July 15, 2016

Spotlight: HRCS’ Robert Burke on Teaching City Kids to Sail the Hudson River

Sailing is an expensive sport and often requires a formal introduction at a young age. For many young New Yorkers, particularly those in underserved communities, the chances of getting this exposure are very limited, which is where Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) steps in. The eight-year-old organization’s Sail Academy in Chelsea teaches sailing to 150 students from nine public high schools in the neighborhood. The students enroll in a four-year program during which they earn math and science credit as they learn how to sail, study the marine environment, and build boats. In addition to its work with high school students, HRCS offers Community Sailing, where New Yorkers of all ages can come out and learn to sail. 6sqft recently spoke with HRCS’s Executive Director Robert Burke to find out more about this unique program and what students are learning on the Hudson, and more importantly, beyond it.
Read the interview here
July 15, 2016

Looming L Train Shutdown Already Causing Williamsburg Condo Prices to Dip, Says Expert

Since word broke that the L Train would be shutting down for upwards of a year, many have been wondering just how this would affect real estate prices in the immediate term. Well it looks we may finally be getting a taste. As DNA Info first reports, The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) released their quarterly findings this week, and REBNY found that although the number of condos sales were up in Williamsburg by 43 percent this last quarter over the same time last year, the average sales price dropped a considerable 13 percent to $937,000. To put this further into perspective, for Brooklyn as a whole, REBNY recorded a nine percent rise to $923,000 over the same period; Manhattan condos by comparison grew by 21 percent to an average $2.843M.
is there anything really to this?
July 15, 2016

Rent Designer Erin Fetherston’s Fashionably Furnished Tribeca Loft for $23K/Month

A recent Observer article describing designer Erin Fetherston's Tribeca loft uses adjectives like "dreamy," "delicate," and "airy,"  all of which also describe the ethereal apparel collections she has designed both under her own label and in collaboration with big names like Target and Cosabella. It's fitting that this apartment, with its pale hues and spun-sugar decor, is located in Tribeca's Sugar Warehouse condominium building at 79 Laight Street. Ms. Fetherston has owned the unit since 2007, when she paid $4.33 million for the loft. She has been living with her husband and new baby in Los Angeles, so it's up to another fashionable New Yorker to enjoy the 3,555-square-foot home, furnished with “rare antiques” and “stylish furniture,” including couches from ABC Home and Bergère-style chairs. The three-bedroom loft has graced the pages of Vogue (also featured here on the designer's blog); it's now seeking a new tenant, asking $22,995 a month.
Tour the designer's photogenic and feminine loft
July 14, 2016

Lottery Opens Tomorrow for 300 Affordable Rentals at Pacific Park Brooklyn

It's been almost two years since architects COOKFOX were selected by developer Greenland Forest City Partners to design two residential buildings at their Pacific Park Brooklyn project, the 22-acre site anchored by the Barclays Center and containing eight million square feet of mixed-use development. COOKFOX took the helm for 550 Vanderbilt Avenue, a 275-unit condo, and 535 Carlton Avenue, a 298-unit affordable rental. A housing lottery for the latter will open tomorrow, according to a press release, offering low, moderate and middle-income residents the chance to apply for apartments ranging from $548/month studios to $3,716/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 14, 2016

City Gives First Approval for the Lowline, Must Raise $10M Over the Next Year

The world's first underground park just got one step closer to reality thanks to approvals from the NYC Economic Development Corporation. The Lowline, which will occupy a 40,000-square-foot abandoned trolley terminal below Delancey Street on the Lower East Side, received the thumbs up after an eight-month bidding process during which no one else submitted a proposal. City hall granted co-creators James Ramsey and Dan Barasch control of the space provided they can reach a $10 million fundraising goal over the next 12 months, complete a schematic design, and host five to 10 public design sessions and quarterly community engagement meetings.
What's next and who's paying for this?
July 14, 2016

FXFOWLE’s The Ashland Kicks Off Leasing With New Renderings of Apartments and Food Hall

At the crossroads of Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, and the BAM Cultural District, The Ashland rises. Next Tuesday, July 19, the 53-story, 586-unit tower will open its leasing office to prospective renters interested in its one-, two- and three-bedroom no-fee apartments, priced from $2,600/month for studios to $7,500/month for three-bedrooms. Previously, 282 apartments went online through the city's affordable housing lottery. To coincide with the grand opening, the Gotham Organization-developed and managed building has also launched its full website, providing us a bundle of new renderings of the exterior, the apartments, and the 17,000-square-foot marketplace that will open along its ground floor.
More details ahead
July 14, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week- 7/14-7/20

