certified). With a quorum finally in place, George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United States, alongside Vice President John Adams, on the balcony of the Federal Hall in what is now the Financial District.
The whole history here

History

Before Times Square: Celebrating New Year’s in old New York

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1878). New-Year’S-Day In New Amsterdam. Courtesy of NYPL Digital Collections

December 30, 2020

Before Times Square: Celebrating New Year’s in old New York

By Lucie Levine

Every year on December 31, the eyes of the world turn to Times Square. New Yorkers and revelers worldwide have been ringing in the New Year from 42nd Street since 1904 when Adolf Ochs christened the opening of the New York Times building on what was then Longacre Square with a New Year's celebration complete with midnight fireworks. In 1907, Ochs began dropping a ball from the flagpole of the Times Tower, and a tradition for the ages was set in motion. But long before Ochs and his proclivity for pyrotechnics, New Yorkers had been ringing in the New Year with traditions both dignified and debauched. From the George Washington and the old Dutch custom of “Calling,” to the rancorous tooting of tin horns, one thing is clear, New York has always gone to town for the New Year.
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$2.5M full-floor FiDi condo has two outdoor spaces and World Trade Center views

Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman

November 25, 2020

$2.5M full-floor FiDi condo has two outdoor spaces and World Trade Center views

By Devin Gannon

A spacious full-floor loft with two outdoor terraces in the Financial District is asking $2.48 million. The two-bedroom, two-bath condo is located at 119 Fulton Street and has perfectly-framed Freedom Tower views. The apartment features a newly renovated kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, custom built-ins, keyed elevator access, and outdoor spaces on either end of the unit.
More ahead

Distinctive Homes

David Adjaye and Aston Martin collaborate on residences and luxury car at 130 William in FiDi

All residence images courtesy of Aston Martin

November 12, 2020

David Adjaye and Aston Martin collaborate on residences and luxury car at 130 William in FiDi

By Devin Gannon

Five apartments for sale at Sir David Adjaye's first New York City tower have been custom-designed by luxury carmaker Aston Martin. Located on the 59th and 60th floors of 130 William, a 66-story condo in the Financial District, the exclusive units come with a special edition Aston Martin DBX, an SUV designed in collaboration with Adjaye. The five condos include two penthouses, one priced at $11.5 million and the second at $10.5 million, and three loggia residences, priced at $3.985 million, $5.985 million, and $10 million.
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Inside the stunning, abandoned City Hall subway station

Photo © James and Karla Murray

August 25, 2020

Inside the stunning, abandoned City Hall subway station

By Dana Schulz

When the New York City subway opened on October 27th, 1904, it was the magnificent City Hall station that served as the backdrop for the festivities, with its arched Guastavino-tiled ceiling and skylights. But by 1945, the newer, longer subway cars could no longer fit on the station's curved tracks, so it was closed. Today, the New York City Transit Museum occasionally offers tours of the abandoned station, which is how photographers James and Karla Murray were able to capture these beautiful photos. Ahead, see more of the station and learn all about its history.
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After Cuomo provides health personnel, 9/11 Tribute in Light is back on

Image by David Z from Pixabay

August 17, 2020

After Cuomo provides health personnel, 9/11 Tribute in Light is back on

By Dana Schulz

It takes nearly 40 stagehands and electricians more than a week to produce the annual Tribute in Light display that marks the 9/11 anniversary each year, according to the New York Times. And because they must work in close contact, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum decided last week to cancel this year's memorial. Upon hearing the news, Governor Cuomo, however, stepped in and said he'd provide the medical personnel necessary to make the event happen safely.
More details here

Events & Things To Do

Photo of The Greens courtesy of The Howard Hughes Corporation

August 4, 2020

You can lounge and dine at a rooftop ‘lawn’ at the South Street Seaport

By Dana Schulz

Social distancing guidelines have definitely gotten restaurants to be extra creative, like The Rooftop at Pier 17 which has just opened a new dining experience where guests can book one of 28 "mini-lawns." Called The Greens, the experience has transformed the South Street Seaport rooftop venue into private cabana-style plots, each of which can accommodate eight guests.
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After original church was destroyed on 9/11, construction restarts at new St. Nicholas Shrine

All photos courtesy of Governor Andrew Cuomo/Flickr

August 3, 2020

After original church was destroyed on 9/11, construction restarts at new St. Nicholas Shrine

By Dana Schulz

It's been nearly 20 years since St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine was lost in the attacks on 9/11, but today, Governor Cuomo announced the restart of construction on the new Santiago Calatrava-designed church. Work originally began in 2015, but stalled in late 2017 when the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ran out of funding.
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New Developments

13 things you didn’t know about the Woolworth Building

The Woolworth Building, then and now. L: Image courtesy of Library of Congress via Wiki cc; r: Image Norbert Nagel via Wiki cc.

