NYC proposes pedestrian-friendly path on Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park to Central Park

Conceptual renderings from one proposal for a reimagined Fifth Avenue. Credit: Fifth Avenue Association

December 19, 2022

NYC proposes pedestrian-friendly path on Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park to Central Park

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Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday released a plan that reimagines a stretch of Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park at 42nd Street to Central Park at 59th Street as a pedestrian-focused space that prioritizes safety, mass transit, and the public realm. This new vision of one of the world's most iconic tourist destinations and commercial districts is part of a broader plan to make the area more appealing to new residents and workers and builds upon the recent closure of Fifth Avenue this month for the holidays.
See the plan
The top health and wellness gift ideas for everyone on your list

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

December 16, 2022

The top health and wellness gift ideas for everyone on your list

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Health and wellness gifts can help your family members and friends to monitor their health, improve workouts, relax more, sleep better, and eat more nutritiously. These gifts also help them to improve their air quality and create an environment that’s conducive to well-being. The health and wellness category is broad and includes a variety of items. However, we did the legwork to find the best gifts for even the pickiest people.
See our guide
Casino mogul Steve Wynn lists Central Park South penthouse for $90M

Photo of 50 Central Park South via WikiCommons

December 16, 2022

Casino mogul Steve Wynn lists Central Park South penthouse for $90M

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Casino mogul and billionaire Steve Wynn is selling his Central Park South penthouse for $90,000,000. The home is located on the 30th and 31st floors of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 50 Central Park South. The sprawling duplex, which Wynn picked up for $70,000,000 in 2012, measures 11,000 square feet and features unparalleled views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. If the residence fetches the asking price, it would be the most expensive sale in the building's history.
See more here
This $2.5M Park Avenue classic six is a book lover’s dream

All photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

December 16, 2022

This $2.5M Park Avenue classic six is a book lover’s dream

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It's rare to find a classic deco-era co-op that has been beautifully renovated, yet retains every bit of its pre-war charm and grace. This three-bedroom home at the Emery Roth-designed 480 Park Avenue is just such a find. Asking $2,495,000, this six-room residence boasts a 28-foot living room, a formal dining area, oversized proportions, high ceilings, and hardwood floors. Beyond the elegant features and architectural details, built-in bookshelves that line several of the rooms make this a perfect home for your treasured book collection.
Read on
Tony Awards will be held at historic United Palace theater in Washington Heights

All photos taken by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

December 15, 2022

Tony Awards will be held at historic United Palace theater in Washington Heights

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Next year's Tony Awards will be held outside of Manhattan's theater district for the first time in 75 years. The presenters of the Tony Awards on Tuesday announced that this year's ceremony will move uptown to Washington Heights. The event will be hosted at the historic United Palace theater on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Details here
Vote for 6sqft’s 2022 Building of the Year!
December 15, 2022

Vote for 6sqft’s 2022 Building of the Year!

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Following a year of records, rebounds, and recovery, the real estate industry in New York City went for a roller coaster ride in 2022. And while the luxury market is always shifting, it's never boring. This year, we saw the resumption of projects brought to a stop by the pandemic, sales finally launching at the skyline's newest darlings, and some of the city's most creative architecture in years taking shape. 6sqft's picks are down to 14 of the most notable residential projects this year. Which do you think deserves the 2022 Building of the Year title? Polls for our eighth annual competition will remain open through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28. A winner will be announced on Thursday, December 29. Happy voting!
Vote here
Proposal calls for transforming NYC’s commercial districts into 24/7 destinations

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

December 15, 2022

Proposal calls for transforming NYC’s commercial districts into 24/7 destinations

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Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced a new plan to improve New York City as a place to live and work and help prepare it for a post-pandemic world. An essential part of the plan involves the reimagination of the city's central business districts, Midtown and Lower Manhattan, by transforming them into dynamic, mixed-use neighborhoods that will draw more residents, businesses, and tourists. The plan also includes proposals to transform public space by expanding preexisting pedestrian spaces and envisioning new projects for the public realm.
See more here

Distinctive Homes

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$87M restoration of historic Orchard Beach Pavilion kicks off in the Bronx

View of the Upper and Lower Promenades, Cafeteria, and South Loggia, Looking South (1936); Images courtesy of Marvel/ NYC Parks/ NYCEDC

