May 17, 2021

New York will lift mask mandate in line with CDC guidelines

After nearly a week of speculation, Governor Cuomo announced that the state of New York will adopt the CDC's new mask and social distancing guidance for fully vaccinated people. Effective May 19, those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine will not have to wear masks or maintain a six-foot distance indoors. However, consistent with the CDC, everyone will still be required to wear a mask on public transportation, in nursing homes, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, schools, and health care facilities.
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May 17, 2021

Brooklyn’s tallest tower unveils highest infinity pool in the Western Hemisphere

After several years of rendering-peeping, we finally have the full reveal of Brooklyn Point's rooftop infinity pool, situated 680 feet above the ground. This makes it the highest such pool in the Western Hemisphere, surpassing the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel pool in Singapore. The condo tower from Extell also has the distinction of being the borough's tallest tower and offers other amazing amenities such as a stargazing observatory, 65-foot indoor saltwater swimming pool, a rock-climbing wall, and a squash/basketball court.
See more views here
May 17, 2021

24/7 subway service resumes in New York City

New York City's subway system resumed 24-hour service on Monday for the first time in over a year. Last May, Gov. Andrew Cuomo closed the subway overnight as part of a disinfection plan created in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time the trains closed overnight since the subway first opened 116 years ago. The return of 24/7 service this week comes just two days before most capacity restrictions in New York are lifted and as rates of COVID have fallen across the state.
Get the details
May 14, 2021

Jing Fong will stay in Chinatown with new downsized location

New York City's largest Chinese restaurant is downsizing. This Sunday, Jing Fong, will close its Elizabeth Street location, the 20,000-square-foot restaurant known for its 800-person dining room and as a hot spot for dim sum. Thankfully, the iconic spot will be staying in Chinatown, as Eater NY reported, with a new 125-seat restaurant opening in July.
Get the details
May 14, 2021

All the Broadway shows you can buy tickets for this fall

Last week, Governor Cuomo announced that Broadway could reopen at full capacity on September 14. And while this is a huge undertaking--it takes months of rehearsals and preparations to get a production up and running at that scale--15 shows have already begun selling tickets for fall performances. From Hamilton (which is already selling out!) to classics like The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera to new shows including Diana, here are all the Broadway productions so far that you can purchase tickets for.
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May 14, 2021

$2.3M bayfront home on the North Fork is like your own anchored ‘houseboat’

This bayfront home in New Suffolk is known as the "Houseboat" for its nautical interiors, expansive views, and terrace that feels like it's floating on the water. Every room of the four-bedroom house has custom built-in hardwood furniture, fir wood trim, solid white pine doors, and elegantly chic lighting fixtures. It's on the market for $2,295,000.
See the whole place
May 14, 2021

You can have a sleepover at Monica and Rachel’s ‘Friends’ apartment

Here's a chance to fulfill your Friends fantasy. The Friends Experience, the interactive exhibit featuring those too-good-to-be-true apartments and iconic scenes from the television series, has teamed up with travel company Booking.com to provide the "ultimate sleepover." Fans have the chance to book two overnight stays at a set re-creation of Monica and Rachel's apartment this month for just $19.94, a nod to the year the sitcom first premiered.
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May 14, 2021

Just off Greenwood Cemetery, this modern and bright townhouse is asking $2.15M

Just two blocks from Greenwood Cemetery and a quick walk to Prospect Park, this lovely Greenwood Heights townhouse at 278 22nd Street is asking $2,150,000. A recent artistic renovation created a modern, almost Scandinavian-inspired interior, with lots of light and clean, open spaces. There are three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a rear deck that leads to a large backyard.
Look around
May 13, 2021

You can roller skate outside on the TWA Hotel’s tarmac

Roller skating is having a major moment, brought on by the pandemic and possibly quarantine boredom. New Yorkers can now embrace the nostalgia at one of the most fitting places in the city: the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport. The retro 1960s-inspired hotel is opening a roller skating rink this month on the tarmac outside of the 1958 Lockheed Constellation "Connie" airplane-turned cocktail bar. Roll-A-Rama at the Runway Rink launches May 14 and will operate on weekends.
More here
May 13, 2021