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! This week, Joseph Gross Gallery's Lynzy Blair presents a two-faced show featuring transformative works that light up at night. The Quin Hotel continues their artist series with Berlin-based ABOVE, and LES's LMAK Gallery offers three floors of art experiences for an afternoon of arty fun. The Rubin Museum's annual block party shuts down 17th street and celebrates the monsoon this year, while the Museum of the Native American explores the variety of native dance with multi-talented performer Ty Defoe. Causey Contemporary's summer show explores the notion of "copy and pasting" in art, and Pippa Zornoza explores the horror of the voice at Grace Exhibition space. Finally, kick off your shoes and frolic in the grass for Bryant Park's Barefoot Ball with Questlove.
More on all the best events this way
July 14, 2016

Buy Old Subway Seats, Signs, Tokens and More From the MTA

We know that thing where they were dumping old subway cars into the ocean for fish to live in was pretty cool, but there are only so many the briny deep can handle, and as cars get upgraded, items from the various good old days of NYC transit increasingly become collectibles. To that end, the MTA holds monthly online sales featuring retired and vintage subway cars (yes, you can apparently buy one of those), buses and their various parts and other ephemera, with items regularly added to the trove. All items are sold with a certificate of authenticity (don't laugh, there's actually a company that makes "vintage" subway signs). The current haul includes vintage subway and bus seats, roll signs and metal hanging straps (so you can feel like a commuter without leaving your living room).
Find out how you can recreate the subway experience at home
July 14, 2016

Suffering From Decay, Central Park Seeks $300M for Repairs and Restoration

If you've walked through Central Park on a recent weekend, you've likely noticed lush grass, blooming flowers, and hordes of tourists and locals alike enjoying the city's unofficial backyard. But a closer look reveals "the debilitating effects of time and modern use," according to the Times, which is why the Central Park Conservancy is embarking a 10-year, $300 million campaign to fund repairs and restorations in the 843-acre open space. "Forever Green: Ensuring the Future of Central Park" will address issues such as a leaking roof at the 144-year-old Belvedere Castle, plumbing issues and cracked pavement at the Conservatory Garden, and insufficient infrastructure at the Naumburg Bandshell. It will also restore arches, bridges, gazebos, and waterways to Olmsted and Vaux's original Adirondack- and Catskills-inspired vision.
But where will the money come from?
July 14, 2016

Sweet Hell’s Kitchen Duplex Has Pre-War Charm, a Smart Layout and Outdoor Space for $990K

It's almost as if this unique little duplex at 461 West 44th Street can't take a bad picture. There isn't a room unblessed by charm–including two good-sized bedrooms, a huge closet/dressing room and an amazing amount of (shared but directly accessible) well-tended outdoor space, all for a surprising-for-Manhattan $990,000. Situated near the corner of a tree-lined block in Hell's Kitchen, the co-op's 990 square feet seem more spacious than that number would suggest, as is often the case when two units are combined. The fixtures, finishes and overall design have been carefully curated with an eye for both beauty and function, and there are more than a few surprises, including a 1951 Chambers stove and a back door just off the kitchen that opens onto an almost-private planted patio.
Tour this one-of-a-kind west side home
July 13, 2016

Get a Peek at the Modernist Treasures Headed for the Four Seasons Restaurant Auction

The Wright auction house is gearing up for the July 26 auction of kitchen and dining room items from the iconic Four Seasons restaurant. As 6sqft previously reported, news that the restaurant would decamp from the building surfaced last summer, when Seagram Building owner Aby Rosen did not renew the lease for what has been seen as the quintessential Midtown “power lunch” spot for the last decades of the 20th century since it opened in 1959. The restaurant’s interiors feature custom designs by Pritzker Prize-winner Philip Johnson and furniture, tableware and other modernist treasures by the likes of by Seagram Building designer Mies Van der Rohe, Hans J. Wegner and others and custom-made Knoll furniture. With an emotional forward by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, the auction catalog offers a preview of items up for auction with estimates. Included will be banquettes designed for the space by Philip Johnson Associates, Eero Saarinen Tulip stools, chairs and tables from the bar of the Grill Room, pans, flatware and dishes created for the restaurant by Ada Louise and L. Garth Huxtable and more.
Take a look at the items in the Four Seasons auction
July 13, 2016

