All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

July 21, 2022

Asking $14.8M, 200-acre Catskills compound hits the market for the first time in nearly 200 years

A sprawling estate tucked into the Catskill Mountains is for sale for the first time in nearly 200 years. Passed down in the same family since 1839, the Fishs Eddy compound currently includes two vacation rentals across 200 acres along the East Branch Delaware River. Asking $14,800,000, the property at 1650 Bodit Road includes four modern main buildings with the capacity to host up to 72 guests at once, surrounded by 1,000 acres of conservation land.
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July 20, 2022

NYC approves renaming Lower East Side intersection ‘Beastie Boys Square’

The New York City Council last week voted to rename the intersection of Ludlow and Rivington Streets on the Lower East Side to "Beastie Boys Square," an ode to the NYC hip-hop trio who immortalized the corner of the two streets on the cover of their 1989 album, Paul's Boutique. The bill is currently awaiting the signature of Mayor Eric Adams.
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July 20, 2022

Rockaway Beach reopens after shark sightings prompted temporary closure

New Yorkers trying to escape the heat on Tuesday were disappointed when the city closed all of Rockaway's beaches to swimming due to a number of shark sightings. A city lifeguard told Gothamist there were at least two reports of shark sightings: a surfer who reported that a shark had collided with his surfboard at Beach 67th Street and a lifeguard who reported seeing a shark off of 102nd Street. By Tuesday evening, city officials reopened the beaches.
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July 19, 2022

10 iconic hot dog joints in New York City

On July 20, the country celebrates National Hot Dog Day, the commemoration of a delicacy synonymous with New York City and summer. The origins of the hot dog can be traced to German immigrant Charles Feltman, who sold frankfurter sausages on a long bun as a convenient snack for hungry beachgoers during the late 1860s. More than 150 years later, New Yorkers still love hot dogs as a quick and affordable meal and there is no shortage of great spots throughout the city to grab a frank. From internationally-known Nathan's Famous to local favorites like Papaya King, here are 10 iconic hot dog joints in NYC.
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July 18, 2022

New affordable housing building in the Bronx has a rooftop greenhouse and aquaponic farm

A new housing development with more than 100 deeply affordable and supportive apartments, a rooftop greenhouse, and an aquaponic urban farming system officially opened last week. Located at 2865 Creston Avenue in Bedford Park, the project was developed by homeless services nonprofit Project Renewal. Bedford Green House includes social services for residents and amenities that center around healing through nature.
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July 18, 2022

Carmelo Anthony relists Chelsea condo for $12.5M after revamp

Professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony is taking another shot at selling his full-floor condo in Chelsea. After it was first listed in 2020 for $12,850,000, the sprawling High Line-adjacent five-bedroom at 508 West 24th Street is back on the market for $12,500,000 following a complete redesign. The apartment, which Anthony bought with his ex-wife La La for $11,000,000 million in 2015, features private outdoor space, a flexible layout, and designer finishes.
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July 15, 2022

NYPL’s historic Jefferson Market branch in Greenwich Village reopens after $10M overhaul

The New York Public Library on Thursday reopened its Jefferson Market branch in Greenwich Village following a three-year renovation of the historic building. The $10 million project included installing much-needed accessibility features, renovating public and staff spaces, reconstructing ADA-compliant bathrooms, and improving electronic services for the communities tech needs.
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July 15, 2022

NYC increases ferry fare, but offers discounted rides for low-income New Yorkers

New York City's ferry system will soon be cheaper to ride for some New Yorkers, but more expensive for less frequent riders. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday revealed phase one of the city's new "NYC Ferry Forward" plan—a new fare system aimed at making the ferry more equitable and reducing the system's huge public subsidy. Beginning in September, low-income New Yorkers, seniors, and people with disabilities can purchase a single ferry ride for $1.35. The price of a single trip will increase from $2.75 to $4.
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July 14, 2022

Next phase of Broad Channel’s Sunset Cove Park includes new boardwalk and outdoor classroom

Construction kicked off on the second phase of Sunset Cove Park, a Jamaica Bay-facing city park in the Queens neighborhood of Broad Channel, NYC Parks announced on Wednesday. After partially opening in 2019, the park's $4.2 million second phase includes a new covered outdoor classroom and a boardwalk made up of reclaimed wood from the Rockaway Boardwalk, which was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
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July 14, 2022

20+ NYC art galleries will open to the public for free as part of annual Chelsea Gallery Walk

For one night next week, more than 20 New York City art galleries will open their doors to the public as part of the annual Chelsea Gallery Walk. Hosted by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA), the free self-guided walk takes place on July 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 22 member galleries throughout Chelsea, providing a unique opportunity to see world-class art after-hours. In addition to enjoying the latest exhibitions on display, there will also be a selection of special programming.
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July 13, 2022

NYC parks, pools, and rec centers will distribute free at-home Covid tests

As New York City faces a sixth Covid wave, Mayor Eric Adams is expanding the city's network of at-home test distribution sites. Starting Wednesday, New Yorkers will be able to pick up a free rapid Covid test from 57 NYC Parks locations, including parks, pools, nature centers, and recreation centers. With these new NYC Parks distribution sites, the city's at-home test distribution program includes 1,220 sites.
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July 13, 2022

Bed-Stuy residents urge city to landmark 120-year-old mansion facing demolition

Bed-Stuy residents and public officials are urging the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to designate a historic mansion as a city landmark to save it from demolition. Known as the Jacob Dangler House, the property, located at 441 Willoughby Avenue, was built at the turn of the 20th century and features a striking French Gothic architectural style. After a developer filed demolition permits, the LPC added the property to its agenda last minute and voted last month to calendar the property, temporarily protecting the mansion. During a hearing on Tuesday, a majority of public testimony was in favor of designation.
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July 12, 2022

