October 8, 2020

Forest Whitaker buys Upper East Side apartment with Greek-inspired garden for $1.6M

Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker has purchased a duplex apartment on the Upper East Side for $1.595 million, according to city property records. Located at 42 East 73rd Street, the three-bed, three-bath home boasts a Greek-inspired garden, with stately columns, a brick patio, and mature plantings. Whitaker, who is also a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate for the United Nations, snagged the property for about 8 percent less than the last listed asking price of $1.74 million. It was first listed last October for $1.895 million.
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October 8, 2020

6 NYC apartments with outdoor space you can rent for less than $5,000/month

With the impending cool weather likely to limit the hours spent at city parks (which proved to be so necessary this summer) and the current health crisis still raging, New Yorkers will have to find creative ways to get some fresh air safely this fall and winter. For those looking for some outdoor space without having to leave home, we're rounding up the best New York City apartments with outside amenities currently available to rent for $5,000/month and under, whether it's in the form of a private garden, balconies, or a shared roof deck.
See the full list
October 8, 2020

$6.5M ‘upside-down’ townhouse in Williamsburg takes mid-century glam to the next level

This uber-modern townhouse at 107 South 4th Street looks nothing like any of its Williamsburg neighbors, with its honeycomb and concrete facade. And inside, the surprises keep coming. The layout was designed as an "upside-down house" so that the kitchen and main living spaces could take advantage of the East River and skyline views, and all throughout, you'll find "fine-art, high-design, and Mid-Century modern pedigree," as the listing puts it. The four-bedroom house is on the market for $6,500,000.
Don't miss the full tour
October 8, 2020

Here’s how to find out if your neighborhood is in a COVID-19 cluster zone

In an effort to contain new clusters of the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday ordered non-essential businesses to close and houses of worship to restrict capacity in parts of Brooklyn and Queens and suburbs of New York City. The new initiative divides the clusters into three categories depending on the rate of transmission, with red, orange, and yellow zones determining the level of restrictions in place. The new rules will be in effect for a minimum of 14 days starting on Thursday. To clear up confusion over the cluster zones, the city released a searchable "Find Your Zone" map that allows New Yorkers to enter their address to find what zone they live, work, and go to school in.
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October 7, 2020

After 22 years, Kim Cattrall is selling her beachfront Hamptons home for $3.25M

In 1998, the same year she began her breakout role in Sex and the City, actress Kim Cattrall bought this East Hampton home for just $450,000, according to the New York Times, who first reported that it's now been listed for $3,250,000. The shingled home is a lovely mix of casual beach house and contemporary design, and the property also has a detached studio. "I thought about selling the property after my divorce in 2004," Cattrall told the Times, "but I just couldn’t — 22 years later, it’s time."
See the whole property
October 7, 2020

Soho and Noho rezoning proposal moves forward with 800 new affordable units planned

The plan to rezone two affluent Manhattan neighborhoods will enter the public land use review process, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. The proposed rezoning of Soho and Noho includes replacing 1970s-era zoning rules and incentivizing the creation of about 800 permanently affordable homes, part of an effort to bring affordable housing to all New York City neighborhoods, even upscale ones.
Details here
October 7, 2020

Amazing archival photos show New York City in the 1940s and ’50s

Nonprofit advocacy and educational organization Village Preservation is well known for many things, one of which is its historic image archive. Their newest addition is the Jean Polacheck Collection, which dates largely from the 1940s through the mid-1950s, and includes scenes of Washington Square Park, the interior of clubs and restaurants, and other NYC street scenes. Ahead, step back in time with a sneak peek of some of these wonderfully illustrative photos and learn about the woman behind them.
See more here
October 7, 2020

$8.9M Chelsea penthouse has a movable glass wall, four terraces, and a roof deck

The Metal Shutter Houses is a contemporary condo designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban in 2008, at the beginning of West Chelsea's starchitect boom. Today, despite its many notable neighbors, the boutique building at 524 West 19th Street still offers some of the most covetable homes. The penthouse unit is now listed for a reduced $8.9 million. Not only does the home span two floors, but it has a 20-foot, upward-pivoting, glass wall that opens to a large terrace to create a massive indoor/outdoor living space. There's also another private terrace off the master bedroom, two balconies, and a huge roof deck complete with a hot tub. Oh, and let's not forget the direct views of Hudson Yards and the Empire State Building.
Take the tour
October 6, 2020

