All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

March 3, 2023

Historic Flatiron Building headed to auction to end dispute between owners

New York City's iconic Flatiron Building will be put up for auction to resolve a dispute between its current owners, according to a recent judgment filed in state Supreme Court. As first reported by PincusCo, the decision to sell the vacant landmarked building was made by GFP Real Estate, Newmark, Sorgente Group, and ABS Real Estate Partners, which make up 75 percent of the building's owners. The auction is set to take place on March 22 with Mannion Auctions.
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Real Estate Trends

Little Italy’s Alleva Dairy cheese shop finds new home in New Jersey

Image courtesy of Marcela on Flickr

March 3, 2023

Little Italy’s Alleva Dairy cheese shop finds new home in New Jersey

By Aaron Ginsburg

After falling behind on rent and closing its doors due to the pandemic, Little Italy's historic cheese shop has found a new home in New Jersey. Alleva Dairy, the 130-year-old cheese shop that was forced to close in February, will move to a bigger location in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, as first reported by NBC New York. The new location is currently under construction and is expected to open to customers in August.
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New public artwork turns a Downtown Brooklyn plaza into a playful, colorful oasis

All photos courtesy of Cameron Blaylock for Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

March 3, 2023

New public artwork turns a Downtown Brooklyn plaza into a playful, colorful oasis

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new interactive public art installation in Downtown Brooklyn transforms a plaza into a colorful oasis with shimmering lights. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Van Alen Institute on Wednesday unveiled "COMMON GROUND," a site-specific sculpture created by artist Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong with lighting design by Arup featuring colorful seating, sound-responsive lighting, and floor motifs that provide a vibrant space for people to gather. The installation will be on view from March 1 to May 1 at The Plaza at 300 Ashland.
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Events & Things To Do

How to celebrate Women’s History Month 2023 in NYC

Photo courtesy of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

March 2, 2023

How to celebrate Women’s History Month 2023 in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Every March, Americans celebrate Women's History Month to honor the countless achievements and contributions of women nationwide. New York City, where the month-long celebration originated, has plenty of special events and happenings for those looking to show their appreciation to the women of the world. Ahead, here are some ways you can celebrate Women's History Month in NYC, from learning about the influential women behind Central Park's most iconic attractions to listening to music by trailblazing women composers at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
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Proposal to restore Prospect Park’s Vale faces criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates

Rendering of the proposed northeast pavilion. All renderings courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance

March 1, 2023

Proposal to restore Prospect Park’s Vale faces criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city's Parks Department and the Prospect Park Alliance this week unveiled plans for the restoration of the Vale of Cashmere. The proposal, presented during a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on Tuesday, includes a new pollinator garden, natural exploration play areas, a planted arbor, and a wooden pavilion with a green roof and bathrooms. Several LPC commissioners, preservationists, and LGBTQ+ advocates opposed the proposal for the Upper Vale, with most taking issue with the plan's erasure of the site as a significant meeting spot for the city's queer community as well as the disregard for the original vision of the Vale.
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New express ferry service takes commuters from Bay Ridge to Wall Street in 20 minutes

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

February 28, 2023

New express ferry service takes commuters from Bay Ridge to Wall Street in 20 minutes

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new pilot program launching next month will speed up trips for South Brooklyn residents commuting to Manhattan. Starting March 8, the NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route will take weekday riders from Bay Ridge to Wall Street in roughly 20 minutes as part of a "Faster Connections" pilot. The new express service operates between 6:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. on weekdays.
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Rupert Murdoch buys $30M Central Park South co-op

The Hampshire House is known for its steeply-pitched copper roof with two tall chimneys; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

February 28, 2023

Rupert Murdoch buys $30M Central Park South co-op

By Aaron Ginsburg

Media giant Rupert Murdoch is in contract to purchase a full-floor co-op on Billionaires' Row. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the News Corp founder bought a 6,500-square-foot apartment on the 27th floor of the Hampshire House that was last listed for $30,000,000; the final sales price has not been made public. The seven-bedroom, five-bathroom residence was the longtime home of late hedge-fund magnate Julian H. Robertson Jr. and famed philanthropist Alice Tully.
Details here

Full LIRR service begins at Grand Central Madison

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermnan / MTA on Flickr

February 27, 2023

Full LIRR service begins at Grand Central Madison

By Aaron Ginsburg

Grand Central Madison finally opened with full Long Island Rail Road service on Monday, with a totally new schedule for commuters and a 41 percent increase in service levels. Starting February 27, an additional 271 LIRR trains per day have been added to the system for a total of up to 936 trains per day; 296 of these trains will be traveling to and from Grand Central Madison, with the remaining to Penn Station. According to officials, the new terminal will make commutes for LIRR riders up to 40 minutes shorter.
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Final phase of JFK Airport’s $18 billion transformation kicks off with groundbreaking of Terminal 6

Renderings courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office

February 24, 2023

Final phase of JFK Airport’s $18 billion transformation kicks off with groundbreaking of Terminal 6

