All articles by Dana Schulz

Photo credit: VHT, courtesy The Corcoran Group

April 10, 2020

This $769,000 Billionaires’ Row studio is roomy and reasonable

Old and new NYC collide in this $769,000 studio that's roughly 600 square feet. It's located at 100 West 58th Street, a classic 1928 Rosario Candela-designed apartment building. But today, this location, just a block south of Central Park at the corner of 6th Avenue, puts it smack in the middle of Billionaires' Row. And with a sizable separate kitchen and enough room for two distinct areas in the living space, it's quite a reasonable buy.
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Distinctive Homes

Watch New York’s moving ‘How You Save A Life’ video

Photo by Thomas Jansen on Unsplash

April 10, 2020

Watch New York’s moving ‘How You Save A Life’ video

By Dana Schulz

"The statisticians when they did their curve did not know how New Yorkers would respond... they didn't know how unified New Yorkers can be and how responsible they can be and how caring they are and how they rally for one another... that's what they couldn't count in those models. They couldn't count the spirit of New Yorkers and the love of New Yorkers to step up and do the right thing," said Governor Cuomo in his press conference earlier today before revealing the state's powerful new "How You Save A Life" video. The moving montage, set to The Fray's "How to Save a Life," is a compilation of the photos real New Yorkers shared of themselves staying home.
Watch it here

City Living

This Sunday’s Easter Parade is going virtual

Photo from last year’s parade, by Phil Roeder via Flickr cc

April 10, 2020

This Sunday’s Easter Parade is going virtual

By Dana Schulz

While it won't be an actual procession, this year's annual New York City Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival will take place virtually on Sunday, April 12. The festive event dates back to the 1870s but was, of course, canceled this year due to the coronavirus crisis. But the Fifth Avenue Association is taking it to Instagram, encouraging participants to "dress up in their most creative, home-crafted Easter outfits, strike a pose in quintessential Fifth Avenue style and participate in a virtual parade."
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Events & Things To Do

Middle-income housing lottery launches at luxury Long Island City rental, from $2,241/month

Photo courtesy of Modern Spaces

April 9, 2020

Middle-income housing lottery launches at luxury Long Island City rental, from $2,241/month

By Dana Schulz

Prices for high-end rentals in Long Island City have been steadily increasing in recent years, but here's a chance to live in one of these new, luxury buildings for less. ONE LIC, located at 42-10 27th Street in Court Square, just launched a middle-income housing lottery for New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the median income. The units range from $2,241/month studios to $3,283/month three-bedrooms. Normally, units in this building rent from about $3,000 to $5,500. The apartments all have luxe finishes, and the amenities include a barbecue deck with skyline views and a 20th-floor fitness center.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Photos by Travis Mark for The Corcoran Group

April 9, 2020

Two terraces and a grassy rooftop oasis make this $7.85M Tribeca penthouse a dream

By Dana Schulz

The outdoor space at this Tribeca penthouse would be enviable at any time, but during New York State on PAUSE it's truly a dream. Located at 49 Murray Street, there are two large terraces, as well as a huge, grassy rooftop with a full outdoor kitchen and incredible lower Manhattan views. The interior is just as incredible; it's spread over three floors and has five bedrooms, a floating steel-and-glass staircase, and sleek, contemporary finishings. It's currently listed for $7,850,000 or as a $30,000/month rental.
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

NYC’s 41 Broadway theaters will stay closed through June

Photo by Sudan Ouyang on Unsplash

April 8, 2020

NYC’s 41 Broadway theaters will stay closed through June

By Dana Schulz

After initially hoping to reopen on April 13, The Broadway League made an announcement that they are continuing the suspension of all performances at NYC's 41 Broadway theaters through June 7, 2020. However, according to the New York Times, industry insiders expect that they may end up being closed through July 4 or even Labor Day.
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City Living

