6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

The New York City Council on Wednesday passed a package of 17 bills intended to protect tenants from landlord abuse. The legislation includes closing the so-called "Kushner loophole," which had allowed landlords to file false paperwork with the city's Department of Buildings. The bill comes a year after President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner's family's firm, Kushner Companies, was found to have falsely claimed it had no rent-regulated tenants in dozens of buildings it owned when it actually had hundreds.
Learn about the bills

Policy

The many rooms of this $4.6M Prospect Heights brownstone are as colorful as they are historic

Photos by Elizabeth Dooley, courtesy of Compass

May 9, 2019

The many rooms of this $4.6M Prospect Heights brownstone are as colorful as they are historic

Renovated brownstones may be lovely, but once you've seen a few, they tend to blend together in a blur of pale walls and chandeliers. This Prospect Heights gem at 130 St. Marks Avenue is a very intact two-family home complete with restored wood trim and paneling that resembles neither a museum nor the usual house-tour staple. Color sets each room apart, and, as the listing points out, updates were done with an artist's eye to highlight old details while adding modern design. As configured, the home, asking $4.575 million, has a five-bedroom owner's triplex and a one-bedroom rental apartment on the garden floor. There's plenty of charm left over for private outdoor spaces as well, including the little-known neighborhood bonus of an extra-long back yard.
Take a room-by-room tour

Distinctive Homes

NYC Council approves JPMorgan’s 70-story Midtown East tower

Via Flickr

May 9, 2019

NYC Council approves JPMorgan’s 70-story Midtown East tower

The New York City Council on Wednesday approved the first supertall to be constructed under the Midtown East rezoning. JPMorgan Chase will build a new 70-story headquarters at the site of its current offices at 270 Park Avenue. The rezoning, adopted by the city in 2017, affects more than 70 blocks around Grand Central Terminal and encourages the construction of taller, more modern office towers in the neighborhood. Designed by Norman Foster's Foster + Partners, the 1,400-foot building is set to become one of the tallest structures in the city and the tallest office building by roof height.
More here

Policy

A mini-Smorgasburg is coming to Hudson Yards

Photo courtesy of Timothy Schenck for Related-Oxford

May 9, 2019

A mini-Smorgasburg is coming to Hudson Yards

At least this means there will be more affordable bites at the far west side mega-development. As first reported by Eater, open-air food market Smorgasburg will be setting up shop at Hudson Yards every Tuesday and Wednesday this spring/summer, starting next week. In addition to offering less-expensive options (say than, $17.50 fava beans and $14 sides of fries), the market will also bring some local flavor to the corporate complex, from Queens-based Destination Dumplings to the Red Hook Lobster Pound.
Check out the list of vendors

Food & Dining

Historic Districts Council to host symposium on immigrant-run businesses in NYC

Via Flickr

May 8, 2019

Historic Districts Council to host symposium on immigrant-run businesses in NYC

Nearly half of New York City's 220,000 small businesses are owned by immigrants. To celebrate this community, the Historic Districts Council is hosting an event this weekend that highlights immigrant-run businesses in New York City. Taking place at the Bohemian National Hall on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the symposium will discuss the ins and outs of running a business in a city that is constantly changing.
Learn more

Events & Things To Do

Interview: Design star Genevieve Gorder on ‘Trading Spaces,’ her new show, and life in NYC

Genevieve Gorder on the set of “Best Room Wins” with Elle Decor Editor-in-Chief Whitney Robinson. Photo by Nicole Weingart/Bravo.

May 8, 2019

Interview: Design star Genevieve Gorder on ‘Trading Spaces,’ her new show, and life in NYC

From getting her first design job at MTV during the station's height in the '90s to being selected as one of the original designers on TLC's "Trading Spaces," Genevieve Gorder says she feels eternally grateful for her timing. "I hit a lot of those key moments at the right time for when I was born, and I don’t know how I keep doing it, but I’m very grateful I do." When Genevieve says she's "grateful," we know it's authentic. This is why the interior designer has achieved the success she has, appearing in more than 20 TV shows over her 20-year career. She's a person everyone feels comfortable around, whether it's with a family who shares her Midwestern roots or a New York City neighbor. Her latest endeavor, the design show "Best Room Wins," aired last week, and once again, it's Genevieve's warmth, grace, and exceptional talent that are on full view. 6sqft recently caught up with Genevieve to learn more about her background and time on "Trading Spaces," why she feels the new show is "smarter, sexier, and more real," and what her favorite spots in the city are.
Read the interview

