All articles by Dana Schulz

My 750sqft: Instagram’s ‘Apartment Botanist’ grows nearly 200 plants on the Upper West Side

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to Alessia’s plant-filled Upper West Side apartment. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

October 2, 2018

My 750sqft: Instagram’s ‘Apartment Botanist’ grows nearly 200 plants on the Upper West Side

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Amassing 24,000 Instagram followers in just over a year is nothing to sneeze at, but when you have a collection of nearly 200 plants in a 750-square-foot Manhattan apartment, you're going to attract some attention. Artist Alessia Resta moved into her Upper West Side home seven years ago, and when she saw how much light came in through the west-facing, 16th-floor windows, she decided to finally start assembling the plant collection she always wanted, and there was born the Apartment Botanist. Today, Alessia, her boyfriend Micah, and their two dogs live very happily among the greenery, which includes many philodendrons (perhaps the most popular species among Insta-planties), Monsteras, and succulents. 6sqft recently visited their apartment to get a first-hand look at the plant paradise and learn what it takes to upkeep the operation. 
Take the tour!
Listings go live at the world’s skinniest skyscraper, 111 West 57th Street
October 2, 2018

Listings go live at the world’s skinniest skyscraper, 111 West 57th Street

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The race to build the tallest residential building in the world has long been underway along Billionaires' Row, but 111 West 57th Street not only boasts height (at 1,428 feet it'll surpass the current record holder, 1,396-foot 432 Park Avenue until the 1,500-foot Central Park Tower tops out) but a frame that is so slender (a ratio of 1:24) it garners it the title of skinniest skyscraper in the world. And after six years watching the development unfold, listings have finally gone live for the 46-unit condo, first spotted by Curbed. The first batch includes seven units, six of which are three-bedrooms ranging from $18 to $30 million, along with a $56 million penthouse.
Ogle the floorplan porn
Go pumpkin picking and trick-or-treating on Governors Island

Photo via Governors Island

October 1, 2018

Go pumpkin picking and trick-or-treating on Governors Island

By
It's officially October, which means it's time to start planning your fall agenda. And while there are plenty of great places for pumpkin picking and foliage peeking outside the city, there are still some ways to enjoy autumnal activities without leaving NYC. On Governors Island, you'll find one of New York City’s only pumpkin patches, complete with a backdrop of fall foliage, live music, a beer garden, and pumpkin painting with the Children’s Museum of the Arts. And on Saturday the 27th, the Island will host free trick-or-treating.
Get the details
Lord & Taylor will end its 104-year run with a massive sale and just two holiday windows
October 1, 2018

Lord & Taylor will end its 104-year run with a massive sale and just two holiday windows

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Photo courtesy of Lord & Taylor At the beginning of next year, Lord & Taylor will close its Fifth Avenue flagship after a 104-year run. Owner Hudson’s Bay Co. sold the 676,000-square-foot Italian Renaissance building to WeWork for $850 million a year ago in an attempt to keep the department store brand afloat. With just a few months left at their storied location, Lord & Taylor will launch on Thursday a final “store closing” sale that will last through the holidays, according to the Post. And speaking of the holidays, they've also decided that instead of their normal six window displays between 38th and 39th Streets, they'll only decorate two this holiday season.
READ MORE
Lower East Side Coastal Resiliency Project will get fast-tracked with an updated design

A previous rendering by Bjarke Ingels Group of ESCR, courtesy of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery & Resiliency

October 1, 2018

Lower East Side Coastal Resiliency Project will get fast-tracked with an updated design