Cat Greenleaf lists her famous ‘Talk Stoop’ townhouse in Cobble Hill for $3M

Listing photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

April 8, 2020

Cat Greenleaf lists her famous ‘Talk Stoop’ townhouse in Cobble Hill for $3M

By Dana Schulz

"If These Steps Could Talk," starts the listing. From 2009 to 2017, this utterly charming Cobble Hill townhouse flashed on television screens for Cat Greenleaf's talk show Talk Stoop, where she interviewed celebrities from her own Brooklyn stoop. The brick rowhouse at 12 Wyckoff Street has just hit the market for $2,995,000, and the interior is even better than we imagined, with contemporary furnishings and art mixing with farmhouse-chic architecture. Cat designed much of the quirky decor herself, from a life-size chessboard in the backyard to a Harry Potter closet under the staircase to a dreamy Moroccan-style den in the basement.
You don't want to miss this

$1.35M Upper West Side co-op has two floors and a sunny private garden

Photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

April 8, 2020

$1.35M Upper West Side co-op has two floors and a sunny private garden

By Dana Schulz

One of the toughest things for families living in an NYC apartment versus a suburban home during this time is not having a backyard. But this Upper West Side co-op, listed for $1,350,000, has enough space for everyone inside and outside. Located at 204 West 92nd Street, the 1,100-square-foot apartment has three bedrooms on two levels, as well as a sunny garden patio that's "perfect for grilling, entertaining, or private sunbathing," says the listing.
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

Photo credit: Virginia Carey/ Brown Harris Stevens

April 7, 2020

$1.67M duplex is a woodsy escape in Brooklyn Heights

By Dana Schulz

Some New Yorkers might be wishing they could escape to a cabin in the woods right about now, but awesome co-op gives off that feeling without having to leave the city. Located at 30 Willow Place in Brooklyn Heights, the two-bedroom duplex is asking $1,675,000. It's full of rustic charm, including huge swaths of exposed brick walls, wooden window frames, and wood-paneled ceilings. The bohemian-meets-folksy design aesthetic seals the deal.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

Brooklyn nursing home and Staten Island psychiatric center will open as COVID hospitals this week

Photo via PxHere

April 7, 2020

Brooklyn nursing home and Staten Island psychiatric center will open as COVID hospitals this week

By Dana Schulz

As 6sqft explained earlier, "with car accidents, construction accidents, trauma cases, and crime all down due to Cuomo’s New York State on PAUSE order," early estimates that temporary overflow hospitals would be needed have been replaced with a critical need for more COVID beds. To meet this demand, last week, the 2,500-bed temporary hospital at the Javits Center was turned into a COVID-only facility, as was the 500-bed USNS Comfort naval hospital ship yesterday. In addition, both the South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island and the Brooklyn Center nursing home in Weeksville will open this week specifically to treat COVID-19 patients.
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Policy

Before + After: A Hudson Heights co-op goes from drab to a modern, family-friendly home

By Dana Schulz

When Erin and Chris first started their family, they bought a one-bedroom in Hudson Heights and fell in love with the neighborhood. But three kids and nine years later, Chris' job took them to the California Bay Area. After two years, they had the chance to come back to NYC and jumped at the chance to return to Hudson Heights. They found a three-bedroom in its "original, fifties-era condition," but knew the space and layout were perfect. Ahead, see how they came to Sweeten to find a contractor and took the co-op from drab to a contemporary and comfortable family home.
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To relieve NYC hospitals, USNS Comfort hospital ship becomes COVID center

Photo by Darren McGee for the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

April 7, 2020

To relieve NYC hospitals, USNS Comfort hospital ship becomes COVID center

By Dana Schulz

When Governor Cuomo first announced that New York would be receiving hospital assistance in the form of the USNS Comfort naval hospital ship arriving in New York Harbor and the Javits Center being turned into a temporary FEMA hospital, health officials outlined those as overflow facilities. However, as the coronavirus caseload has increased, mainly in New York City, the need for more COVID-only beds has grown imminent. Therefore, last week, the governor announced that the Javits Center was becoming a 2,500-bed COVID-only facility, and yesterday he received approval from Donald Trump to also transition the Comfort "to serve as a relief valve for our stressed hospital system."
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Policy

With signs of a possible plateau, social distancing fines in New York double to $1,000

Photo of Central Park on 4.6.20 © 6sqft

April 6, 2020

With signs of a possible plateau, social distancing fines in New York double to $1,000