Four new Metro-North stations in the Bronx will open by 2025, cost $1.58B

In a press conference today, Governor Cuomo announced that the plan to build four new Metro-North stations in underserved areas of the Bronx is officially moving forward after the state, federal government, and MTA all agreed to a $1.58 billion budget. Today, the state is reissuing the RFP for track upgrades and construction of stations at Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, and Co-op City. These trains will terminate at a reimagined Penn Station, reducing commute times for Bronx Residents by two-thirds.
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May 13, 2021

All the free stuff and discounts you can get in NYC if you’re vaccinated

Shake Shack fries, Krispy Kreme donuts, 7-day MetroCards, Yankees tickets--these are just some of the perks available to New Yorkers who receive their Covid-19 vaccination. Some of the deals are dependant on one's vaccine location, while others are nationwide. Ahead, we've started a running list of all the offerings.
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May 13, 2021

Tavern on the Green to host concert series featuring Broadway stars

Broadway is back, even sooner than planned. Ahead of the Great White Way's official reopening on September 14, Central Park's iconic Tavern on the Green is offering a sneak peek of the magic to come this fall. The Upper West Side restaurant will host a pop-up concert series, Broadway at Tavern, featuring stars of Broadway, with performances starting on May 25. The event will run through the summer and into the fall.
Get the details
May 13, 2021

42 middle-income units up for grabs at luxury Downtown Brooklyn rental with a pool, roof deck

Just this week, leasing launched at the splashy new Downtown Brooklyn rental 1 Boerum Place, with units including a $4,385/month one-bedroom and a $6,646/month two-bedroom. But if you earn 130 percent of the median income and are one of the 42 lucky applicants chosen, you can live in this luxury building for a lot less. A middle-income affordable housing lottery opened today and the available apartments range from $2,000/month studios to $3,120/month two-bedrooms. In addition to beautiful homes, the centrally located building offers a high-end amenity package that includes a rooftop terrace (complete with a "stargazing lawn"), an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and automated parking.
See if you qualify
May 13, 2021

Here are the New York City sites vaccinating kids 12+

With approval from an advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, the Pfizer vaccine is now available for children ages 12 to 15. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has authorized all New York providers to open eligibility for the vaccine to this age group. In New York City, there are over 200 sites offering Pfizer, the only vaccine approved for those aged 12 to 17, including at dozens of pharmacies across the five boroughs and some state-run sites.
Find out more
May 13, 2021

These stylish two-bedroom condos in Jersey City’s Heights neighborhood start at just $480K

For $480,000, you'd be hard-pressed to find a decent studio in Manhattan, but just on the other side of the Hudson River, you can get a stylish and modern two-bedroom starting at this price. In the up-and-coming Heights section of Jersey City, 43 Thorne is a new condo with six 800-square-foot units, all of which feature lovely bay windows, sleek kitchens, and access to a shared outdoor space and chic lounge (to name a few selling points). Plus, the location puts you in the heart of this charming neighborhood that's becoming more and more sought after for its skyline views, abundance of parks, and great selection of restaurants.
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May 12, 2021

New ‘Open Boulevards’ will bring dining, performances, art and more to NYC streets

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday announced plans to reimagine New York City streets once again with "Open Boulevards," an expansion of the popular Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs that launched at the start of the pandemic. The mayor said the initiative "supercharges" the existing program with "multiple blocks in a row filled with restaurants, performances, and community activities." The Open Boulevards announcement continues City Hall's "Streets Week!," which so far has included new plans to lower speed limits and add protected bike lanes.
Get the details
May 12, 2021

170-year-old Greenwich Village buildings will be razed and replaced with high-rise condo tower

