6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

In August, four months after topping out, Jeanne Gang’s High Line-adjacent tower at 40 Tenth Avenue had its geometric glass installed. Images released by Studio Gang showed the 10-story office building taking shape and showed off its unique glazing system on the lower levels. Now, Aurora Capital Associates and William Gottlieb Real Estate, the project's developers, are offering new renderings of the building itself and its future office spaces for a new view of the “solar carve” that the building has been known for (h/t Curbed).
More new angles, this way

NYCHA will turn over 62,000 apartments to private developers for repair work

Via Wikimedia

November 20, 2018

NYCHA will turn over 62,000 apartments to private developers for repair work

The New York City Housing Authority will turn over 62,000 apartments to private developers as a way to provide necessary repairs to the units, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday. Through a public-private partnership, via the Rental Assistance Demonstration program (RAD), all units will be converted into Section 8 and remain permanently affordable. Renovations, which will cost nearly $13 billion, include new kitchens and bathrooms, improved common spaces, and replacing windows, boilers, roofs, and elevators. About 142,000 New Yorkers across the developments will benefit from the repair work.
Find out more

Everything you need to know about getting around NYC this Thanksgiving

Photo via Flickr cc

November 20, 2018

Everything you need to know about getting around NYC this Thanksgiving

Here's what you need to know to get where you're going by NYC public transit this Thanksgiving weekend. Special schedules apply for trains and buses from Wednesday, November 21, through Sunday, November 25 to get you over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house and back Thanksgiving weekend. The good news is that MTA is suspending bridge and tunnel maintenance for the holiday, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North are providing extra service, off-peak fares apply, and there's a free bus to La Guardia. Look below for more information.
Vintage trains are back, too

November 20, 2018

A little steampunk adds vintage flair to this $900K Riverside co-op

This Upper West Side co-op at 224 Riverside Drive would be a great deal on its own, with a spacious one-bedroom layout, totally renovated kitchen, and oversized windows that let in lots of sun and incredible Hudson River views. But add in these subtle steampunk touches--moody grey walls paired with whitewashed brick, vintage-style furnishings like a leather Chesterfield sofa and industrial lighting, and an all-black bathroom--and that $900,000 price tag seems like even more of a steal.
Get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

With key environmental approval, Second Avenue Subway’s second phase inches forward

Via Flickr cc

November 20, 2018

With key environmental approval, Second Avenue Subway’s second phase inches forward

The second phase of the Second Avenue Subway passed its environmental assessment, putting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority one step closer to bringing more subway service to East Harlem. The agency announced on Monday that with the Federal Transit Administration issuing the project a "Finding of No Significant Impact," the MTA can now secure federal funding for phase two. In this phase, the Q line will extend from its terminus at 96th Street north to 125th Street, moving west to Lexington and Park Avenues, where the line will connect with the 4, 5, 6, and Metro-North trains.
More here

Transit

Mapping Manahatta: 10 Lenape sites in New York City

“Manhattan Island in the Sixteenth Century,” from the Memorial History of New York, 1892, via NYPL

November 20, 2018

Mapping Manahatta: 10 Lenape sites in New York City

Currently, most Lenape belong to the Delaware Nation and live in New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Ontario, but the word Lenape means “Original People,” and the Lenape are the Original New Yorkers. In fact, the name Manhattan comes from the Lenape “Manahatta,” meaning “hilly island.” Although the Lenape stove to “walk so gently on the earth,” without leaving an impact on the land, they influenced the city’s physical geography in ways we can see and feel today. From Bowling Green to Broadway, Cherry Street to Minetta Lane, here are 10 sites in Manhattan that reflect the legacy of the Lenape.
Learn more about the first

November 19, 2018

New Williamsburg rooftop hotel bar looks like a water tower you can party inside

Any new Williamsburg rooftop hotel bar has some tough acts to follow given the reputation and views at veteran hotspots like The Ides at the Wythe hotel and the doesn't-even-need-a-name rooftop bar at the McCarren Hotel and Pool. The Williamsburg Hotel at 96 Wythe Avenue, however, has decided they're not taking any chances and created an attention-grabbing rooftop party spot that resembles a classic New York City water tank, wrapped in glass. Dubbed The Water Tower bar, of course, the chic new nightclub and lounge officially opened on November 16.
Check it out