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In July, Rebuild by Design released an RFP for a stewardship partner for the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR), a  reconstruction of the 64-acre, 1.5-mile East River Park, a flood protection system conceived in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. ESCR is the first of three phases in Bjarke Ingels' Big U, a series of self-sufficient flood zones stretching from West 57th to East 42nd Streets. Under the city's new mandate, construction on ESCR, which spans the loop from Montgomery Street on the Lower East Side to East 25th Street, will begin in spring 2020. Roughly 70 percent of the design will be updated, allowing flood protection to be in place one year earlier, by summer 2023, with the entire project wrapping up six months sooner. According to a press release from the Mayor's Office, the updated $1.45 billion design will also "raise the entire East River Park, with the flood wall at the water’s edge integrated with the bulkhead and esplanade that does not obstruct views to the water."
More details on the updated plan
$75,000/night Upper East Side hotel room is the most expensive in the nation

Photo by Scott Frances for the Mark

September 28, 2018

$75,000/night Upper East Side hotel room is the most expensive in the nation

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Most New Yorker don't spend $75,000 a year on rent, but a hotel room on the Upper East Side is asking that hefty sum for just one night. First reported by Bloomberg, the duplex penthouse suite is at the swanky Mark Hotel and boasts six bathrooms, five bedrooms, two wet bars, a 25,000-square-foot rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park, and a living room under the landmarked building's cupola that can be converted into a full-sized Grand Ballroom. In addition to being the country's most expensive hotel suite, it's also the largest at 10,000 square feet.
See the whole place
Where to find fall foliage in Central Park

Photo via Flickr cc

September 28, 2018

Where to find fall foliage in Central Park

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You don't have to go upstate to experience the magic of fall foliage--right here in Central Park, there are 20,000 trees, many of which "transform into golden shades of yellow, orange, red, and more." Which is why the Central Park Conservancy has released its 2018 Fall Guide, complete with a map of the best spots to catch the autumnal bliss, as well as a list of upcoming fall tours.
READ MORE
Renzo Piano unveils his third and final building at Columbia’s Manhattanville Campus

Left to right, Jerome L. Greene Science Center and The Forum. ©Frank Oudeman/Columbia University.

September 27, 2018

Renzo Piano unveils his third and final building at Columbia’s Manhattanville Campus

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Sixteen years after Columbia University president Lee Bollinger announced the development of the school's $6.3 billion 17-acre Manhattanville campus, he joined Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano to celebrate and unveil the third and final building of the starchitect's ensemble in West Harlem. Previously, Piano completed the Jerome L. Greene Science Center and the adjacent Lenfest Center for the Arts, and today he marked the completion of the Forum, the ship-like structure that peaks at the triangular intersection of Broadway and West 125th Street. The 56,000-square-foot building will serve as a flexible meeting and conference hub, and like its siblings, was purposefully designed with a transparent, public ground floor surrounded by plazas.
See photos of the Forum
Forest Hills Gardens Tudor can be your enchanted hideaway for $1.9M
September 27, 2018

Forest Hills Gardens Tudor can be your enchanted hideaway for $1.9M

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Dating back to its early 20th-century roots as NYC's first garden city, Forest Hills Gardens is a treasure trove of historic Tudor homes. This especially enchanting beauty at 45 Markwood Place, just steps from Forest Park, has just hit the market for $1,875,000. Not only does it have all the characteristics of this fairytale-esque style--like exposed ceiling beams, terra cotta tiles, wrought-iron railings, and stained-glass windows--but it boasts a large, lovely backyard patio, two balconies, a one-car garage, and a spacious layout with four bedrooms.
See some more
Where I Work: Gregory Wessner organizes NYC’s biggest ’Open House’
September 26, 2018

Where I Work: Gregory Wessner organizes NYC’s biggest ’Open House’

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As a media sponsor of Archtober--NYC’s annual month-long architecture and design festival of tours, lectures, films, and exhibitions--6sqft has teamed up with the Center for Architecture to feature some of their 70+ partner organizations as part of our Where I Work series. "Nothing replaces the first-hand experience of a great building or city," says Gregory Wessner, the Executive Director of Open House New York. And from October 12-14, New Yorkers will be able to experience stepping into building such as 3 World Trade Center and the Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn, along with public spaces like Domino Park and Hunter's Point South--all as part of this year's OHNY Weekend. Wessner joined the organization five years ago, during which time the Weekend has exploded in popularity. Ahead of the big event, he gave us the low-down on what it's like to plan tour and talks with more than 250 buildings and projects across the five boroughs, his favorite buildings in NYC, and what we can expect from OHNY in the future.
Read the interview
First look at interiors and private park at Jeanne Gang’s Downtown Brooklyn condo
September 26, 2018

