September 30, 2019

Upper West Side group wants a stretch of Broadway to go car-free

It's been 10 years since Times Square went car-free along Broadway, with pedestrian plazas at Herald Square, Madison Square, Union Square North, Grand Army Plaza, and many more soon following. And now, a local Upper West Side group hopes the city will agree to do the same for the northbound stretch of Broadway from 73rd to 79th streets. As Streetsblog reported, last weekend, Streetopia Upper West Side hosted an event, “Celebrate Broadway,” where they closed this portion of the road and filled it with tables and hosted performances in hopes that the enthusiasm will lead to a permanent closure of traffic.
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September 30, 2019

DOT plans to roll out 14th Street ‘busway’ this week after judges give the stalled project a green light

It looks like the 14th Street busway will finally roll out this week following a court ruling on Friday. As Streetsblog reported, a panel of judges from New York State Supreme Court's Appellate Division voted 3-2 to overturn an August 9th ruling that blocked the city from starting the pilot program. Not long after Friday's order was handed down, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Transportation confirmed plans to begin implementing the busway on Thursday, October 3.
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September 30, 2019

Report suggests looking to zoning to speed up subway accessibility; map shows which lines lag

Despite recent progress–and a federal lawsuit–only 23 percent of New York City's 493 subway and Staten Island Railway (SIR) stations are fully ADA-accessible, a statistic which puts the city dead last among the country’s 10 largest metro systems for accessibility of its transit stations. The MTA has made a commitment to funding accessibility in its much-discussed Capital Plan, but hundreds of stations are still without without plans for ADA access. On Friday Speaker Corey Johnson and the City Council released a report showing that the use of zoning tools to incentivize or require private development projects to address subway station access could speed up progress toward the goal of system-wide ADA access–and simultaneously cut public expense. The report, and an interactive map, show the current system, future plans and what the use of zoning tools could accomplish.
Find out more
September 30, 2019

Canarsie Tunnel rehab to wrap up early, full L train service expected in April

Repair work of the century-old Canarsie Tunnel will wrap up three months early, bringing full L train service to commuters as early as April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday. The original construction plan from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority called for the subway line to totally shut down for 15 months during the repairs. Last winter, a few months before work was set to begin, the governor stepped in with a new plan that avoided a full shutdown of L train service.
Find out more
September 30, 2019

$3M Chelsea duplex is lofty and light with lots of built-ins

Within walking distance of Chelsea Market, Union Square, and more, this three-bedroom Chelsea loft at 214 West 17th Street checks a lot of boxes. Beyond the location, the pad is in mint condition following a recent renovation and comes with conveniences like central air-conditioning and private laundry. The residence previously sold in 2012 for $1.865 million and is now back on the market with a fresh look and a $2.995 million price tag.
Take a look inside
September 27, 2019

Live near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, from $1,075/month

A lottery will launch next week for 36 middle-income units in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. Located at 3470 Fort Independence Street, the newly constructed building sits about a ten-minute walk from New York City's third-largest park, Van Cortlandt Park, and steps from Jerome Park Reservoir. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,075/month studios to $2,388/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
September 27, 2019

Get to know Bay Ridge in the Urban Archive scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt can be a great way to get to know a new neighborhood–or discover things about its history that you might never have learned. Join Urban Archive, the Historic Districts Council, and the New York City Department of Records for a scavenger hunt using the Urban Archive app in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn on Sunday, October 6th.
Start hunting, this way
September 27, 2019

Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

During a Brooklyn Community Board 2 meeting on Wednesday, the group's Youth, Education, and Cultural Affairs Committee voted to rename Downtown Brooklyn's proposed Willoughby Square Park, as Curbed NY first reported. Jacob Morris, a historian and the head of the Harlem Historical Society and the New York City Freedom Trail, initially brought forward a resolution to co-name the square Abolitionist Place Park. By the end of the meeting, the board decided to recommend a full renaming to the city's Economic Development Corporation. The resolution will be voted on by CB2's full board on Oct. 7.
Details here
September 27, 2019

