August 14, 2020

Lottery launches for 129 apartments at South Bronx luxury rental, from $2,150/month

A housing lottery launched on Friday for 129 middle-income units at a new rental project in the South Bronx. The Arches, a pair of 25-story towers on the Harlem River, claims to be the first luxury residential development in Mott Haven, boasting amenities like a landscaped rooftop, indoor movie theater, and fitness center. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which include $2,150/month studios, $2,246/month one-bedrooms, and $2,730/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
August 14, 2020

Cuomo says NYC museums can reopen on August 24

In a conference call to reporters today, Governor Cuomo said that indoor cultural institutions, aquariums, and museums in New York City can reopen on August 24, provided they adhere to a 25-percent occupancy limit, timed ticketing, pre-set staggered entry, face-covering enforcement, and controlled traffic flow. He also responded to recent calls from gym owners, saying that he'll be releasing reopening guidelines for gyms on Monday.
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August 14, 2020

You can help choose the High Line’s next public art installation

Banu Cennetoğlu, "right?" The High Line is reviewing proposals for its next two art installations and is asking the public for feedback. The Plinth, part of the elevated park's newest section, the Spur, which opened last year, is dedicated space for public art, visible from the street at 30th Street and 10th Avenue. Eighty nominated artists have submitted proposals to be considered for the third and fourth Plinth commissions and now you can provide comments for each on the park's website.
See the proposals
August 14, 2020

There’s 8 closets and room to sleep 3 at this $495K Midtown studio

This Midtown East studio may be compact, but it certainly has a lot of storage space and room for guests (if you don't mind getting a little cozy). Located at 235 East 49th Street, just a stone's throw from the UN, the co-op was designed by award-winning architect Robert Garneau, who specializes in small-space layouts. Not only are there a whopping eight closets, but a Murphy bed plus sleeping loft means that three people can spend the night. Other perks include a gas fireplace and pocket doors for added privacy.
A lot more to see in this little place
August 13, 2020

Brooklyn-based farmer proposes turning parts of Central Park into a community farm

A farmer based in Brooklyn has come up with an idea that not only honors a historic black community but also gives back to present ones. Amber Tamm, a horticulturist and urban farmer who works at the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm, told Fast Company about her proposal to convert 14 acres of Central Park into a farm that would feed Manhattanites in need.
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August 13, 2020

Steiner Studios to open film and TV hub at Bush Terminal in Sunset Park

Steiner Studios will open a second film and television production facility in Brooklyn, city officials announced Thursday. The city's Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment selected Steiner to open a 500,000-square-foot production space at Bush Terminal in Sunset Park, as part of the Made in New York Campus, currently being transformed into a garment manufacturing and media production hub. The studio has operated a facility across 50 acres at the Brooklyn Navy Yard since 2004, one of the largest production spaces outside of Hollywood.
Find out more
August 13, 2020

This Hudson Valley town has the fastest-rising real estate prices in the country

Kingston, New York has been called the Hudson Valley's "creative capital." As Brooklyn Based explained, from the 1950s to the '90s, it was home to a massive IBM campus, but the Catskills town grew increasingly vacant afterward. In recent years, however, it's seen a resurgence of newcomers thanks to its historic housing stock, relatively low prices, foodie scene, proximity to outdoor activities, and zoning deliberately meant to attract artists. And in the face of the pandemic, these factors have made Kingston a go-to spot for those fleeing New York City. A report by the National Association of Realtors cited in Bloomberg found that Kingston has the fastest rising home prices in the U.S.
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August 13, 2020

This $4.5M Carroll Gardens townhouse looks like it’s straight off Pinterest

Boho accents, a mix of mid-century and vintage decor, and original historic details--all of this and more is on display at this gorgeous Carroll Gardens townhouse. Located at 371 Clinton Street, the brownstone home recently listed for $4,499,000 after an impeccable renovation. It has 3,400 square feet, four bedrooms, and a lovely rear garden.
See the whole place
August 12, 2020