Two five-story apartment buildings in the Greenwich Village Historic District will be demolished to make way for a 213-foot-tall luxury condo tower. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved plans from Madison Realty Capital and City Urban Realty to raze 14-16 Fifth Avenue, an apartment building that sits just north of Washington Square Park. Preservationists campaigned against the demolition of the building since the project was first announced in 2017, citing the history of the 170-year-old structure as significant enough for protection.
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May 12, 2021

The 34th annual Loisaida Festival makes a (virtual) return to the Lower East Side this month

In 1987, Avenue C was renamed Loisaida Avenue, "a Spanglish name for the Lower East Side, connoting the Puerto Rican and Latinx community which have had a significant presence there since the mid-20th century," explained Village Preservation executive director Andrew Berman. That same year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the vibrant community hosted the first Loisaida Festival to celebrate their neighborhood's culture. Thirty-four years later, and the Festival is still going strong. For the second year, the event will be virtual on two Sundays--May 23 and 30--featuring an exciting roster of musicians, performers, and family-friendly entertainment.
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May 12, 2021

Apply for 101 affordable apartments in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx, from $724/month

In the Mount Eden section of the Bronx, just a block from the 170th Street 4 train station and a short walk to Yankee Stadium, an affordable housing lottery has opened for the new apartment building at 1325 Jerome Avenue. The 101 units are available to those earning 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income and range from $724/month one-bedrooms to $1,546/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
May 12, 2021

Funky $995K Midtown penthouse was made from a mechanical room and a shipping container

The vision of award-winning design studio LOT-EK, this Midtown West penthouse is truly unique. The main living area was transformed from the building's former mechanical room, and it's topped off by a bedroom suite created from a 20-foot shipping container. The whole industrial-style interior features concrete walls and exposed steel pipes and beams, and it's all surrounded by a lush wrap-around terrace overlooking the Empire State Building. Located at 31 West 31st Street, it's on the market for the first time since it was built in 1996, and it's asking $995,000.
Check it out
May 11, 2021

Pre-register now for tickets to One Vanderbilt’s 1,000+ foot observation deck and glass skyboxes

This fall, you'll be able to ride an all-glass elevator up more than 1,000 feet to experience Summit One Vanderbilt, the Midtown tower's new observation deck that features two glass-floored overhangs. The attraction doesn't open until October 21, but you can pre-register on its website now for priority access to tickets. Also opening will be an outdoor bar, the highest urban outdoor alpine meadow in the world, and an immersive art installation.
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May 11, 2021

See the massive public lawn that has taken over Lincoln Center’s famous plaza

The Lincoln Center's famed Josie Robertson Plaza has been transformed into a huge green space for the public. Designed by set designer Mimi Lien, the public installation, called "The Green" officially opened on Monday as a place for New Yorkers to lounge, borrow a book from the New York Public Library, and even enjoy pop-up performances hosted by the institution. The Green is the centerpiece of Lincoln Center's "Restart Stages" initiative, which converted the 16-acre campus into 10 new outdoor performance venues last month.
See it here
May 11, 2021

15 places New Yorkers can donate to help India during the Covid crisis

Across the world, 1 in 3 new daily Covid cases is reported in India, with less than 10 percent of the country currently vaccinated. Since the start of the pandemic, the country has reported nearly 23 million cases and over 240,000 deaths, though it's believed that these figures have been largely undercounted. But all of these numbers and statistics can not truly capture the pain that so many people--whether presently in India or who have a connection to the country--are experiencing. If you want to do your part to help India during its Covid crisis, we have put together a list of 15 reputable organizations accepting donations that will provide everything from PPE and oxygen to hygiene supplies and food.
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May 11, 2021

A self-filtering floating pool is officially coming to the East River

A plan to build a swimming pool on the East River is finally moving forward after being in the works for over a decade. In an Instagram post published on Saturday, the nonprofit +POOL announced the group had received confirmation from the city to proceed with due diligence on their project: a floating, self-filtering pool on the south side of Pier 35 on the Lower East Side.
Learn more
May 11, 2021