May 8, 2019

Living at the top of the world’s first Art Deco skyscraper just got $20M cheaper

According to the listing for The Penthouse at One Hundred Barclay, the Tribeca building, designed in 1927 by renowned architect of the era Ralph Walker, is the world's first Art Deco skyscraper. This 14,500-square-foot duplex penthouse is the crowning glory of its 21st century life. In addition to bragging rights to one of the largest living rooms in New York City at over 3,000 square feet, a mere $39.95 million–nearly $20 million less than the property's original asking price of $59 million–gets you unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty, Hudson River and New York City skyline.
Penthouse grand tour, right this way

Distinctive Homes

LPC approves new bike lane for Prospect Park’s perimeter

Rendering courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance, via LPC

May 8, 2019

LPC approves new bike lane for Prospect Park’s perimeter

Brooklyn is getting a new bike lane. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved a plan from the city's Parks Department to build a protected bike lane on Ocean Avenue around the perimeter of Prospect Park. But two LPC commissioners opposed the design because it calls for removing 57 healthy trees to make way for the new path, the Brooklyn Eagle reported.
Details here

Policy

Distinctive Homes

$4M gets you the whole renovated Boerum Hill townhouse package, with a bi-level backyard

For $3.3M, this historic Brooklyn Heights home comes with condo convenience

For $1.5M, get (way) off the grid in Gilded Age style on your own private island in Alexandria Bay

This $3.15M co-op embodies East Village cool, all grown up

Behold the breathtaking views from this $18M home on the Montauk coastline

Keke Palmer lists her Williamsburg penthouse for $3M

This $3.3M Village co-op will brighten even the darkest winter days

Paul Newman's Fifth Avenue co-op is on the market for $10M

6sqft’s top ‘distinctive homes’ of 2024

This $6M Arts & Crafts estate is like having your own private summer camp in the Hamptons

VIEW ALL

May 8, 2019

The terraces surrounding this $2.2M Carroll Gardens penthouse feel more beach house than Brooklyn

This top-floor condominium in Brooklyn's Columbia Street Waterfront district has the space–2,300 square feet of it–and the views to feel more beachfront than brownstone. The neighborhood has a history of its own, and though the building at 53 Summit Street may be new, 10-foot ceilings and steel-framed windows look right at home in the formerly industrial neighborhood. Asking $2.195 million, this lofty duplex offers three or four bedrooms to configure as you wish and two custom decks for summertime lounging.
Feel the sea breezes, this way

Distinctive Homes

Christie Brinkley finally sells her $18M Sag Harbor vacation home

Listing images courtesy of Douglas Elliman; photo of Christie Brinkley via Wiki Commons

May 8, 2019

Christie Brinkley finally sells her $18M Sag Harbor vacation home

By Annie Doge

Christie Brinkley’s idyllic Sag Harbor home officially has a new owner. The sale closed this week for just under the final asking price of $17,990,000, though the precise amount has yet to be confirmed. The supermodel bought the five-bedroom residence in 2004 for $7,150,000 and first listed it back in 2010. As 6sqft previously reported, the 5,500-square-foot property sought its highest asking price in 2016—a cool $25,000,000 with Enzo Morabito of Douglas Elliman. The price tag was lowered incrementally until it hit $17,999,000 last summer, as Brinkley continued to search for the right buyer.
Take a peek inside

The world’s first Transatlantic flight took off from the Rockaways in 1919

“They’re off!” The NC-1, NC-3 and NC- 4 begin their journey across the Atlantic May 8th, 1919. Via the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

May 8, 2019

The world’s first Transatlantic flight took off from the Rockaways in 1919

By Lucie Levine

Did you know that the world's first Transatlantic flight took off from the Rockaway Naval Air Station on May 8th, 1919? The plane, a US Navy Seaplane NC-4, not only departed from the Rockaways but also was assembled there. The NC-4 was one of three planes that vied to be the first across the Atlantic. The NC-1 and NC-3 started out alongside the NC-4 that day in the Rockaways. The planes set course for Plymouth England, and the NC-4 proved victorious, making landfall there on May 31, 1919, after a whopping 57 hours and 16 minutes in the air.
READ MORE

History

Sunset Park residents urge LPC to preserve neighborhood built by immigrants

Photo via Flickr

May 7, 2019

Sunset Park residents urge LPC to preserve neighborhood built by immigrants

Sunset Park residents on Tuesday urged the city's Landmarks Preservation Committee to protect the neighborhood's century-old buildings and designate four historic districts. During a packed public hearing, lifelong residents and new homeowners alike testified in favor of landmark designation for all four areas, citing the neighborhood's cohesive and intact architecture, as well as its connection to generations of diverse immigrant communities.
More details here