Citi Bike to launch joint bike share program in Hoboken and Jersey City

It may soon be easier to bike between two waterfront New Jersey cities. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop announced on Wednesday plans to roll out a joint bike share program run by Citi Bike that will be compatible in both neighborhoods. Previously, the neighboring cities had agreements with two separate bike-share companies, which gave riders traveling between the areas nowhere to dock. Members of the program will be able to rent Citi Bikes in New York at no additional cost.
Get the details
August 12, 2020

8 middle-income units available at new Bed-Stuy rental, from $2,156/month

The recently reopened Nostrand Avenue LIRR station. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Patrick Cashin via Flickr cc On the border of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, a new rental building at 570 Nostrand Avenue is accepting applications for eight middle-income apartments. The $2,156/month studios, $2,245/month one-bedrooms, and $2,710/month two-bedrooms are available to households earning 130 percent of the area median income. The building has washer/dryers in the units, and is conveniently located to three major subway lines and the LIRR, as well as to all the cool restaurants and bars along Franklin Avenue.
Find out if you qualify
August 12, 2020

NYC ramps up testing in Sunset Park after uptick in COVID cases

The city will intensify test and trace efforts in Sunset Park after health officials identified over 220 cases of the coronavirus in the Brooklyn neighborhood over the last two weeks. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday announced that members of the Test and Trace Corps will knock on every door, call all 38,000 households, and direct residents to expanded testing in the community. "Our idea is to saturate Sunset Park over the next few days, literally reach every member of the community we possibly can, get as many people tested as possible, as quickly as possible," de Blasio said.
Find out more
August 12, 2020

Opulent Beekman Place mansion closes for $38M less than original listing price

More than six years ago, this opulent, eight-story mansion at 29 Beekman Place listed for $49.9 million. Just one year later, it dropped to $37.5 million, with another major price chop this April to $11.45 million. First spotted by Crain's, city property records show that the controversial home near the UN has finally closed for $11.5 million. Crain's explains that it was owned by the former princess of Iran, and was the center of a legal battle involving her sister since 2016. It also went into contract three times and fell through.
See the whole place
August 12, 2020

New interactive map tells the story of women’s suffrage in Greenwich Village

Next week, on August 18th, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Though the fight to give women the right to vote was a national effort, much of the movement had roots in New York City. And like most 20th-century advocacy efforts, a lot of that action was centered downtown. To mark this momentous occasion, Village Preservation has created an interactive 19th Amendment Centennial StoryMap that showcases the remarkable number of people and places in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho that played a key role in the women’s suffrage movement.
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August 12, 2020

Target to open at major mixed-use development in Harlem

A deal to bring the National Urban League back to Harlem was reached last month as part of a mixed-use development project planned for 125th Street. In addition to affordable housing, office space for nonprofits, and the city's first museum dedicated to civil rights, the $242 million project, known as the Urban League Empowerment Center, includes a new 44,000-square-foot Target, as the New York Post first reported.
Get the details
August 12, 2020

$645K Upper East Side studio got a glam makeover

This 530-square-foot Upper East Side studio may be petite, but it has everything you'd need--tons of closet space, a full kitchen, and space for both a bed area and a seating area. Listed for $645,000 at 165 East 72nd Street, the co-op is also a catch for the glam makeover it received.
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August 11, 2020

MTV cancels VMAs at Barclays Center, announces outdoor performances throughout NYC

Along with most other large events for the rest of the year, MTA has decided to cancel the annual Video Music Awards ceremony that would have been held at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on August 30th. Instead, "The 2020 VMAs will be held on Sunday, August 30th and pay homage to the incredible resiliency of New York with several outdoor performances around the City with limited or no audience, adhering to all state and city guidelines," according to a joint statement from MTV and the Barclays Center.
More details here
August 11, 2020

Brooklyn’s ‘greenest block’ is one step closer to becoming a historic district

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday calendared a block in Brooklyn's East Flatbush neighborhood for consideration as a new historic district. The proposed strip on East 25th Street between Clarendon Road and Avenue D consists of 56 remarkably cohesive limestone and brownstone buildings built by a single developer between 1909 and 1912. The effort to landmark the block, which has been awarded the "greenest block in Brooklyn" by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden four times, is being led by the community, which asked the LPC to evaluate the area last year.
Learn more
August 11, 2020

