Search Results for: architecture firm

December 2, 2020

VOTE for 6sqft’s 2020 Building of the Year!

It goes without saying that 2020 has been an unpredictable, challenging year. This March, COVID-19 brought New York City to a standstill, from the city's bustling street life to the plethora of construction projects that defined the prior year. The pandemic quickly changed the way we live and build, but ultimately didn't stop New Yorkers from doing either. The city is still a place with bold new construction projects, glittering towers and mega-developments, unique and creative amenities -- especially to respond to a year sticking close to home. 2020 brought the introduction of a new public park inside an Upper West Side mega-development, multi-million dollar condo sales along Billionaire's Row, the restoration of a classic NYC landmark, and impressive new architecture that promises to shape our ever-changing skyline. Our picks are down to 12 of the most notable residential structures this year. The only question is: Which do you think deserves 6sqft’s title of 2020 Building of the Year? To have your say, polls for our sixth annual competition will be open up until midnight on Sunday, December 13 and we will announce the winner on Monday, December 14.
Cast your vote!
November 24, 2020

Flatiron’s new holiday art installation connects New Yorkers from a distance

A new public art installation opened on Monday in the Flatiron Public Plaza as part of the neighborhood's annual "23 Days of Flatiron Cheer" holiday programming. Designed by firm Studio Cooke John, the Point of Action installation consists of nine metal pavilions surrounded by six-foot concentric circles with ropes that part, creating a "spotlight" and allowing passersby to connect with one another. The firm's work was selected as this year's winning design by the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership and Van Alen Institute.
See it here
November 13, 2020

‘Blue’s Clues’ host Steve Burns lists his playful, converted-garage in Williamsburg for $3.35M

Remember the kids' show Blue's Clues from the late '90s/early 2000s? Well, host Steve Burns has been living right here in Williamsburg since then, creating one of the most unique homes in the entire city, where he's been busy making music. The former garage and woodshop at 19 Powers Street was transformed into a contemporary-meets-rustic abode, complete with a private parking garage, a magical courtyard, and two rooftop terraces. The two-bedroom home is now on the market for $3,350,000.
Don't miss this one
September 17, 2020

ODA Architects bring their signature boxy aesthetic to new 14th Street condo

ODA Architecture has made its mark all over the city, and it's easy to tell when a project bears their name thanks to the firm's signature boxy aesthetic, often filled with cantilevers and stacked volumes. Their latest project--a boutique condo at 101 West 14th Street--is no exception. The mixed-use development on the corner of Sixth Avenue features 44 residential units, half of which will be duplexes, as well as retail space at street level.
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September 14, 2020

In Midtown, 1,401-foot One Vanderbilt is officially open

It's been nearly four years since One Vanderbilt broke ground next to Grand Central, and after topping out one year ago at 1,401 feet, NYC's fourth-tallest tower is officially open to office tenants. Developer SL Green, Manhattan's largest office landlord, held an opening ceremony this morning in which they also unveiled a $220 million package of public open space and transit infrastructure improvements.
Find out more here
September 2, 2020

New program asks architects to help design outdoor dining spaces for NYC restaurants

Outdoor dining has offered a much-needed lifeline to many New York City restaurants struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic. But creating a space on city streets and sidewalks that is both inviting to diners and meets the city's safety standards comes at a cost. To help restaurants reopen, the city's Economic Development Corporation partnered with NYCxDesign, the American Institute of Architects, and the Center for Architecture to launch an online network that connects restaurants with architects and designers willing to provide design help for free.
More this way
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
July 15, 2020

Crown Heights residents rally against proposed 182-unit complex at site of 19th-century senior home

The fight continues over a proposed new development on a large stretch of land in the Crown Heights North Historic District II with an online petition opposing the project collecting over 4,000 signatures. A neighborhood group, Friends of 920 Park, hopes to stop the construction of a seven-story, 182-unit apartment building on land at 959 Sterling Place (920 Park Place), originally the site of the Methodist Home for the Aged and currently the home of the Hebron French Speaking Seventh Day Adventist School. The renewed fight against the project comes ahead of a Brooklyn Community Board 8 and Landmarks Preservation Commission public hearing on the plan later this summer.
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July 10, 2020

Here’s what a car-free, pedestrian-friendly NYC could look like

In a city that currently has the most streets closed to cars in the country, with plans in store to add more designated busways and charge vehicles entering its busiest streets, is New York ready to be car-free? Architect Vishaan Chakrabarti and his firm Practice for Architecture and Urbanism think so. The New York Times took a look at PAU's plan, "N.Y.C. (Not Your Car)," which calls for a ban of private motor vehicles in Manhattan and an expansion of sidewalks and pedestrian-only space.
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July 2, 2020

$2B project in Astoria calls for massive mixed-use district with 2,700 housing units

