All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

June 26, 2025

4th of July in NYC: 18 places for fun and fireworks

This year, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show will return to the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. For its 49th annual show, Macy's will launch fireworks from four barges positioned near the Brooklyn Bridge and South Street Seaport. Those celebrating closer to the west side of Manhattan can also enjoy Jersey City's show over the Hudson River. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best ticketed Independence Day celebrations across the five boroughs, from prime waterfront views atop rooftops to front-row seats along the East River.
where to watch
June 26, 2025

Silverstein adds 2,000 apartments to sweeten casino proposal for Manhattan’s west side

Silverstein Properties said it would develop more than 2,000 apartments through office-to-residential conversions on Manhattan's west side if its casino bid is awarded a license. The developer on Thursday announced a partnership with MetroLoft to develop the apartments, which would include 500 permanently affordable units, a day before casino proposals are due. The addition of housing sweetens Silverstein's $7 billion bid, The Avenir, which calls for a 1,000-room luxury hotel, restaurants, a food hall, and a gaming facility near the Javits Center. The previous plans had proposed 100 affordable apartments located off-site.
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June 26, 2025

The spirit of Wimbledon comes to Brooklyn Bridge Park

New Yorkers can experience the thrill of Wimbledon in full floral fashion at Brooklyn Bridge Park this July. "The Hill in New York" returns from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13, offering a chance to watch the tennis tournament in an English garden–inspired setting, with the Brooklyn Bridge and NYC skyline as iconic backdrops. Presented by the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club and Brooklyn Bridge Park, the event kicks off on July 11 with a free opening concert by Rita Ora, followed by screenings of the ladies’ singles and gentlemen’s doubles finals on July 12, and the ladies’ doubles and gentlemen’s singles finals on July 13. Admission is free via an online ballot, which is open through July 1.
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June 25, 2025

Central Park hit hottest temperature since 2012

New York City recorded its hottest day in more than a decade on Tuesday, with temperatures in Central Park hitting 99 degrees for the first time since 2012. According to the New York Times, the thermometer at Belvedere Castle—the park's official weather station—reached the mark just before 1:30 p.m., marking the hottest temperature reading since July 18, 2012. The last time Central Park came close was June 30, 2021, when it hit 98 degrees.
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June 24, 2025

NYC wants feedback on plan to build 100K homes in Manhattan over next 10 years

New York City is asking New Yorkers to help shape its plan to build 100,000 new homes in Manhattan over the next decade. As part of the early stages of the "Manhattan Plan," Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of City Planning (DCP) are seeking feedback through an online survey, a city website, and upcoming in-person events. Residents can weigh in on potential sites for residential development, zoning changes, and other ideas, all of which will help inform a final report expected later this year.
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June 24, 2025

East Village parking garage to become luxury, red-brick condo with 18 loft-style apartments

An East Village parking garage plagued by structural issues is getting new life as an attractive red-brick condo with 18 loft-like residences. Designed and developed by Arcus, the project at 220 East 9th Street converts the shuttered 175-space garage into a six-story boutique building with one- to four-bedroom apartments, each with a distinct floor plan. Currently under construction, the condo will feature a hand-laid red brick facade punctuated by oversized arched and factory-style windows, and includes private on-site parking, a rarity in downtown Manhattan.
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June 24, 2025

MTA to boost A and L subway service this fall

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to increase service on the A and L lines to better accommodate riders during peak hours. At a Monday committee meeting, officials proposed adding six extra round trips across the two lines and shifting some weekend L train service from early morning to late night, when ridership is typically higher. Set to begin in November, the changes include one extra round trip on both the A train’s Lefferts Boulevard and Far Rockaway branches, and four more round trips on the L line during the morning rush.
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June 23, 2025

59 apartments available at Midtown East luxury rental, from $1,644/month

A new luxury residential tower in Midtown East just launched a lottery for 59 mixed-income apartments. Located at 300 East 50th Street, Anagram Turtle Bay is a 23-story residential building providing tenants a hotel-inspired lifestyle with luxurious amenities and spacious residences. New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $1,644/month studios to $4,415/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
June 23, 2025