City Living

November 19, 2018

First look at the glassy rooftop addition Bjarke Ingels is planning for the Lord & Taylor building

As 6sqft reported earlier this month, Bjarke Ingels' restoration of the landmarked Lord & Taylor building won't alter the design of the original structure all that much. But one major update the Bjarke Ingels Group will bring to the 104-year Fifth Avenue department store includes a new roof terrace with multi-use areas and a glassy courtyard. The firm's proposal, set to be presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday, reveals a new rendering of the rooftop as well as plans to change the iconic store's signage.
Design updates here

Distinctive Homes

For $1.45M, this barrel-fronted Bay Ridge home offers three floors for living and lots of outdoor space

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

SHOP THE LISTING: Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy's $9.75M West Village townhouse is an all-season urban refuge

Bob Dylan's former Turtle Bay home asks $7.25M

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

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

Bill Murray's former Snedens Landing home asks $3.7M

For $20.5M, West Village townhouse meets suburban mansion behind a historic facade

Highest condo on the Brooklyn waterfront asks $7M

This $3.75M Lefferts Manor townhouse has well-preserved historic details and every modern luxury

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November 19, 2018

NYC’s best alternative holiday markets and coolest pop-up shops of 2018

No matter how hard we try to resist the urge to do last-minute shopping, that unexpected invitation, secret Santa or gift that needs reciprocation sends us scrambling for the perfect present. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of holiday markets and pop-up shops offering a bounty of just-right goodies and crafty gifts. The big NYC markets at Union Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, and Columbus Circle are the front-runners for sheer volume, but some of the best finds are waiting to be discovered at smaller, cooler neighborhood affairs. In addition to locally-made jewelry, crafts, vintage items, artfully curated fashions, home items, gourmet goodies and other things we didn't know we needed, these hip retail outposts sparkle with drinks, food, workshops, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where to get the goods

Events & Things To Do

1 World Trade Center boasts ‘king of TAMI’ status as tech and media firms sign on

Image courtesy of Michael Vadon’s Flickr

November 19, 2018

1 World Trade Center boasts ‘king of TAMI’ status as tech and media firms sign on

According to the building's landlord, the Durst Organization, the 104-story, 3-million-square-foot One World Trade Center tower contains more tech and creative tenants than any other in the city. That's 26 TAMI (Tech, Advertising, Media and Information) tenants, to be exact, 20 of which are in tech, Crain's reports.
Find out more

Real Estate Trends

Buyers of all-cash LLC purchases above $300K in NYC must be disclosed, under updated rule

Via Pexels

November 19, 2018

Buyers of all-cash LLC purchases above $300K in NYC must be disclosed, under updated rule

By Chava Gourarie

A federal program designed to root out dirty money in real estate was drastically expanded Thursday, and will now apply to even more cash-deals in more cities. As of last week, all real estate purchases made through a limited liability company at or above $300,000 in 12 metropolitan area will be subject to the disclosure rules, known as the Geographic Targeting Orders, including New York City. The threshold previously varied across cities, starting at $3 million in Manhattan and $1.5 million in the city's other four boroughs, as first reported by the Real Deal. Virtual currency deals are now subject to the disclosure rules as well.
Get the details

November 19, 2018

Live in a former East Village speakeasy with a terrace and a 200-foot movie screen for $19.5K/month

As 6sqft previously reported, the building that's home to this four-bedroom East Village duplex condo at 12 Avenue A was at one time a speakeasy and dancehall. In the much less distant past (in 2016), the sprawling apartment was asking $24,500/month rent. While it still boasts a private roof deck, a huge movie screen, surround-sound, and luxury fixtures and finishes, it's now asking a still-pricey $19,500 per month.
Take another look

Distinctive Homes

Rental Offers: Money to Burn? Greenwich Village apartments on Houston Street from $14,995/mo

Images (L to R): 136 West Houston Street, 223 Fourth Avenue, 10 Rutgers Street, and Halo LIC

November 17, 2018

Rental Offers: Money to Burn? Greenwich Village apartments on Houston Street from $14,995/mo

By Annie Doge

High-End Greenwich Village Rentals Available at Newly Constructed 136 West Houston Street=[LINK] 223 Fourth Avenue Offers Luxury Park Slope Rentals from $2,452/Month [LINK] Newly-Renovated Lower East Side Rentals at 10 Rutgers Street; No Fee + 1 Month Free[LINK] Halo LIC: Industrial-Inspired No-Fee Rentals with 1 Month Free in the Heart of Long Island City [LINK] […]