First look at interiors and private park at Jeanne Gang’s Downtown Brooklyn condo

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To coincide with the sales launch at Downtown Brooklyn's 57-story tower at 11 Hoyt Street, Tishman Speyer has released a slew of new renderings of the Jeanne Gang-designed condo. Previous views have shown how Gang's signature metallic rippling effect will be applied to the facade, but the new batch gives us a better look at the nearly 27,000-square-foot private park and the first glimpse of the interiors and amenity spaces.
All the renderings and details this way
Bullet-proof Upper East Side townhouse designed by Rafael Viñoly lists for $50M

Photos by Aaron Thompson of Esto

September 25, 2018

Bullet-proof Upper East Side townhouse designed by Rafael Viñoly lists for $50M

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Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly is best known for designing 432 Park, the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere, but apparently, he makes time for private homes, too--at least when they come with headline-making features like a bullet-proof glass facade. His firm was first tapped to design the townhouse at 162 East 64th Street back in 2015 by Argentinian business mogul and billionaire Eduardo Eurnekian. Originally, the seven-story (don't worry, there's an elevator) residence was to serve as both his home and U.S. headquarters, but it looks like he instead decided to list the finished product for $50 million (h/t CityRealty).
Check this out
REVEALED: Designs for Hudson Yards’ second phase of parkland
September 25, 2018

REVEALED: Designs for Hudson Yards’ second phase of parkland

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Last month, financing was secured for the second phase the extension of Hudson Park and Boulevard at Hudson Yards. The $374 million expansion--which will expand the existing park by 75 percent with a three-acre park over an Amtrak rail cut from West 36th Street to West 39th Street, between 10 and 11th Avenues--has gotten some slack for its price tag, which would make it NYC’s most expensive park project ever. But new renderings of the green space uncovered by CityRealty show everything this Western end of the project will bring to the mega-development, including an open lawn that will be turned into an ice-skating rink in the winter, curving stone paths amidst plush landscaping and tall trees, a food kiosk, and a colorful children's playground.
Have a look
Cuomo will bring a Hurricane Maria Memorial to Battery Park City

Battery Park City via Flickr cc

September 25, 2018

Cuomo will bring a Hurricane Maria Memorial to Battery Park City

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To mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria last week--along with new reports that confirm 3,000 Puerto Ricans lost their lives in the third-most-powerful storm to ever hit the U.S.--Governor Cuomo signed an executive order establishing a new Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission to provide recommendations pertaining to the site, design, and installation of a permanent memorial in Battery Park City. New York City has the largest number of Puerto Rican residents in the U.S. mainland and, to date, Cuomo has set aside $13 million to aide the more than 11,000 displaced Hurricane Maria victims living in New York state.
READ MORE
Live in a new East Williamsburg building with roof deck and courtyard for $801/month

Rendering via JW Real Estate Services

September 19, 2018

Live in a new East Williamsburg building with roof deck and courtyard for $801/month

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If the Manhattan-fication of Williamsburg proper isn't quite your thing but you still want some of that artsy, gritty edge, consider heading a bit east. And if your household earns 60 percent of the area median income, or between $33,875 and $62,580 annually, you might want to apply for one of the 25 affordable units currently available at 125 Borinquen Place, a new 133-unit rental building with an impressive roster of amenities: a rooftop with hammocks, cabanas, dining, and outdoor movies; an indoor cinema room; a duplex fitness center; co-working areas; and a lovely landscaped courtyard. The units range from $801/month studios to $974/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
WeWork is officially Manhattan’s largest private office tenant