By Aaron Ginsburg

Construction has officially begun on the new $4.2 billion Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, marking the final project of the airport's $18 billion transformation. The 1.2 million square foot, state-of-the-art terminal will include 10 new gates and a new home for JetBlue and create 4,000 new jobs, including 1,800 union construction jobs. The first new gates at the terminal will open in 2026, with a completion date scheduled for 2028.
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Manhattan apartments are bigger now than a decade ago

Photo by Goh Rhy Yan on Unsplash

February 23, 2023

Manhattan apartments are bigger now than a decade ago

By Aaron Ginsburg

Believe it or not, new apartments in Manhattan are getting bigger. Despite being notorious for its small, compact apartments, Manhattan rentals actually gained an average of 19 square feet since 2013, an increase of 3 percent, according to new data released this week by RentCafe. The borough is an outlier when looking at the rest of the country, where newly constructed units continue to shrink in size, and even compared to other parts of New York City. The average space of new rentals in Brooklyn and Queens decreased by seven percent over the last decade, costing renters roughly 45 square feet.
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Real Estate Trends

Michelin-starred Chef Gabriel Kreuther to run two restaurants at Hudson Yards’ Spiral tower

By Aaron Ginsburg

A starchitect-designed office tower in Hudson Yards will offer cuisine curated by a Michelin-starred chef. The Spiral, the 66-story building designed by Bjarke Ingels, will be home to two new dining concepts created by Gabriel Kreuther, known for his eponymous restaurant near Bryant Park, developer Tishman Speyer announced Wednesday. Kreuther will operate a full-service restaurant and an all-day cafe serving breakfast and lunch; both are expected to open next year.
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Food & Dining

New legislation would require NYC co-op boards to reform application process

Photo of prestigious co-op building The Beresford by David Shankbone on Wikimedia

February 22, 2023

New legislation would require NYC co-op boards to reform application process

By Aaron Ginsburg

New legislation introduced by New York City lawmakers this month would require co-op boards to explain to prospective buyers why they are being rejected. The three-bill legislation package, put forth by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Pierina Sanchez, aims to reform policies that critics say contribute to housing discrimination.
Details here

Policy

February 21, 2023

15 fun spots for games and grub in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

With all of the unique attractions and over-the-top experiences New York City has to offer, sometimes you just want to have a more casual night. There are several spots across the city that offer fun and frivolity, along with a full food and drink menu. Ahead, find some of the best bars and social clubs that offer activities and games, from axe throwing and mini golf to ping pong and shuffleboard.
Fun, this way

Events & Things To Do

Plans unveiled for David Adjaye’s Restoration Plaza revamp in Bed-Stuy

Renderings courtesy of Adjaye Associates

February 17, 2023

Plans unveiled for David Adjaye’s Restoration Plaza revamp in Bed-Stuy

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plans to transform Brooklyn's Restoration Plaza into a global cultural and economic hub were unveiled this week. Non-profit Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation on Thursday released renderings and new details of its plan to reimagine its headquarters with an 840,000-square-foot mixed-use campus designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye. The plan expands and modernizes existing space, adds office and retail space, and creates new public open space in the heart of Bed-Stuy. According to the developer team, the Innovation Campus is a direct response to the country's racial wealth gap, particularly the economic barriers Black New Yorkers face in Brooklyn.
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See the Garment District’s new Big Button sculpture

Photo © 6sqft

February 16, 2023

See the Garment District’s new Big Button sculpture

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Garment District's iconic button & needle sculpture has been replaced with a new, permanent art installation. The Garment District Alliance on Thursday unveiled the new Big Button sculpture on the corner of Fashion Avenue and 39th Street. Designed by Local Projects and UAP Company, the sculpture measures 28 feet tall and has a 15-foot diameter aluminum button with a bright yellow automotive finish and a 32-foot brushed stainless steel needle, honoring the neighborhood's rich history in the world of fashion.
See the button

Events & Things To Do

A mini version of NYC’s Hippo Ballerina sculpture is now in Turtle Bay

Photos courtesy of Cavalier Galleries

February 16, 2023

A mini version of NYC’s Hippo Ballerina sculpture is now in Turtle Bay

By Aaron Ginsburg

A smaller version of New York City's Hippo Ballerina sculpture debuted this week in Turtle Bay. Created by Danish artist Bjørn Okholm Skaarup, Hippo Ballerina is a 15-foot-tall sculpture that has been seen over the years in front of Grand Central Terminal, the Flatiron Building, and Lincoln Center. The new mini sculpture, along with Hippo Ballerina, pirouette and Rhino Harlequin, pirouette, can now be found in front of the skyscraper at 885 Second Avenue in Midtown through March 2024.
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Events & Things To Do

