All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

New mural on 14th Street in Union Square celebrates human connection to nature

All photos courtesy of Jane Kratochvil

May 31, 2023

New mural on 14th Street in Union Square celebrates human connection to nature

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A new street mural along the 14th Street Busway in Union Square celebrates the intricate connection between humans and nature. Designed by Brooklyn-based artist Vanesa Álvarez, "Union with the Universe" uses serene designs and shades of color, inviting observers to slow down and take a moment to connect with the world around them. Unveiled on Wednesday, the mural was installed over a period of five days with the help of Street Plans, a Brooklyn-based urban planning and design firm, and other community groups.
See the mural
100+ community gardens in NYC will open to the public this weekend

Image courtesy of Daniel Avila / NYC Parks

May 30, 2023

100+ community gardens in NYC will open to the public this weekend

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More than 100 community gardens across New York City are opening their gates to the public this weekend. Hosted by GreenThumb, the largest community garden program in the country, the sixth-annual Open Garden NYC invites New Yorkers to participate in fun, free, and eco-friendly activities, explore lush landscapes, and learn about the local gardens in their own neighborhood. Open Garden NYC will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4.
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‘Cornelia Street’ townhouse once rented by Taylor Swift asks $17.9M

All photos courtesy of Al Siedman/VHT for The Corcoran Group

May 30, 2023

‘Cornelia Street’ townhouse once rented by Taylor Swift asks $17.9M

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Taylor Swift's former Greenwich Village home has hit the market for $17,995,000. The pop-star rented the 5,500-square-foot, five-story home at 23 Cornelia Street in 2016. The former carriage house served as an inspiration for her 2019 song "Cornelia Street," which references the home's windows and creaky floors. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom house stands out for its drive-right-in garage, 30-foot indoor pool, rooftop terrace, and prime location in the heart of the Village. The townhouse is also available as a $45,000/month rental.
Any Swifties with $18M?
125 affordable units available at energy-efficient building in East New York, from $419/month

Rendering by Nightnurse Images, courtesy of Magnusson Architecture and Planning

May 26, 2023

125 affordable units available at energy-efficient building in East New York, from $419/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 125 affordable units at Linden Terrace, an energy-efficient residential development in East New York. Located at 583 Emerald Street, the 156-unit building represents the third phase of the new affordable development. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, and 70 percent of the area median income, or between $16,938 annually for a single person and $115,850 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the units, which range from $419/month studios to $1,963/month three bedrooms.
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NYC Council passes legislation expanding rental assistance

Image courtesy of Filip Mishevski on Flickr

May 26, 2023

NYC Council passes legislation expanding rental assistance

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The New York City Council on Thursday passed a set of bills that will help house more New Yorkers and free up shelter space for asylum seekers. The legislation ends a rule requiring unhoused people spend at least 90 days in shelter before qualifying for a rental assistance voucher, known as CityFHEPS, and expands the number of people eligible for the vouchers. Mayor Eric Adams, who may attempt to veto the bill, said the legislation will cost the city billions over the next five years.
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This exhibit celebrates 100 years of art and pop culture in NYC

Richard Estes. M Train on Route to Manhattan Approaches the Williamsburg Bridge. 1995. Copyright Richard Estes, courtesy Louis K. Meisel Gallery

May 25, 2023

This exhibit celebrates 100 years of art and pop culture in NYC

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A new exhibition shares more than a century's worth of creativity inspired by New York City. The Museum of the City of New York's "This is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture" highlights what NYC has meant to generations of artists, musicians, writers, storytellers, and filmmakers who have captured the essence of the five boroughs through their work. The exhibition, which celebrates the museum's centennial is on view at the museum at 1220 Fifth Avenue from Wednesday, May 26 through June 21, 2024.
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Citing influx of migrants, Adams looks to suspend NYC’s right to shelter rule