Uncategorized

November 16, 2018

Incredible Greenwich Village co-op can be your own personal library for $5M

Library or apartment? The lines are blurred at this amazing duplex co-op at 40 Fifth Avenue that just hit the market for $4,995,000. The entire maisonette spread is full of pre-war details mixed with modern amenities, but it's the dramatic double-height living room that steals the show. The first level has creative built-ins that extend to the furniture, and the second floor is a wrap-around atrium balcony lined completely with bookshelves and window seats overlooking Fifth Avenue and 11th Street.
It doesn't stop there for bibliophiles

Distinctive Homes

John, a third generation Mohawk ironworker who helped raise One World Trade, photographed by Melissa Cacciola, via Melisssa Cacciola

November 16, 2018

New exhibit at 9/11 Museum features the Mohawk ironworkers who built One World Trade Center

“Skywalkers: a Portrait of Mohawk Ironworkers at the World Trade Center,” opens today at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The exhibit features photographer Melissa Cacciola’s tintype portraits of Kahnawake Mohawk ironworkers who volunteered in rescue efforts after 9/11 and helped raise One World Trade Center, Towers 2, 3, and 4, and the Calatrava Transportation Hub.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

The 25-year history of the Union Square Holiday Market

Photo via Flickr cc

November 16, 2018

The 25-year history of the Union Square Holiday Market

Today, flea markets, pop-up shops, and food halls are an everyday part of city life, but 25 years ago, this wasn't the case. In 1993, after working for several years at Urban Space Management in the UK, Eldon Scott arrived in NYC with the goal of opening a holiday market similar to those he'd worked on developing in London. He quickly set up the Grand Central Holiday Fair and shortly thereafter the Union Square Holiday Market. Modeled loosely on Christkindlmarkts, traditional holiday street markets held during advent that began in Germany, the Union Square market is now a holiday tradition for New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike, with 150+ vendors.
More history and info about this year's market

Events & Things To Do

Plan for 1,500 units of affordable housing in LIC at risk as Amazon gets ready to move there

Rendering of Plaxall’s proposed, but not yet approved, mixed-use LIC project courtesy of WXY architecture + urban design

November 16, 2018

Plan for 1,500 units of affordable housing in LIC at risk as Amazon gets ready to move there

A plan to create 1,500 units of affordable housing in the Anable Basin area of Long Island City will most likely be scrapped, as Amazon prepares to open its headquarters on that same land, Politico reported. Amazon announced this week plans to bring its second headquarters to the Queens neighborhood on land currently owned by plastics company Plaxall, as well as some parcels owned by New York City. Previous plans from Plaxall and the city, who hired developer TF Cornerstone to build a mixed-use campus at the site, called for 1,250 and 250 units of affordable housing, respectively. But an Amazon spokesperson told Politico there will be no housing at its new complex.
Amazon in, affordable housing out

Behind the scenes at Trinity Church’s $112M historic restoration

Hardhats aren’t your typical church-going attire, but they were necessary at Trinity Church when Vicar Rev. Philip Jackson led a behind-the-scenes tour of Trinity’s ongoing $112,000,000, two-year restoration. The project, officially known as a “rejuvenation” of the facilities, began on May 7, 2018, and is slated to be finished in the spring of 2020. Now six months underway, the meticulous work, headed by architect Jeff Murphy of Murphy Burnham and Buttrick, will preserve Trinity’s landmarked church building while "enhancing the overall worship experience," by making the church more accessible and welcoming. Weaving our way between scaffolding and rubble in one of New York’s most iconic naves, we saw the very foundation of Trinity Church’s past and got a glimpse of its future. From the finer points of organ-voicing to some of the first examples of American stained-glass, check out 10 of the most exciting behind-the-scenes secrets of the Trinity Church Restoration.
Check out the Church!