Matt Lauer Lists Another Hamptons Home, This One a 25-Acre Estate for $18M

Matt Lauer is a man on a mission. After scooping up Richard Gere's North Haven compound for $36 million last month, he listed his Southampton beach cottage just a few days later for $4 million. Now, Curbed reports that he's also trying to unload his Sag Harbor estate for $18 million. The home at 2301 Deerfield Road serves as the main house for him and wife Annette. It encompasses 25 acres on two lots, including the super-stylish 8,000-square-foot home, a huge 70' x 20' gunite pool and pool house, tennis court, and gorgeous landscaped grounds.
Check it out
July 13, 2016

Get Your Grill On: Rules, Tips, and Products for Indoor and Outdoor Barbecuing in NYC

Nothing says summer like a perfectly charred burger or buttery ear of corn, but for many New Yorkers these warm-weather goodies are reserved for weekend jaunts to the suburbs or sub-par restaurant versions. If you want to get in on the grilling action without leaving the boroughs, there are plenty of options to barbecue both outside and in. It'll just require a little insider knowledge of the city's rules and regulations, so to help in the process, 6sqft has done the research, as well as put together handy tips and some of the best products.
Things are heating up right this way
July 13, 2016

127-Square-Foot Tiny House in the Catskills Fits Three for $125/Night

Jump on the tiny house bandwagon for few nights with this teensy 7' x 18' cabin up in the Catskills. In addition to boasting that cool reclaimed/rustic/cabin porn aesthetic, this little guy is also located on a charming 12-acre farm that comes complete with goats, bunnies, sheep, chickens, a fire pit, and a swimming pond. On top of all of that, at just $125/night, you could invite another two guests to get cozy with you—yes, believe it or not, there is more than one bed sardined into this home!
See more here
July 13, 2016

Interactive Map Shows Massive ‘Subway Deserts’ in Underserved ‘Hoods

Last summer, 6sqft shared an interactive map from transit data junkie Chris Whong that laid out all NYC land ares more than 500 meters from one of the city's 470 subway stations. He's now revised his Subway Deserts Map to better take into account walkability, using a 10-minute walk from a station as the buffer zone (h/t Gothamist). The "walkshed" is styled in the same hue as water, leaving only the map portions that are subway deserts. Not surprisingly, Manhattan is pretty well set, save for Alphabet City and the far east and west sides, and the majority of the Bronx is underserved, as is much of Queens, southeast Brooklyn, and the Williamsburg waterfront.
Check out the full map here
July 13, 2016

POLL: Would You Drop $2,000 to ‘Glamp’ in a Yurt on a NYC Terrace?

We're all for glamping here at 6sqft, though we typically reserve these outdoor adventures for places like the Catskills. But the W Hotel chain is hoping to capitalize on the trend and bring it to their Lexington Avenue location. A press release from the company announces their Outdoor Glamping Suite, part of the 17th floor Extreme Wow Suite, which makes nods to camping with "a 12-foot yurt bedecked in a kaleidoscope of fabrics and textures, glowing lanterns, rattan hanging chairs and a fire pit that lights up with a flip of a switch." The W teamed up with interior design company Laurel & Wolf to create the experience, which is going for a whopping $2,000 a night.
Would you spend that for a night of glamping in NYC?
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July 13, 2016

Landmarks Tables Morris Adjmi-Designed Office Building Planned for Controversial Noho Site

In February, 6qft reported that Ironstate Development was forging ahead with plans to build a nine-floor, 46,000-square-foot office and community facility building at 363 Lafayette Street in Noho. The long-vacant parcel sits adjacent to the live/work studio of artist Chuck Close at 20 Bond Street. In 2008, he filed a lawsuit against the previous owner to prevent the construction of an office building that would've blocked his loft building's natural light, which he argued the artists depend on. Squarely sited in the recently extended Noho Historic District, the Morris Adjmi-led design came before the Landmark's yesterday aiming to compel the commission on the aesthetic soundness of their proposal. Ultimately the LPC decided to table the design and asked Adjmi to return with modifications.
More details ahead
July 13, 2016

