All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

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

‘City of Yes’ housing plan approved by City Planning Commission

Image courtesy of amanderson2 on Flickr

September 25, 2024

‘City of Yes’ housing plan approved by City Planning Commission

By Aaron Ginsburg

In a win for Mayor Eric Adams, the City of Yes housing proposal has cleared the first hurdle of the approval process. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday voted 10 to 3 to approve Adams' City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan, which aims to address New York City's housing shortage by creating more than 100,000 new homes over the next 15 years through a series of zoning changes. Now, the plan heads to the City Council, where a more contentious debate is expected, as some council members have already voiced opposition to several major proposed changes in their districts.
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30 Rock’s new ‘Skylift’ platform takes visitors 900 feet above NYC

Renderings courtesy of Tishman Speyer

September 25, 2024

30 Rock’s new ‘Skylift’ platform takes visitors 900 feet above NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

The view from one of New York City's most iconic observation decks is about to get even better. Opening on October 1, Skylift at the Top of the Rock takes visitors above the 70th floor at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on an open-air platform that offers unobstructed, 360-degree city views. The new experience starts at $35 as an optional add-on to general admission to the Top of the Rock.
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Events & Things To Do

Wrapped in pink and surrounded by greenery, Fort Greene condo 144 Vanderbilt launches sales

Renderings courtesy of EthanDeClerk

September 24, 2024

Wrapped in pink and surrounded by greenery, Fort Greene condo 144 Vanderbilt launches sales

By Aaron Ginsburg

Sales have officially launched at Fort Greene's 144 Vanderbilt, a new luxury condo offering an unconventional take on Brooklyn living with apartments designed as "private sanctuaries." Developed by Tankhouse and designed by SO-IL, the building on the corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt Avenues is wrapped in pink precast concrete with a unique stacked design of varying heights and setbacks. All 26 condos at 144 Vanderbilt, including a selection of penthouses and townhomes, have private outdoor space and residents can enjoy roughly 11,000 square feet of high-end amenities. The two- to four-bedroom residences will start at $1.95 million.
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Crown Heights project near Brooklyn Botanic Garden may be scrapped despite city approval

Franklin Avenue looking north toward Montgomery Avenue and 54 Crown Street. Photo © 6sqft

September 24, 2024

Crown Heights project near Brooklyn Botanic Garden may be scrapped despite city approval

By Aaron Ginsburg

After securing a key approval from the city after years of delays, the developer behind a controversial residential project near the Brooklyn Botanic Garden said they plan to withdraw the application. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Monday voted to approve a modified rezoning of 962-972 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights that would result in fewer shadows cast on the garden from a new 14-story building developed by Continuum Company. But despite the approval, an attorney for Continuum's Ian Bruce Eicher told The Real Deal the group plans to withdraw the application because the modifications make the project impossible to finance.
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Former FiDi office tower launches leasing for luxury rentals, from $4,100/month

Renderings courtesy of Streetsense

September 23, 2024

Former FiDi office tower launches leasing for luxury rentals, from $4,100/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A former Financial District office building turned luxury rental tower officially launched leasing this week. Reimagined by CetraRuddy, the 36-story building at 55 Broad Street, once the headquarters for Goldman Sachs, is now home to 571 new apartments and 25,000 square feet of amenities, including a rooftop pool. Pricing for the studio to three-bedroom apartments starts at $4,100/month.
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Popular Articles

Cherry Walk greenway in Riverside Park closes to cyclists, pedestrians until spring 2025

Photo credit: Howard Brier on Flickr

September 23, 2024

Cherry Walk greenway in Riverside Park closes to cyclists, pedestrians until spring 2025

By Aaron Ginsburg

A section of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the nation's busiest bike path, will be closed for six months starting this week. The city's Parks Department announced Cherry Walk, a scenic section of the greenway between 100th and 125th Streets in Riverside Park, will close starting Monday through the spring of 2025 for urgent repairs. The $1.5 million project will repave the asphalt damaged by bumps and cracks from tree roots and include restriping the lane markings.
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Rainforest Cafe to host pop-up at the Empire State Building

