All articles by Devin Gannon

The Met and the Neue Galerie are merging

The Neue Galerie at 1048 Fifth Avenue. Photo by Eden, Janine, and Jim on Wikimedia

May 14, 2026

The Met and the Neue Galerie are merging

The Neue Galerie New York and the Metropolitan Museum of Art will merge, creating the most significant collection of 20th-century Austrian and German art outside of Europe. The Met will take over the Neue Galerie's collection, which includes iconic works by Gustav Klimt, and its Beaux-Arts building at 1048 Fifth Avenue, in 2028, following necessary approvals.
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Events & Things To Do

Aerial view from Amsterdam Avenue, looking east. All renderings by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.

May 13, 2026

Lincoln Center breaks ground on accessible performance park, anchored by new amphitheater

By Devin Gannon

Lincoln Center on Monday broke ground on a $335 million project that will transform the campus into an accessible performance arts park. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Lincoln Center West Initiative reimagines the Amsterdam Avenue side of the campus by removing the wall at Damrosch Park and replacing it with a more welcoming edge that connects to the rest of the institution. The redeveloped Damrosch Park will be centered around the Baron Theater, a 2,000-person outdoor venue that will be Lincoln Center's first new freestanding theater in 50 years, and an inviting open plaza surrounded by gardens, groves, and a new water feature. The opening is scheduled for summer 2028.
details here

Park Avenue penthouse with enormous terrace owned by Maurice Tempelsman lists for $5.5M

All photos courtesy of Yoo Jean Han for Sotheby’s International Realty

May 11, 2026

Park Avenue penthouse with enormous terrace owned by Maurice Tempelsman lists for $5.5M

By Devin Gannon

The Park Avenue penthouse owned by Maurice Tempelsman, Jackie Kennedy Onassis's longtime companion, is now on the market. Tempelsman, who died last summer at the age of 95, bought the top-floor co-op at 1155 Park Avenue in Carnegie Hill for $3.3 million in 1999, as the New York Times reported. Now asking $5.5 million, the two-bedroom pre-war apartment is surrounded by an enormous, landscaped terrace, providing a serene rooftop garden with views of Manhattan and Central Park.
see the home

Distinctive Homes

Rent freeze for stabilized apartments backed by NYC board in preliminary vote

Credit: Karya Schanilec for NYS Tenant Bloc

May 8, 2026

Rent freeze for stabilized apartments backed by NYC board in preliminary vote

By Devin Gannon

In a preliminary vote on Thursday, the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) backed rent adjustments that included leases with no increases, advancing Mayor Zohran Mamdani's promise of a rent freeze for New York City tenants living in one million stabilized apartments. It's not a done deal. The nine-member board voted for proposed adjustments between 0 and 2 percent for one-year leases and 0 and 4 percent for two-year leases, leaving the door open for a potential increase. The final guidelines, likely falling somewhere in that range, will be voted on by the board on June 25.
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Policy

Towering totems in Brooklyn Bridge Park explore the ritual of everyday objects

Woody De Othello. “Reverence,” 2026. “Awareness,” 2026, “Listening,” 2026. Redwood. Photo: Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY. Presented by Public Art Fund as a part of “Woody De Othello: Guardian Spirit” at Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York City, May 5, 2026-March 8, 2027

May 7, 2026

Towering totems in Brooklyn Bridge Park explore the ritual of everyday objects

By Devin Gannon

A new exhibition exploring the ritual of everyday objects opened along the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park this week. Presented by the Public Art Fund, "Guardian Spirit" by Woody De Othello consists of three redwood totems, between 20 and 22 feet tall, and four large-scale bronze sculptures, inspired by "nkisi," ritual objects from Western and Central Africa that "embody spiritual presences and channel protective or healing forces." Located in Pier 1 and at the intersection of Washington Street and Plymouth Street in Dumbo, "Guardian Spirit" is De Othello's first solo public exhibition in New York City.
see it here

Events & Things To Do

NYC announces record $31M in penalties against two Bronx landlords

Streetview of 480 East 188th Street © Google 2022

May 6, 2026

NYC announces record $31M in penalties against two Bronx landlords

By Devin Gannon

New York City secured $31 million in penalties against negligent owners of two Bronx apartment buildings, marking the largest judgment ever obtained by the city. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced on Wednesday a record-setting settlement against landlords Karan Singh and Rajmattie Persaud, who own Robert Fulton Terrace and Fordham Towers. After tenants faced years of hazardous conditions, including lack of hot water, rat infestations, and elevator outages, and hundreds of housing code violations, the city sued the owners in 2024, and the properties later entered foreclosure.
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Policy