Jersey City waterfront rental opens with 400+ luxury units and ample amenity package

Another new luxury residential building has opened along the Jersey City waterfront. The new 35-story tower is part of the second phase of the VYV complex at 444 Warren Street and joins the north tower which opened in 2017. Together, they contain over 850 apartments and boast a plethora of perks, including an eighth-floor indoor-outdoor amenity deck with a pool and grills, two fitness centers, and multiple co-working spaces.
Get the details
October 6, 2020

Read before you vote! NYPL releases 200 book titles to get us election-ready

There's exactly one month until the presidential election, but that's still plenty of time to educate yourself about the issues at stake. To make things easier, the New York Public Library has released its 2020 Election Reading List, which features 200 titles for adults, teens, and children that "offer illuminating and engaging explorations of key voter issues, from climate change, foreign policy, and education to healthcare, political polarization, and movements toward greater justice and socioeconomic equality."
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October 6, 2020

Just 30 minutes from NYC, a renovated Westchester barn with gardens, orchards, and a pool asks $1.35M

A converted barn in Westchester County that sits on three acres of land and boasts gardens, orchards, and an in-ground pool has hit the market for $1.35 million. Located in the hamlet of Hartsdale, which is roughly 20 miles from New York City, the property, known as Hillbrook Farm, offers the best of both worlds: sprawling, private green space and easy access to restaurants, retail, and public transit.
Take the tour
October 6, 2020

Everything you need to know about houseboat living in NYC, from finding a boat to securing a slip

In Amsterdam, houseboats are considered an affordable way to live in the center of the city. They're also popular in other global cities, from London’s Little Venice to waterfront neighborhoods in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Sydney. So why doesn’t New York City—with its 578 miles of coastline—have a thriving houseboat community, too? While it's impossible to know for certain, recent estimates for Manhattan suggest that year-round houseboat residents or “liveaboards” may now number fewer than 50.
More on houseboat living and how to do it yourself
October 6, 2020

$2.75M Prospect Lefferts Gardens mansion is dripping with pre-war opulence

It's not every day a mansion like this comes to the market in Brooklyn, especially at a $1.25 million discount. The incredible Renaissance Revival-style, limestone home in Prospect Lefferts Gardens first listed for $4 million in 2018, but the price has now come down to $2.75 million. Located at 125 Maple Street, it's full of opulent, pre-war details like stained glass windows, elaborate moldings and ceiling medallions, and regal columns galore. Plus, there's the sheer size of it--the home spans just about 6,000 square feet and has five bedrooms.
See the whole place
October 5, 2020

Schools in New York City’s COVID hot spots will close starting Tuesday

Schools in nine New York City ZIP codes where COVID-19 cases have grown rapidly will temporarily close starting Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Mayor Bill de Blasio first announced on Sunday plans to shut down schools in these neighborhoods, which includes about 200 private schools and 100 public schools. While de Blasio's original proposal would also shutter non-essential businesses in these hot spots and high-risk activities in an additional dozen ZIP codes that are seeing an increase in cases, Cuomo on Monday said only schools will be closed as of now, adding that the state will review the data before taking further action. The governor said he would not "recommend any NYC family send their child to a school" in those areas.
Get the details
October 5, 2020

Chelsea’s 84-year-old Peter McManus Cafe needs your help

Like thousands of small businesses, one of New York City's oldest family-run establishments is struggling to survive because of the coronavirus pandemic. Irish bar Peter McManus Cafe, located at 152 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea, has been serving pints of Guinness and their famous burgers since 1936. While the McManus family, who has continuously owned the bar for four generations, has seen their fair share of challenges in its 84 years, COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult to stay in business.
More details this way
October 5, 2020

A guide to voting in the 2020 election in NYC

If you're reading this post, you probably don't need a reminder to get out there and vote for the presidential election on November 3. But you might have some questions about how things are working this year, with the pandemic coming into play. Luckily for New York City residents, voting is easy and safe, and we've compiled a guide with everything you need to know about deadlines, voting by mail, and voting in person.
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October 5, 2020

16 middle-income apartments up for grabs at luxury rental near Grand Central, from $1,949/month