November 16, 2018

Google officially files permits for expansion plans at Hudson Square’s St. John’s Terminal

By Alexandra Alexa

First reported by CityRealty, Oxford Properties Group filed a building permit application yesterday to construct a 588,000-square-foot commercial addition to the St. John’s Terminal building in Hudson Square, a property they acquired in January. As 6sqft previously reported, architecture firm COOKFOX will helm the conversion and it is expected that Google will buy or lease the building, which is projected to be finished in 2022. If Google sticks to this plan -- in addition to their forthcoming expansions at Pier 57 and Chelsea Market -- the tech giant would double their employee force in the area to roughly 20,000. (This announcement follows that of Amazon’s impending expansion at a similar scale in Long Island City.)
More details

New Developments

Via Roman Kruglov on Flickr

November 16, 2018

Service cuts and fare hikes proposed as MTA faces major budget crisis

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in July said it would face a budget gap of $634 million in 2022. Turns out, it will actually be much worse than that. The transit authority on Thursday rolled out its proposed 2019 budget and four-year financial plan, which now projects the budget deficit to climb to a staggering $991 million in four years. With this major budget crisis brewing, the MTA announced two new options for fare and toll increases in 2019 and possible service cuts, all while service deteriorates and ridership drops (h/t WSJ).
More on the fare hike here

FAO Schwarz’s new Rockefeller Center flagship is now open

Gigi Hadid and toy soldiers; she designed their uniforms. Photo credit: Rony Alwin.

November 16, 2018

FAO Schwarz’s new Rockefeller Center flagship is now open

To mark the return of the iconic FAO Schwarz toy emporium to NYC in the form of a new 2.5-story, 20,000-square-foot-plus flagship at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the store hosted a celebrity-studded VIP preview Thursday night ahead of Friday's opening. Guests included Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Whoopi Goldberg, Bethenny Frankel, Morena Baccarin, Carrie Berk, and Disney's Mia Sinclair Jenness. Doors opened today at 10:30 a.m., kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. With a nod to the brand's magical history as part of New York City lore, the new store uses the Art Deco architecture of its new home to amplify memories of FAO experiences from years past; a look toward the future begins with FAO Schwarz toy soldiers flanking the store's 49th street entrance sporting new uniforms designed by supermodel Gigi Hadid.
Welcome back to our world of toys

Uncategorized

On the weekend before Thanksgiving, the L train is pretending it’s already April

Image: rhythmicdiaspora Via Flickr

November 16, 2018

On the weekend before Thanksgiving, the L train is pretending it’s already April

Get more practice for next year’s L train shutdown: There won’t be any L service between Broadway Junction and 8 Avenue again this weekend, but there will be M-14 and free shuttle buses–and the G can (mostly) pick up the Brooklyn slack. The 4 and Q trains are still on slight hiatus in places; A and C trains are also underachieving in both directions a bit this weekend, so check below for your stop before you go.
The G is keeping it simple this weekend, more this way

Transit

Björk is coming to the Shed; Will Ikea bring a mixed-use development to NYC?

The Shed via Diller Scofidio +Renfro (L); Ikea in Red Hook via Wiki Commons (R)

November 15, 2018

Björk is coming to the Shed; Will Ikea bring a mixed-use development to NYC?

By 6sqft

Björk will premiere her “most elaborate stage concert yet’ during the inaugural season of Hudson Yards’ performance venue the Shed. [Gothamist] Ikea is looking to open six mixed-use developments in the next two years, and NYC is on their list. [CO] At $61,000 per Amazon job, New York pays twice what Virginia does. [Business Insider] Get a look […]

Uncategorized

De Blasio announces new Delancey Street bike lanes ahead of L train shutdown

Delancey Street via Wiki Commons

November 15, 2018

De Blasio announces new Delancey Street bike lanes ahead of L train shutdown

Mayor de Blasio has announced the opening of a new quarter-mile, two-way protected bike lane along Delancey Street on the Lower East Side. The stretch connects to the Williamsburg Bridge, the most traveled by cyclists of all the East River crossings, and is "expected to play a central role during the shutdown of L train service between Brooklyn and Manhattan" when it begins on April 27th. Currently, 7,300 cyclists cross the Bridge each day, and the Mayor expects the new bike lanes to double or even triple that number.
READ MORE

