All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

World Cup brought billions in economic impact to NYC region

Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 21, 2026

World Cup brought billions in economic impact to NYC region

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially come to a close, bringing hundreds of thousands of soccer fans to the New York-New Jersey area for eight matches at MetLife Stadium. Now, city and state officials are assessing whether the projected economic impact of hosting the tournament materialized. While the region’s overall economic impact goals will likely be met, some projections, including a boost in hotel occupancy, fell short of expectations.
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Policy

Mamdani launches campaign to help tenants organize for safer housing

Credit: Bradley Andrews on Unsplash

July 21, 2026

Mamdani launches campaign to help tenants organize for safer housing

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday launched a new canvassing effort to connect tenants living in buildings with housing code violations with resources and information on organizing for better living conditions. The "Talk to Tenants" campaign will deploy volunteers with the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement who will inform residents about advocating for safe and well-maintained homes, as well as forming tenant unions. The initiative will begin in East Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Flatbush before expanding to communities across the five boroughs.
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Policy

Long-vacant East Harlem lot to become 140 mixed-income homes

Streetview of Second Avenue between East 125th and East 126th Streets © Google 2024

July 21, 2026

Long-vacant East Harlem lot to become 140 mixed-income homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is seeking a developer to transform a city-owned site in East Harlem, vacant for nearly 20 years, into 140 homes. The city's Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) on Monday released a request for proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of an empty lot known as "B-East," located on Second Avenue between East 125th and East 126th Streets, that presents a "significant opportunity" to deliver mixed-income housing, retail, and other community uses. Upon redevelopment, the lot, a key component of the 2008 East 125th Street rezoning, is estimated to deliver roughly 140 housing units.
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New Developments

This Brooklyn playground features paths made of recycled wine corks from NYC restaurants

Photos courtesy of Tameek Williams

July 20, 2026

This Brooklyn playground features paths made of recycled wine corks from NYC restaurants

By Aaron Ginsburg

A first-of-its-kind playground, crafted from hundreds of thousands of wine and champagne corks sourced from New York City restaurants, has opened at a public housing complex in Brooklyn. Unveiled last week at Gravesend's Marlboro Houses, "Village Vibes" delivers custom play features, stormwater mitigation measures, and soft, accessible pathways made from roughly 450,000 recycled corks. The installation is the first initiative from the Cork Collective, which seeks to repurpose the material for civic improvement projects across the country.
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Architecture And Design

Lottery opens for 169 affordable apartments in Morris Heights, from $777/month

Rendering Courtesy of Marvel Architects

July 20, 2026

Lottery opens for 169 affordable apartments in Morris Heights, from $777/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are currently being accepted for 169 affordable apartments in the Bronx. As part of the second phase of the two-building Starhill development in Morris Heights, 51 Featherbed Lane includes 244 residences, including 74 supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals and families with on-site supportive services. New Yorkers earning 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $777/month studios to $2,142/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

July 17, 2026

Where to watch the FIFA World Cup final in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

It might be hard to believe, but the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearly over. Soccer fans have been captivated by what many are calling one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory, while cities around the globe, including New York City, have welcomed travelers from near and far to celebrate the beloved event. This Sunday, the tournament will come to an end in New Jersey, which will host the final between Argentina and Spain. The third-place match between France and England takes place on Saturday. Ahead, here are some of the best places across the five boroughs to watch the match, from a free free screenings on Governors Island and in Hudson Yards to under the Blue Whale at the American Museum of Natural History.
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Events & Things To Do

Mamdani’s ‘rental rip-off’ report outlines 23 actions to address tenant concerns

Credit: Mike Petrucci on Unsplash

July 16, 2026

Mamdani’s ‘rental rip-off’ report outlines 23 actions to address tenant concerns

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City tenants have spoken. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday released a new report shaped by testimony from thousands of renters who shared their experiences during the "Rental Rip-Off" hearings held across the five boroughs. The 68-page report outlines 23 policy changes aimed at strengthening tenant protections, improving housing quality, and targeting negligent landlords while curbing hazardous conditions and deceptive practices.
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Policy

NYC moves forward with first busway in the Bronx, Central Brooklyn bus upgrades

Work underway on new center-running bus lanes along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 16, 2026

NYC moves forward with first busway in the Bronx, Central Brooklyn bus upgrades

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is advancing four major public transit projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn that are expected to cut commutes by up to six minutes for nearly 200,000 daily riders. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday announced that the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin construction of the long-delayed Tremont Avenue busway later this year and launch community engagement for improvements along Flatbush, Utica, and Church avenues in Brooklyn, three of the borough’s busiest bus corridors. The projects build on last week's unveiling of the "Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service" plan, which aims to speed up service on 50 bus routes across the five boroughs.
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See plan to add 1,100 apartments and new park across from the Intrepid Museum in Hell’s Kitchen

All renderings courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

July 15, 2026

See plan to add 1,100 apartments and new park across from the Intrepid Museum in Hell’s Kitchen