150 NYC restaurants with outdoor dining

With outdoor dining in New York City extended through October, there are countless spots to dine al fresco, with restaurants able to set up seating on sidewalks, adjacent parking spots, rooftops, and gardens. To help you decide where to eat first, we've begun compiling a list of some of the best restaurants offering outdoor dining, neighborhood by neighborhood. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so we hope that you, our readers, will share more restaurants with us that we can add to this list.
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August 11, 2020

NYC launches online portal with free eviction help

An online portal launched on Monday to help New York City renters avoid eviction by providing free resources and legal assistance. The new website comes just days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended the state's eviction moratorium for at least another month, only hours before it was set to expire. But with housing trials expected to resume in September in most of the city, tenant advocates say that no law currently in place protects the 14,000 households issued eviction warrants prior to the pandemic.
Find out more
August 11, 2020

Roosevelt Island’s colorful Manhattan Park Pool Club is back and open to the public

A playful art installation has returned to Manhattan Park, a waterfront rental on Roosevelt Island. Every summer since 2015, an artist is selected to transform the building's pool deck with a dazzling 8,500-square-foot mural. This year, as part of a partnership with Corcoran New Developments, Pliskin Architecture, K&Co, and Manhattan Park, artist Alex Proba from Studio Proba designed the sixth annual pop-up mural, with a mix of colorful shapes and forms spread out across the outdoor space.
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August 11, 2020

Creative touches and a charming patio set this $2.2M Park Slope loft apart

Buildings like this one, Ansonia Court, are full of lofts will all the classic details--beamed ceilings, exposed brick, and cast iron accents. And though this unit is no different, its creative touches and charming little patio give it a bit of extra selling power. Listed for $2,180,000, the three-bedroom Park Slope co-op is spread over two floors and has bright, cheerful rooms.
Look around
August 10, 2020

There’s a basement basketball court at this $35M Upper West Side brownstone

And that's just the beginning. In addition to a basketball court in the basement, this $35 million Upper West Side brownstone has 21 rooms, four outdoor spaces, a wine cellar, and a personal gym. The home at 32 West 76th Street just came out of a multi-year renovation that left it with and some serious contemporary flair and nearly 11,000 square feet of indoor living space.
See it all here
August 10, 2020

MTA wants Apple to make it easier for users to unlock iPhones with masks on

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Sunday asked Apple to develop a more simplistic face-recognition system to prevent riders from removing face coverings to unlock their smartphones while commuting. An update to the company's Face ID feature is currently in the works, but in a letter to CEO Tim Cook, MTA Chair Pat Foye requested the technology be expedited. "We urge Apple to accelerate the deployment of new technologies and solutions that further protect customers in the era of COVID-19," Foye wrote, according to the Associated Press.
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August 10, 2020

David Chang, Tom Colicchio, and others propose ‘Safe and Just Reopening Plan’ for restaurants

Despite the outward success of outdoor dining, New York City's restaurant industry is struggling. A report from the NYC Hospitality Alliance found that 83 percent of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and event venues did not pay their full July rent, and last week, unemployed Americans lost the $600 bonus to their unemployment checks. And with indoor dining on hold indefinitely, there seems to be no clear path forward. This is why nearly 50 restaurant owners in the city, including David Chang, Tom Collichio, and Danny Meyer, have penned a letter to Governor Cuomo outlining their four-part "Safe and Just Reopening Plan" that most notably calls for eliminating the tipped minimum wage.
Learn about the whole plan here
August 10, 2020

$695K Upper East Side one-bedroom has a terrace twice as large as the apartment

The interior of this one-bedroom Upper East Side condo measures a not-too-shabby 719 square feet, but the amazing terrace is nearly twice that size at 1,100 square feet. It's set up with four separate areas for meditating, lounging, dining, and even playing ping pong. Located at 400 East 90th Street, the apartment was recently listed for $695,000.
Lots more to see
August 7, 2020