Transit

Co-living startup Common announces first Manhattan location in Hell’s Kitchen

Photo of another location, via Common

November 15, 2018

Co-living startup Common announces first Manhattan location in Hell’s Kitchen

As of April 2018, co-living startup Common had raised $40 million in Series C venture funding, far more than the $15 and $11.5 million raised by its competitors Ollie and HubHaus. Since opening its first NYC location in 2015 in Crown Heights, Common has expanded with 10 locations in Brooklyn and Queens, but they've now decided to turn their attention to Manhattan. The company announced today that they will open a 32-bed building at 47th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues in Hell's Kitchen--"a short subway ride on the C or 7 trains into Long Island City and Amazon's HQ2."
More details

Real Estate Trends

November 15, 2018

MVRDV’s vibrant ‘vertical village’ hotel breaks ground in Washington Heights

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

Netherlands-based architecture firm MVRDV on Thursday broke ground on its first major project in the United States: a 22-story tower in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood. Dubbed the Radio Tower & Hotel, the mixed-use building will feature a hotel, retail, and office space all in a colorful, boxy structure. According to the architects, the vibrant boxes take inspiration from the colors of "storefronts in the majority-Hispanic neighborhood" and keeps them the same size as other buildings in the area.
See it here

THE 6SQFT SHOP

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

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NYC yellow taxis launch a permanent 50% discount during rush hours

Photo via Flickr cc

November 15, 2018

NYC yellow taxis launch a permanent 50% discount during rush hours

By Alexandra Alexa

Good news for outer borough commuters: Starting today, yellow taxi ride fares into Manhattan during the morning and evening rush hours will be 50 percent off for those using Waave. The permanent discount is available from 6am to 10am and from 5pm to 8pm daily. As 6sqft previously reported, Waave -- an app approved by the Taxi & Limousine Commission -- launched citywide in September with the aim of providing New Yorkers the convenient features of popular ride-hail apps, including an upfront fare, surge-free pricing and an estimated time of arrival.
Find out more

Transit

November 15, 2018

For $335K, this funky Upper East Side studio makes up in style what it lacks in size

In the heart of Yorkville, this cozy co-op studio at 203 East 89th Street doesn't offer a ton of square footage, but a $335,000 ask, daring design (hope you like black, white, and yellow!), and plenty of southern light–plus proximity to Central Park and other Upper East Side perks–make it worth a look.
Eclectic charm, this way

Distinctive Homes

Will Jeff Bezos live in one of his Upper West Side apartments when Amazon comes to town?

Photo of Bezos via NMAH’s Flickr and photo of the Century via Wikimedia

November 15, 2018

Will Jeff Bezos live in one of his Upper West Side apartments when Amazon comes to town?

With Amazon officially coming to New York City, where will its founder and chief executive live? Jeff Bezos will have an easier time finding a property in the city than most, as he already owns four apartments in Manhattan. All of the NYC properties owned by the multi-billionaire are located on the Upper West Side at 25 Central Park West, in a condo building known as the Century (h/t I Love The UWS). Bezos, who owns several homes (as well as the biggest in Washington, D.C.) and remains one of the top landowners in the country, has requested helipad access for Amazon's new Long Island City headquarters, making any neighborhood he chooses to live just a quick ride away.
More here

Celebrities

Residential interest in Long Island City surges 300% after Amazon’s HQ2 announcement

Via Wiki Commons

November 15, 2018

Residential interest in Long Island City surges 300% after Amazon’s HQ2 announcement

By Alexandra Alexa

Amazon’s decision to divide its second headquarters between Long Island City and Arlington, Virginia was confirmed on Tuesday, bringing with it questions about how the neighborhoods will withstand the influx of 25,000 new workers each. According to a new study from RENTCafé, LIC already has an occupancy rate of 98.2% and about 15,400 units currently either under construction or in a planning phase, so Amazon’s announcement is sure to add fuel to an already bustling market. In fact, according to listings site CityRealty, searches for residential apartments in the neighborhood are up 281% compared to the daily averages prior to the announcement.
Get the scoop

Real Estate Trends

Daniel Libeskind’s 900-pound star brings the bling to this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Image: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer via TimeOut

November 15, 2018

Daniel Libeskind’s 900-pound star brings the bling to this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The star that tops the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree each year never fails to dazzle; this year is no exception. The 12-ton Norway Spruce has been crowned by architect Daniel Libeskind's creation consisting of 3 million Swarovski crystals and weighing in at 900 pounds. The World Trade Center master site planner, known for his geometric, angular designs, called the star “a symbol that represents our greatest ambitions for hope, unity and peace.” And we can all use plenty of that.
106,400 lumens of white light, this way

