February 6, 2017

The real Bowling Green Massacre of 1643; Anthony Bourdain wants food hall to evoke ‘Blade Runner’

There was a Bowling Green Massacre, but in 1643 when European soldiers and settlers killed dozen of Lenape people in southern Manhattan. [Indian Country Media Network] Is Snapchat the new way to rent apartments? [NYP] Icelandic pop star Björk got $2.2 million for her historic home in the upstate celebrity enclave Snedens Landing. [Variety] The Department […]

February 6, 2017

BKSK Architects share new renderings of artsy, boutique Noho condo 22 Bond

It's been a long time since Noho went from a creative warehouse district, home to the likes of Basquiat and Warhol, to a trendy enclave full of multi million-dollar lofts and Michelin-starred restaurants, but the 'hood has seen a recent influx of new boutique residential buildings, specifically 22 Bond, which may be the overall embodiment of the area. The 11-story condo offers only six units that begin at $9.8 million, but BKSK Architects' purposeful inclusion of large-scale art, both in the lobby and on the building itself, keep the neighborhood's creative history in play. The project has now launched its official page, which bring us new looks at its facades, art work, and interiors.
All the renderings and details ahead
February 6, 2017

Concert pianist Inon Barnatan looks to unload his Harlem loft for $2.25 million

When concert pianist Inon Barnatan was on the hunt for a Manhattan apartment, it had to satisfy one big requirement: enough space to hold a grand piano. He found this lofty condo at 140 West 124th Street, in Harlem, paying $1.182 million back in 2007, according to a profile in the Wall Street Journal. Located in a former warehouse built in 1906—that was allegedly used as a speakeasy during Prohibition—the two bedroom boasts historic barrel ceilings and a spacious living room fit for a piano.
Take a look
February 6, 2017

As New York City grows, so does its garbage

As a city of 8 million people became a city of 8.5 million, it only took a glance skyward at any given time to note the booming population in every borough, with tall towers and boutique buildings springing up like weeds in formerly less-bustling neighborhoods. It's just as noticeable closer to the ground as an exploding population's trash threatens to reach skyscraper proportions, too, taxing the city's sanitation infrastructure. From street cleaning to curbside sanitation pickup to volunteer "adopt-a-basket" efforts in tourist zones and parks, the job of keeping the city clean is getting out of hand, the New York Times reports. Yet the garbage keeps growing. The city's sanitation department spent $58.2 million last year to keep the streets clean, up from $49.5 million the previous year, as well as expanding and adding routes, putting more people on duty to empty sidewalk baskets and adding Sunday service; Staten Island got its first street sweeper last year.
More people means more trash
February 6, 2017

What a teen wants: 7 NYC teenagers on their dream apartment building

For many years, New York developers have been working to design family-friendly buildings. As a result, it is now common for new buildings to include playrooms and wading pools. Okay, but what about teens? While buyers often spend considerable time searching for baby- and child-friendly apartments, teenagers’ needs have historically been overlooked. But this doesn’t […]

February 6, 2017

Construction update: Domino Sugar Factory tower tops off and gets its skybridge

Things are moving ahead swiftly at the Domino Sugar Factory since Two Trees broke ground at the three million-square-foot Williamsburg mega-development last spring. In November, the lottery opened for 104 affordable units at 325 Kent Avenue, the first building at the site. Designed by SHoP Architects, who are also responsible for the project's entire master plan, the $200 million tower has now topped off at 16 stories, and the skybridge connecting its two wings has also gone up. CityRealty paid a visit to the construction site and got a look at these new views, as well as the copper cladding that's taken shape on the lower face of the building.
See it all here
February 6, 2017

Vince Clarke’s gorgeous Park Slope townhouse asks $6M after Roman and Williams haute-goth makeover

Back in 2008, the stunning 19th century Park Slope townhouse at 178 Garfield Place belonging to J. Crew president and creative director Jenna Lyons wowed design and brownstone junkies when it made the cover of Domino magazine and the pages of countless others. In 2012, the stylishly- and painstakingly-renovated home was sold for an impressive $4 million to Depeche Mode founder Vince Clarke and his wife, Tracy Hurley Martin. As 6sqft previously reported, the pair–she helmed Brooklyn's fabulously peculiar (and recently-shuttered) Morbid Anatomy Museum and adores curiosities and the darker side of collecting–hired designers-to-the-stars Roman and Williams to give the four-story home yet another design makeover. Though a New York Times home design feature quotes Mrs. Martin as saying, "This is it. This is where I’m going to die. Hopefully not anytime soon,” upon first touring the 3,600 square-foot townhouse, a very much alive Martin and Mr. Clarke have put the home on the market for $5.995 million.
Tour the iconic and beautiful townhouse
February 5, 2017

