All articles by Alexandra Alexa

Celebrate the official start of summer at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade this weekend

Image via Flickr

June 21, 2019

Celebrate the official start of summer at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade this weekend

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The 37th annual Mermaid Parade kicks off in Coney Island this Saturday, signaling the official start of the summer season. Celebrated as the largest "art parade" in the country, the festive lineup features marching bands, drill teams, floats, antique cars and some 1,500 participants dressed in handmade costumes of mermaids, sea creatures, and mythical figures. This year, Coney Island natives Arlo Guthrie & Nora Guthrie—who both grew up on Mermaid Avenue—will lead the way as Queen Mermaid and King Neptune. Per tradition, they'll be wheeled through in an antique wicker Boardwalk Rolling Chair dating back to 1923.
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Midtown’s 71-year-old Paris Theatre may be closing before the end of the summer

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June 20, 2019

Midtown’s 71-year-old Paris Theatre may be closing before the end of the summer

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The last standing single-screen movie theatre in the city, Midtown’s Paris Theatre, may be shuttering as early as July or August, Deadline reports. According to “buzz on the Gotham arthouse theater circuit,” the last screening of Ron Howard’s Pavarotti on June 27 could be the last at the arthouse theatre on 58th Street, unless “something drastic happens.” The 586-seat theatre opened across the street from the Plaza Hotel in 1948, with a ribbon-cutting by actress Marlene Dietrich. Its since been a go-to spot for indie and foreign films, with a predilection, as its name implies, for French titles.
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New data from Comptroller Scott Stringer shows that affordability is still declining in New York

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June 20, 2019

New data from Comptroller Scott Stringer shows that affordability is still declining in New York

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City Comptroller Scott Stringer has released an updated Affordability Index, an annual look at how the rising costs of basic necessities like housing, transportation, healthcare, and childcare, are squeezing the budgets of New York City households and leaving them with fewer savings. Like last year, the data is far from reassuring, demonstrating that expense costs are rising far more rapidly than incomes. In 2005, the average middle-income single adult had 24 percent of their income left over after expenses. In 2017, that dropped to only 15 percent.
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Welcome the summer solstice with 1,000+ free events during Make Music Day

Image of Mozart’s Requiem being played at the National September 11 Memorial during Make Music Day 2018

June 19, 2019

Welcome the summer solstice with 1,000+ free events during Make Music Day

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During the summer solstice this Friday, New Yorkers will enjoy 15 hours, 5 minutes and 38 seconds of daylight. While there are many ways of celebrating the year’s longest day, you can’t go wrong by filling it with music. This year, Make Music Day returns to the city on June 21, featuring over 1,000 free outdoor concerts, music lessons, and jam sessions in public spaces across the five boroughs.
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New NYCHA head Gregory Russ will be the city’s highest paid official

Image via Wiki Commons

June 19, 2019

New NYCHA head Gregory Russ will be the city’s highest paid official

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After missing two deadlines to fill the position, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday announced that Gregory Russ will be taking over as Chair of NYCHA. Russ, who is currently the head of Minneapolis’ public housing authority and previously led the Cambridge Housing Authority in Massachusetts, will receive an unprecedented salary of $402,628—more than even President Donald Trump makes. That figure comes out to roughly $1 a year for every NYCHA tenant he will represent, as THE CITY reports.
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique hexagonal house in Glen Ridge, NJ is back on the market for $1.2M
June 19, 2019

Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique hexagonal house in Glen Ridge, NJ is back on the market for $1.2M

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Just 35 minutes from Manhattan, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s three remaining New Jersey homes just hit the market for $1.2 million. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom property in charming Glen Ridge is a stunning example of the architect’s midcentury Usonian style of flat-roofed, streamlined homes made of natural materials and incorporating many connections to the outside. Built out of cypress wood, brick, and glass, the home is notable for its hexagonal floor plan formed entirely by 60 or 120-degree angles with not a single right angle.
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This $19M Southampton mansion has a massive indoor pool and basketball court