November 15, 2018

$3.2M Nomad co-op atop the historic Gilsey House has a mini solarium and a rooftop oasis

The landmarked Gilsey House at 1200 Broadway was once one of several fashionable Broadway hotels to open after the Civil War, and many of these historic details remain, complemented by the kind of 21st-century updates we expect to find in this once-again fashionable neighborhood. The 1871 Second Empire cast-iron building has become a NYC fixture, known for its three-story mansard roof, and it's right above this iconic roof that this $3.2 million penthouse is perched. In addition to the landscaped roof deck, complete with a water tower and Empire State Building views, the three-bedroom pad has a sprawling loft layout, two skylights, and a mini solarium.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

MTA approves discounted MetroCards for 7- and 30-day passes only

Via Ged Carroll on Flickr

November 14, 2018

MTA approves discounted MetroCards for 7- and 30-day passes only

Reduced MetroCards are coming to New York City in January, but the discounts only apply to weekly and monthly passes. New details about the Fair Fares program, which was officially included in the city budget in June, were released on Tuesday during an MTA board meeting. According to meeting minutes, the MTA will not be providing single trip discounts when the program kicks off next year. Instead, low-income New Yorkers who are living at or below the federal poverty level, or a household income of $25,000 for a family of four, can buy half-off 7-day or 30-day passes.
Find out more

November 14, 2018

NYC’s highest residential outdoor space revealed at Hudson Yards

The first phase of the Hudson Yards megaproject, including the public square and gardens and its centerpiece, Vessel, as well as The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, anchored by NYC’s first Neiman Marcus store, is preparing to open this spring. Now, Fifteen Hudson Yards has revealed Skytop, the highest outdoor residential space in NYC at 900 feet in the air, and an equally dizzying suite of amenities for residents at the Rockwell Group and Diller Scofidio + Renfro-designed 88-story tower.
Cast your eyes heavenward

My 3,400sqft: How an extensive renovation revived this eclectic, century-old Ditmas Park home

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to Stephanie Berman’s family home in Ditmas Park, which got a full renovation from Fauzia Khanani, founder of design firm Studio Fōr. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

November 14, 2018

My 3,400sqft: How an extensive renovation revived this eclectic, century-old Ditmas Park home

Advertising professional Stephanie Berman went into a design consultation with designer Fauzia Khanani, of Studio Fōr, simply seeking advice on decor for her Ditmas Park home. “I figured that Fauzia might help me choose a few new throw pillows and maybe a rug or two," Stephanie told us, "but once we sat down to talk, I realized that soft furnishings were not going to do it." After the free two-hour session, won through a silent auction at work, Stephanie and her husband Drummond concluded they actually wanted a full renovation of their century-old home, where their family has lived for over a decade. Through an in-depth collaboration with Fauzia, the Bermans' home was refreshed with brightly painted walls, Mid-century modern touches, eclectic elements, and, of course, new throw pillows. For this project, the first in the neighborhood for Studio Fōr, Fauzia told us: "We wanted to add some modernity to the house but also be respectful of the original design and context."
See inside Stephanie's cozy home

November 14, 2018

Samuel L. Jackson lists Upper East Side condo for $13M

By Annie Doge

He may be the highest-earning box office star ever, but Samuel L. Jackson doesn't seem to have dropped much of his billions on designing his Upper East Side apartment. The rather sparse condo, located on the eighth floor of 26 East 63rd Street, takes up a sizable 3,000 square feet and has four bedrooms, a contemporary eat-in kitchen, and an entertaining area with a wet bar. As the Post reports, Jackson and his wife, actress LaTanya Richardson, have put the place on the market for $13 million, perhaps to spend more time at their gorgeously designed Tudor home in LA. They bought the apartment for $4.8 million from N.B.A. basketball player Greg Anthony back in 2005.
Check it out

Via Wikimedia

November 14, 2018

MTA to buy Grand Central Terminal for $35M

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to purchase Grand Central Terminal for $35 million, a deal which will give the agency more control over development projects happening at the space. Expected to be approved by the MTA's full board Thursday, the sale ends the 280-year lease that began in 1994 and gave the agency a one-time window to buy the station. Along with the famed terminal, the sale also includes miles of track on Metro-North's Harlem and Hudson lines.
Get the details