Lottery opens for 224 units at OMA’s zig-zagging Greenpoint towers, from $1,437/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 224 middle-income units at a new residential development on the Brooklyn waterfront. Located within the Greenpoint Landing development, Eagle+West offers luxury homes, incredible views, high-end amenities, and unparalleled waterfront access. New Yorkers earning 80, 125, and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $51,840 for a single person and $206,875 for a household of seven, can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,437/month for studios to $3,397/month for three bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
July 12, 2022

Flood zone maps & inflatable dams: NYC’s plan to prepare New Yorkers for extreme rainfall

Almost a year after severe flooding caused by Hurricane Ida left more than a dozen New Yorkers dead, the city has released a plan to prepare for extreme rainfall. With hurricane season well underway, Mayor Eric Adams last week unveiled the new action plan "Rainfall Ready NYC," which outlines steps New Yorkers should take during extreme rainfall. The city also updated its flood zone maps that help residents identify if they live in an area at risk of flooding.
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July 11, 2022

600 NYC restaurants to participate in Restaurant Week this summer

New York City's beloved dining event that gives patrons the opportunity to eat at the city's best restaurants with discounted, prix-fixe menus is back for its 30th season. NYC & Company, the city's tourism agency, last week announced reservations are now open at 600 participating restaurants across 85 neighborhoods. The program, which launched in 1992, runs for a month from July 18 through August 21.
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July 11, 2022

22 middle-income units available at new luxury rental in Park Slope, from $2,300/month

Applications are currently being accepted for 22 middle-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located at 262 9th Street in Park Slope, The Deermar is an 11-story residential building offering tenants spacious units and modern amenities, like a landscaped rooftop and fitness center. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $78,858 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced from $2,300/month studios to $3,344/month two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 8, 2022

Where to see the final Manhattanhenge of 2022

Twice every year, the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid, making for a picturesque moment that brings New Yorkers a much-needed moment of calm. This effect, dubbed Manhattanhenge by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, first blanketed the city streets with the sun's glow on May 29 before making its final appearance on July 12.
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July 8, 2022

How to celebrate Bastille Day 2022 in NYC

Just a little over a week after the United States celebrates its independence, France celebrates its own freedom. Held on July 14, Bastille Day commemorates the day French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille and sparked the beginning of the French Revolution. Here is a round-up of Bastille Day celebrations in New York City, from the larger festivities in Central Park to specials at French restaurants throughout the city.
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July 7, 2022

In Brooklyn, Fred Wilson’s first large-scale public sculpture examines concept of freedom

Bronx-born conceptual artist Fred Wilson last week unveiled his first-ever large-scale public sculpture. Located within Columbus Park in Downtown Brooklyn, Mind Forged Manacles/Manacle Forged Minds features the use of ornamental gates, fences, and 10-foot-tall statues of African figures as metaphors for systematic racism and "acts in conversation" with the neighborhood's nearby landmarks and buildings. Presented by More Art, Wilson's sculpture is on display through June 2023.
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July 6, 2022

This new tropical ‘beach club’ brings Tulum to NYC’s Governors Island

A new tropical restaurant has opened on Governors Island, promising to transport New Yorkers to Tulum, a town on the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Grupo Gitano announced last week the opening of Gitano Island, a tranquil 27,000-square-foot sandy getaway with Mexican cuisine, live music, and lush plants and palm trees, all just a boat ride away from Manhattan.
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July 6, 2022

On Brooklyn’s largest private rooftop, you can pick your own apples

Forget the annual fall trip upstate to go apple picking. At One Prospect Park West, a new condominium in Park Slope, residents have access to a pick-your-own apple orchard on the rooftop. Designed by ODA, the rooftop measures nearly 7,500 square feet, boasts panoramic views, and is considered the largest private roof terrace of any condo development in the borough. New images were released this week of the rooftop, which represents the first landscape-only project from ODA.
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July 5, 2022

Portside is Lower Manhattan’s latest waterfront retreat

Brookfield Properties last week announced the grand opening of their new nautical-inspired pop-up, Portside. Located at Brookfield Place's Upper Plaza in the Financial District, the space is free, open to the public, and offers guests breathtaking views of the New York Harbor. The space will also host weekly programming and events, as well as offer cocktails and food provided by Tartinery. Portside will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through September.
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July 5, 2022

New photo exhibit shows New York City children playing on car-free streets in the summer of ’68

The city's Parks Department opened a new photography exhibition at Central Park's Arsenal Gallery that displays more than 40 archived photographs from the department's collection. Called "Streets In Play: Katrina Thomas, NYC Summer 1968," the exhibit features images taken by the late photographer Katrina Thomas, who in 1968 was hired by NYC Mayor John Lindsay and tasked with capturing the city's summer initiative, "Playstreets," in which residential blocks were closed to vehicles and instead equipped for recreational activity.
Take a look
July 1, 2022

Lottery opens for 32 low-income units designed for seniors in Hunts Point, from $1,487/month

A housing lottery launched this week for 32 low-income units at a new development in the Bronx. Located at 661 Manida Street in Hunts Point, the 8-story building offers seniors newly constructed residences and a variety of amenities. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income, or between $54,343 for a single person and $85,440 for a household of two, are eligible to apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,487/month studios to $1,583/month one-bedrooms.
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June 30, 2022

55 middle-income units available at CetraRuddy’s new Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $2,307/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 55 middle-income units at a new residential development in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 22 Chapel Street, the 20-story tower offers its residents a prime location at the intersection of Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Fort Greene Park, Boerum Hill, Barclays Center, and the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $79,098 for two people and $215,150 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,307/month studios to $3,431/month three bedrooms.
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