January, 2015 | 6sqft

A multi-disciplinary event/performance space, retail store, and hidden bar all in one–we must be in Williamsburg. Located at 94 Wythe Avenue, in a slower-to-gentrify, industrial section of the neighborhood, this outpost of Kinfolk Studios was transformed by BergDesign Architecture from a mechanics garage into a space that feels like "it was designed for an off-the-grid Pacific Northwest hippy mathematician" by adding wood-clad geodesic dome shell structures to divide the space into separate functions.
Find out more about this impressive design

Architecture And Design

January 28, 2015

18th Century Colonial Farmhouse in Claverack Sits on Ten Acres with Its Own Pond

Today we’re going to venture to the idyllic town of Claverack, New York, where a four-bedroom side-hall Colonial farmhouse awaits, asking $695,000. The 2,900-square-foot home sits on an expansive 10-acre lot with rolling hills and beautiful trees, but the prime selling point is having your own one-acre, spring fed, aerated pond.
There’s even more after the jump

Distinctive Homes

January 28, 2015

It’s Time for the Slush Lagoons; Dating Advice from NYC Bartenders

Did you buy ten loaves of bread and four gallons of milk at Trader Joes in anticipation of snopocalypse? You can donate your blizzard leftovers. [Blizzard Leftovers, via NYT] City snow is pretty for about one hour. Then it’s time for the slush lagoons. [Gothamist] NYC bartenders have heard it all. Now they spill on […]

Uncategorized

January 28, 2015

POLL: Should Frank Gehry Design the New South Street Seaport?

Before 9/11, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum planned a new outpost on the East River in Lower Manhattan, sculpted by none other than starchitect Frank Gehry. But after the tragedy, the project was scratched. Now, the planned South Street Seaport project would replace the area’s main pier with a lower, glass structure that looks like a surburban mall […]

January 28, 2015

Striking Duplex Penthouse in North Tribeca Asks $7.5 Million

If you’re looking to drop $7.5 million on a showstopper in a prime location, you’re going to love this North Tribeca duplex penthouse at 39 Vestry Street. The Jessica Shaw-designed home sets the bar high with a northern skylight climbing from 11 feet to 22 feet and covering the entire living and dining areas. And it only gets better from there.
More inside

Distinctive Homes

As Younger Renters Move to the UES, Trendy Commercial Tenants Follow

Say goodbye to afternoon tea and hello to happy hour, via roboppy via photopin cc

January 27, 2015

As Younger Renters Move to the UES, Trendy Commercial Tenants Follow

You don't have to tell us twice that the Upper East Side is trading its reputation as a stodgy, ladies-who-lunch spot for a younger, more hip vibe. Not only do we think it's a hidden hot spot for artists, but we recently profiled the unofficial "new" Upper East Side, the high 80s and 90s, clustered between Park and 1st Avenues. And let's not forget how the Second Avenue subway is already shaking things up. But with a new generation of Upper East Siders gobbling up the surprisingly affordable real estate offerings, it's no surprise that trendy commercial spots are also getting in on the action. Small, local shops and restaurants create little communities that you might expect to find in brownstone Brooklyn, and larger, big-name businesses like Warby Parker and Whole Foods promise to make it a neighborhood to rival Union Square or Chelsea.
More on the real estate trend ahead

Park Here: Eyeing the Real Estate Surrounding Two of NYC’s Most Splendid State Parks

Riverbank State Park. Image via Dattner Architects

January 27, 2015

Park Here: Eyeing the Real Estate Surrounding Two of NYC’s Most Splendid State Parks

By Lauren Price

In a city that moves so fast that the Sunday edition of the New York Times comes out on Saturday, it is not surprising that New Yorkers might overlook some interesting factoids. For instance, New York City is home seven state parks! So, instead of enjoying a day inside other state parks filled with the ubiquitous lush greenery and a plethora of activities that might surely mean a couple of hours of driving—cityside state parks are but a subway ride away or possibly a short walk to the likes of the East River State Park on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, the Clay Pit Ponds State Park in Staten Island and the Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx. One of the most popular, with its grassy stretches of pastoral idyll against a spectacular backdrop, is the 28-acre Riverbank State Park near 143rd Street (seen in the two images above). A multi-level facility set 69 feet above the Hudson River on Riverside Drive, it opened in 1993. What’s more, this park is the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Inspired by Japan’s urban rooftop designs, it was created on top of a now-odorless sewage treatment facility on the Hudson.
READ MORE

January 27, 2015

Photographer Jaka Vinsek Captures the Desolate Streets of New York During Last Night’s Blizzard

