6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments - Part 87

$100M penthouse closes at 220 Central Park South, third-most-expensive NYC sale ever

Photo of 220 Central Park South in front of 111 West 57th Street (cropped) by Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons

July 28, 2020

$100M penthouse closes at 220 Central Park South, third-most-expensive NYC sale ever

Photo of 220 Central Park South in front of 111 West 57th Street (cropped) by Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons As of July 1, 2020, the average price per square foot for a New York City condo came in at $1,110, according to CityRealty. But this duplex penthouse at 220 Central Park South sold for a whopping $12,164 per square foot. First spotted by The Real Deal and confirmed in city property records, PH 76 at the Billionaires' Row tower just closed for $99,903,375, making it the third-most-expensive sale ever, behind billionaire Ken Griffith’s $238 million purchase also at 220 CPS in early 2019 and Michael Dell’s $100 million buy at One57 in 2015. The sale takes the number-three spot from a $92.7 million sale at 220 CPS, which sold in late 2019 to billionaire hedge-funder Daniel Och.
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Real Estate Trends

New looks and name for Islanders’ home venue, UBS Arena at Belmont Park

All renderings courtesy of UBS

July 28, 2020

New looks and name for Islanders’ home venue, UBS Arena at Belmont Park

By Devin Gannon

The future home for the New York Islanders hockey team has a name. Wealth management service UBS last week secured a 20-year naming rights agreement for the new sports and entertainment venue in Nassau County. The UBS Arena at Belmont Park is expected to open for the Islanders' 2021-2022 season, with the team returning to Long Island after playing home games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn since 2015.
See it here

Real Estate Trends

$17.5M Tribeca penthouse has a 1,000-bottle wine room and a terrace bigger than most apartments

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

July 28, 2020

$17.5M Tribeca penthouse has a 1,000-bottle wine room and a terrace bigger than most apartments

For someone who loves to entertain, this Tribeca penthouse 166 Duane Street can't be beaten. First off, it's huge--6,200 square feet inside and 1,200 square feet outside (larger than most NYC apartments!). This roof deck has several seating areas and an outdoor kitchen, and it's adjacent to a sunroom that has a wet bar. There's another wet bar in the media room, and when the bar runs dry, just head to the 1,000-bottle wine room.
See the whole place

Distinctive Homes

NYC pol calls for rent relief, permanent outdoor dining, and other small business-saving measures

Gem Spa in the East Village permanently closed in May; Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 27, 2020

NYC pol calls for rent relief, permanent outdoor dining, and other small business-saving measures

By Devin Gannon

Small businesses in New York City are struggling to stay afloat, especially those still unable to reopen because of the coronavirus pandemic. A survey from the Hospitality Alliance found that only 19 percent of city businesses paid June rent and only 26 percent of landlords waived rent. Council Member Keith Powers on Monday released a report detailing ways to save small businesses and prepare for a post-COVID-19 world by providing emergency rent relief using federal funds, waiving the commercial rent tax, making outdoor dining permanent, and other measures.
More here

Policy

Iconic West Village speakeasy Chumley’s is closing and auctioning off its memorabilia

Photo courtesy of A.J. Willner Auctions

July 27, 2020

Iconic West Village speakeasy Chumley’s is closing and auctioning off its memorabilia

Update: A representative from A.J. Willner tells 6sqft that the auction has been cancelled due to the landlord objecting to the restaurant's right to sell the equipment. The lastest iconic eatery to shutter in the wake of the COVID pandemic is Chumley's. Opened in 1922, the West Village bar and restaurant was a speakeasy during Prohibition, becoming famous as a literary haunt for the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and J.D. Salinger. It faced an uncertain future in 2007 when a collapsed wall forced it to close; 10 years of red tape followed, but Chumley's reopened in 2016, albeit with a new owner and fancier menu. However, Untapped New York first heard the news that Chumley's will not reopen following the city's shutdown orders, and they are auctioning off everything from their restaurant equipment to the tufted leather banquettes to the iconic literary memorabilia.
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Food & Dining

