December 27, 2019

Bruce Willis sells 22-acre Westchester estate at a $5M discount

After nearly a year on the market, Bruce Willis has finally unloaded his 22-acre Westchester estate, reports the Wall Street Journal. The actor and his wife, Emma Heming Willis, first listed the property in January for $12.95 million but dropped the price to $9.4 million in August. The couple said they were selling since they planned to move back to the west coast, and they must have been quite eager, as they ultimately let it go for $7.66 million, a 41 percent discount and a big loss from the $12 million they bought it for in 2014.
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December 27, 2019

Cuomo vetoes bill to legalize e-bikes despite overwhelming support

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have legalized electric bikes and scooters, despite overwhelming support from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Approved by Albany in June, the bill legalized e-bikes and e-scooters, capping their speeds at 25 and 20 miles per hour, respectively, for riders aged 16 years and older. But Cuomo said the bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Nily Rozic and State Sen. Jessica Ramos, left out safety measures he had sought.
More here
December 27, 2019

Everything you need to stick to your New Year’s resolutions

You may or may not be on board with the idea of starting the new year with a set of fresh and fabulous resolutions. But everyone has goals, and if yours are among those mentioned here–from getting more sleep to seeing more art–read on for helpful hacks, simple solutions, and total game-changers.
Major improvement, this way
December 27, 2019

Ultra-high-end sales defined the 2019 real estate market

Throughout the year, there was much speculation that the real estate market was on a decline, but according to CityRealty's annual Manhattan Year-End Report, ultra-high-end sales continue to keep the market strong. On par with 2018's 228 sales, this year saw 221 sales at $10 million or more, totaling $4.6 billion, up from last year's $4.2 billion. As CityRealty tells us, this is "largely due to big-ticket purchases near the southern end of Central Park, most notably at 220 Central Park South," which accounts for one-third of that total, as well as a glut of new development condos coming online.
More details ahead
December 27, 2019

Cuomo revives proposal for high-speed rail in New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday revived a decades-long proposal to bring high-speed rail to New York. As part of his 2020 State of the State agenda, the governor said he will convene a group of experts to "reexamine and rethink strategies" to connect New York City with cities across New York. Despite being called a priority of New York leaders for decades, including former Gov. Mario Cuomo in the 1990s, the high-speed rail proposal has failed to materialize due to exorbitant costs and logistical issues.
Details this way
December 27, 2019

For $2.4M, a townhouse-sized classic seven overlooking Prospect Park

As one of the highly sought-after, elegant pre-war Park Slope co-ops that overlook Prospect Park and Grand Army Plaza, 47 Plaza Street West was built in 1928 and designed by renowned architect Rosario Candela. Asking $2.4 million, this "classic seven" unit is one of only two that share an elevator bank. And with four bedrooms and a unique corner configuration, the gracious apartment feels like a townhouse–without all the stairs. Plus, high-floor status means gorgeous views of Grand Army Plaza and the park below.
Take the tour
December 26, 2019

NYC Council members propose ‘gentrification tax’ for new homebuyers

New homebuyers in New York City could be charged property tax based on actual market prices, the New York Post reported on Wednesday. A group of city lawmakers is pressing Albany to change state laws to close a loophole that offers tax breaks to homebuyers in gentrifying neighborhoods. The "gentrification tax," as the Post called it, would have homebuyers pay market rate taxes, rather than the assessed value, as a way to make the system fairer.
More here
December 26, 2019

Jersey City set to get its first Whole Foods at Harborside

Whole Foods will be opening its first Jersey City location as part of Mack-Cali's Harborside development, Jersey Digs first reported. The 47,000 square-foot market will be housed within an existing office building at 286 Washington Street that will be retrofitted to accommodate the popular grocer. Construction hasn't started yet and an opening date has yet to be confirmed but it will likely be at some point in 2020.
More details
December 26, 2019

Amenities like a heated pool and parking garage make this $1.5M LIC loft conversion a standout

The lofts at the former Eagle Electric Manufacturing Factory at 27-28 Thomson Avenue in Long Island City, built in 1920, are uncompromisingly authentic, while the full-service Arris Lofts condo conversion benefits from the kind of impressive amenities for which the Queens neighborhood is known. Occupying 1,725 square feet of flexible living space with a bedroom, a home office, and two full baths, this generously-sized residence is quiet and sunny, configured with modern living in mind. It's asking $1.49 million.
Tour the loft
December 24, 2019

