August 20, 2015

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 8/20-8/26

Manhattan gets a brand new landmark today: a fantastical undersea adventure in the form of a swirling, sparkly carousel! Katya Grokhovsky lets viewers experience the fruits of her one-month residency at Soho20, while the Guggenheim welcomes guests for a full 24 hours for Agathe Snow’s latest project. Remember why you loved New York to begin with (because of its unabashed weirdness) and go see Blazes and his light-up suit, or try on the clothing made at an exhibition called “Small Town Sex Shop.” Finish off the week by getting outside your comfort zone, and head over to Staten Island for a unique and design-fueled potluck party.
All the best events to check out here
August 20, 2015

You’ll Get Sunlight, Rooftop Memories–and Plenty of Exercise–in This Fifth Floor West Village Rental

This light-filled roost at 281 West 11th Street, available for 4-12 months, comes furnished "in a mid-century modern style." The one-bedroom walk-up is on the fifth floor, so while you don't have to worry about upstairs neighbors, you'll certainly be able to stay in shape. For an equally-steep $6,500 a month, the pre-war co-op delivers those lovely 10-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls and a wood-burning fireplace to make the whole picture even more charming. On the modern creature comforts side there's a washer dryer combo in the apartment, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. In addition, you get dibs on a quarter of the roof. And it's in a lovely and convenient part of the West Village that looks good from any angle.
Check it out, here
August 20, 2015

New Board Game Lets You Raze and Rebuild NY; Citywide Ferry Service Plan to Be Presented Tonight

The de Blasio administration is renegotiating the terms of the redevelopment of Willets Point, Queens. [Crain’s] Why some billionaires are bad for growth. [Wonkblog] Billionaire Ken Griffin may be buying a 220 Central Park South pad. [NYP] The mysterious cottage atop an East Village building is now in contract. [Curbed] For a good time with friends and family try […]

August 20, 2015

The Phone-brella Makes Texting and Walking on Rainy Days a Cinch

Wasn't it just miserable getting to work this morning? Trying to walk, balance the umbrella, and text all at the same time? Thankfully, there are some people out there who understand this painful situation, like the folks over at Korean-based company kt. The wireless telecommunications giant developed the phone-brella, which, according to designboom, has "an ergonomic C-shaped handgrip that’s placed around the user’s wrist. The bottom half of the C pins acts as a counter-weight, balancing the object and helping the shoulder prop it up," leaving both hands free to text away.
Find out more and watch a video about phone-brella
August 20, 2015

Modernist Designer Russel Wright’s Hudson Valley Home Is a Rare Example of Organic Mid-Century Architecture

Dwell Magazine recently brought to our attention this magical modernist gem, located in the Putnam County town of Garrison, New York. Manitoga, the house, studio and 75-acre wooded garden of mid-century industrial designer Russel Wright (1904-1976), is one of the few 20th century modern homes open to the public in New York State. A firm believer in the idea that “good design is for everyone,” Russel Wright was a pioneer of the idea of modern living in America. Best known for his organic yet elegant American Modern dinnerware collection, his became a household name–one which could be found on the underside of each of the over 200 million pieces that were sold between 1939 and 1959. But the designer's lesser-known–yet no less remarkable–effort can be seen in the home and surrounding landscape–including a large abandoned granite quarry–which were acquired by Russel and Mary Wright in 1942. Now a National Historic Landmark, and virtually unchanged save ongoing improvements and renovations, the Manitoga/Russel Wright Design Center hosts tours, hikes, performances and an artists’ residency.
Find out more about Russel Wright's lesser-known masterpiece this way
August 20, 2015

Spin FAILE’s 7-Foot Prayer Wheel in Times Square; Fly Over the Most Majestic Spots in the Hamptons

Find some peace in Times Square at FAILE’s hand-carved, seven-foot tall prayer wheel installation. [Gothamist] Enjoy the Hamptons without all the popped collars in this amazing drone video. [Curbed Hamptons] A Homepolish designer works her magic on her own Columbus Circle home. [Design Milk] Good job, New Yorkers. Our most used emoji is the Statue […]