Famous ‘haunted house’ in Clinton Hill reduces its price to $3.4M

Photos courtesy of Compass

July 27, 2020

Famous ‘haunted house’ in Clinton Hill reduces its price to $3.4M

This Greek Revival home looks like something one might find in New Orleans or Savannah, but it's actually right in Clinton Hill. Its southern charm, however, has not seemed to help the home at 136 Clinton Avenue find a buyer; it's been on and off the market for four years, originally asking $4.8 million. One year ago, the price dropped to $3.6 million, and it's just been lowered again to $3,420,000. Perhaps its "haunted" past is scaring off potential buyers. The historic home is known to be one of the most haunted in Brooklyn.
Lots more ahead

New York suspends liquor licenses of six NYC bars in violation of COVID-19 regulations

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 27, 2020

New York suspends liquor licenses of six NYC bars in violation of COVID-19 regulations

By Devin Gannon

Six more bars and restaurants in New York City temporarily lost their liquor license last week for violating social distancing regulations. Following a statewide compliance check between July 21 and July 23, the State Liquor Authority found violations at 84 establishments and suspended the liquor licenses of 10 bars, of which six were in the five boroughs, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday. Over the weekend, an additional 105 violations were issued to bars and restaurants, the governor said on Sunday.
Find out more

52-year-old Chinese-Cuban restaurant La Caridad closes on the Upper West Side

Photo taken by 6sqft on July 24, 2020

July 27, 2020

52-year-old Chinese-Cuban restaurant La Caridad closes on the Upper West Side

Last week, West Side Rag noticed a "for lease" sign on the window of La Caridad 78, a beloved Chinese-Cuban restaurant that has been on the corner of Broadway and 78th Street for 52 years. Neighbors had speculated about its closing in the days prior after seeing the restaurant's furniture and other interior items taken out. As Florence Fabricant wrote in the Times, "It was one of the city’s best-known purveyors of Chino Latino food," serving up dishes like "fried rice with plantains or Chinese pepper steak with Cuban black beans."
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Food & Dining

Dramatic Upper East Side townhouse has private parking and a posh backyard for $9.9M

Photo credit: Warburg Realty/Jason Haber

July 27, 2020

Dramatic Upper East Side townhouse has private parking and a posh backyard for $9.9M

It's almost unbelievable that all this space is within a Manhattan home, but this townhouse at 236 East 72nd Street on the Upper East Side is as real as they come. Listed for $9,880,000, the 5,000-square-foot house is anchored by a dramatic, double-height living room with ceilings almost 21 feet high and massive, cathedral-like windows. Outside, the 40-foot-long garden is surrounded by planters and beautiful landscaping and boasts a fountain and two seating areas. But perhaps the most enviable feature is the private parking garage.
See it all

Distinctive Homes

Distinctive Homes

SHOP THE LISTING: Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy's $9.75M West Village townhouse is an all-season urban refuge

SHOP THE LISTING: Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy's $9.75M West Village townhouse is an all-season urban refuge

This $6M Arts & Crafts estate is like having your own private summer camp in the Hamptons

This $6M Arts & Crafts estate is like having your own private summer camp in the Hamptons

This $3.3M Village co-op will brighten even the darkest winter days

This $3.3M Village co-op will brighten even the darkest winter days

See inside $19.5M Dumbo penthouse, Brooklyn's most expensive condo for sale

See inside $19.5M Dumbo penthouse, Brooklyn's most expensive condo for sale

For $700K, this parkside Brooklyn co-op adds dramatic design details to classic pre-war bones

For $700K, this parkside Brooklyn co-op adds dramatic design details to classic pre-war bones

This $25M Greenwich Village townhouse has been an artist's refuge for well over a century

This $25M Greenwich Village townhouse has been an artist's refuge for well over a century

This $8.75M Village townhouse is a downtown dream home with an elevator, three terraces, and a rooftop office suite

This $8.75M Village townhouse is a downtown dream home with an elevator, three terraces, and a rooftop office suite

For $2.5M, this laid-back Ditmas Park home is historic, lovely and livable

For $2.5M, this laid-back Ditmas Park home is historic, lovely and livable

$2.35M Gramercy co-op wraps classic pre-war style with vintage opulence–plus a key to the park

$2.35M Gramercy co-op wraps classic pre-war style with vintage opulence–plus a key to the park

A Victoria's Secret model's angelic East Village flat with a solarium and terrace asks $2.9M

A Victoria's Secret model's angelic East Village flat with a solarium and terrace asks $2.9M

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Tastes of Brooklyn food festival will return on August 1 with 25 restaurants and bars

Photo of Jolie Bistro in Gowanus by CityRealty

July 24, 2020

Tastes of Brooklyn food festival will return on August 1 with 25 restaurants and bars