A new construction carriage house in Red Hook boasts plentiful indoor and outdoor space

A unique property in a unique neighborhood has hit the market for a cool $1.9 million. 97 King Street, in the waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook, is a newer construction building inspired by the carriage house design. The three-story property holds a 270-square-foot garage on the ground floor--currently home to the textile company Artemisia--and living space above. It's topped with an impressive roof deck that looks over Lower Manhattan and the surrounding waterfront.
Go inside
February 4, 2017

Interview: Daniel Kohs of SYNTHESIS on designing a brand-new Carnegie Hill mansion

Developer and architect Daniel Kohs isn’t one of New York’s heavyweight developers. He’s not one to pursue glossy, big-ticket skyscrapers containing thousands of square feet of ubiquitous space. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just that there’s a lot to be gained from “transformation.” Best yet, preserving the integrity and culture of […]

February 4, 2017

Weekly highlights: Top picks from the 6sqft staff

Karim Rashid’s East Harlem HAP Five gets its bright pink trim The mysterious origins of the famous New York Egg Cream In just a month, Second Avenue Subway eases congestion on the Lexington Avenue line by 11 percent Hidden tunnel connecting New Yorker Hotel to Penn Station unearthed Lendlease-Turner selected as design-build team for $1.5B […]

February 3, 2017

Win this Catskills cabin with a 200-word essay

In a non-traditional run around the local real estate market, one enterprising couple is attempting to sell their Bethel, N.Y. vacation house by inviting buyers to submit a 200-word essay on, ““How would owning the lakefront dream home change your life?” along with $149. Andrew Bares and Kelly Lavorgna had attempted to sell the two-bedroom cabin on five-and-a-half acres at 391 Woodstone Trail twice in the last four years without success, which prompted them to undertake this slightly different angle on the prospective buyer's "sweetheart letter." If the contest attracts 5,500 applicants, it will bring the sellers $819,500 for the house (h/t New York Times).
So what's the catch?
February 3, 2017

Support the ACLU with your weekend coffee; Frederick Douglass and NYC’s Underground Railroad

Today through Sunday, coffee shops throughout NYC and the country are partnering with the ACLU to donate proceeds and match contributions. [Sprudge] The history of how David Ruggles’ Tribeca home was a stop on the Underground Railroad that first welcomed Frederick Douglass to New York. [Bowery Boys] This breakfast station is a coffee maker, toaster, and […]

February 3, 2017

NYC launches citywide book club, One Book, One New York

On Wednesday the city announced that it's bringing back the One Book, One New York program to get New Yorkers reading and support independent bookstores in the five boroughs, the New York Times reports. Starting in early March, residents from all corners of the city will be encouraged to read the same book, which will be chosen in an online vote from a small group of finalists. The five choices are: Ta-Nehisi Coates’s “Between the World and Me,” Paul Beatty’s “The Sellout,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah,” Betty Smith’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” and Junot Díaz’s “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.” But the first challenge the program faces is to get New Yorkers to agree on a book.
Read on, New York
February 3, 2017

Designing One Vanderbilt: The architects of KPF discuss the incredible 1401-foot undertaking

There are a number of towers on the rise poised to change the New York City skyline, but few are anticipated to have an impact as significant as One Vanderbilt. Developed by SL Green and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the glassy supertall will extend an incredible 1,401 feet into the clouds to become the city's third tallest tower (following One World Trade Center and the in-progress Central Park Tower) while also bringing a staggering 1.7 million square feet of office space to Midtown Manhattan. But beyond its height and girth, this massive development is expected to elevate its surroundings a profound way. Indeed, the enshadowed "iconic but aging" district surrounding Grand Central, long-deprived of public space and life beyond weary commuters, will be turned into a verdant block dedicated to all New Yorkers.
6sqft's interview with the architects this way
February 3, 2017

FREE RENT: A roundup of NYC’s latest rental concessions

Co-Living Rental ‘Common Baltic‘ Makes its Debut, Offers Leases with One Month of Free Rent [link] An Astounding Four Months of Free Rent with Two-Year Leases at Brooklyn Rental, The Williams [link] Live in Downtown Art Deco High Rise with Two Months of Free Rent; Studios Starting from $2,775 [link] Hoboken Rental, The Rivington, Offers […]