Listing images by Lena Yaremenko

June 18, 2019

This $19M Southampton mansion has a massive indoor pool and basketball court

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Ready for a summer getaway? It doesn’t get much better than this luxurious 11,000 square-foot Southampton home, complete with a two-lap pool, steam room, jacuzzi, and indoor basketball court. Sited on a lush two-acre property about a mile from the ocean at Halsey Neck Beach, the shingle-clad mansion boasts seven bedrooms and ten full bathrooms. Built in 2018, the property was first listed last summer for $24.9 million and is now seeking a reduced $18.995 million.
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New York set to legalize e-scooters and e-bikes

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June 18, 2019

New York set to legalize e-scooters and e-bikes

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New York lawmakers reached an agreement on a bill to legalize e-scooters and e-bikes across the state and are expected to vote on the matter this Wednesday, the New York Post reports. The bill would legalize e-bikes and scooters but each city will ultimately be able to decide how to regulate the vehicles. Local governments will also have the power to decide whether to launch shared networks of e-bikes and e-scooters and have complete control over their operations. However, the language in the bill specifically bars New York City from launching an e-scooter sharing system in Manhattan.
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MTA will bring food and retail options to three of the city’s most trafficked subway hubs

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June 17, 2019

MTA will bring food and retail options to three of the city’s most trafficked subway hubs

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As subway newsstands continue to decline, the MTA is reconsidering its retail strategy at three of the cities busiest stations, the Wall Street Journal reports. Riders will soon have more underground dining and shopping options, as the agency seeks to replicate the success of Grand Central Terminal—which teems with a wide range of bars, restaurants, and shops—and the Turnstyle Underground Market leading to Manhattan's 59th St-Columbus Circle Station. The three stations set for a revamp are 42nd Street-Port Authority, 42nd Street-Times Square, and 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center.
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City designation saves Brooklyn’s Weeksville Heritage Center from uncertain financial future

The Center’s historic Hunterfly Road Houses via Wiki Commons

June 17, 2019

City designation saves Brooklyn’s Weeksville Heritage Center from uncertain financial future

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The Weeksville Heritage Center has been added to a list of 33 Cultural Institutions Groups (CIG), guaranteeing the museum will have its basic operating costs covered, as Curbed first reported. After revealing its precarious financial position earlier this year, Weeksville launched a crowdfunding campaign in May to meet the Center’s short-term operating costs. The effort ended up bringing in over $266,000 from more than 4,100 donors around the world. The coveted CIG designation—the first new addition in more than 20 years and the first black cultural center in Brooklyn to make the list—means that Weeksville will be able to enjoy greater stability as it continues to share its vital mission with visitors and the community.
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De Blasio and Chuck Schumer call for increased helicopter regulations after last week’s crash

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June 17, 2019

De Blasio and Chuck Schumer call for increased helicopter regulations after last week’s crash

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Following the deadly crash of a helicopter in midtown last Monday, lawmakers are calling for greater oversight on helicopters flying over the city, the New York Post reported. “I think we need a full ban on any helicopters going over Manhattan itself,” Mayor de Blasio said on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show last Friday, noting that “exemptions should be made for emergency responders, first responders, uniform services,” and news cameras. On Sunday, Senator Chuck Schumer urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to include data recorders in all helicopters.
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For under $700K, a colorful and cozy Greenpoint co-op close to McCarren Park

Listing images by Rise Media

June 14, 2019

For under $700K, a colorful and cozy Greenpoint co-op close to McCarren Park

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Just a few blocks away from both McCarren and McGorlick Parks, this ground-floor Greenpoint co-op at 100 Newel Street is a rare find for the asking price of $699,000. It's full of pre-war elements like original hardwood floors and wainscoting, mixed with modern pops of color and a freshly renovated kitchen and bathroom. While the railroad layout is less than ideal, charming details in every room—including two fireplaces—make it a cozy and intimate place to call home.
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How the MTA’s service changes will affect your Father’s Day weekend