December 14, 2022

$87M restoration of historic Orchard Beach Pavilion kicks off in the Bronx

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Construction kicked off this week on a project to reconstruct the historic bathhouse and pavilion at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. The city's Parks Department and the Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday broke ground on the $87 million reconstruction of the 140,000 square-foot landmarked pavilion, which includes a major renovation of its historic architecture, new amenities for the community, and increased accessibility.
See more here
NYC designates Flatbush block with distinctive ‘Kinko houses’ as historic district

Photo of Parkside Avenue courtesy of LPC

December 14, 2022

NYC designates Flatbush block with distinctive ‘Kinko houses’ as historic district

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Brooklyn gained another historic district this week. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate the Melrose Parkside Historic District, which includes a collection of 38 intact single and two-family homes built by two renowned Brooklyn architects, Benjamin Driesler and Axel S. Hedman. Located on Parkside Avenue between Flatbush and Bedford Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, the row of homes has a "distinctive appearance and sense of place," deriving from the two architects' use of "then popular Neoclassical vocabulary in their designs to harmonize three different types of residences," according to the commission.
Find out more
10 made-in-NYC gifts that support local businesses
December 14, 2022

10 made-in-NYC gifts that support local businesses

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Give your loved one a little piece of NYC this holiday season. Yes, the Big Apple is a shopping mecca with big, luxury brands boasting beautiful flagship stores, but the local creators are with whom you’ll find more meaningful gifts. "The small businesses and local artists are the backbone of community and culture in any given city," Flannery Cronin, founder of Friend Of All, a Brooklyn-based shop selling handmade lamps, told 6sqft. "They are creating beautiful treasures that are made to last, and likely paying a living wage to those involved with its creation. If you choose to shop small this holiday season you will be doing your part to support your neighbors." Plus, there’s usually a great story behind local brands and creators that make the product all the more interesting. From accessories to food and drink, here are 10 made-in-NYC gifts to add to your shopping list.
Shop local, this way
The Mermaid Inn opens expansive new location in Times Square

All images courtesy of Alex Staniloff

December 13, 2022

The Mermaid Inn opens expansive new location in Times Square

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The Mermaid Oyster Bar, a new outpost of the beloved Manhattan seafood restaurant family The Mermaid Inn, opened in Times Square on Tuesday. Located at 127 West 43rd Street, the restaurant is the Mermaid's largest location yet, three times larger than any of its other Manhattan branches. Owners Danny Abrams and Cindy Smiths have opened the new location alongside restaurateur Jeffrey Bank, CEO of Alicart Restaurant Group.
Details here
Vogue editor Hamish Bowles lists his treasure-filled pre-war Village duplex for $2.9M

Photo credit: MW Studios for Sotheby’s International Realty

December 13, 2022

Vogue editor Hamish Bowles lists his treasure-filled pre-war Village duplex for $2.9M

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Vogue editor-at-large Hamish Bowles has long been celebrated for his distinctive and eclectic taste. The design editor purchased this pre-war Greenwich Village duplex for $1.5 million in a 2008 estate sale and proceeded to infuse every corner of it with lush textiles and colors, antique furnishings, vintage books, and couture menswear. The longtime Vogue fixture relocated back to his native London when he took a job as editor-in-chief of The World of Interiors magazine in 2021. Now, his charming two-bedroom co-op at 45 East 9th Street is for sale, asking $2,900,000. Bowles tells the New York Times, "During the pandemic it became a salvation–and a marvelous place for me to call home."
A stylish eyeful, this way
Interact with nearly 1M NYC trees through a new digital map

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

December 12, 2022

Interact with nearly 1M NYC trees through a new digital map

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New Yorkers will now be able to interact with nearly one million of New York City's trees through a new first-of-its-kind digital map. The NYC Parks Department last week released the NYC Tree Map, an interactive map that allows New Yorkers to see the unique IDs, species information, and maintenance status of more than 800,000 of the city's street and park trees.
See more here
This $5M Sagaponack home is a showcase of modern design