Mod Montauk retreat with surf-inspired interiors asks $1.95M

A mere five minutes from Ditch Plains beach, this surf-inspired Montauk house at 48 South Federal Street was designed by Studio Robert McKinley, known for interiors with laid-back style, including the venerable Surf Lodge. This fetching four-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot getaway on a half-acre hilltop lot has a heated pool outside and lots of light and space indoors. It's the kind of move-in ready summer spot that seems well worth its $1.95 million ask.
Take a tour of this beachy retreat
September 27, 2019

Archtober 2019: Top 10 events and program highlights

Archtober is an annual architecture and design festival consisting of tours, events, films, lectures and exhibitions celebrating New York City's love affair with the built environment. During the month of October, a full calendar of events puts a focus on the importance–and the future–of architecture and design. Organized by the Center for Architecture, over 80 partner and sponsor organizations across the city add their voices to the festival. Now in its ninth year, Archtober offers something for everyone—from the arch-intellectual with a love for concept to the armchair designer with a thing for waterways, parks or sustainable design—in the 100+ event roster. Below, we pick 10 intriguing highlights from this year’s offerings.
Celebrate architecture and NYC at these cool events
September 27, 2019

The new year will bring toll and fare hikes for NY-NJ bridges and tunnels

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey voted to increase tolls and fares on Hudson River bridges and tunnels, paving the way for a costlier commute between New Jersey and New York. The agency also imposed fees on taxis and for-hire vehicles at the area's major airports and raised fares on the JFK and Newark AirTrain. The new tolls on bridges and tunnels will go into effect on January 5, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Find out what you'll be paying
September 26, 2019

New MCNY exhibit highlights the Native American community in NYC

In honor of the 50th anniversary of New York's American Indian Community House on the Lower East Side, the Museum of the City of New York's newest exhibit, "Urban Indian: Native New York Now" will feature contemporary art, documentary film, and community memorabilia from Native American New Yorkers. While New York's Mohawk community is famous for having helped build many of New York's most iconic buildings, the Native American community in NYC is exceptionally diverse (the American Indian Community House counts 72 different tribal affiliations amongst its members.) Accordingly, the exhibit puts "shared authority, self-representation and collaboration" at its center.
Learn More!
September 26, 2019

The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets The Nets have revealed a new primary court design just in time for the 2019-20 season. It's the first full redesign of the court since the Nets moved to Barclays Center in 2012 and it's very much inspired by the team's roots.  The new floors retained their trademark herringbone pattern but got updated with a fresh gray hue—an unusual, but symbolic, choice.
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September 26, 2019

A-Rod takes another swing at NYC real estate, buys second apartment building

As a rookie in the New York City real estate game, Alex Rodriguez is trying to hit it out of the park. The former New York Yankee has picked up a second apartment building, a 14-story residence in Turtle Bay, as first reported by the New York Post. In June, A-Rod bought his first major Big Apple purchase, a 21-unit rental in the East Village with Barbara Corcoran, who founded the eponymous real estate firm and is an investor on the television show Shark Tank.
More here
September 26, 2019

18 places to celebrate Oktoberfest in and around New York City

Grab some lederhosen and a giant beer, it's time to celebrate Bavarian culture in New York City. Oktoberfest has officially arrived in the five boroughs and beyond, offering the chance to travel to Munich without a passport. Festivities range from traditional stein-holding competitions and pig roasts to more out-of-the-box events, like the Voelker Orth Museum's Flushing-style Oktoberfest with sauerkraut and kimchi eats and brews in the zoo at Turtle Back Zoo.
Get the full list
September 26, 2019

Cuomo breaks ground on Belmont Park arena; see new renderings of Islanders’ future home

In a ground-breaking ceremony that included the New York Islanders, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, local leaders and hockey fans, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week heralded construction of the New York Islanders' new arena at Belmont Park. The arena will anchor the $1.3 billion Belmont Park redevelopment project that promises to create 10,000 jobs and generate $2.7 billion in economic activity for the region. The new 19,000-seat arena, which will host the hockey team and other events, is part of the governor's effort to transform 43 acres of parking lots into a top destination for sports, hospitality and retail, with a 250-key hotel, a retail village and office and community space to come.
More new renderings, this way
September 26, 2019

