All articles by Dana Schulz

Gowanus Alliance reveals plans to bring Kentile Floors sign to new park

Renderings via Loci Architecture

January 10, 2017

Gowanus Alliance reveals plans to bring Kentile Floors sign to new park

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Two summers ago, the Gowanus Alliance teamed up with Gowanus by Design on their vision to transform the land underneath the elevated subway tracks on 10th Street between Second and Third Avenues into a public park that would serve as a home for the iconic but dismantled Kentile Floors sign. Now that the MTA has completed its repairs on the tracks above, Brooklyn Paper reports that the group has tapped Loci Architecture for preliminary renderings of what this space, dubbed Under the Tracks Playground, could look like.
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Construction update: FXFOWLE’s Circa Central Park nears the finish line
January 10, 2017

Construction update: FXFOWLE’s Circa Central Park nears the finish line

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Last we heard from Circa Central Park, the circle-hugging Central Park north condo from architects FXFOWLE and developers Artimus, the lottery had launched for 10 affordable units in the building. Seven months later, with occupancy slated for this year and nearly all apartments sold, CityRealty stopped by the Harlem site to check on construction. They've shared some great views of the nearly-completed glass, metal, and brick facade, which utilizes "a brise soleil system of horizontal louvers and vertical fins" to reduce solar gain and add depth to the structure by highlighting them in bright colors.
More details ahead
Tower 28, Queens’ soon-to-be second-tallest residential building, gets new renderings
January 9, 2017

Tower 28, Queens’ soon-to-be second-tallest residential building, gets new renderings

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When it's completed in March, Long Island City's Tower 28 (formerly 28 on 28th) will be the tallest residential building in Queens at 647 feet and 57 stories--that is, until it's taken over by the 66-story Court Square City View Tower nearby (this will also overtake the 673-foot 1 Court Square as the tallest overall building in the borough). Though its superlative will be short-lived, Heatherwood Communities' rental at 42-12 28th Street will still offer panoramic views, which new renderings from architects Hill West tell us will be taken in from a top-floor observatory, as well as a host of swanky amenities to "rival any vacation destination." According to CityRealty, the new exterior and interior views also come with news that leasing will begin in March, ranging from $1,900/month studios to $7,500/month three-bedrooms.
More renderings and details ahead
Governor Cuomo announces six investments to advance NYC’s outer boroughs
January 9, 2017

Governor Cuomo announces six investments to advance NYC’s outer boroughs

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Continuing his 2017 State of the State proposals, Governor Cuomo made an announcement this morning that the state would invest in six regional projects "to move New York City's outer boroughs forward." In addition to healthcare-related initiatives, these include: up to 3,000 new units of affordable housing in Brooklyn with wellness-focused amenities; permanent toll reductions on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge for Staten Island residents; $10 million towards the Orchard Beach pavilion redevelopment; and $108 million in financing for the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx to be transformed to an ice center.
Get all the details ahead
Four Seasons pop up headed to New Orleans; wear Gowanus for $188
January 6, 2017

Four Seasons pop up headed to New Orleans; wear Gowanus for $188

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The owners of the Four Seasons are opening a pop up at New Orleans’ 71-year-old restaurant Brennan’s. [Grub Street] Skidmore Owings & Merrill’s massive Hudson Yards-adjacent project Manhattan West gets new interior renderings and a new name–The Eugene. [Curbed] A deep dive into vertical farms. [The New Yorker] Anthropologie is selling a “Gowanus” dress for $188, […]

Five ‘one-seat ride’ options to JFK Airport proposed by Regional Plan Association
January 6, 2017

Five ‘one-seat ride’ options to JFK Airport proposed by Regional Plan Association

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Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo unveiled his latest nine-figure infrastructure proposal, a $10 billion overhaul of JFK Airport. As 6sqft explained, the plan address three main issues: "unifying all the terminals with an interconnected layout so the airport is more easily navigable; improving road access to the airport; and expanding rail mass transit to meet projected passenger growth." This final point included a direct rail link so that passengers traveling to and from Manhattan wouldn't need to ride the subway to connect to the AirTrain. The Regional Plan Association decided to explore this idea further, and in a report out today they've detailed five different approaches for a "one-seat ride" to JFK, which includes an extension of the Second Avenue Subway and a new underground tunnel.
All the possibilities right this way
SOM reveals official rendering for American Bible Society-replacing condo-rental tower

The former American Bible Society building (L); SOM’s new design for 1865 Broadway (R)

January 6, 2017

SOM reveals official rendering for American Bible Society-replacing condo-rental tower

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In the fall of 2015, the American Bible Society moved from their long-time home at Broadway and 61st Street to Philadelphia. Their Columbus Circle/Lincoln Center headquarters was built in 1965 by architects Roy O. Allen Jr. and Donald C. Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who created a 12-story Brutalist structure that was the first in the city constructed with load-bearing, pre-cast concrete exterior walls. But with the institution's recent departure came the sale of the building at 1865 Broadway for $300 million to AvalonBay Communities. The developer returned to the original architectural firm to create a new condo-rental tower at the site, and CityRealty has now uncovered SOM's first official rendering of what will replace their former work, which, interestingly enough, harkens back to the Brutalist aesthetic.
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New renderings of Court Square City View Tower, Queens’ future tallest building
January 6, 2017