Twenty percent of the 429 apartments at 222 East 44th Street is reserved as affordable housing. Two-and-a-half years ago, a lottery opened for 109 units for those earning 40, 60, and 130 percent of the area median income, and it looks like some of those on the higher end of the spectrum are newly available, as another lottery is open for 16 middle-income units. The glass tower in Midtown East was designed by Handel Architects and is a quick walk to Grand Central, the UN, and Midtown. Plus, it's got a ton of great amenities.
Find out if you qualify
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October 2, 2020

Eataly NYC’s new honey-themed rooftop restaurant is the bee’s knees

Eataly's seasonal restaurant in the Flatiron District has undergone a transformation once again. Last week, Serra d'Autunno by Birreria debuted at the 14th-floor rooftop with a new concept dedicated to honey, with "buzzworthy" specialty menu items and cocktails. The restaurant has also partnered with New York-based The Honeybee Conservancy to donate 10 percent of net proceeds from every "honey-focused" dish to the group's Sponsor-a-Hive program.
Get the details
October 2, 2020

Union Square’s cherished dinnerware store Fishs Eddy speaks out about COVID struggles

"We’re like a fish gasping for air — literally," said Julie Gaines, the owner of Fishs Eddy, to the New York Post. The much-loved Union Square store has been in business since 1986, selling mix-and-match, reasonably priced dinnerware that includes NYC-themed items and quirky finds like Obama shot glasses and parking ticket plates. Since the pandemic hit, however, they've only been doing 30 percent of their usual business, much of which is based on tourists, which is making it harder and harder to afford their high rent.
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October 2, 2020

Penthouse at Zaha Hadid’s High Line condo sells for $20M, a 60% cut from original asking price

The triplex penthouse at late architect Zaha Hadid's High Line-hugging condo building has sold for just over $20.2 million, a significant price cut from its initial asking price of $50 million in 2016. Penthouse 37 at 520 West 28th Street measures 6,853 square feet and boasts a massive private rooftop terrace with a glass-walled lounge and enough space for 100 guests. As the Real Deal first reported, the buyer of the apartment is Wesley Edens, co-founder of private equity firm Fortress Investment Group and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Find out more
October 2, 2020

37 middle-income apartments available at resort-like rental in Long Island City, from $1,990/month

A housing lottery launched this week for 37 middle-income apartments at a new, amenity-packed rental in Long Island City, Queens. Dubbed The Cove and located at 43-12 Hunter Street, the 18-story tower contains 123 apartments and boasts ground-floor retail, an outdoor roof terrace, a game room, a library, and a fitness center. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which include $1,990/month studios, $2,345/month one-bedrooms, and $3,072/month two-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
October 2, 2020

Rustic and retro mix at this $1.75M West Village duplex

We just can't help smiling when looking at this lovely three-bedroom co-op at 92 Horatio Street in the West Village. The duplex unit is full of rustic details--exposed brick, beamed ceilings, tin ceilings--from when the building was built in 1920, but it also is full of colorful, retro decor that keeps the place feeling fresh. It's currently asking $1,750,000.
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October 1, 2020

8 spots to celebrate Oktoberfest 2020 in NYC

Although the world's biggest Oktoberfest festival in Munich won't take place this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are still ways to celebrate Bavarian culture locally this month. Biergartens and beer halls across New York City are serving up traditional biers and brats, decking out their spaces with festive decorations, and putting on live music. And while indoor dining can officially resume as of this week, most restaurants also have spacious outdoor patios and gardens, as well as take-out and delivery options.
See the full list
October 1, 2020

New York’s new COVID Alert app will tell you if you’ve come in contact with a positive person

Amid an uptick in cases in several clusters in Brooklyn and Rockland County, the New York Department of Health has launched a new, free app that will tell you if you've come in contact with a COVID-positive person. COVID Alert NY is available as of today for iPhone and Android. Using your phone's Bluetooth technology, it will alert you if you've been within six feet of an infected person for more than 10 minutes.
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October 1, 2020

There’s a rooftop pool club, a pocket park, and more fun amenities at this new Hell’s Kitchen condo

