All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Chrysler Building ownership is in limbo

Credit: JJBers on Flickr

October 11, 2024

Chrysler Building ownership is in limbo

By Aaron Ginsburg

The owners of the Chrysler Building are fighting to hold onto the iconic Art-Deco skyscraper after falling behind on more than $21 million in rent. RFR, led by Aby Rosen, on Monday, made a legal filing accusing landlord Cooper Union, which owns the land under the Chrysler, of driving away tenants with its response to a campus protest last October, which influenced several tenants to cancel or terminate their leases, as reported by Crain's New York. But data from CoStar shows that the tower's occupancy rose to 85.7 percent as of September 30, up from 82.8 percent in 2023.
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Real Estate Trends

NYC unveils proposals to turn dreary areas under the BQE into vibrant public spaces

Rendering of a proposed e-bike charging and storage hub for delivery workers. All rendering courtesy of NYC DOT

October 10, 2024

NYC unveils proposals to turn dreary areas under the BQE into vibrant public spaces

By Aaron Ginsburg

Decrepit, drab spaces beneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway could soon be transformed into vibrant public areas. The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday published a report with proposals to convert a space under the BQE at Park Avenue in Fort Greene into an e-bike charging and storage station for delivery workers and to redesign a congested intersection at West 9th Street to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. The report also proposed capping trenched sections of the BQE in Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, and Bay Ridge to create parks and public spaces above the expressway.
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Bryant Park’s Winter Village opens this month

Photos by Colin Miller

October 10, 2024

Bryant Park’s Winter Village opens this month

By Aaron Ginsburg

It's time to get into the holiday spirit in New York. The annual Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is returning for its 23rd season later this month. Starting on October 25, the festive event features New York City's only free-admission ice skating, the park's iconic open-air holiday market featuring more than 180 small businesses, a rinkside food hall and bar, heated private igloos, and more. The Winter Village is open through March 2, 2025.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC to close Randall’s Island migrant shelter in February

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 10, 2024

NYC to close Randall’s Island migrant shelter in February

By Aaron Ginsburg

The migrant shelter on Randall's Island that once housed 3,000 adults will close early next year as the number of asylum seekers arriving in New York City declines. Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced the humanitarian relief center will shut down at the end of February, following a 14-week decline in the number of migrants living in city shelters, which is now at its lowest point in over a year. In the coming months, the city will gradually reduce the center’s population and begin restoring the island’s athletic fields and parkland.
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Policy

Staten Island Railway gets new train cars for the first time in over 50 years

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

October 9, 2024

Staten Island Railway gets new train cars for the first time in over 50 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

New subway cars have hit the tracks of the Staten Island Railway for the first time in over 50 years. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Tuesday launched new cutting-edge R211S subway cars into service that feature wider doors, security cameras, digital route screens in all cars, and enhanced accessibility features. To celebrate the new cars, MTA officials and commuters took an inaugural ride from St. George Terminal.
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Transit

Studio Museum in Harlem will reopen in new building in fall 2025

Photo: © Albert Vecerka/Esto

October 9, 2024

Studio Museum in Harlem will reopen in new building in fall 2025

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Studio Museum in Harlem's new home will officially open next fall, the institution announced Tuesday. Designed by Sir David Adjaye, the building features stacked volumes over five stories and measures 82,000 square feet, increasing exhibition and public space by over 50 percent. Closed since 2018, the 125th Street museum will reopen with a presentation of the work of Tom Lloyd, an artist, educator, and activist featured in the Studio Museum's inaugural 1968 exhibition, held in a rented loft on Fifth Avenue.
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Architecture And Design

Uber launches shuttle between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown

Images courtesy of Uber

October 8, 2024

Uber launches shuttle between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown

By Aaron Ginsburg

Hailing a ride to and from LaGuardia Airport just got cheaper. Uber on Tuesday launched a new $18 shuttle service with two routes connecting Midtown Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport, operating daily every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Stopping at Port Authority, Grand Central Terminal, and Penn Station, the passenger vans can carry up to 14 passengers with each rider allowed one personal item and one piece of luggage.
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Transit

NYC unveils rules for 485-x tax break, office-to-residential incentive

Credit: Bex Walton on Flickr

October 8, 2024

NYC unveils rules for 485-x tax break, office-to-residential incentive

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) on Monday released proposed rules for 485-x, the tax exemption that replaced 421-a, and the new 467-m incentive for converting offices into housing. The proposals must be finalized before HPD can approve applications for both programs, The Real Deal reported.
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The ‘great trees’ of NYC: Parks updates list for the first time in 40 years

An American Elm in Tompkins Square Park. All photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

October 8, 2024

The ‘great trees’ of NYC: Parks updates list for the first time in 40 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