Photo Credit: Douglas Neiner on Flickr

September 20, 2024

Rainforest Cafe to host pop-up at the Empire State Building

By Aaron Ginsburg

It's for real this time: Rainforest Cafe is coming to the Empire State Building. The beloved jungle-themed restaurant is hosting a pop-up at the skyscraper's 86th-floor observatory from October 3 through 6, offering exclusive Rainforest Cafe and Empire State Building merchandise, along with special food items for fans of the iconic eatery.
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New York Knicks’ Miles McBride renting One High Line apartment for $15.5K/month

Photos by Evan Joseph unless otherwise noted

September 20, 2024

New York Knicks’ Miles McBride renting One High Line apartment for $15.5K/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York Knicks point guard Miles McBride is renting a luxury Chelsea apartment for $15,500/month. The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath apartment is at One High Line, the pair of twisting condo towers at 500 West 18th Street designed by Bjarke Ingels. As first reported by the New York Post, the unit spans 1,600 square feet and comes fully furnished with high-end pieces. One High Line offers expansive skyline views from its perch above the elevated park.
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NYC public libraries mark Banned Books Week with first-ever national day of action

Photo © 6sqft

September 20, 2024

NYC public libraries mark Banned Books Week with first-ever national day of action

By Aaron Ginsburg

This year New York City's public libraries will mark Banned Books Week with events, activities, and programming to push back against the alarming rise in nationwide censorship. In 2023, the American Library Association (ALA) recorded the highest number of challenged book titles, marking a 92 percent increase from 2022. Along with Banned Books Week from September 22 through 28, the city's libraries are teaming up with ALA for the first-ever "Freedom to Read Day of Action" on October 19.
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Events & Things To Do

Phase two of Greenpoint Hospital conversion begins, adding 311 affordable homes

Credit: Architecture Outfit and Magnusson Architecture & Planning

September 19, 2024

Phase two of Greenpoint Hospital conversion begins, adding 311 affordable homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Hudson Companies and St. Nicks Alliance on Wednesday, in collaboration with the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), broke ground on the second phase of Kingsland Commons, a transformation of the former Greenpoint Hospital campus into an affordable housing complex. Designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP) and Architecture Outfit, this phase includes an 18-story building with 311 permanently affordable units for extremely low- and very low-income residents, including formerly homeless individuals and families.
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MTA unveils $68B capital plan to keep NYC transit system afloat

Credit: Ray Raimundi/MTA on Flickr

September 19, 2024

MTA unveils $68B capital plan to keep NYC transit system afloat

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Wednesday released a $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029 mapping out ways to improve the transit system. The plan, "The Future Rides with Us," focuses on maintaining New York City's aging subway system by funding new train cars, improving deteriorating stations, and modernizing the signal system to ensure frequent and reliable service for New Yorkers. Nearly half of the funding remains uncertain, largely due to a $15 billion gap in the current capital plan caused by Gov. Kathy Hochul's indefinite pause on congestion pricing.
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Portland’s Salt & Straw to open first NYC ice cream shop on the Upper West Side

Photos courtesy of Salt & Straw

September 19, 2024

Portland’s Salt & Straw to open first NYC ice cream shop on the Upper West Side

By Aaron Ginsburg

The beloved Portland, Oregon-based ice cream shop Salt & Straw is about to sweeten up the Upper West Side with its first-ever New York City location. Famous for its unique flavors, the ice cream company is setting up shop at 360 Amsterdam Avenue on Friday, September 20, offering signature flavors like Double Fold Vanilla and Sea Salt Caramel Ribbons, as well as special NYC-themed flavors like Pastrami on Rye, Cinnamon Raisin Bagels & Schmear, and other creative twists on iconic city fare.
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Food & Dining

Kellogg’s Diner reopens in Williamsburg with Tex-Mex-inspired menu

Photo by Evan Sung

September 18, 2024

Kellogg’s Diner reopens in Williamsburg with Tex-Mex-inspired menu

By Aaron Ginsburg

Williamsburg's beloved Kellogg's Diner is returning under new ownership with a revamped menu, offering classic diner fare with a Tex-Mex twist. A neighborhood landmark since 1928, Chef Jackie Carnesie will helm the diner's new chapter when it officially reopens this Friday. The 75-seat eatery has received a design refresh by Nico and Matthew Maddy, modernizing the space while preserving its historic charm. Located at 518 Metropolitan Avenue, Kellogg's will be open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with plans to offer 24-hour service in the coming weeks.
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Food & Dining

