September 9, 2020

For $2.5M, this Woodstock estate comes with three stone homes, a koi pond, a treehouse, and more

It makes sense that this upstate estate shares the same folksy, comfortable feel as its Woodstock, New York location. Its current owner is Michael Lang, co-creator of the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969. Set on nearly 17 acres, the property features a 5,000-square-foot main stone house, a second stone home, a cottage with a greenhouse, a koi pond, a pool, an orchard, a treehouse, and gorgeous mountain views. Known as Happy Brooks, the estate was built in 1929 and is now on the market for $2,450,000.
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September 9, 2020

New York City will open indoor dining on September 30

Restaurants in New York City will be able to resume indoor dining on September 30, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday. Capacity will be limited to 25 percent with strict coronavirus-related regulations in place. In addition to the task force led by the State Liquor Authority, the city will provide 400 inspectors to oversee compliance at restaurants. Cuomo said the state will also rely on city residents to report any violations. "I believe in New Yorkers to do the right thing," the governor said during a press briefing.
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September 9, 2020

Sting, Norah Jones, & more to perform in free SummerStage Jubilee virtual concert

A free concert benefiting New York City parks programs will be live-streamed next week, with a number of renowned artists participating. Hosted by the City Parks Foundation, the SummerStage Jubilee takes place virtually on September 17 with performances from Sting, Norah Jones, Trey Anastasio, Rufus Wainwright, Leslie Odom Jr., Rosanne Cash, Emily King, PJ Morton, and more. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the foundation put its annual free outdoor concert series in Central Park, online for all to enjoy, dubbing it SummerStage Anywhere.
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September 9, 2020

You can win a private session at Grand Central Terminal’s ‘hidden’ tennis courts

A contest launched on Tuesday that is tailor-made for lovers of tennis and quirky New York City history. Grand Central Terminal's "Game, Set, & Match" contest will provide one winner and a partner an hour to play tennis at the iconic transit hub's Vanderbilt Tennis Club, located in a hard-to-find location on the terminal's fourth floor. In addition to the free match, the winner will receive $300 in gift cards for Grand Central Terminal vendors.
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September 8, 2020

For $1.8M, a treetop retreat upstate with 24 acres, Scandinavian design, and a ‘party barn’

Less than an hour from the George Washington Bridge in the charming town of Cornwall, New York, is this hidden treetop escape. Situated on 24 gated acres, the property consists of a Scandinavian-inspired wood and stone main house, a resort-style pool with a waterfall, and a separate 1,700-square-foot party barn complete with an indoor basketball court, bar with keg tap, and gym. The home has been listed as a vacation rental on Airbnb for a whopping $1,286 a night, but the entire property is now for sale for $1,850,000, and it can come fully furnished.
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September 8, 2020

Annual 9/11 dance tribute at Lincoln Center will be live streamed

An annual dance performance in New York City commemorating September 11 will be live-streamed this year. On Friday, the Buglisi Dance Theatre and Lincoln Center, in partnership with Dance/NYC, will present a "reimagined" Table of Silence Project 9/11, a multi-cultural performance calling for peace and global unity. Created and choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi, the yearly performance first debuted in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
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September 8, 2020

Chelsea Flea returns this weekend with new Smorgasburg vendors

After closing in December and being unable to reopen this spring due to the pandemic, the beloved Chelsea Flea is returning this weekend. The outdoor flea market will have more than 40 antique and vintage dealers (some old favorites, some new), as well as a new partnership with Smorgasburg that will bring some great food options.
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September 8, 2020

356 years ago, New Amsterdam became New York City

On September 8th, 1664, Dutch Director-General Peter Stuyvesant surrendered New Amsterdam to the British, officially establishing New York City. To take part in the fur trade, settlers from the Dutch West India Company first established the colony of New Netherland in 1624, which would eventually grow to include all present-day boroughs, Long Island, and even parts of New Jersey. The following year, the island of Manhattan, then the capital, was named New Amsterdam. But when Stuyvesant's 17-year run as Governor (from 1647 to 1664) turned unfavorable, he ceded the island to England's Colonel Richard Nicolls, who had sent four ships with 450 men to seize the Dutch Colony. The name was promptly changed to honor the Duke of York and his mission.
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September 8, 2020

New York’s COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for one month straight

Once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York now has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. For four weeks straight, the percentage of positive virus tests has stayed below 1 percent, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. At the peak of COVID-19 this spring, the state was reporting over 10,000 new cases and hundreds of deaths per day. On Monday, there were 520 new cases, with 0.88 percent of tests coming back positive, and two deaths statewide.
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September 8, 2020