Transit

November 14, 2018

Enjoy a Moroccan-style den under a glass rooftop at this $7M Union Square penthouse

The listing for this 3,000+ square-foot gem at one of downtown Manhattan's busiest crossroads calls it a "splendid chateau," and it's certainly that. The most sparkling element of this rare pre-war condominium penthouse at 10 East 14th Street, asking $6.995 million, may be the 600-square-foot all-glass conservatory leading to 1,300 square feet of magical rooftop garden.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

November 14, 2018

New renderings of Sunshine Cinema-replacing office tower reveal “Houston Alleyway”

Nearly a year ago, we got our first look at the glassy box that would replace the Lower East Side's formerly iconic Sunshine Cinema. And now, developer East End Capital has launched an official website to market the office spaces at 141 East Houston Street that includes a trio of new renderings. First uncovered by CityRealty, not only do they show an interior commercial space and the ground-level retail, but they reveal "Houston Alleyway," a new green-walled passageway that will run south from Houston Street.
See all the renderings

Despite city-wide ban, Amazon wants to put a rooftop helipad on its NYC HQ

Image: Maxpixel CC public domain.

November 13, 2018

Despite city-wide ban, Amazon wants to put a rooftop helipad on its NYC HQ

On the heels of news that Amazon has chosen Long Island City, Queens for one of its two new headquarters, making the promise of 25,000 new jobs a hopefully-someday reality, comes the fine print request that the company would like a helipad for its new East River waterfront HQ, please. Slate reports that the request appears deep in a 32-page memorandum of understanding with the city and state.
Rooftop helipads have been banned since 9/11

November 13, 2018

$2M Brooklyn Heights penthouse feels like a Paris atelier with skyline views from the terrace

This classic pre-war penthouse at 200 Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights sits atop one of the city's oldest co-ops, built in 1910 by William A. Moring. This elegant apartment has the kind of charm and detail–high ceilings, skylights and French doors opening to reveal a private landscaped terrace–that brings to mind a Paris atelier–with the added bonus of New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline views. The two-bedroom home is asking $1.95 million.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

November 13, 2018

Cannoli, cheesecake, and an East Village icon: See history in action at 125-year-old Veniero’s Pastry

By James and Karla Murray

Ask a group of New Yorkers where to find the best cannolis or cheesecake, and without a doubt, you'll hear Veniero Pasticceria and Caffé. An East Village institution, Veniero's is a family-owned and operated Italian pastry shop that was established by Italian immigrant Antonio Veniero in 1894. Veniero, who lived with his family next door, started the business as a candy shop. He then started serving Italian espresso and biscotti and by the 1920s, he had brought in master bakers from Sicily to run the kitchen. A century later, Veniero's is still family-owned and is celebrating is 125th anniversary next year. We had the chance to tour the caffé and bakery with Robert Zerilli, the fourth-generation current owner and great-nephew of founder Antonio Veniero. Today, Veniero's serves more than 150 desserts, from traditional Italian butter cookies and cannolis to some more modern offerings such as red velvet cake and oreo cheesecake. Ahead, go behind the scenes to see how all these tasty treats are made, tour the historic interiors, and learn all about Veniero's history from Robert.
Hear Robert tell Veniero's story

See the waterfront site in Long Island City where Amazon will bring its new mixed-use campus

Rendering of Plaxall’s proposed (but not yet approved) mixed-use LIC project courtesy of WXY architecture + urban design

November 13, 2018

See the waterfront site in Long Island City where Amazon will bring its new mixed-use campus

Amazon officially announced on Tuesday its plan to bring its second headquarters to Long Island City, following a 14-month long contest among hundreds of cities across the country. The company will also open a second new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, with each location expected to house 25,000 new employees; Nashville will become home to Amazon's "Operations Center of Excellence," equipped for 5,000 full-time jobs. In Queens, Amazon intends to construct the mixed-use complex across both public and private sites that sit along the East River, in an area known as Anable Basin. Although the HQ2 project still must undergo a public and environmental review, as well as a possible rezoning, the tech company said it will receive over $1.7 billion in incentives from New York State for its project, which is expected to cost over $3.6 billion, and has the potential for another $1.3 billion "as-of-right" benefits from New York City.
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Are NYC women paying a ‘pink tax’ to avoid sexual harassment on public transit?