UrbanSpace will open a new food hall at Union Square tech hub

Pioneering food hall operator Urbanspace is opening its latest outpost at Union Square reports the NY Post. They've leased 10,000 square feet at Zero Irving, the contested tech hub on 14th Street that will serve as office space, a technology training center and incubator, co-working spaces, and an event space when it opens in the first half of 2021.
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August 7, 2020

Schools cleared to open in all New York regions

Every school district in New York can open in September for-in person instruction, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. Last month, the governor said schools can open in a region if it is in phase four of reopening and if the daily infection rate remains at or below 5 percent over a 14-day average. If the infection rate spikes above 9 percent over a 7-day average, schools will close, Cuomo said.
Get the details
August 7, 2020

NYC financed over 30,000 affordable homes this fiscal year

Co-op City's 15,000 apartments will remain affordable for another three decades; Photo by David L Roush on Wikimedia The city has financed 30,023 affordable homes in the fiscal year 2020, with more than half of the homes serving families earning less than $52,000, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. Of the homes financed, 23,520 were preserved and 6,503 were new construction. The milestone comes as the mayor's ambitious plan to preserve and build 300,000 affordable homes by 2026 is facing delays thanks to the pandemic, which has forced the city to cut funding for new affordable housing projects.
More here
August 7, 2020

$3.45M Nomad loft is full of tech and bold design

We hate to use the term millennial, but for that younger generation with the means to buy a luxury condo, this Nomad home has all the stylish design, tech features, and outdoor space that would be on the checklist. Located at 76 Madison Avenue and just listed for $3,450,000, the two-bedroom apartment was renovated by renowned NYC and NOLA firm Brockschmidt & Coleman, and it has everything from hidden televisions to app-controlled lighting and shades.
Look around
August 7, 2020

Sales launch at new Prospect Park-facing condo tower, from $2.4M

A condo building across from Prospect Park in Brooklyn launched sales this week, with two-bedrooms starting at $2.395 million. Located next to landmarked Grand Army Plaza, One Prospect Park West in Park Slope was built in 1925 and once served as a hotel for the Knights of Columbus and later as a senior home. Developer Sugar Hill Capital Partners is converting the historic 10-story building into a luxury condominium with 64 residences with 40 unique floor plans.
Get the details
August 6, 2020

New York’s eviction moratorium extended by one month

The statewide moratorium on eviction has been extended another month, offering temporary relief to thousands of New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes. The order was set to expire midnight on Thursday, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order extending the rule to September 4. The New York State Unified Court System is expected to announce on Thursday whether it will follow the mandate and issue new guidance on evictions.
More here
August 6, 2020

New downtown Jersey City rental will have a ‘Miami-inspired resort’ on its rooftop

DVORA 175 is a new 148-unit rental building coming to Jersey City, and just like a lot of the luxury rentals springing up in the area, it has a rooftop pool, this one with a "Miami-inspired resort" vibe, according to a press lease. The 14-story building at 175 Second Street is located in what's known as the Powerhouse Arts District, a section of downtown full of old warehouse buildings. Though pricing has not yet been released, leasing will kick off next month with initial occupancy slated for October.
More on the development here
August 6, 2020

$5.9M penthouse is Asbury Park’s most expensive home ever sold

A penthouse in Asbury Park that was listed for $5.9 million just closed, becoming the most expensive home ever sold in the Jersey Shore town. Located at the 17-story Asbury Ocean Club, the duplex penthouse contains four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and boasts roughly 2,300 square feet of outdoor space, which comes in the form of a wrap-around terrace, sunroom, and outdoor kitchen.
More here
August 6, 2020

Sunny Chelsea studio has everything you need for $435K

If you're on a budget but still want to be a homeowner, sometimes a studio is your best bet. And this lovely place at 451 West 22nd Street in Chelsea has just about everything you'd want in a starter home despite its tiny footprint. The sunny south-facing studio feels even brighter thanks to high ceilings, and it maximizes space with a built-in Murphy bed and a full wall of closets.
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August 6, 2020

