All articles by Dana Schulz

New Exhibition at the Skyscraper Museum Reveals Unrealized Times Square Designs

August 27, 2014

New Exhibition at the Skyscraper Museum Reveals Unrealized Times Square Designs

What's now a Disney Land-like mix of big-brand stores like M&M's and Hershey's, the televised location for Good Morning America, and home to everyone's favorite costumed characters, was once "the worst block in town." During the 1970's and 80's, Times Square was filled with peep shows and porn theaters and riddled with crime. In 1984, in an effort to build taller and reduce crime while preserving the frantic energy and cultural heritage of the area, a design competition was organized by the Municipal Art Society and the National Endowment for the Arts. The debate among architects, developers, and preservationists came after plans were revealed for four skyscrapers near the intersection of 42nd Street, Broadway, and Seventh Avenue. Now, a new exhibition at the downtown Skyscraper Museum will resurface the submissions from this design competition, exploring the history of Manhattan's most recognizable crossroads.
More about the fascinating new exhibit “Times Square, 1984: The Postmodern Moment”

Flatiron Loft Sells for $7.6 Million, More Than Double its 2010 Price Tag

August 26, 2014

Flatiron Loft Sells for $7.6 Million, More Than Double its 2010 Price Tag

It's not often a flip yields a $4,655,000 profit in just four years, but that's exactly what happened at the 10th-floor loft at 17 West 17th Street. The full-floor Flatiron apartment sold in 2010 for $3,095,000, but was a massive, raw studio at the time with only one bathroom and no formal kitchen. It's now a true four-bedroom space with three additional bathrooms and a clear definition of rooms. The intensive renovation paid off, netting previous owner Peter Vogelsang, a lawyer with the Alberleen Group, an impressive $7.6 million, according to recent city records.
Let's take a look at the profitable pad

Bromley Caldari Architects’ Albert House is a Breezy Fire Island Guest Retreat

August 25, 2014

Bromley Caldari Architects’ Albert House is a Breezy Fire Island Guest Retreat

Labor Day is upon us (sigh), and it's time to make plans for the one final weekend of summer. Whether you're heading to a backyard barbeque or pool party, we'd bet that you would drop those plans in a hot second if given the opportunity to hang at this Fire Island guest house. Designed by Bromley Caldari Architects, the Albert House was the final component of a larger beachfront complex, which includes the main house, dining pavilion, gym, and beach/pool cabana. The client asked the architects to create an easy to maintain, open-plan guest house for their visiting family. Though the home is just steps away from the main complex, it still functions independently and feels like its very own shore retreat.
More on the seaside home

Architecture And Design

Loew’s Kings Theatre Will Reopen in Flatbush With All of its 1920s Gilded Glamour

August 25, 2014

Loew’s Kings Theatre Will Reopen in Flatbush With All of its 1920s Gilded Glamour

After nearly four decades of sitting vacant, the majestic Loew's Kings Theatre in Flatbush will reopen. It was announced in 2010 that the 1920s movie palace would be restored to its former gilded glory thanks to a $70 million renovation, and now it's been revealed that the reopening will take place in January 2015. The theatre closed in 1977, but according to a press release, the new Loew's Kings Theatre "will serve as both a cultural and economic cornerstone for the Brooklyn community, presenting more than 200 performances annually—including music, dance, theatre, and comedy—providing a resource to foster and support creativity in the area, creating jobs and attracting thousands of visitors to the neighborhood." It will also have 3,000 seats, making it the largest theatre in Brooklyn.
Take a look at the stunning, historic interiors

History

Take a Load Off Anywhere, Anytime with the Chairless Chair

August 25, 2014

Take a Load Off Anywhere, Anytime with the Chairless Chair

You know those instances when your feet are killing you, your back is sore, and all you want to do is sit down, but, of course, there's not a seat in sight? Well, these uncomfortable dilemmas can now be a thing of the past. In a bid to keep factory line workers more alert and comfortable during long, tedious shifts, Zurich-based startup noonee created the Chairless Chair, a locking leg support device that allows you take a load off regardless of where you are.
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Policy
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Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

August 23, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

Our list of architectural saviors includes sites saved from the wrecking ball, as well as those that have remained intact and been adaptively reused. We looked at the history of Herald Square AND Gramercy Park (it was a nostalgic kind of week). Floorplans of the Woolworth Building’s $110 million ‘Pinnacle’ penthouse were revealed, making it one of the […]