Now more than ever it's important to support our local restaurants, bars, and bakeries and a fun event happening on Saturday, August 1 makes it super easy to do just that. Tastes of Brooklyn returns for its annual food festival with 25 participating establishments in Gowanus, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, and Cobble Hill. Tickets get you a select number of small dishes at drinks at your choice of restaurants, and proceeds will benefit Seeds in the Middle, a nonprofit creating sustainable farm stands and school-run healthy programs in Brooklyn's food deserts.
See who's participating

De Blasio adds ‘play streets’ to some car-free blocks, but cuts nearly 3 miles from the program

Photo courtesy of city’s Department of Transportation on Flickr

July 24, 2020

De Blasio adds ‘play streets’ to some car-free blocks, but cuts nearly 3 miles from the program

By Devin Gannon

While the city is adding just under two miles of open streets to its roster of car-free blocks, nearly three miles will be removed from the program. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday announced 1.72 miles of open streets across the five boroughs, as well as a new initiative called "Play Streets," which will offer families a number of contactless activities, sports, and arts and crafts on 12 streets currently closed to cars. However, the mayor failed to mention during the press briefing that 2.77 miles will be cut from the program and returned to normal vehicle traffic at "underused locations."
Find out more

Inwood rezoning plan can move forward, appeals court rules

Photo of Inwood Hill Park by Dana on Flickr

July 24, 2020

Inwood rezoning plan can move forward, appeals court rules

By Devin Gannon

The plan to rezone Inwood can move forward, a state appeals court ruled on Thursday. The decision comes after a judge in December overturned the land-use changes approved by the City Council in 2018 to rezone 59 blocks of the northern Manhattan neighborhood. But in their decision, the appellate court said the City Council "acted properly and consistently" with review procedures.
Find out more

Policy

See inside an apartment at the world’s tallest residential building

Photo by Evan Joseph

July 24, 2020

See inside an apartment at the world’s tallest residential building

It's been nearly two years since sales launched at Extell's Central Park Tower and one year since the 1,500-foot condominium topped out along Central Park South, making it the tallest residential building on the globe. And now, we've got our first look inside one of the enviable apartments at this Billionaires' Row building. The model residence is a 3,401-square-foot, three-bedroom corner unit on the 43rd floor, priced at $17,500,000. Not surprisingly, the interiors are decked out to the nines, but, of course, it's the insane views we can't stop ogling.
Take the full tour

Return of 24/7 subway service in NYC would be required under new legislation

Photo: Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

July 23, 2020

Return of 24/7 subway service in NYC would be required under new legislation

By Devin Gannon

In May, for the first time in its history, the New York City subway system shut down overnight as part of a nightly disinfection plan to kill traces of the coronavirus on trains and buses. To ensure the subway resumes 24/7 service, seen as an integral part of the city that never sleeps' DNA, the State Senate on Thursday passed legislation that would require nonstop subway service when a state of emergency is not in effect.
Learn more

For under $1M, this West Village co-op is a stylish starter home with a rooftop oasis

Photos by Ryan Lahiff/Rise Media for The Corcoran Group

July 23, 2020

For under $1M, this West Village co-op is a stylish starter home with a rooftop oasis

If you've always dreamed of living in the West Village, this junior one-bedroom at 92 Horatio Street might be the place to start. Not only is the location spot on, but the $950,000 co-op was gut-renovated four years ago, resulting in a super stylish and unique home. The icing on the cake, though, is the private rooftop oasis that has views of the Empire State Building and Hudson River.
Go up to the roof deck

Distinctive Homes

Jeffrey Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion lists for $88M

Photo courtesy of Modlin Group

July 23, 2020

Jeffrey Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion lists for $88M

The "cursed" Upper East Side mansion of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has hit the market for $88 million. Located at 9 East 71st Street on one of the city's wealthiest blocks, the townhouse is considered the largest single-family home in New York City, rising seven stories and measuring more than 28,000 square feet. Epstein was charged federally last year for abusing dozens of underage girls and women at many of his properties, including his Manhattan mansion.
See inside