$80M penthouse at 80 Clarkson could break downtown Manhattan sales record

A duplex penthouse at a new two-tower complex next to Google’s Hudson Square headquarters could set a record for downtown Manhattan. Located in Zeckendorf Development and Atlas Capital Group's 80 Clarkson Street, the penthouse is asking $80 million, or more than $11,235 per square foot, according to The Real Deal. The 113-unit building, which topped out last week, has released 83 residential units so far, alongside 18 accessory suites, storage lockers, wine cellars, and parking, with an estimated sellout exceeding $2 billion.
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June 20, 2025

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic outside of Manhattan, too, report says

Congestion pricing has already led to fewer traffic delays in Manhattan’s central business district—and beyond—according to a new report. Released Wednesday by the Regional Plan Association (RPA), the analysis, "Congestion Pricing: Faster All Around," finds that traffic delays in Manhattan are 25 percent lower than projected without the tolling program, while delays in areas just outside the borough have dropped by nine percent. The report compares traffic data from the program’s launch through April 2025 with the same period in 2024, as well as the months leading up to the program’s start.
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June 19, 2025

Live across from the AirTrain at new Jamaica high-rise, from $2,065/month

Whether you're a frequent flyer or want a speedy commute to Midtown, this new Jamaica rental across from the Long Island Rail Road and the AirTrain to JFK Airport offers brand-new apartments in a convenient location. A housing lottery launched this week for 90 low-income apartments at 94-15 Sutphin Boulevard, a 24-story building with a fitness center, rooftop, playroom, dog spa, on-site garage, and more. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $2,065/month studios to $3,021/month three bedrooms.
fIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY
June 19, 2025

City Planning Commission approves Midtown South rezoning

A major plan to build nearly 10,000 new homes in Midtown South by updating decades-old zoning rules just moved one step closer to becoming reality. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday approved the Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan, the rezoning of a 42-block stretch of the neighborhood to allow for 9,700 new homes in an area where housing was previously restricted. Under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program, the plan will require developers to include affordable housing, paving the way for up to 2,900 permanently affordable units. The plan now advances to the City Council for a final vote.
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June 19, 2025

A ‘mini forest’ has arrived on the Williamsburg waterfront

A neglected stretch of the Williamsburg waterfront just got "spruced" up. NYC Parks unveiled a new "mini forest" at North Fifth Pier and Park this week, transforming an empty lot into a fully formed forest ecosystem with mature trees, wildflowers, stones, and more. The new green space, designed to beautify the area, improve air quality, and help protect against flooding, is inspired by "Miyawaki pocket forests," a Japanese planting method that adds dense clusters of native trees to compact urban spaces. In 2024, New York City's first-ever mini forest was planted on Roosevelt Island.
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June 18, 2025

All new NYC homeless shelters now required to have air conditioning

All newly constructed homeless shelters in New York City must now include air conditioning under a new city policy. On Tuesday, Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced an addendum to the agency’s request for proposals for traditional shelter sites, requiring that new facilities include air conditioning throughout, including in sleeping areas, to protect residents from the summer heat. Currently, four in 10 city shelters have no air conditioning in sleeping rooms, according to Gothamist.
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June 18, 2025

12 spots to watch outdoor movies in NYC this summer

Grab a blanket and your favorite snacks—outdoor movie season is back. One of the best ways to end a summer day is by watching acclaimed films alongside fellow New Yorkers in a scenic public space. Ahead, 6sqft has put together a list of the best spots to catch outdoor movies this summer, from the historic flight deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid to iconic green spaces like Bryant Park and Union Square.
Movie nights await
June 18, 2025

JFK AirTrain fare will be 50% off this summer to encourage public transit use

AirTrain fare will be 50 percent off this summer to encourage travelers to use public transit during peak construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The single ride fare will be reduced to $4.25 starting on June 30 through Labor Day, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Tuesday. With record-breaking travel expected and a $19 billion redevelopment underway, significant congestion around the airport is anticipated.
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June 17, 2025

Two areas of historic suburban Flatbush could be landmarked

Two well-preserved areas of historic suburban Flatbush could become New York City’s newest landmarked districts. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the proposed Beverley Square West and Ditmas Park West Historic Districts, which together include 247 freestanding homes built between 1894 and 1910. The houses exemplify early 20th-century suburban architecture in Flatbush, like Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, or a mixture of the two.
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June 16, 2025

Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade returns to the boardwalk on Saturday

The colorful, sea-inspired Mermaid Parade splashes back onto the Coney Island boardwalk this weekend for its 43rd year. Hosted by the nonprofit Coney Island USA, the beloved event is the nation's largest art parade, drawing around 5,000 participants in hand-crafted, sea-themed costumes and elaborate floats. This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, June 21, at 1 p.m., rain or shine.
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June 16, 2025

Extell proposes 1,200-foot tower on the Upper West Side

A new supertall residential skyscraper proposed for the Upper West Side would become the neighborhood’s tallest building by a wide margin. Extell Development founder Gary Barnett met with Manhattan Community Board 7 last month to discuss plans for a 1,200-foot-tall tower at 77 West 66th Street, the former Disney campus. The 90-story building would surpass the height of Extell’s tower at 55 West 66th Street, across the street. Hoping to avoid another prolonged legal battle like the one that development faced, Barnett told the board he plans to include 100 affordable units in two smaller buildings as a gesture of "peace" with the community.
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June 13, 2025

Bronx casino bid at former Trump-owned golf course can move ahead after Council vote

A plan to bring a casino to a Bronx golf course once owned by Donald Trump took a step forward this week. The City Council on Wednesday voted 32-12 to pass a home rule resolution that allows state lawmakers to advance legislation supporting Bally’s Corporation’s proposed casino at the city-owned Ferry Point Park golf course, according to the Bronx Times. The approval authorizes the state to "alienate" the roughly 16-acre public parkland, a requirement whenever city-owned park space is repurposed for private use.
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June 13, 2025

55-story Long Island City condo with over 600 units moves ahead

A massive 55-story condo tower with over 600 homes in Long Island City is moving forward after developers secured $525 million in construction financing. Charney Companies and Tavros, in partnership with Incoco Capital, announced this week funding for a 636-unit development at 24-19 Jackson Avenue and 45-03 23rd Street in the Court Square section of the neighborhood. The developers received $425 million from Madison Realty Capital and an additional $100 million from Kushner Companies and OneIM.
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June 12, 2025

NYC unveils new intersection design to better protect cyclists, pedestrians

New York City is rolling out a new intersection design aimed at better protecting pedestrians and cyclists at crash-prone locations. Unveiled Wednesday by Department of Transportation Commissioner (DOT) Ydanis Rodriguez, the design uses "hardened daylighting tools"—such as concrete barriers, planters, and other structures—to improve visibility at intersections, where roughly half of all traffic fatalities occur. The DOT plans to implement the design at select high-crash intersections alongside new and existing bike lanes across the city starting this year.
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June 12, 2025

City Council approves Related’s Hudson Yards West plan for 4,000 apartments and no casino

The New York City Council on Wednesday voted to approve zoning changes to allow for thousands of new apartments, but not a casino, on the undeveloped section of Hudson Yards. Related Companies' Hudson Yards West proposal includes four mixed-use towers, nearly seven acres of public green space, and 4,000 apartments. The original plan called for a casino run by Wynn Resorts, but Related scratched the gaming facility from the project last month amid strong opposition from community members and officials.
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June 11, 2025

Eataly opens new grab-and-go market and cafe in Hudson Yards

The Hudson Yards outpost of Italian marketplace Eataly has officially opened its doors. Located on the fourth level of the Shops & Restaurants at 20 Hudson Yards, Eataly Caffè marks the brand’s fourth New York City location and introduces a new concept featuring a coffee counter, grab-and-go options, and quick-service items ranging from pastries and sandwiches to gelato. The 5,500-square-foot, 82-seat space also includes a location-exclusive wine bar offering a variety of Italian wines, cocktails, and shareable plates.
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June 11, 2025

Bethenny Frankel sells historic Greenwich estate for $7.8M

Reality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel has sold her historic Greenwich, Connecticut estate for $7,825,000, almost double the $4.25 million she paid in 2021. The "Real Housewives of New York" alum sold the three-acre property, known as Applejack Farm, in an off-market deal following her move to Florida. Built in 1743, the estate, one of the oldest properties in Greenwich, includes a 6,500-square-foot main house with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, plus a two-bedroom guest house with a separate studio, a three-bay garage, and a “party barn."
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