Uncategorized

Stuyvesant Square: Not Gramercy Park Nor Stuyvesant Town

August 22, 2014

Stuyvesant Square: Not Gramercy Park Nor Stuyvesant Town

That's right--Stuyvesant Square is its own neighborhood. Haven't heard of it? That may be because you've been confusing it with neighboring Gramercy Park or Stuyvesant Town. But in fact, this charming little neighborhood is a highly desirable enclave in its own right. Situated around Stuyvesant Square Park, the area is bound roughly by 14th and 18th Streets and First and Third Avenues. It could be considered the southeastern corner of Gramercy Park or an extension of planned development Stuyvesant Town, but some real estate professionals like the exclusivity that the lesser-known moniker offers. Others have come up with creative alternatives like "Gramercy Park on Stuyvesant Square." But regardless of what you call it, Stuyvesant Square has a unique blend of limited space, historic landmarks, and mixed uses that makes for a bustling New York City neighborhood.
More on Stuyvesant Square here

Real Estate Trends

Gramercy Duplex by Slade Architecture is a Healthy and Eco-Friendly Home

August 22, 2014

Gramercy Duplex by Slade Architecture is a Healthy and Eco-Friendly Home

Oftentimes when environmentally friendly homes are designed the client wants to keep a low carbon footprint or be sensitive to the surrounding landscape. But there's another very important reason to go green in residential design, which is personal health. And that's exactly why Slade Architecture was asked to take an eco-friendly approach when creating this contemporary Gramercy Duplex. The renovation combined two existing one-bedroom duplex units into a single two-bedroom duplex. All materials were specified as low VOC, including recycled denim insulation, recycled paper countertops, Low-e windows, and Eco Spec paint.
Take a look at how Slade created a functional space with a green mentality

Whaler’s Lane Residence by Rogers Marvel Architects is a Beacon on the Amagansett Shores

August 21, 2014

Whaler’s Lane Residence by Rogers Marvel Architects is a Beacon on the Amagansett Shores

As far as the Hamptons go, Amagansett is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods. From Lou Reed to Sarah Jessica Parker, celebrities love the quiet hamlet, located on Long Island's South Shore. Eclectic beach houses dot the dune-lined beachfront, and one of our favorites is the Whaler's Lane Residence by Rogers Marvel Architects. A renovation and expansion of an existing oceanfront beach cottage, this home is made up of a series of shingle-wrapped exterior and interior spaces connected via wooden pathways. The original structure provided inspiration for the design, as the project maintained similar materials and profiles to create a contextual residence.
Explore the rest of this Hamptons hideaway

Architecture And Design

Mastering the Master Plan: A Look at NYC’s Planned Neighborhoods

August 21, 2014

Mastering the Master Plan: A Look at NYC’s Planned Neighborhoods

We often think of the street grid as New York's greatest "master plan." Officially known as the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, this put in place the original, gridded street pattern that we still know today. But there have been several other master plans that took shape on a smaller scale within the linear configuration of Manhattan. These planned communities were largely conceived to transform blighted or underutilized areas into suburban enclaves or peaceful oases within the big city. And just like the neighborhoods that grew organically among the street grid, these master-planned areas each have a unique character. They've also influenced a new crop of developments, currently under construction on the West Side and in Brooklyn.
We take a look at planned communities that historically changed the fabric of the city, as well as those on the horizon

Popular Articles

Sands Point Renovation by CDR Studio Architects is Clad in Charred Cedar

August 20, 2014

Sands Point Renovation by CDR Studio Architects is Clad in Charred Cedar

Can't you smell the musky cedar just by looking at this rustic dwelling? Located in a rural community on the edge of the Long Island Sound, this Sands Point home was renovated by CDR Studio Architects to both preserve and refine the structure that had been present on the site since 1961. To achieve this balance, the firm retained the house's frame, but added large expanses of open windows and a more seamless roofline. The dilapidated skin was replaced with a highly insulated, open-joined rain screen made of cedar boards charred using the traditional Japanese burning method of Shou-sugi-ban, an environmentally friendly way to preserve the timber.
See more of this vision in cedar

With New Transparent Solar Concentrators, Glass Towers Can Generate Solar Energy

August 20, 2014

With New Transparent Solar Concentrators, Glass Towers Can Generate Solar Energy

It's no secret that super tall, glassy towers are the go-to architectural style for many of today's leading starchitects. But environmentalists worry that the huge expanses of curtain wall windows are not very eco-friendly. A new product, though, just might satisfy those on both ends of this debate. Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new transparent luminescent solar concentrator that creates solar energy when placed over a window. The exciting part is that the product is totally translucent, so people can still see through the window while the green technology is working. The concentrators can also be placed on cell phones or any device with a flat, clear surface.
Learn more about the solar cells here