Serving chips is not enough to comply with New York’s new booze rules

Photo by Prayitno via Wikimedia Commons

July 23, 2020

Serving chips is not enough to comply with New York’s new booze rules

Ever since Governor Cuomo announced last week that restaurants and bars across the state could only serve alcohol if customers were seated and ordering food, the question has been, what exactly constitutes "food?" According to the State Liquor Authority's updated COVID guidelines, "a bag of chips, bowl of nuts, or candy alone" are not enough; "food" is defined as that which is "similar in quality and substance to sandwiches and soups," including "salads, wings, or hotdogs." This basically makes it illegal for an establishment to serve a margarita if the customer only orders chips and salsa.
More details

Popular Articles

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NJ yoga, pilates, and martial arts studios can reopen for indoor classes

A yoga class at Pier A in Hoboken courtesy of the City of Hoboken

July 23, 2020

NJ yoga, pilates, and martial arts studios can reopen for indoor classes

By Devin Gannon

Some fitness studios in New Jersey can resume indoor classes at limited capacity, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday. The governor clarified an executive order issued this week that allowed for outdoor control drills and practices to resume for "high-risk" organized sports, including football, cheerleading, wrestling, and others.
More here

Policy

12 tips for hiring movers and making sure things run smoothly

Image via Nick Sherman SHLEPPERS via photopin (license)

July 23, 2020

12 tips for hiring movers and making sure things run smoothly

From big corporations to small family-run operations, movers in NYC run the gamut in terms of services, pricing, and proximity, but regardless of which route you take, there are several things to consider before deciding. Ahead, 6sqft has rounded up 12 tips for hiring movers, including performing background checks, making sure you've accurately counted your boxes (no one wants to be that person), and negotiating the estimate.
All the tips ahead

CNN president Jeff Zucker finds a buyer for his glitzy $17.5M Upper East Side home

Photo Credit: MW Studios

July 23, 2020

CNN president Jeff Zucker finds a buyer for his glitzy $17.5M Upper East Side home

After purchasing his Upper East Side co-op for $12.3 million in 2007, CNN chief executive Jeff Zucker first put the five-bedroom apartment on the market in February for $17.5 million. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Zucker and his wife Caryn have found a buyer for the large, glitzy pad, though the buyer's identity and final sale price have not yet been made public. Located at The Verona at 32 East 64th Street, the home is full of elegant touches like Venetian plaster walls, three working fireplaces, and a private elevator landing.
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Susan Sarandon lists massive Chelsea duplex for $7.9M

Photos: Eitan Gamliely for Sotheby’s International Realty

July 22, 2020

Susan Sarandon lists massive Chelsea duplex for $7.9M

By Devin Gannon

The dramatic Chelsea duplex owned by actress Susan Sarandon for nearly 30 years has hit the market for $7.9 million. Located at 147 West 15th Street within the luxury co-op building La Fabrique, the massive 6,000-square-foot apartment boasts a flexible layout with six bedrooms, four exposures, and a gallery foyer on the eighth floor. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the Academy Award winner, a native of Queens, said she plans to downsize to a smaller pad nearby and has no intention of leaving the city. "I’ve always been a New Yorker and I’ll continue to be a New Yorker," Sarandon said.
Take the tour

No reopening plans for NJ’s American Dream mall as tenants flee and owner skips mortgage payments

Rendering courtesy of Triple Five Group

July 22, 2020

No reopening plans for NJ’s American Dream mall as tenants flee and owner skips mortgage payments

By Devin Gannon

After nearly two decades of construction delays, New Jersey's mega-mall American Dream partially opened last October. Six months later, the three-million-square-foot venue was forced to close its doors because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, even as the state continues its gradual reopening, there is still no reopening date for the $5 billion mall. As NJ.com reported, owner Triple Five Group has missed three consecutive mortgage payments and retail tenants are getting out of their leases at the space.
Find out more

New Developments

15 public pools will start reopening in NYC

Photo of Astoria Pool by Global Jet via Flickr cc

July 22, 2020

15 public pools will start reopening in NYC

Just in time for the end of the current heatwave, New York City will reopen 15 of its free, public swimming pools. Eight pools will open this Friday, July 24, and the rest will reopen on Saturday, August 1. The Parks Department says that all pool-goers must maintain social distance and wear face coverings at all times when not in the water.
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City Living