MTA board approves $51.5B capital plan, largest in the agency’s history

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday approved its largest capital plan ever, with a $51.5 billion investment in the city's transit system. The 2020-2024 capital plan will invest a whopping $40 billion in subway and buses alone, which includes fully funding the long-awaited second phase of the Second Avenue Subway. In phase two, three new subway stations will be built with the Q train extending to East Harlem.
Details this way
September 26, 2019

Chic Cobble Hill townhouse in converted Long Island College Hospital building asks $5.4M

This four-bedroom unit at 355 Henry Street is one of three townhouse conversions inside the former Long Island College Hospital's Lamm Institute building (previously 110 Amity Street). The French Renaissance-style structure was designed by William C. Hough and constructed in 1902. It originally served as nurses residence's before the Lamm Institute for Developmental Disorders moved in during the 1970s. The landmarked Cobble Hill building and three adjacent lots were sold to investors in 2007 for $6 million. The modernized residence sprawls over four stories and boasts a roof deck with harbor views for the asking price of $5.4 million.
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September 25, 2019

Sou Fujimoto will design co-living complex at former Slave Theater site, his first New York project

Days after filing building permits for 1215 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy—the site of the former Slave Theatre—London-based co-living startup The Collective has announced it will be partnering with renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto on the design, his first in New York. The 10-story structure will span over 240,000 square feet and be comprised of three buildings connected by an expansive “ground-floor hub” designed to feel like “an extension of the street.” The project aims to create “a new idea of how a community can come together in a building,” as the architects explained in a design statement.
Take a first look at the renderings
September 25, 2019

City’s Gowanus Canal cleanup plan gets squashed by Trump’s EPA

Photo by Danny Navarro / Flickr cc Since taking office, Donald Trump and his administration have been proposing cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would decrease funding for the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal. Declared a federal Superfund site in 2010, the Canal has a major issue with combined sewer overflow (CSO), which occurs when heavy rainfall overtaxes the sewer system and causes stormwater runoff and wastewater to empty into the waterway. As Brooklyn Eagle reports, the city's proposal to mitigate this issue was to "replace two [CSO] retention tanks holding 8 and 4 million gallons with a 16 million-gallon CSO tunnel running beneath the upper portion of the canal." However, in a letter obtained by the Eagle, Trump EPA appointee Pete Lopez said that they would instead install two large retention tanks along the Canal walls.
What next?
September 25, 2019

As Hart Island nears capacity, city seeks new public cemetery sites

The city is looking for land to build a new public cemetery for residents who were unclaimed or unable to afford a burial. The city's Human Resources Administration on Tuesday issued a request for information (RFI) from private burial companies to develop ideas for new cemeteries, citing concerns over the lack of space on Hart Island, land located off the Bronx where more than one million people have been buried since the Civil War. The RFI comes as the City Council recently finalized a package of bills to reform the Island, as well as the city's process for public burials.
More here
September 25, 2019

Famed Clinton Hill Pfizer Mansion with a rock-n-roll past and a $5M renovation lowers ask to $10M

Photo credit: Rayon Richards and Connie Zhou, courtesy The Corcoran Group In brownstone Brooklyn, there are dozens of grand homes that have historic significance and even more that are dazzling showcases of considered design. The unique 10,000-square-foot double mansion at 280 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill happens to be one of Brooklyn's finest examples of both. Known as the Pfizer Mansion–it was built in 1887 by Charles Erhart, co-founder of the Pfizer pharmaceutical company and brother-in-law to Charles Pfizer–the block-through property had a full slate of interesting inhabitants, from a library to industrial band rockers, before receiving an epic renovation from its current owner. That same owner, designer Jessica Warren, who purchased the property in 2007 for $3.2 million, spent many years and many millions restoring the house to a stunning degree that surpassed even its former glory. The home, which has been featured in numerous design publications, has most recently been a beloved B & B known as The Notorious B.N.B. The current owners put the house on the market in 2018 for $13.5 million. After a year and a broker switch, it's now asking $9.995 million–and it's worth every penny, from its graceful, curving windows to a working Otis elevator and private parking space.
Tour this colorful and beautiful Brooklyn home
September 25, 2019

Facebook sets its sights on Midtown’s former Farley Post Office for new office space