Of New York City's seven million trees, these 120 rise above the rest. NYC Parks on Tuesday released its first update to the "Great Trees of New York City" list since 1985, adding 61 new trees across the five boroughs that stand out for their unique size, shape, species, and historical significance. The newcomers were selected from over 270 public submissions made between April 2023 and March 2024 and chosen by a committee of experts from colleges, civic institutions, authors, and arborists.
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City Living

Heat season in NYC: Everything you need to know

Credit: Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

October 7, 2024

Heat season in NYC: Everything you need to know

By Aaron Ginsburg

CLANK, CLANK, CLANK—your radiator's noisy signal that heat season has arrived in New York City. From October 1 to May 31, landlords across NYC are legally required to maintain safe temperatures for tenants. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about your rights to keep warm this winter.
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Popular Articles

NYC’s curbside compost program expands to all five boroughs

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 7, 2024

NYC’s curbside compost program expands to all five boroughs

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's compost program is now underway in all five boroughs. On Sunday, curbside compost collection began in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, requiring buildings with four or more units to provide storage areas and labeled bins for yard and food waste collection by Department of Sanitation workers. The program’s final expansion follows its success in Queens and Brooklyn and aims to prevent rat infestations while promoting sustainability.
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Policy

Experience the beauty of the Sistine Chapel at new Brooklyn exhibit

All images courtesy of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition®

October 4, 2024

Experience the beauty of the Sistine Chapel at new Brooklyn exhibit

By Aaron Ginsburg

Forget a trip to Vatican City, a captivating new exhibition in Sunset Park brings the breathtaking frescoes of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel to Brooklyn. Debuting on October 11 in Industry City, "Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition" showcases 34 of the chapel's iconic frescoes, meticulously reproduced and enhanced to offer visitors an even more vivid experience. While tourists traveling to Italy must crane their necks 66 feet to view the original frescoes, the exhibition allows visitors to experience their stunning beauty up close.
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100+ NYC streets will go car-free for fun Halloween activities

Credit: NYC DOT

October 4, 2024

100+ NYC streets will go car-free for fun Halloween activities

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's Halloween open streets program returns for its biggest year yet, featuring over 100 participating locations. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the "Trick-or Streets" initiative, which closes streets, plazas, and other commercial corridors across the five boroughs to cars to provide space for fun, spooky-themed activities throughout October.
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Celebrate Zabar’s 90th anniversary with 90-cent cups of coffee all October

All photos courtesy of Zabar’s

October 4, 2024

Celebrate Zabar’s 90th anniversary with 90-cent cups of coffee all October

By Aaron Ginsburg

Upper West Side legend Zabar's turns 90 this year and to celebrate, the gourmet deli is offering its loyal customers some special discounts. Throughout October, the grocery store at 2245 Broadway—known for its smoked fish, bagels, and coffee—will sell 90-cent cups of coffee and one-pound bags of its Anniversary Coffee Blend for $9.99. Zabar’s will also roll out a series of new specials through the end of the year.
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NYC restores original ‘road diet’ plan for McGuinness Boulevard

McGuinness Boulevard. Courtesy of NYC DOT

October 3, 2024

NYC restores original ‘road diet’ plan for McGuinness Boulevard

By Aaron Ginsburg

In an unexpected reversal by Mayor Eric Adams' administration, Greenpoint's McGuinness Boulevard will get protected bike lanes after all. After revealing a scaled-back redesign of the corridor less than two months ago, the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday announced that it will instead proceed with the original proposal to install protected bike lanes and reduce lanes of traffic by four to two along busy McGuinness Boulevard. Adams had previously supported a watered-down redesign that extended a bike lane but kept the same number of traffic lanes and excluded a protected bike lane due to community concerns.
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Penn Station needs expansion to boost train capacity, new report concludes

Photo courtesy of Fernando Sandoval/MW

October 3, 2024

Penn Station needs expansion to boost train capacity, new report concludes

By Aaron Ginsburg

The only way to increase train capacity at Penn Station is to expand the Midtown Manhattan transit hub, a new report concludes. This week Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and NJ Transit released "Doubling Trans-Hudson Train Capacity at New York Penn Station," an engineering feasibility study exploring four concepts to double train capacity without expanding the station's size. Ultimately, none of these proposals were found feasible, marking a shift in focus towards options that would increase Penn Station's footprint.
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Elizabeth Street Garden served eviction notice by city

Photo by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

October 3, 2024

Elizabeth Street Garden served eviction notice by city

By Aaron Ginsburg

Despite last-ditch efforts from New York City icons like Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Little Italy's Elizabeth Street Garden received an eviction notice from the city this week. The nonprofit that oversees the garden said they have two weeks to vacate as the city moves forward with plans to build affordable senior housing and retail space on the unique green space. Elizabeth Street Garden said it plans to "continue to work with our legal team to address the eviction."
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See the $300M plan to turn historic church on Central Park into new Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Credit: Diane Bondareff/AP Content Services for CMOM