Macy’s unveils $235M plan for public space and subway accessibility with new Herald Square tower

It's been two years since Macy's first floated the idea of building a 700-950 foot office tower atop its Herald Square flagship, and it looks like the plan is getting closer to reality thanks to a $235 million private investment in transit accessibility and public infrastructure. This includes upgraded subway access, improved transit connections, ADA-accessible elevators, and a modernized car-free Herald Square and Broadway Plaza.
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May 11, 2021

New design for Marsha P. Johnson State Park adds more greenery, scraps rainbow-striped mural

A new design was unveiled last week for Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg following backlash regarding the state's original proposal. During the local community board's Parks and Waterfront Committee meeting last Thursday, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners presented a revised plan that incorporates more greenery and plantings to the Brooklyn waterfront site and ditches the rainbow-striped plastic mural that opponents criticized, as first reported by Brooklyn Paper.
Get the details
May 10, 2021

Jersey City’s Harborside complex reveals waterfront outdoor space and perks like Smorgasburg

Jersey City's office complex Harborside hopes to appeal to tenants post-pandemic by offering a number of health and wellness amenities, part of a nearly complete renovation. Developer of the waterfront site Mack-Cali on Monday unveiled the latest phase of the Harborside campus makeover, highlighting new public spaces, upcoming cultural events, and the launch of Smorgasburg's first-ever New Jersey location.
Details this way
May 10, 2021

Vaccines coming to Grand Central, Penn Station, and more subway and train stations

With vaccination rates declining, the state is continuing to come up with incentives for New Yorkers to get the shot, from free Yankees and Mets tickets to free admission to museums. The latest is a partnership with the MTA to bring vaccines to busy subway, LIRR, and Metro-North stations, including Grand Central and Penn Station. Those who receive the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine at these locations will receive a free seven-day MetroCard or two free one-way trips on the LIRR or Metro-North.
See all the locations
May 10, 2021

New condo 2505 Broadway adapts pre-war elegance for modern Upper West Side living

Long known as a family neighborhood rooted in its pre-war history, the Upper West Side has found a new life in recent years, attracting young professionals and a commercial boom that's brought countless downtown restaurants uptown. And, of course, along with this transition comes a reimaging of the residential market. Take for example the 44-unit condo at 2505 Broadway. It was designed by Eran Chen and the architects at ODA in their signature modular style, but it retains the classic sophistication the neighborhood is known for. The residences are refined yet modern, and there is an array of forward-looking amenities such as a state-of-the-art gym with adjacent flexible space used as a sports court or movie theater, a pet spa, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the Hudson River.
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May 10, 2021

All U.S. residents aged 16+ can get the COVID vaccine in New York

Any resident of the United States who is at least 16 years old is now eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine in New York. In vaccination guidance updated last week, the state's Department of Health ditched the work or residency requirement to previously needed to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The policy change comes as Mayor Bill de Blasio said he wants to set up mobile vaccination hubs at popular tourist destinations, like Central Park and Times Square, to vaccinate visitors to the Big Apple.
Get the details
May 10, 2021

This $2.8M West Village co-op feels like an elegant European salon

This two-bedroom West Village co-op could easily pass as a Parisian or London flat, with its elegant, old-world charm. Located at 237 West 11th Street, the home has gorgeous custom millwork and built-ins, chevroned herringbone oak floors, coffered ceilings, antique transoms, and bespoke finishes throughout. It's currently on the market for $2,795,000.
See the whole place
May 7, 2021

For just $865K, you can live in this beautiful converted church in Connecticut

In Weston, Connecticut, about an hour-and-a-half drive from NYC, you can buy this amazingly converted church for $865,000, the price of a very tiny one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Built in 1890, the former Swedish church has been transformed into a quirky yet beautiful single-family home, complete with stained-glass windows, cathedral ceilings, and wooden ceilings beams. At 2,382 square feet, it has three bedrooms, plus a lovely rear patio.
See it all here
May 7, 2021