June 29, 2020

13 things you didn’t know about the Woolworth Building

By Michelle Cohen

When the neo-Gothic Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway was erected in 1913 as the world’s tallest building, it cost a total of $13.5 million to construct. Though many have surpassed it in height, the instantly-recognizable Lower Manhattan landmark has remained one of the world’s most iconic buildings, admired for its terra cotta facade and detailed ornamentation–and its representation of the ambitious era in which it arose. Developer and five-and-dime store entrepreneur Frank Winfield Woolworth dreamed of an unforgettable skyscraper; the building’s architect, Cass Gilbert, designed and delivered just that, even as Woolworth's vision grew progressively loftier. The Woolworth Building has remained an anchor of New York City life with its storied past and still-impressive 792-foot height.
Find the city's history in the Woolworth Building

$18.3M sustainable playground breaks ground at the Battery

The “bluffs” zone includes five granite slides and boulder scrambles; renderings courtesy of BKSK Architects & Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners

March 13, 2020

$18.3M sustainable playground breaks ground at the Battery

By Devin Gannon

As the threat of climate change grows, parks in New York City are working to become more resilient. Officials on Thursday broke ground on an $18.3 million waterfront playground at the Battery in the Financial District. The Battery Playscape, as it's being called, is expected to be one of the city's largest sustainable parks. It will triple the size of the current playground and will feature a rainwater runoff system and a wide variety of durable plants.
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Developer scraps Bjarke Ingels-designed 2 WTC for revamped Norman Foster tower

Previous rendering of 2 World Center via DBOX, courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group

January 16, 2020

Developer scraps Bjarke Ingels-designed 2 WTC for revamped Norman Foster tower

By Alexandra Alexa

It looks like Norman Foster's design for 2 World Trade Center might rise after all. First unveiled in 2006, the original Foster + Partners proposal was scrapped in 2015 for Bjarke Ingels' stacked tower, which was deemed more suitable to prospective media tenants. After leases with Fox and News Corp. fell through in 2016, the future of the tenant-less tower has remained uncertain. Absent any takers, developer Larry Silverstein is now pivoting back to the Foster vision, the New York Post reports. The old design is being "significantly modified to be more reflective of contemporary needs and taste," Silverstein said.
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Construction of World Trade Center’s St. Nicholas Shrine will resume

The site in December 2018, Photo by Tdorante10 via Wikimedia Commons

January 3, 2020

Construction of World Trade Center’s St. Nicholas Shrine will resume

By Alexandra Alexa

It's been more than two years since reconstruction work on the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at the World Trade Center stopped due to lack of funding, but the project is finally set to resume. On Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to form a new non-profit organization with an independent 13-member board—the Friends of St. Nicholas—who will oversee the remaining construction. The expected opening is slated for 2022.
More info

New Developments

Photo credit: Travis Mark courtesy of Compass

December 18, 2019

$3.2M FiDi loft stands out behind a historic Palladian window

By Michelle Cohen

Asking $3.15 million, this floor-through loft in a beautiful old Lower Manhattan building has the look of a timeless residence in a changing city. More ornate than most and definitely a standout on its block, 42 Ann Street is a landmarked 19th-century commercial building with only seven condominium units within. Spanning 2,700 square feet, the two-bedroom condo has been recently renovated with artfully-designed spaces and luxurious fixtures and finishes.
Tour this timeless condo conversion

Distinctive Homes

Rent this fancy and fully furnished Financial District condo for $5K/month

Photo credit: DDreps, courtesy of Compass

December 5, 2019

Rent this fancy and fully furnished Financial District condo for $5K/month

By Michelle Cohen

The 99 John Deco Lofts at 99 John Street in the heart of lower Manhattan's Financial District is one of those FiDi condos where everything is sleek, contemporary and new, and there are so many amenities you hardly have to leave the premises. All of that luxury comes at a price–in this case $4,995 a month–but there's no need to commit to buying. There's also no need to buy (or bring) furniture; it's included with the chic and lofty one-bedroom rental pad. There's plenty of closet space throughout, so whatever you bring can find a home as well.
Take a look around

Distinctive Homes

November 11, 2019

The 9/11 Tribute Museum might be closing its doors

By Alexandra Alexa

Google Street View of the 9/11 Tribute Museum in October 2017; Map data © Google The 9/11 Tribute Museum—perhaps “overshadowed” by the better-known Memorial Museum just a few blocks away—might be closing its 92 Greenwich Street location, as Crain’s reports. Real estate investment firm Thor Equities has placed the museum's three-story space on the market for $30 million. It’s not yet clear whether the museum will close down completely or be able to relocate.
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Events & Things To Do

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