How to say goodbye to your Christmas Tree: NYC’s Mulchfest

Not quite sure how to get rid of that Christmas Tree? From December 26 to January 11, NYC will be hosting its annual Mulchfest so that you can recycle your tree at a local park. With 67 total drop-off sites throughout the five boroughs—32 of which are chipping sites—it's easier than ever to get your tree turned into mulch that will be used to help nourish trees and plants across the city.
How to participate this year
December 24, 2019

A look back at the City Hall Christmas tree lighting, a bygone NYC tradition

Image of the first Christmas tree in City Hall park in 1913; via Library of Congress In 1912, the nation's first public Christmas tree went up in Madison Square Park and sparked a new trend that would soon spread to parks across the city and beyond. The following year, acting Mayor Ardolph Kline initiated a similar tradition when he asked a young boy to help him light a Christmas tree in City Hall Park. By 1934, tree lighting celebrations became a citywide effort, with the Parks Department putting up 14 fifty-foot Norway Spruce trees throughout the city. Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia dedicated the trees from City Hall Park and broadcasted the ceremony to sites across the city.
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December 23, 2019

Where to celebrate Kwanzaa 2019 in NYC

On Thursday, the week-long holiday Kwanzaa kicks off as a celebration of African American culture and heritage in the United States. From Dec. 26, through Jan. 1, New Yorkers can learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, through traditional music and dancing, kinara lighting, African folklore storytime, and a bar crawl featuring only black-owned businesses. Ahead, find the best places in NYC to celebrate Kwanzaa, from family-friendly arts and crafts and lectures at the Brooklyn Children's Museum to live performances at Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater.
The full list, ahead
December 23, 2019

In agreement with Manhattan U.S. Attorney, Hudson Yards’ Vessel will majorly increase accessibility

In an agreement with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney, Hudson Yards developer Related Companies has agreed to significantly increase the accessibility of its Vessel public art piece. The 150-foot-tall climbable sculpture is comprised of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, nearly 2,500 individual steps, and 80 platform landings. But as it's currently engineered, only three of these platforms, all on the same side of the structure, are accessible via the elevator. According to an announcement from the Department of Justice, Related will now install a "platform lift mechanism that will allow individuals with disabilities to traverse the stairways and platforms at the top levels of the Vessel so as to enjoy 360-degree views."
More details here
December 23, 2019

Half-price MetroCards to be available to all eligible low-income New Yorkers next month

Next month, more New Yorkers will be able to buy discounted MetroCards. The city will launch open enrollment for its Fair Fares program on Jan. 27, allowing all eligible individuals at or below the Federal Poverty line to purchase half-price MetroCards, Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced Friday. Currently, the program, which began early this year, only applies to some residents of the city's public housing, CUNY students, veteran students, or New Yorkers receiving city benefits like SNAP.
Get the details
December 23, 2019

168th Street and Astoria Boulevard subway stations finally reopen

After a year, the 168th Street 1 train station has finally reopened, marking the first complete elevator replacement at this stop in more than 100 years. In addition, last week, the MTA announced that the Astoria Boulevard N, W station has reopened after nine months and the completion of the first phase of its station modernization.
More info
December 23, 2019

North America’s first indoor ski resort is now open at New Jersey’s American Dream mega-mall

New Jersey's three-million-square-foot American Dream mega-mall has added another attraction to its phased opening: a 16-story, climate-controlled indoor ski slope. Big SNOW is the first of its kind in North America and aims to make it easier for skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes. The location offers equipment rentals, lessons, private coaching, children's programs, and private events.
More info
December 23, 2019

This Yorkville studio gets top-floor light for a bargain basement $325K

Asking $325,000, this cozy co-op's Yorkville location at 321 East 89th Street between Central Park and Carl Schurz park means you've got a choice between the two green spaces–and the new Q line stops three blocks away. The tucked-away top-floor studio is served by an elevator, so getting home doesn't have to be a workout.
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December 20, 2019

Dumbo’s Time Out Market adds rooftop igloos for festive cocktails

Ever since Instagram made popular Midtown bar 230 Fifth's rooftop "igloos" an international sensation, other drinking and dining establishments have been hopping on the dome train, too. The latest comes from Dumbo's Time Out Market food hall, where guests can enjoy a special wintery cocktail menu in an enclosed bubble overlooking the Manhattan Bridge and skyline. Called the Rooftop Iglounge, the three domes are available on a first-come basis and can each accommodate eight guests.
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December 20, 2019

Dunkin’ and MetroPCS thrive in NYC despite overall drop in number of chain stores