Photo: Jeffrey Zeldman via Flickr.

November 13, 2018

Are NYC women paying a ‘pink tax’ to avoid sexual harassment on public transit?

According to a new report, New York City women are spending an extra $26 to $50 a month on transportation because of safety concerns. An online survey conducted by the Rudin Center for Transportation at NYU asked New Yorkers about harassment on public transportation, if safety concerns impact their transit choices and about their travel habits in general (h/t AMNY). According to the results, 75 percent of females who responded had experienced harassment or theft while using public transportation compared to 47 percent of male respondents; over half of female respondents were concerned about being harassed on public transit; 29 percent of the women (versus 8 percent of men) said they don’t take public transportation late at night because of “a perceived safety threat.”
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The 74

201 East 74th Street

Lenox Hill

Gracious Upper East Side condos with Central Park and skyline views

2 beds starting at $3,380,000
3 beds starting at $4,850,000
5 beds starting at $11,950,000

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See 120 years of NYC art and architecture planning at the Public Design Commission’s Archives

Plans for a never-built “Italian Fountain” at the Bronx Zoo, disapproved by the Commission Feb. 10, 1903; DC French’s “Brooklyn” and a Guide to Prospect Park via PDC

November 13, 2018

See 120 years of NYC art and architecture planning at the Public Design Commission’s Archives

On the third floor of City Hall, in what was once an apartment for the building's caretaker, a small agency known as the Public Design Commission reviews works of public art, architecture, and design proposed on or over city-owned property. Projects as varied as West End Avenue's Straus Memorial, Central Park's Bethesda Fountain, Greenpoint's now-defunct Huron Street Baths, and all of the City's spectacular WPA murals, have come before the Commission for approval and safeguarding. Since the Commission was established under the New York City Charter in 1898 and approved its first project, the Maine Monument in Central Park, designed and carved in the Bronx by the great Attillio Piccirilli, the commission has conferred or withheld its blessing on more than 7,000 projects. Thankfully, what those projects are and where you can find them is all a matter of public record. Since 1902, the Commission has maintained a meticulous archive documenting all the projects it has reviewed. The Archive includes original drawings, photographs, and architectural plans of more than a century of the City's public works.
Set your designs on this Story!

History

November 13, 2018

$1.7M Ridgewood listing tries to make SoMA (South of Myrtle Avenue) a thing

By Annie Doge

As if Quooklyn wasn’t bad enough. A recent tipoff about townhouse at 16-35 Hancock Street in prime Ridgewood near the Myrtle-Wyckoff subway stop informed us that: "SoMA (South of Myrtle Avenue) is the new SOHO, with a blossoming creative community of artists and restauranteurs. Former Soho/Tribeca residents have moved to Ridgewood for a more authentic experience and stimulating lifestyle." It's true that Soho/Tribeca residents have long ago fled those neighborhoods on account of billionaire rents and not wanting to live in a sneaker mall, and also true that Ridgewood is ablaze with creative newcomers and packed to the gills with authentic experience. But after SoBro (South Bronx), Dobro (Downtown Brooklyn) SoHa (South Harlem), Soho West (New Jersey) and NoLo (uh...we're really not sure), and, apparently, NoBat, NoCal, BoHo, and GoCaGa, enough may just be enough. Plus, Ridgewood requires no rebranding–it's cool enough on its own.
So let's see the house

Distinctive Homes

New Chase HQ in Midtown will rise 1,400 feet and have Metro North access

270 Park Avenue enclosed public space (with action); image from City Planning.

November 12, 2018

New Chase HQ in Midtown will rise 1,400 feet and have Metro North access

In late October, JPMorgan Chase announced the selection of Foster + Partners, led by British Pritzker Prize winner Norman Foster, as the architects of a new 70-story headquarters on the site of its current offices at 270 Park Avenue between East 47th and 48th streets, CityRealty reports. The plan, announced in February, represents the first major project under the 2017 Midtown East Rezoning Plan that upzoned 78 blocks of Midtown to allow for the construction of larger, more modern skyscrapers. The 70-floor, 1,400-foot height would make the new headquarters one of the tallest buildings in the city and the tallest office building by roof height.
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New Developments

November 12, 2018

For under $400K, this Upper West Side studio is cozy, clever, and convenient