Midtown

Times Square water main break leads to major subway delays

Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

August 29, 2023

Times Square water main break leads to major subway delays

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A water main installed in 1896 broke in Times Square on Tuesday morning, stopping train service on several subway lines during morning rush hour. Due to water flooding the subway tracks, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended or rerouted service on the 1, 2, and 3 lines, which also affected the 4 and 5 lines. The area between 39th and 42nd Streets along Seventh Avenue was shut down due to flooding and is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
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$80M penthouse sale at 220 Central Park South is one of year’s biggest deals

Photo of 220 Central Park South in front of 111 West 57th Street (cropped) by Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons

August 21, 2023

$80M penthouse sale at 220 Central Park South is one of year’s biggest deals

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One of New York City's best-selling condo buildings locked in one of the biggest deals of the year so far. An 8,000-square-foot duplex penthouse at 220 Central Park South on Billionaires' Row is selling for roughly $80 million, the Wall Street Journal first reported. The seller is linked to investment firm Nima Capital, which paid around $65.6 million for the property in October 2020.
Details here
Adams announces Midtown South rezoning, plan to convert offices to housing

Midtown Manhattan. Photo by Phil Hauser on Unsplash

August 17, 2023

Adams announces Midtown South rezoning, plan to convert offices to housing

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New housing will be allowed in parts of Midtown Manhattan for the first time in decades under a plan announced by Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday. The mayor wants to update zoning rules to allow for the construction of new apartments in a 42-block area stretching from 23rd Street to 40th Street and from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, which is currently designated for manufacturing use. The start of the rezoning effort joins another proposal from the Adams administration to facilitate and expedite office-to-housing conversions across every borough, as the city continues to face a housing shortage.
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Here’s everything you need to know about NYC’s Dominican Day Parade

Dominican Day Parade 2019. Photo courtesy of S Pakhrin on Flickr

August 11, 2023

Here’s everything you need to know about NYC’s Dominican Day Parade

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The 41st annual Dominican Day Parade returns to Midtown this Sunday, August 13. The parade brings together New York City’s Dominican community, the largest in the country, to celebrate their heritage with live music, parade floats, vibrant costumes, traditional dance, food, and more. First held in 1982, the parade started as a small celebration in Washington Heights. Hosted on the second Sunday in August, the parade commemorates the start of the Dominican Republic's fight for independence from Spain in 1863. The theme for this year’s event is “Our History, Our People,” and for the first time in the parade’s history, the procession will be headed by Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, who will serve as Grand Marshal.
MORE HERE
40 blocks of Manhattan’s Third Avenue to be transformed with bike and bus lanes

Photo by Marek Rygielski on Flickr

July 19, 2023

40 blocks of Manhattan’s Third Avenue to be transformed with bike and bus lanes

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New York City is moving forward with its redesign of a 1.9-mile stretch of Manhattan's Third Avenue. Construction will begin next week on the "complete street," which will span from East 59th Street to 96th Street and include a new dedicated lane for buses and a parking-protected bike lane, the Department of Transportation announced. The redesign aims to make Third Avenue safer for pedestrians and cyclists; according to DOT, six pedestrians and one cyclist have been killed between 59th and 96th Street since 2016.
See more here
Live at the Plaza with hotel-style service and condo convenience for $9.5M; minimalists need not apply

Photo credit: Rich Caplan

July 10, 2023

Live at the Plaza with hotel-style service and condo convenience for $9.5M; minimalists need not apply

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This  two-bedroom condominium in the Plaza Private Residences at 1 Central Park South offers one of New York City's most iconic addresses and suitably lavish interiors by AD 100 designer Richard Keith Langham. Pristine and newly-renovated, this parkside home, asking $9,500,000, has 12-foot ceilings and all of the conveniences of modern living, along with the peerless hotel services available to Plaza residents.
Step inside for a tour
Where to find free outdoor fitness classes in NYC

Brooklyn Bridge Park Yoga. Photo credit: Etienne Frossard

July 3, 2023

Where to find free outdoor fitness classes in NYC

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"New York City has different changes and energies throughout the seasons," says Robert Atterbury, executive vice president of relationships and programs for the Hudson River Park Trust. And the summer season is the time when parks and outdoor public spaces come alive. New Yorkers come out from apartments, offices, and coffee shops to run, stroll, picnic, hang out — and work out for free — in the city's beautiful outdoor spaces. "It's part of what makes New York New York — the outdoor gathering. It is important, and I think it shows off the diversity that NYC offers," Atterbury said.
Where to get fit for free
Rockefeller Center plans to fill vacant office space with its first luxury hotel