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

May 25, 2023

Citing influx of migrants, Adams looks to suspend NYC’s right to shelter rule

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Citing the arrival of thousands of migrants in the city, Mayor Eric Adams wants to suspend a decades-old rule guaranteeing shelter to anyone. Adams on Tuesday filed an application with a judge asking to alter the city's right to shelter rule, which guarantees any homeless person looking for shelter access to temporary housing. The mayor is looking to rewrite the rule, which has been in place for 40 years, to allow the city to suspend the right for homeless adults when it "lacks the resources and capacity to establish and maintain sufficient shelter sites," according to Gothamist.
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NYC’s first multi-family geothermal project tops out in Coney Island

Images courtesy of LCOR

May 25, 2023

NYC’s first multi-family geothermal project tops out in Coney Island

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New York City's first multi-family geothermal project has topped out in Coney Island. The residential development at 1515 Surf Avenue will include 463 apartments, of which 139 will be designated as affordable. The building's geothermal system will use the Earth to heat and cool the property and power its water systems, eliminating the need for equipment that would run on fossil fuels.
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Green-Wood Cemetery’s $34M welcome center that wraps around historic greenhouse breaks ground

All renderings courtesy of Architecture Research Office (ARO) 

May 24, 2023

Green-Wood Cemetery’s $34M welcome center that wraps around historic greenhouse breaks ground

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Construction has begun on a new welcome center that will teach visitors about Green-Wood Cemetery's rich history. Located across from the cemetery's main entrance on 25th Street and Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn, the new $34 million Education and Welcome Center will feature two exhibition galleries for Green-Wood's art and archival collections, host educational events and programs, and serve as a hub for scholarly research, staff offices, and meeting and event spaces. The new building, which will be built around the historic Weir Greenhouse, will be completed by June 2025.
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Flatiron Building sells for $161M at second auction in two months

Photo courtesy of  on Flickr

May 24, 2023

Flatiron Building sells for $161M at second auction in two months

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After being put up for auction for the second time since March after the previous buyer failed to make the down payment, the Flatiron Building has sold for $161 million. During the auction hosted on the front steps of a Lower Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, a group led by Jeff Gural of GFP Real Estate, one of the landmarked building's previous owners, placed the winning bid over four other contenders. After winning, Gural said he plans to convert the upper part of the building into residential units, while keeping office space below, according to Crain's New York.
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The 13 best things to do in Coney Island

Photo of the Mermaid Parade by Richie S. on Flickr

May 23, 2023

The 13 best things to do in Coney Island

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Nicknamed the People's Playground, Coney Island has been the summer getaway of choice for generations of New Yorkers. Located on the southern shores of Brooklyn, the seaside destination is best known for its world-famous amusement district, which contains iconic attractions like the Brooklyn Cyclone roller coaster, Deno's Wonder Wheel, and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. The neighborhood offers visitors unforgettable experiences on exhilarating amusement park rides, classic carnival-style treats, and a chance to soak up some sun on the beach. From strolling down the boardwalk and riding the 100-year-old Cyclone to seeing sharks up close at the New York Aquarium, here are some things to do when visiting Coney Island this summer.
Plan your trip
MSG should stay above Penn Station, says Manhattan borough president

Rendering: ASTM North America

May 22, 2023

MSG should stay above Penn Station, says Manhattan borough president

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Madison Square Garden should be granted a new operating permit and be allowed to stay put, as long as it gives up some of its space for the expansion of Penn Station, Manhattan Borough Mark Levine said on Monday. As first reported by Crain's New York, Levine's recommendation includes demolishing MSG's theater and replacing it with a new grand entrance facing Eighth Avenue, a new mid-block entrance, and a double-height concourse. To do this, Levine advises giving MSG a new five-year special permit, if the Garden works with the city, state, and railroads to redevelop Penn Station and the surrounding area.
Details here
89 mixed-income units available at 43-story Downtown Brooklyn rental, from $1,407/month

Photo courtesy of Evan Joseph

May 22, 2023

89 mixed-income units available at 43-story Downtown Brooklyn rental, from $1,407/month