August 20, 2015

Three-Bedroom Apartment with Prewar Details Asks Just $4,400 a Month in Brooklyn Heights

Is this three-bedroom rental, at 311 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, cute enough for you? It's located in a brick prewar building just north of Atlantic Avenue, so the apartment interior has plenty of prewar details as well. The rent of $4,400 a month is not all that bad given the amount of rooms and the prime Brooklyn Heights location. Seems like this apartment would serve well as a sophisticated, grownup roommate share.
See the bedrooms
August 19, 2015

REVEALED: Bland Apartment Tower Replaces Karl Fischer’s Indigo Hotel Design in Downtown Brooklyn

Yesterday, we reported a staggering 22,000 residential units are on their way to the northern end of Brooklyn by 2019, 6,412 (29 percent) of which are slated for the half-square mile neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn. Now, we have our first look at a small chunk of that count: a 105-unit residential building under construction at 237 Duffield Street, in the heart of the borough's central hub.
Find out more here
August 19, 2015

Supermodel and Daughter of Zipcar Founder, Cameron Russell Scoops Up a $1.5M Bed-Stuy Townhouse

Victoria's Secret model, TED Talk speaker, burgeoning media mogul and daughter of Zipcar founder Robin Chase, Cameron Russell has just scored herself a cover-worthy townhouse in Stuyvesant Heights. According to city records filed this afternoon, the model dropped $1.522 million on the home, paying a tad more than the original ask of $1.45 million. Featured on 6sqft previously, the three-story, multi-family property was given an update back in 2011 and boasts high-end renovations, beautifully restored details and all the Brooklyn brownstone charm one could ask for. There's even a solar array topping off the structure and a large garden to boot!
Have a closer look inside
August 19, 2015

A Gorgeous Upstate Getaway Dubbed the Mission House Is Asking $1.4 Million

Have you spent the summer dreaming about where you want to escape to in upstate New York? This listing won't make you feel any better. Called the Mission House, it is a beautiful modern mansion located in East Fishkill, a charming town on the southern border of Dutchess County, New York. The house itself is gorgeous, with stunning landscaping, modern design, and tons of space. Get this: the house covers 4,000 square feet, with an additional 2,400 square feet of decks. Of course, it isn't cheap, but you'll still get more bang for your buck up here than down in Manhattan—for the whole mansion, the asking price is $1.4 million, cheaper than many NYC apartments. (And keep reading for a way to stay here without forking over all that cash.)
Take a tour
August 19, 2015

The NYPL Is Mapping Books About NYC Neighborhoods—Add Your Favorites!

The New York Public Library is currently putting together a map of New York City neighborhoods represented in the pages of our favorite books. Novels set in the five boroughs are added to the map as readers suggest them, along with nearby landmarks and attractions so you can get your literary bearings. Currently most of the listed titles in are in Manhattan ("American Psycho" in the Financial District, "Catcher in the Rye" in Central Park, to name just a few); Team Brooklyn is looking sparse (Hello? Paul Auster?), and The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island need you!
Suggest your favorite neighborhood novels...
August 19, 2015

There’s a Spanish-Style Adobe Home in Brooklyn Heights; Heroic Food Farms to Provide Employment for Military Vets

Be transported to a Spanish villa just by looking at this unique adobe-style house in Brooklyn Heights. [Gothamist] Mister Softee may serve up summer deliciousness, but don’t mess with him when it comes to his jingle. He’s suing a rival ice cream truck for allegedly stealing the signature tune. [NYDN] Ennead Architects and RAFT Landscape Architecture plan to build a Heroic […]

August 19, 2015

POLL: Is Living Close to Work Worth Paying Extra Rent?

