All articles by Aaron Ginsburg

Bronx landlord fined $10M for hazardous conditions

Streetview of 2410 Washington Avenue. © 2025 Google

July 24, 2025

Bronx landlord fined $10M for hazardous conditions

By Aaron Ginsburg

A Bronx landlord has been fined $10.14 million over hazardous conditions in a Belmont apartment building, one of the largest housing court judgments in city history. The order, issued Wednesday by Judge Diane Lutwak, resolves a case brought by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) against Karan Singh, owner of the 15-story Fordham Towers at 2410 Washington Avenue. According to Gothamist, Singh failed to provide heat on 10 days and hot water on 17 days between 2023 and 2024. The building currently has 540 open violations, 145 of which are classified as “immediately hazardous.”
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Policy

NYC subway hits 4 million riders three days straight, first time since 2019

Credit: Matthew Stephenson on Unsplash

July 23, 2025

NYC subway hits 4 million riders three days straight, first time since 2019

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's subway system surpassed four million riders for three consecutive summer days for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced that from Tuesday, July 15 through Thursday, July 17, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority recorded 4,046,610, 4,029,692, and 4,121,751 riders, respectively—the last figure marking a new post-pandemic summer ridership high. The milestone came during the same week as near record-breaking rainfall on Monday, July 14, with transit crews working overnight to quickly restore service.
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Developer wants to build huge South Bronx project with more than 1,100 affordable apartments

Credit: Aufgang Architects

July 23, 2025

Developer wants to build huge South Bronx project with more than 1,100 affordable apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

The developer behind the redevelopment of the historic Kingsbridge Armory and other major Bronx projects wants to rezone a large site in the borough to allow for a pair of mixed-use towers with over 1,000 affordable apartments. Last week, William Bollinger, a development consultant with Maddd Equities, filed a rezoning application with the Department of City Planning (DCP) for 1014 Brook Avenue in Morrisania. The 1.2 million-square-foot project includes 1,128 affordable units across 22- and 26-story towers. As first reported by Crain's, the rezoning would permit both residential and manufacturing uses, as the site currently allows manufacturing only.
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12 more NYC subway stations to get accessibility upgrades

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

July 23, 2025

12 more NYC subway stations to get accessibility upgrades

By Aaron Ginsburg

A dozen more New York City subway stations will receive accessibility upgrades under the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2025-2029 capital plan. Announced Tuesday, upgrades include new elevators and other ADA-accessible features. The MTA says the new plan aims to make at least 60 percent more stations accessible and ensure that 70 percent of all subway trips begin or end at an accessible station. The accessibility projects are a result of a lawsuit settled by the MTA that required 95 percent of all stations to be accessible by 2055.
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Landmarks approves design for Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment

Images courtesy of FXCollaborative/ NYCEDC

July 22, 2025

Landmarks approves design for Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plans to transform the historic and long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx into a community and cultural hub are moving forward. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to approve the design for the adaptive reuse of the massive armory, which will include a new event venue, recreation center, sports fields, public plaza, and 500 affordable apartments next door. Led by the city's Economic Development Corporation, the major project, dubbed El Centro Kingsbridge, calls for extensive restoration and expansion of the armory itself, featuring new and expanded masonry and facade work, as well as a new public plaza, landscaping, and signage.
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Waldorf Astoria New York reopens for the first time since 2017

All images courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria New York, unless noted otherwise

July 22, 2025

Waldorf Astoria New York reopens for the first time since 2017

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's legendary Waldorf Astoria has finally reopened after a major restoration project that transformed the 1,400-room hotel into 375 luxury condos and 375 hotel rooms. The landmarked Art Deco icon closed in 2017 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2021. Led by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the restoration refreshed many of the hotel’s most iconic fixtures while introducing new elements that reflect the original vision of architects Schultze & Weaver, as the New York Times reported.
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Greenwich Village building home to Bob Dylan’s first NYC apartment lists for $8.25M