$2.8M Upper West Side penthouse has a 3,000-square-foot terrace and a solarium

For classic Upper West Side living, there's nothing quite like the co-ops that line West End Avenue. But this penthouse at 465 West End Avenue takes things a step further, exuding all the pre-war elegance you'd hope for, along with a glass solarium and a massive, 2,900-square-foot terrace. It's currently asking $2,775,000.
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September 4, 2020

FEMA pulls funding for sanitizing schools and subways, according to officials

A recent rule change by the Federal Emergency Management Agency could take away funding for disinfecting subway cars and city schools, Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Thursday. New guidance from the agency says states need to cover the costs of disinfectants, personal protective equipment, temperature scanners, and other cleaning-related items that have been reimbursed by FEMA since March, the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. Schumer called the change a "downright dirty decision" made during a time when New York and the rest of the country continues to fight against the spread of the virus.
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September 4, 2020

NJ’s American Dream mall will reopen October 1

New Jersey's American Dream megamall will reopen its doors next month after shuttering for six months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this summer, the mall's future looked bleak, with developer Triple Five Group missing mortgage payments and multiple tenants leaving the site. But with American Dream's indoor ski park officially running again and retail stores and attractions set to reopen on October 1, the mall's luck may be turning around.
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September 4, 2020

New York is looking for ‘leaf peepers’ to keep track of fall foliage

Admit it--you can't wait to get that perfect #fallfoliage shot. But if you want to take it a step further, you can volunteer as an official "leaf peeper" for the state of New York (h/t Time Out). I LOVE NY, the state's tourism agency, is growing its statewide team of volunteers who submit weekly reports on the status of foliage in their given areas.
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September 3, 2020

U Thant Island: Manhattan’s smallest island that’s off limits to the public

Between the United Nations building and Long Island City sits a tiny 100-by-200 foot piece of land, known as U Thant Island. The East River man-made enclave is just south of Roosevelt Island and legally part of Manhattan. As Atlas Obscura discovered, the land did not exist until the 1800s when a trolley tunnel was dug beneath the River to connect Manhattan and Queens. While U Thant looks like a nice place to get some sun and relax, the island remains closed to the public as a bird sanctuary.
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September 3, 2020

For $1.7M, an award-winning tiny house in the Amagansett Dunes

The Amagansett Dunes is a seaside stretch of this Hamptons enclave that is full of beach cottages and casual vacation homes. And though this property at 9 Ocean Lane fits both those bills, it's really quite unique. Designed by Bates Masi + Architects, the home is only 600 square feet due to local and FEMA regulations. However, the architects used these restraints to "explore the geometry of the building in section and how it can expand our perception of space," according to their project page. The award-winning two-bedroom residence is now for sale $1,725,000 and it even comes fully furnished.
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September 3, 2020

Cuomo says indoor dining could resume with an NYPD task force enforcing COVID-19 rules

Indoor dining could resume in New York City only if police are able to enforce compliance of coronavirus regulations at restaurants, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. During a call with reporters, the governor said he could allow restaurants to open for indoor dining if the city creates a task force of NYPD officers designated to oversee compliance. Cuomo said he plans to discuss the issue with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who on Wednesday called for an immediate start of indoor dining, which has been allowed in every region in the state except the five boroughs.
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September 3, 2020

After threat to defund NYC, Cuomo says Trump will need ‘an army’ to walk down the street

"Forget bodyguards, he better have an army if he thinks he’s gonna walk down the street in New York," Governor Andrew Cuomo said last night in response to Donald Trump's new claims that he's planning to defund New York City. After sending a five-page memo to the U.S. Attorney General and the Office of Management and Budget about Portland, Seattle, Washington, and New York City, Trump Tweeted, "My Administration will do everything in its power to prevent weak mayors and lawless cities from taking Federal dollars while they let anarchists harm people, burn buildings, and ruin lives and businesses."
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September 3, 2020

$1.65M Bed-Stuy townhouse has two apartments and lots of character

This Bed-Stuy townhouse 671 Hancock Street has a lot going for it. First, it's got tons of character, including rustic brick walls and exposed ceiling beams. Second, it's a two-family with an owner's duplex and a garden rental. And third, the $1,650,000 price makes it a great investment for all that you're getting.
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September 2, 2020

First online-only Whole Foods ‘store’ opens in Brooklyn

While new Whole Foods stores in New York City typically open to fanfare from lovers of the grocery chain, a new location in Brooklyn won't get the same in-person hoopla. The first-ever online-only Whole Foods "store" opened in Brooklyn on Tuesday, dedicated exclusively to fulfilling online grocery orders. The new store, which has been in the works for over a year, will not allow any customers inside.
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September 2, 2020