Photo courtesy of SERHANT

December 12, 2022

This $5M Sagaponack home is a showcase of modern design

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Built as part of a small collection of modern Hamptons homes developed by Harry "Coco" Brown and architect Richard Meier, the house at 20 Forest Crossing was designed by Smith-Miller and Hawkinson Architects. This Sagaponack home, asking $4,995,000, is a 4,000-square-foot retreat on 1.3 acres. Among its most notable features is a glass-walled interior built around a courtyard with a pool.
Take the tour
Adams unveils plan to create 500K new homes by 2032

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

December 9, 2022

Adams unveils plan to create 500K new homes by 2032

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday unveiled a new, three-part strategy to tackle the city's affordable housing crisis. Dubbed "Get Stuff Built," the plan aims to address the housing crisis by accelerating the creation of new housing, setting a "moonshot" goal of creating 500,000 new homes over the next decade.
See more here
Museum of Jewish Heritage to host its first-ever New York Jewish Book Festival

© John Halpern Courtesy of the Museum of Jewish Heritage

December 9, 2022

Museum of Jewish Heritage to host its first-ever New York Jewish Book Festival

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The Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is hosting its first-ever New York Jewish Book Festival this weekend. Kicking off on Sunday, December 11 at 10 a.m., the full-day event will feature talks, panels, author signings, and other programs that explore themes of Jewish heritage, culture, history, and more. The festival is free to attend and will be held at the museum's location at 36 Battery Place in Battery Park City.
See more here
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How to avoid NYC SantaCon 2022

Photo courtesy of Anthony Quintano on Flickr

December 8, 2022

How to avoid NYC SantaCon 2022

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Manhattan residents may be pleasantly surprised or significantly perturbed when a horde of red-and-white-clad SantaCon 2022 participants flood the streets of Midtown, Murray Hill, and the East Village this Saturday. The annual cosplay event draws thousands of festively-dressed participants into the borough for a day of drunken shenanigans all in the name of charity. The pub crawl is a blast for all of those involved, and not so fun for residents of the neighborhoods and people who need to travel through these areas. Ahead are a few suggestions for those looking to avoid the action during this year's SantaCon.
See more here
South Jersey mega-mansion comes unfinished with a record-breaking asking price of $25M

All photos courtesy of Jesse Roehrer/ Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty

December 8, 2022

South Jersey mega-mansion comes unfinished with a record-breaking asking price of $25M

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A 40,000-square-foot mega-mansion in the New Jersey town of Cinnaminson hit the market last month for a whopping $24,950,000, a record-setting asking price for the area. Located at 2801 Riverton Road, about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, the home has been under construction for the last five years and is nearly complete. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the property belongs to the former husband-and-wife leaders of Tabula Rasa HealthCare, whose board ousted the couple from the company earlier this year.
Get a look inside
City Council approves Boerum Hill rezoning that will create 450 affordable housing units

Street view of 280 Bergen Street © Google

December 8, 2022

City Council approves Boerum Hill rezoning that will create 450 affordable housing units

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The New York City Council on Wednesday voted to approve the rezoning of nearly an entire block in Boerum Hill that will make way for 450 new housing units, roughly 50 percent of which will be fully affordable. The rezoning includes a stretch of Nevins Street to Bond Street between Wyckoff Street and Bergen Street, the last manufacturing block in Boerum Hill.
Find out more
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church finally reopens at the World Trade Center

All photos © Alan Karchmer for Santiago Calatrava unless otherwise noted

December 8, 2022

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church finally reopens at the World Trade Center

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The only house of worship that was totally destroyed during the September 11 attacks finally reopened to the public this week. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, now located at 130 Liberty Street, resumed regular parish life with a prayer service on Monday. Inspired by Byzantine architecture, Calatrava designed a facade that appears to glow from within; the church will be illuminated every night as a beacon of hope at the site.
More here
16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year

Image courtesy of Chabad West Village

December 7, 2022

16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year

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Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sunset on Sunday, December 18, and lasts until sunset on Monday, December 26. There are a variety of events across New York City that celebrate the eight-night holiday, including menorah lighting ceremonies, arts festivals, live music, and much more. Ahead, find a way to celebrate the holiday, from the famous menorah lighting in Central Park and Prospect Park to arts and crafts at the Jewish Museum.
See the list
MTA unveils stunning mosaics by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith inside the new Grand Central Madison