Policy

Target’s latest NYC store will open in Washington Heights

Google Street View of 600 West 181st Street

May 7, 2019

Target’s latest NYC store will open in Washington Heights

New Yorkers love to emphasize their non-suburban tendencies, but something about big-box retailer Target must be working because they've just announced plans to open yet another store in NYC. First reported by The Real Deal, Target will open a Washington Heights outpost at 181st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in 2020.
Get the scoop

Uncategorized

Amazon is building a $5.6M factory in Queens, no high-paying tech jobs expected

Image via Flickr.

May 7, 2019

Amazon is building a $5.6M factory in Queens, no high-paying tech jobs expected

Last week brought news that a $5.6 million Amazon conversion project is coming to the former Bulova facility at 26-15 Boody Street in Woodside, Queens that will turn the warehouse into a delivery center for the retail giant. Though the new project is expected to create 2,000 new jobs, an Amazon spokesperson told 6sqft they're likely to be $18-$25 per hour jobs rather than the 25,000 $150K professional salaries the no-go Amazon HQ had promised.
Find out more

New Developments

My 1,100sqft: Pizza pundit Scott Wiener’s Midwood home holds the world’s largest pizza box collection

Our series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to Scott Wiener’s Midwood

May 7, 2019

My 1,100sqft: Pizza pundit Scott Wiener’s Midwood home holds the world’s largest pizza box collection

apartment. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch! How does one person amass 1,471 pizza boxes you may ask? After spending a few minutes with Scott Wiener, this will seem like a silly question. Scott founded Scott's Pizza Tours 11 years ago, and since his first tour, he has become NYC's resident pizza expert. In addition to his company's signature bus tours, it now hosts daily walking tours, and Scott is often cited in both gastronomy and historical publications. But the real reason people from all over the world are keen to send Scott one of their pizza boxes is his genuine personality. Whether he's talking about the different types of flour used to make dough or discussing how he used 19th-century tax maps to unearth the various coal-fired ovens that once existed in the city, you can't help give Scott your full attention; his passion is contagious. And he's just a really nice guy. When a couple recently got engaged on his tour, Scott told us that he had been texting for months with the groom to make sure everything was perfect. 6sqft recently paid Scott a visit at his Midwood apartment and got to learn even more about him, from how he developed his pizza passion to what an average day looks like. Of course, we also got a behind-the-scenes look at that record-setting pizza box collection.
READ MORE

Rent a rare West Village townhouse in the gated Greenwich Mews for $27.5K/month

Listing images by Ken Chen of Evan Joseph; courtesy of Compass

May 7, 2019

Rent a rare West Village townhouse in the gated Greenwich Mews for $27.5K/month

This townhouse is located in the heart of the West Village, but since it’s nestled within the gated Greenwich Mews at 687 Greenwich Street, it gives the feel of being in a suburban enclave with extra privacy, a dedicated parking garage, and an enclosed courtyard. Combining a great city address with country-living vibes, this elegant residence was recently renovated into a modern three-bedroom home spanning over four levels. It’s currently on the rental market, seeking $27,500 a month.
See more

Distinctive Homes

A herd of hungry goats will save Riverside Park from invasive plants

Unrelated, these goats were found loitering on the subway tracks last year by the MTA. Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit via Flickr.

May 7, 2019

A herd of hungry goats will save Riverside Park from invasive plants

The hilly terrain of the Upper West Side's Riverside park is becoming overgrown with invasive plant species, poison ivy included; but the green hordes will be no match for 24 goats that the park plans to unleash on the hard-to-reach patches human gardeners have had a hard time taming. The goats are being brought out of a cushy retirement upstate to graze on a fenced-in area between 119th and 125th Streets, I Love the Upper West Side blog reports.
'Goatham' returns, this way

City Living

Brooklyn’s Weeksville Heritage Center launches crowd-funding campaign to stay afloat

By Lucie Levine

The Weeksville Heritage Center is dedicated to documenting, preserving and interpreting the history of free African American communities in central Brooklyn and beyond. Built on the site of Weeksville, once the second-largest free black community in Antebellum America, the center maintains the landmarked Hunterfly Road Houses, which are the last standing historical remnants of that remarkable community, and mounts exhibitions, installations, and community programs. But rising operational costs have left the Center in a precarious financial position, and without support, the organization may have to close its doors as early as July. To meet its short-term operating costs, the Weeksville Heritage Center has launched a crowd-funding campaign in the hopes of raising at least $200,000 by June 30th.
READ MORE