The West is a new condo in Hell's Kitchen, and though it was designed pre-pandemic, the number of open-air terraces and the super-fun indoor/outdoor amenities make it prime for social distancing. Located at  547 West 47th Street, the 12-story, 219-unit building was designed by Amsterdam-based firm Concrete and is currently under construction with move-ins expected to begin in the spring of next year. Among the 25,000 square feet of amenities are a rooftop pool club with BBQ grills, a pocket park, a dog run, a freestanding library, and two guest suites for when visitors come to town.
Check it all out
October 1, 2020

New ‘one-stop shop’ network helps NYC small businesses reopen and recover amid COVID-19

A new initiative launched this week that aims to help New York City's 230,000 small businesses stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic. The NYC Small Business Resource Network connects business owners with specialists from each borough who will provide advice and access to available resources regarding challenges like loan and grant opportunities and legal and accounting services. The program aims to serve owners in the hardest-hit communities, with a focus on minority-, women-, and immigrant-owned businesses.
Get the details
October 1, 2020

Williamsburg’s iconic Kellogg’s Diner is struggling to stay alive

One of the thousands of small businesses struggling to make ends meet in New York City's pandemic world is Williamsburg's Kellogg's Diner, which has been in business since the 1940s. The 24-hour restaurant at the corner of Metropolitan and Union Avenues says it's in danger of closing if the city doesn't increase its indoor dining capacity from 25 to 50 percent. Referring to the fact that restaurants in the rest of the state are able to operate at half capacity, owner Irene Siderakis told Pix 11, "Why is it fair for them and not for us? I don’t understand. I don’t get it."
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October 1, 2020

An eclectic vintage vibe runs through this $1.5M Bushwick townhouse

There's a little something to see at every point throughout this beautiful Bushwick townhouse. The eclectic vibe is a mix of mid-century opulence and vintage steampunk, but it all comes together to create a lovely living space. The $1,489,000 price tag is even sweeter considering the home is made up of a 1,600-square-foot owner's duplex with a rear garden, as well as an 800-square-foot garden apartment that provides rental income.
Look around
October 1, 2020

Here are the New York zip codes with COVID clusters

This week, New York has been closely monitoring a group of 20 COVID hotspots, where as of today, the infection rate has increased from 5.5 to 6.5 percent. Of the top 10 zip codes statewide, six are in Brooklyn with seven-day-average infection rates of 6 and 4 percent, and one is in Queens with a 4 percent infection rate. In Orange County, one zip code has a staggering seven-day infection rate of 18 percent, while two Rockland County zip codes are at 16 and 14 percent. To deal with the issue, the state has employed 200 rapid testing machines to these zip codes.
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September 30, 2020

64-year-old favorite Pastrami Queen opening second location on the Upper West Side

"If I’m away from New York long enough, I need a correct pastrami sandwich from either Pastrami Queen or Katz’s. And you’re not getting that anywhere else, as far as I’m concerned," said Anthony Bourdain in 2016. And New Yorkers will now have two locations from which to enjoy a Pastrami Queen sandwich, as West Side Rag reports that the 64-year-old business will open a second location (the first is on Lexington Avenue and 78th Street) tomorrow on the Upper West Side at the former Fine & Schapiro space at 138 West 72nd Street.
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September 30, 2020

Empire State Building is treating couples to a free photoshoot at its iconic observatory

One of the city's most romantic spots, both in the movies and in real life, is offering couples a free photoshoot. The Empire State Building will treat twosomes to a free photo session from a professional photographer at the iconic skyscraper's 86th-floor observatory. On October 10, visitors will receive a complimentary photoshoot with the price of admission to the main observatory.
Get the details
September 30, 2020

Hotelier Andre Balazs lists his flashy Soho condo for $12M

Hotelier Andre Balazs, best known for LA's Chateau Marmont, the Mercer Hotel in NYC, and the string of trendy Standard Hotels, unsurprisingly lives a life as lavish as the destination he creates. His personal condo in Soho, taking up the entire top floor at 158 Mercer Street, is no exception. Balazs added plenty of his own panache to the 4,200-square-foot loft, including massive stretches of built-in bookshelves, a custom "wall of light," and a 13th-century Florentine fresco. He also added hotel-quality rooms like a nearly 275-square-foot closet, a personal gym, and a steam room. As the Wall Street Journal first reported, Balazs has decided to list the home for $12 million as he spends much of his time now in Europe.
Check it all out
September 30, 2020