18th-century Sag Harbor home is a mix of history and whimsy for $3M

This picture-perfect Sag Harbor home was originally built in 1791, and a modern restoration in 2013 brought it "back to its former glory," according to the listing. After spending some time as a $1,950/night vacation rental, the home is now on the market for $2,950,000. Inside, the three-bedroom house mixes historic bones with whimsical details, a combo that is echoed outside, where a pergola-covered dining area and secret garden surround the pool.
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September 2, 2020

Free outdoor sculpture garden opens at Rockefeller Center

Another free public art installation has opened at Rockefeller Center. In its second year, the Frieze Sculpture at Rockefeller Center opened on Tuesday as an outdoor sculpture garden with works from six major international artists. Originally scheduled to open this past spring as part of art programs offered by Frieze New York, the installation was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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September 2, 2020

Hudson Yards’ Vessel and Edge reopen today

Hudson Yards announced that both Vessel and Edge reopen today. The 150-foot-tall climbable public art piece and the observation deck that's 1,100 feet in the air (the highest in the Western Hemisphere) have been closed since March, only two days after Edge officially opened to the public. Both attractions will operate at 25 percent capacity and have numerous health and social distancing protocols in place.
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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.
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September 2, 2020

$5.75M brownstone in historic Harlem has a secret garden

The brownstones of Harlem's Mount Morris Park Historic District are some of the most beautiful in Manhattan, like this one at 105 West 122nd Street, which is breathtaking inside and out. This grand, Italianate home was built in 1920 and underwent a gut renovation in 2008 in which historic details like stained glass, woodwork, and moldings were all restored. It also included a new design for the rear garden, which is now a magical retreat. The five-bedroom home is now listed for $5,750,000.
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September 1, 2020

For $990K, this historic Hudson Valley Victorian is for sale for the first time in 100 years

It's hard to believe this stunning home is asking under $1 million, but it's even more surprising that it's available for the first time in over a century. Located in the Dutchess County hamlet of New Hamburg, the Victorian home was built in 1860 and underwent a full restoration in 2003. In addition to its great location, wrap-around porch, and tons of preserved historic details, the property comes with a separate guest cottage that's just as lovely.
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September 1, 2020

300+ restaurants sign on for $2B lawsuit over New York’s indoor dining ban

The plot continues to thicken over when and if indoor dining will resume in New York City, with New Jersey starting indoor restaurant operations this Friday and Mayor de Blasio hinting that it won't return in the city until a COVID vaccine is approved. And now, a group of 337 restaurants has signed on to a lawsuit that is seeking $2 billion from the city and state. As Crain's reported, the main plaintiff is 28-year-old Queens Italian restaurant Il Bacco, which is just 500 feet over the Nassau County border where restaurants were allowed to reopen indoor dining.
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September 1, 2020

Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center to serve as polling sites for 2020 election

Two major sports arenas in New York City will serve as polling sites for the general election in November, providing a socially distanced way for residents to vote in person. The city's Board of Elections announced that Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center will both be Early Voting and Election Day poll sites, the result of a deal made between players of the National Basketball Association and the league to resume playoffs after teams refused to play following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The agreement involved several social justice initiatives, including the use of NBA arenas across the country as voting locations for the upcoming election.
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September 1, 2020

66-year-old East Village restaurant Veselka shares its COVID struggles

After closing in March, Veselka reopened for takeout and delivery at the end of April, and both their main location and their secondary spot in the Market Line food hall are open for outdoor dining. But like so many others across the city, the 66-year-old Ukrainian restaurant is struggling without indoor dining. In a video interview with photographers James and Karla Murray, second-generation co-owner Tom Birchard said, "We need to have more tables than we have right now to survive long-term."
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September 1, 2020

$6M Park Slope brownstone has an old-world wine cellar and four outdoor spaces

Take one look at the old-world wine cellar at this Park Slope brownstone, and it'll make perfect sense that the owners are selling because they're winemakers relocating to California. And the absolutely gorgeous home, listed for $6 million, also has plenty of places to enjoy a nice glass of vino, including four outdoor spaces. The townhouse was completely renovated, retaining its impeccable historic details, while adding modern conveniences and a wonderful, income-producing apartment on the garden floor.
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August 31, 2020