Brooklyn Public Library reveals Central Library redesign by Toshiko Mori

This week, the Brooklyn Public Library revealed the first phase of a major remodel of its Central Library on Grand Army Plaza. Designed by renowned architect Toshiko Mori, the undertaking was the single largest renovation and restoration in the Central Library’s 80-year history. The modern, light-filled rooms now provide more accessible space for the public, which includes civic commons for community engagement (providing city and passport services), a "new and noteworthy" book gallery, and an enlarged and modernized business and career center.
Take a tour
May 7, 2021

New exhibit projects photos of pandemic parenting moments onto the Manhattan Bridge

The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, but especially so on parents who have had to help their children deal with this time of uncertainty and stress. A new photo exhibition launched in Brooklyn this week that pays tribute to the many "at-home heroes" of New York. The Dumbo Improvement District, in partnership with Photoville, is projecting photos of COVID-caregiving in action onto the Manhattan Bridge every night between Mother's Day this Sunday and Father's Day on June 20.
Learn more
May 7, 2021

Modern glamour comes to a historic Hudson Square townhouse for $1.35M

To be precise, this home is located in the Charlton-King-VanDam Historic District, a tiny section of the Hudson Square neighborhood that has the largest concentration of Federal and Greek Revival style houses in New York City. This two-bedroom duplex is within one such 1830s townhouse at 49 King Street, and it's currently on the market for $1,350,000. While it retains historic details like exposed brick and the original pine plank flooring, the home also underwent a modern renovation that added contemporary-glam touches.
See the place
May 6, 2021

$348M restoration of Riverside Park is part of largest investment in 90 years

The city announced this week plans to provide $348 million in funding for the rehabilitation of major infrastructure in Riverside Park, marking one of the largest investments at the waterfront park since the 1930s. The project restores the "overbuild," a series of bridge structures built over the Amtrak tunnels between West 72nd and West 123rd Streets. The deteriorated structure has damaged pathways and affected the park's usability, according to the city.
More here
May 6, 2021

New York City wants to vaccinate tourists in Times Square and Central Park

With tourism expected to ramp up this summer, New York City wants to be able to vaccinate visitors. On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to set up mobile coronavirus vaccination sites at tourist hotspots, like Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Central Park. While the mayor said these hubs could be set up as early as this weekend, the state must first approve the plan as well as change a rule to allow non-New Yorkers to receive the vaccine.
Get the details
May 6, 2021

18th-century Sag Harbor home with shiplap ceilings and custom ironwork asks $3.25M

In Sag Harbor Village, this $3,250,000 house shares all the history of its neighborhood. It was built in 1792 but updated with a modern take on its 18th-century origins. Throughout you'll find handcrafted millwork and ironwork, wide-plank oak floors, and shiplap ceiling with exposed wood beams. And it's just steps to both Sag Harbor Cove and all the shops and restaurants along Main Street.
Go inside
May 6, 2021

25-foot tall sculpture designed by Sanford Biggers takes over Rockefeller Center

A massive bronze sculpture has been installed at Rockefeller Center as part of a new multi-part public art exhibition. Designed by Sanford Biggers, Oracle stands 25 feet tall at the foot of the Channel Gardens and is a continuation of the artist's recent Chimera sculpture series. As the first campus-wide takeover by a solo artist at Rockefeller Center, the exhibition also includes a flag installation at the iconic flagpoles, small-scale sculptures, a virtual experience, and murals, in addition to the sculpture that weighs over 15,000 pounds.
Find out more
May 5, 2021

See restoration plans for the historic Orchard Beach Pavilion in the Bronx

The landmarked bathhouse and pavilion at Orchard Beach in the Bronx will be restored to its original 1930s design and become more accessible to the public. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to approve plans from architecture firm Marvel, the Parks Department, and the city's Economic Development Corporation to reconstruct the deteriorating architectural gem. The project includes reinstalling and restoring limestone cladding, repairing the upper-level loggias, adding an ADA accessible ramp, and building an enclosed restaurant or event space.
Get the details
May 5, 2021