Tribeca’s eco-friendly Pier 26 opens with innovative man-made tidal marsh

A new eco-friendly public pier opened in Tribeca on Wednesday, the first to open at the four-mile-long Hudson River Park in 10 years. Designed by landscape architecture firm OLIN, Pier 26 spans 2.5 acres, features indigenous plants and trees, and boasts multi-use recreation fields. But the most unique element of the new $37.7 million pier is a man-made rocky tidal marsh and the cantilevered walkway that hangs above it, providing an ecological experience and incredible water and Statue of Liberty views at the same time.
See it here
September 30, 2020

After almost closing, famous Theater District tourist spot Ellen’s Stardust Diner will reopen tomorrow

Ellen's Stardust Diner has been a Theater District fixture since 1987, famous for its retro '50s design, subway car entrance, and singing waitstaff. But like so many other restaurants in New York City, Ellen's struggled to reopen due to the pandemic. As Broadway World reported in July, a photo on Facebook showed a notice posted at the diner from the landlord that said Ellen's owed $618,459.22 in back rent. But good news--Time Out NY now reports that the restaurant and landlord seem to have resolved their conflict, and Ellen's will reopen (singing waiters and all!) as of tomorrow.
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September 30, 2020

Williamsburg’s beloved City Reliquary museum is in danger of closing for good

The City Reliquary is a strange place. It's completely cluttered and full of oddities like the bones of a subway rat and schist cores, as well as local memorabilia like the original 2nd Avenue Deli sign and vintage seltzer bottles. But that what makes it so special and so New York. The small-but-mighty Williamsburg museum has been closed during the entire pandemic, as they're completely staffed by volunteers. And in order to reopen, they need to be able to pay their rent and show their financial stability. The Reliquary is asking New Yorkers to help them meet this goal so they can avoid closing their doors for good in November.
Find out how you can help
September 30, 2020

$2.6M Park Slope townhouse is family-friendly and full of mid-century inspo

As soon as you enter this Park Slope townhouse, it feels like you might've just stepped into the page of a West Elm catalog. The three-bedroom home, which has been thoughtfully renovated, is full of clean lines, open spaces, and mid-century-modern design inspiration, including a Noguchi lamp and a David Weeks chandelier. The $2,595,000 price tag also gets you a second-floor terrace and gorgeous rear patio and garden.
See the whole place
September 29, 2020

Everything you need to know about indoor dining in NYC

After being shut down for more than six months, indoor dining in New York City returns tomorrow. The biggest difference is that restaurants can only operate at 25-percent capacity, but there is also a long list from the state of rules and regulations. Plus, Governor Cuomo has instituted a compliance component that will deploy 400 enforcement personnel and allow New Yorkers to fill out online complaint forms. If you're thinking about partaking in indoor dining, we've put together a guide that outlines everything you need to know.
All the info
September 29, 2020

Lottery opens for 34 units at new Coney Island rental one block from the beach, from $1,700/month

The city is now accepting applications for 34 middle-income apartments in a new 20-story rental in Coney Island located just one block away from the beach. The Sea Breeze Tower, located at 271 Breeze Avenue, contains 115 units and sits across the street from the Asser Levy Park, with the beach and landmarked Riegelmann Boardwalk just a five-minute walk away. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,700/month studios to $2,950/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
September 29, 2020

10th annual Archtober kicks off in NYC with virtual and in-person design events

New York City's annual month-long celebration of architecture and design returns to the five boroughs this week. In its 10th year, Archtober offers hundreds of architect-led building tours, lectures by design experts, and exploration of lesser-known wonders of New York's built environment every day during the month of October. Like everything else, this year's festival will look a bit different because of the coronavirus pandemic, with virtual talks and tours, self-led activities, and socially-distanced in-person events.
Learn more
September 29, 2020

Built into a rock ledge, this $7.7M Hudson Valley estate has guest pods, a treehouse, and a pond

Sylvan Rock is a new micro compound being designed in partnership by S3 Architecture and Aston Martin. Located in the Dutchess County town of Milan, the 55-acre property was conceptualized as a nature-first retreat that focuses on sustainability and wellness with an eye towards self-contained living. To that end, there is the nearly 6,000-square-foot main house, three guest pods, a treehouse, two reflecting pools, a pool house with a wellness pavilion, a pond, and an agricultural food garden.
Tour the whole property
September 28, 2020