By Dana Schulz

With the total number of COVID-19 cases in New York State now at 130,689 and the number of deaths at 4,758, Governor Cuomo announced today that he was extending his executive New York State on PAUSE order through April 29th. However, the reason for this is slightly optimistic; the state is seeing early signs of a possible plateauing in daily new cases, which indicates that social distancing measures are working. But in order for them to continue working, residents in NYC must remain vigilant, which was not the case over the weekend, with parks and public spaces once again becoming overcrowded. Therefore, the governor is increasing the social distancing fine from $500 to $1,000.
More details here

Policy

Jon Bon Jovi puts waterfront NJ mansion on the market for $20M

Listing images courtesy of Christie’s International Realty

April 6, 2020

Jon Bon Jovi puts waterfront NJ mansion on the market for $20M

By Dana Schulz

Fifteen acres, an 18,000-square-foot main house designed by Robert A.M. Stern, a dock and boat lift, a pool with two cedar cabanas, a personal pub, a recording studio--and that's just the beginning of what you'll find at Jon Bon Jovi's incredible Central Jersey mansion. First spotted by Mansion Global, the rocker's property on the Navesink River in Middletown has just hit the market for $20 million, and as Christie's listing agent Kathleen Coumou told MG, "He’s looking for the right buyer, someone who will appreciate what he’s done to the house."
Take the full tour

After just 10 days, de Blasio ends open street program

Photo of 2019 Summer Streets, courtesy of NYC DOT/Flickr

April 6, 2020

After just 10 days, de Blasio ends open street program

By Dana Schulz

Pointing to an overuse of NYPD personnel as the main reason, Mayor de Blasio said in his press conference on Sunday that he would not be extending the Safe Streets pilot that he launched 10 days ago. The program closed one six-block stretch of road to vehicles in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx in order to provide more open space for pedestrians. But despite continued overcrowding in parks, the Mayor has decided the resources used to keep the streets open are better allocated elsewhere.
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New York State launches daily COVID-19 tracker

Screen shot of NYSDOH COVID-19 Tracker on April 4, 2020

April 4, 2020

New York State launches daily COVID-19 tracker

By Dana Schulz

At 6pm on Saturday evening, the New York State Department of Health went live with a new in-depth COVID-19 tracker. The interactive portal shows state-wide data broken down by county and will be updated twice daily. It includes a map view, table view, daily totals charts, and fatality data broken down by both county and age group.
READ MORE

Policy

Credit: Rayon Richards/VHT, courtesy The Corcoran Group

April 3, 2020

Rustic Sunset Park one-bedroom is just right for $420,000

By Dana Schulz

It's not all the time that you find an actual one-bedroom for under $500,000, but this Sunset Park co-op is priced well below that and is quite charming to boot. Reclaimed wood shelving and a country-chic kitchen add to the rustic feel already in place from the exposed brick wall and wood ceiling beams. At 683 41st Street, the location is great too; it's directly across from Sunset Park, just a couple blocks from Greenwood Cemetery, and a quick walk to the D train at 9th Avenue and the N, R trains at 45th Street.
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Distinctive Homes

Javits Center will now provide 2,500 COVID beds

Photo by Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, via Flickr cc

April 2, 2020

Javits Center will now provide 2,500 COVID beds

By Dana Schulz

When it first opened on Monday, the temporary hospital set up at the Javits Center was to serve as an overflow site, treating non-COVID patients to ease the burden on the city's hospitals. But as the severity of the situation has worsened throughout the week, Governor Cuomo asked President Trump for approval on using Javits' 2,500 beds solely for COVID-19 patients. He received the approval this evening.
More details

Policy

20 NYC hotels sign on as temporary hospitals, will add 10,000 beds

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

April 2, 2020

20 NYC hotels sign on as temporary hospitals, will add 10,000 beds

By Dana Schulz

New York City's hotels have seen more than an 80 percent drop in occupancy since the coronavirus crisis, but that unfortunate fact has at least opened one positive door. As Mayor de Blasio announced in his press conference yesterday, 20 hotels have signed contracts to be converted to temporary hospitals, which will add roughly 10,000 additional beds. As NY1 reported, on Wednesday, Dr. Mitchell Katz, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, said, "We are in disaster mode so that contracts can be quickly signed. When it’s operational, patients who don’t need to be incubated, who are recovering but not well enough to leave the hospital, will be sent to hotels."
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Cast iron accents and a glassed-in loft bring the drama to this $750K Gramercy co-op