New York kicks off planning for 100-acre Aqueduct Racetrack redevelopment

Aerial view of Aqueduct Racetrack courtesy of Empire State Development

May 5, 2026

New York kicks off planning for 100-acre Aqueduct Racetrack redevelopment

By Devin Gannon

New York is moving forward with the redevelopment of the sprawling Aqueduct Racetrack site in South Ozone Park. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the start of the community engagement and planning process for 100 acres of the state-owned Queens racetrack, which will close this summer before moving horse racing operations to Belmont Park on Long Island. The state announced two workshops will take place this month to gather input from the public on priorities for the development, including housing, open space, and retail.
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New Developments

The Flatiron Building is getting a new restaurant from the chefs behind Via Carota

Chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi in front of the Flatiron Building. Photo credit: Alex Stein

April 28, 2026

The Flatiron Building is getting a new restaurant from the chefs behind Via Carota

By Devin Gannon

The celebrated chefs behind some of New York City's most acclaimed restaurants are opening a new spot in one of the city's most iconic buildings. James Beard Award-winning duo Rita Sodi and Jody Williams will open a location of their Bar Pisellino at the base of the landmarked Flatiron Building, which is currently being converted from offices into condominiums. The new restaurant marks the first restaurant outside of the West Village for Sodi and Williams, who are behind beloved downtown restaurants Via Carota, I Sodi, Buvette, and The Commerce Inn.
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New York announces free FIFA World Cup fan events in every borough

A FIFA World Cup fan experience will take place at Staten Island University Hospital Park Baseball Field from June 29 to July 2. Photo by Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

April 27, 2026

New York announces free FIFA World Cup fan events in every borough

By Devin Gannon

Instead of paying sky-high ticket prices and $150 NJ Transit train fares, New York soccer fans can attend free World Cup watch parties hosted in every borough. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with the NYNJ 2026 World Cup Host Committee, on Monday announced five official fan experiences to be held throughout the six-week tournament. "If you can't get to the World Cup, the World Cup is coming to you," Hochul said.
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Events & Things To Do

Mamdani creates NYC’s first office to prevent deed theft

Mayor Mamdani and Council Member Ossé. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 24, 2026

Mamdani creates NYC’s first office to prevent deed theft

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday announced the creation of the city's first-ever Office of Deed Theft Prevention to crack down on scammers who take ownership of homes through fraud and deception. The new office comes just days after Council Member Chi Ossé was arrested after defending a Bed-Stuy homeowner facing eviction from a brownstone she has called home for six decades.
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Policy

Smorgasburg to open in Central Park

By Devin Gannon

Smorgasburg's 16th season may be its biggest yet. The long-running open-air market, which originated in Williamsburg, announced it is expanding to Central Park next month. Starting May 14, over 25 vendors will set up at the Columbus Circle entrance of the park. The new Smorgasburg location comes as the company prepares to open a new 32,000-square-foot Pan-American restaurant on Governors Island.
dig in

April 22, 2026

Lottery opens for 24 affordable co-ops in Hamilton Heights, starting at $100K

By Devin Gannon

In Hamilton Heights, a co-op building opened a lottery this week for affordable apartments available for purchase. On the corner of West 142nd Street and Riverside Drive, the pre-war building was acquired by the city in 2003 and sold to a nonprofit group to rehabilitate and turn it into affordable housing as part of the city's currently-paused Third Party Transfer (TPT) program. Earlier this month, a lottery opened for 24 units at 644 Riverside Drive, priced from $100,794 for a one-bedroom to $156,331 for a five-bedroom.
do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

Midtown East penthouse seen in ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ lists for $4.95M

Photos courtesy of Evan Joseph Studios

April 21, 2026

Midtown East penthouse seen in ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ lists for $4.95M