Last week, the Village Voice posted a video featuring recent Madison, Wisconsin transplant Grayson Altenberg, a chef at the Lincoln Center restaurant paying $1,100/month for a 100-square-foot apartment. Though the rent seems pretty ridiculous for a space that has you hanging your shoes right above your pillow, Altenberg says that the main reason he’s shelling over a […]

August 19, 2015

Park Slope Pavilion Condo Plans Met With Resistance From Neighbors, Landmarks Commission

Hidrock Realty, developer of a five-story condo building next to the historic Pavilion Theater on Prospect Park West, was told by the Landmarks Preservation Commision to make changes to the proposed design after neighbors expressed concerns, DNAinfo reports. Park Slope neighbors in attendance at an LPC hearing Tuesday voiced disapproval for the Morris Adjmi-designed five-story beige brick residential building, fearing that it would "open the door to out-of-character development up and down Prospect Park West."
Find out what the neighbors are afraid of
August 19, 2015

This Flatiron Rental Offers Classic Loft Living, Modern Luxury, and Curious Built-Ins

Back in the 20th century, before luxury loft condos were a thing, artists, heiresses and the adventurous lived large in city lofts, and while the artists needed the square footage for living and working, others enjoyed the idea of carving out living areas in a cavernous open space with ceilings so high you almost couldn't see them, and windows almost as big. It was a world of (private) freight elevators and DIY kitchens (the look of which today's high end kitchens emulate). This Flatiron loft at 10 East 18th Street offers a hangar-esque 2,700 square feet of living space accessed by private keyed elevator; exposed brick walls are lined with oversized windows and there are plenty of custom-built luxuries that are more professionally-crafted than DIY; though there's no floor plan, it's listed as having two bedrooms and 2.5 baths. There are also more modern comforts than you'd find in an old-school loft, such as a wine cooler, central air and a Bosch washer-dryer–and there's a totally 21st century price tag of $14,000 a month.
Take a look around this huge loft
August 18, 2015

22,000 New Apartments Coming to Northern Brooklyn by 2019

We recently reported that New York City was entering its biggest building boom since 1963. Building permits rose 156 percent over the last year, accounting for 52,618 new residential units. If that number seems large to you, keep in mind it's spread over the five boroughs, including the supertall towers of Manhattan. But a new report from CityRealty shows that northern Brooklyn alone with get 22,000 new apartments over the next four years. According to the report, which only looked at buildings with 20 or more units, "around 2,700 new units are expected to be delivered in 2015. That number will nearly double in 2016, when approximately 5,000 apartments will be ready for occupancy." The majority of these units, 29 percent or 6,412 apartments, will come to Downtown Brooklyn, followed by Williamsburg with 20 percent or 4,341 units.
More on the Brooklyn building boom
August 18, 2015

VIDEO: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rats Coming up Your Toilet

Warning: Explicit rat footage ahead. If you don't already live in fear of rats taking over your apartment, you will after this. A new video from National Geographic shows exactly how these rodents make their way up your toilet bowl, which is apparently quite a common city occurrence, according to Gothamist. Though we're used to seeing them scamper around near the garbage bins, rats are pretty aquatically adept; they can tread water for three days and stay underwater without breathing for three minutes. Plus, their ribs are hinged at the spine, meaning they can fit through even the narrowest of pipes.
Watch the video here if you dare
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August 18, 2015

‘Exceptional Quirks’ and Reclaimed Materials Abound in This Historic Williamsburg Church Conversion

One of the neighborhood's oldest landmarks, the Saint Vincent De Paul Church at 167 North Sixth Street in Williamsburg's uber-trendy North Side was recently converted into 40 rental apartments known as the Spire Lofts. We know that converted churches get people's attention at the very least–but like many historic building conversions, they can be a disappointment. The apartments here don't try to be especially historic–but the interiors differ somewhat from the usual boilerplate rental "lofts" that tend to spring up like weeds in North Brooklyn. The building's recently-listed batch of two- and three-bedrooms ranges from $6,400 to $8,000 (the spoken-for one-bedrooms started at $4k), so they're pricey. The interiors are somewhat innovative, though. The listing promises "...modern details and state-of-the-art finishes [that] blend flawlessly with expertly salvaged materials, including original exposed brick, reclaimed Heart Pine pillars and beams, arched stained glass windows, custom steel work and exceptional quirks around every corner." On the down side, there's no floor plan and no mention of square footage.
Take a look at the loft-style interiors, this way
August 18, 2015