One Williamsburg Wharf launches sales, offering resort-style living from $710K

Renderings courtesy of Hayes Davidson

September 18, 2024

One Williamsburg Wharf launches sales, offering resort-style living from $710K

By Aaron Ginsburg

Sales officially launched this week at One Williamsburg Wharf, the first of five towers in an "urban resort-style" development taking shape along the Williamsburg waterfront. Developed by Naftali Group and designed by Brandon Haw Architecture, the 22-story luxury condo tower features 89 "design-forward" residences and world-class indoor and outdoor amenities, including a rooftop pool deck that transforms into an ice-skating rink in the winter. Pricing begins at $710,000 for studio apartments.
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Astoria rental opens lottery for 43 luxury apartments, from $1,974/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

September 18, 2024

Astoria rental opens lottery for 43 luxury apartments, from $1,974/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened for 43 mixed-income apartments at a new residential development in Astoria. Located at 21-11 31st Avenue, the seven-story building offers luxury living, easy access to Manhattan, and endless dining, retail, and entertainment options. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the one-bedroom apartments, priced at $1,974/month and $2,600/month.
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Affordable Housing

Embrace Italian street food culture at Eataly starting this weekend

Images courtesy of Eataly

September 17, 2024

Embrace Italian street food culture at Eataly starting this weekend

By Aaron Ginsburg

Get a taste of classic Italian street food starting this weekend at Eataly's beloved food series. Running from September 20 through October 6, "Icons of Eataly" immerses guests in Italian street food culture, featuring more than 30 new menu items that can be found at Eataly's New York City restaurants and quick-service counters. To kick off the celebration, Eataly Downtown is hosting an all-you-can-eat event on Friday, offering patrons unlimited tastings of Italian bites and refreshing beverages.
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Washington Bridge dedicated bus and protected bike lanes now open

Images courtesy of NYC DOT

September 17, 2024

Washington Bridge dedicated bus and protected bike lanes now open

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Washington Bridge has undergone a transformative redesign, ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists while also speeding up bus service. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Monday announced the completion of a redesigned intersection at the bridge's approach, along with a dedicated bus lane and a two-way protected bike lane, stretching from Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights to University Avenue in the Bronx. The project will deliver quicker, more reliable bus service to the 68,000 daily riders who travel along the corridor.
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MTA expands bus lane cameras to 20 more routes

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

September 16, 2024

MTA expands bus lane cameras to 20 more routes

By Aaron Ginsburg

Double-parkers beware. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Monday began its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) in all five boroughs, issuing warnings for vehicles blocking bus stops or illegally double parking in bus lanes during an initial 60-day period. After the warning period, drivers who break the rules will face fines starting at $50, with repeat offenses increasing up to $250.
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Celebrate 120 years of the NYC subway with a new exhibit and vintage train rides

60th Street Tunnel connection opening, 1955. New York Transit Museum NYCTA Photograph Unit Collection, 2005.48.270

September 16, 2024

Celebrate 120 years of the NYC subway with a new exhibit and vintage train rides

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York Transit Museum is celebrating the 120th anniversary of the city's subway system with a new exhibit and vintage train rides. Debuting September 26, "The Subway Is..." explores how New York City's subway system has shaped its cultural identity and will showcase images and artifacts from the museum's collections. To coincide with the new exhibit, the museum is hosting four Inaugural Run Nostalgia Rides on vintage Lo-V subway cars from 1917, retracing the original route of NYC's first subway line.
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Pedestrian plaza, two-way bike lane now on Broadway near Union Square

Cyclists and pedestrians travel along the newly redesigned plaza block on Broadway, from East 17th Street to East 18th Street. Credit: NYC DOT

September 13, 2024

Pedestrian plaza, two-way bike lane now on Broadway near Union Square

By Aaron Ginsburg

Broadway is gradually becoming a safer, more welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the completion of the latest phase of "Broadway Vision," bringing a new pedestrian plaza, two-way bike connections, and other safety upgrades between East 17th and East 21st Streets. The Union Square Partnership and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will maintain the new spaces.
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