All photos courtesy of Avison Young / Icon Realty Management

July 22, 2025

Greenwich Village building home to Bob Dylan’s first NYC apartment lists for $8.25M

By Aaron Ginsburg

Bob Dylan's first New York City apartment building is for sale. The singer lived in the rear third-floor apartment at 161 West 4th Street in Greenwich Village when he moved to the city in the early 1960s. Listed for $8.25 million, the four-story mixed-use building currently has five recently renovated apartments and two retail spaces.
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MTA has installed platform barriers at more than 50 NYC subway stations

Platform barriers at the Park Place 2/3 station. Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

July 21, 2025

MTA has installed platform barriers at more than 50 NYC subway stations

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has installed platform barriers at dozens of subway stations in New York City to prevent people from falling onto the tracks. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA announced last week that 56 stations across the five boroughs now have the barriers, with a goal of over 100 stations by the end of the year.
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New Yorkers with SNAP benefits to get free Museum of Natural History membership

Image via WikiCommons

July 18, 2025

New Yorkers with SNAP benefits to get free Museum of Natural History membership

By Aaron Ginsburg

The American Museum of Natural History on Friday announced a free membership for New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new "Discoverer" membership level includes free general admission plus entry to one ticketed exhibition during every visit. The initiative is a joint effort by the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, Human Resources Administration, and Department of Social Services.
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NYC releases proposed rules for basement and backyard apartments

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of City Planning

July 18, 2025

NYC releases proposed rules for basement and backyard apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City this week released proposed guidelines for building small homes in basements, backyards, garages, and other parts of existing properties. The Department of Buildings and the Department of Housing and Preservation on Tuesday released its proposed rules for constructing accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—a key element of Mayor Eric Adams' “City of Yes” housing plan aimed at expanding the city’s housing supply. The proposed rules focus largely on safety standards for basement and cellar apartments, including requirements for two exits, a ban on ADUs in high-risk flood zones, and water sensors in every room to alert residents of flooding.
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Policy

Popular Articles

Sales launch at 19th-century Gothic Revival church conversion in Fort Greene, condos from $1.195M

All renderings courtesy of Brett Fisher/Depict CGI

July 18, 2025

Sales launch at 19th-century Gothic Revival church conversion in Fort Greene, condos from $1.195M

By Aaron Ginsburg

Sales have launched at a thoughtfully converted 19th-century Gothic Revival church in Fort Greene. Located at 232 Adelphi Street, the Abbey offers 12 unique residences that preserve the historic church’s grandeur, with soaring vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, arched doorways, and original stonework sourced from nearby Fort Greene Park. Prices start at $1.195 million for one-bedroom units and go up to $4 million for a three-bedroom.
see inside the "house" of holies, ahead

Reservations open for summer 2025 NYC Restaurant Week

Union Square Cafe. Credit: Peter Garritano.

July 17, 2025

Reservations open for summer 2025 NYC Restaurant Week

By Aaron Ginsburg

Prepare your taste buds: reservations are now open for summer 2025 NYC Restaurant Week, the New York City Tourism + Conventions announced Tuesday. Founded in 1992, the beloved culinary tradition returns from July 21 through August 17, offering discounted meals at nearly 600 restaurants in 70 neighborhoods. Participating eateries will serve two-course lunches and three-course dinners at prix-fixe prices of $30, $45, or $60.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC’s first wave of office-to-residential conversions could create over 17,000 new homes, report says

Pfizer World Headquarters is becoming 1,500 apartments. Photo via WikiCommons

July 17, 2025

NYC’s first wave of office-to-residential conversions could create over 17,000 new homes, report says

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City’s first wave of office-to-residential conversions could yield over 17,000 new apartments, highlighting the potential for such projects to help ease the city’s housing shortage, according to a new report. Published on Thursday by City Comptroller Brad Lander, the report finds that 44 office conversions initiated after the pandemic could transform 15.2 million square feet of office space into as many as 17,400 homes over the coming years. However, the report warns that the city’s new 467-m tax break may be overly generous, potentially costing $5.1 billion in lost property tax revenue over 37 years.
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Work begins on 10-building East New York development with 2,000 affordable homes