You can take a tour of the Gowanus Canal in a canoe

Photo courtesy of Gowanus Dredgers

July 22, 2020

You can take a tour of the Gowanus Canal in a canoe

How's that for social distancing? Untapped New York has just announced the relaunch of its in-person tour series, and they've got some seriously cool new offerings, including a Victorian Flatbush walking tour and a tour of the Gowanus Canal that takes place via canoe. The team has implemented significant health and safety measures, from reduced capacity to a state-of-the-art radio system that allows for social distancing. In addition to these new tours, Untapped is bringing back many favorites, including "Hidden Gems of Governors Island," "Remnants of Dutch New Amsterdam," and "Public Art Tour of Lower Manhattan."
More info here

Events & Things To Do

10 iconic streets and spots in NYC open for outdoor dining

July 22, 2020

10 iconic streets and spots in NYC open for outdoor dining

By Devin Gannon

Since Mayor Bill de Blasio rolled out the open restaurants program last month, allowing eateries to serve diners on sidewalks and in adjacent parking spots, over 9,000 eateries have reopened for outdoor dining. Offering another lifeline to the struggling industry, especially now that indoor dining has been postponed indefinitely, the city has also closed more than 40 blocks to traffic for its weekend-only open streets dining program, overseen by community organizations and neighborhood Business Improvement Districts. With so many al fresco dining options available, we're rounding up the most iconic New York City streets and establishments now open for outdoor dining, from the most photographed block in Brooklyn and New York's oldest bar in Queens to open-air plazas with views of city landmarks.
More this way

Food & Dining

300-unit affordable and supportive housing development coming to Flatbush, Brooklyn

July 22, 2020

300-unit affordable and supportive housing development coming to Flatbush, Brooklyn

As part of his larger plan to invest $1.4 billion in Central Brooklyn communities, Governor Cuomo unveiled this week a 291-unit affordable housing development in Flatbush. Called the Clarkson Estates, the project will have half of its apartments set aside for "youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated individuals, and formerly homeless young adults," according to a press release. Developer CAMBA Housing Ventures will offer an extensive network of supportive services within a 30,000-square-foot space that the building is calling its "HUB." Many of these facilities will also be open to the public.
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Affordable Housing

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

Raising chickens in NYC: Laws, tips, and everything else you need to know

Raising chickens in NYC: Laws, tips, and everything else you need to know

10 best plants for apartment dwellers

10 best plants for apartment dwellers

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

$3M Tribeca loft is a white-washed wonderland

Photos by Shannon Dupre of DDReps for The Corcoran Group

July 22, 2020

$3M Tribeca loft is a white-washed wonderland

A true Tribeca loft is not too hard to come by, but this three-bedroom home at 77 Hudson Street definitely stands out from the rest. Just listed for $2,999,000, the home has been whitewashed from floor to ceiling, giving the space a casual beachy vibe. But when mixed with all those classic loft details--beamed ceilings, stainless steel accents--this vision in white is really something special.
Look around

Distinctive Homes

The MTA’s app now tells you how many people are on a bus in real-time

Screenshots taken from the MTmta app

July 21, 2020

The MTA’s app now tells you how many people are on a bus in real-time

Many New Yorkers are having to start heading back to the office, and part of that anxiety is how they get there. For some, that means switching from the subway to the bus in search of more social distance. In fact, the New York Times recently reported that in April and May, bus ridership in NYC was higher than that of the subway for the first time in more than 50 years. And for those making the switch, it just got a lot simpler to feel at ease. The MYmta app now includes real-time data for the number of passengers on an arriving bus.
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New York’s 14-day travel quarantine expands to more than half of the country

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

July 21, 2020

New York’s 14-day travel quarantine expands to more than half of the country

Individuals traveling to New York from ten additional states must quarantine for 14 days, bringing the total number of states under the travel advisory to 31, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday. The new states added to the list include Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington, all places with "significant community spread," according to the state.
The full list of states

Policy

Field of sunflowers exhibit takes over Four Freedoms Park to honor 100 years of women’s suffrage

Courtesy of FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

July 21, 2020

Field of sunflowers exhibit takes over Four Freedoms Park to honor 100 years of women’s suffrage

By Devin Gannon

A massive field of sunflowers has been installed at the monumental staircase at FDR Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island. The park's new exhibit, which was created together with the New-York Historical Society and the League of Women Voters, comes ahead of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment's ratification and aims to symbolize the continued push for full equality today. The installation measures 12 feet by 100 feet and features text from the amendment, which was ratified on August 18, 1920: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
More this way

Events & Things To Do

$5M Fort Greene townhouse has three rental apartments and a luxurious owner’s duplex

