Manhattan

December 28, 2018

Say ‘good riddance’ to everything you hated about 2018 in Times Square today

Let’s face it: a lot of us are more than happy to say goodbye to 2018 and turn over a new leaf. If you’re ready for some cathartic collective destruction, use your lunch break on Friday to join others in Times Square for the 12th annual "Good Riddance Day" and say goodbye to the worst of this year. The event, hosted by the Times Square Alliance, is inspired by a tradition in some parts of Latin America in which New Year’s revelers stuff dolls with objects representing bad memories and burn them in order to make room for the new. 
Details on the shred, ahead
December 27, 2018

Charming, classic Tribeca loft with private roof terrace asks $2.35M

With exposed brick throughout, original weathered warehouse floors, soaring ceilings, and skylights, this Tribeca duplex is a classic downtown loft. The 3,636 square-foot condo at 37 Walker Street — currently on the market for $2,350,000 — has three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and a private roof terrace. With a flexible open plan, it could easily be reconfigured or renovated, though lovers of the shabby-chic aesthetic will embrace the unit’s charming peeling walls and original details.
Take the tour
December 27, 2018

Port Authority offers to help in reconstruction of World Trade Center’s St. Nicholas Shrine

Last December, construction on the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at the World Trade Center stopped due to lack of funding. The Archdiocese has remained committed to finishing the construction of the church, which was destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. Recently, the Port Authority — who owns the land on which the church is sited at Liberty Street — said that it wants to help the church with its rebuilding efforts, as the New York Post first reported.
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December 27, 2018

Taylor Swift’s former carriage house rental in the West Village is under contract

Taylor Swift's onetime West Village rental, a carriage house at 23 Cornelia Street, is in contract to sell, the New York Post reported on Wednesday. The property, which measures roughly 5,500 square feet, was last listed for $14.9 million, a dramatic drop in price from the $24.5 million it was listed for in April 2017. As 6sqft previously learned, the pop star rented the pad in 2016 for $40,000 per month while her Tribeca penthouse was under renovation.
See inside
December 24, 2018

For $410,000, this efficient Gramercy studio is a smart starter home

Centrally located in Gramercy, just north of the park, this co-op studio in the gorgeous landmarked pre-war building 4 Lexington Avenue is currently on the market for $410,000. While tiny, it features a smart layout, full-service amenities and a covetable location, making it a great option as a starter home for a young professional. For those needing more space, an adjacent studio unit is also on the market, and the board is open to combining the two apartments. 
See the tour
December 24, 2018

After four price cuts, Justin Timberlake sells Soho penthouse for $6.35M

Justin Timberlake is finally saying "bye, bye, bye" to his Soho penthouse, even though that meant taking a loss on it. He and wife Jessica Biel first bought the three-bedroom spread at Soho Mews for just over $6.5 million in 2010. But after they then purchased a $20 million penthouse at celeb-hotspot 443 Greenwich in March 2017, they listed their former Soho penthouse for $8 million. Since then, they've had to drop the price four times, most recently to $6.35 million, meaning the duo would take a loss on the sale. Now, The Real Deal reports that Timberlake and Biel have finally found a buyer at that price who is listed in city records anonymously as "Hudson Broadway LLC."
See Justin and Jessica's former digs
December 22, 2018

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): American Copper Buildings, The Eagle, One Blue Slip, View34 and in center 555 Waverly Avenue American Copper Buildings: Waterfront Studios to 3-Bed Apartments Available in Murray Hill’s Two-Tower Rental [LINK] One Blue Slip: Greenpoint Landing Rental Now leasing and 90% of Apartments Have Water Views [LINK] The Eagle: Downtown Brooklyn’s New […]

December 21, 2018

City Council passes comprehensive Garment District rezoning plans

On Thursday, the City Council unanimously passed a rezoning of the Garment District in Midtown Manhattan. As part of a larger manufacturing strategy, the plan for Midtown is intended to preserve production space and ensure long-term stability for the fashion industry, while also supporting the other industries that are growing in the area. As 6sqft previously reported, the citywide plan includes the creation of a 200,000-square foot garment production hub at the Made in NY Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
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December 21, 2018

Get a one-bedroom right near Washington Heights’ historic sites for $1,900/month

Washington Heights has been in the news lately for its surge in millennial residents and upcoming food hall, but another draw to the neighborhood is its wealth of historic sites like the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Manhattan's oldest house!) and Sylvan Terrace (a hidden cobblestone street lined with 19th-century wooden row houses). And the latest affordable housing lottery to come online is just a few short blocks from these local landmarks. Located at 1980 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 158th and 159th Streets, this new 14-unit rental has five $1,900/month one-bedrooms available to households earning between $65,143 and $108,550 annually.
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December 20, 2018

Elegant Greenwich Village rental with a secret terrace asks $8,950/month

Nearly four years ago, 6sqft featured this enchanting parlor-floor rental at 34 West 9th Street. At the time, it was asking $9,850/month, but with a new batch of picture-perfect views, the price has dropped slightly to $8,950/month. The floor-through unit is located in a traditional townhouse and retains gorgeous historic details such as fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals, dentil moldings, intricate ceiling medallions, and two decorative hand-carved marble fireplaces. But best of all, this little slice of elegance comes with a private terrace overlooking the building's garden below.
Get a look around
December 20, 2018