There’s a professional hockey rink at this $7.7M Connecticut home

This unusual home in Stamford, Connecticut is thought to be the only private residence in the Tri-State area with its own private indoor hockey rink. It even comes with a Zamboni, heated team benches, lighted scoreboard, and locker rooms--and it's hosted players from the Rangers. Listed for $7,690,000, the 18,000 square feet home sits on 13 acres and also comes with two guest houses, a pool, and a small lake.
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August 31, 2020

NYC will resume issuing permits for youth sports leagues next month

The city's parks department will resume issuing permits for outdoor youth sports next month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. While the fields and ballparks have been open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, NYC Parks will issue permits for organized, low-risk sports played outdoors starting on September 15. Sports leagues for baseball, softball, and soccer will be issued permits, but indoor sports, including swimming, will not be allowed.
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August 31, 2020

Why is New York’s Houston Street pronounced ‘How-stun?’

One of the surest ways to know an out-of-towner is if they pronounce it "HUE-stun" instead of "HOW-stun" Street. But have you ever wondered why we don't say it like the Texas city? The Times received this question from a reader and turned to Gerard Koeppel's book "City on a Grid: How New York Became New York" for the answer. According to Koeppel, "Houston the city is named after Sam Houston. Our street was named after a fellow named William Houstoun, who was a prominent Georgian, from a long line of Scotsmen."
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August 31, 2020

As NYC parks see growing garbage problem, city launches anti-trash campaign

Coronavirus-related budget cuts and an increase in use may be to blame for the growing garbage problem across New York City green spaces. As Gothamist reported, the number of 311 complaints about garbage and litter increased by 120 percent from the same period last summer. To address this increase in green space litter and to encourage New Yorkers to "show your park some love," the city's Parks Department launched a new "Toss Your Trash" campaign last week.
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August 31, 2020

New Jersey will open indoor dining and movie theaters for Labor Day weekend

Much like his decision to open beaches ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey will allow indoor dining to resume across his state this Friday, just ahead of Labor Day weekend. In a Tweet this morning, Murphy said that restaurants and bars can begin operating indoors at 25-percent capacity with social distancing in between tables. In a later press conference, he also announced that movie theaters and other indoor performance venues can reopen on September 4.
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August 28, 2020

Keith Haring’s personal art collection will be auctioned off to raise money for NYC’s LGBTQ Center

On September 24, Sotheby's will open the auction for "Dear Keith: Works from the Personal Collection of Keith Haring." The auction is comprised of more than 140 artworks from Haring's personal collection and is expected to raise close to $1 million, all of which will all go directly to the LGBTQ Community Center. The collection is being donated by the Keith Haring Foundation, which was set up by the artist and activist himself shortly before he passed away from HIV/AIDS in 1990. It includes pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Kenny Scharf, Jenny Holzer, and George Condo.
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August 28, 2020

New IKEA, LEGO collaboration makes it fun to clean up toys

For parents tired of picking up and stepping on their kids' pesky LEGO blocks, a new collaboration between the toy company and IKEA may be a perfect solution. The companies on Thursday unveiled their BYGGLEK collection, which includes a series of storage boxes for kids that have LEGO studs on them, perfect for both storing the toys and playing with them. The collection will be available at IKEA stores beginning October 1.
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August 28, 2020

NYC Council extends cap on food delivery fees until indoor dining resumes

The New York City Council on Thursday voted to extend the cap on commissions that restaurants are charged by third-party delivery services. The legislation, first enacted in May, restricts fees services like Grubhub and Uber Eats can charge to 20 percent per order during a state of emergency. The cap will now be in effect until restaurants are able to resume indoor dining at maximum occupancy and 90 days following. There is still no plan to bring back indoor dining, despite the city meeting the state's coronavirus metrics.
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August 28, 2020

A modern reno turned this $2.35M Prospect Lefferts Gardens townhouse into a serene family home

This townhouse at 179 Midwood Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens was built as a classic limestone residence in 1905, but in 2012, local firm von Dalwig transformed it into a modern, serene family home. By removing interior walls and opening up the rear facade to the garden, the architects were able to "accommodate the open living and views desired within a compact house and lot," according to their project page. The three-bedroom house is now listed for $2,350,000.
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August 27, 2020

This year’s Met roof garden installation tackles ‘the wall’

When the Metropolitan Museum of Art reopens on August 29, this year's eighth annual installation on the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden will also be on view. Titled Lattice Detour, the work by Mexican artist Héctor Zamora tackles a prevalent symbol in today's society--the wall. The 11-foot-tall work deliberately screens views of Central Park and the skyline to evoke the feeling of a barrier to viewers. But the bricks are stacked on their sides, thereby letting in light and air and referencing the latticed celosía walls that are used for shade and ventilation in the Middle East, Africa, Iberia, and Latin America.
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August 27, 2020