All images by Udor Photography

July 21, 2020

$5M Fort Greene townhouse has three rental apartments and a luxurious owner’s duplex

There's quite a lot to love about this Fort Greene residence at 215 Clermont Avenue, just listed for $4,995,000. Not only does it have three income-producing rental units, but the owner's duplex is as luxurious as townhouse living comes. In addition to an incredible amount of preserved 19th-century architecture, the duplex boasts a large, landscaped rear garden, a wine room, and even a mudroom that doubles as a pet spa.
See more here

Distinctive Homes

The secret history of Julius’, the oldest gay bar in NYC

Owner Helen Buford with longtime bartender Daniel Onzo

July 21, 2020

The secret history of Julius’, the oldest gay bar in NYC

By James and Karla Murray

On the corner of West 10th and Waverly Place sits Julius’ Bar, New York City’s oldest gay bar. Constructed in the middle of the 19th-century, the landmarked Greenwich Village building first opened as a grocery store and later became a bar. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the city, Julius’ is also known for its historic “Sip-In" on April 26, 1966, when members of the Mattachine Society--one of the country’s earliest LGBT rights organizations--protested the state law that prohibited bars from serving "suspected gay men or lesbians." Not only did the demonstration lead to the courts ruling in 1967 that gay people had the legal right to assemble and be served alcohol, but it also became one of the most significant instances of gay rights activism before the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Like many businesses forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic, especially now that indoor dining is on hold indefinitely, Julius' owner Helen Buford is struggling to pay the bills and launched a fundraising campaign this month to help save the bar. Ahead, go behind the scenes of Julius' while it remains closed, learn about its unique history from longtime bartenders Daniel Onzo and Tracy O’ Neill, and hear more from Helen about the struggle to survive as a small business during COVID-19.
Go behind the scenes

Where I Work

The F train will shut down on nights and weekends for the next 8 months

Photo by Patrick Cashin courtesy of MTA via Flickr

July 21, 2020

The F train will shut down on nights and weekends for the next 8 months

After one year of service disruptions, the much-talked-about L train "slowdown" wrapped up in April. The MTA has now turned its attention to the F train's Rutgers Tube, which is the last of 11 subway tunnels to be rebuilt after suffering damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Using the same tactics as were employed for the L train, the Rutgers Tube will only be shut down on nights and weekends, affecting F train service from August 2020 through March 2021.
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Transit

This incredible Italian-style villa is asking $9.2M in Greenwich, CT

Photos by Chris Meech

July 21, 2020

This incredible Italian-style villa is asking $9.2M in Greenwich, CT

The "Great Estates" of Greenwich, CT were built at the turn-of-the-century after the railroad first connected New Haven to New York City. As explained in the CT Post, with the rich able to get to and from the city easily and also have a retreat near the shore where they could dock their yachts, many grand mansions were constructed here. Today, very few remain, but this incredible Italian-style villa, which was commissioned by the founder of American Standard Co., has stood the test of time and is listed for $9,208,000. It has the massive, seven-bedroom main house, a guest house, pool and pool house, tennis court, pump house, and rolling, romantic lawns.
Take the full tour

Distinctive Homes

Greek Revival mansion with views of the Hudson asks $5.9M in Riverdale

July 20, 2020

Greek Revival mansion with views of the Hudson asks $5.9M in Riverdale

Leave it up to Riverdale to supply some of the most jaw-dropping, "is it really in New York City?" properties. This Greek Revival mansion at 5501 Palisade Avenue looks like it belongs upstate, but it's located right here in the Bronx, in a neighborhood known for impressive properties with views. The 1.7-acre property is situated on the top of the hill, so it has prime views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. The interior, which boasts five bedrooms, isn't too shabby, either.
See inside the mansion

Distinctive Homes

This $3.5M Park Slope townhouse comes with private parking and an enchanted garden

Photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

July 20, 2020

This $3.5M Park Slope townhouse comes with private parking and an enchanted garden

If COVID has you considering the suburbs, but you're still not totally sold, this $3.5 million Park Slope townhouse at 415 Dean Street might be just the compromise you need. It comes with a private driveway with a garage, so you can own a car for easy getaways. It also has a beautiful backyard that the listing calls "a Tuscan hideaway" that's perfect for outdoor dining and large enough for socially distant hangouts. And when you want to stay in, there are three bedrooms, classical interiors, and modern amenities.
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Distinctive Homes