Forget the Crayon Box: Scribble Pen Draws in 16 Million Colors

August 20, 2014

Forget the Crayon Box: Scribble Pen Draws in 16 Million Colors

It's hard to even imagine 16 million colors, let alone draw in them, but the Scribble pen does just that. The first-of-its-kind creation, developed by the San Francisco-based startup Scribble Technology, scans colors and transfers them either to paper or a mobile device. See a paint hue you just love or want to capture the shade of a dress in a store window? Just tap your pen on the wall or object and, voila, you can draw in that color.
More about the new technology

Levenbetts’ CCO1 House Leaves a Modern Mark on an Upstate Agricultural Field

August 19, 2014

Levenbetts’ CCO1 House Leaves a Modern Mark on an Upstate Agricultural Field

When you think farmhouse, images of red barns and wooden fences probably come to mind. But the CCO1 House by Levenbetts couldn't stray farther from this nostalgic vision; and that's a good thing. Built in the middle of an agricultural field in Columbia County, New York, this contemporary home was designed to work around the site's existing linear grooves, etched into the rolling hills from years of farming. The organization, cladding, and details all take the topography into account, and the house steps up from east to west to follow the contour of the land.
Plenty more design details are ahead

Soho Loft with Taxidermy Tendencies Sells for $4.7M

August 19, 2014

Soho Loft with Taxidermy Tendencies Sells for $4.7M

We were quite astounded when, earlier this summer, we came across a taxidermy-filled apartment on Central Park West (there's a first time for everything!). And now, in an even more surprising twist, we've stumbled upon another "stuffed animal" loving pad. Though not filled to the brims like our first find, this apartment at 465 West Broadway will still make you look twice. The three-bedroom unit has been picked up by jewelry designer and artist Lisa Pevaroff for $4.7 million. Likely selling points include 15 windows, four exposures, and an easily convertible floor plan.
Check out the rest of this funky home

Steven Harris Architects’ West 87th Street Townhouse is a True Urban Sanctuary

August 19, 2014

Steven Harris Architects’ West 87th Street Townhouse is a True Urban Sanctuary

Walking down West 87th Street past the stately brick and brownstone townhouses, a stunning white home with huge picture windows stands out as something special. The magic really starts, though, upon entering the house. Renovated by Steven Harris Architects, this striking townhouse not only provides a spacious layout filled with tasteful contemporary furniture, but the firm's work retains historic details like ornate crown moldings and the original, commanding staircase. The highlight of the townhouse is the oversized windows, which let in plenty of natural light, offer cross ventilation, and open to an abundance of outdoor space.
Tour the rest of this Upper West Side beauty

90% of NYC Buildings Fail to Meet Energy Codes

August 18, 2014

90% of NYC Buildings Fail to Meet Energy Codes

In early 2014, the Department of Buildings (DOB) set up a permanent audit unit and started reviewing the architectural plans for thousands of new and renovated buildings. What they've found is alarming; nine out of every ten office and/or residential buildings failed to meet the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC). The energy standards were implemented over 30 years ago, but are just now being enforced. And while environmentalists welcome the stricter monitoring, some building owners and construction companies are nervous about the potential increased costs of compliance, both in terms of money and time.
More on the city's energy codes and how they're being updated

Trapezoidal Pool by Susan Wisniewski Landscape Completes the Greene County Residence

August 18, 2014

Trapezoidal Pool by Susan Wisniewski Landscape Completes the Greene County Residence

In typical rural esthetic, the grounds of the Greene County Residence are rolling and untamed. To work with this natural terrain, as well as juxtapose it, Susan Wisniewski Landscape created an angular outdoor pool setting that is both traditional and modern. The flat, rustic pavers surrounding the watering hole fit with the conventional barn, but the pool's trapezoidal shape adds a geometric punch to the otherwise organic setting.
More about the outdoor design here

Architecture And Design

Let the Sunlight In and Save Up to 70% on Energy Costs with the Lightcatcher Solar Dome

August 18, 2014

Let the Sunlight In and Save Up to 70% on Energy Costs with the Lightcatcher Solar Dome