Incredible 1842 West Village Townhouse With Multi-Level Garden Asks $9M

The listing for this three-story townhouse at 41 Bethune Street says it's on one of the most desirable residential blocks in New York City, and it would be hard to argue with that. Who wouldn't wan't to live tucked into the leafy and historic townhouse-lined blocks of the West Village—so adorably out of step with the grid—near the Hudson River? And that's pretty much all a two-family 19th century townhouse needs to ask $8.995 million any day of the week, especially if it's not, say, the narrowest house in the city (though there's a certain amount of cachet in that honor). So with that as a starting point, this nicely-preserved brick home is sure to get attention. The raves, though, are likely to be over the multi-level backyard deck where an urban garden is in full bloom.
Get a closer look at this Village house and garden
July 12, 2016

LPC Approves Faux-Classical Mansion on Notorious UES Site of Blown Up Townhouse

Ghoulish history be damned, the Woodbine Company has just received tentative design approvals from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to build a single-family, faux-classical mansion upon the parcel where Dr. Nicholas Bartha blew up his townhouse ten years ago. The now vacant 20' x 100' parcel once held the home of Dr. Bartha who purposely tampered with a gas line to destroy the five-floor mansion to punish his ex-wife for divorcing him and having the court rule that he had to sell the house as part of the settlement. The doctor vowed in an e-mail, "I will leave the house only if I am dead," and on July 10, 2006, set off an explosion which shook the typically quiet Upper East Side block. Only the doctor was inside during the time of the explosion and he succumbed to his injuries five days afterwards.
More on what’s coming to the infamous site
July 12, 2016

Why Are the Supertall Gurus at Extell Planning a Stubby 18-Story Condo on Billionaires’ Row?

Gary Barnett's Extell Development has become synonymous with sky-high towers, especially those along Billionaires' Row -- the 1,005-foot-tall One57 and the 1,550-foot-tall Central Park Tower -- where it appeared that they were readying to construct a third behemoth that would rise more than 700 feet. However, Crain's reports that Extell has filed plans for the site at 134 West 58th Street (the same block as One57), and they call for a stubby, 18-story, 41-unit condo building that's less than 200 feet tall.
What's the deal?
July 12, 2016

Stylish 470-Square-Foot Chelsea Loft Has More Space Than You’d Expect

While a 470-square-foot studio sounds pretty small when it comes to living space—and we certainly wouldn't expect much in the way of storage—this $699,000 co-op at 100 West 15th Street excels in lots of unexpected ways. Sleeping lofts can be tricky—especially when they're touted as the second floor of a "duplex" for twice the price of this unit–but in this case it works. A sizable sleeping platform with a wall of closets makes this studio look spacious rather than cell-like, and is in keeping with the Chelsea building's industrial loft history. Finishes also have a loft aesthetic, enough to look like they belong without looking precious. And the quality of the home's fixtures shows that whoever renovated this space meant business when it came to maximizing style and function in every square foot.
Find out more about this chic, efficient loft
July 12, 2016

This Luxurious, $15M New Jersey Castle Comes With 32 Acres of Land

New York City is full of incredible properties, but it's not known for its castles. You have to go to New Jersey for that. Over near Bernardsville Mountain, in northern New Jersey, is the Stronghold Castle—probably one of the most impressive homes in the entire state. It's the work of the architect George B. Post, who purchased 104 acres around the mountain in 1871. Soon after, in 1886, Post was commissioned to design a house for James Coleman Drayton, a New York banker and the son-in-law of William Backhouse Astor on one of the highest points in the area. The result? A two-story, stone villa with a tower commanding views of the estate's 128 acres. Over the years, different owners added to the home and it evolved into this modern-day castle. Between 1940 and 1995, it served as a private girl's school. The latest owner, who bought in 2004, restored the castle in all its grandeur while adding modern additions to make it a cozy home. (Or, as cozy as a castle can be.)
Take the grand tour
July 12, 2016

$1.4M Williamsburg Apartment is Surrounded by Greenery and Outdoor Space

This Williamsburg apartment at 16 Monitor Street is perfect for summer, as there's views of greenery pretty much everywhere you look. As the listing says, "Whichever window you look out of, you see lush foliage and flowers." The two-bedroom duplex spans about 1,500 square feet and is decked out with modern finishes and a very impressive walk-in closet. It's been renovated into a bona fide entertainment space, assisted in no small part by the 200 square feet of barbecue and lounge space outside.
Check out the inside and outside
July 12, 2016

Downtown Brooklyn’s 300 Ashland Releases New Renderings to Kick Off No-Fee Leasing

The latest tower to open its doors in Downtown Brooklyn‘s BAM Cultural District is 300 Ashland, a 35-story, mixed-use tower from Two Trees Management that is offering 300 no-fee rentals. There are currently nine units available with studios starting at $2,850/month, one-bedrooms at $3,300/month and a single three-bedrooms from $5,750/month. To coincide with the launch, the developer […]

July 12, 2016

Is the Mayor’s Plan To Stop Dumping Garbage by 2030 Possible–or Just Trash Talk?