Events & Things To Do

Staten Island intersection is renamed to honor legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan

Photo by Jeff Reed, courtesy of NYC Council/Flickr

May 6, 2019

Staten Island intersection is renamed to honor legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan

Following a unanimous New York City Council vote back in December, The Wu-Tang Clan was made a permanent part of New York City on Saturday when the Park Hill neighborhood of Staten Island was renamed The Wu-Tang Clan District. As CNN first reported, city officials, fans, community members, and several Wu-Tang members gathered for the unveiling of the new street sign—located at the corner of Targee Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, where the music video for "Can It All Be So Simple" was filmed—that makes it official. "I never saw this day coming," Ghostface Killah said in a speech at the event. "I knew we were some ill MCs, but I didn't know that it'd take it this far."
READ MORE

Celebrities

Proposal to rezone strip of Central Park North includes 33-story mixed-use building

View of the proposed new tower, looking north from 5th Avenue and 108th Street

May 6, 2019

Proposal to rezone strip of Central Park North includes 33-story mixed-use building

A church has filed an application with New York City to rezone a strip of Central Park North in order to make way for a new mixed-use tower. La Hermosa Christian Church is seeking zoning changes to all or part of at least five lots along West 110th Street, as first reported by YIMBY. A 188-page environmental assessment statement prepared for the Department of City Planning this week details the development of a 33-story mixed-use tower with 160 units, of which roughly 48 would be affordable.
See the plan

May 6, 2019

Robert Indiana’s famous ‘LOVE’ sculptures arrive along the High Line

This past fall, the Kasmin Gallery opened a 5,000-square-foot space + rooftop sculpture garden next to Zaha Hadid's futuristic condo 520 West 28th Street. And to kick off the summer season, the High Line-adjacent space has just announced a new sculpture garden show--a trio of works from Robert Indiana's famous "Love" series. The pieces showcase the word in English (Love), Spanish (Amor), and Hebrew (Ahava), which, according to a press release "represent three of New York’s most historic and influential dialects, celebrating immigration and lingual diversity in one of the most visited public art spaces in the city."
READ MORE

Events & Things To Do

Preservationist groups call out lack of transparency in Union Square tech hub development

Rendering via NYCEDC

May 6, 2019

Preservationist groups call out lack of transparency in Union Square tech hub development

The city’s plans to create a tech hub at 124 East 14th Street near Union Square have been embroiled in a preservation battle since they were first announced. Community organizations like the Cooper Square Committee and Village Preservation have advocated for the past year that any rezoning should come with protections for the adjacent neighborhood, which is largely residential. As the Daily News reported, Village Preservation recently criticized the city for its lack of transparency in the development process, while claiming that it gave out a “sweetheart deal” based on political alliances and campaign donations.
Get the scoop

Proposed project from Vornado and Rudin calls for 1,450-foot tower in Midtown East

Via Vornado Realty Trust and Rudin Management Company

May 6, 2019

Proposed project from Vornado and Rudin calls for 1,450-foot tower in Midtown East

A tentative joint venture between two developers could bring another supertall to Midtown East. Vornado Realty Trust and Rudin Management Company may team up to develop a 1,450-foot office tower at 350 Park Avenue, the Real Deal reported Friday. A leaked brochure for the potential project includes renderings of the proposed tower, revealing a glassy building with a series of setbacks that would allow for outdoor terraces and floorplates of various sizes.
See it here

Real Estate Trends

Photo courtesy of NYCxDESIGN

May 6, 2019

NYCxDESIGN 2019: A guide to New York City’s annual celebration of design

You can expect to see the stars of NYCxDESIGN–sinuous sofas, luminous lighting, fab furniture, terrific textiles, and amazing accessories–for the next several years in magazines, blogs and showrooms, but you'll be seeing them here first. It’s not strictly for design geeks only, but if modern objects are your thing, get out your calendar and get ready for design heaven. ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) anchors an international celebration on a par with the Milan Furniture Fair and Stockholm Design Week, with hundreds of thousands of attendees and designers from across the globe converging on the city's five boroughs from May 10–22; much of the mid-May action happens in Manhattan, but Brooklyn weighs in with a full calendar of collective events in hotspots like the Navy Yard and Industry City that serve as design hubs 365 days a year. Read on for a handful of highlights.
What's next in design, this way