Grand Central train shed repairs could mean a mess for Midtown streets

The MTA recently purchased Grand Central Terminal for $35 million, a deal which gave the agency more control over development projects happening at the landmark. And in one of their first orders of business, it looks like they're mulling a massive undertaking to replace the train shed roof, according to Crain's sources. The shed is a two-level-deep underground space comprised of tracks, bridges, and viaducts used to stage and store Metro-North cars. It runs north of the terminal to East 57th Street and takes up an area larger than 20 football fields. Not only would the project cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take 20 years to complete, but Crain's notes that it would likely result in many Midtown streets being ripped up.
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December 20, 2018

‘Solar-carving’ facade is complete at Jeanne Gang’s High Line tower

Jeanne Gang's 12-story office building on the High Line has earned itself the nickname Solar Carve tower for its gem-like glass facade that was "sculpted by the angles of the sun" in order to eliminate shadows. And now, eight months after topping out, the building's signature glass curtain wall is complete, just in time to welcome tenants early this spring. In a press release announcing the milestone, Developers Aurora Capital Associates and William Gottlieb Real Estate said they believe the project, located at 40 Tenth Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets, will be "the office crown jewel of the Meatpacking District."
See more photos of the completed product
December 20, 2018

$8,000/month Nolita loft blends old-warm charm with downtown decor

For $8,000 a month, this loft-like Nolita two-bedroom offers a chic and sunny ambiance with glazed brick tiled floors, exposed wooden beams and brick walls in every room, and eclectic decor that is definitely the definition of downtown cool. With a roomy living area, large master bedroom, two full bathrooms, and all the amenities you want, this unit at 262 Mott Street is a dream.
Look around
December 19, 2018

First of Heatherwick’s bubbled condo buildings tops out on the High Line

The smaller tower in Related Companies’ High Line-straddling project has topped out. The two matching condo towers at 555 West 18th Street, one on either side of the elevated park, were designed by Heatherwick Studio as their first residential project in Manhattan. The duo has become know as the "bubble towers" for their bulging bay windows, that not only give the appearance of a building covered in bubble wrap but provide for interesting views of the park and Hudson River.
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December 19, 2018

$395K Tudor City co-op is a man cave in waiting

Woodstock Tower at 320 East 42nd Street is one of the most charming of Tudor City's collection of elegant co-op buildings, and in keeping with the complex's pre-war charm is this studio asking less than $400,000. Like so many of the itty-bitty units in Tudor City, this 240-square-foot makes the most of its footprint with a Murphy bed and built-in storage, and in this case, a very refined and handsome design that would make this the perfect man cave.
Find out more about the place
December 18, 2018

Washington Heights’ first food hall announces spring opening and vendors

Earlier this year, the Post called Washington Heights “the new Williamsburg,” after census data revealed that the upper-Manhattan neighborhood has more millennials than any other area in the entire city. After being priced out of areas like Bushwick, the Heights is a cheaper but equally convenient place to settle down. And like any good up-and-coming NYC spot, Washington Heights will soon be getting its very own food hall. Eater reports that North End Food Hall will open this spring at 4300 Broadway, at 183rd Street, with local favorites like Dashi Ramen (from the team behind Jin Ramen), Harlem Public, and Salt and Bone Smokehouse.
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December 18, 2018

A behind-the-scenes look at Gracie Mansion’s colorfully festive holiday decorations

Gracie Mansion, the residence of Mayor Bill de Blasio, is officially in full holiday spirit. The historic home, which dates back to 1799, is showing off decorations that promote some of the mayor's top initiatives, plus the overall theme of togetherness. It's all the work of New York City's First Lady Chirlane McCray and renowned event planner Bryan Rafanelli, who have been refining the vision since this summer. This is Rafanelli's second year working with McCray to decorate the people's home of New York. For 2018, they selected jewel-toned colors, lots of ribbon, and even worked in some participation from New Yorkers. Keep reading to figure out how the pair made it happen, an effort that includes bringing a 17-foot-tall tree through a narrow French door into the mansion's ballroom. The images are sure to put you in a New York holiday spirit.
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December 18, 2018

On Christmas Eve, the public can go inside Gramercy Park for one hour

Photo via Flickr cc From 6-7pm this Christmas Eve, the Gramercy Park Block Association will open the park's iron gates to the public for its annual holiday caroling hour with the local Parish of Calvary-St. George's. And though this may not seem like much time, it's probably the only chance New Yorkers will get; all other times, Gramercy Park is only accessible to those who live in the 39 building surrounding the square and are lucky enough to have one of the 400 keys.
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December 17, 2018