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the development team selected to transform a Hell's Kitchen parking lot used by the Intrepid Museum into a mixed-use development with more than 1,100 apartments. Gotham Organization, Fisher Brothers, and Mural Real Estate Group will turn the state-owned site at 621 West 45th Street into two connected skyscrapers with 1,127 homes, including about 338 affordable units, new facilities for the museum, and a public park that connects to the existing pedestrian bridge. The project stems from a request for proposals issued in February 2025 for one of the largest remaining undeveloped parcels on Manhattan’s Far West Side.
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Harlem to get 11-story condo with 72 residences and a daycare

Credit: Katherine Belove

July 15, 2026

Harlem to get 11-story condo with 72 residences and a daycare

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plans to build an 11-story condominium in Harlem are moving ahead after the development team secured $45 million in construction financing this week. SCALE Lending, the debt financing arm of Slate Property Group, announced Tuesday that it issued the loan to Mass Development for the multifamily project at 264-272 West 135th Street. The ground-up building will feature studio to three-bedroom condos, half of which will include balconies, along with retail space, community facility, and resident amenities.
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Manhattan median rent reached new record of $5,295/month in June

By Aaron Ginsburg

Manhattan and Brooklyn rents have reached new highs as the cost of living continues to rise across New York City. A report from the Corcoran Group found that the median rent for market-rate residential buildings in Manhattan reached $5,295 per month at the start of summer, up 3 percent since May and 8 percent year over year. Across the East River, Brooklyn’s median rent for market-rate units reached $4,350 last month, an 8 percent annual increase. The continued surge reflects the city’s limited housing inventory, with Manhattan’s already-tight vacancy rate falling from 1.57 percent in May to 1.49 percent in June.
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Real Estate Trends

New York imposes nation’s first one-year ban on new large data centers

Credit: Susan Watts/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul on Flickr

July 14, 2026

New York imposes nation’s first one-year ban on new large data centers

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York became the first state in the nation on Tuesday to impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of large new data centers, which require immense power to fuel artificial intelligence tools. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a one-year pause on new data centers that consume 50 megawatts or more of power to give officials time to develop measures to protect New Yorkers and the environment following concerns raised by communities about the environmental impacts and rising energy costs stemming from the facilities.
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East Village parking lot to become 130-unit affordable housing project

Renderings courtesy of SLCE Architects

July 13, 2026

East Village parking lot to become 130-unit affordable housing project

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plans to turn a police precinct parking lot in the East Village into a mixed-use affordable housing project moved forward on Monday. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the selection of Spatial Equity, Housing Works, Cooper Square Committee, and This Land Is Ours Community Land Trust to redevelop 324 East 5th Street into The Aurea, a 131-unit mixed-use development with a senior center, community space, and parking facilities. Plans for new housing at the site have been in the works since the Soho Noho rezoning in 2021.
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‘Summer Streets’ returns with over 20 miles of car-free blocks and later hours

Credit: NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

July 13, 2026

‘Summer Streets’ returns with over 20 miles of car-free blocks and later hours

By Aaron Ginsburg

Summer Streets returns to New York City this month with more than 20 miles of car-free streets and programming through August, along with later hours in the outer boroughs. Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn on Friday announced that the annual event will open select stretches of street to pedestrians and cyclists from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Manhattan and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island over five Saturdays in July and August, starting July 25.
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AMNH to celebrate Manhattanhenge with free block party this weekend

Credit:zxvisual

July 10, 2026

AMNH to celebrate Manhattanhenge with free block party this weekend

By Aaron Ginsburg

The American Museum of Natural History is offering a new way to experience Manhattanhenge as the phenomenon makes its final appearance of 2026. The twice-yearly spectacle occurs when the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s street grid, creating iconic views and photo opportunities across the borough. To celebrate the cosmic event on Saturday, museum astronomer Jackie Faherty will lead a ticketed 3D presentation using cutting-edge software, followed by a free outdoor viewing experience accompanied by live music.
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Events & Things To Do

Art Deco bricks from original Lincoln Tunnel entrance are for sale

Vintage postcard depicting the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City. Via Wikimedia

July 10, 2026

Art Deco bricks from original Lincoln Tunnel entrance are for sale

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is selling historic Art Deco bricks from the Lincoln Tunnel's original retaining walls, built between 1937 and 1945, as they are dismantled to make way for the new Midtown Bus Terminal. The distinctive bricks were used in the walls outside the New York approach of the New Jersey-bound north tube and along Dyer Avenue. As part of a broader effort to promote sustainability and reuse, the agency will list the bricks for $2.25 each, allowing New Yorkers and architecture buffs to own a piece of history from the same era that produced the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and other Art Deco landmarks.
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City Living

American Express breaks ground on 55-story headquarters at 2 World Trade Center

Renderings courtesy of Foster + Partners

July 9, 2026

American Express breaks ground on 55-story headquarters at 2 World Trade Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

American Express on Thursday broke ground on a new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center, the final commerical tower of the Lower Manhattan campus. Developed by Silverstein Properties and designed by Foster+Partners, the tower at 200 Greenwich Street measures roughly 2 million square feet across 55 floors, with enough space for 10,000 American Express employees. Completion is scheduled for 2031.
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Architecture And Design