The number of chain stores in New York City dropped for the second consecutive year, down 3.7 percent in 2019, according to a new report. Despite this decline in retailers, two stores continue to grow across the five boroughs: Dunkin' and Metro by T-Mobile. The Center for an Urban Future's annual "State of the Chains" report found that the coffee chain is the city's largest national retailer with 636 total stores, adding 12 locations since 2018, followed by the cell phone store, formerly called MetroPCS, which operates 468 stores citywide.
More this way
December 20, 2019

Judge overturns city’s plan to rezone Inwood

A state Supreme Court judge on Thursday overturned land-use changes approved by the City Council in 2018 to rezone the neighborhood of Inwood. A group of local residents and preservationists filed a lawsuit against the rezoning last December, claiming the plan did nothing to protect the community from displacement, as well as other effects of gentrification. In the decision, Judge Verna Saunders said the city "failed to take a hard look at the relevant areas of concern identified by the public" and did not comply with a state environmental quality review.
Learn more here
December 20, 2019

These are the 68 subway stations the MTA will make fully accessible

Less than 25 percent of the NYC subway's 472 stations are accessible, but the MTA has pledged to increase that percentage to roughly 40 under it's proposed $51.5 billion 2020-2024 Capital Plan. Back in September, the agency revealed the first 48 stations it would make fully ADA accessible, and now they have announced 20 more (the final two will be announced at a later date), all of which will receive a $5.2 billion investment. Through the upgrades, the MTA's goal is to ensure that no rider is more than two stops from an accessible station.
See the full list of stations
December 20, 2019

100 spots open on waitlist for modern Greenpoint rental near the Pulaski Bridge

Applications are now being accepted for a 100-spot waitlist for a rental building in Greenpoint. Located at 215 Freeman Street at the foot of the Pulaski Bridge, the building sits near all Manhattan Avenue has to offer, with easy access to Long Island City and beyond via the bridge's pedestrian path. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply to be placed on the waitlist for the apartments, which include one-bedrooms priced between $2,270 and $2,542 per month and two-bedrooms between $2,733 and $3,063 per month.
Do you qualify?
December 20, 2019

NYC Council seeks to terminate Trump Organization’s contracts with the Parks Department

Manhattan Councilman Mark Levine introduced a resolution on Thursday urging Mayor Bill de Blasio to terminate the Trump Organization's ongoing contracts with the city, the Daily News reports. The president's company has four contracts with the Parks Department to operate the Lasker and Wollman Skating Rinks in Central Park, the Central Park Carousel, and the Trump Golf Links in the Bronx. Levine—who issued similar demands in 2018 and 2015—argued that the contracts violate the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the Constitution and that Trump's association with the venues is causing the city to lose money.
More info
December 19, 2019

See BIG and WXY’s vision for a pedestrian-friendly Downtown Brooklyn

A plan to improve the streets and public space of Downtown Brooklyn was unveiled on Thursday, as officials look to accommodate the area's booming population. Created in collaboration with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Bjarke Ingels Group, and WXY architecture + urban design, the "Public Realm Action Plan" calls for fewer cars, more bike lanes, a bus-only lane, and more parks and plazas. As first reported by CityLab, the proposal takes ideas from already-implemented street redesigns, like the new 14th Street busway. 
See the plan
December 19, 2019

Artist Kent Monkman’s new murals at The Met reexamine Manhattan’s colonial past

Two new paintings by Canadian Cree artist Kent Monkman are now on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Great Hall. As part of a new series in which the museum invites contemporary artists to make work in response to the Met collection, Monkman reappropriated motifs from Western artists such as Emanuel Leutze and Eugéne Delacroix to tell a different narrative that foregrounds themes of arrival, migration, displacement, and the Indigenous experience.
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December 19, 2019

14 historic sites of the abolitionist movement in Greenwich Village

As this year marks 400 years since the first African slaves were brought to America, much attention has been paid to what that means and how to remember this solemn anniversary. The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission issued a story map highlighting landmarks of the abolitionist movement in New York City. Absent from the map were a number of incredibly important sites in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho, which were a hotbed of abolitionist activity through the 19th century, as well as the home of the city’s largest African American community. Ahead, learn about 14 significant sites of the anti-slavery movement.
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December 19, 2019

MTA approves $17B budget that includes controversial addition of 500 more subway cops