The city’s first marina in 50 years is coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Rendering courtesy of ONE°15

May 6, 2019

The city’s first marina in 50 years is coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park

New Yorkers will soon have more opportunities to reconnect with the waterfront as the city’s first new marina in 50 years is set to start operating at full capacity this spring in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Managed by Singapore-based conglomerate SUTL, the ONE°15 marina will accommodate over 100 boats ranging from 30 to 200 feet in length. In the works since 2015, the eight-acre facility between Piers 4 and 5 cost $28 million and involved the collaboration of multiple city, state, and federal agencies to complete the complex infrastructure work required.
READ MORE

Architecture And Design

$1.6M Park Slope duplex has a unique layout and a great back patio

Listing images by Allison Lubow

May 3, 2019

$1.6M Park Slope duplex has a unique layout and a great back patio

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

This flexible duplex at 246 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope feels more like a townhouse with its wood-burning fireplace and a dreamy outdoor space that's perfect as both your quiet retreat and the venue for your next party. Currently being used as a three bedroom, the residence features charming material details—there’s both white-washed and exposed brick—and some cool layout features, including a private lofted area in one of the bedrooms. The unique listing is fresh on the market for $1.595 million.
Get the full tour

Distinctive Homes

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10 best plants for apartment dwellers

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

VIEW ALL

Life science campus to open at former West Harlem bakery site, adding to the Factory District’s revival

Rendering courtesy of The Janus Property Group.

May 3, 2019

Life science campus to open at former West Harlem bakery site, adding to the Factory District’s revival

From the mid-19th to early 20th century, an area in West Harlem known as Manhattanville was a bustling industrial village dotted with factories and breweries. Now the area is transforming from a unique former factory district into a home for a growing roster of commercial businesses, nonprofits, and students and researchers from Columbia University and CUNY’s City College. Leading the way on developing this evolving neighborhood is Janus Property Group. The company announced that its 11-story Taystee Lab building will break ground next week, bringing the city’s first major life science campus to the site of a former bread bakery.
More uptown excitement, this way

New Developments

Interview: How tequila entrepreneur Joe Cruz Jr. remains true to his Harlem roots

Joe Cruz Jr. (right) at the Jalisco distillery

May 3, 2019

Interview: How tequila entrepreneur Joe Cruz Jr. remains true to his Harlem roots

With Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, New Yorkers most certainly have margaritas on the brain. And while we may typically associate tequila with Mexico, a new label here in NYC is bridging the divide between our southern neighbor and local entrepreneurship. Joe Cruz Jr. grew up in Harlem, spending much of his younger years hanging out in the Bronx. After working in the beverage industry for many years, he decided to take a mere $25,000 and create his own "ultra-smooth" tequila right from Harlem. And so in late 2017, YaVe Tequila was born. Not only has the company garnered culinary headlines (it produces the first-ever mango-flavored tequila), but it's caught the attention of local stakeholders thanks to Joe's commitment to working with his neighborhood.
Read on for our interview with Joe

City Living

Rendering via MVVA and the Hudson Yards Development Corporation

May 3, 2019

Arts center near Hudson Yards faces demolition from city to make way for new park

To make room for New York City's most expensive park project ever, a handful of properties near the Hudson Yards site face demolition. One of those buildings is Affirmation Arts, a gallery on West 37th run by William Hillman. According to THE CITY, Hillman said he is willing to give his building to the city for free, on the condition it remains a cultural center. "I would like to give this building to the people of New York City to share with the world," Hillman said during a hearing Tuesday.
More here

Uncategorized

There’s plenty of natural light for your plant collection at this $999K Bed-Stuy loft

Listing images by Shannon Dupre, Donna Dotan, DDreps; courtesy of Compass

May 3, 2019

There’s plenty of natural light for your plant collection at this $999K Bed-Stuy loft

Built in 1947 as the Cocoline Chocolate Factory, the pale-orange brick building at 689 Myrtle Avenue in Bed-Stuy now houses 45 condo apartments with unique, spacious layouts. This two-bedroom corner unit offers a quintessential Brooklyn loft, spruced up with a fresh renovation, pops of color, and clever space-maximizing ideas. The 1,182 square-foot residence just hit the market seeking $999,000.
Get the full tour