While the rest of us were bundled up indoors last night in anticipation of Snor'easter Juno, Brooklyn photographer Jaka Vinsek set out on a journey to capture New York's streets covered in snow. "I started at 10pm and got home at 7am," he says. "I walked on foot around nine miles." With transit shuttered at 7pm Monday, and a city-wide ban on vehicles (except emergency) beginning at 11pm, what Vinsek captures on camera is a desolate but eerily beautiful city. His photos feature unlikely scenes, including a completely empty Grand Central, as well as some wonderful moments of lone souls roaming amidst the city's dedicated workers pounding the pavement. Vinsek's photos show another, more peaceful side to our city that we often forget exists.
See more of the photos here

Events & Things To Do

Distinctive Homes

A fashion designer's cozy converted 1920s barn in upstate NY asks $2.9M

This $3.25M Gramercy two-bedroom comes with expansion potential–and a key to the park

This $12.5M Chelsea carriage house has a garage, three outdoor spaces, and a two-bedroom flat

A millwork-wrapped co-op in FiDi's iconic Morse Building asks $2.25M

$5.9M Civil War-era Clinton Hill mansion is a three-family home and an architectural gem

This $5.75M Clinton Hill two-family home is five floors of brownstone perfection

Cozy Brooklyn Heights co-op has pre-war charm and a bright, sunny kitchen for $1.5M

Tiffany-blue walls and de Gournay designs surround a $1M UES co-op with Deco-era glamour

Asking $800K, this notable modern Princeton home once belonged to Joyce Carol Oates

Prospect Heights pre-war co-op seen in 'Black Swan' lists for $1.7M

VIEW ALL

January 27, 2015

‘Rent Is Too Damn High’ Patriot Receives Eviction Notice; Live in an Incredible Brooklyn Church Conversion

Jimmy Mcmillan, a.k.a. founder of the ‘Rent Is Too Damn High’ movement, receives an eviction notice. [NYDN] Leasing starts tomorrow at the incredible Cartlon Mews church conversion development. [Brownstoner] The HPD is selling a coveted piece of land in Fort Greene near BAM to Jonathan Rose Companies for $1. In return the company must build a […]

Real Estate Trends

January 27, 2015

Enchanting Upstate Stone House Is a Year-Round Weekend Getaway

Just a stone's throw away from NYC in Brewster, NY, this charming Tudor-style home sits atop a rock bluff on four private acres of lush grass, Japanese maple trees, enchanting woods and seasonal streams. Built in 1940 by architect Manus Imber, and featuring three bedrooms and 1,273 square feet of space, this is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Stone House is chock full of original details like the stone fireplace and hearth, wide pine floors, Dutch doors, built-ins, and decorative wood trims.
The magic continues here

January 27, 2015

Ienami Bonkei Planters Are Tiny Houses with Green Roofs

We're big fans of green roofs here at 6sqft, so we were pretty excited when we found these planters that let us have our own miniature green roof right on our desks. A design of Metaphys, the Ienami Bonkei planters are simplistic models of homes with actual planted green roofs or gardens. The Japanese art of Bonkei refers to 3D, miniature landscapes created using dry materials like rock, cement, or sand. They often feature tiny figurines of people, buildings, and other outdoor elements.
More details on the Bonkei planters

January 27, 2015

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in This Wacky $8.3M East Village Home

By Stephanie Hoina

Located just a few steps off the Bowery, this five-story home at 4 East 2nd Street in the East Village, currently functioning as four separate units, offers a multitude of options. Looking to stretch out and have nearly 6,000 square feet all to yourself? Go right ahead, as the house will be delivered vacant and is ready for your personal touch. Or perhaps you’d prefer to keep the parlor floor as a gallery space and make do with the remaining few thousand square feet to accommodate your humble abode. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
See more of this imaginative home

January 27, 2015

13 Secrets of the Brooklyn Museum; Turn Your Cat’s Litter Box into a Sled

Those star-shaped snowflakes you thought you saw last night were real. [HuffPo] Did you know the statues in front of the Brooklyn Museum came from the Manhattan Bridge? Find out 12 more secrets of the iconic institution. [amNY] Mapping classic Village businesses that closed in the past year. [DNAinfo] No sled? No problem. Here’s the best household […]

Uncategorized

January 27, 2015

Actor Vincent Gallo Asks $2.95M for His Chelsea Pad at Jean Nouvel Building

By Annie Doge

Actor and filmmaker Vincent Gallo is ready to bid adieu to his Chelsea pad. According to the NYDN, Gallo has listed his apartment for $2.95 million—about a $1 million more than what he paid for it two years ago. The one-bedroom home is located on the fifth floor of starchitect Jean Nouvel's glassy creation at 100 Eleventh Avenue. A few highlights of Gallo's space include a curved wall of glass and a floor-to-ceiling pivoting glass door that opens to a den with a private terrace.
Have a look inside this Nouvel gem

January 27, 2015

Modern Loft in Long Island City’s Powerhouse Asks $1.2M

We’re going to switch things up a bit and head into increasingly-coveted Long Island City where a 1,010-square-foot duplex is asking $1.15 million. This Powerhouse loft features 20-foot ceilings, a home office and a lofted sleeping area, giving you a modern two-bedroom if privacy isn’t an issue. But its impeccable finishes and attention to detail make it a standout, and who are we kidding? Just look at that colossal window.
Let's take a look

Distinctive Homes

Street Fight Round Two: What’s with All the Broadways in the Outer Boroughs?