Justin and Hailey Bieber buy West Village condo for $12M

All images courtesy of Travis Mark, unless noted otherwise

July 9, 2026

Justin and Hailey Bieber buy West Village condo for $12M

By Aaron Ginsburg

Justin and Hailey Bieber paid $12 million for a luxury condo at the Herzog & de Meuron-designed 160 Leroy Street in the West Village. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the 2,800-square-foot residence is the couple's first known home in New York City. The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath condo features sweeping views of the Hudson River. The seller is real estate developer Steven Brauser, who purchased the unit for $10.5 million in 2018 and listed it for $12 million in April.
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Macy’s former Downtown Brooklyn flagship to become five-floor ‘experiential’ retail destination

Credit: Dreamscape

July 9, 2026

Macy’s former Downtown Brooklyn flagship to become five-floor ‘experiential’ retail destination

By Aaron Ginsburg

After shuttering last year and a brief stint as a light installation, Macy's former Downtown Brooklyn flagship will become a massive five-floor "experiential destination." United American Land on Monday unveiled plans for BKX, a 440,000-square-foot retail hub at 422 Fulton Street. The project, the largest block of retail space available in New York City, could accommodate "flagship retail, immersive entertainment, food halls, destination dining, wellness concepts, cultural programming, and large-format branded experiences," according to the developers.
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Real Estate Trends

New York unveils plan to speed up NYC buses across 50 priority corridors

Photo by Sal Media on Unsplash

July 8, 2026

New York unveils plan to speed up NYC buses across 50 priority corridors

By Aaron Ginsburg

Riders on 50 bus routes across New York City could see their commutes cut by up to six minutes under a new proposal aimed at boosting bus speeds. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and the MTA on Wednesday released "Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service," a plan outlining service upgrades that transit officials say will improve speed, reliability, and the rider experience citywide. Through a combination of service changes, traffic enforcement upgrades, and road redesigns, officials say the plan could reduce travel times by 20 percent across at least 50 bus corridors.
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New interactive tool maps the hundreds of languages spoken across NYC

Photo by Saul Macias on Unsplash

July 8, 2026

New interactive tool maps the hundreds of languages spoken across NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has launched a new interactive web tool that maps the city’s diverse linguistic landscape at the citywide, borough, and neighborhood levels. Released by the Department of City Planning, the NYC Language Explorer provides users with detailed tables, maps, and charts showing the languages spoken by New Yorkers with limited English proficiency, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The tool offers a way to better understand the city’s many languages and identify distinct language needs at the local level.
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City Living

NYC to release addresses of Upper East Side buildings linked to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak

Credit: Clay LeConey on Unsplash

July 8, 2026

NYC to release addresses of Upper East Side buildings linked to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is implementing emergency measures after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease on the Upper East Side sickened at least 76 people and killed four as of Monday, July 20. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, July 7 directed the city's Department of Health to begin testing cooling towers across the affected area and mobilize more than 100 staff members for community outreach. In an unprecedented move, the administration will publicly release the addresses of buildings whose cooling towers test positive for the bacteria and order property owners to immediately drain, clean, and disinfect the systems to prevent further exposure.
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Policy

Courtesy of Gotham FC

July 7, 2026

Gotham FC will move to Queens in 2028

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gotham FC, the reigning National Women's Soccer League champions, will make Queens their permanent home alongside the New York City Football Club (NYCFC). On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the team's move from New Jersey to Etihad Park, the city’s first-ever professional soccer stadium under construction in Willets Point, in 2028. The fully electric stadium, designed by HOK, is slated to open for NYCFC’s season next spring, establishing Queens as a major hub for soccer across the five boroughs.
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Events & Things To Do

Brooklyn Heights townhouse sells for $24.5M, the borough’s priciest sale of 2026

Photos by Roland Spring

July 7, 2026

Brooklyn Heights townhouse sells for $24.5M, the borough’s priciest sale of 2026

By Aaron Ginsburg

A Brooklyn Heights townhouse sold for $24.5 million in an off-market deal, marking the borough's most expensive residential deal of the year. The 6,625-square-foot brownstone at 192 Columbia Heights surpassed this year's record, a penthouse in Dumbo that sold for $16.3 million in March. The transaction ranks as the borough's third-most expensive residential sale ever, according to the New York Times. Just two Brooklyn properties have ever fetched higher prices: a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Gravesend that sold for $32 million in 2025 and a four-story home in Brooklyn Heights that sold for $25.5 million in 2021.
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Red Hook rental opens lottery for 239 affordable apartments, from $777/month

Credit: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

July 6, 2026

Red Hook rental opens lottery for 239 affordable apartments, from $777/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Want to live closer to IKEA? A housing lottery opened for 239 mixed-income apartments in a new three-building residential complex in the heart of Red Hook, Brooklyn. Rising eight stories at 498 Columbia Street, the building is the largest of Columbia Commons, the first modern large-scale residential development in the waterfront neighborhood, according to the New York Real Estate Journal. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 100 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $777/month studios to $2,668/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

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