Distinctive Homes

The 3 and C are the only trains without planned track work this weekend

Via Flickr cc

May 3, 2019

The 3 and C are the only trains without planned track work this weekend

By Andrew Berman of Village Preservation

As the L train enters the second week of its slowdown this weekend, there are plenty of service changes hitting most other lines. Watch out for skipped stops across the board (but especially on the 1, 2, 4, 6 and D trains) and limited service in Brooklyn and Queens on the A and J trains. You can also expect longer than usual delays on the 2, D, N, and Q trains, which are only running every 12 minutes—and that's all without taking into consideration all the unplanned disruptions that are sure to occur.
See the full damage

Transit

Go inside 7 landmarked houses in Greenwich Village this weekend

Image of a past house tour courtesy of Village Preservation

May 2, 2019

Go inside 7 landmarked houses in Greenwich Village this weekend

This Sunday, Village Preservation will hold its 21st annual Spring Benefit House Tour. As this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District, all the homes and the reception site are landmarked structures located within the district. The tour is the main annual fundraiser for Village Preservation, allowing us to conduct hundreds of educational programs throughout the year and work to protect the irreplaceable history and architecture of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho. The addresses of the homes are kept secret to all but ticket buyers, and until the tour. But we can offer a sneak peek at some of the amazing historic homes you will be able to see on the tour--from the current home of Linda Ellerbee and the former residence of Marlon Brando to a one-time speakeasy and a sleek, modern renovation.
What you can expect on this year's tour

Events & Things To Do

May 2, 2019

Members-only rooftop pool to open at the American Copper Buildings, with fees starting at $1,600

Just in time for summer, a members-only pool is opening atop one of Manhattan's most recognizable buildings. Starting Memorial Day Weekend, the Sentry Club at the American Copper Buildings in Murray Hill will offer guests a private rooftop with poolside cabana service, event space for parties, and classes focused on wellness. But it will cost you: memberships start at $1,600 for the entire summer and go up to $3,200 for the season. The pool will be open starting Thursday, May 23 through Labor Day.
Dive in

Uncategorized

May 2, 2019

Skyline Tower, Queens’ tallest building, launches first sales

Queens’ Skyline Tower has launched its first 20 listings, providing a glimpse of what we can expect when the official sales gallery opens up later this spring (h/t Curbed). In addition to taking the title of 6sqft’s 2018 Building of the Year, the 67-story building caused a stir last year for its notable height—it will be the tallest in the borough—and proximity to Amazon’s planned HQ in Long Island City, leading to a record-breaking $1 billion sellout. When complete, the Hill West Architects-designed, 778-foot-tall tower will house 802 condos. The 20 live listings include studio- to three-bedroom units, ranging in price from $660,400 for a studio to $2,325,610 for a three-bedroom with outdoor space.
More info

May 2, 2019

New photos of ODA’s Bushwick rental highlight its sloping, sunset-hued facade

While architecture firm ODA's sunset-hued rental in Bushwick topped out almost two years ago, recently released photos of the block-long building reveal a new level of uniqueness. Dubbed the Rheingold, part of the development of the former brewery site, 10 Montieth Street boasts one of the most distinct facades in the city, with a sloping rooftop, cascading terraces, and window frames in a pattern of yellow, orange, and red (h/t Dezeen). The seven-story building contains 500 studio, one-, and two-bedroom residences, which first hit the rental market last August.
See it here

May 2, 2019

Loft in Soho’s first building designated to low-income artists is now asking $3M

In 1978, a ragtag band of artist residents of Soho's 45 Crosby Street won what the New York Times called "an impressive victory." The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development had granted the former industrial building's title to its residents in exchange for merely the "sweat equity" of getting it up to code (estimated cost: $164,000), making it the city's first loft building exclusively set aside for low-income artists. Now, a 2,100-square-foot loft co-op in the building, which has been home to artists ever since, is asking $3 million.
Times change, the loft remains a classic

Distinctive Homes

Halal Guys, Empanada Mama, and more are coming to the TWA Hotel

Photo courtesy of TWA Hotel/MCR and Morse Development

May 2, 2019

Halal Guys, Empanada Mama, and more are coming to the TWA Hotel

In just two weeks, the famous Eero Saarinen-designed TWA terminal at JFK Airport will be reopened for the first time in 18 years, rechristened as the Jet Age-throwback TWA Hotel. There have been several announcements in recent months, from the opening of reservations to the unveiling of the rooftop infinity pool and observation deck, and now we have even more details on everyone's favorite topic--food. The terminal's famous Departures Hall, where TWA travelers originally checked in for flights, will be transformed into a small dining hall with offerings from four local mini-chains--The Halal Guys, Empanada Mama, Earl of Sandwich, Playa Bowls, and Fresh & Co.
Find out more

