All articles by Dana Schulz

Live in a new rental on Williamsburg’s South 4th Street for just $923/month

Looking west down South 4th Street with Pies n’ Thighs on the corner, via *Bitch Cakes*/Flickr

June 21, 2018

Live in a new rental on Williamsburg’s South 4th Street for just $923/month

If you're a fan of Williamsburg's food scene (what good New Yorker isn't?) and earn between $31,646 and $50,100 annually, you may want to apply for one of two affordable apartments up for grabs at the new boutique rental 94 South 4th Street. For just $923 a month you'll get a one-bedroom unit right near hot spots like Pies n' Thighs, La Superior, Sunday in Brooklyn, Maison Premiere, and The Woods.
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Affordable Housing

June 20, 2018

Where I Work: Tour FXCollaborative’s Flatiron architecture office with partner Dan Kaplan

By Dana Schulz

6sqft’s series “Where I Work” takes us into the studios, offices, and off-beat workspaces of New Yorkers across the city. In this installment, we’re touring the Flatiron office of architecture firm FXCollaborative. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! To mark their 40th anniversary, architecture firm FXCollaborative recently debuted their new name (formerly FXFOWLE), along with a slew of big-name projects such as the Statue of Liberty Museum, a nearly 1,000-unit affordable housing development in the Bronx, and Downtown Brooklyn's One Willoughby Square, which will be the borough's tallest office building as well as the firm's new home. Ahead of their big move when the tower is completed in a few years, 6sqft paid a visit to FXCollaborative's current Flatiron office space to see how these prolific architects make their magic happen, thanks to a behind-the-scenes tour and talk with senior partner Dan Kaplan. From sustainable architecture and office design to equality in architecture and the importance of collaboration, learn how FXCollaborative remains one of NYC's top firms after four decades.
Take the tour and hear Dan’s thoughts

The history of Brooklyn blackout cake: German bakeries and WWII drills

Photo via Kirti Poddar/Flickr

June 15, 2018

The history of Brooklyn blackout cake: German bakeries and WWII drills

By Dana Schulz

Chocoholics all over the country know Brooklyn blackout cake, a three-tiered devil's food cake with layers of chocolate pudding and chocolate frosting topped with cake crumbs. In recent years, the rich cake has become re-popularized from its heyday in the first half of the 20th century. But most of us who gluttonously indulge in this tasty dessert have no idea where its borough-centric name came from or just how long this confectioner's delight has been around. It all started in 1898 at a German bakery called Ebinger's on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, but it wasn't until World War II that the moniker took hold.
Get the full story here

History

June 14, 2018

SHoP Architects design a food hall, co-working, and retail space for Midwood

By Dana Schulz

Midwood might not yet be considered an up-and-coming 'hood, but this new mixed-use project from trendy architects SHoP might be the first step. CityRealty spotted renderings for a 10-story commercial building at 1508 Coney Island Avenue, which will be one of the largest in the area. Preliminary outlines detail three floors of medical offices, three floors for non-profit offices, and two floors for co-working. Plus, there will be two levels of parking, two levels of retail, an event space, restaurant, and, of course, food hall. And while SHoP's design for the exterior seems pretty straightforward, the interiors take on a bit more of a fantastical approach.
Check it all out

My 500sqft: An art collector from Philly swaps space for amenities at Hell’s Kitchen’s 555Ten

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to retiree Andrew Ackerman’s new studio in Extell’s 555Ten. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

June 11, 2018

My 500sqft: An art collector from Philly swaps space for amenities at Hell’s Kitchen’s 555Ten