A proposal to build a mixed-use district in Queens that would encompass five blocks and create thousands of new housing units was unveiled this week. Dubbed "Innovation QNS," the $2 billion project would bring 2,700 units of mixed-income housing, 250,000 square feet of creative office space, 200,000 square feet of retail, a new school, two acres of public open space, and new neighborhood amenities to Astoria. With ODA Architecture as the architect of the master plan, the mixed-use district is a joint private venture led by Silverstein Properties, Kaufman Astoria Studios, BedRock Real Estate Partners.
See the plan
June 29, 2020

13 things you didn’t know about the Woolworth Building

When the neo-Gothic Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway was erected in 1913 as the world’s tallest building, it cost a total of $13.5 million to construct. Though many have surpassed it in height, the instantly-recognizable Lower Manhattan landmark has remained one of the world’s most iconic buildings, admired for its terra cotta facade and detailed ornamentation–and its representation of the ambitious era in which it arose. Developer and five-and-dime store entrepreneur Frank Winfield Woolworth dreamed of an unforgettable skyscraper; the building’s architect, Cass Gilbert, designed and delivered just that, even as Woolworth's vision grew progressively loftier. The Woolworth Building has remained an anchor of New York City life with its storied past and still-impressive 792-foot height.
Find the city's history in the Woolworth Building
June 16, 2020

INTERVIEW: Architect Morris Adjmi on how Nomad’s 30 East 31st Street helps define a changing city

Among the recent architectural contributions to New York City designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, a tall, slender tower at 30 East 31st Street from developers EDG and The Pinnacle Group is quietly turning heads in the northern part of the Manhattan neighborhood known as Nomad. The 479-foot-high, 42-unit condominium tower, officially named 30E31, is now ready for occupancy. 6sqft caught up with architect and designer Morris Adjmi to get the creator's viewpoint on the notable new Manhattan residence, from his thoughts on the relatively new neighborhood to his contextual exterior design and custom interiors.
The full interview with Morris Adjmi, this way
May 19, 2020

Leasing launches at Williamsburg’s historic Dime Savings Bank, rentals from $3,000/month

Leasing has officially kicked off at The Dime, a rental building in South Williamsburg that combines the landmarked Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh with a new 23-story residential tower. Designed by Fogarty Finger Architecture, the project incorporates the century-old Neoclassical-style bank building as the tower's podium and includes 177 luxury apartments and office space above it. Apartments range from roughly $3,000/month for a studio to more than $6,000 for a three-bedroom. The two penthouse apartments available are starting at $13,000/month.
See inside
March 5, 2020

Renderings released for massive Sunnyside Yard project that will bring 12,000 affordable apartments

According to the master plan for the 180-acre Sunnyside Yard development in Queens, the former storage and maintenance hub for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, New Jersey Transit, and Long Island Rail Road will include 12,000 affordable apartments, making it the largest affordable housing development to be built in NYC since the middle-income Co-op City in the Bronx was completed in 1973 (h/t Wall Street Journal). The plan by the New York City Economic Development Corp. (EDC) outlines a $14.4 billion deck over the train yard on which the complex would be built. Half the housing in the development would be rental apartments for low-income families earning less than 50 percent of the area median income, with the other half set aside for affordable homeownership programs through Mitchell-Lama. The Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) was identified to lead the planning process, and they have just released renderings and maps of the massive development.
See them all here
February 4, 2020

See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

A car-free public space will open this summer between Grand Central Terminal and Midtown's newest, tallest office building, One Vanderbilt. Renderings released this week, which were first spotted by the New York Post, show a new plaza on a strip of Vanderbilt Avenue between East 42nd Street to East 43rd Street, situated at the southern end of the iconic terminal. The open space, dubbed "Vanderbilt Plaza," is part of SL Green's commitment to invest $220 million in transit improvements in exchange for zoning changes agreed to by the city in 2014.
See the plaza
February 4, 2020

Luxury senior housing set to open in Brooklyn Heights’ former Leverich Towers Hotel

A luxury senior housing community is coming to Brooklyn Heights at 21 Clark Street. Built in 1928 as the Leverich Towers Hotel (famous for hosting the Brooklyn Dodgers when they were in town for home games), the 16-story building was bought by the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1975 and used as a residence hall for about 1,000 local volunteers. The current project is being co-developed by Watermark Retirement Communities and Kayne Anderson Real Estate, who bought the building from the Witnesses for $200 million in 2017 and poured an additional $130 million into renovations across the 310,000 square-foot property. The revamped residences are on schedule to open in March with units starting at $10,000 a month, according to Commercial Observer.
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January 24, 2020

Where I Work: Marvel Architects’ studio brings tropical flair to a classic Tribeca loft