Krispy Kreme opens in Harlem with NYC’s first doughnut hot light

There are a few things Krispy Kreme is known for--its melt-in-your-mouth glazed doughnuts, paper hats, and its "hot light," which lights up to show customers that doughnuts are hot out of the oven. This week, they opened their latest NYC outpost at 319 West 125th Street in Harlem, and it features the city's very first hot light. The shop will serve these right-off-the-line doughnuts at a production rate of more than 100 per hour.
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August 5, 2020

Historic Connecticut estate built by the man behind the Empire State Building lists for $8.3M

This sprawling English Manor-style estate in Greenwich, Connecticut was built in 1928 by Paul Starrett, one of the main developers behind the Empire State Building and the Plaza. Set on nearly three acres, the seven-bedroom home has grand interiors, romantic landscaping, and a gorgeous pool. It's just hit the market for $8,295,000.
Have a look around here
August 5, 2020

NYC is setting up COVID checkpoints at major entry points to enforce 14-day quarantine

New York City will set up "COVID-19 checkpoints" at key entry points this week to ensure compliance with the state's quarantine requirements, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. Travelers to New York from 35 states currently on the travel advisory list, which includes places with 10 infections per 100,000 residents on a seven-day rolling average, must quarantine for 14 days. Starting Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office will be deployed at bridges, tunnels, and busy transit hubs to remind visitors of the mandatory quarantine. The new initiative comes as about 20 percent of new coronavirus cases in New York City are from people traveling in from other states, according to Dr. Ted Long, head of the Test & Trace Corps.
Find out more
August 5, 2020

This sidewalk ‘front porch’ was designed to help students return to school in COVID times

The list of anxieties surrounding a return to school for students and their parents is seemingly endless, but the architects at SITU and WXY have designed an outdoor lobby that they hope can help alleviate some of this stress. Built upon the work of design-forward scaffolding firm Urban Umbrella, the "Front Porch" concept has been installed at the Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School to "allow students and faculty to be protected from the elements while queuing to enter, while hand sanitizing and having their temperatures taken," according to a press release.
Find out more
August 5, 2020

Eataly’s flowery rooftop to reopen with DIY gin drinks and summer dishes

Eataly's 14th-floor rooftop in the Flatiron District has been transformed into a blooming greenhouse. Opening on Friday, Serra Fiorita by Birreria will bring Italian summer to Manhattan with a seasonal menu, build-your-own gin drinks, and a flowery decor inspired by a 3D paper book. Tables will be distanced, capacity will be limited, and reservations can be made on OpenTable to avoid crowding.
More here
August 5, 2020

Leasing kicks off at Essex Crossing’s largest building, with rentals from $3,000/month

Leasing launched on Wednesday for 142 apartments at the Lower East Side's Essex Crossing development. The Artisan, located at 180 Broome Street, is the largest building at the nine-site project and contains office and retail space, as well as access to the ground-floor Market Line. Pricing starts at $3,000/month for studios, $4,000/month for one-bedrooms,$6,000/month for two-bedrooms, and $8,000 for three-bedrooms.
More this way
August 5, 2020

This $4M modern Seaport loft is actually in an 18th-century building

One of the fun things about New York City's architecture is how hidden its history can be. Take for example 130 Beekman Street in the South Street Seaport Historic District. The five-story building was actually built in 1798, but it's undergone several renovations over the years, and its condo units are completely modern. Just listed for $3,995,000 is the building's crown jewel, a three-bedroom, top-floor loft with two beautiful outdoor spaces.
Look around
August 4, 2020

Apply for 15 affordable apartments off Williamsburg’s Metropolitan Avenue, from $818/month

A housing lottery launched this week for 15 affordable apartments in Williamsburg. The rental at 31 Ainslie Street is currently accepting applications from New Yorkers earning 60 percent of the area median income, or an annual household income of between $28,286 and $73,680. Just steps from the Metropolitan G and L trains, the building is near a number of notable bars, restaurants, and vintage shops.
Do you qualify?
August 4, 2020