When the MTA unveiled its proposed $17 billion 2020 budget and four-year financial plan in November, one of the biggest takeaways was a proposal conceived by Governor Cuomo to increase the number of MTA police officers in subway stations by 500--a 20 percent increase--over the next four years. Though he said it was necessary to address "quality of life" issues such as homelessness, panhandling, and fare evasion, those in opposition pointed to its $249 million price tag, which will only add to the MTA's projected operating deficit of $433 million by 2023. In the lead up to the plan being approved yesterday, elected officials also expressed concern over how the plan will affect low-income New Yorkers. "Arresting hard-working people who cannot afford a $2.75 fare is, in effect the criminalization of poverty," wrote Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a letter to the Governor.
Find out more
December 19, 2019

For $24 million, a penthouse in Rafael Viñoly’s latest Nomad tower features an impressive loggia

As we’ve watched Rafael Viñoly’s Nomad tower at 277 Fifth Avenue rise, its pared-down yet distinctive facade has drawn our attention to the building’s double-height, open-air loggias that appear to be carved out of the building’s uppermost corners. Now that the building is complete, new images of a recently listed penthouse offer a glimpse of what those spaces are like from the other side. Seeking $24 million, the residence is one of four penthouses atop the 720-foot tower, spanning roughly 4,520 square feet.
Get the full tour
December 19, 2019

St. Mark’s studio with a working fireplace is a cozy little slice of East Village life for $475K

Though St. Mark's Place in the East Village may not be the colorful alt-culture adventure it once was, it's still central to a neighborhood that never stops moving. This compact co-op studio at 87 St. Mark's Place is in the center of it all, yet it's buttoned up, fitted out, and ready for the next adventurer to enjoy. Attributes like a working fireplace and a built-in Murphy bed make the space feel like home.
More cute studio, this way
December 18, 2019

For $490K, this Bushwick studio includes amenities, parking, and a private terrace

If you're looking for a sleek pied-a-terre or an attractive investment condo in buzzy central Bushwick, this compact studio at 364 Harman Street fits the bill. At $490,000, the brand-new condominium offers amenities–like a gym and a parking garage–not often found in newly-constructed boutique buildings in the neighborhood. A private terrace adds to the list of enviable perks.
Get a closer look
December 18, 2019

De Blasio unveils $100M plan to end long-term street homelessness

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday released a plan to get 3,600 homeless New Yorkers off city streets within five years. The six-point initiative adds new "safe haven" beds, creates 1,000 permanent units of housing, provides new health resources, and ramps up the city's outreach response. Named The Journey Home, the $100 million plan comes as the number of those experiencing homelessness in the city has reached the highest levels in nearly 100 years, with more than 60,000 people currently living in homeless shelters.
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December 18, 2019

The Collective announces a new Williamsburg co-living location with student housing included

The Collective is wrapping up a busy year with news of its latest co-living development at 292 North 8th Street in Williamsburg. Stonehill Taylor will design a 100,000-square-foot building comprised of 224 studios. Ninety-seven of those are to be set aside for students, and the remaining 127 rooms will be geared toward nightly and monthly stays. The North 8th Street location is one of three now underway in Brooklyn. A forthcoming flagship location is in the works at 555 Broadway in South Williamsburg, and a Sou Fujimoto-designed building will soon take shape at the site of the former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy. All three Brooklyn locations are set to open in 2022.
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December 18, 2019

Chase, Joe Coffee, and By CHLOE. are now open in former Union Square Coffee Shop location

The prominent Union Square storefront on 16th Street and Union Square West that was home to sceney restaurant Coffee Shop for 28 years has changed quite a bit since the former diner closed its doors last October. Reports that yet another Chase branch and an outpost of vegan chain By CHLOE. would open in its place were confirmed a few months ago, and now the transformation is complete. A new location for Joe Coffee is also open in the building, and, interestingly, is part of a partnership with Chase, according to the Wall Street Journal. With an entrance on 16th Street, By CHLOE.'s colorful storefront stands where the former diner's back dining room used to be, while the Union Square side has lost its iconic neon sign for ubiquitous Chase branding.
Find out more right here
December 18, 2019

The top 10 books New Yorkers borrowed from NYPL in 2019

Library patrons in New York City checked out former first lady Michelle Obama's autobiography Becoming the most out of any book this year. The New York Public Library shared on Wednesday its annual top checkouts list from its branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, as well as its e-book catalog. Becoming, ranked as one of the best-selling memoirs of all time, follows the story of Obama's life, from growing up on the South Side of Chicago to becoming the first African American to serve as First Lady of the United States.
See the full list
December 18, 2019