The Final Design of Extell’s Nordstrom Tower Still Undecided

Back in May it was reported that the official rendering for Extell's Nordstrom Tower—a.k.a. Central Park Tower, a.k.a. NYC and the country's future tallest tower (by roof height)—had finally been released by the developer, showing a glassy construction rising 1,523 feet from its 217 West 57th Street address. But now comes news from The Post's Steve Cuozzo that the tower's final design is actually "still up in the air."
Find out more here
August 18, 2015

Donald Trump Reports for Jury Duty; Did Louis C.K. Come to Mayor de Blasio’s Defense?

Here’s a hilarious (and somewhat poetic) account of what went down when Donald Trump was called into jury duty this week. “He listed his occupation as ‘real estate’.” [NYT] A caller who sounded a lot like comedian Louis C.K. dialed into “The Brian Lehrer Show” this morning to defend Mayor Bill de Blasio. He identified himself as “Louis in the Village.” [Politico] […]

August 18, 2015

Become One With Nature Safely From Your Cocoon Tree

French designer Berni du Payrat has created the perfect product for those who want to be one with nature, but not exposed to the elements. Like a combination of the Kodama Zomes we recently featured and these suspended tents, the Cocoon Tree is a durable pod that's held in suspension by ropes tied to trees. It's made of aluminum and covered with waterproof tarpaulin that can stand up to all sorts of weather in any season. The 130-pound Cocoon Tree comfortably fits two people and comes with a mattress for total relaxation. According to the product website, you will be sure to "reconnect with sensations forgotten since the modern world consumes us today."
More on the Cocoon Tree here
August 18, 2015

Vote to Bring the East River Skyway to SXSW 2016!

These are the facts: NYC subways still run on 1930s technology, the delays are getting longer, and there’s no stopping the residential development boom happening not only in Manhattan, but also in Brooklyn. If you’ve commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan (and vice-versa) during rush hour you know that the subway ride is a nightmare. That's why we need the East River Skyway, an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes. The project is being led by Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty* and a Williamsburg resident, who noticed while skiing how quickly gondolas moved and how comfortable they were. He has spent several years investigating the technology and completed preliminary studies to see what it would take to adapt a similar system to meet the needs of New York City. What he found was that implementation would be relatively inexpensive and quickly deployable.
Learn how you can help
August 18, 2015

Revel in Greenery at the Front and Back of This Fort Greene Townhouse Rental

When it's summertime, New Yorkers all make the decision to spend as much time outside as possible. In parks, on roofs, in backyards, wherever—and it's especially nice if you have your own private outdoor space to enjoy. Even better than that? When there's also a park within walking distance of your house. This apartment rental, at 150 Dekalb Avenue in Fort Greene, has all the outdoor bases covered. It's got a big private porch and backyard, and it faces Fort Greene Park. For all that greenery, it's going to cost you $5,000 a month.
See inside
August 18, 2015

See the New York City Sets of Hollywood Studios Through Google Maps

Not all NYC-based television shows make the city streets their personal set a la "Law & Order" and "Girls." Perhaps the most notable example is "Friends," where, although some exterior building shots and panoramic views are of New York, the scenes involving the actual actors are often less than realistic (don't even get us started on their apartments). Other shows that took place in the city but filmed on a sound stage in LA include "Will & Grace," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Mad Men," among many other shows and movies. A couple of Redditors recently posted links to aerial Google Maps views of famous studios' New York City sets, and it's pretty interesting to compare the actual city to the Hollywood version.
See more fun aerial views here

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