Food & Dining

Manhattan intersection is permanently renamed to honor 50th anniversary of ‘Sesame Street’

Image credit: Paige Polk/Mayoral Photography Office

May 2, 2019

Manhattan intersection is permanently renamed to honor 50th anniversary of ‘Sesame Street’

The city has officially renamed the intersection of West 63rd Street and Broadway in Manhattan "Sesame Street," to honor the beloved educational program's 50th anniversary. As part of a year-long celebration, Mayor Bill de Blasio was joined by Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Elmo and other members of the "Sesame" crew at a renaming ceremony at the bustling West Side corner–the location of the Sesame Workshop offices. "We’re here because we believe in what Sesame Street means today and what it’s meant for half-a-century, what it’s done for our children."
de Blasio and Big Bird: separated at birth?

City Living

$3.5M East Village carriage house boasts a private courtyard and an expansive roof terrace

Listing images by Evan Joseph

May 2, 2019

$3.5M East Village carriage house boasts a private courtyard and an expansive roof terrace

Here’s a rare opportunity to live in a freestanding home right in the heart of the East Village with this carriage house at 217 East 5th Street. The one-bedroom residence spans over four levels and includes three outdoor spaces that are ready for all your entertaining needs. Fresh off an extensive renovation—the top three levels were stripped to the studs and entirely rebuilt—the rare property seeks $3.49 million.
Get the full tour

Distinctive Homes

May 1, 2019

$735K Park Slope co-op is light, bright, and brimming with rustic chic

This Park Slope co-op at 135 Garfield Place, asking $735,000, will definitely appeal to lovers of exposed brick and rustic chic. It's been freshly renovated with the latest in attractive materials and calming shades of pale. While the home has plenty of charm and modern conveniences like split-system AC and a top-of-the-line kitchen, the bedroom is only seven feet wide and the only closets are in the apartment's entryway. A lovely common roof deck looks great for warm weather, and Prospect Park is mere blocks away.
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Distinctive Homes

First hearing for Tin Pan Alley’s possible landmark designation draws debate

Via LPC

May 1, 2019

First hearing for Tin Pan Alley’s possible landmark designation draws debate

The Landmarks Preservation Committee heard mixed testimonies yesterday during a public hearing over the designation of five buildings on West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues known as Tin Pan Alley. The buildings in question—ranging from 47-55 West 28th Street—are notable for the significant concentration of sheet music publishers they housed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As music publishers continued to flock to the block, the nickname “Tin Pan Alley” was coined in 1903 to describe the sound of piano music that could be heard from every corner. Though most everyone in attendance agreed on the historical significance of these buildings, some pointed to the racist tunes that were also written there as a reason to block the landmark designation—with even the buildings’ owner, controversial developer Yair Levy, arguing against it.
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Report says city needs 24,000 subsidized apartments to address record homelessness numbers

Photo via Wikimedia

May 1, 2019

Report says city needs 24,000 subsidized apartments to address record homelessness numbers

According to a new report titled "State of the Homeless 2019" by the Coalition for the Homeless, the number of New Yorkers sleeping in shelters each night is large enough to count as the state's ninth-largest city: Close to 64,000 people took refuge in shelters each night according to the report–a record high figure that fell only slightly in February. The report takes both Mayor Bill De Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to task on the issue, AM New York reports, and advises that the city build at least 24,000 subsidized affordable units and set aside 6,000 units for homeless households as quickly as possible to keep the numbers from growing.
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This nitrogen ice cream parlor in the Bronx is a pastel-painted dream

All photos courtesy of Costas Picadas

May 1, 2019

This nitrogen ice cream parlor in the Bronx is a pastel-painted dream

Last December, Ice Scream opened at the Mall at Bay Plaza, giving the Bronx its first liquid nitrogen ice cream parlor. In addition to serving up futuristic frozen treats, the shop provides a fun and relaxing rest stop in between shopping. Founded by New Yorker Julien Albertini and Alina Pimkina, from Moscow, interior design firm Asthetíque specializes in luxury hospitality and residential design. Although developing a brand for a family business tailored to children was a totally new concept for Julien and Alina, the duo took on the design for Ice Scream and came up with a concept that "benefits society and makes peoples’ lives and businesses more beautiful and functional," according to the designers. Inspired by the 1980s Memphis design movement, Asthetíque has created a space for guests to have “plenty of Instagrammable moments.” From the ceiling's coordinated light show to the fun mantras written in neon script throughout the 24-seat store (ie: "Ice Scream is better than therapy" and "Count your sprinkles, not your problems"), Ice Scream's design not only provides a spot for families to make memories, but as a declaration that the "Bronx can contribute to the world of design." For its innovative and playful ice cream parlor design, Asthetíque was a winner in the 46th annual IIDA Interior Design Competition this year. Ahead, see inside the eye-catching ice cream parlor and hear from Julien and Alina on the brand development process.
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Via New York Wheel