February 3, 2017

11 chances to live in the heart of Murray Hill for as low as $833/month

A little over two years ago, Charles Blaichman’s CB Developers began construction on a 19-story, mixed-use building at 210 East 39th Street. Designed by Rawlings Architects, the Murray Hill building has a ground-floor retail podium, glassy second-story amenity space, and terra cotta rainscreen-clad frame. In all, there will be 57 rental units, 11 of which are set aside for those earning no more than 60 percent of the area media income. These affordable apartments include one $833/month studio, seven $895/month one-bedrooms, and three $1,082/month two-bedrooms.
Find out more about the building and the lottery
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February 3, 2017

Jared-less Kushner Companies readies for construction at DUMBO’s Jehovah’s Witness parking lot

Despite the fact that Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner stepped down as CEO of Kushner Companies in order to transition from developer to full-time presidential advisor, his family's firm is moving ahead with their big plans at a three-acre parking lot in DUMBO. Just over a month ago, the joint partnership among Kushner, LIVWRK, and CIM Group paid $345 million to the Jehovah’s Witnesses for the site at 85 Jay Street, which brought Kushner's total investment in the area to more than $1 billion. CityRealty recently visited the site and found that they've ceased parking operations and moved construction equipment onsite.
All the details ahead
February 3, 2017

$1.75M Flatiron loft is an art studio, office, library and cool bedroom retreat under one roof

The Flatiron District is known for its big, basic loft apartments, often creatively customized by residents, and this duplex co-op at 131 Fifth Avenue is no exception. Currently on the market for $1.75 million, the art-friendly home has understated bragging points like 15-foot ceilings and 10-foot windows overlooking 5th Avenue, as well as a full suite of interior design tools for creative living.
Get a closer look
February 2, 2017

Construction update: Tishman Speyer’s trio of Long Island City rental towers

Of the 30+ under-construction and proposed projects in Long Island City, many of the tallest and bulkiest are located near Queens Plaza, including this trio of slab-glass rental towers from Tishman Speyer and H&R Real Estate Investment Trust that will bring nearly 1,800 new apartments to the area. The residential buildings--located at 28-34 Jackson Avenue, 28-10 Jackson Avenue and 30-02 Queens Boulevard--are directly adjacent to Tishman's two-towered commercial venture that will be home to WeWork, Macy's, and a food hall. CityRealty recently stopped by the construction to see how things are shaping up at the rentals, which from the looks of it are well on their way to welcoming in LIC's newest batch of residents.
Find out more this way
February 2, 2017

Rich wood details abound at this $5.75M sixth floor loft in Tribeca

There's nothing timid about this three-bedroom loft apartment, perched on the sixth floor of the Tribeca condo 28 Laight Street. The sprawling living room is dominated by exposed wood ceilings, with wide-plank ebonized oak floors below. Massive windows framed by exposed brick bring light into the bold and striking space. Such an impressive interior design will set a buyer back $5.75 million.
Look around the apartment
February 2, 2017

Mixed-use affordable housing complex in the Bronx will feature Hunts Point Brewery and LightBox film studio

A few months ago, 6sqft shared the first rendering of the Peninsula, a $300 million mixed-use complex slated to replace the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. We learned that the five-acre site will hold 740 affordable apartments, open and recreational areas, light industrial space, community facilities like health care providers and artist workspace, and retail/commercial space. In addition to new conceptual renderings from WXY Architecture + Urban Design, the development team has now revealed details on who the borough-based commercial tenants will be, and they include Hunts Point Brewing Company, Il Forno Bakery, and LightBox-NY film studio.
More details and renderings
February 2, 2017

The Hamptons mansion where ‘Seinfeld’ coined ‘shrinkage’ hits the market for $8.75M

A (pricey) piece of pop culture memorabilia is up for grabs, reports the NY Post. The Hamptons mansion featured in Seinfeld's unforgettable "ugly baby" episode—also known as "The Hamptons!"—has just hit the market for $8.75 million. While the estate situated at 45 Whalers Lane in Amagansett has a lot to tout—including 4,000 square feet of space and sweeping oceanfront views—what really makes the house special is the fact it is where the term "shrinkage" was introduced into modern day vernacular.
more views inside and out here
February 2, 2017