Yayoi Kusama, “A Message of Love, Directly from My Heart unto the Universe, 2022.” Photo by Kerry McFate ©YAYOI KUSAMA Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, David Zwirner

December 7, 2022

MTA unveils stunning mosaics by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith inside the new Grand Central Madison

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week unveiled new permanent floor-to-ceiling mosaics at the soon-to-open Grand Central Madison terminal, adding to the impressive and expansive public art portfolio found across New York City's transit system. The glass mosaics designed by renowned contemporary artists Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith animate the new terminal, which when it opens later this month, will bring Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal.
Get the details
New sculpture of Biggie Smalls unveiled at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo

All photos courtesy of Noemie Trusty

December 7, 2022

New sculpture of Biggie Smalls unveiled at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo

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A new sculpture of the "King of New York" now greets visitors entering Brooklyn. The Dumbo Improvement District and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership on Tuesday unveiled a 9-foot-tall bronze structure depicting hip-hop legend Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. Created by artist Sherwin Banfield, the structure, titled "Sky's the Limit in the County of Kings," is dedicated to the "art, life, and legacy" of Wallace, who died 25 years ago.
See more here
For $1M, this tidy West Village railroad pad is cute as pie and has a private back patio

Photo credit: Brown Harris Stevens

December 7, 2022

For $1M, this tidy West Village railroad pad is cute as pie and has a private back patio

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This clean, bright, and utterly charming prewar one-bedroom home is located in the landmarked 1893 Amos Street Condominium at 225 West 10th Street in the heart of Greenwich Village. Located at the back of the building's main floor, above street level, the apartment, asking $1,085,000, features high ceilings, crown moldings, and hardwood floors throughout–and a lovely private patio garden, perfect for informal gatherings any day of the week.
Get a closer look
NYC nixes $157M ‘Internet Master Plan’ for universal public broadband access

Image via WikiCommons

December 6, 2022

NYC nixes $157M ‘Internet Master Plan’ for universal public broadband access

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Nearly three years ago, Bill de Blasio's administration announced the Internet Master Plan, which would build municipal broadband infrastructure in poor neighborhoods. Under the plan, a collection of internet service providers would make use of the city's own infrastructure–rooftops and utility poles, for example–to offer fiber optic networks to underserved zones. NYCHA buildings would also get wired under the plan, guaranteeing residents of the city's public housing developments affordable high-speed internet access. The city was prepared to spend $157 million on the plan. Now, after being put on hold when Mayor Eric Adams took office, the city’s Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) has confirmed that the plan is officially off the table, Gothamist reports.
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Inside the NYBG’s Holiday Train Show, a whimsical tribute to NYC

Replicas of the Hell Gate Bridge and George Washington Bridge soar overhead in the Holiday Train Show; Photos courtesy of NYBG unless otherwise noted

December 6, 2022

Inside the NYBG’s Holiday Train Show, a whimsical tribute to NYC

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Since 1992, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx has held its Holiday Train Show. The magical exhibit recreates 190 of New York City’s landmark buildings in miniature using plant materials like bark, leaves, and seeds. Twenty-five model trains zoom in and out of the cityscape over bridges and under tunnels, just like in the real-life city. The pieces of art are created by the team from Applied Imagination, which was founded by Paul Busse in 1991. The following year, he brought his creations to the NYBG. To learn more about this iconic holiday event, we spoke to Joanna Groarke, vice president for exhibitions and programming at NYBG.
Everything you need to know
Jay-Z joins effort to open a casino in Times Square

Rendering of proposed Caesars Place Times Square courtesy of SL Green Realty Corp

December 6, 2022

Jay-Z joins effort to open a casino in Times Square

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A bid to open a casino in Times Square just gained some star power. Rapper and entertainment mogul Jay-Z and his agency Roc Nation will join SL Green and Caesars Entertainment in their efforts to open a casino at 1515 Broadway, the team announced on Monday. The full-service talent agency, which represents major clients across music, entertainment, and sports, will partner with neighborhood organizations to "reimagine programming" in Times Square.
Find out more
New York City’s oldest gay bar is officially a city landmark