Yankees and Mets opening at full capacity for vaccinated fans, will offer vaccines at games

Are you a baseball fan who's still not vaccinated? Starting May 19, you can attend a game, get a free ticket, AND receive the Covid vaccine. In a press conference today, Governor Cuomo was joined by Yankees President Randy Levine and Mets President Sandy Alderson to announce the new initiative. He also announced that starting May 19, both New York City baseball stadiums will be able to increase capacity to 100 percent for vaccinated people and 33 percent with six-foot distancing for unvaccinated people. There will be two separate seating sections, both of which will require fans to wear masks.
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May 5, 2021

Broadway is coming back on September 14

In a press conference today, Governor Cuomo announced that tickets for future Broadway shows will go on sale on May 6, as performances are expected to resume at 100 percent capacity on September 14. All of New York City's 41 Broadway theaters closed on March 12, 2020, due to the Covid pandemic. "Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employs countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on," the governor said.
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May 5, 2021

In the heart of the Jersey City Heights, this luxury condo offers modern homes with NYC views

The Heights section of Jersey City is perhaps the best-kept secret among New Yorkers. Its real estate hasn't yet reached the prices of downtown, but it's full of beautiful blocks with skyline views, hip new restaurants, and tons of green space. The Beckford is a new condo in the neighborhood that offers all this and more. Located right on Central Avenue, it has sleek urban luxury condos, along with a backyard and a shared roof deck with a BBQ grill and those NYC views. Currently, there are three two-bed, two-bath units on the market for $495,000.
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May 5, 2021

This compact and clever studio near Tudor City is asking just $319K

Located in the Art Deco Woodstock Tower at 320 East 42nd Street, this studio co-op is small but mighty. A 3/4 full-sized Murphy bed frees up space during the day, while four generously sized closets help keep things clean and open. The compact kitchen doesn't sacrifice functionality, and two large south-facing windows bring in plenty of light. The apartment is asking $319,000.
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May 5, 2021

Landmarks approves scaled-down South Street Seaport mixed-use project

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to approve plans for a debated mixed-use project and a new museum in the South Street Seaport. The Howard Hughes Corporation presented a revised proposal for 250 Water Street that includes one 324-foot tower to be built on a parking lot instead of the two 470-foot structures originally proposed in January. The project also involves constructing a new building for the South Street Seaport Museum at 89 South Street.
Get the details
May 4, 2021

Popular Italian restaurant Rosemary’s has a new location in Stuyvesant Town

The West Village's popular Italian restaurant Rosemary's opened a second NYC location in Stuyvesant Town today. Rosemary's opened on Greenwich Avenue in 2012 and quickly became a neighborhood favorite due in part to its rooftop garden that provides produce for the menu. The huge new outpost, at 350 First Avenue at East 20th Street, will have a 120- seat dining room, 50-person wine bar, 30-seat private dining room, and a 100-seat sidewalk cafe overlooking a planned community garden.
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May 4, 2021

$7.9M hilltop brick mansion on Long Island has its own heliport

Not comfortable traveling via commercial airline yet? A mansion on Long Island with a private heliport is now available for $7,950,000. The grand property is found at 18 Gwynne Road in Melville, a wealthy hamlet located within the town of Huntington. In addition to the easy access to personal air travel, other special features of the home include an in-ground pool, home theater, indoor basketball court, and a fitness center.
Full tour here
May 4, 2021

18 drive-in movie theaters in and around New York City

The pandemic brought a renewed interest in outdoor, drive-in movie theaters. And though indoor movie theaters are now open again, it seems like this fun, vintage activity is here to stay. From spots right here in Greenpoint and Astoria to those nearby in North Jersey to some cool retro locales a couple hours' away, we've rounded up 18 spots to drive-in, snack on popcorn, and enjoy a good old-fashioned movie night this spring and summer.
Check out the list

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