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week – 2/2-2/8

In a city where hundreds of interesting events occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Ahead Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer shares her top picks for 6sqft readers! Times Square is abuzz this month with a new film by Alex Da Corte for #Midnightmoment and the unveiling of the annual Valentine's sculpture—this year's piece an interactive work that honors the diversity that immigrants have brought to New York. Also this week, head to the National Arts Club for all the gossip Marie Antoinette shared with hairdresser; check out minimalist illustrators at Spoke Art; then stop by Lincoln Center for this year’s New York City Ballet artist collaboration. Untapped Cities is also offering an underground adventure that will take curious straphangers into the depths of the NYC Subway. Finally, treat yourself to the decadence that is The Art of Food at Sotheby’s, an evening of delicious treats inspired by master artworks made by leading chefs!
More on all the best events this way
February 2, 2017

Design proposal for the Statue of Liberty Museum ‘points’ to social injustice in real time

Though plans were approved in November for the $70 million FXFOWLE-designed Statue of Liberty Museum, Archasm recently launched a speculative design competition for the site. Titled "LIBERTY MUSEUM NEW YORK: Freedom to the people," the timely contest sought proposals that focused on civil and social justice, and ArchDaily now brings us the winning design from EUS+ Architects' Jungwoo Ji, Folio's Bosuk Hur, and Iowa State University student Suk Lee. The Korean designers were inspired by candlelight marches against social injustice in their home country and created an architectural landscape of water droplet-shaped modules that respond to global issues in real time. When a tweet about "dire events" is sent to the museum, the modules receive an electronic signal and moves to point toward the geographic location mentioned.
More looks and details on the design ahead
February 2, 2017

Lake Bell’s trendy Clinton Hill townhouse finds a buyer

Less than a month after director/actress/screenwriter Lake Bell chopped the price of her trendy, historic Clinton Hill townhouse to $2.3 million, she's found a buyer for it, reports the Post. She and her hubby, tattoo artist to the stars Scott Campbell, bought the home at 119 Vanderbilt Avenue in 2013 for $1.55 million, subsequently embarking on creative renovation that preserved historic elements such as four marble-mantled wood-burning fireplaces, tin ceilings, tons of exposed brick, wood-beamed ceilings, detailed moldings, and hand-nailed wide plank floors.
See it all
February 2, 2017

Historic Calvert Vaux-designed co-op that was once a refuge for girls, now asks $1.35M as a cozy duplex

Time hasn’t erased the historic feel of this unusual one-bedroom-plus-sleeping loft co-op, diminutive as it is elegant. It has the look of a renovated townhouse in one of the city’s most creative neighborhoods. At $1.35 million this petite pad may be an expensive refuge, but in its earliest days it was a refuge of a different sort with a history as interesting as its architecture–especially at a time when the ability to offer shelter to those in need is firmly in the spotlight. Landmarked in 2008, the subtly ornate red-brick facade of 307 East 12th Street was designed in 1892 by the firm of Calvert Vaux, who co-designed Central and Prospect Park among other enduring landmarks. Built for the Children’s Aid Society, the building was known as the Elizabeth Home for Girls; the New York Times tells us that it housed "several dozen young women rescued from abusive homes, offering them safe lodging, job training and healthy communal activities.”
Find out more about the building's early residents
February 1, 2017

This ‘car-lover’s dream retreat’ was expertly designed in the woods of Hudson Valley

Nestled in the woods of the Hudson Valley is this stunning home designed around a unique focal point: the generously sized garage. Architect Marcia McKeel, of Studio MM Architect, explained in ArchDaily that the garage "is the locus of the design, generating space for car storage and maintenance as well as a spacious wine cellar and a furniture workshop." The rectangular home, partially embedded in the hilly landscape of the Hudson Valley, juts out from the lower-level garage. Inside, a striking open plan living space was designed for everything from entertaining to relaxing by the fire.
Take the tour
February 1, 2017

Westminster Dog Show now welcoming cats; Data says you should buy a house on February 7th

Can Juno be the labor-friendly alternative to Uber? [Curbed] For its “Meet the Breeds” event this year, the Westminster Dog Show will welcome cats for the first time. [USA Today] Food carts might also be required to post health department letter grades. [NYDN] In February, the average home sells for 6.1 percent less than the rest of the year; […]

February 1, 2017

Greencode’s recycled paper bike offers a cheaper, more eco-friendly ride

Environmentally friendly technology is becoming more popular among developers, because of global warming. That is the case of Mexican entrepreneur Alberto González who recently came up with a startup dubbed Greencode. He created the so-called Urban GC1, the world’s first bike made of recycled paper. According to the developer, this bicycle is cheaper than average […]