Photo credit: Chalom + Blaylock Photography, courtesy The Corcoran Group

April 2, 2020

Cast iron accents and a glassed-in loft bring the drama to this $750K Gramercy co-op

By Dana Schulz

If you're holed up in a small apartment with nowhere to escape your significant other or roommate, this split-level Gramercy listing very well might leave you with major apartment envy. The one-bedroom co-op at 215 East 24th Street just hit the market for a cool $750,000, and it's full of industrial accents--exposed brick, tons of original cast iron, wooden ceilings beams--combined with a contemporary glass-walled second floor that has enough space for a bonus bedroom and airy office.
See the rest

Distinctive Homes

Could Mount Sinai’s new self-reporting app help map coronavirus in NYC?

Map by the Department of Health showing total count of people testing positive for COVID-19 by zip code

April 1, 2020

Could Mount Sinai’s new self-reporting app help map coronavirus in NYC?

By Dana Schulz

It makes sense that New Yorkers would want to know many positive cases of COVID-19 are in their neighborhoods, but can you really provide the information accurately? Yesterday, the Department of Health released a zip code-based map that shows the number of patients testing positive for coronavirus, which, as the Post first reported, alarmingly points to the fact that wealthier zip codes have far fewer positives. However, this does not take into account the rate of testing or population of a given area, leading many experts to say the map actually paints a picture of testing behavior, not positive cases. This is why the Mount Sinai Health System today launched an app where New Yorkers can self-report their symptoms and test results.
More details ahead

City Living

Listing photo credit: Tim Waltman of Evan Joseph Studios, courtesy of Douglas Elliman

April 1, 2020

$9.9M Chelsea penthouse has Empire State Building and Hudson Yards views

By Dana Schulz

The west side of Chelsea is known for its collection of starchitecture projects, and this $9,950,000 penthouse at 520 West 19th Street is not only an architectural feat in itself, but it has views of all the surrounding projects (like Bjarke Ingels' XI and Thomas Heatherwick's Lantern House), the entirety of Hudson Yards, and even the Empire State Building. And all of these views can best be enjoyed from the 50-foot-long terrace. The two-floor interior is a sprawling 4,100 square feet and has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and lots of bonus space and storage.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

De Blasio’s open street pilot gets extended through Sunday

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT/Flickr

March 31, 2020

De Blasio’s open street pilot gets extended through Sunday

By Dana Schulz

After receiving pressure from both Governor Cuomo and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to close some streets to vehicular traffic in an effort to give New Yorkers more outdoor space to exercise, Mayor de Blasio finally launched a Safe Streets pilot from Friday, March 27, to Monday, March 30 that included a roughly six-block stretch in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, totaling 1.6 miles of the city's 6,000 miles of roads. Today, the Mayor's office announced that they'll be extending the pilot program through Sunday, April 5th with the same hours of 10am-7pm.
See the full list

Listing photos courtesy of Warburg Realty

March 31, 2020

For $1.75M, a corner Battery Park condo with direct Freedom Tower views

By Dana Schulz

Famed architecture firm Pelli Clarke Pelli completed the LEED Platinum-certified Battery Park City condo tower The Visionaire in 2008, two years after construction began on One World Trade Center. Today, many of its apartments have stunning views of the tallest building in the western hemisphere, including this two-bedroom unit currently listed for $1,750,000. The unique shape of the living space, coupled with its 11-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, put this view front and center.
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Distinctive Homes

For $3.9M, this Prospect Park South Dutch Colonial has an ‘enchanted forest’ and 7 bedrooms

Listing photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

March 30, 2020

For $3.9M, this Prospect Park South Dutch Colonial has an ‘enchanted forest’ and 7 bedrooms

By Dana Schulz

It's always a nice reminder that you can get a slice of suburban living without leaving the city, and this Dutch Colonial charmer in Prospect Park South is the perfect example. Just listed for $3,875,000, the seven-bedroom house has the ideal combination of preserved interiors and modern upgrades. But what really makes it stand out is the "enchanted forest" in the back. The huge outdoor space has meandering pathways shaded by tree canopies, a pond and waterfall, and several seating areas and planted gardens.
Take the full indoor/outdoor tour

Distinctive Homes

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