New renderings of Court Square City View Tower, Queens’ future tallest building

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When plans were originally filed in February 2016, the Long Island City skyscraper since dubbed Court Square City View Tower was set to reach 964 feet. In April, it got bumped up to supertall status at 984 feet, making it Queens' future tallest building. It's since been dropped to 66 stories, but according to a new project page from architects Hill West (formerly Goldstein Hill & West), it will still be Long Island City's tallest tower, and therefore the tallest in the borough. CityRealty first noticed the updated details, which come with the first true renderings of the 800-unit condominium at 23-15 44th Drive. In addition to 360-degree views of Manhattan, the tower will offer an all-glass curtainwall facade, a retail base, and a slew of corner-apartment balconies.
More details ahead
Lottery opens for 44 affordable senior apartments on Staten Island’s Stapleton waterfront
January 6, 2017

Lottery opens for 44 affordable senior apartments on Staten Island’s Stapleton waterfront

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Go-to affordable housing firm Aufgang Architects and developer Arker Companies revealed renderings for a six-story, 67-unit building along Staten Island's Stapleton waterfront back in 2014. The under-construction project at 533 Bay Street, which offers low-income apartments for those 62 years of age and older, is now accepting applications for 44 of its units--three $686/month studios and 41 $737/month one-bedrooms, available to seniors earning up to 50 percent of the area media income. In addition to living in a brand-new building, residents will be in an up-and-coming area, where just a block away the massive rental development Urby is underway (the project boasts NYC’s first residential urban farm, as well as tons of retail space).
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High-income renters on the rise in the Bronx and Queens
January 5, 2017

High-income renters on the rise in the Bronx and Queens

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In November, 6sqft shared an analysis from RentCafe that showed the number of high-income renters in NYC has tripled over the last decade, with the number of renter households earning more than $150,000 annually increasing by 217 percent between 2005 and 2015, from 551,000 to 1.75 million. Now, DNAinfo has asked the site to break the data down further by neighborhood, and what it tells us is that Eastchester and Baychester in the Bronx and East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights in Queens saw the largest increase in wealthy renters.
Learn more and explore RentCafe's interactive charts
New York Times names the South Bronx one of the world’s top travel destinations for 2017
January 4, 2017

New York Times names the South Bronx one of the world’s top travel destinations for 2017

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In addition to far-flung and exotic locales such as Kazakhstan, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Sikkim, India, and Marrakesh, Morocco, the New York Times has added to its list of "52 Places to Go in 2017" several cities across the U.S. on the cusp of gentrification or about to make a comeback. One of these is the South Bronx, subtitled as "an industrial neighborhood's revival." They point to the 'hood's declining crime rates, wave of new development, and, of course, burgeoning foodie scene.
Read the whole travel blurb here
Mini Metros shrinks and simplifies 220 transit systems from around the world
January 4, 2017

Mini Metros shrinks and simplifies 220 transit systems from around the world

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When D.C.-based graphic designer and transit enthusiast Peter Dovak tried his hand at creating a transportation-based app, he was taken by the clean, simple appearance of the icons he'd made for the navigation bar--small circles containing shrunken versions of metro or light rail systems. He's now designed them for 220 cities as part of his ongoing Mini Metros series, and made the colorful maps available as prints, mugs, and magnets.
Get a closer look
Inside Brooklyn’s greenhouse on wheels; Illustrating the characters at Carnegie Deli’s last night
January 4, 2017

Inside Brooklyn’s greenhouse on wheels; Illustrating the characters at Carnegie Deli’s last night

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Brooklyn’s custom-designed Tula Plant Truck is a first-of-its-kind mobile greenhouse that lets New Yorkers shop for and learn about plants. [Design Sponge] Looking back at the construction of the Second Avenue Subway over the past six years. [Untapped] Check out the $5.5 million D.C. home where Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are reportedly moving. [Business Insider] […]

Norman Foster’s 50 Hudson Yards will be city’s most expensive office building at $4B
January 4, 2017

Norman Foster’s 50 Hudson Yards will be city’s most expensive office building at $4B

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It's been less than a month since it was revealed that starchitect Norman Foster would be designing the Related Companies' and Oxford Properties Group's 50 Hudson Yards commercial tower, but the developers have already pegged the cost of the project at $3.94 billion, which will make it the city's most expensive office building, reports The Real Deal. The 985-foot tower, where BlackRock has already signed a 20-year lease for 15 floors, will surpass One Vanderbilt's projected $3.14 billion price tag and Bjarke Ingels' planned $3 billion+ High Line tower known as The Spiral, as well as One World Trade Center's current record of $3.8 billion.
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IDNYC adds 10 new institutions to its roster of free offerings for 2017
January 3, 2017