Julius’ Bar. Map data © 2020 Google

December 6, 2022

New York City’s oldest gay bar is officially a city landmark

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New York City's oldest gay bar is the city's newest landmark. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to designate Julius' Bar as an individual landmark, citing the significant role the historic Greenwich Village establishment played in advancing rights for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. The bar was the site of the 1966 "Sip-In," a protest by members of the Mattachine Society against a New York state law that prohibited bars from serving "suspected gay men or lesbians."
Details here
For $1.6M, two bedrooms and a terrace in the treetops of Brooklyn Heights

Photo credit: Allyson Lubow photography for The Corcoran Group

December 5, 2022

For $1.6M, two bedrooms and a terrace in the treetops of Brooklyn Heights

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On a tree-lined block in historic Brooklyn Heights, this co-op at 123 Pierrepont Street, asking $1,595,000, is tucked within a landmarked circa 1848 townhouse. Although thoroughly renovated, the two-bedroom home offers the kind of light-filled prewar charm often found in this sought-after neighborhood. Gracious proportions, hardwood floors, and high ceilings are a backdrop for details like a wood-burning fireplace and custom shelving. The most pleasant surprise: A terrace just outside the primary bedroom.
Take the co-op tour
This Hell’s Kitchen condo offers turn-key residences & resort-like amenities, with homes from $765K

Photo Credit: Ewout Huibers Courtesy of Concrete

December 5, 2022

This Hell’s Kitchen condo offers turn-key residences & resort-like amenities, with homes from $765K

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A new luxury condo building in Manhattan wants to make life easier for its residents. The West, located at 547 West 47th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, offers fully-furnished, turn-key residences with curated vintage and designer furniture and accessories. The 12-story building has a selection of different residence packages to fit any personal style, providing a seamless and stress-free move-in-ready opportunity. Closings have commenced at the property, which stretches a block between 10th and 11th Avenues. The remaining availabilities at The West are priced from $765,000 for a studio.
Check it out
Explore NYC from Edward Hopper’s perspective with this new digital map

Washington Square; All images courtesy of the Whitney Museum of Art

December 5, 2022

Explore NYC from Edward Hopper’s perspective with this new digital map

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On Monday, the Whitney Museum launched an interactive digital map marking 20 locations across New York City that legendary artist Edward Hopper painted during his career. The map provides a side-by-side comparison of Hopper's portrayal and a photo of the location as it looks today taken from the same perspective, including places like the Manhattan Bridge, Washington Square Park, and Roosevelt Island. All of the paintings featured on the map are currently on display at the museum as part of the new exhibition, Edward Hopper's New York, which explores the life and work of the artist through his relationship with the city.
See the map
Look out over Manhattan from your glass-wrapped living room in this $7M Chelsea penthouse

Photo courtesy of The Corcoran Group

December 2, 2022

Look out over Manhattan from your glass-wrapped living room in this $7M Chelsea penthouse

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Perched 24 floors above New York City, this three-bedroom penthouse condo on the border of Chelsea and Nomad features a living room wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass. Just beyond, a wraparound terrace offers an al fresco eyeful of the Empire State Building and the Hudson River. Asking $6,995,000, this sleek 2,190-square-foot home in the Noma at 50 West 30th Street has 10-foot ceilings, a keyed elevator entrance, fine finishes, and impressive amenities.
More penthouse, this way
Official Grand Central Terminal tours return after pandemic hiatus

All photos courtesy of Walks

December 2, 2022

Official Grand Central Terminal tours return after pandemic hiatus

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Official guided tours of Grand Central Terminal are returning for the first time since the start of the pandemic. MTA Metro-North announced this week City Experiences's sightseeing company "Walks" will become the new operator of the official tour of Grand Central. Tours of the historic landmark are available daily, starting at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $30 for children.
Find out more
NYC is hiring a rat czar with a ‘virulent vehemence for vermin’

 Photo by Ludovic Bertron on Flickr

December 1, 2022

NYC is hiring a rat czar with a ‘virulent vehemence for vermin’