Cuomo extends New York’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium through 2020

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday signed an executive order extending the moratorium on residential evictions through the rest of the year. The freeze, which officially began in late March because of the pandemic, was set to expire on October 1. The order extends the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, which protects tenants who can prove they experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis, to January 1, 2021. According to the governor, the executive order will extend these protections to eviction warrants "that existed prior to the start of the pandemic," which were not previously included under the original law.
More details this way
September 28, 2020

These neighborhoods had the biggest rent drops since March

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March, rental prices in Manhattan have dropped by 24 percent. While the market is slowly recovering on the island, with asking rent slightly up over the last month, new data from CityRealty shows which neighborhoods are still reeling from the state-mandated lockdown and overall financial impact of the health crisis. According to the report, the Manhattan neighborhoods that experienced the largest drop in rental prices between March and September include the Upper East Side, specifically part of the southern portion of Fifth Avenue from 59th to 79th Street, and Noho.
Find out more
September 28, 2020

This $5M modern glass home in Sagaponack is architect Shigeru Ban’s only work on Long Island

Editor's Note: At the time of publication, a contract was signed for the home. Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban is known for his use of unconventional materials such as paper and corrugated plastic, as well as his humanitarian efforts. He's also known for his clean, modernist lines, which are fully on display at this Sagaponack home that he designed, the only work he's ever completed on Long Island. The six-bedroom, 8,000-square-foot residence also boasts Ban's signature melding of indoor/outdoor spaces with a gorgeous pool and outdoor patio serving as a courtyard for the home.
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September 28, 2020

‘Notorious RBG’ exhibit to open at New-York Historical Society next year

A special exhibit dedicated to Ruth Bader Ginsburg will open at the New-York Historical Society next fall. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on view from October 1, 2021, to January 23, 2022, will include archival photos and documents, a robe from Ginsburg's Supreme Court dress, and three-dimensional "reimaginations" of significant places of her life, including her childhood home in Midwood, Brooklyn. Ginsburg passed away at her home in D.C. on September 18.
Get the details
September 25, 2020

Bronx Brewery taps inventive empanada food lab as first full-time food partner

Two South Bronx businesses are teaming up to bring New Yorkers a unique new culinary experience. The Bronx Brewery announced a deal last week to make Empanology a full-time food partner at the bar's spacious backyard. The partnership involves some tasty collaborations, including a BBQ sauce that incorporates the brewery's "World Gone Hazy" IPA and other limited-edition menu items.
Find out more
September 25, 2020

Waterline Square’s amenities include an indoor skate park, full tennis court, and a rock-climbing wall

Waterline Square is often known for the starchitects who designed its three glassy towers--Richard Meier & Partners (One Waterline Square), Kohn Pedersen Fox (Two Waterline Square), and Rafael Viñoly (Three Waterline Square)--but another accolade the Upper West Side development holds is its incredible amenity package, which has been fully unveiled today. At 100,000 square feet and spread over three floors, it's one of New York City's largest indoor private amenity spaces and includes everything from an indoor skate park and full tennis court (both a first in NYC) to a 30-foot rock climbing wall to a gardening studio to an entire pet suite.
See more amenities
September 25, 2020

NYC outdoor dining will be year-round and permanent

Outdoor dining will be a permanent, year-round feature for New York City restaurants, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. The city's popular "Open Restaurants" program, which launched in June and allows restaurants to set up outdoor seating on sidewalks, patios, and on some streets closed to cars on weekends, was set to expire on October 31. During his weekly appearance on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show, de Blasio said the program will be "part of the life of the city for years to come." The "Open Streets: Restaurants" program, which has closed roughly 87 streets to traffic for car-free dining on weekends, will also be made permanent, the mayor said.
Get the details
September 25, 2020

Empire State Building’s Art Deco spire returns in all its glory after restoration

What's old is new again. The iconic spire of the Empire State Building has returned to its original 1931 silhouette following a year-long restoration. The Empire State Realty Trust removed a network of archaic antennas and other unnecessary material found between floors 88 and 103 from the mooring mast, providing an obstacle-free look at the skyscraper's unique 200-foot Art Deco pinnacle.
More details this way

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