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

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
December 18, 2019

The city’s first LGBT-friendly affordable senior housing opens in Fort Greene

New York City’s first affordable LGBT-friendly senior housing complex has opened in Fort Greene. Originally called the Ingersoll Senior Residences, the project—which is the first to be completed under the city’s controversial plan to lease NYCHA land to private developers—was dubbed Stonewall House in honor of the 1969 riots that launched the modern LGBT movement. The building comprises 145 apartments that will be available to seniors 62 years and older who make 50 percent or less of the area median income, with 25 percent of the units set aside for formerly homeless tenants.
More details
December 17, 2019

NYC’s third-priciest apartment ever just sold at 220 Central Park South for $92.7M

Despite some trepidation about the luxury sales market, the year is finishing strong, at least near Billionaires' Row, which was just named the most expensive street in the entire world. As the NY Post first reported, property records filed today show a $92.7 million penthouse sale at 220 Central Park South, making it the third-most-expensive NYC sale ever, behind billionaire Ken Griffith’s $238 million purchase also at 220 CPS in early 2019 and Michael Dell's $100 million buy at One57 in 2015. Though it was purchased by an anonymous LLC, the Wall Street Journal uncovered that billionaire hedge-funder Daniel Och is the buyer.
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December 17, 2019

For $3.5M, this 1829 Amagansett farmhouse is the picture of East End tranquility, pool included

This postcard-worthy 1829 farmhouse at 384 Main Street in Amagansett village has been meticulously renovated from its gracious front porch and Greek Revival doorway to a gunite pool and boxwood hedges. Located in a prime south-of-highway Hamptons location overlooking protected farm fields, the home, asking $3.475 million, sits on just over half an acre. The property can legally be a bed and breakfast for even more possibilities.
Take the tour
December 17, 2019

How to spend New Year’s Eve 2020 in NYC without going near Times Square

New Year’s Eve is one of those events where it seems all of humanity has converged upon New York City. If you fancy rubbing shoulders (or more) with at least a million of them, Times Square is your best bet. But if you’d rather enjoy a more curated, yet still public, experience, check out any of the many events happening in the city as the second decade of the millennium lurches to a close; below is just a sampling. Debauch responsibly–hindsight, as they say, is 2020.
2020, this way
December 17, 2019

Billionaire’s Row tops list of most expensive streets in the world

A new study of the top "ultra-prime" locations in the world dispels any doubt that Billionaire's Row is living up to its name. London-based property consultancy Knight Frank, along with Douglas Elliman, looked at the number of homes sold for over $25 million since 2015 and found the greatest concentration along Midtown's 57th Street, where 41 transactions have been closed in the last five years at an average price of $38.5 million. Manhattan cracked the top ten three more times, with Central Park South coming in third, followed by Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue in fourth and seventh place.
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December 17, 2019

This $2.6M Upper West Side brownstone co-op has a beautiful back garden and a well-appointed cellar

On a gorgeous brownstone-lined street on the Upper West Side, this garden-floor co-op at 50 West 70th Street is less than a block from Central Park. In case you don't even want to venture that far, this $2.565 million home has a lovely landscaped private garden just beyond a wall of sliding glass doors. Technically a duplex, with several possibilities for bedrooms, this renovated co-op occupies the ground floor and the floor below in a 23-foot-wide 1893 townhouse. The renovation has incorporated well-considered finishings throughout, and an open layout gives it a loft-like feel. The large lower level means there's lots of space to use for whatever you need most.
Take the tour
December 17, 2019

Borough president rejects plan for five-building luxury development in Harlem

A developer's plan to rezone a neighborhood in Central Harlem to make way for a mixed-use development hit another roadblock this week. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer on Monday rejected a rezoning application filed by the Olnick Organization to construct five 28-story luxury towers and one mid-rise building located at the existing Lenox Terrace complex. In her recommendation, Brewer said the project lacks the "public and private investments necessary to make it a prudent exercise of planning for future growth."
More here
December 16, 2019

Snap a photo with the ‘2020’ New Year’s Eve sign in Times Square

The new year has arrived in New York City...at least in numbers. Two seven-foot-tall numerals, the "2" and "0" in 2020, are currently on display in Times Square, offering the public a chance to snap a photo with the famous digits before they are placed on top of One Times Square. The 2020 signage sits below the crystal-filled New Year's Eve ball and will light up at midnight on December 31, marking the start of a new decade.
Details here
December 16, 2019

Practice your putting at this $3.65M Tribeca penthouse, featuring three outdoor spaces