In theory, it seems silly to pay for light bulbs and electricity when natural sunlight is free, and now this eco-fantasy is becoming a real possibility. Developed by EcoNation and installed on the roof, Lightcatcher is a sun-tracking solar dome that uses a mirror and technology-based system to generate green energy, bring light indoors, and mitigate temperature fluctuations. The sensors and motorized mirror and lenses harvest sunlight, reducing energy costs and environmental impact eight times more than solar panels, according to EcoNation. The company also claims that Lightcatcher can provide sufficient light for up to ten hours per day, using only 1-3% of roof surface area.
More details on the new technology

Stereotank’s Taku Tanku is a Floating Sleeping Shelter Made From Recycled Water Tanks

August 15, 2014

Stereotank’s Taku Tanku is a Floating Sleeping Shelter Made From Recycled Water Tanks

Light enough to be towed by a car or bicycle, or even carried by hand, the Taku Tanku shelter will change the way you camp, travel, and prepare for possible disasters. Created by the architecture firm Stereotank, along with Japanese designer Takahiro Fukuda, the portable, floating structure is made from two 3,000-liter recycled water tanks connected by a wood-framed entrance. It has sleeping space for two or three people, but the designers also envision it as a sculpture that "celebrates the vital role of water in our lives."
Learn more about this convenient, eco-friendly pod

Neighborhood Tours

Technicon Design’s IXION Windowless Jet Offers Panoramic Views of What’s Outside

August 15, 2014

Technicon Design’s IXION Windowless Jet Offers Panoramic Views of What’s Outside

Admit it--you've perfected your selfie pose. And now that you've got the duck face and skinny arm down pat, why not explore the art of the skyline selfie? We're not talking an upward-gazing shot of the Empire State Building or semi-panoramic view of Manhattan; we mean full-on aerial photos taken from 40,000 feet up in the air. That's exactly what the IXION windowless jet from Technicon Design is doing. The firm's groundbreaking new design has removed windows from the cabin and, using near-future technology, displays the surrounding environment on interior cabin surfaces via external cameras. Not only does this provide incredible views, but greens the aircraft by reducing weight (thereby requiring less fuel and maintenance), simplifying construction, and opening doors for a variety of design possibilities. To boot, expansive solar panels would power the on-board, low-voltage systems, creating a one-of-a-kind visual for the jet's exterior body.
More on the sky-high design here

The Architecture of Cesar Pelli: How a Sense of Place Left a Lasting Mark on the NYC Skyline

August 14, 2014

The Architecture of Cesar Pelli: How a Sense of Place Left a Lasting Mark on the NYC Skyline

Growing up just west of the Andes Mountains in the small town of Tucumán in northwest Argentina, Cesar Pelli wasn't exposed to the vibrant cityscapes that he today helps to shape. He got his start designing low-cost, affordable housing for the Argentine government, which helped him develop an appreciation for each project's unique sense of place. Breaking from the traditional mold of many world-famous architects, he designed buildings as a response to their neighborhoods, not as a preconceived signature aesthetic. Now, with a long list of acclaimed international projects to his name, Pelli is lauded for creating structures that honor a city's history and enrich the local landscape. And here in New York City, home to some of his most celebrated works, the Pelli mark has making an indelible impression on the architecture and real estate fields.
We dive deeper into Cesar Pelli's past, present, and future

Jonah Hill Puts Soho Loft on the Market for $3.8 Million, Looking to Make a $1 Million Profit

August 14, 2014

Jonah Hill Puts Soho Loft on the Market for $3.8 Million, Looking to Make a $1 Million Profit

Looks like celebrities like flipping, too. Just two years after Jonah Hill bought his Soho loft at 27 Howard Street for $2.65 million, he's put it back on the market for over a million dollars more. Now listed at $3,795,00, this full-floor, 2,000-square-foot pad was originally a two-bedroom when Hill moved in, but it's currently configured as a massive one-bedroom space. And with an estimated net worth of $30 million, why not spread out and live the good life?
Check out the rest of this A-lister's digs here

$2.3 Million Prospect-Lefferts Garden Townhouse Could be a Historic Movie Set

August 14, 2014

$2.3 Million Prospect-Lefferts Garden Townhouse Could be a Historic Movie Set

When you've traveled the world making documentaries about topics ranging from the "greening" of Big Oil to life in North Korea, you're probably a little hard to impress. So this circa 1898 Romanesque Revival townhouse really must have made an impression on filmmaker Peter Yost. He and his wife snatched up the circa 1898 house at 66 Midwood Street in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens for $2.3 million according to city records, coming in over the $1,975,000 listing price. The five-bedroom house has been renovated to both preserve its historic elements and provide updated, modern amenities.
Ogle all of the home's period details

Distinctive Homes

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