With cleanup efforts underway along the notoriously polluted Canal and a slew of new developments rising, Gowanus is undoubtedly one of the top neighborhoods to watch. But we can’t talk about its future without also looking back at its history. On October 28th, the Municipal Art Society is hosting a walking tour of Gowanus led by architectural historian Matt Postal that will explore the area’s past as an industrial shipping center and its transformation into a trendy, artistic enclave. Not only will the two-hour tour take you to the city’s oldest concrete structure and oldest retractile bridge, but it’ll make stops at the new residential and commercial spaces. Interested in attending for free? MAS is giving away two tickets to “Gowanus Grows in Brooklyn.”
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CityRealty, condos, Hudson Square, New Developments
Joining in on Hudson Square’s residential rebirth is 570 Broome, a debonair new condo development to bring 54 one- to three-bedroom residences to the insatiable downtown market. Priced from $1.35M, the spreads are refined by the legendary firm of Skidmore Owings and Merrill and will offer open views of the surrounding neighborhood, with high-floor spreads showcasing panoramas of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River. Per the attorney general’s office, the team anticipates a sellout of $149.2 million.
Features, My SQFT House Tours
Did you spend months decorating your apartment? Is your home historic or quirky? If you live in a unique or just plain beautiful space, 6sqft wants to see it! We’ll send a reporter out to your residence for a photo shoot and short interview and then feature your abode in all its glory for our Mysqft series!
Events, Features, Giveaways, Greenwich Village
Animation © WooJin Chung for 6sqft
Now in its 15th year, Taste of the Village returns next month with a delicious fundraiser for Washington Square Park. Hosted by the Washington Square Park Conservancy, more than 30 local purveyors will set up under the historic Arch, offering samples of their tasty food and drinks accompanied by performances by Park musicians. This year’s roster includes longtime favorites like Murray’s Cheese, The Spotted Pig, and Otto, along with much-talked-about newcomers including Nix, Loring Place, and Seabird.
6sqft has partnered with the Conservancy to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of VIP tickets–which is worth $250 and provides one-hour early access to the event, taking place on September 19th from 5:30-8:00pm.
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:
On Monday, September 11th we’ll randomly pick one winner from our Facebook page and one from Instagram, each of whom will receive a set of two tickets.
Art, Events, Transportation, Upper East Side
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Second Avenue Subway’s long-awaited opening, it’s the perfect time to step back and marvel at the $4 billion infrastructure project. Join 6sqft senior editor Dana Schulz for a tour with the Municipal Art Society about the history, art, and architecture of the Second Avenue Subway. Taking place on Saturday, September 16th, the two-hour event will explore why it took nearly 100 years for the train’s wheels to get rolling, how it was designed, and what engineering feats set it apart. Guests will also view the impressive collection of public art from Chuck Close, Sarah Sze, Vik Muniz, and Jean Shin, learning about these contemporary artists and the significance of their work.
Architecture, Events, Features, Giveaways, Policy, Urban Design
Cities for Tomorrow is back for its fourth year, and 6sqft has teamed up with the New York Times to give one lucky reader a free pass (worth $995!) to the event taking place July 10th–11th in Midtown Manhattan. Join creative visionaries and leaders in the real estate, urban planning, and political fields such as Momofuku founder David Chang, former Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld, NextGen Climate founder Tom Steyer, and filmmaker Barry Jenkins as they discuss topics ranging from the new power of private money to the future of bricks-and-mortar retail, from cities’ impact on the national climate agenda to the realities of leading during a time of partisan politics, from the promises and pitfalls of smart technology to fresh approaches to entrepreneurship.
HOW TO ENTER: All you have to do is sign up for our newsletter here. If you’ve already signed up, simply leave a comment below telling us what topic off this year’s agenda interests you the most. The deadline to enter is 11:59PM, Thursday, June 29th, and we will email the winner on Friday, June 30th. Good luck!
Those interested in purchasing a ticket can register here and get 20 percent off the admission price.
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CityRealty, condos, Interviews, Lower East Side, New Developments, People
Ben Shaoul founded Magnum Real Estate Group in 1999, focused on renovating small, rundown rental apartments. After growing its portfolio extensively over the past five years to includeretail properties, condos, and even a dormitory, the firm is now one of the city’s leading ground-up development companies. Their impressive portfolio includes 389 East 89th Street on the Upper East Side, 100 Avenue A in the East Village, and 100 Barclay in Tribeca, as well as their latest development that’s on the rise at 196 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side. Adjacent to the famed Katz’s Delicatessen, the building will ultimately top out at 11 stories tall and host 94 condos when it’s completed next year. CityRealty recently caught up with Shaoul to discuss the project, its design, and the ever-evolving Lower East Side.
East Village, Events, History
When we point the finger at gentrifying neighborhoods, the East Village often gets a lot of heat thanks to its quickly climbing rents, shift from a more diverse population (today, roughly 40 percent of the ‘hood is between the ages of 20 and 34), and loss of small businesses. And though this final fact is certainly true, especially as it pertains to eateries (just this past year we said goodbye to Angelica Kitchen, The Redhead, and Lanza’s), the East Vill still has a wealth of independent restaurants that pay homage to its rich immigrant history as well as a crop of new establishments that are sensitive to the community and represent the new wave of foodie culture.
This weekend, two events will explore the past and future of the East Village through its food establishments–a walking tour led by 6sqft’s Senior Editor Dana Schulz for GVSHP will take you through the Italian, Ukrainian/Eastern European, and Indian history and A Taste of 7th Street will offer a self-guided chance to taste samplings from 10 local favorites.
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This Week’s Features
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- The Urban Lens: Zooming in on New York’s captivating corner architecture
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Images: Molly Young and Teddy Blanks’ loft by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft (L); Human Castell Skyscraper (R)
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