Massive Two Bridges projects can move forward without City Council approval

Three projects that include the construction of four towers and the creation of nearly 3,000 housing units in Two Bridges meet all zoning requirements and can move forward without City Council approval, an appeals court ruled Thursday. The Appellate Division of State Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling that had stopped the Manhattan megaproject from going ahead.
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August 27, 2020

Revel electric mopeds return to NYC with strict safety rules

About a month after Revel suspended service following the death of two riders, the popular electric mopeds returned to New York City streets on Thursday. But before New Yorkers take the rideshare scooters for a spin, the company is requiring riders to complete new in-app safety training and snap a helmet selfie before every ride. Revel, which first launched in 2018, is also increasing penalties for rule-breaking by using moped data to find riders who ride the wrong way down one-way streets, on sidewalks, and a number of other offenses.
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August 27, 2020

$499K Crown Heights condo got a makeover from a major plant influencer

When 6sqft took a tour of model Summer Rayne Oakes' apartment in 2016, her home was filled with more than 500 plants. Today, that collection has grown to 1,100 and Summer has written a book on how to "cultivate green space in your home and heart." Most recently, she took this idea and applied her style to a studio apartment at the new Crown Heights condo 111 Montgomery Sreet (h/t NY Post). Listed for $499,000, the apartment is a cool mix of contemporary finishes, boho decor, and, of course, plants galore.
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August 27, 2020

The best NYC apartments for sale under $500K

Like New York City, the real estate market is slowly starting to recover, with hundreds of new apartment listings posted each day. With some industry experts calling it a buyer's market due to an increase in inventory citywide, we're taking a look at some of the best deals for apartments on the market that are listed for under $500,000. From a spacious two-bedroom with a balcony and an outdoor pool in Riverdale to a charming studio with unique architectural details in Prospect Heights, find out what $500,000 can get you in NYC right now.
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August 27, 2020

$1.75M townhouse is a modernist hideaway in Prospect Heights

This townhouse clad in zinc and Brazilian Ipe definitely doesn't look like the rest in Prospect Heights, and that may be its biggest selling point. The modernist single-family home is like a secret hideaway in the middle of Brooklyn--enter through the gate on Underhill Avenue and find yourself in a landscaped corridor/front yard complete with bamboo, native grasses, and hydrangeas. Pair it with the sleek contemporary interiors, and this home earns its $1,750,000 price tag.
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August 26, 2020

Coney Island’s colorful Mermaid Parade will take place virtually this weekend

Coney Island's beloved Mermaid Parade returns this weekend with a twist. The annual event will be live-streamed online Saturday, August 29 as a "Tail-a-Thon," a parody of a telethon that will raise real money for charity. Marchers, dancers, and musical groups will be performing live from remote locations and available to view online, starting at 1:30 p.m.
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August 26, 2020

In Westchester, a mid-century modern home by Paul Rudolph asks $5.6M

Known as the Edersheim Residence, this Westchester home was built in 1958, but in the 1980s, owners Maurits and Claire Edersheim asked famed architect Paul Rudolph (who had renovated their Manhattan apartment in 1970) to completely revamp the residence. Rudolph added a new front facade, a trademark sunken living room, skylights, a guest house, indoor and outdoor pools, a covered porch, and much more. According to Galerie, the most recent owners retained all of Rudolph's modernist details but worked with the Paul Rudolph Foundation on a modernization that made the home nearly net-zero. They've now listed the stunner for $5.6 million.
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August 26, 2020

Without federal aid, MTA says subway and bus service could be cut by 40 percent

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday laid out a grim plan detailing service cuts and fare hikes that could be implemented without additional federal aid. Without at least $12 billion in funding from Washington, subway and bus service could be cut by up to 40 percent, a devastating blow to millions of New Yorkers and the city's economy. During a board meeting on Wednesday, Chair Pat Foye said the coronavirus crisis has had a far larger toll on ridership and revenue than the Great Depression a century prior.
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August 26, 2020

$2.3M West Village studio is a ‘zen cocoon’ designed for fashion lovers

This cool West Village home is not your average studio apartment. For one, the interior has been designed as what the listing describes as a "zen suite," complete with carved wooden doors from Bali, grasscloth and leather walls, and a flat-screen TV that ascends from the foot of the bed. Secondly, the bedroom alcove has been transformed into a custom dressing room/closet fit for a fashionista. Located at 400 West 12th Street, the famous Superior Ink condo, the 943-square-foot home is asking $2.3 million.
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