This duplex at 73 Worth Street in Tribeca comes with three terraces, one of which has been converted into a private putting green. Despite boasting a true rarity, the unit has a history of being competitively priced in one of Manhattan’s most expensive neighborhoods: It last sold in 2010 for $2.475 million and is now seeking $3.650 million, making it the only four-bedroom with outdoor space currently available in Tribeca under $5 million.
Get the full tour
December 16, 2019

14th Street busway gets city’s first all-electric bus fleet as its ridership soars

The first of the city's new electric buses hit the streets on Sunday, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority moves to fully electrify their fleet by 2040. Fifteen new electric articulated buses will run on the M14 Select Bus Service route on the 14th Street busway, a car-free strip between Third and Ninth Avenues introduced by the city in October as a way to speed up commutes. The busway has proven popular with riders, with new data showing a significant increase of M14 SBS ridership compared to last year. 
More here
December 16, 2019

NYC real estate experts offer their 2020 predictions

In some ways, 2019 was a continuation of the past few years: political and global uncertainty loomed over the New York real estate market, development continued at a steady pace, and prices were as high as ever. (Oh wait -- they were actually higher.) But the year also brought notable changes, from a total overhaul of rent and tenant protections, increased urgency in regards to climate change, an increasingly buyer's market, and dry-up of the once pervasive rental concessions. So what's in store for the year ahead? Real estate experts believe sustained political uncertainty -- particularly around an election year -- could mean buyers proceed cautiously. The new rent laws will undoubtedly shape New York, as both the rental and condo markets tighten. Pre-war design will make a comeback in defiance of glassy modern architecture, while the focus on sustainability will increase and amenities will become more flexible.
Keep reading for the 6sqft's full roundup of 2020 predictions.
December 16, 2019

Asking $50M, the Greenwich Village Milbank House is twice as wide as the average townhouse

Between Russian-born billionaire Roman Abramovitch's three-townhouse Upper East Side combo, Sarah Jessica Parker's Village two-fer plans, and the many similar but less newsworthy grandiose schemes by modern-day moguls to collect and build dream castles, the mega-mansion may seem like a sign of 21st-century excess. But the practice has a long history, as evidenced by this 54.5-foot-wide Greenwich Village property at 11 West 10th Street that just hit the market for a trophy-level $50 million, which could set a townhouse record below 34th Street, according to the New York Times. Built by renowned architect Ernest Flagg in the early 1800s, the duo was combined in the early 1900s by investor Jeremiah Milbank, creating a 16,560-square-foot, L-shaped property surrounded by 5,690 square feet of private terrace. Today, it's been renovated from stem to stern and is ready to welcome a new decade's decadence.
Megamansion tour, this way
December 16, 2019

A 266-unit affordable senior housing complex with focus on health and wellness to open in Brooklyn

A medical center in Brooklyn will be developed into a mixed-use complex with affordable housing, on-site counseling service, fitness programs, and integrated health care. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week plans to transform the current Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus, located between Prospect Lefferts Gardens and East Flatbush, into Kingsbrook Estate, a three-building development with 266 units of affordable housing. Designed by Dattner Architects in collaboration with landscape architecture firm terrain, the development falls under the state's Vital Brooklyn plan, created in 2017 to bring more housing and jobs to the Central Brooklyn area.
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December 13, 2019

Gramercy Park will open to the public on Christmas Eve for one hour

Photo by Sean Brady, courtesy of the Gramercy Park Block Association It's a Christmas Eve miracle. The gates to Gramercy Park will open to all for one hour on Dec. 24, the only time of year the public can enjoy the exclusive greenspace. The Gramercy Park Block Association on Friday confirmed to 6sqft that the private park between East 20th and East 21st Street will once again open from 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. for caroling this Christmas Eve. All other times of the year, the park is only accessible to residents with one of the 400 keys, provided to those who live in the 39 buildings surrounding the square.
What you need to know
December 13, 2019

Announcing 6sqft’s 2019 Building of the Year!

The votes have been tallied, and it’s time to name the 2019 Building of the Year! The winning title belongs to none other than Nomad's Madison House at 15 East 30th Street. The 62-story tower beat out 11 other significant NYC buildings, taking first place with 1,284 votes, 34% of the 3,823 total votes cast. Not only is the building the tallest in Nomad at 805 feet, but its sleek design from Handel Architects was done in a unique decagon shape that allows all of the 199 apartments to have column-free corners. Plus, Nomad is an ever-burgeoning neighborhood full of hip restaurants, plenty of transit options, and one of the city's greatest concentrations of fitness studios.
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