Facebook has been on the hunt for office space in NYC for several months and now the tech giant has set its sights on the former James A. Farley Post Office, as the New York Post first reported. Sources say the company plans to lease all 740,000 square feet of office space currently being built in the old post office across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. The landmarked building—redubbed Moynihan Train Hall—is being redeveloped by a team including Related, Vornado Realty Trust, Skanska USA and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It's on track to open next year.
Here's what we know so far
September 25, 2019

The making of Hudson Yards’ Spanish market: Meet the team behind Mercado Little Spain

When New York Times food critic Pete Wells visited José Andrés' Mercado Little Spain, he declared that it had "more great food and drinks per square foot than anywhere else in New York." From Ibérico hams and Peking duck to the seemingly simple yet ever-pleasing pan con tomate, the food at Hudson Yards' Spanish market has certainly made its mark on the gastronomy scene. But what sets Andrés apart from other chefs and restauranteurs is his entire vision. Mercado Little Spain is designed as a series of "streets," with the various kiosks leading guests on a curated experience. Most of the design elements and materials were sourced from Spain, and the artists commissioned represent different regions of the country. To bring his vision to life, Andrés assembled a stellar team, including Michael Doneff, the Chief Marketing Officer at his ThinkFoodGroup; Juli Capella, co-founder of Spanish architecture and design firm Capella Garcia Architecture; and NYC-based design studio (and NYC food hall experts) ICRAVE. Ahead, take a behind-the-scenes tour of Mercado Little Spain and hear from all these amazing and talented collaborators on what it was like working on the project.
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September 25, 2019

See inside Long Island City’s new public library designed by Steven Holl Architects

Despite standing just 82 feet tall, the new Hunters Point Library manages to stand out among its skyscraper neighbors on the Long Island City waterfront. The concrete structure, designed by Steven Holl Architects, officially opened to the public Tuesday, about two decades after officials proposed building a new Queens Public Library branch. The delays, and the whopping $40 million price tag, appear to have been worth it, as the building, with its carved windows and incredible skyline views, continues to garner approval from top architecture critics.
Take the tour
September 24, 2019

IKEA will open in Queens next summer

IKEA is coming to Queens. The Swedish furniture store announced on Tuesday plans to open a new location at a shopping center in Rego Park next summer. The store, located in the Rego Center, will be the first in the United States with a new layout, according to the company.
More here
September 24, 2019

Owner of The Strand Book Store will challenge landmark status in court

Following a City Council Land Use Committee vote on Monday that confirmed the landmark designation of The Strand, store owner Nancy Bass Wyden said she will sue the city. Wyden has been staunchly opposed to the designation since the building at 826 Broadway was first calendered, citing concerns about costly construction and renovation work that could force her out of the business her grandfather started 92 years ago. Wyden will sue the Landmarks Preservation Commission in Manhattan Federal Court "to start," according to the Daily News, who spoke with her lawyer, Alex Urbelis. Politicians "picked the wrong bookstore and they certainly picked the wrong woman,” Urbelis said.
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September 24, 2019

Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

An English-style castle in New Jersey has returned to the market, offering potential buyers the chance to feel like royalty near the Ramapo Mountains. Asking $39 million, the three-story Darlington Mansion sits on over 12 acres in Mahwah and contains 58 rooms. Constructed in 1907 by George Crocker, the son of railroad baron Charles Crocker, the estate has been modernly restored over the last decade, all while retaining original materials and architectural elements. The mansion, also known as the Crocker Mansion, last listed in 2017 for $48 million.
See inside
September 24, 2019

Own a 6,670-square-foot Tribeca townhouse with a garden, private garage and condo amenities for $15M

From the outside, the five-story townhouse at 3 Collister Street gives the appearance of being a modernist  loft building, customized with a facade wall of windows to provide lucky homeowners with light and views. Within, the Tribeca home is a 6,670-square-foot mansion of a luxury home, with five bedrooms, a private garage, a private elevator, a back garden and a roof deck. But unlike even the most tricked-out of city townhouses, this home, asking $14.995 million and offered to the public for the first time, comes with the amenities of a full-service condominium–in this case one designed by BKSK Architects.
The best of all possible worlds, this way
September 24, 2019