Take a tour of a duplex penthouse at Jean Nouvel’s tower above MoMA

Image courtesy of Evan Joseph

February 15, 2023

Take a tour of a duplex penthouse at Jean Nouvel’s tower above MoMA

By Aaron Ginsburg

New images of a fully-furnished penthouse atop Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel's tower 53 West 53 were released this week, showing off the one-of-a-kind duplex apartment's soaring ceiling heights, expansive living spaces, and breathtaking views of Central Park and the city skyline. The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom penthouse was designed by Fox-Nahem Associates in collaboration with Elle Decor and spans nearly 8,000 square feet across the 76th and 77th floors of the Midtown Manhattan skyscraper. Although this penthouse is not currently on the market, the identical unit above it, Penthouse 78, is available for $64,730,000.
Take a look around

NYBG’s 20th annual orchid show is inspired by ancient Chinese garden design

Photos courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

February 15, 2023

NYBG’s 20th annual orchid show is inspired by ancient Chinese garden design

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York Botanical Garden's treasured orchid show returns this month for its 20th year. Designed by guest artist Lily Kwong, The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage transforms the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with thousands of orchids and a fantastical landscape inspired by ancient Chinese garden design and artistic principles. Tickets are on sale now for the show, which opens Saturday, February 18, and runs through April 23.
See more here

Events & Things To Do

Renovated pedestrian and bike path opens on north side of George Washington Bridge

All photos courtesy of PANYNJ

February 14, 2023

Renovated pedestrian and bike path opens on north side of George Washington Bridge

By Aaron Ginsburg

The pedestrian and bike path on the north side of the George Washington Bridge opened on Tuesday following a renovation and accessibility upgrades. The project, led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, included widening approach paths, bigger entry plazas, and removing stairs that prevented access to cyclists and users with mobility challenges. The upgraded north walk also features two new viewing platforms, one on the New York side and one on the New Jersey side.
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Transit

February 14, 2023

Only known surviving ‘colored’ school in Manhattan may become a New York City landmark

By Aaron Ginsburg

The only known surviving school building that exclusively served African Americans in Manhattan may soon become a New York City landmark. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to calendar the former Colored School No. 4 in Chelsea, a public school open to only Black students and staff from 1860 to 1894. Located at 128 West 17th Street, the nearly 175-year-old building is associated with a number of significant figures from the Civil War through the Post-Reconstruction era.
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Policy

February 14, 2023

Tours of NYC’s old City Hall subway station return this spring

By Aaron Ginsburg

After a three-year pandemic hiatus, in-person tours of New York City's abandoned City Hall subway station are returning this spring. The station, which is where the first ever subway ride departed in 1904, has been decommissioned since the 1940s. The New York Transit Museum has exclusive access to the station and offers 90-minute tours that explore its ornate vaulted Guastavino tiled ceilings, chandeliers, and skylights. Tickets will go on sale this March and are only available to members of the museum.
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New luxury rental on the Lower East Side launches lottery for 95 mixed-income units, from $710/month

Rendering courtesy of Dattner Architects

February 13, 2023

New luxury rental on the Lower East Side launches lottery for 95 mixed-income units, from $710/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 95 mixed-income units at a new development on the Lower East Side. Located at 55 Suffolk Street, The Suffolk rises 30 stories, contains 378 total residences, and boasts amenities like a rooftop pool, outdoor terrace, and fitness club. New Yorkers earning 40, 50, and 100 percent of the area median income can apply for the available apartments, priced between $710/month for studios and $2,810/month for three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Photo of The Lodge at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park courtesy of Colin Miller

February 10, 2023

Where to watch the Super Bowl in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will go head-to-head with the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LVII. Luckily, New York City has a nearly endless selection of game-day watch party events and food specials to enjoy. Ahead, find some of the best spots across the five boroughs to watch the big game (or just the commercials), from kicking back with a cigar at the Upper East Side's swanky Merchants Cigar Bar to playing ping pong at SPIN New York in the Flatiron District.
See the spots

February 1, 2023

20 ways to celebrate Black History Month 2023 in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

February is a month dedicated to the celebration of Black culture and achievements in the United States. In New York City, you can commemorate Black History Month with special events and programs at museums, theaters, art galleries, pop-up markets, parks, and more. From listening to the Harlem Chamber Players perform pieces by legendary Black composers to viewing period rooms inspired by homes from Seneca Village at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, here are 20 ways to celebrate Black history throughout February.
See the list here

In New York, Biden touts $300M investment for Hudson River rail project

President Biden hosted a press conference in NYC to discuss the Hudson River Tunnel Project on 1/31/23; Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

February 1, 2023

In New York, Biden touts $300M investment for Hudson River rail project

By Aaron Ginsburg

President Joe Biden made an appearance at Hudson Yards on Tuesday to announce a $292 million investment for a project that would fix a century-old rail tunnel and build a new one under the river between New York and New Jersey. The $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project is just one part of the broader $30 billion Gateway Project, which includes new bridges and the expansion of Penn Station. The funding announced by Biden will go toward a $649 million project that extends the concrete casing for the tunnels between Penn Station and the Hudson River before any work on the tunnels can actually begin.
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All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

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