By Devin Gannon

The New York City penthouse that acted as the fictional home of financial fraudster Jordan Belfort in the 2013 film "The Wolf of Wall Street" is back on the market. Located on the 32nd floor of the Midtown East condo building Milan at 300 East 55th Street, the luxurious, 2,700-square-foot penthouse serves as the setting of a pivotal scene with Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and an associate who dangles a butler over the balcony. The scene shows off the very real sweeping city views, especially of the Chrysler Building, from the three-bedroom home, which just hit the market for $4,950,000.
take a look

NYC Council wants a ‘cultural passport,’ more public bathrooms, and Pelé Way for World Cup

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 20, 2026

NYC Council wants a ‘cultural passport,’ more public bathrooms, and Pelé Way for World Cup

By Devin Gannon

With the 2026 World Cup less than two months away, the New York City Council introduced a package of legislation last week to support local businesses during the nearly six-week tournament, which includes eight games at nearby MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. One of the proposed bills would create a "cultural passport program" to encourage those traveling to New York for the soccer matches to explore local businesses and institutions across the five boroughs; another would make a calendar of events to help visitors find festivals, parties, and cultural corridors tied to the participating teams. The new legislation comes as City Hall has restricted approving permits for large public events during the World Cup, as well as the 250th Anniversary of America on July 4.
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72nd Street to get crosstown protected bike lane

72nd Street and Columbus before the redesign. Photo © Ondel Hylton

April 17, 2026

72nd Street to get crosstown protected bike lane

By Devin Gannon

The city will install a crosstown protected bike route that runs the entire length of 72nd Street in Manhattan. The Department of Transportation (DOT) this week unveiled plans for a two-way protected bike lane from Riverside Drive to York Avenue, connecting the Upper West Side and Upper East Side through Central Park. The transportation committee of Manhattan Community Board 7 on Tuesday passed a resolution in support of the West 72nd Street redesign, which could begin later this spring. DOT will present plans for the east side of the street to Community Board 8 this fall.
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Policy

Hochul proposes pied-à-terre tax on NYC second homes worth over $5M

Photo by Jakub Hałun on Wikimedia

April 15, 2026

Hochul proposes pied-à-terre tax on NYC second homes worth over $5M

By Devin Gannon

Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday proposed a yearly tax on non-primary residences in New York City. After resisting calls to tax high-income earners led by progressive leaders like Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the governor is now embracing a surcharge on secondary homes in the five boroughs valued at $5 million and above. Known as pieds-à-terre, these properties are occupied by part-time residents who usually stay there while working or visiting the city. While it's not the first time such a tax has been proposed in recent years, the new push for the surcharge comes as the city deals with a multibillion-dollar budget gap.
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Mamdani announces plans for city-owned grocery store in East Harlem

Photo courtesy of Kara McCurdy | Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 14, 2026

Mamdani announces plans for city-owned grocery store in East Harlem

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday announced plans to build a city-owned grocery store in East Harlem, advancing one of his core campaign promises. Located under the Park Avenue Viaduct between 111th and 116th Streets, La Marqueta was opened by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1936 as one of the city's original public markets. Over the years, the marketplace has struggled and has shrunk its footprint and its number of vendors. As the New York Times first reported, the city plans to spend $30 million to build the store at the site of La Marqueta, which is expected to open by 2029.
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Policy

Pink buys historic yellow Greenwich Village townhouse for $21.5M

Photo of the facade courtesy of Michael Weinstein of MW Studio. All others, courtesy of Shannon Dupre’ of DD Reps.

April 13, 2026

Pink buys historic yellow Greenwich Village townhouse for $21.5M

By Devin Gannon

Pink bought a yellow Greenwich Village townhouse. The pop star paid $21.5 million for the historic six-story home at 125 West 11th Street, as the Wall Street Journal first reported. Built in 1849, the cheerfully painted Greek Revival mansion has served as a haven for artists for over a century, most recently the same family for 70 years. Following a three-year renovation, the roughly 7,900-square-foot home first hit the market for $25 million in 2024 before being reduced by $3.5 million last fall.
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New Times Square observation deck offers unique NYC views, 19 floors above Broadway

Photo courtesy of One Times Square

April 8, 2026

New Times Square observation deck offers unique NYC views, 19 floors above Broadway