October 2, 2024

See the $300M plan to turn historic church on Central Park into new Children’s Museum of Manhattan

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plans to transform a landmarked church on Central Park West into a new home for the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) reached a major milestone this week. The museum on Tuesday announced philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch donated $50 million to support the $300 million campaign for the institution's new home at 361 Central Park West, expected to open in 2028. In addition to the funding news, the museum also released new renderings of the project, highlighting the conversion of the historic structure into a "seven-story magical castle on the park" for the children of New York City.
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Architecture And Design

NYC’s best free and cheap (ish) Halloween events

Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

October 2, 2024

NYC’s best free and cheap (ish) Halloween events

By Aaron Ginsburg

Like most things in New York City, celebrating Halloween can quickly become an eerily expensive excursion. But fear not, there are still plenty of free and budget-friendly ways to get in the spooky spirit across the five boroughs. Ahead, find some of the best free and cheapish ways to celebrate Halloween in NYC, from exciting festivals and dog costume contests to tricky corn mazes and creepy concerts.
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Events & Things To Do

1515 Surf is complete: 100% electric Coney Island rental is steps from the beach

All photos courtesy of LCOR

September 30, 2024

1515 Surf is complete: 100% electric Coney Island rental is steps from the beach

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's first multi-family geothermal project has officially opened in Coney Island. Developer LCOR on Monday celebrated the grand opening of 1515 Surf Avenue, a 100 percent electric two-tower residential development featuring 463 apartments steps from the famed Brooklyn beach and boardwalk. Designed by STUDIO V Architecture, the innovative project offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, 13 luxurious penthouses, and an expansive suite of indoor and outdoor amenities with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk.
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Architecture And Design

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

Rendering courtesy of SHoP Architects, Field Operations

September 30, 2024

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Here's a first look at New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's proposed $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field. Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen last week released renderings for "Metropolitan Park," a sports and entertainment complex with a public park, hotel, live music venue, restaurants, and a casino planned for 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field. Cohen is one of several developers vying for one of the three casino licenses set to be issued in downstate New York.
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Project to protect Staten Island shores and restore marine life is complete

Credit: SCAPE & Ty Cole

September 27, 2024

Project to protect Staten Island shores and restore marine life is complete

By Aaron Ginsburg

After over a decade of effort, a coastal resilience project designed to protect Staten Island shores with livable habitats for sea creatures is complete. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced the completion of Living Breakwaters, an $111 million project creating 2,400 feet of breakwaters to safeguard homes and businesses in Tottenville from future extreme weather events. The project features eight partially submerged structures that will break storm waves, decrease erosion, and serve as habitats for marine life.
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Architecture And Design

Turkish House: The Turtle Bay skyscraper at the center of Adams’ indictment

Photo courtesy of Perkins Eastman

September 27, 2024

Turkish House: The Turtle Bay skyscraper at the center of Adams’ indictment

By Aaron Ginsburg

A Midtown Manhattan skyscraper is at the center of Mayor Eric Adams' historic indictment. According to the five-count indictment, Adams allegedly pressured the city's Fire Department to allow the Turkish Consulate to occupy a new high-rise tower at 821 United Nations Plaza, despite not passing fire safety inspections, in exchange for paid and discounted travel benefits from the Turkish government. Designed by Perkins Eastman, the 36-story glass tower, known as the Turkevi Center or Turkish House, sits across from the United Nations and features a curving facade, "inspired by the Turkish crescent." The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, charged Adams with five federal charges of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign donations, which prosecutors say began when he was Brooklyn Borough President and continued after becoming mayor.
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Policy

Emma’s Torch and the Children’s Village open training kitchen at new Inwood development

Image courtesy of Emma’s Torch

September 26, 2024

Emma’s Torch and the Children’s Village open training kitchen at new Inwood development

By Aaron Ginsburg

Emma's Torch, a Brooklyn-based non-profit that provides refugees with culinary training, on Tuesday announced a new partnership with the organization Children's Village. A new training site will open at The Eliza, a new affordable housing development and public library in Inwood, in collaboration with Children's Village. This new facility will expand services and outreach for both organizations, better connecting refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking to career opportunities in the culinary industry.
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NYC’s first mixed-use affordable housing and industrial development opens in Brownsville

Photo by Michael Hnatov, courtesy of GMDC

September 26, 2024

NYC’s first mixed-use affordable housing and industrial development opens in Brownsville

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City’s first mixed-use development combining affordable housing and manufacturing space is now complete in Brownsville. The $118 million project converted the former Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrup factory into 39,000 square feet of light industrial space on the ground floor with 174 units of affordable and supportive housing above it. Designed by THINK! Architecture and Design, the complex addresses two city priorities by adding affordable housing and supporting new jobs.
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Affordable Housing

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