By Dana Schulz

A year ago, retired lawyer Andrew Ackerman gave up his long-time home, a 1,300-square-foot duplex in a Philadelphia brownstone, to move to NYC. Wanting to be near his friends, the theater district and art museums, and transportation options, he settled on Hell's Kitchen, and ultimately found the perfect high-rise apartment in Extell Development's luxury rental building, 555TEN. Getting used to the hustle and bustle of the city was easy for Andrew, but downsizing to a 500-square-foot alcove studio was a bit more challenging, especially considering he's been an avid art collector since childhood. 6sqft recently visited Andrew at 555Ten to see how he made the adjustment, which art pieces made the cut, and why the jump was all worth it.
Take a tour of Andrew's place

June 6, 2018

Rafael Viñoly reveals new renderings of ‘Auto Row’ office addition

By Dana Schulz

Historically, Auto Row, the stretch of eleventh in the 50s, has been somewhat a no-man's land to most, save for those rare New Yorkers who own a car. But with Hudson Yards pushing development westward, it's now coming out of the shadows. One of these projects is Rafael Viñoly Architects' addition to 787 Eleventh Avenue, an Art Deco industrial building that was originally home to the Packard Motor Company when it opened in 1927 to the designs of Albert Kahn. Viñoly's $100 million commission is adding two stories off office space to the top of the eight-story building, converting the other floors to commercial space, and retaining the current auto dealerships on the lower five levels. It's been more than two years since the first renderings were revealed, and now the firm has released an additional batch that show aerial views of the addition, more office views, and a closer look at the 12,000-square-foot roof deck.
More details and renderings ahead

June 5, 2018

Lottery opens for 13 middle-income units in Bed-Stuy, from $1,744/month

By Dana Schulz

As any New Yorker knows, convenience is key, but it'll often cost you. The city's latest affordable housing lottery, however, offers a location on the same block as the Franklin Avenue stop in Bed-Stuy, and just a short walk to both the subway and LIRR at Nostrand Avenue. The brand new building at 1068 Fulton Street has 13 middle-income units up for grabs for New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, including $1,744/month one-bedrooms and $2,099/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

June 4, 2018

For under $1M, this Soho co-op has a dreamy urban terrace

By Dana Schulz

The railroad layout may not seem ideal at first, but this one-bedroom Soho co-op more than makes up for it with two bathrooms and a dreamy outdoor terrace. Asking $945,000, the apartment at 57 Thompson Street lends itself to a shabby chic aesthetic, with whitewashed brick walls, cozy angled rooms, and large windows perfect for window boxes and hanging plants.
The inside is just as charming

Distinctive Homes

June 1, 2018

Greenwich Village apartment where Buddy Holly recorded his final songs lists for $1.6M

By Dana Schulz

Before his untimely death in 1959--the "day the music died"--Buddy Holly briefly lived at the then-brand-new Brevoort apartment building in Greenwich Village. His band the Crickets had moved to NYC in 1958 to be a part of the music scene, so Holly and new wife Maria Elena Santiago rented a corner two-bedroom apartment with a wrap-around terrace for just $1,000 a month. This unit, where he made his final recordings of "Crying," "Waiting, Hoping," and "Peggy Sue Got Married," has just hit the market for $1,595,000 (h/t Curbed).
See his former home

June 1, 2018

Own a pair of 1840s clapboard houses in Clinton Hill for $4.4M

By Dana Schulz

Wooden houses are certainly dispersed throughout Brooklyn, but it's a rare opportunity when one hits the market. A few months ago, we uncovered a listing for Crown Heights' oldest home, a circa-1850s wood frame. Now, a pair of rare clapboard homes have hit the market in Clinton Hill and they're even older. Numbers 448 and 450 Waverly Avenue are thought to have been built in the 1840s or even earlier, according to the neighborhood's designation report. "The unusual pair of extremely wide (25 feet) clapboard houses" are the only example of pure Greek Revival buildings in the district, and they can be yours, individually or together for $4.4 million.
Take the tour

Downtown’s historic glass sidewalks will be saved after Landmarks reverses rule changes