By Devin Gannon

You've probably never seen Times Square like this before. One Times Square, home of the New Year's Eve Ball, opened a new observation deck this week that puts visitors 19 floors above Broadway, at the center of one of the world's most iconic destinations. Dubbed the Times Square Skywalk, the new experience provides a unique perspective of the city from a 360-degree wraparound viewing deck, offering peeks of both rivers, Central Park, and the crowds below. The skywalk is part of a broader $500 million redevelopment of One Times Square, which opens up most of the building to the public for the first time in 50 years.
see the views

West Village megamansion enters contract for over $70M

All photos courtesy of Hayley Ellen Day

April 6, 2026

West Village megamansion enters contract for over $70M

By Devin Gannon

Two multi-family townhouses that were combined into one megamansion in the West Village found a buyer this month. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the unique property at 105-107 Bank Street entered contract for over $70 million, set to become one of the most expensive homes ever sold in downtown Manhattan if the deal closes at that price. Robert A.M. Stern Architects designed the double-wide residence, which is six stories and measures over 13,000 square feet.
more here

Real Estate Trends

Abolitionist Place Park. Photo courtesy of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

April 6, 2026

A renter’s guide to Downtown Brooklyn

By Devin Gannon

Since being rezoned 20 years ago, Downtown Brooklyn has transformed into a dynamic mixed-use district, adding roughly 32 million square feet of new development in residential, commercial, cultural, academic, and open spaces. According to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, since 2004, the area has seen over 27,000 housing units completed, with nearly 8,000 units under construction or in the pipeline. As one of the best transit-connected areas in New York City, along with its strong arts and cultural scene, Downtown Brooklyn is becoming a successful example of what a live-work-play neighborhood looks like. If you're looking to move to the neighborhood, we took a look at some of the best rental buildings to call home.
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NYC Guides

Landlord income up 6 percent as board considers rent adjustments for NYC’s stabilized apartments

Tenant advocates called for a rent freeze during the Rent Guidelines Board final vote on June 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of New York State Tenant Bloc.

March 27, 2026

Landlord income up 6 percent as board considers rent adjustments for NYC’s stabilized apartments

By Devin Gannon

The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB), the nine-member group that decides annual rent adjustments for New York City's one million stabilized apartments, kicked off its annual review of economic conditions for both landlords and tenants this week. During the first of many sessions before a final vote on rent changes this summer, the board on Thursday released a report detailing the 2024 incomes and expenses of the city's rent-stabilized housing stock. According to the data, the net operating income (NOI), or the amount of revenue landlords received after operating costs, rose 6.2 percent between 2023 and 2024 citywide, the third year in a row that NOI increased.
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Policy

NYC to fast-track affordable housing on city-owned land

The city-owned vacant lot at 784-800 Myrtle Avenue in Bed-Stuy will be fast-tracked for affordable housing. Streetview © Google

March 25, 2026

NYC to fast-track affordable housing on city-owned land

By Devin Gannon

New York City is launching another program aimed at speeding up the development of affordable housing across the five boroughs. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday launched the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track, which will include a roster of prequalified developers to be selected for projects on city-owned land, shortening the time it takes before construction can begin by eight months. The new initiative joins the Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP), which the city rolled out last month, in helping build more homes more quickly.
find out more

March 24, 2026

MTA lot in Crown Heights to become 300-unit residential building

By Devin Gannon

New York is looking to transform a parking lot in Crown Heights owned by the MTA into the neighborhood's next residential development. The agency on Tuesday released a request for proposals seeking developers to build approximately 300 new housing units at 1119 Pacific Street, an underutilized lot used by New York City Transit as part of a cable shop. Approved by the City Council last year, the rezoning of the area has enabled the construction of new residential buildings in the formerly industrial area.
See the plan

Prospect Park’s east side is getting a protected bike lane, pedestrian plaza

Rendering of Ocean Avenue perimeter, courtesy of Prospect Park Alliance.

March 20, 2026

Prospect Park’s east side is getting a protected bike lane, pedestrian plaza

By Devin Gannon

A connected bike lane around the entire perimeter of Prospect Park is closer to becoming a reality. The city on Friday broke ground on a $15.5 million project aimed at enhancing the eastern edge of the Brooklyn park along Ocean and Parkside Avenues, from Empire Boulevard to Parade Place. The project includes installing a sidewalk-grade, two-way protected bike lane that will connect to existing bike paths around the park and a new pedestrian plaza that will be home to the new Shirley Chisholm monument.
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Policy

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