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Though there may be bigger battles, New York City's war against rats is an arduous and ongoing affair. Mayor Eric Adams has positioned himself as a sworn enemy of the scurrying horde: During his time as Brooklyn Borough President, Adams expressed his distaste for the resilient rodents. Now, as mayor, Adams is seeking a fearless lieutenant to lead the extermination effort, Gothamist reports. According to a new job listing published by the city for Director of Rodent Mitigation, the individual sought for this position–"rat czar," says a City Hall spokesperson–will have a "Swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor, and general aura of badassery” and a “virulent vehemence for vermin.” In return, they can expect a salary of up to $170,000.
Rat eradication strategy ahead
$1.9M Greenwich Village co-op has a huge planted terrace and Washington Square Park views

All photos courtesy of Coldwell Banker Warburg

December 1, 2022

$1.9M Greenwich Village co-op has a huge planted terrace and Washington Square Park views

By
Looking for a New York City one-bedroom with a flexible floor plan, private outdoor space, and a charming location? It will cost you $1,875,000. Located at 11 Fifth Avenue in the "Gold Coast" of Greenwich Village, this available co-op is decently sized at roughly 1,000 square feet. There's a home office that could easily become a second bedroom and a terrace that stretches the entire living area.
Take a look around
NYC subway fare could hit over $3 by 2025

Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash

December 1, 2022

NYC subway fare could hit over $3 by 2025

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The cost of a subway or bus ride in New York City could increase to more than $3 per trip by 2025 under proposed fare hikes, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced this week. During the transit agency's monthly board meeting on Wednesday, officials said a higher-than-projected fare increase, from a planned 4 percent hike to instead a 5.5 percent jump, is needed because of significant budget deficits due to low ridership.
Details this way
Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and more: The history of New York City’s holiday windows

Shoppers check out a holiday window, via The Library of Congress

December 1, 2022

Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and more: The history of New York City’s holiday windows

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Santa rode in on his sleigh at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas Tree is now lit at Rockefeller Center, so you know what that means: It’s officially the holiday season in New York. It’s fitting that Macy’s heralds the beginning of our collective good cheer since R. H. Macy himself revolutionized the holiday season when he debuted the nation’s very first Christmas Windows at his store on 14th Street in 1874. Since then, all of New York’s major department stores have been turning merchandise into magic with show-stopping holiday window displays. Historically, New York’s holiday windows have deployed a combination of spectacle, science, and art, with cutting-edge technology and the talents of such luminaries as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Robert Rauschenberg. From hydraulic lifts to steam-powered windows, take a look back at the history of New York’s holiday windows, the last word in high-tech, high-design holiday cheer.
Look at more holiday history here
30+ gifts for people who love to cook

Photo by PNW Production

November 30, 2022

30+ gifts for people who love to cook

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If you’re fortunate enough to have someone in your life who loves to cook, you know that those home-cooked meals – prepared with love – are so much better than almost anything you can purchase at a fast-food restaurant. These individuals aren’t just cooks, they’re chefs, and we found a variety of gifts - ranging from cookware to appliances and beyond – sure to be loved by those who enjoy using their culinary skills.
For the home chef in your life
Santa Claus is coming to the Empire State Building’s observation deck

All images courtesy of the Empire State Realty Trust

November 30, 2022

Santa Claus is coming to the Empire State Building’s observation deck

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Santa Claus will be visiting the Empire State Building Observatory for the first time ever this holiday season. On two days in December, visitors can meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes on the iconic building's 80th floor. The landmark skyscraper will be decked out with festive decor and offer musical performances.
How to meet Santa
Go behind the scenes at the Brooklyn Museum with this free virtual guide

Photo courtesy of Alison Day for New York Hotels Magazine on Flickr

November 30, 2022

Go behind the scenes at the Brooklyn Museum with this free virtual guide

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The Brooklyn Museum this week launched a new digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app that allows art lovers to learn more about the museum's expansive collection that spans 5,500 years of human creativity. Aimed at enhancing in-person and virtual visits, the museum's guide includes audio tours led by curators and creators that focus on artwork found across its five floors.
Find out more
NYC to involuntarily hospitalize people with severe mental illness

Photo from 2020 subway closure by Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

November 30, 2022

NYC to involuntarily hospitalize people with severe mental illness

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Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday an 11-point mental health legislative agenda for the next session in Albany aimed at addressing a growing need to provide care for people living on New York City's streets and subways with untreated severe mental illness. A controversial part of the new plan includes a directive for emergency medical workers to hospitalize those who are deemed too mentally ill to provide basic care for themselves, even if they pose no threat to the public.
Find out more
You can have a Christmas-themed photoshoot in Mariah Carey’s NYC penthouse