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June 14, 2019

How the MTA’s service changes will affect your Father’s Day weekend

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No matter how you're celebrating this Father's Day weekend, the MTA is probably the most likely candidate to throw a last-minute wrench in your plan to be punctual. The planned service changes are fairly merciful, but far from insignificant. Uptown 1, 4, and 6 trains are skipping a bunch of stops uptown, while the D and F take a break for stretches of Brooklyn.
Know before you go
In a converted Cobble Hill school, this $1.5M co-op has three floors and a private patio

Listing images by Stephano Okmar

June 13, 2019

In a converted Cobble Hill school, this $1.5M co-op has three floors and a private patio

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Located in the former St. Paul’s Parish School, a triplex layout and private patio entrance make this Cobble Hill co-op at 203 Warren Street feel like a townhouse, with the added benefit of double-height, lofty ceilings on the main floor. Currently listed for $1,495,000, the two-bedroom residence also has a flexible mezzanine that could easily be converted for any number of uses.
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Essex Crossing’s public park is now open on the Lower East Side

Images by QuallsBenson

June 13, 2019

Essex Crossing’s public park is now open on the Lower East Side

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A 15,000-square-foot park—the latest component of Essex Crossing to open to the public—is now complete on the Lower East Side, right in time for summer. Designed by landscape architecture firm West 8 (best known for designing the Hills at Governors Island), the park is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, where the ambitious Essex Crossing project is still in full swing, with seven of its nine sites now open or under construction.
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Seven years in the works, Jeanne Gang’s $383M Museum of Natural History expansion breaks ground

A rendering of the front façade of the Gilder Center (L) by Studio Gang, 2019; Center interior (R) by MIR and Studio Gang, 2019.

June 12, 2019

Seven years in the works, Jeanne Gang’s $383M Museum of Natural History expansion breaks ground

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Following delays caused by a lawsuit aimed at protecting the adjacent, city-owned Theodore Roosevelt Park, a groundbreaking ceremony on June 12 officially kicked off construction of the American Museum of Natural History’s new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. Designed by architect Jeanne Gang—who was initially brought on board the project seven years ago—the $383 million Center will add new galleries, classrooms, a theatre, and an expanded library while linking 10 museum buildings for better circulation throughout the campus. Originally slated to open in 2020, the construction process is expected to last three years.
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Historic Clinton Hill home that spawned ghost stories is back on the market for $3.6M

Listing images by Elizabeth Dooley

June 12, 2019

Historic Clinton Hill home that spawned ghost stories is back on the market for $3.6M

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Here's a rare chance to own one of the city's most historic homes, the Lefferts-Laidlaw House at 136 Clinton Avenue in Clinton Hill (and part of the Wallabout Historic District). Built around 1836, the home "typified the villas that were erected in Brooklyn's early suburbs in the early-to-mid nineteenth century" and might be the "only remaining temple-fronted Greek Revival style residence in Kings County," according to the 2001 designation report. It's become known as one of the most haunted houses in the city, thanks to stories of "doorbells rung, doors rattled" on a nightly basis in the late 19th century—but the tongue-in-cheek tone of the original New York Times reports is hard to miss. Perhaps the scariest thing left about it is the asking price. The home has been on and off the market for years, last seeking $4.5 million in 2016. Now, the property is back for a significantly reduced $3.6 million.
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Renderings reveal Madison Place, new 800-foot condo tower in Nomad

Rendering courtesy of DBOX

June 11, 2019

Renderings reveal Madison Place, new 800-foot condo tower in Nomad

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The anticipated 805-foot condo tower currently rising in Nomad at 15 East 30th Street—dubbed Madison House—has just unveiled a teaser website and new renderings to give us a peek of the project, inside and out. The 62-story building was designed by Handel Architects, and Gachot Studios will be helming the interior design. Having already topped out, sales are expected to launch in September, including a range of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom residences and an expansive duplex penthouse with a private terrace and elevator entry.
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The Clinton Hill block where Notorious B.I.G. grew up has officially been named after the famous rapper

Images via New York City Council on Flickr

June 11, 2019

The Clinton Hill block where Notorious B.I.G. grew up has officially been named after the famous rapper