Photo via WeWork

September 18, 2018

WeWork is officially Manhattan’s largest private office tenant

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With 5.3 million square feet of office space, WeWork is officially Manhattan's largest private office tenant. Last month, we reported that the co-working giant needed just 74,000 more square feet to take the title from JPMorgan Chase & Co., and with their new, 258,344-square-foot location at 21 Penn Plaza, their 50th in the borough (they have 60 in NYC total), they've now surpassed them. The news comes via a blog post by WeWork exec Granit Gjonbalaj, who credits the company's "expertise" and the team's "holistic nature" that has allowed them to "identify, build, and deliver new locations better and more quickly than a typical developer."
Get the details
South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 will be transformed into a rooftop winter village

Rendering by Visualhouse, courtesy of the Rockwell Group and Howard Hughes Corporation

September 18, 2018

South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 will be transformed into a rooftop winter village

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Update 9/19/18: The LPC approved Howard Hughes' and David Rockwell's proposal. It might still be steamy outside, but the colder months are upon us, and this year, NYC will have a brand new ice skating rink. CityRealty uncovered renderings that show how the Howard Hughes Corporation would like to transform the South Street Seaport's Pier 17--the SHoP Architects-designed food/drink, retail, and entertainment complex--into a rooftop winter village. The proposal by David Rockwell Group calls for an ice rink just slightly smaller than that at Rockefeller Center, a skate shop, and a warming hut. The team is presenting the plan to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (Pier 17 is part of the South Street Seaport Historic District) this afternoon, so check back for updates on the vote.
Check out all the renderings
September 17, 2018

Zuccotti Park gets a new rose sculpture; Sales launch at 111 West 57th and Bjarke Ingels’ The Xi

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Acclaimed German artist Isa Genzken created a 26-foot-tall rose sculpture for Zuccotti Park. [6sqft inbox] Brooklyn Bridge Park’s long-plagued Squibb Bridge won’t be reopening any time soon. [BK Paper] Bjarke Ingels’ twisting condo The XI launched sales, ranging from a $2.85 million one-bedroom to a $28 million penthouse. [CityRealty] Sales also launched at 111 West 57th […]

Lottery opens for 95 affordable units in the Bronx’s Kingsbridge neighborhood, from $860/month

Kingsbridge Armory via Flickr cc

September 17, 2018

Lottery opens for 95 affordable units in the Bronx’s Kingsbridge neighborhood, from $860/month

By
It's no wonder the city has spent the better part of the past decade trying to redevelop the former Kingsbridge Armory into the country’s largest ice skating complex--it's less than a block from the 4 train and three blocks from the D and B trains and a quick walk to the Fordham University campus. And for residents moving into the area, it's just a few blocks from the large Jerome Park, St. James Park, and Poe Park. With all this in mind, a new development has sprung up across from the Armory at 2700 Jerome Avenue. The 13-story, 134-unit building is a mix of affordable and supportive housing and retail, and as of today, New Yorkers who earn 60 or 90 percent of the median income can apply for 95 units that fall into the first category. The available apartments range from $860/month studios to $1,940/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Apply for three middle-income units in Brooklyn’s historic Weeksville

Weeksville’s historic Hunterfly Road Houses via Wiki Commons

September 17, 2018

Apply for three middle-income units in Brooklyn’s historic Weeksville

By
After the state of New York State abolished slavery in 1827, the country's second-largest free black community was established in Brooklyn. Known as Weeksville, today the neighborhood falls a bit under the radar, surrounded by more sought-after neighborhoods like Crown Heights and Bed Stuy. But it's a charming little enclave, lined with many two-family homes and small brick rowhouses, that has done well to preserve its history. And just down the street from the Weeksville Heritage Center is a new 10-unit rental building at 1520 Prospect Place that just opened an affordable housing lottery for three $2,098/month one-bedrooms.
See the qualifications
New Bronx affordable housing lottery tries to make ‘Mott Haven North’ a thing

