All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

NYC will tear down abandoned outdoor dining sheds under new program

Image courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 19, 2022

NYC will tear down abandoned outdoor dining sheds under new program

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city has razed and removed two dozen abanonded dining sheds this week, under a new program announced by Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor on Thursday introduced a multi-agency initiative that will highlight open and active outdoor dining sheds in the city's Open Restaurants program and remove neglected structures of shuttered restaurants. The city launched the Open Restaurants program in 2020 to keep businesses open during the pandemic, ultimately saving 100,000 jobs, according to Adams. While the majority of restaurants with outdoor dining follow the guidelines, the abandoned sheds have become eyesores.
See more here

‘Gatsby’-inspired Art Deco theater with state-of-the-art technology opens at Manhattan West

Photo courtesy of Jason Greenspan

August 18, 2022

‘Gatsby’-inspired Art Deco theater with state-of-the-art technology opens at Manhattan West

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new theater opening in Midtown next month adds a modern twist to a classic New York City experience. Opening on September 21 at Brookfield Properties' mixed-use development Manhattan West, Midnight Theatre is a 160-seat performance venue that flaunts an Art Deco-inspired interior coupled with state-of-the-art technology. The theater includes a 270-degree immersive projection system that can alter the appearance of the venue's interior and can "transport visitors anywhere as part of a performance's narrative or needs." Conceptualized by creative director Warren Adcock, the venue will be a hotspot for music, theatre, performance art, and magic.
More this way

New York commits $8M to renovate Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Image of the Schomburg Center via Wiki Commons

August 18, 2022

New York commits $8M to renovate Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the state will commit $8 million for upgrades to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. The investment will go toward the refurbishment of the building's facade, replacement of the roof and windows, and the installation of much-needed safety and energy-efficient features. The state's announcement comes during Harlem Week, a weeklong celebration of the neighborhood's history and culture.
Find out more

Luxury Flatbush rental launches lottery for 26 middle-income units, priced from $2,100/month

Rendering courtesy of Hill West Architects

August 18, 2022

Luxury Flatbush rental launches lottery for 26 middle-income units, priced from $2,100/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened for 26 middle-income units at a new residential development in Brooklyn. Located at 160 Clarkson Avenue, the building offers prospective tenants brand new, luxury apartments on the border of Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush, just a few blocks from Prospect Park. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $72,000 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced at $2,100/month for one-bedroom apartments and $2,500/month for two bedrooms.
Find out more

Affordable Housing

Jean-Georges to open restaurant at Norman Foster-designed office tower 425 Park Avenue

All renderings courtesy of Foster + Partners

August 17, 2022

Jean-Georges to open restaurant at Norman Foster-designed office tower 425 Park Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is opening another restaurant in New York City. L&L Holding Company on Monday announced the world-renowned chef will create and operate a 14,000-square-foot, two-floor restaurant on the ground floor of 425 Park Avenue, a recently completed 897-foot office tower in Midtown designed by Norman Foster. The restaurant, which will boast soaring ceilings and a 1,000-square-foot show kitchen, is expected to open by late 2023.
See more here

Food & Dining

Moving ‘sculpture garden’ with glowing, handmade lanterns will light up Morningside Heights

Morningside Lights 2019; Photo by Michael Seto

August 16, 2022

Moving ‘sculpture garden’ with glowing, handmade lanterns will light up Morningside Heights

By Aaron Ginsburg

Morningside Heights' annual lantern festival will light up the sky for the first time totally in person since 2019. Hosted by the Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at the Columbia University School of the Arts, the 11th-annual "Morningside Lights" event allows visitors to create their own lanterns and float them in a procession from Morningside Park to Columbia's campus. Free lantern building workshops will be held on September 17 through 23 and the procession kicks off on September 24 at 8 p.m.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

NYC’s 9/11 Tribute Museum is closing

Image of the 9/11 Tribute Museum via Wiki Commons

August 16, 2022

NYC’s 9/11 Tribute Museum is closing

By Aaron Ginsburg

The museum which told the stories of September 11 survivors is officially closing its doors. The 9/11 Tribute Museum will close on August 17 due to financial hardships stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, as NBC New York first reported. The museum will shift to a fully online format to continue telling victims' stories and support those affected by the attacks.
See more here

Events & Things To Do

You can rent Sarah Jessica Parker’s seaside beach cottage in the Hamptons this summer

All images courtesy of Booking.com

August 15, 2022

You can rent Sarah Jessica Parker’s seaside beach cottage in the Hamptons this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

Booking.com is giving Sarah Jessica Parker fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay at the award-winning actresses' Hamptons getaway. Located in Amagansett, Parker's cozy 1940s cottage is steps away from the beach and is stocked with her favorite drinks, snacks, and a pair of SJP signature high-heel shoes. The home can be booked for a two-night stay from August 26 to August 28 for only $19.98, in honor of the year Sex and the City debuted. Those who are interested can book the beach home on August 23 at 12 p.m. on a first-come-first-serve basis.
See more here