Photo courtesy of qwesy qwesy on Wikimedia

April 19, 2023

Rockefeller Center plans to fill vacant office space with its first luxury hotel

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Rockefeller Center has announced a deal with Aspen Hospitality to open a luxury hotel at the iconic Midtown campus. Aspen plans to open the second location of its Colorado-based Little Nell Hotel on 10 floors of vacant office space above the NBC "Today" show studios, the Wall Street Journal reports. The proposed conversion of unused office space is the latest move to address the substantial shift away from full-time office work since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Rockefeller Center unveils 193 new flags inspired by NYC food

All photos courtesy of Rockefeller Center

April 6, 2023

Rockefeller Center unveils 193 new flags inspired by NYC food

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Normally representing the 193 nations recognized by the United Nations, the flags around the plaza at Rockefeller Center will look a little different this month. Rockefeller Center collaborated with City Harvest, the city's largest food rescue organization, on its fourth annual Flag Project, an art installation that transforms the flags around the Rink at Rockefeller Center with designs submitted by the public. This year's theme celebrates the global food culture of New York City, with new flags displaying iconic scenes of neighborhood bodegas, food markets, favorite restaurants, and iconic city grub like hot dogs and pizza.
See more here
Macy’s Flower Show returns for a dream-like 48th year

Images courtesy of Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.

March 28, 2023

Macy’s Flower Show returns for a dream-like 48th year

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The 48th annual Macy's Flower Show returned to Midtown on Sunday, once again transforming Macy's Herald Square flagship store into a dream-like, floral landscape that beckons in the spring. As part of the yearly exhibition, thousands of live flowers, plants, and trees adorn the window displays, countertops, and sprout from the architecture across the famed department store's main floor. The Macy's Flower Show is free and open to the public at the Herald Square store through April 10.
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Lined with mahogany, onyx and Tiffany glass, this $1.95M studio isn’t your typical Billionaires’ Row pad

Photos courtesy of BK HOME PHOTOS

March 17, 2023

Lined with mahogany, onyx and Tiffany glass, this $1.95M studio isn’t your typical Billionaires’ Row pad

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This 1,000-square-foot studio possesses a unique floor plan highlighted by 8-foot corner windows and Carnegie Hall views. The 19th-century co-op building at 205 West 57th Street, known as the Osborne, is located on Billionaires' Row, and the historic building has seen its share of famous residents, including the unit just across the hall. Once owned by Leonard Bernstein, that apartment was purchased by actress Jessica Chastain in 2015. But the apartment's Gilded Age luxury sets it apart from its somewhat generic condo neighbors. Asking $1,950,000, this remarkable studio boasts details like mahogany-clad walls and ceilings, original Tiffany window transoms, a mezzanine library, jade onyx fixtures, and an electric Murphy bed.
Get a closer look here
NYC’s redesign of Broadway blocks into pedestrian-friendly stretch begins

Rendering of Greeley Square after capital construction work is completed; Courtesy of “New” New York Panel

March 13, 2023

NYC’s redesign of Broadway blocks into pedestrian-friendly stretch begins

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New York City will begin its transformation of an iconic stretch of Broadway into a pedestrian-friendly corridor this week, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday. The work is part of the first phase of "Broadway Vision," a plan to make the chaotic and crowded streets between Madison Square and Herald Square safer by banning cars on some blocks and creating more space for pedestrians. As part of the first phase, the city will add two new plazas, shared streets, and a two-way bike lane on Broadway from West 25th Street to West 32nd Street.
Find out more
Rupert Murdoch buys $30M Central Park South co-op

The Hampshire House is known for its steeply-pitched copper roof with two tall chimneys; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

February 28, 2023

Rupert Murdoch buys $30M Central Park South co-op

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Media giant Rupert Murdoch is in contract to purchase a full-floor co-op on Billionaires' Row. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the News Corp founder bought a 6,500-square-foot apartment on the 27th floor of the Hampshire House that was last listed for $30,000,000; the final sales price has not been made public. The seven-bedroom, five-bathroom residence was the longtime home of late hedge-fund magnate Julian H. Robertson Jr. and famed philanthropist Alice Tully.
Details here
See the Garment District’s new Big Button sculpture