By Dana Schulz

"Viva Vault Lights!" wrote the Historic Districts Council in response to the Landmarks Preservation Commission's decision to backpedal on its rules amendments, which called for "more oversight by LPC staff but less time for public review" in proposals for alterations to historic buildings. HDC's celebratory sentiment is in response to one of the now-moot stipulations that Soho and Tribeca's vault lights--historic, industrial-era sidewalks made from small circular glass bulbs--could be removed by building owners and replaced with modern sidewalks.
Find out about all the other victories

May 31, 2018

New 9/11 Memorial monument honors first responders exposed to Ground Zero toxins

By Dana Schulz

Sixteen years ago as of yesterday, the rescue and recovery effort for the September 11th attacks ended. It's estimated that 400,000 people were exposed to life-threatening toxins, and since then, nearly 70,000 first responders and more than 14,000 survivors have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. Yesterday, former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart and 9/11 Memorial & Museum president Alice Greenwald revealed the official design for Memorial Glade, a monument to all those who have lost their lives or are sick due to these related illnesses. In addition to increasing awareness about the health crisis, the memorial will also "recognize the tremendous capacity of the human spirit, as exemplified during the rescue, recovery and relief efforts following the 9/11 attacks."
Learn about the design

Lottery opens for 12 new affordable units in East Harlem, from $856/month

Photo via Peter Ashe

May 30, 2018

Lottery opens for 12 new affordable units in East Harlem, from $856/month

By Dana Schulz

With East Harlem becoming hipper by the month, this affordable housing lottery for 12 units at the new building 2183 Third Avenue is a super steal, especially considering the building offers a gym, rooftop, recreation area, and laundry room. From $856/month studios to $1,114/month two-bedrooms, the apartments are available to households earning 60 percent of the area median income. Located at the northeast corner of East 119th Street and Third Avenue, the 12-story building is not only three blocks from the 6 train, but it's right near local hot spots like the original Patsy's Pizza and Hot Jalapeno, as well as the Target and Costco at East River Plaza.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

The Bronx Zoo, courtesy of Julienne Schaer on NYC &C Company

May 29, 2018

13 middle-income apartments up for grabs right near the Bronx Zoo

By Dana Schulz

With the warm weather officially here, living just a couple blocks from the Bronx Zoo and a short walk to the Crotona Park Nature Center sounds like a pretty nice idea. Throw in a location right alongside Mapes Ballfield and middle-income rent and you've got yourself a deal. There are 13 units at East Tremont's 2118 Mapes Avenue available for households earning 130 percent of the area median income, and they range from $1,100/month studios to $1,600/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

May 24, 2018

Proposal revealed for new public park on the Gowanus Canal’s Salt Lot

By Dana Schulz

The Salt Lot is a triangular piece of land just south of the point at which all three branches of the Gowanus Canal meet. The city-owned site hosts a NYC Compost Project facility, as well as the Gowanus Canal Conservancy's nursery and educational facilities. However, the EPA has mandated a new four-million-gallon retention tank be placed there to manage combined sewer overflow. Gowanus by Design (GbD) saw this new infrastructure requirement as a catalyst for sparking conversation about much needed public urban space in the area. They've therefore created a conceptual proposal for the Gowanus Salt Lot Public Park, which includes three buildings constructed with materials that reference the Canal's industrial history, along with sloping hills and wetlands.
More details and renderings ahead

Architecture And Design

Help bring this sculpture of lost Lower East Side mom-and-pops to Seward Park

Rendering of the installation

May 23, 2018

Help bring this sculpture of lost Lower East Side mom-and-pops to Seward Park

By Dana Schulz

After publishing their first account of small businesses in NYC a decade ago with their seminal book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York,” photographers James and Karla Murray are now ready to bring their work back to the street. As 6sqft previously reported, "the husband-and-wife team has designed an art installation for Seward Park, a wood-frame structure that will feature four nearly life-size images of Lower East Side business that have mostly disappeared--a bodega, a coffee shop/luncheonette (the recently lost Cup & Saucer), a deli (Katz's), and a newsstand (Chung’s Candy & Soda Stand). Though the installation is part of the Art in the Parks UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant Program, there are still high costs associated with materials, fabrication, and installation, so James and Karla have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the additional funds.
More details