Rendering of 764 East 152nd Street via UA Builders Group

September 14, 2018

New Bronx affordable housing lottery tries to make ‘Mott Haven North’ a thing

By
We've seen it all over Manhattan and Brooklyn--brokers come up with bizarre acronyms and new directional cues to hip-ify (aka gentrify) a neighborhood. Most recently, they tried their hand at SoHa--South Harlem, which certainly didn't stick. And now the trend has spread to the Bronx, though this time it's the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development behind the new moniker. In their defense, "Mott Haven North," was probably chosen for the latest affordable housing lottery based on their 1994 Mott Haven North Urban Renewal plan, but with this South Bronx neighborhood rapidly gentrifying, it's a slippery slope. Regardless, there are eight $1,379/month one-bedrooms up for grabs at 764 East 152nd Street, which, according to maps, is in the Woodstock area.
More info ahead
City Island cottage has two bedrooms and a big backyard for $385K
September 12, 2018

City Island cottage has two bedrooms and a big backyard for $385K

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This cheery City Island cottage may look tiny, and while it's definitely not big, it manages to fit two bedrooms, a bonus loft space, several closets, and a high-end kitchen into its petite frame. Plus, it has a large backyard and is just blocks from a private beach. First spotted by Curbed, who notes that the yellow-shingled charmer is on "one of the heavily-residential side streets" of the Bronx island, the house is asking $385,000.
Get a look inside
102-year-old Orwasher’s Bakery is preserving NYC nostalgia while adapting to the times
September 12, 2018

102-year-old Orwasher’s Bakery is preserving NYC nostalgia while adapting to the times

By
There's a good chance that if you've walked into one of Orwasher's Bakery's Manhattan storefronts over the past decade you've assumed the 102-year-old business is still family owned. But the original Orwasher family sold it in 2007 to Keith Cohen. The likely confusion comes from Cohen's dedication to maintaining the mom-and-pop feel of his Upper East and West Side locations, along with the vintage recipes for New York staples such as rye bread, challah, and sourdough. But he's also used his business smarts to make some well-received updates, including a major expansion of the wholesale business, a new line of wine breads in collaboration with Long Island-based vineyard Channing Daughters, a formula for the perfect baguette (he even traveled to Paris to learn the art!), and, perhaps most impressively, the addition of the elusive New York bagel. 6sqft recently visited Cohen at the two-year-old Upper West Side location to learn a bit more about his journey as master baker and proprietor of one of NYC's most beloved old-school businesses and get a behind-the-scenes look at where the magic happens.
Start carbo-loading
‘Affordable’ Greenpoint apartments renting for the same price as the market-rate units
September 11, 2018

‘Affordable’ Greenpoint apartments renting for the same price as the market-rate units

By
We've come to accept that many middle-income "affordable" housing lotteries are nothing more than a way for a building to cross-subsidize its "deeply affordable" units. Case in point, this new lottery that just launched at 216 Freeman Street in Greenpoint. Reserved for households earning 130 percent of the median income, one-bedrooms are $2,544/month and two-bedrooms $3,050. And while a market-rate one-bedroom is currently listed for the higher price $2,975, a two-bedroom is listed for the exact same price as the lottery unit.
Find out if you qualify
New Midtown mural honors 9/11 firefighter

Photo © 6sqft

September 11, 2018

New Midtown mural honors 9/11 firefighter

By
The number of first responders who deserve to be honored for their courageous efforts after the September 11th attacks is many, but a new Midtown mural of one particular firefighter serves as a symbolic honor to all of those brave men and women. The Post first reported on the mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, painted on eight-stories of a building on East 49th Street and Third Avenue. The image replicates a photo of FDNY member Mike Bellantoni "overcome with exhaustion and despair" on 9/11, originally taken by Post freelance photographer Matthew McDermott.
What did Bellantoni think of the photo?
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