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A housing lottery opened this week for 89 mixed-income units at a new residential development in Brooklyn. Located at 540 Fulton Street, The Paxton offers residents luxury rental units and modern amenities in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $50,812 annually for a single person and $215,150 for a household of seven, can apply for the units, priced from $1,407/month studios to $3,600/month three bedrooms.
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NYC sues architecture firm behind new Long Island City library over accessibility issues

© Paul Warchol

May 19, 2023

NYC sues architecture firm behind new Long Island City library over accessibility issues

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New York City has filed a lawsuit against the architects behind the inaccessible Hunters Point Library in Long Island City, as first reported by Crain's New York. Filed in Manhattan State Supreme Court on Wednesday, the lawsuit claims Steven Holl Architects violated its contract with the city by designing an inaccessible building. The suit says that the architecture firm should be forced to pay $10 million to cover the renovations needed to make the building accessible for people with disabilities.
See more here
In reference to U.S. border wall, new Brooklyn sculpture explores relationship with land

Photo credit: Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Corten steel. Courtesy of the artist and Peter Blum Gallery. Images by Nicholas Knight, courtesy of the Public Art Fund, NY

May 18, 2023

In reference to U.S. border wall, new Brooklyn sculpture explores relationship with land

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A new public art installation in Brooklyn questions how colonization and its impact on migration affect our relationship with land. Created by indigenous Alaskan artist Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra is a 30-foot-tall steel sculpture made of the same materials as the United States-Mexico border wall that spells out the word "LAND." The sculpture will be on view in Brooklyn Bridge Park on the north side of the Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn through the fall.
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MTA unveils redesign of NYC subway turnstile as fare evasion solution

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

May 18, 2023

MTA unveils redesign of NYC subway turnstile as fare evasion solution

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To deter the roughly 400,000 subway riders who don't pay the fare every day, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to redesign the turnstiles for the first time in modern history. The agency on Wednesday unveiled a potential design of a new subway fare gate that includes glass doors that slide open, replacing the rotating turnstiles that have been part of the system since its inception. The new gates would remove the need for emergency exit doors, which the MTA said accounts for more than half of all fare evasion.
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Ralph Lee, famous puppet maker and Village Halloween Parade founder, dies at 87

Photo by Erin Kestenbaum exclusively for 6sqft. See more here.

May 17, 2023

Ralph Lee, famous puppet maker and Village Halloween Parade founder, dies at 87

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Ralph Lee, a legendary New York City puppet maker who helped create the Village Halloween Parade, passed away last Friday in his Manhattan home at the age of 87. As reported by the New York Times, Lee's death was confirmed by his wife Casey Compton, who stated that her husband's health had declined over the past several months. While he was also an actor, writer, producer, and director, Lee was best known for his innovative puppet and mask designs, many of which were seen in shows by the Metropolitan Opera, the NYC Opera, and a wide variety of dance troupes and theater productions, including his own Mettawee River Theatre.
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Noho’s Bleecker Street Bar reopens after nearly three years

The original location of the Bleecker Street Bar. Photo by Village Preservation on Flickr

May 17, 2023

Noho’s Bleecker Street Bar reopens after nearly three years

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Noho's beloved Bleecker Street Bar reopened its doors on Wednesday after closing two-and-a-half years ago due to the pandemic. The bar, which has served Noho residents for more than 30 years, joined an extensive list of neighborhood bars and restaurants that were forced to close their doors due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bleecker Street Bar's new location is 648 Broadway.
Details here
Century 21 reopens in the Financial District

Photo courtesy of Century 21

May 17, 2023

Century 21 reopens in the Financial District

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New York City's favorite discount department store is back. Century 21 on Tuesday officially reopened its flagship at 22 Cortlandt Street in the Financial District three years after filing for bankruptcy and closing all of its locations. The renovated store has four floors with men's, women's, and children's apparel, including footwear, outerwear, handbags, accessories, and fragrances. To honor its connection to the city, the famed store has added "NYC" to its logo.
See more here
New renderings show off NYC’s first professional soccer stadium