IDNYC adds 10 new institutions to its roster of free offerings for 2017

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For the third straight year, IDNYC will remain free to all New Yorkers over the age of 14, despite concerns related to Donald Trump's request for data from sanctuary cities (h/t DNAinfo). Currently, more than 900,000 people are cardholders, which makes them eligible for memberships and discounts at 38 cultural institutions, 10 of which are brand new this year and include the Museum of Arts and Design, Museum at Eldridge Street, Film Forum, St. George Theatre, and the Jacques Marchais Center for Tibetan Art. Other perks include a 15 percent discount for first-time Citi Bike members, a five percent discount during certain times at Food Bazaar supermarkets, and up to 25 percent off select events at the Barclay's Center.
Find out more right this way
Apply for seven affordable units in the Bronx’s Morris Heights area, starting at $1,292/month
January 3, 2017

Apply for seven affordable units in the Bronx’s Morris Heights area, starting at $1,292/month

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2016 saw a huge influx of new affordable housing developments and subsequent lotteries in the Bronx, and the new year is kicking off with yet another. As of Thursday, qualifying New Yorkers can apply for seven brand new units at 74 West Tremont Avenue, a small, eight-story building in the borough's easily accessible Morris Heights neighborhood. The availabilities include $1,292/month one-bedrooms and $1,458/month two-bedrooms for those earning 80 percent of the area media income.
All the details
City may continue to house homeless New Yorkers in hotel rooms for nine years
January 3, 2017

City may continue to house homeless New Yorkers in hotel rooms for nine years

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Though Mayor de Blasio said early last year that he would phase out the process of using hotel rooms to fill the gaps in supporting the city's growing homeless population "as quickly as possible," a new request from the Department of Homeless Services would extend the practice for up to nine years. The Post reports that the agency's proposal is in response to the record 60,686+ New Yorkers in shelters, and they're asking for vendors to supply "emergency shelter social services in commercial hotels."
Find out more
New renderings and details for Rafael Viñoly’s 125 Greenwich Street
January 3, 2017

New renderings and details for Rafael Viñoly’s 125 Greenwich Street

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Construction at Rafael Viñoly’s slender skyscraper 125 Greenwich Street has reached street level, but as CityRealty uncovered, the tower that was slated to be taller than 1,000 feet over the summer (and previously 1,400 feet), is back down to 898 feet. Though this now makes it shorter than Fumihiko Maki’s 977-foot 4 World Trade Center one block north, fresh renderings show that the 88-story condo will still offer sweeping views of the city and harbor, which are shown for the first time from interior shots.
More views and details ahead
Lottery opens for 63 affordable units at former Bushwick convent, starting at $519/month
January 3, 2017

Lottery opens for 63 affordable units at former Bushwick convent, starting at $519/month

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All the way back in 2012, the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council and developer Georgica Green announced plans to redevelop Bushwick's former Our Lady of Lourdes convent into affordable and supportive housing, and now, nearly five years later, the lottery has opened for 63 brand new units at the site. The available apartments are reserved for those earning 40, 50, 60, or 80 percent of the area media income and range from $519/month studios to $1,740/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Secret Russian compound on Long Island shut down after Obama-issued sanctions

A Google Earth image of the property

December 30, 2016

Secret Russian compound on Long Island shut down after Obama-issued sanctions

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News of President Obama imposing sanctions against the two Russian intelligence agencies that were allegedly involved in the DNC hacking that affected the 2016 presidential election is perhaps the biggest news in the world right now, but it hits a lot closer to home than many New Yorkers may realize. The administration expelled 35 intelligence officials from the country and ordered two intelligence compounds closed, one of which is a 49-room mansion on a 14-acre property in Glen Cove on Long Island's ritzy Gold Coast (h/t Gothamist). NBC New York reports that, although the Soviet Union purchased it in 1951 to be used as weekend home for its UN delegates, many locals were never aware of its existence as a "longtime getaway for Russian diplomats" that was "also used for Russian intelligence purposes."
The full story
NYC’s best and worst subway lines of 2016
December 30, 2016

NYC’s best and worst subway lines of 2016

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Despite the fact that its impending shutdown dominated negative subway headlines this year, the L train is tied for one of the three best-performing lines, along with the 1 and 7. The worst? The A and E. The rankings come from the Straphangers Campaign's 2016 State of the Subways Report Card (h/t Gothamist), which graded the system's 20 lines based on six indicators from MTA transit data--service regularity, breakdown rate, crowding, cleanliness, and in-car announcements.
More findings ahead
Gamma Real Estate files plans for 850-foot tower at long-stalled Sutton Place site
December 30, 2016

Gamma Real Estate files plans for 850-foot tower at long-stalled Sutton Place site

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When Gamma Real Estate's $98 million bid won the debt-beleaguered site at 3 Sutton Place just a couple weeks ago at a bankruptcy auction, 6sqft noted that the firm could either re-sell, bring the original plan for a 900-foot condo tower by starchitect Norman Foster to fruition, take on a joint-venture partner, or move forward with a plan of its own. The Real Deal now tells us that Gamma filed plans with the Department of Buildings for an 844-foot, 67-story tower with 389 apartments. However, he says this is to "safeguard the property" while the firms weighs all the aforementioned options.
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