Marvel Architects say they were drawn to their Tribeca office space 25 years ago because of its connection to NYC history and its openness, qualities that also resonate throughout the firm and its practice. They regularly work on cultural projects (like TheatreSquared and the Northeast Bronx YMCA), adaptive reuse projects (such as St. Ann's Warehouse and the Bedford Armory in Brooklyn) and affordable housing developments (like the Stonewall House and Rockaway Village) and they are receptive to community feedback (as was the case with their current One Clinton project). With another office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marvel continues this open dialogue throughout its team, as staff members contribute reciprocally to projects in both cities. To learn more about this unique firm, 6sqft had a chat with founding principal Jonathan Marvel and founding partners Lissa So and Guido Hartray and toured their open and airy office that brings a bit of tropical flair to Tribeca.
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January 16, 2020

Photo exhibit highlights the disappearing single-story buildings of the East Village and LES

In 2015, photographer Adam Friedberg was passing through Astor Place and took notice of the two single-story buildings on Third Avenue and St. Marks Place--the one that housed Continental Bar and the other a McDonald's. From there, Friedberg began a project to photograph all the single-story buildings throughout the changing East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods and the negative space they created. After capturing 97 of the roughly 105 structures, his work is now on view at the Center for Architecture in an exhibit titled "Single-Story Project."
See more of the photos
January 10, 2020

$1.3M upstate house is a Modernist vision by Frank Lloyd Wright’s colleagues

According to the listing, this unique home in the remote upstate town of Canaan, NY was built by "two prominent colleagues of Frank Lloyd Wright," who employed stonework techniques used at Taliesin West, Usonian design, and a high peaked roof to make this stunning modern house "a paean to nature." Situated on 17 acres at 121 Top of Dean Hill Road, the property, asking $1.3 million, includes an equally fabulous guest house with a 3.5-car garage, woodland paths, and perennial gardens.
Tour this unusual Upstate home
January 10, 2020

Lantern House, Thomas Heatherwick’s quirky High Line condo, rises and reveals residences

Related Companies has released new renderings of the residential interiors in Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House condo development on the High Line. The quirky towers—one is ten stories tall and the other rises to 22 stories—flank the High Line at 18th Street and stand out with their billowing glass walls that reinterpret “the modern bay window.”
Check out the renderings
January 7, 2020

Snøhetta’s transformed public garden at 550 Madison Avenue receives final city approvals

The privately-owned public space (POPS) on the ground floor of Philip Johnson and John Burgee’s Postmodern skyscraper at 550 Madison Avenue declined over time due to multiple alterations and was often described as being “tall, skinny, and dark.” As part of Snøhetta’s transformation of the landmark, the garden is receiving a lot of attention. In December, developer Olayan Group revealed plans to increase the public space by 50 percent while creating “a welcoming sensory retreat in the heart of East Midtown.” After being approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission last year, the open space has now received its final approval from the Department of City Planning.
More details
December 16, 2019

NYC real estate experts offer their 2020 predictions

In some ways, 2019 was a continuation of the past few years: political and global uncertainty loomed over the New York real estate market, development continued at a steady pace, and prices were as high as ever. (Oh wait -- they were actually higher.) But the year also brought notable changes, from a total overhaul of rent and tenant protections, increased urgency in regards to climate change, an increasingly buyer's market, and dry-up of the once pervasive rental concessions. So what's in store for the year ahead? Real estate experts believe sustained political uncertainty -- particularly around an election year -- could mean buyers proceed cautiously. The new rent laws will undoubtedly shape New York, as both the rental and condo markets tighten. Pre-war design will make a comeback in defiance of glassy modern architecture, while the focus on sustainability will increase and amenities will become more flexible.
Keep reading for the 6sqft's full roundup of 2020 predictions.
December 10, 2019

Swedish photography museum Fotografiska to open in the historic Church Missions House

Stockholm-based photography museum Fotografiska is opening its first stateside outpost in New York City this month. Housed inside the former Church Missions House at 281 Park Avenue South, the organization will bring 45,000 square feet of exhibition and event spaces, alongside a restaurant inspired by European “grand cafés.” New York firm CetraRuddy led the restoration and redesign of the landmarked space, working with Higgins Quasebarth & Partners to preserve the stained-glass windows and limestone and granite facade of the Renaissance Revival building.
More info
December 10, 2019

2019 holiday gift guide: The best gifts for kids in New York City

Nobody appreciates a great gift like a child, but New York City kids are a tough audience. They've already got the world at their feet, even if they're not possessed of a pile of material goods. Fortunately, there are lots of options for cool presents for your favorite pint-sized architects, athletes, fashionistas and foodies as well as the Big Apple babies on your list. Check out our list below for a handful of gift ideas for New York City kids.
Great gifts for NYC kids, this way
December 5, 2019

Construction begins on Fort Greene’s newest cultural center at 300 Ashland Place

The city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is starting construction on a new cultural center housed within the 32-story tower at 300 Ashland Place in Fort Greene. The new L10 Arts and Cultural Center will span across 50,000 square feet and host a range of institutions, including new gallery and performance spaces for the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), three cinemas for the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), rehearsal studios and performance space for 651 ARTS, and a new branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.
More info