New Yorkers make a lot of garbage. We create more than 44 million pounds of residential and commercial waste every day–about a ton per person annually. Of that, only a third is recycled, composted or burned to generate energy. The rest is dumped in landfills. A recent Crain's article explains how Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes to make a serious dent in all that dumping. He has pledged that by 2030, the city would be sending “zero waste” to landfills: “This is the way of the future if we’re going to save our Earth.” But like most things, the success of any plans to reduce the rubbish pile hinges on two things: management, and incentive (which, for most New Yorkers, means money).
What's the plan to get to zero waste
July 12, 2016

151 Affordable Apartments Up For Grabs Near Yankee Stadium, Starting at $532/Month

In the Melrose section of the Bronx, just a few short blocks from Yankee Stadium, 151 newly constructed apartments are up for grabs through the city's affordable housing lottery. Located at 3160 Park Avenue, the 12-story building from Trinity Park Avenue Development and Newman Design offers both low- and moderate-income units. As Welcome2TheBronx previously reported, 20 percent of the apartments are reserved for those making 40 percent of the area median income, while the remainder are for those earning 60-80 percent of the AMI. This ranges from $532/month one-bedrooms to $1,683/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 11, 2016

VIDEO: Drone Footage Shows Rare Views of North Brother Island’s Abandoned Buildings

One of 36 (42 in low tide) uninhabited New York City Islands, North Brother Island is a 20-acre piece of land in the East River between the Bronx and Rikers Island that was once home to a quarantine hospital. Currently off-limits to the public, the island became the home of Riverside Hospital for smallpox patients in 1885; "Typhoid Mary" Mallon was quarantined on the island until her death in 1938. This drone video footage offers a rare and hauntingly beautiful view of the island's decaying bridges and buildings overgrown by forest.
Watch this haunting video footage of the abandoned island
July 11, 2016

Mark Cuban Opening Upscale Movie Theater at Bjarke Ingels’ Via 57 West

The lucky residents of Bjarke Ingels' Via 57 West tetrahedron will not only get starchitecture bragging rights and access to the 22,000-square-foot courtyard and amenities such as a swimming pool and gold simulator, but they'll also have a state-of-the-art, eight-screen movie theater right in the building. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Durst Organization has teamed up with Landmark Theatres, owned by billionaire entrepreneurs Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban of "Shark Tank" fame. The 30,000-square-foot theater will take up residency within the 45,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in Via, which will also welcome the American Kennel Club’s dog-care center and a location from Livanos Restaurant Group.
Find out more
July 11, 2016

Lottery Opens for 110 Affordable Units at Former Site of Kings County Hospital Psych Ward

Several years ago, plans were revealed for CAMBA Gardens, an affordable housing complex set to rise on the campus of the Kings County Hospital, located on the border of Crown Heights and East Flatbush. The buildings were constructed by the city's Supportive Housing Loan Program in conjunction with non-profit CAMBA, which provides employment, education, health, legal, social, business development, and youth services to New Yorkers. CAMBA Gardens I opened in the fall of 2013 with 209 residences spread across two buildings. Now, a lottery for CAMBA Gardens Phase II has just come online and is offering 110 newly constructed units in the LEED Gold building for individuals earning 60 percent of the AMI. These range from $822/month studios to $1,228/month three-bedrooms for households earning between $29,692 and $63,060 annually.
Find out more
July 11, 2016

Camp Out in a Sioux Tipi on a Woodstock Waterfall for $168/Night

Forget the hassle of pitching a flimsy tent, and camp out in an authentic, 18-foot Sioux Tipi. Located along a waterfall on the Sawkill Creek in Woodstock, this tipi was handmade and painted by artists at the Nomadics Tipi Makers and features a cozy stone fireplace right in its center, as well as another one outside near the river. Intrigued? It's up for rent for $168/night on Airbnb.
Find out more about the camping rental
July 11, 2016