Events & Things To Do

Adriana Urbina brings Venezuelan flavors to Nolita’s De Maria while empowering female chefs

Restuarant photo credit: Nicole Franzen; Portrait credit: Kathryn Sheldon

May 22, 2018

Adriana Urbina brings Venezuelan flavors to Nolita’s De Maria while empowering female chefs

By Dana Schulz

Earlier this month, Nolita restaurant De Maria won the coveted James Beard Award for best restaurant design or renovation in North America. The designers at The MP Shift replicated an artist’s studio, with Soho in the ‘70s and the Bauhaus movement in mind. But it's not just the space that's beautiful; Venezuelan-born chef Adriana Urbina's dishes, composed heavily of veggies and seafood, look like they were made for Instagram. Outside of the visuals, however, what sets De Maria apart is Urbina's socially conscious approach. Not only does she mix her South American heritage with her fine dining background (she started her career as an apprentice at Michelin 3-star restaurant in Spain, Martín Berasategui and was a 2017 winner of Food Network's "Chopped"), but she's committed to empowering female chefs and business owners, as well as using food as a way to connect people and raise awareness about what's going on in the world. 6sqft recently enjoyed an insanely delicious meal at De Maria and chatted with Adriana about her journey, the restaurant scene in NYC, and why this Nolita restaurant is the perfect place to see out her dreams.
Meet Adriana and get hungry!

May 16, 2018

Behind the scenes at the United Palace, Washington Heights’ opulent ‘Wonder Theatre’

By Dana Schulz

Earlier this year, 6sqft got an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at the Loew's Jersey City, one of the five opulent Loew’s Wonder Theatres built in 1929-30 around the NYC area. We've now gotten a tour of another, the United Palace in Washington Heights. Originally known as the Loew's 175th Street Theatre, the "Cambodian neo-Classical" landmark has served as a church and cultural center since it closed in 1969 and was purchased by televangelist Reverend Ike, who renamed it the Palace Cathedral. Today it's still owned by late Reverend's church but functions as a spiritual center and arts center. Thanks to Reverand Ike and his church's continued stewardship, Manhattan's fourth-largest theater remains virtually unchanged since architect Thomas W. Lamb completed it in 1930. 6sqft recently visited and saw everything from the insane ornamentation in the lobby to the former smoking lounge that recently caught the eye of Woody Allen. We also chatted with UPCA's executive director Mike Fitelson about why this space is truly one-of-a-kind.
Take the incredible digital tour

Lottery opens for six middle-income apartments near the Greenpoint waterfront

View from one of 56 Box Streets terraces, via Nooklyn

May 15, 2018

Lottery opens for six middle-income apartments near the Greenpoint waterfront

By Dana Schulz

Just two blocks inland from Newton Creek and right near hot spots like the Brooklyn Ice Cream Company, Saint Vitus Bar, and Milk & Roses, a stretch of Box Street is transforming from its industrial past to a more modern, residential block. At 56 Box Street, a new six-story rental, new Greenpoint tenants started moving in last August, and now a middle-income lottery has launched for six of the units, $2,253/month one-bedrooms and $2,716/month two-bedrooms. The market-rate units go from $2,650/month one-bedrooms to $3,300/month two-bedrooms. So while this isn't the deal of the century, there are still some savings to be had in an up-and-coming 'hood.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

52 years ago, Donald Trump’s father demolished Coney Island’s beloved Steeplechase Park

Steeplechase Park circa 1930-45, via Digital Commonwealth

May 14, 2018

52 years ago, Donald Trump’s father demolished Coney Island’s beloved Steeplechase Park