Broadway in Brooklyn via wallyg via photopin cc

January 26, 2015

Street Fight Round Two: What’s with All the Broadways in the Outer Boroughs?

Last week we took a look at why there are three Broadways in Manhattan–the thoroughfare proper, East Broadway and West Broadway– and learned that Broadway actually extends through the Bronx and into Westchester. There's even a one-block street in Harlem called Old Broadway. As if that weren't enough confusion, though, there are four other Broadways in the outer boroughs–one in Brooklyn, one in Staten Island, and two in Queens.
Learn about these outer-borough Broadways

How Long Are the Elevator Commutes in the Tallest Towers?

432 Park

January 26, 2015

How Long Are the Elevator Commutes in the Tallest Towers?

The race to build the tallest residential building seems to never end. In NYC, One57 briefly held the title at 1,005 feet before it was outdone by 432 Park at 1,396 feet. But both of these supertall towers are expected to be beat by the Nordstrom Tower, which will come in at 1,775 feet. Across the world, though, towers rise even higher; World One in Mumbai, India is 1,450 feet, the 106 Tower in Dubai is 1,421 feet, and the mixed-use Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia will hit 167 stories and 3,281 feet. In fact, according to The Real Deal, "of the 445 residential towers in the world over 650 feet that are built or under construction, only 12 are located in Manhattan." With these dizzying heights becoming the new normal, the elevator becomes perhaps the most important construction element, and a feature in the Wall Street Journal calculates the annual "elevator miles" logged by residents of supertall condo towers around the world.
Check out the mileage here

Architecture And Design

Billionaire’s DIY Mansion Likely to Hit a Roadblock with the LPC; Summing Up the ‘Save the View’ Debate

Billionaire Roman Abramovich will likely butt heads with the Landmarks Preservation Commission over the creation of his makeshift mansion. [Observer] All the layers of the ‘Save the View’ controversy happening by the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Heights. [Curbed] More than 32 contracts for homes priced at $4 million or more were signed last week. [TRD] City Tower, […]

Real Estate Trends

January 26, 2015

Hilla Shamia Blends Tree Trunks and Aluminum into Beautifully Imperfect Furniture

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

Tel Aviv-based designer Hilla Shamia has a thing for what she calls "controlled imperfections." And this particular interest is what makes her Wood Casting furniture line so poetic and special. Hilla's unique tables, stools, and benches are made by casting molten aluminum into wood—an unusual pairing of two very different elements that when fused not only reveal surprising details, but a third element born from the unlikely marriage.
Learn more about these striking designs

January 26, 2015

Talking to NY’s Last Seltzer Man; Supermarket Chaos Before the Blizzard

With perfect timing, the new Snow Monsters art installation arrives at Flatiron Plaza. [Untapped] Seltzer deliverymen used to be commonplace in the city, but now there’s just one left. [The Awl] The popular photo-documentary series Humans of New York has raised close to $700,000 to help underprivileged students in Brownsville, Brooklyn visit Harvard. [Gothamist] A […]

Uncategorized

January 26, 2015

Park Slope Townhouse Boasts Its Very Own ‘Red Room’ for $3.8M

By Stephanie Hoina

Did we get your attention? With the upcoming release of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie, a wider audience will no doubt become familiar with Christian Grey's infamous "red room". But we're guessing a very different kind of decadence is likely to be served up in the partially red (okay, it was a bit of a stretch) and very proper formal dining room located on the parlor level of this neo-Italian Renaissance limestone townhouse at 593 3rd Street in Park Slope.
Check out the 'red room' and more

Distinctive Homes

January 26, 2015

Tribeca Townhouse with Wild and Fiery Facade by System Architects Will Soon Come to Life

This isn't the sort of design we'd expect to see in Tribeca, but lo and behold, this bold statement by architect Jeremy Edmiston is about to become a reality along its brick and mortar block. The Tribeca Citizen reports that the single-family residence located at 187 Franklin Street is moving forward with construction on the kooky design which was first proposed in 2010. The project will see the building's facade removed and replaced with an undulating red facade complemented by silvery, net-like balconies.
READ MORE

Architecture And Design

January 26, 2015

This Awesome $10.8M Soho Pad Will Make Your Head Swim

There’s an impressive new listing at 45 Greene Street in Soho’s Cast Iron District, asking $10.8 million. For that sum, you can get a two-bedroom duplex penthouse loft with 5,400 square feet of space, two terraces, and one of New York’s rarest and most treasured gems: a swimming pool. Do we have your attention now?
More pics here

Distinctive Homes

January 26, 2015

New Residential Building in East Williamsburg by James Cleary Architecture Will Have a Double-Height Solar Shade