28 ‘Little Free Libraries’ pop up at community gardens across NYC

All images courtesy of the New York Restoration Project

August 12, 2022

28 ‘Little Free Libraries’ pop up at community gardens across NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York Restoration Project this week installed 28 new book-sharing boxes throughout the five boroughs. Created by Little Free Library (LFL), the boxes can be found at the city's community gardens, 25 of which are NYRP gardens and three of which are partnered with Gardens for the City.
Find out more

City Living

Massive marketplace from Jean-Georges opens in the restored Tin Building at the Seaport

All photos courtesy of Nicole Franzen

August 12, 2022

Massive marketplace from Jean-Georges opens in the restored Tin Building at the Seaport

By Aaron Ginsburg

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's highly-anticipated culinary hotspot will be giving New Yorkers a taste of its food offerings in preparation for the market's grand opening in the fall. The historic Tin Building has been converted into a 53,000-square-foot marketplace that includes grocery stores, six full-service restaurants, six quick-service counters, four bars, and other retail and private dining offerings. During the month of August, the Tin Building will be open for a limited preview Thursdays through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Find out more

Popular Articles

Manhattan officials renew push for new Hell’s Kitchen subway station

Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

August 11, 2022

Manhattan officials renew push for new Hell’s Kitchen subway station

By Aaron Ginsburg

The plan to extend the 7 train to the far west side of Manhattan announced more than a decade ago included building a subway station in Hell's Kitchen. But because of budget cuts, the station was never built. New York City officials this week renewed calls for a subway station at 10th Avenue and 41st Street, claiming the neighborhood's growing population needs better access to public transportation. The 7 line currently runs straight from Times Square to Hudson Yards, without stopping in Hell's Kitchen.
Learn more

Transit

NYC may ban tenant criminal background checks by landlords and brokers

Image courtesy of mari small on Unsplash

August 11, 2022

NYC may ban tenant criminal background checks by landlords and brokers

By Aaron Ginsburg

Legislation prohibiting landlords from denying tenants housing based on criminal history will be introduced in the New York City Council on Thursday. The "Fair Chance for Housing" bill, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, bans "landlords, owners, agents, employees, and real estate brokers" from obtaining arrest or criminal record information at any point in the housing process.
Get the details

Experience a 10-course ‘drive-thru’ tasting menu from some of NYC’s best restaurants next month

All images courtesy of American Express

August 11, 2022

Experience a 10-course ‘drive-thru’ tasting menu from some of NYC’s best restaurants next month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Some of New York City's most popular restaurants have partnered with Resy and American Express Gold for an exclusive two-night drive-through dining event in Brooklyn, no car required. Hosted at Greenpoint's Skyline Drive-in, the "Resy Drive-Thru New York" event includes a 10-course tasting menu from 10 hard-to-book NYC restaurants, like Bonnie's in Williamsburg and Crown Shy at city landmark 70 Pine Street. Guests will be chauffeured via golf cart through a "labyrinth of restaurants and entertainment built on the Brooklyn waterfront." The event takes place on September 16 and 17; tickets go on sale for the general public on August 17.
See more here

Manhattan congestion pricing toll could cost up to $23 for drivers

Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

August 10, 2022

Manhattan congestion pricing toll could cost up to $23 for drivers

By Aaron Ginsburg

MTA officials on Wednesday released the highly-anticipated environmental assessment of the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program, known as congestion pricing. The analysis says that the program could cut traffic congestion in Manhattan's busiest areas by nearly 20 percent while raising $1 billion a year to fund mass transit improvements. Under the proposal, the plan could cost drivers who enter the borough south of 60th Street anywhere between $5 and $23, depending on the time of day and type of vehicle.
See more here

Target opens new store in Soho

All photos courtesy of Target

August 10, 2022

Target opens new store in Soho

By Aaron Ginsburg

Target this week will open a new location in Soho, the company's 95th store in the greater New York City area. The store, which will be tailored for the surrounding community, will offer an assortment of Target's top-owned and national brands, as well as a contactless pickup order and same-delivery system. Located at 600 Broadway, the new store will open on Sunday, August 14.
Get the details

City Living

Flatbush block with distinctive homes designed by famous Brooklyn architects may be landmarked

Photo of Parkside Avenue courtesy of LPC

August 9, 2022

Flatbush block with distinctive homes designed by famous Brooklyn architects may be landmarked

By Aaron Ginsburg

A tree-lined block in Brooklyn with architecturally distinctive homes may become the city's newest historic district. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to calendar the Melrose Parkside Historic District, which consists of 38 intact single and two-family row houses built by two of Brooklyn's most renowned architects, Benjamin Driesler and Axel S. Hedman. Located on Parkside Avenue between Flatbush and Bedford Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, the collection of homes has a distinct appearance and sense of place in the surrounding neighborhood due to the use of "neo-Classical vocabulary" in their architectural style, according to the commission.
See more here

Policy

NYC to provide every home in Queens with weekly curbside composting

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 9, 2022

NYC to provide every home in Queens with weekly curbside composting

By Aaron Ginsburg

After previous failed attempts at an effective compost program in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced a new "no frills" system aimed at making it easy and less costly for New Yorkers to dispose of food and yard waste. Under the new program, the city's Department of Sanitation will collect compost and organic waste from every residential building in Queens starting on October 3. New Yorkers can put any food waste, yard waste, and food-soiled paper in a Sanitation compost bin to be picked up weekly. According to the mayor, the program, which will be available to 2.2 million New Yorkers, is the largest curbside composting program in the country.
Find out more