NYC’s latest Whole Foods store opens at new Hudson Yards development

Outdoor seating at Whole Food’s 5 Manhattan West location; Photo © CityRealty

July 20, 2020

NYC’s latest Whole Foods store opens at new Hudson Yards development

By Devin Gannon

New York City's newest Whole Foods Market opened in Hudson Yards on Friday, becoming the grocery store chain's 14th Big Apple location. Located at 450 West 33rd Street, the market sits on the ground level of 5 Manhattan West, a 15-story office tower that is part of the six-building complex Manhattan West. The new Whole Foods measures more than 60,200 square feet and features a number of local vendors, like Threes Brewing, Café Grumpy, and Beecher's Handmade Cheese, as well as a spacious set up for outdoor dining.
Details here

Uncategorized

7 best hikes near New York City

July 20, 2020

7 best hikes near New York City

By Rebecca Fishbein

Getting out of the city during the hot summer months has never felt so necessary, with the usual ways of staying cool by exploring an air-conditioned museum or taking a dip at a city pool. For those looking to reconnect with nature (while maintaining social distance), there are a number of escapes just outside of the city offering hikes and treks ranging in levels of difficulty. Some of these are easily accessible by Metro-North; some might require a car, and some happen to be in the city itself, provided you consider Staten Island within its borders. All of them feature great views, exercise, fresh air, and the occasional tree, how novel! Ahead, discover our favorites.
See our favorites here

Cuomo threatens roll back of outdoor dining in NYC amidst growing crowds

Photo of New Yorkers drinking on St. Mark’s Place in May by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 20, 2020

Cuomo threatens roll back of outdoor dining in NYC amidst growing crowds

After yet another weekend of social gatherings in New York City, Governor Cuomo said in his press conference this morning that the state may have to roll back the opening of bars and restaurants in the city if the local government and police department does not enact stricter enforcement. The governor emphasized the fact that the NYPD's task is not to inform young people about mask compliance but to enforce the law. "That is the only line between anarchy and civilization," he said." This weekend, Steinway Street in Astoria was flooded with people partying, and the Lower East Side once again saw large crowds.
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NYC (kind of) enters phase 4 today

Photo (cropped) by Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr cc

July 20, 2020

NYC (kind of) enters phase 4 today

Governor Cuomo cleared NYC to enter the fourth and final phase of reopening on Monday, July 20. But just like with phase three, the city's reopening looks a bit different than the rest of the state. No additional indoor venues like malls and cultural institutions can reopen yet, and there's still no date for indoor dining. The governor also doubled down on bars and restaurants violating social distancing and face-covering rules in a new "Three Strikes and You're Closed" initiative. Any establishment that receives three violations will be immediately shut down, and walk-up bar service is no longer permitted.
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Policy

Outdoor dining in NYC will be extended through October

Open streets dining outside the Beatrice Inn; Photo (cropped) by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 17, 2020

Outdoor dining in NYC will be extended through October

Since NYC entered phase 2 of reopening on June 22, more than 8,600 restaurants have begun participating in the Open Restaurants program, which allows restaurants to set up seating on sidewalks, curb cuts, in adjacent parking spots, and on certain designated open streets. Indoor dining in the city, however, has been postponed indefinitely. So to keep outdoor dining expanding and thriving, Mayor de Blasio announced today that he's extending the program through October 31.
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322-unit affordable complex with healthcare center and courtyard planned for East Flatbush

July 17, 2020

322-unit affordable complex with healthcare center and courtyard planned for East Flatbush

By Devin Gannon

Another proposal has been chosen for a new affordable development in East Flatbush as part of the state's effort to revitalize neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced plans for a 322-unit complex called "Utica Crescent" that will be constructed on a lot next to the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center. The project is part of the $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative that will ultimately bring 4,000 units of affordable housing, improved health and wellness options, jobs, and additional open space to underserved Brooklyn neighborhoods.
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Sarah Jessica Parker asks Citi Bike to help save 100-year-old Greenwich Village restaurant

Gene’s Restaurant. Map data © 2020 Google

July 17, 2020

Sarah Jessica Parker asks Citi Bike to help save 100-year-old Greenwich Village restaurant