$1.5M Boerum Hill beauty has a backyard sanctuary and barnyard-chic interiors

This duplex at 50 3rd Avenue in Boerum Hill definitely looks like it could've been designed by Chip and Joanna Gaines. Though we're pretty sure they didn't travel to Brooklyn to design this two-bedroom condo, it has plenty of their famous "modern farmhouse" design elements, most notably reclaimed wood on the walls and ceiling. The aesthetic is carried over to the backyard, where twinkly lights and climbing vines set the stage for a true outdoor oasis. The apartment has just listed for $1,474,000.
Take the tour
August 4, 2020

Radio City cancels the Rockettes this Christmas

In a not-surprising announcement, Radio City Music Hall says they will not put on their famous Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes this year, the first time since 1933. The decision comes after Broadway said it will stay dark for the rest of the year and other venues like the Met Opera, Lincoln Center, NYC Ballet, and Carnegie Hall cancelled the rest of their 2020 seasons. As NBC New York noted, the Rockettes typically rehearse for more than 200 hours leading up to the show's November debut.
More details here
August 4, 2020

Since March, thousands of small businesses in NYC have closed for good

New York City small businesses are barely hanging on. More than 2,800 have closed permanently since March 1, the New York Times reported. And when the pandemic eventually subsides, as many as one-third of the city's 230,000 small businesses may not reopen, according to a report from the Partnership for New York City. Despite the city reaching the final and fourth phase of reopening, the distribution of millions of dollars in aid, and creative measures to help shops survive, thousands of businesses remain at risk.
Find out more
August 4, 2020

You can lounge and dine at a rooftop ‘lawn’ at the South Street Seaport

Social distancing guidelines have definitely gotten restaurants to be extra creative, like The Rooftop at Pier 17 which has just opened a new dining experience where guests can book one of 28 "mini-lawns." Called The Greens, the experience has transformed the South Street Seaport rooftop venue into private cabana-style plots, each of which can accommodate eight guests.
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August 4, 2020

Here’s what Facebook’s huge new office will look like at Midtown’s former Farley Post Office

Facebook has signed a lease for 730,000 square feet at the former James A. Farley Post Office, a Midtown landmark currently being converted into a mixed-use building, Vornado Realty Trust announced Monday. Reports of the deal first surfaced last December, but the coronavirus pandemic put into question the need for massive office space with thousands of workers. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the deal shows New York's resilience as the city recovers from the crisis. "Vornado's and Facebook's investment in New York and commitment to further putting down roots here - even in the midst of a global pandemic - is a signal to the world that our brightest days are still ahead and we are open for business," Cuomo said in a statement. "This public-private partnership fortifies New York as an international center of innovation."
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August 4, 2020

Jennifer Lawrence sells Upper East Side penthouse at a $6M loss

In 2016, Jennifer Lawrence picked up a $15.6 million penthouse on the Upper East Side. She must have really wanted to offload it, because last summer, she listed it for $15,450,000 and dropped it to $12 million earlier this month. According to city property records, the Oscar-winning actress ultimately sold the home at 400 East 67th Street for $9,900,000, taking a nearly $6 million loss. Listing agent Pamela D'Arc of Compass declined to comment on the sale.
Go inside
August 3, 2020

After original church was destroyed on 9/11, construction restarts at new St. Nicholas Shrine

It's been nearly 20 years since St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine was lost in the attacks on 9/11, but today, Governor Cuomo announced the restart of construction on the new Santiago Calatrava-designed church. Work originally began in 2015, but stalled in late 2017 when the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ran out of funding.
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August 3, 2020

Katz’s Deli launches its own local delivery service

Last month, Katz's Delicatessen opened for outdoor dining for the first time in its 132-year history. And last week, the legendary Lower East Side eatery launched its own local delivery service, dodging the excessive fees charged by third-party companies. As first reported by the Bowery Boogie, diners can order from Katz's classic menu directly from their website, including pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, matzoh ball soup, and square potato knishes.
More details here

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