Policy

NJ Transit wants feedback on its Newark Penn Station revitalization project

Photo of Newark Penn Station by King of Hearts on Wikimedia

August 8, 2022

NJ Transit wants feedback on its Newark Penn Station revitalization project

By Aaron Ginsburg

Newark Penn Station is set to undergo a major renovation and NJ Transit wants feedback from riders who travel through the historic terminal. The transit agency will host three virtual public meetings about the $191 million restoration, with the first scheduled for August 9. First introduced by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020, the project includes immediate aesthetic improvements and refurbishment of historic elements, as well as longer-term upgrades to the overall customer experience.
Find out more

Hudson Valley’s Storm King Art Center unveils $45M redesign

Rendering of the new South Meadow, to be reclaimed from a former parking lot. ©Storm King Art Center

August 8, 2022

Hudson Valley’s Storm King Art Center unveils $45M redesign

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley will undergo a $45 million revamp this fall to enhance the visitor experience and better serve its growing community, the 500-acre outdoor museum announced last week. As first reported by The Art Newspaper, the project includes a new welcome area, improved parking and accessibility, and a new facility to support grand-scale works. Construction will begin later this year and the redesign is expected to be completed in 2024.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

Iconic New York Harbor sailing experience returns to the Seaport after 9 years

Photo Credit: Mike Szpot courtesy of The Howard Hughes Corporation

August 5, 2022

Iconic New York Harbor sailing experience returns to the Seaport after 9 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

After a nine-year hiatus, the Howard Hughes Corporation on Friday announced the return of Manhattan by Sail to Pier 17. Clipper City Tall Ship, its newly-renovated sailboat that will offer daily specialty sails and private charters, will launch this month. Departing from the east side of Pier 17 at 89 South Street, Clipper City will operate seven days a week, taking four trips a day with an additional late-night departure at 10 p.m.
Find out more

$3.3M Gowanus penthouse has five private outdoor spaces

All images courtesy of Matt Dutile for The Corcoran Group, unless otherwise noted

August 5, 2022

$3.3M Gowanus penthouse has five private outdoor spaces

By Aaron Ginsburg

In New York City, having access to one private outdoor space is enviable enough. This three-bedroom Brooklyn penthouse boasts five separate outdoor spaces. Located at 450 Warren Street in Gowanus, "Penthouse B" has a minimalist sleek aesthetic that complements the unit's four open exposures, floor-to-ceiling windows, and 10-foot ceilings. Asking $3,295,000, the home, much like the rest of the newly constructed building, seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Foster + Partners and Epstein to design new $10B Port Authority bus terminal

All renderings courtesy of Foster + Partners

August 5, 2022

Foster + Partners and Epstein to design new $10B Port Authority bus terminal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plans to replace the dingy Port Authority bus terminal are rolling forward. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Friday announced the selection of two architecture firms to lead the project: Norman Foster's Foster + Partners and Chicago-based engineering and design firm Epstein. Roughly 10 years in the making, the plan involves demolishing the existing station and building a new world-class facility that can better meet passenger demand. The $10 billion project will also help get idling buses off the streets and create new green spaces.
See more here

Transit

Three-day music festival in support of the climate movement heads to Forest Hills next month

Photo by Pat at Juno on Flickr

August 4, 2022

Three-day music festival in support of the climate movement heads to Forest Hills next month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A three-day music festival that aims to raise awareness about the current climate crisis will take place in Queens next month. From September 16-18, the inaugural Big Climate Thing festival will be held at Forest Hills Stadium, the nearly century-old tennis stadium-turned-venue, with performances by world-class acts, including Haim, The Roots, The War on Drugs, Sheryl Crow, Courtney Barnett, and The Flaming Lips, among others.
See the lineup

Events & Things To Do

You can browse and borrow vinyl records at the Brooklyn Public Library

Photo credit to Gregg Richards, courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

August 4, 2022

You can browse and borrow vinyl records at the Brooklyn Public Library

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Brooklyn Public Library is launching a new pilot program this month for music lovers. Starting on August 9, BPL patrons can visit the Central Library branch in Park Slope and browse, listen to, and borrow a diverse collection of nearly 400 records. The vinyl collection and listening stations will be in the New & Noteworthy room on the first floor of the recently-renovated Central Library. Teen and adult cardholders can take out up to three records for three weeks.
Learn more here

City Living

Apply for 23 mixed-income units at new luxury rental in Sunnyside, from $1,197/month

All images courtesy of Modern Spaces

August 4, 2022

Apply for 23 mixed-income units at new luxury rental in Sunnyside, from $1,197/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 23 mixed-income units at a new luxury rental in Queens. Located at 50-11 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, Fifty11 is a nine-story mixed-use building with 75 units, comprised of a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $43,612 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced between $1,197/month for studios and $2,850/month for two bedrooms.
Find out more

Affordable Housing

69
70
71
72
73