February 1, 2017

Extell reveals renderings of new Central Park West condo tower

Though Extell is best known for sky-high mega-developments like One57, the Central Park Tower, and One Manhattan Square, they've also been taking on some slightly smaller residential projects, gobbling up swaths of real estate in the upper Midtown area. Their latest venture is a partnership with Megalith Capital Management to build a new condo tower near Central Park West. Located at 36 West 66th Street, the 292-foot, mid-block building will replace three small office buildings and the synagogue of Congregation Habonim. The latter will be incorporated into the new design, for which CityRealty has uncovered the first rendering and updated details.
READ MORE
February 1, 2017

The history of Little Syria and an immigrant community’s lasting legacy

In the light of Donald Trump's ban on Syrian refugees, 6sqft decided to take a look back at Little Syria. From the late 1880s to the 1940s, the area directly south of the World Trade Center centered along Washington Street held the nation's first and largest Arabic settlement. The bustling community was full of Turkish coffee houses, pastry shops, smoking parlors, dry goods merchants, and silk stores, but the Immigration Act of 1924 (which put limits on the number of immigrants allowed to enter the U.S. from a given country and altogether banned Asians and Arabs) followed by the start of construction on the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in 1940, caused this rich enclave to disappear. And though few vestiges remain today, there's currently an exhibit on Little Syria at the Metropolitan College of New York, and the Department of Parks and Recreation is building a new park to commemorate the literary figures associated with the historic immigrant community.
The full history and details on the new developments
February 1, 2017

Map shows where New York City’s refugees have come from since 2002

In the years since the 9/11 terror attacks, somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,000 people have sought refuge in New York City. Around 8,066 refugees have entered the United States through the city according to U.S. State Department Refugee Processing Center data. This week, President Donald Trump called for restrictions on entry to the U.S. for refugees and immigrants from the predominantly Muslim nations of Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Syria. A map of the world's nations, courtesy of DNAinfo, shows the 59 countries from which New York City's refugees have come each year since 2002.
Find out how many refugees have actually come to NYC from those countries
February 1, 2017

Industrial-chic Williamsburg loft in a 1914 shoe polish factory asks $3.2M

Another big bi-level loft is for sale in the Esquire Lofts, one of Williamsburg's more iconic factory condo conversion buildings. Built in 1914, the former shoe polish factory at 330 Wythe Avenue offers the essence of loft living with 2,146 square feet of open space with the added bonus of the waterfront neighborhood's direct views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. Currently configured with two bedrooms, the space could sleep three or four. It's currently on the market (for the first time as a resale) for $3.195 million.
Have a look
February 1, 2017

In just a month, Second Avenue Subway eases congestion on the Lexington Avenue line by 11 percent

When the Second Avenue Subway opened on the first of the year, it changed the lives of many commuters, namely those living in Yorkville on the Upper East Side who had long walks to the 4/5/6 trains and then faced their notoriously tight cars and frequent delays. But those New Yorkers who still rely on the Lexington Avenue line have also gotten some relief: According to a New York Times analysis of MTA data, on an average January weekday, ridership fell by about 11 percent, or 88,000 trips, between 110th Street and Grand Central, undoubtedly a direct effect of the Second Avenue line's average ridership of 140,000.
More facts and figures
February 1, 2017

Lendlease-Turner selected as design-build team for $1.5B Javits Center expansion

A Lendlease-Turner Construction partnership has been chosen to coordinate and build the planned 1.2 million-square-foot expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Manhattan's far west side. Commercial Observer reports that the New York Convention Center Development Corporation, the entity that controls the state-owned venue, announced Tuesday that they had approved the team for the project, which is expected to cost $1.55 billion. Atlanta-based architecture firm tvsdesign is also part of the Lendlease-Turner consortium. According to the announcement, the winning proposal offered, "significant design, logistical and operational benefits, including increased atrium space, integrated public and support spaces and a commitment to maintaining current operations during all phases of construction."
Find out more and see new renderings
January 31, 2017

Flatiron loft gets a spectacular renovation featuring high-end millwork and finishes

This beautiful loft located in the Flatiron District was designed and renovated by the firm S. R. Gambrel. Known for their innovative use of texture and color, their execution of the interior is a complex but cohesive exercise in fusing a varied palette of the two. The loft was transformed to create individual rooms, and top highlights found in each are the cabinetry details and the millwork that stretches from the floor to ceiling.
READ MORE
January 31, 2017