Image courtesy of Samir Hussein for Getty Images

November 29, 2022

You can have a Christmas-themed photoshoot in Mariah Carey’s NYC penthouse

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Here's a chance to visit Christmas Queen Mariah Carey's New York City penthouse during the holidays. Hosted by Booking.com, "Mariah's Ultimate Holiday Experience" consists of a three-night stay at The Plaza hotel, a cocktail hour and Christmas card photo shoot at the superstar's penthouse apartment, tickets to Carey's "Merry Christmas To All" concert at Madison Square Garden, and much more. Available to just two lucky fans, the exclusive experience opens for booking on a first-come-first-service basis on December 14 at 5 p.m.
All I want for Christmas is Mariah Carey's apartment
175-year-old church in Manhattan’s Rose Hill neighborhood to be demolished

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

November 29, 2022

175-year-old church in Manhattan’s Rose Hill neighborhood to be demolished

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A historic church that has resided in Manhattan for more than 175 years is set to be demolished, as first reported by Crain's New York. Located at 154 Lexington Avenue in Nomad, the First Moravian Church served as an important meeting space for patriotic societies and women's groups and played a critical role in welcoming Armenian immigrants to New York City. An application was filed this month for an 11-story mixed-use building at the site, according to city records.
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Macy’s Santaland: A 161-year-old tradition that brings holiday magic to NYC’s Herald Square

All photos by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s Inc

November 29, 2022

Macy’s Santaland: A 161-year-old tradition that brings holiday magic to NYC’s Herald Square

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"He’s so kind and nice and jolly. He’s not like anyone else. He must be Santa." That’s what little Natalie Wood says about the Herald Square Macy’s Santa Claus in the 1947 classic "Miracle on 34th Street." And to this day, the jolly man in red remains at the helm of the iconic department store’s annual Santaland. Since 1861, Macy’s has been inviting children and adults to experience the wonder of Santa Claus (though the Herald Square building was not erected until 1901), but what people may not know is that, much like the spirit of Christmas, Santaland exists all year long behind locked doors. On the day after Thanksgiving, the doors are opened, letting holiday magic spill out once again.
Get the Santaland low-down
For $6.75M, this park-facing East Side condo is for sale or rent, with 10 rooms to use however you wish

Photos courtesy of Fox Residential

November 29, 2022

For $6.75M, this park-facing East Side condo is for sale or rent, with 10 rooms to use however you wish

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Options are many in this 3,225-square-foot condo on Manhattan's Museum Mile between East Harlem and Carnegie Hill; the combination of two apartments resulted in a collection of rooms that work as bedrooms (as many as six), playrooms or entertaining spaces, depending on your needs. What you can't change: a coveted spot on Central Park and amazing panoramic views of the park and Conservatory Gardens. Asking $6,750,000, this sun-filled home can be found in the Emery Roth-designed 1920s building at 1200 Fifth Avenue known as The Park View. Not ready for a commitment? You can rent the pretty pre-war home for $25,000/month.
Tour this parkside pad and visualize the options
10 things you didn’t know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Photo of the 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

November 28, 2022

10 things you didn’t know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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New York City's annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been a favorite holiday tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike since its inception in the early 1930s. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the festive tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of people daily to the area around Fifth Avenue. From the tree's humble beginnings as a place to gather during the Great Depression to its 50,000 sparkling lights and 900-pound Swarovski crystal-covered star topper, here are 10 things you might not know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Get the fun facts here
Ride vintage subway trains in NYC every Sunday this holiday season

Photo by Marc Hermann, Courtesy of the New York Transit Museum

November 28, 2022

Ride vintage subway trains in NYC every Sunday this holiday season

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Holiday Nostalgia Rides, the New York Transit Museum's beloved tradition, has returned to the city for the first time in two years. Every Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Yorkers will be able to ride vintage subway trains that will depart from Chambers Street and 137th Street-City College stations and make express stops on the local 1 line track. The Holiday Nostalgia Train will feature the Train of Many Colors, a selection of different vintage subway cars from the 1960s representing different eras of the subway system's history.
Travel back in time this holiday

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