By Dana Schulz

Steeplechase Park was the first of Coney Island's three original amusement parks (in addition to Luna Park and Dreamland) and its longest lasting, operating from 1897 to 1964. It had a Ferris Wheel modeled after that of Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition, a mechanical horse race course (from which the park got its name), scale models of world landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, "Canals of Venice," the largest ballroom in the state, and the famous Parachute Jump, among other rides and attractions. After World War II, Coney Island's popularity began to fade, especially when Robert Moses made it his personal mission to replace the resort area's amusements with low-income, high-rise residential developments. But ultimately, it was Fred Trump, Donald's father, who sealed Steeplechase's fate, going so far as to throw a demolition party when he razed the site in 1966 before it could receive landmark status.
Get the full history this way

History

Apply for 37 affordable units right near the Barclay’s Center and Fort Greene Park, from $867/month

Renderings courtesy of Hill West

May 10, 2018

Apply for 37 affordable units right near the Barclay’s Center and Fort Greene Park, from $867/month

By Dana Schulz

If you don't mind being in the center of all the action, this affordable housing opportunity is for you. The lottery is open for 37 apartments at Hill West Architects' brand new Downtown Brooklyn rental 1 Flatbush Avenue. Not only does the 19-story building offer amenities such as a landscaped roof terrace with BBQs and a gym with a yoga studio, but its location at the intersection of booming Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street means it's just a few blocks from BAM, the Barclay's Center, almost all major subways at Atlantic Terminal, and Fort Green Park. The units up for grabs are reserved for households earning 60 percent of the area median income, or between $31,612 and $62,580 annually, and range from $867/month studios to $1,123/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

See Manhattan’s population pulse over 24 hours

All animations and screenshots courtesy of Justin Fung/Manhattan Population Explorer

May 10, 2018

See Manhattan’s population pulse over 24 hours

By Dana Schulz

There are two million people who reside in Manhattan, but during the workday, thanks to the overwhelming number of commuters, the number of people on the island doubles to four million. This is the highest ratio of daytime-to-nighttime population anywhere in the country. To show how this population pulses over the course of a day, data visualization designer and researcher Justin Fung created the interactive Manhattan Population Explorer. First picked up by Fast Co. Design, the map highlights just how many people fill each city block for 24 hours. The height of crowdedness comes between 12 and 3pm, during which time, unsurprisingly, Midtown and Lower Manhattan show populations nearing 13,000. During the day, these 'hoods see their populations jump by 10 and four times respectively.
See what's going on with the rest of the island

City Living

May 10, 2018

18 chances to live in a new Kips Bay rental from just $580/month

By Dana Schulz

Kips Bay may not be the most trendy 'hood, but it's just a few blocks away from bustling Nomad, all the bars in Murray Hill (if that's your thing) and a quick walk to Grand Central. And as of today, 18 units are up for grabs through the city's affordable housing lottery at 145 Madison Avenue, a new 21-story rental building between East 31st and 32nd Streets. The mixed-income units are reserved for those earning 30, 60, and 120 percent of the area median income and range from $580/month studios to $2,270/month one-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

May 9, 2018

Three gorgeous Osborne co-ops of the late Hollywood personality Robert Osborne hit the market

By Dana Schulz

The building name might be coincidental, but it's certainly no fluke that the late Robert Osborne's historic apartments at the Osborne co-op are perfectly preserved and decorated impeccably. Best known for his 20+ year run as the host of Turner Classic Movies and as the author of the official history of the Academy Awards, Robert moved into the Midtown West building in 1988 after Carol Burnett mentioned a friend was selling a residence there. He told the Times in 2006, "I was interested that there was a building called the Osborne spelled the same way I spell my name," and so he toured that unit with Bette Davis. This became the first of three homes he'd purchase in the co-op, and as of today, all three of these are on the market--a one-bedroom unit on the third-floor asking $1.25 million, a second-floor one-bedroom asking $725,000, and a much smaller one-bedroom on the first floor asking $575,000.
See both units

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