$1.7M Upper East Side duplex offers classic uptown elegance

Right in the middle of the block between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, this two-bedroom duplex at 12 East 64th Street boasts an impressive address on the Upper East Side's posh Gold Coast, just steps away from Central Park and surrounded by the area's grand limestone mansions. Inside, original architectural details like elaborate molding, woodwork, and mantels bring charm to every room. The classic residence is now on the market, seeking $1.7 million.
Take a look around
September 23, 2019

Governors Island gains its first year-round home for the arts

A permanent arts center opened on Governors Island last week, becoming the 172-acre site's first year-round tenant dedicated to arts and culture. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has transformed a 19th-century warehouse into a 40,000-square-foot space for arts and educational programming. LMCC partnered with the Trust for Governors Island on the $12 million renovation, with designs from PEI Cobb Freed & Partners and Adamson Associates Architects. Historic details of the building were retained while enabling space for galleries, studios, rehearsal space, and an indoor cafe.
See the space
September 23, 2019

Site of former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy will get a 10-story co-living and hotel building

London-based communal living company The Collective filed a building permit application last week for a planned development on the site of the former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy, which the company bought earlier this year for $32.5 million. As Brownstoner first reported, the application is for a 10-story, roughly 161,000-square-foot structure that will comprise residential units, a hotel, and community space. Ismael Leyva Architects will lead the project, which is expected to include 136 apartments, 222 hotel rooms, underground parking, a restaurant, a public courtyard, spa lounges, and other amenities. The finished building is expected to open in 2022.
Find out more
September 23, 2019

The original honeycomb skylight shines at this $2.65M Soho loft

If you're looking for a quintessential downtown loft, 16-foot ceilings, exposed brick, lofted bedrooms and all, but don't want to deal with renovations and taming a raw space, this two-bedroom co-op at 41 Crosby Street  (also known as 428 Broome Street) fits the bill. Traditional loft proportions and 1870s detail frame modern necessities like central air, heated floors, custom closets and a mansion-worthy kitchen. Asking $2.65 million, this Soho home spans 2,452 square feet, with a layout that emphasizes privacy (for a loft, that is) and comfort.
Tour the loft
September 23, 2019

$139M street repair and infrastructure upgrade project kicks off in Far Rockaway

About 25 blocks of Downtown Far Rockaway will soon see major changes as the Queens neighborhood gears up for one its largest infrastructure project in decades. Construction will kick off this week on a $139 million plan to revamp the area's streets, pedestrian space, and stormwater drainage, city officials announced Wednesday. The project, expected to take three years to complete, falls under the city's Far Rockaway rezoning plan, which was approved in 2017.
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September 23, 2019

New City of Women map assigns a significant female figure to all 424 subway stations

Three years ago, journalist Rebecca Solnit and geographer/writer Joshua Jelly-Schapiro created City of Women, a subway map that replaces stations with significant women in NYC's history and cultural landscape. The map was originally part of their book “Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas,” but they've now done an updated version that's currently for sale at the New York Transit Museum. In this revamp, they've assigned a woman to all 424 subway stations and have added 80 names, including Cardi B and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ahead, we chat with Joshua to learn more about the inspiration behind the map, how they chose the names, and what's next.
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September 23, 2019

Rent a Federal-era West Village home with an industrial-chic makeover for $15K/month

Originally built in 1855, this landmarked Federal-era home at 35 Perry Street in the heart of the West Village was last sold in 2015 for $6 million. Soon after, the current owner realized the building was in rather unstable condition and embarked on an ambitious gut renovation. Reclaimed wood from the original structure was used for the extensive detailing and steel framing was added and left exposed, contributing to the home’s industrial-chic vibes. Now divided into several units, the garden duplex is available for a long-term lease at $15,000 a month.
Take a look around
September 20, 2019

Rare Tribeca townhouse with wine cellar and duplex roof terrace seeks $15M

Just listed for $15 million, this rare Tribeca townhouse was designed by John L. Petrarca, the architect credited with bringing “a modern sensibility” to the neighborhood’s “old blocks,” as his New York Times obituary put it. The seven-story residence at 152 Reade Street is one in a row of three—completed in 2001—that are notable for being “the first new single-family dwellings built in Tribeca in more than a century.” The current owners bought the property in 2005 for $7.4 million and soon embarked on a gut renovation helmed by Philip Koether Architects. Among many upgrades, they built out a temperature-controlled wine cellar in the basement, installed an elevator, and created a two-story roof deck complete with a hot tub.
Get the full tour
September 20, 2019