Germantown NYC: Uncovering the German History of Yorkville

If you read 6sqft's post about Kleindeutschland, or "Little Germany," you know that in 1885 New York had the third largest German-speaking population in the world, outside of Vienna and Berlin, and the majority of those immigrants settled in what is today the heart of the East Village. You also know that the horrific General Slocum disaster in 1904 pushed the last of the Germans out of the area. And as promised, we're here to tell you where that community went-- Yorkville, then commonly known as Germantown. The Upper East Side neighborhood, bounded by 79th and 96th streets and running from the east side of Third Avenue to the East River, exploded with immigrants from the former Prussian Empire in the early 20th century. Those looking for a fresh start after the tragedy saw opportunity in the many available jobs in Yorkville. Like the East Village, Yorkville still has many reminders of its German past, as well as still-thriving cultural spots.
Take a tour of Yorkville's German history
July 11, 2016

Proposed Site of Queens’ Once-Tallest Tower Will Be Sold By Developers

Just about a year ago, 6sqft revealed renderings for Queens Plaza Park, an 800-unit 70+ story, 915-foot tall skyscraper planned for Long Island City's Clock Tower Building site (it would've encircled and incorporated the 88-year-old structure). At the time, this proposed height would've made it the tallest tower in Queens, as well as the tallest building outside Manhattan. However, it's now not only lost its superlatives (it's since been outdone by the 964-foot Court Square City View Tower in LIC and JDS' 1,066-foot 340 Flatbush Avenue Extension in Downtown Brooklyn), but the project is being scrapped altogether (h/t Curbed).
More details
July 11, 2016

This $1.2M Chelsea Loft Has Great Architectural Details and a Bonus Room

This pretty co-op loft at 131 West 28th Street right in the middle of bustling Chelsea boasts stunning design elements like original arched windows, tin ceilings and custom cabinetry. The one-bedroom space, asking $1.175 million, is currently being used as two (or you'll get a great home office). On one hand that's called a bonus room for a reason; on the other, there are some challenges in the apartment's layout that could use an architect's touch. As far as what's within steps of this 7th Avenue-area address? Basically, everything. The block isn't exactly serene, but we're guessing peace and quiet isn't why anyone's moving to Chelsea (with some possible exceptions).
Check out the rest of the space
July 11, 2016

Last Two Chances to See Manhattanhenge; Prospect Park Dog Beach Getting a Makeover

Visiting Angelica, New York, a quaint village named for Alexander Hamilton’s sister-in-law. [Atlas Obscura] Manhattanhenge returns tonight and tomorrow. [TONY] The Prospect Park Alliance announced the start of a restoration of Dog Beach—a popular swimming area for dogs during off-leash hours. [6sqft inbox] Junior’s, the Downtown Brooklyn restaurant famous for its cheesecakes, is opening a second […]

July 10, 2016

Classic Flatiron Co-op Has Good Closets, Great Location and a Private Terrace for $825K

This stylish junior one-bedroom co-op at 16 West 16th Street offers the kind of convenience city dwellers crave: Just off Fifth Avenue, it's within a few blocks of Union Square, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, the area's cornucopia of restaurants and hotels, Chelsea shopping and much more, yet on one of the area's classic residential blocks, with both similar elegant towers and pretty townhouses. The apartment itself has obvious covetable qualities on its own. A tasteful, modern renovation erases the cookie-cutter co-op feel found in some postwars. Perhaps best of all, there's a private terrace for enjoying the sunshine.
Get a closer look
July 9, 2016

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

Competition Reimagines New York State Pavilion As a Cheeseburger Museum, Hanging Meadow Lottery Opens for 259 Affordable Units in East New York, Starting at $494/Month NYC May Get a Big Ugly Wall Instead of Bjarke Ingels’ Storm Protection System New Jersey’s Oldest and Largest Frank Lloyd Wright House Listed for $2.2M Rare Opportunity to Apply […]

July 9, 2016

Win a Pass to the NYT’s Cities for Tomorrow Conference (Worth $950)

Join the world’s leading urban-thinkers for the New York Times’ 3rd annual Cities for Tomorrow conference. 6sqft has teamed up with the Times to give one lucky reader a free pass (worth $950!) to the event happening July 18-19th in Midtown Manhattan. This year’s talks are centered on identifying and dissecting the best ideas that lead to flourishing cities. Speakers on the […]