$2,500/month studio may be small, but it’s in the heart of the Upper West Side

The age-old question for apartment-hunting New Yorkers is space or location? And if you fall into the latter camp, this bright and cozy studio on the Upper West Side at 140 West 69th Street may be for you. It's itty bitty, but there's still a functional kitchen, clever storage built-ins, a roomy living area, and a lofted bed to open things up. And best of all, it's located at the corner of 69th and Broadway, right near Lincoln Center, the 1/2/3 trains, Trader Joes, and Central Park and a quick walk to Columbus Circle and Riverside Park. Does all that warrant the small space's $2,500/month ask?
Decide for yourself
December 17, 2018

My 280sqft: How a wellness expert used plants and DIY to open up her tiny West Village studio

"Wellness" is definitely a buzzword these days, but Ilse Paanakker, a self-described "habit-based wellness guru" is definitely not just talk. By day, Ilse works as an innovation consultant, but she's also the founder of Habit House, a wellness technology that helps women build healthy lifestyles one habit at a time. And it when it came to her 280-square-foot West Village studio, Ilse was sure to use her expertise to create a home that not only feels much larger than its tiny footprint but empowers her to maintain her personal healthy habits. From her beautifully curated collection of plants (it's "meditative to take care of them," she says) and DIY projects to her accountability board and streamlined kitchen that's perfect for meal-prep, Ilse's home is the true definition of a wellness lifestyle.
Take the tour!
December 17, 2018

Google to invest $1B in Hudson Square campus, doubling its workforce

Google will invest $1 billion to open 1.7 million square feet of office space in Hudson Square, the company announced on Monday. The new campus includes property at 315 and 345 Hudson Street and will also be centered around 550 Washington Street, the former freight terminal, St. John's Terminal. With this expansion from its Chelsea offices at 111 Eighth Avenue, Google said its workforce will double over the next 10 years, adding another 7,000 New York-based staff members.
Find out more
December 15, 2018

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): ARO, Bridgeline, Paris New York, Paramount Tower and in center, Denizen Bushwick Denizen Bushwick: The Best Rental of 2018 [LINK] The Paris New York: Upper West Side Rentals Offer 2 Months Free on 18-Month Lease [LINK] Paramount Tower: Murray Hill’s 51-Story Tower Leasing 1 to 3 Bedroom Layouts from $3,995/Month [LINK] […]

December 14, 2018

You can live on Billionaires’ Row for just $325K

It seems as if almost every day we hear of a new big-ticket sale on Manhattan's "Billionaire's Row," the glittering corridor just south of Central Park in Midtown. Eight-figure sales at a growing collection of supertalls like One57, 432 Park Avenue and 111 West 57th Street seem almost ordinary. But it's still possible to snag a home among the oligarchs and moguls: Two units on the market at the classic co-op building at 100 West 57th Street can be yours for $325K (for a studio) and $450K (for a spacious one-bedroom). If you're looking for more than a pied-a-terre, you could even combine both contiguous units and still come in under a mil.
Take a look at your options
December 13, 2018

Starbucks is opening a massive ‘immersive coffee experience’ with a cocktail bar in Chelsea

Starbucks is opening a new cafe in Chelsea on Friday, but it won't be anything like the stores that dot every block in Manhattan. Called the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, the store on 9th Avenue stretches across 23,00 square feet and three levels and promises to bring an "immersive coffee experience" for java lovers. In addition to having a working coffee roastery, the space features two coffee bars, cocktail bar, bakery, and a terrarium inspired by the Starbucks coffee farm in Costa Rica.
Take a look inside
December 12, 2018

My 1,600sqft: Adam Elzer shares what it’s like to live above his own East Village pizzeria

Adam Elzer likes being close to his work. So close in fact, that the fourth-generation New Yorker recently moved above Sauce Pizzeria, his new pizza parlor in the East Village, after previously living above Sauce Restaurant, his eatery on the Lower East Side. As the co-founder and CEO of Everyday Hospitality, Elzer, in addition to the two Sauce restaurants, also oversees LES Pizza and Coco & Cru, an Australian-inspired cafe. When he's not running his restaurants, Adam enjoys going to flea markets and mills, finding unique items and pieces of wood, upcycling them, and creating something totally new. His creativity can be seen throughout his East Village apartment, from the walls and ceilings Adam painted himself to the handmade wooden pieces, like his kitchen countertop. Ahead, tour Adam's colorful duplex, decorated with what he describes as "bohemian and rustic" decor.
See Adam's abode
December 11, 2018

Landmarks designates new Inwood historic district

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission voted today to designate the Park Terrace West-West 217th Street Historic District in the Inwood section of Manhattan. The historic district features an enclave of picturesque early 20th-century houses with landscaped topography that stand out among the neighborhood’s apartment buildings.
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December 11, 2018

For $43M, restore two Gilded Age Upper East Side co-ops to their historic grandeur

A three-bedroom co-op in the Rosario Candela-designed 720 Park Avenue, the epitome of 1920s Gilded Age grandeur, is on the market for $20 million. It was once part of an even grander duplex that belonged to onetime Macy's president and ambassador to France Jesse I. Straus. The lower unit is asking $23 million. The two owners are offering a $43M combo that could restore the home to its original impressive status with eight bedrooms and staff quarters that, according to the Wall Street Journal, include a flower room, a vegetable closet and a valet room where cuffs and collars were pressed.
See more of this impressive piece of old New York history