Free cannolis and major pastry discounts for Veniero’s 125th anniversary celebration

A longtime Italian pastry shop is celebrating its 125th anniversary this month and celebrating in the best way possible: free cannolis. Family-owned and operated since 1894, Veniero's has grown from a small immigrant-owned candy shop in the East Village to a New York City institution, selling more than 150 desserts today. On Monday, Sept. 23, the bakery will offer free mini cannolis (while supplies last), live music, and a discount of 18.94 percent on all orders, according to Time Out.
Get the delicious details
September 20, 2019

Urban Archive’s new History Crush feature lets you swipe right on your favorite images of NYC’s past

6sqft previously featured Urban Archive, the technology nonprofit that has been building (no pun intended) connections 
between people, places, and historical institutions through a growing map of New York City’s unique architecture, culture, and stories for several years. Last February saw the launch of their citywide project seeking crowd-sourced histories and photographs to be included in the UA app. Now, the Urban Archive app has a fun new feature: History Crush serves users a steady randomized supply of historic images of NYC buildings, places and events. You can weigh in with a swipe left or right on each new image; yes, it's like the dating app (without the stress). This Adderall-era add-on actually makes the app even more addictive–and encourages users to check out more images. Even better, right-swiped and liked images are saved to a folder in your My Archive collection for future investigation.
Every picture tells a story
September 20, 2019

$5.9M townhouse on Prospect Park comes fully loaded with a garage, gym, sauna, & so much more

Starting with a semi-private driveway and private garage, the attractive if unassuming neo-Federal townhouse at 31 Prospect Park West, built in 1919 by Brooklyn architect W. J. McCarthy, has just about every luxury you could imagine under its roof, and 600 square feet of irrigated, landscaped terrace on the actual rooftop. Recently given a truly spare-nothing renovation by local design duo Delson or Sherman Architects, this townhouse is already blessed with a prime Park Slope location across from Prospect Park. Asking $5.895 million, the home packs perks that include a fully-stocked gym and sauna to a wet bar and dual gas and wood-burning fireplace into its 2,800+ square feet of interior space. And that's without the fountain in the backyard.
Step inside this amazing townhouse
September 20, 2019

How to get around NYC during this year’s United Nations General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly already began on Sept. 17 but Midtown has yet to experience the traffic nightmare that will hit the neighborhood next week. With meetings taking place through Sept. 30, the city has designated weekdays between Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 as gridlock alert days. On top of UNGA, Climate Week events will add to the congestion. “Drivers should leave their cars at home next week if they can—and try walking, taking mass transit, or getting on a bicycle," Polly Trottenberg, commissioner of the Department of Transportation, said in a statement. Here's a handy guide to getting around the city during the busy week ahead, including street closures and traffic updates for those of you with nerves of steel.
More details
September 20, 2019

Partial stop work order issued for 200 Amsterdam after wet concrete hits playground

Update 9/20/19: NYC Parks reopened P.S. 199's playground on Friday after determining the area was no longer at risk. SJP Properties, the developer of 200 Amsterdam Avenue, said in a statement: "We are pleased that the school park has been reopened following review by the school and Parks Department, which deemed the area safe." Wet concrete fell 55 stories from an under-construction Upper West Side tower on Wednesday, hitting a school playground below. The Department of Buildings issued the condo project at 200 Amsterdam Avenue a partial stop work order to prevent work above 40 stories on that side. A parent told West Side Rag that his son and his friends were hit by the falling concrete while playing at P.S. 199's playground during recess, but no injuries have been officially reported to the DOB.
More here
September 20, 2019

Apple’s Fifth Avenue flagship reopens with famed glass cube and new public plaza

Apple's famous Fifth Avenue flagship reopens Friday after more than two years of renovations. The glass cube has returned as an entrance to the store, set above the newly updated and locust tree-lined public plaza. As 6sqft previously reported, it cost $2 million to remove the cube in 2017 during the Midtown Manhattan store's expansion.
Take a step inside
September 20, 2019