Photo © 6sqft

February 16, 2023

See the Garment District’s new Big Button sculpture

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The Garment District's iconic button & needle sculpture has been replaced with a new, permanent art installation. The Garment District Alliance on Thursday unveiled the new Big Button sculpture on the corner of Fashion Avenue and 39th Street. Designed by Local Projects and UAP Company, the sculpture measures 28 feet tall and has a 15-foot diameter aluminum button with a bright yellow automotive finish and a 32-foot brushed stainless steel needle, honoring the neighborhood's rich history in the world of fashion.
See the button
NYC unveils first restored national medallions along Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas

Photos courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation

January 31, 2023

NYC unveils first restored national medallions along Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas

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The city's Department of Transportation this week unveiled the first restored medallions installed along the Avenue of the Americas on lampposts from 42nd Street to 59th Street. The medallions, which were first displayed in 1959, depict the emblems of each nation and territory in the Western Hemisphere. After years of neglect, the medallions had fallen into disrepair, leaving just 18 of the original 300 medallions remaining. Last fall, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced plans to create new medallions. On Monday, the city installed the first nine of 45 new medallions, representing the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Argentina, St. Lucia, and Uruguay.
See more here
New uniforms for Empire State Building workers take cue from the skyscraper’s Art Deco flair

All photos courtesy of the Empire State Building

January 25, 2023

New uniforms for Empire State Building workers take cue from the skyscraper’s Art Deco flair

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Employees of the Empire State Building's 86th-floor Observatory will look a little different the next time you see them. The uniforms of Observatory hosts and gift shop attendants have been given a modern makeover, courtesy of fashion designer Peyman Umay, who for the last two years worked to create a look that would complement the style of the iconic Art Deco building and the observatory's exhibit galleries. Replacing the previous burgundy and black attire, the new uniforms are light gray with blue trimming on the lapels, collars, and pocket flaps.
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See what a casino atop Saks Fifth Avenue could look like

Renderings courtesy of Hudson’s Bay Company

January 25, 2023

See what a casino atop Saks Fifth Avenue could look like

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Last week, plans to build a casino atop Saks Fifth Avenue in Midtown were released. Hudson's Bay Company announced it would pursue a gaming license in order to convert the upper floors of the flagship store at 611 Fifth Avenue into a casino. New conceptual renderings of the casino, first spotted by the New York Post, reveal a red carpet-lined entrance, lavish interiors, and a rooftop space that overlooks Rockefeller Center.
See the renderings
‘Living’ lantern installation offers a moment of zen in Midtown

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

January 19, 2023

‘Living’ lantern installation offers a moment of zen in Midtown

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A new animated public art installation is radiating light and tranquility in Midtown. Located on the Broadway pedestrian plazas between 39th and 40th Streets, Living Lantern is a dynamic sculpture with wooden pieces that move with the wind. Measuring roughly 14 feet tall and 20 feet wide, the illuminated lantern evokes a calming effect through shifting colors and movements. Created by NEON and Frankie Boyle, the installation is meant to serve as a beacon of hope, brightness, and a guiding light in Midtown. Open to the public for free through February 24, Living Lantern is the latest public art exhibition sponsored by the Garment District Alliance.
See more here
Saks Fifth Avenue proposes casino atop flagship store in Midtown

Image courtesy of Warren LeMay on Flickr

January 17, 2023

Saks Fifth Avenue proposes casino atop flagship store in Midtown

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The owner of one of the world's most iconic department stores wants to open a casino at its iconic New York City flagship. Hudson's Bay Company, the owner of the Saks Fifth Avenue, announced last week it would pursue a gaming license to convert the top three floors of its store at 611 Fifth Avenue into a casino, as first reported by the New York Times.
Details this way
City Winery’s Gilded Age-inspired restaurant Cornelius opens in Grand Central

All photos of Cornelius courtesy of City Winery

December 29, 2022

City Winery’s Gilded Age-inspired restaurant Cornelius opens in Grand Central

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Cornelius, a new high-end restaurant by City Winery, opened in Grand Central Terminal last week. The 75-seat restaurant offers patrons farm-to-table fare inspired by Gilded Age menus and created by Chef Zach Bondy. The restaurant joins two other concepts from City Winery, including a signature experience with tasting bars and City Jams, which has a first-of-its-kind wine-to-go program and an all-day menu. 
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Everything you need to know about the Times Square ball drop this New Year’s Eve