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Despite the rainy weather, hundreds of people gathered at St. James Place in Clinton Hill on Monday to honor the legacy of Christopher Wallace, better known as Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls. As amNY first reported, the block between Fulton Street and Gates Avenue—where the famous rapper grew up—will now also be known as "Christopher 'Notorious B.I.G.' Wallace Way." Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, was present at the event and she remembered the last time she saw a huge crowd on the street, the day Biggie was murdered 22 years ago. “It was a sad day,” Wallace said, “and when I saw the crowds, tears came to my eyes and I said to my friend, ‘My son was well-loved.’” This time around, seeing everyone gathered there for the unveiling brought "happy tears" to her eyes.
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$340K Prospect Heights studio fits plenty of style and storage into its 300 square feet
June 11, 2019

$340K Prospect Heights studio fits plenty of style and storage into its 300 square feet

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At only 300 square feet, this Prospect Heights studio is very small, but its thoughtful design doesn’t miss a thing. The co-op at 400 Lincoln Place last sold in 2012 for only $85,000 and has been almost entirely reimagined since then. A custom built-in Murphy bed, storage solutions throughout, and a sleek stainless kitchen earn its $339,000 price tag.
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You can buy a Gramercy Park penthouse with a private roof deck for only $760K
June 10, 2019

You can buy a Gramercy Park penthouse with a private roof deck for only $760K

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A Manhattan penthouse doesn’t always have to equal a pricy, seven-figure price tag. For a cool $759,000, this rare Gramercy Park find offers a top-floor one-bedroom residence with a private roof terrace, just steps away from Madison Square Park. A wood-burning fireplace, a compact, triplex layout, and modern upgrades throughout round out the package and make this unit at 160 East 26th Street a total steal.
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Six fireplaces, stunning woodwork, and a steam room at this historic Park Slope home, now asking $3.99M
June 7, 2019

Six fireplaces, stunning woodwork, and a steam room at this historic Park Slope home, now asking $3.99M

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The gracious four-story brownstone at 228 Garfield Place—part of the Park Slope Historic District—has been impeccably maintained and boasts many original architectural details, including six fireplaces, pocket doors, inlaid wood floors, wood shutters, and stained-glass transoms. The longtime owners also updated the residence with some modern, wonderfully decadent creature comforts, like a steam room in the master suite. The property was first listed in January for $4.495 million and has received a couple of price chops over the months before settling on its current asking price of $3.995 million.
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How to get around NYC when the Puerto Rican Day Parade hits the streets this weekend

Via Flickr

June 7, 2019

How to get around NYC when the Puerto Rican Day Parade hits the streets this weekend

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More than two million people are expected to attend this weekend’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade, celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year. The popular event will feature a host of colorful floats and notable marchers, all celebrating the rich culture of Puerto Rico. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. but the festivities are expected to last well into the evening. Read on for more information about the event and everything you need to know about getting around town.
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Judge rules accessibility lawsuit against the MTA can move forward

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June 6, 2019

Judge rules accessibility lawsuit against the MTA can move forward

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A state Supreme Court judge has denied the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s request to dismiss a lawsuit over inaccessible subway stations, amNY reported Wednesday. A coalition of accessibility advocacy groups, including the Center for Independence of the Disabled and Disability Rights Activists, filed the suit. They argued that the MTA is in violation of the city's Human Rights Law because only 24 percent of the subway system’s 472 stations include elevator access.
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For $5.2M, this Williamsburg townhouse comes with a charming carriage house and lots of outdoor space
June 6, 2019

For $5.2M, this Williamsburg townhouse comes with a charming carriage house and lots of outdoor space

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Sparing no attention to detail, this Williamsburg townhouse at 74 Devoe Street is perfect for lovers of modern design and fine craftsmanship. Streetside, the Petersen brick facade enchants with a playful composition of differently-shaped windows. Inside, a palette of warm oak, concrete, and metal come together to create a space that is at once modern and warm. Currently set up as a two-family residence with a two-bedroom apartment on the garden level and a five-bedroom residence on the upper floors, the property also has a separate carriage house in the back of the garden and a large roof deck. This unique residence is now on the market for $5.2 million.
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