Robert de Niro-funded studio taps Bjarke Ingels to design $400M ‘vertical village for film’ in Astoria

The star power involved with Robert de Niro’s planned production studio in Astoria continues to grow. The development group—which includes developer Wildflower Ltd, Raphael De Niro, and Jane Rosenthal—has just revealed a first look at the 650,000-square-foot facility designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. The $400 million project, called Wildflower Studios, will establish a hub for the creation of film, television, and other forms of entertainment, including augmented reality and virtual reality. The facility is expected to create more than 1,000 daily union jobs.
Get a first look at the renderings
September 19, 2019

GIVEAWAY: Win a pair of tickets to MAS’ walking tour of the lost ‘Lower West Side’

The Lower West Side is not a common neighborhood name used, mainly because much of what made this enclave notable has since been forgotten. As 6sqft previously explained, "encompassing the area west of Broadway from Liberty Street to Battery Place, it was originally home to Irish and German immigrants, followed by Little Syria, the nation’s first and largest Arabic settlement, from roughly the 1880s to 1940s." The neighborhood all but disappeared during the construction of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and World Trade Center, but several vestiges and stories remain, which will be explored in a walking tour on October 6th with historian Joe Svehlak for the Municipal Art Society.
Enter to win a pair of tickets!
September 19, 2019

Jersey City to launch on-demand bus service operated by ride-sharing app Via

Commuters in Jersey City will soon be able to hail a city bus from their smartphones. In a partnership with ride-sharing app Via, the city will launch on-demand bus service as an alternative to often delayed-plagued New Jersey Transit, Mayor Steven Fulop announced Thursday. Passengers can request a shared trip using Via's app and then will be given a "virtual" bus stop within walking distance from both pickup and drop-off locations.
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September 19, 2019

Development plans for ex-Amazon site in LIC move forward with emphasis on local community goals

Soon after Amazon canceled plans to build a new headquarters in Long Island City, the city began reviving earlier plans to bring a mix of residential and industrial spaces to the neighborhood. Developers and city officials are still in talks over how the 28-acre site—which includes land owned by both the city and plastics company Plaxall—will be used. As Politico recently reported, the vision is starting to come into sharper focus with property owners now engaging the neighborhood and community board to help determine the future of the waterfront site.
Here's what we know so far
September 19, 2019

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent buy swimsuit photographer’s $1.6M modern Montauk home

They just listed a fully decorated Village pad they'd bought in 2013 along with their former penthouse at 2 East 12th Street earlier this month, and the famed interior designer duo have made another real estate move, purchasing an appropriately stylish house at 53 Kettle Hole Road in Montauk that was most recently listed at $1.599 million. The seller is renowned contemporary artist and photographer Raphael Mazzucco, who has eight Vogue covers and three Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues under his belt in addition to numerous campaigns for brands like Victoria's Secret and Ralph Lauren.
Tour the unique Hamptons home
September 19, 2019

Designs revealed for major mixed-use project on Lower East Side synagogue site

In 2017, the Lower East Side's abandoned 1850 Beth Hamedrash Hagadol synagogue, which once housed the city's oldest Jewish Orthodox congregation, was severely damaged in a fire. The following year, the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) and developer Gotham Organization began floating plans for a two-towered, mixed-use development on the site, and they've now announced that the project is entering the city's uniform land use review procedure (ULURP). The plan includes a new headquarters for the CPC, retail space, and 488 new rental units, 208 of which will be permanently affordable with 115 set aside for affordable senior housing. Dattner Architects will also incorporate the remains of the former synagogue into a new meeting space and cultural heritage center for the congregation.
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September 19, 2019

The city wants to put a self-filtering floating swimming pool on the East River

Swimming in the East River may once again become a reality. The city's Economic Development Corporation is seeking ideas for a floating pool that would filter the water of the East River to allow for safe swimming, according to a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) released Wednesday. A similar idea was first announced in 2010 by the nonprofit +POOL, which has been working with the city for years, as THE CITY first reported. The pool would likely be built between the north side of Brooklyn Bridge and the south side of Pier 35 on the Lower East Side, according to the request.
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