A list of states that will be hit hardest by Obamacare repeal

As promised, President Donald Trump issued an executive order January 20, just hours after taking the oath of office, that began the process of appealing the Affordable Care Act. Repeal will leave an estimated 18 million uninsured in the first plan year following repeal, then 32 million by 2026, according to official estimates, but the true impact […]

January 31, 2017

NYC lost thousands of parking spots as daily bike ridership increased 80 percent in five years

The NYC Department of Transportation has released its new "Cycling in the City" report, which examines how frequently New Yorkers use bikes as a mode of transportation and how that frequency has changed over time. In 2016, there were 14 million Citi Bike trips taken, a whopping 40 percent more than the previous year. And in terms of general bike riding, the DOT found that daily cycling grew 80 percent from 2010 to 2015, with 450,000 cycling trips made on a typical day in New York. But what has this meant for drivers? Less parking, thanks to the the city's 1,000+ miles of bike lanes. NY1 reports that in Manhattan alone, 2,300 parking spots south of 125th Street were lost in recent years to bike lanes and bike-sharing stations.
READ MORE
January 31, 2017

Sagaponack, Tribeca among nation’s priciest zip codes; Trump transfers NYC properties into trust

The Hamptons’ Sagaponack community is the most expensive zip code in the country. Tribeca zip codes take spots 3, 6, and 12. [Business Insider] From the Studio Museum’s “Black Cowboys” exhibit to a Green-Wood Cemetery trolley tour, here are 14 ways to celebrate Black History Month in NYC. [Untapped] Donald Trump has transferred 71 NYC properties, […]

January 31, 2017

The mysterious origins of the famous New York Egg Cream

From Brooklyn Blackout Cake to Eggs Benedict, New York City is filled with gastronomic firsts. But while we have a clear origin for most of our foodie favorites, the New York Egg Cream is not one of them. This frothy sweet beverage is made from Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup, seltzer water, and a splash of milk, which makes its story even more confusing since the beloved drink contains neither eggs nor cream. There are a few theories currently in circulation about the name and origin of the Egg Cream, each varying in time and circumstance, but most confirming that the drink originated on the Lower East Side among Eastern European Jewish immigrants.
All the mysterious theories
January 31, 2017

Furnished full-floor loft with an art collection asks $6,250/month in Tribeca

This sprawling 1,700-square-foot apartment takes up the entire fifth floor of 91 Franklin Street, a five-story, five-unit rental in Tribeca. Having the top-floor unit means the space is outfitted with skylights, as well as exposures to the north and south. Any renter ready to pay $6,250 a month will also get this pad fully furnished, which includes art from the owner's extensive contemporary collection.
Time to tour the space
January 31, 2017

12 unique wallpaper ideas for renters and homeowners at every budget

6sqft’s series Apartment Living 101 is aimed at helping New Yorkers navigate the challenges of creating a happy home in the big city. This week we get tips from historic interiors expert Elizabeth Finkelstein, founder of CIRCA, a curated historic house marketplace showcasing the most beautiful old homes for sale all across the country, and columnist at Country Living Magazine. She's rounded up some fun, beautiful, and modern wall treatments for renters and homeowners at every budget. If comparing paint samples makes you blue in the face (yes, there are indeed over fifty shades of grey), why not opt for wallpaper instead? It's fun, it's an instant conversation-starter, and we promise it'll look the same in every light. Grandma's favorite decorating staple is undergoing a fresh, modern renaissance–and thanks to some innovative artists designing with the renter in mind, it's easier than ever to install. From peel-and-stick options to those you can roll on with a brush, we've rounded up our favorite wall treatments for every budget!
See our top 12 picks here
January 31, 2017

De Blasio defends sanctuary city status, saying withheld funds would be millions, not billions

In the state's capital on Monday, Mayor de Blasio spoke in defense of various policies including NYC's "sanctuary city" designation, WNYC reports. The mayor was in Albany to ask state legislators for funding for items like education, public health and affordable housing. In the face of criticism from Staten Island assembly members Nicole Malliotakis and Ron Castorina (both Republicans), who questioned the mayor's pledge not to aid in the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants by the new administration, de Blasio said he had discussed the issue with then-President-elect Trump, and would continue to resist mass deportation for "moral, economic and security reasons." Though Castorina said de Blasio would be risking the loss of billions of dollars in federal aid, the mayor said the money withheld by the federal government would only be $100-150 million and that his legal advisers say the city could fight back in court.
Sanctuary cities are safer

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