July 8, 2016

Actress Lake Bell Lists Clinton Hill Townhouse for Double What She Paid

Back in 2013, just a few months before they tied the knot, actress Lake Bell and tattoo artist to the stars Scott Campbell dropped $1.55 million on a quaint Clinton Hill townhouse. Three years and one baby later, they've listed the home at 119 Vanderbilt Avenue for $3 million, double what they previously paid. Located in the Wallabout Historic District, the four-story home was built in 1850 and has been "customized from top to bottom." Bell and Campbell have configured it as a single-family residence--complete with historic details like a wood-burning fireplace, original marble mantles, custom engraved oak floors, panel molding, and antique lighting--but it's a legal two-family duplex.
Check it out
July 8, 2016

Apply For Affordable Condos at Harlem’s Circa Central Park, Starting at $225,000

Circa Central Park, Harlem’s most anticipated condominium project is currently is offering ten lucky households a chance to buy an affordable new unit within the high-end, curving building. Crescent 110 Equities is spearheading the lottery program, and occupancy of the development is set to begin in 2017. The available apartments range from $225, 294 studios to $381,105 two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 8, 2016

Airbnb Pulls 2,233 Listings Ahead of Illegal Hotel Ad Law

Increasingly the subject of criticism from state legislators and advocacy groups, Airbnb reported Thursday that it had removed 2,223 more listings from the site that may have been illegal hotels under the current law, according to the New York Post. Governor Cuomo may soon sign a bill that would make it illegal to advertise these listings–i.e. those available for fewer than 30 days in buildings with more than three units where the original tenant isn’t present–in deference to claims that these illegal hotels are removing much-needed stock from the pool of available housing for those who need it. 6sqft recently cited a new report claiming that 56 percent of the company's New York City listings were illegal.
Why did all those listings get booted?
July 8, 2016

$995K Bed-Stuy Loft Boasts Custom Closet and Reclaimed Wood Staircase

689 Myrtle Avenue in Bed-Stuy is known as the Chocolate Factory Lofts as this warehouse building was formerly home to the Chocoline Chocolate Factory. Today there are 45 loft apartments in the building, and this one stands out from the rest--at least according to the listing. The one-bedroom pad is decked out with custom, one-of-a-kind details, like a curved, iron and reclaimed wood staircase and a hand-built five section "disappearing" closet. (In that it's storage space that blends right in with the apartment.) This quirky loft has just hit the market for a hair under $1 million.
Take a look around
July 8, 2016

Take to the Seas on a Frank Gehry-Designed Yacht for $100K

In between designing international museums and giving journalists the finger, Frank Gehry likes to unwind at sea. The lifelong yachtsman just last year designed a 74-foot wooden sailboat alongside naval architect Germán Frers for real estate bigwig Richard Cohen. While the yacht has thus far been reserved for Cohen's private use, according to Gehry in an interview with Sotheby's (h/t LLNYC), another wealthy seafarer can now raise its sails for a mere $100,000.
more details here
July 8, 2016

TBD Design Studio Converted a 19th Century Williamsburg Firehouse Into a Live/Work Haven

When a photographer recently bought this 19th century firehouse in Williamsburg, its interior was in a complete state of disrepair, though the historic facade was intact. To transform it into a live/work home, the owner brought on Josh Weiselberg and Selin Semaan of TBD Architecture + Design Studio, who turned the garage into a ground-floor photo studio and gallery, created a second-floor residence, and added a rooftop penthouse, lounge, and terrace (h/t designboom). The result is an open and airy haven that's sensitive to the original firehouse, but is also functional for its modern use.
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July 8, 2016

Go Glamping in a Geodesic Dome on a Catskills Farm for $350/Night

Looking for an upstate weekend getaway, but don't want to deal with the mosquitoes and unpredictable weather that often go with traditional camping? This geodesic dome in the Catskills promises to be an "incredible glamping space," and its funky design and foodie-focused community only sweeten the deal. Available on Airbnb for $350/night, the dome is located on a farm in Sullivan County. It has wooden floors and screened-in windows, but you'll need to BYObed if you have more than two guests. There's also outdoor double hot showers, a sink, and a clawfoot tub, as well as a full outdoor kitchen with a grill, fridge, sink, and fire pit.
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