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, longtime Greenwich Village resident Sarah Jessica Parker posted a heartfelt note to Citi Bike, hoping they can help save one of her favorite local restaurants. Gene's Restaurant has been located on West 11th Street near 6th Avenue for 101 years. But because of a Citi Bike rack right outside their front doors, the Italian restaurant has been unable to set up outdoor dining and is struggling from the pandemic fallout. "I'm happy to help move the @citibike rack just a bit east to make room for some outdoor seating. Whatever it takes," wrote SJP, who is a Citi Bike rider herself.
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1,500 maps showing 450 years of development in Brooklyn now available online

Created by the Olmsted and Vaux firm, this map shows the original plans for Prospect Park, as well as the historic reservoir at Grand Army Plaza (1871)

July 17, 2020

1,500 maps showing 450 years of development in Brooklyn now available online

By Devin Gannon

The Center for Brooklyn History, a collaboration between the Brooklyn Historical Society and the Brooklyn Public Library, launched a user-friendly online portal that contains the institution's collection of nearly 1,500 maps of Brooklyn dating back to 1562. While researchers will no doubt appreciate the new accessibility to the unique maps, the tool is also a fun way for all residents of the borough to explore the evolution of their neighborhood over the last four centuries. From rare Revolutionary War maps and original plans for Prospect Park to a subway map detailing how to get to Ebbets Field, the maps span more than 450 years and include transit maps, cultural maps, survey charts, and more.
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Late fashion designer Vince Camuto’s Connecticut chateau is coming to auction

Photo courtesy of Compass

July 17, 2020

Late fashion designer Vince Camuto’s Connecticut chateau is coming to auction

18 bathrooms, 11 bedrooms, four-and-a-half acres of land, a private grotto, and tennis courts--this is just some of what you'll find at the Greenwich, Connecticut mansion of the late shoe designer and Nine West founder Vince Camuto. The home was recently listed for $26.5 million, but it'll now come to auction next month, selling online to the highest bidder with no reserve (who will also have the option to separately purchase all the furniture). Vince's wife, Louise Camuto, said in a statement, "I’ve been here for a long time, and we have loved living here. It’s a year-round house that you enjoy both in the summer and in the winter... It’s a perfect place to raise a family."
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During the pandemic’s peak, low-income New Yorkers lacked access to quality green space

Photo of Sheep Meadow in Central Park on May 4, 2020 © 6sqft

July 16, 2020

During the pandemic’s peak, low-income New Yorkers lacked access to quality green space

By Devin Gannon

Parks and public green space proved to be a lifeline for New Yorkers during the peak of the pandemic, for both their physical and mental wellbeings. But not all parks are created equal, as reports from the city's Independent Budget Office and the Trust for Public Land found. In many low-income and minority neighborhoods, where cases and rates of death from COVID-19 were experienced disproportionately, residents lacked access to quality green space, especially when space like playgrounds and basketball courts, closed for nearly three months.
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Policy

The highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere is set to reopen at Hudson Yards

Photo © Dana Schulz for 6sqft

July 16, 2020

The highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere is set to reopen at Hudson Yards

By Devin Gannon

Edge, the 1,100-foot-tall outdoor observation deck at Hudson Yards, is expected to reopen next week with safety precautions taken to "new heights." The sky-high deck first opened to the public on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards in March, only to close two days later because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, as New York City prepares to enter phase four of reopening, Related Companies says visitors could start experiencing Edge as soon as July 20, with new timed-entry tickets and public health measures created in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System.
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City Living

$5.9M Boerum Hill townhouse has a garden-level apartment and loads of light

Photos Courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

July 16, 2020

$5.9M Boerum Hill townhouse has a garden-level apartment and loads of light

There's a lot to love about this $5.9 million Boerum Hill townhouse. The four-floor owner's residence has five bedrooms, including a top-floor master suite with an entire ceiling of skylights. It also has a convenient deck off the kitchen. But what makes this such a great investment is the garden-level, income-generating rental apartment. It's a one-bedroom unit, but it opens directly to the lovely backyard.
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Distinctive Homes

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will reopen August 29

Photo by Alex Proimos on Wikimedia

July 16, 2020

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will reopen August 29

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will reopen to the public on August 29, as part of the city's phase four of reopening. The museum closed all three of its locations in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Met's Fifth Avenue building will open its doors five days a week, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. While The Cloisters is expected to open in September, museum officials last month announced that the Met Breuer will not reopen at all, with the building instead serving as the temporary home of the Frick Collection.
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