All images courtesy of PAU, unless noted otherwise

July 17, 2025

Work begins on 10-building East New York development with 2,000 affordable homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

Construction has kicked off on the first phase of a transformative new housing development with 2,000 affordable homes in East New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the start of work on phases 1A and 1B of Innovative Urban Village, a 10-building project that will revitalize the Christian Cultural Center’s (CCC) 10.5-acre campus at 12020 Flatlands Avenue with new housing and community amenities. The initial phase will bring more than 800 affordable apartments, along with a workforce development center, a childcare facility, a performing arts venue, a grocery store, and green space with walking paths.
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City Council rejects zoning changes needed for Bally’s Bronx casino proposal

Credit: Bally’s Bronx

July 16, 2025

City Council rejects zoning changes needed for Bally’s Bronx casino proposal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Bally's plan to build a casino on a former Trump-owned golf course in the Bronx appears all but dead after the City Council rejected a key rezoning needed for the project. On Monday, the Council voted 29–9, with four abstentions, in favor of a motion by Council Member Kristy Marmorato to deny the land-use changes required to construct the gaming facility at Ferry Point Park, according to Crain's. The proposal is one of eight projects seeking a downstate gaming license.
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Policy

Judge halts Adams’ removal of Bedford Avenue protected bike lane

The protected bike lane at Bedford Avenue and Flushing Avenue. Streetview © 2024 Google

July 16, 2025

Judge halts Adams’ removal of Bedford Avenue protected bike lane

By Aaron Ginsburg

A disputed stretch of protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn was spared demolition for a second time, after a state judge blocked the Adams administration from removing it just hours before construction was set to begin. On Tuesday, state appellate court judge Lourdes M. Ventura issued a temporary restraining order, halting the city’s plan to shift the lane from the curb to the center of the avenue between Willoughby and Flushing Avenues. The decision came less than a week after another judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by street safety advocates, ruling that Mayor Eric Adams could move forward with the redesign because it “is not a major transportation project.”
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Delacorte Theater reopens in Central Park after $85M renovation

Credit: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

July 16, 2025

Delacorte Theater reopens in Central Park after $85M renovation

By Aaron Ginsburg

Central Park’s iconic Delacorte Theater officially reopened this week after an $85 million renovation. The Public Theater on Tuesday cut the ribbon on the revamped venue, which has undergone a comprehensive revitalization by Ennead Architects, the most significant work on the facility in its 63-year history. The project addresses critical safety and theater code requirements, improves infrastructure and backstage efficiency, and introduces a striking new exterior. The Delacorte will officially reopen to the public on August 7 for its first star-studded public performance of William Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night" as part of the beloved Free Shakespeare in the Park series.
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Architecture And Design

Pier 17 owner proposes glass rooftop addition for year-round concerts

Credit: Seaport Entertainment Group

July 15, 2025

Pier 17 owner proposes glass rooftop addition for year-round concerts

By Aaron Ginsburg

Live music could soon become a year-round staple at the Rooftop at Pier 17, as the venue’s operator seeks approval to install a glass addition to house concerts during the winter. In a presentation to the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday, the Seaport Entertainment Group detailed plans for a seasonal heated structure on the rooftop of the South Street Seaport District venue to accommodate performances from November through mid-March. The structure would allow the venue to extend its rooftop concert series into the winter, a time when foot traffic in the Seaport drops significantly.
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NYC proposes first major overhaul of ferry routes since launching in 2017