May 1, 2019

NYC still has no plan for vacant New York Wheel site, six months after project was terminated

The city has not put forth a plan for the vacant Staten Island site of the New York Wheel, a project which was called off last year after nearly a decade of planning. According to the Staten Island Advance, the city's Economic Development Corporation, which oversees the property, has not released any request for proposals for the site. Construction of the project, sold as the world's tallest Ferris wheel, was halted two years ago when the contractor walked off site over unpaid bills. Last October, with $450 million already invested, the project was called off.
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Policy

222 LES Tower + Lofts

222 East Broadway

Lower East Side

Art Deco romance meets 21st-century convenience

Studios starting at $799,000
1 bed starting at $1,100,000
2 beds starting at $1,955,000
3 beds starting at $2,875,000

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New glamping experience on Governors Island offers boat rides, seafood dinners, yoga and more

Image courtesy of Collective Retreats.

May 1, 2019

New glamping experience on Governors Island offers boat rides, seafood dinners, yoga and more

A new option for summer fun without leaving the city begins today: Urban camping on Governors Island kicks off its summer season, courtesy of Collective Governors Island. The activity-packed retreat experience includes private boats, new menus, kids' activities, wellness programs and more, plus a chance to sleep under the stars with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline while enjoying plush beds with 1,500 thread count sheets, private en-suite bathrooms and decks, electricity and wi-fi.
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Getting Away

Lena Dunham, still eager to part ways with Brooklyn, relists her Williamsburg pad for $2.65M

Listing images by DDreps, courtesy of Compass; Photo of Lena Dunham via Wiki Commons

May 1, 2019

Lena Dunham, still eager to part ways with Brooklyn, relists her Williamsburg pad for $2.65M

By Annie Doge

Lena Dunham was over her Williamsburg pad almost as soon as she bought it, but selling it has taken quite a bit longer. Dunham bought the three-bedroom condo at 60 Broadway for $2.9 million in April 2018, several months after she broke up with Jack Antonoff—who kept the Brooklyn Heights apartment they had shared—and first listed it just three months later for a marginal profit, at $3,000,000. It disappeared from the market shortly after 6sqft first reported the listing, and now it’s back under a new brokerage and with new, fully-furnished listing images. Dunham’s latest real estate moves include buying homes in Los Angeles, an apartment in the West Village, and working on building a small house on her parents’ Connecticut compound. With all that in the works, the actress seems more motivated than ever to officially part ways with Brooklyn, and she’s willing to settle for a deeply discounted $2,650,000 (h/t Observer).
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Latest MCNY exhibit explores the labor movement in New York

Picketing ILGWU members outside Macy’s department store urge shoppers not to buy Judy Bond blouses. Circa 1965. Courtesy Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives, Cornell University.

April 30, 2019

Latest MCNY exhibit explores the labor movement in New York

By Lucie Levine

The Museum of the City of New York will kick off its new exhibit, "City of Workers, City of Struggle," on May 1st, a date celebrated by workers around the world as May Day. The exhibit will explore how labor movements transformed New York and made it the most unionized large city in the United States. A robust public events calendar and moonlight movie series will add more exciting dimensions to this exploration of 200 years of labor politics in New York.
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Renderings: Volley Studio

April 30, 2019

New renderings of Wegmans building kick off leasing at Brooklyn Navy Yard Admiral’s Row

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) announced Tuesday the launch of leasing for 130,000 square feet of manufacturing and creative office space at Building 212, part of a project in the works at Admiral's Row, formerly the site of a row of 19th century wood frame homes that once housed naval officers. Along with the announcement came new renderings of the five story building that will be home to a much-anticipated Wegmans supermarket scheduled to open this fall.
More renderings this way

New Developments

City can open a homeless shelter on Billionaires’ Row, judge rules

Via Wikimedia

April 30, 2019

City can open a homeless shelter on Billionaires’ Row, judge rules