Image by Anthony Quintano via Flickr 

December 29, 2022

Everything you need to know about the Times Square ball drop this New Year’s Eve

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On December 31, tens of thousands of revelers will converge on Times Square to welcome in 2023. Spectators will vie for the best spot to gaze up at the 11,875-pound crystal ball as it makes its way down the pole on One Times Square and rings in the new year at midnight. The annual event is back at full capacity this year after two years of scaled-back celebrations due to the pandemic. Ahead, find everything you need to know about the 2022 Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop. (And for those avoiding the Times Square crowds this year, find a list of fun NYE events, dance parties, and champagne toasts happening across the city here.)
Get the details
‘2023’ numerals arrive in Times Square

All images courtesy of Times Square Alliance

December 21, 2022

‘2023’ numerals arrive in Times Square

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It's almost the New Year in New York. The signature seven-foot-tall shining numerals that sit underneath the New Year's Eve crystal ball arrived in Times Square this week. The numbers are available for viewing at Times Square Plaza between 46th and 47th Street until noon on December 23 when they take their place on top of One Times Square.
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NYC proposes pedestrian-friendly path on Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park to Central Park

Conceptual renderings from one proposal for a reimagined Fifth Avenue. Credit: Fifth Avenue Association

December 19, 2022

NYC proposes pedestrian-friendly path on Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park to Central Park

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Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday released a plan that reimagines a stretch of Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park at 42nd Street to Central Park at 59th Street as a pedestrian-focused space that prioritizes safety, mass transit, and the public realm. This new vision of one of the world's most iconic tourist destinations and commercial districts is part of a broader plan to make the area more appealing to new residents and workers and builds upon the recent closure of Fifth Avenue this month for the holidays.
See the plan
Casino mogul Steve Wynn lists Central Park South penthouse for $90M

Photo of 50 Central Park South via WikiCommons

December 16, 2022

Casino mogul Steve Wynn lists Central Park South penthouse for $90M

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Casino mogul and billionaire Steve Wynn is selling his Central Park South penthouse for $90,000,000. The home is located on the 30th and 31st floors of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 50 Central Park South. The sprawling duplex, which Wynn picked up for $70,000,000 in 2012, measures 11,000 square feet and features unparalleled views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. If the residence fetches the asking price, it would be the most expensive sale in the building's history.
See more here
The Mermaid Inn opens expansive new location in Times Square

All images courtesy of Alex Staniloff

December 13, 2022

The Mermaid Inn opens expansive new location in Times Square

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The Mermaid Oyster Bar, a new outpost of the beloved Manhattan seafood restaurant family The Mermaid Inn, opened in Times Square on Tuesday. Located at 127 West 43rd Street, the restaurant is the Mermaid's largest location yet, three times larger than any of its other Manhattan branches. Owners Danny Abrams and Cindy Smiths have opened the new location alongside restaurateur Jeffrey Bank, CEO of Alicart Restaurant Group.
Details here
How to avoid NYC SantaCon 2022

Photo courtesy of Anthony Quintano on Flickr

December 8, 2022

How to avoid NYC SantaCon 2022

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Manhattan residents may be pleasantly surprised or significantly perturbed when a horde of red-and-white-clad SantaCon 2022 participants flood the streets of Midtown, Murray Hill, and the East Village this Saturday. The annual cosplay event draws thousands of festively-dressed participants into the borough for a day of drunken shenanigans all in the name of charity. The pub crawl is a blast for all of those involved, and not so fun for residents of the neighborhoods and people who need to travel through these areas. Ahead are a few suggestions for those looking to avoid the action during this year's SantaCon.
See more here
10 things you didn’t know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Photo of the 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

November 28, 2022

10 things you didn’t know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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New York City's annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been a favorite holiday tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike since its inception in the early 1930s. This year marks the 93rd anniversary of the festive tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of people daily to the area around Fifth Avenue. From the tree's humble beginnings as a place to gather during the Great Depression to its 50,000 sparkling lights and 900-pound Swarovski crystal-covered star topper, here are 10 things you might not know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Get the fun facts here
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