Credit: Sam Jotham Sutharson on Unsplash

July 15, 2025

NYC proposes first major overhaul of ferry routes since launching in 2017

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has proposed the first major overhaul of its ferry system since it launched in 2017. The city's Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday released its NYC Ferry Network Optimization Plan, which includes several route changes aimed at providing better access to Midtown and Lower Manhattan, speeding up trips, and expanding capacity on busy routes.
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NYC unveils 20-year vision to improve Hart Island

Rendering of proposed “Remembrance Walk” and visitor center. Credit: Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects

July 15, 2025

NYC unveils 20-year vision to improve Hart Island

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City released its vision for the future of Hart Island, a mile-long piece of land east of the Bronx that is home to one of the largest public cemeteries in the world. Unveiled on Monday by the city's Parks Department, the 20-year concept plan outlines a series of capital projects that improve conditions on the island and add new visitor amenities and green infrastructure. Key components of the Hart Island plan include a welcome center with restrooms and seating, adaptive reuse of the island’s historic chapel as space for remembrance, shoreline stabilization, and forest restoration efforts.
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Policy

NYC transit on pace for record-breaking year of ridership and performance

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

July 14, 2025

NYC transit on pace for record-breaking year of ridership and performance

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City Transit is "on track" to have its best on-time performance on record. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is on pace for a record-breaking year, with ridership and on-time service improving across New York City Transit, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad during the first half of 2025. Customer satisfaction has also increased across all three agencies, while major crimes in the subway system have dropped 3.2 percent compared to the same period last year, and nearly 10 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
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New nautical-themed restaurant brings yacht vibes to the Starrett-Lehigh rooftop

Photos courtesy of Marcus Lloyd

July 14, 2025

New nautical-themed restaurant brings yacht vibes to the Starrett-Lehigh rooftop

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new nautical-themed restaurant will open this week atop Chelsea’s landmarked Starrett-Lehigh Building. Operated by Crew, the team behind popular boat bars Grand Banks and Pilot, the Yacht Club opens this Thursday, taking up a sprawling 20,000 square feet across two floors at the former 1930s freight terminal. The 125-seat restaurant will offer top-tier seafood, indoor and outdoor dining, and panoramic views from its sunny roof deck. The Yacht Club is part of the building’s new Level Ten complex, a full-floor suite of cutting-edge amenities, many of which are open to the public.
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Food & Dining

98 apartments available at all-electric Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $3,000/month

Renderings courtesy of RXR

July 14, 2025

98 apartments available at all-electric Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $3,000/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

An all-electric, 30-story residential tower in Downtown Brooklyn launched a housing lottery this week for 98 middle-income apartments. Located at 89 Dekalb Avenue, the sustainable development features a smart glass facade, thoughtfully designed residences, and academic and office space for Long Island University. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $3,000/month studios to $4,376/month two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Paul Newman’s Fifth Avenue co-op sells for $4M above asking price

All photos courtesy of Evan Joseph Studios

July 11, 2025

Paul Newman’s Fifth Avenue co-op sells for $4M above asking price

By Aaron Ginsburg

A Fifth Avenue co-op once owned by Hollywood legends Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward just sold for 40 percent above its asking price following a bidding war. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the classic six at 1120 Fifth Avenue sold for roughly $14 million after it was listed for $9,950,000 in December. More than 50 prospective buyers toured the home, resulting in nearly a dozen offers, including one above $14 million that the Newman family declined because the buyer intended to use it as a pied-a-terre—something the co-op board was unlikely to approve.
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NYC must expand housing voucher program, court rules

Credit: Clay LeConey on Unsplash

July 11, 2025

NYC must expand housing voucher program, court rules

By Aaron Ginsburg

A state appeals court has ordered New York City to expand its housing voucher program, rejecting the Adams administration's previous attempts to block it. On Thursday, a five-judge panel ruled that the City Council had the legal authority to expand the CityFHEPS voucher program, overturning a 2024 decision that had sided with the mayor. The Council first passed the legislation package in May 2023 and overrode Adams' veto of the bills, prompting the administration to sue over policy concerns and the program’s estimated $17 billion price tag.
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