All renderings courtesy of the New York City Football Club

May 16, 2023

New renderings show off NYC’s first professional soccer stadium

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Renderings have been unveiled for New York City's first-ever professional soccer stadium. During a Queens Community Board 7 meeting last week, Related Companies, Sterling Equities, and the NYC Football Club (NYCFC) presented new renderings for the Willets Point Revitalization Plan, a massive mixed-use development planned for Queens that includes a 25,000-seat stadium, a 250-room hotel, a 650-seat public school, over 40,000 square feet of public open space, retail space, and 2,500 affordable housing units. The stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2027 season.
See them here
A section of NYC skateboarding ‘mecca’ Brooklyn Banks reopens in Chinatown

Public space under the Brooklyn Bridge. Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Images courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

May 16, 2023

A section of NYC skateboarding ‘mecca’ Brooklyn Banks reopens in Chinatown

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Parts of a long-neglected public space under the Brooklyn Bridge once known as the "mecca" of New York City skateboarding will reopen this month. On Wednesday, May 24, "The Arches," a one-acre public space with basketball, pickleball, shuffleboard, and seating under the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, will officially open after being shuttered for over a decade, Mayor Eric Adams announced last week. The new park sits next to Brooklyn Banks, a haven for skateboarders and BMX riders starting in the 1980s before closing in 2010.
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NYC’s historic Roosevelt Hotel becomes arrival center for asylum seekers

Photo by Billy Hathorn via Wikimedia Commons

May 15, 2023

NYC’s historic Roosevelt Hotel becomes arrival center for asylum seekers

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A historic hotel in Midtown that has been closed since the start of the pandemic will become the city’s first arrival center for migrants, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Saturday. Located at 45 East 45th Street, The Roosevelt Hotel will serve as a “centralized intake center” for all arriving asylum seekers, providing them with legal, medical, and reconnection services and up to 175 rooms for children and families starting later this week. The new shelter is the ninth Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center opened by the city; more migrants are expected to arrive in New York after the end of the pandemic-era rule Title 42, which let the U.S. quickly expel migrants without documentation.
Learn more
Apply for 22 mixed-income apartments in the heart of Flatbush, from $1,576/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

May 12, 2023

Apply for 22 mixed-income apartments in the heart of Flatbush, from $1,576/month

By
Applications are being accepted for 22 mixed-income units at a new residential development in Brooklyn. Located at 1457 Flatbush Avenue, the development offers residents spacious and modern apartments with an expansive amenity suite. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $57,429 for a single person and $156,130 for a household of three, can apply for the units, which range from $1,576/month studios to $3,126/month one-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Housing targets in every NYC district would lead to more equitable development, City Council says

Image courtesy of Vlada Karpovich on Pexels

May 12, 2023

Housing targets in every NYC district would lead to more equitable development, City Council says

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A new plan by the New York City Council aims to increase affordable housing production by setting development goals for each of the city's 59 community districts. Speaker Adrienne Adams on Thursday unveiled her "Fair Housing Framework" legislation, a plan reminiscent of Gov. Kathy Hochul's rejected proposal earlier this year that called for every locality in the state to meet home creation targets. Under Adams' plan, "high-opportunity," or wealthier, transit-rich neighborhoods in the city, would be required to produce more low-income affordable housing. According to the plan, the city's housing agencies would be responsible for setting targets for each district, which would be reevaluated every five years, starting in 2025.
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300-foot timber bridge connecting the High Line and Moynihan Train Hall has been installed

All photos © 6sqft

May 11, 2023

300-foot timber bridge connecting the High Line and Moynihan Train Hall has been installed

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The elevated pathway that will connect the High Line to the new Moynihan Train Hall hit a major milestone this week. The 260-foot-long timber bridge has been craned into place and is currently suspended 25 feet over Dyer Avenue. The new footbridge connects Manhattan West's public plaza Magnolia Court to a pedestrian pathway at West 31st Street, providing an easier way of accessing the Moynihan Train Hall without having to cross multiple streets. The timber bridge will link to the so-called Woodland Bridge, which will extend east from the existing northern terminus of the High Line. The new linear park, dubbed the High Line-Moynihan Train Hall Connector, is expected to open in late June.
See more here
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