All articles by Devin Gannon

Sag Harbor cottage where John Steinbeck wrote his final novel asks $18M

All photos by Gavin Zeigler for Sotheby’s International Realty

February 25, 2021

Sag Harbor cottage where John Steinbeck wrote his final novel asks $18M

John Steinbeck's waterfront cottage in Sag Harbor where he penned his final novel, The Winter of Discontent, is on the market for $17.9 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author bought the Hamptons home, tucked away on a bluff between two coves, in 1955, as the New York Times first reported. The property sits on nearly two acres and contains a two-bedroom main residence, a gazebo-like structure that Steinbeck used as a writing space, a guest cottage, and a 60-foot private dock.
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Lottery opens for 330 middle-income units at 5Pointz towers in Long Island City, from $1,850/month

View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty

February 25, 2021

Lottery opens for 330 middle-income units at 5Pointz towers in Long Island City, from $1,850/month

By Devin Gannon

View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty A housing lottery launched this week for 337 rental units at the pair of residential towers in Queens that replaced the famed graffiti-covered warehouse 5Pointz. Located at 22-44 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, the development, dubbed 5 Pointz LIC, contains two buildings, one at 47 stories and the other at 41, and over 1,100 units of housing. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,850/month studios to $3,200/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Preservationists fight to save the impressively-intact Art Deco lobby of the McGraw-Hill Building

Photo credit: Lynn Farrell on behalf of the Art Deco Society of New York

February 24, 2021

Preservationists fight to save the impressively-intact Art Deco lobby of the McGraw-Hill Building

By Devin Gannon

An effort to preserve one of New York City's best examples of Art Deco design is underway. The owner of the McGraw-Hill Building at 330 West 42nd Street has tapped MdeAS Architects to redesign and modernize the structure's exterior, including new doors and signage. But after renderings from the architects surfaced on Twitter this month that showed what looked to be the 1931 lobby of the Hell's Kitchen building devoid of its iconic alternation blue-green steel bands and other signature elements designed by Raymond Hood, preservationists and architectural groups sprung into action.
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Policy

Affordable units and height slashed at proposed Brooklyn Botanic Garden-bordering towers

Rendering: NYC Department of City Planning

February 24, 2021

Affordable units and height slashed at proposed Brooklyn Botanic Garden-bordering towers

By Devin Gannon

The developers behind a controversial proposal to build a pair of high-rise towers in Crown Heights next to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden have put forth a revised plan that would slash the building height and the number of affordable units offered. As first reported by The City, Continuum Company and Lincoln Equities launched a new project website that describes a 17-story residential building at 960 Franklin Avenue as an alternative to the 34-story project currently under review by the city.
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$5.49M condo with private infinity pool is Jersey City’s most expensive penthouse ever listed

All images by DVORA, courtesy of Modern Spaces

February 23, 2021

$5.49M condo with private infinity pool is Jersey City’s most expensive penthouse ever listed

By Devin Gannon

A condo in Jersey City has hit the market for $5.488 million, becoming the most expensive penthouse ever listed in the city. The Villa at the Oakman Condominiums at 160 First Street has four bedrooms, four and a half baths, and an incredible split-level outdoor terrace that measures 2,300 square feet and boasts a private heated infinity pool. Completed in 2016, Oakman rises 15 stories, contains 159 units, and is located just a few blocks from the Grove Street PATH station, making for an easy commute to Manhattan.
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Jersey City announces $72M restoration of historic Loew’s Theatre

All renderings courtesy of OTJ Architects

February 23, 2021

Jersey City announces $72M restoration of historic Loew’s Theatre

By Devin Gannon

Jersey City has reached a $72 million deal with the operator of the Prudential Center to transform the historic Loew's Wonder Theatre into a modern 3,300-seat venue. Mayor Steven Fulop on Monday announced a partnership with Devils Arena Entertainment to renovate the nearly 100-year-old theater that once operated as an opulent entertainment destination when it opened in 1929 and was nearly demolished in the 1980s, but was saved by a grassroots preservation effort. The city sees the restoration of Loew's as part of a broader revitalization of the transit-friendly Journal Square neighborhood, where multiple mixed-use towers are in the works.
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History

New immersive art installation in Chelsea explores the beauty of mathematics and nature

All photos courtesy of Julius Horsthuis and ARTECHOUSE

February 23, 2021

New immersive art installation in Chelsea explores the beauty of mathematics and nature

By Devin Gannon

A stunning new digital installation exploring the beauty of "mathematics, nature, and architecture" opens in Chelsea next month. Artechouse NYC, an innovative digital art space beneath Chelsea Market, will kick off its 2021 season with Geometric Properties, a vibrant exhibition that explores mathematical patterns and fractional dimensions. Created by Amsterdam-based artist Julius Horsthuis, the installation opens March 1 and will be on view through September 6.
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Events & Things To Do

Trump-operated ice rinks in Central Park to stay open for rest of season

Photo of the Wollman Rink by bekhap on Flickr

February 22, 2021

Trump-operated ice rinks in Central Park to stay open for rest of season

By Devin Gannon

Two ice rinks in Central Park that are operated by the Trump Organization will now remain open for the rest of the season instead of shuttering early as originally planned. The Trump Organization announced it would close Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink on Sunday after city officials requested the company cease operations on February 26, ahead of the contract's April expiration. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the termination of the agreements with former President Donald Trump's company for the ice rinks and two other city concessions following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. In a reversal, the city on Sunday said the rinks can stay open for the remainder of the season.
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Policy

FEMA community-based vaccination sites open in Brooklyn and Queens this week

Photo by Jules Antonio on Wikimedia

February 22, 2021

FEMA community-based vaccination sites open in Brooklyn and Queens this week

By Devin Gannon

Two coronavirus vaccination sites run by the state with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open in Queens and Brooklyn on Wednesday, with appointments set aside for residents of specific ZIP codes. Appointment slots opened over the weekend for vaccinations at Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights and York College in Jamaica, starting this Wednesday. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, there are many appointments still up for grabs.
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Policy

For $446K, a restored 150-year-old cottage in Kingston with waterfall views

All photos courtesy of Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty

February 19, 2021

For $446K, a restored 150-year-old cottage in Kingston with waterfall views

By Devin Gannon

Here's an opportunity to live in the booming "creative capital" of the Hudson Valley. A restored 150-year-old cottage in Kingston has hit the market for $445,555. Located at 1143 Sawkill Road, the incredible property was built in 1870 and comes with an adjoining artist's barn. The two-bedroom, two-bath home measures about 1,250 square feet and sits on one acre of land, surrounded by the nearby woods and waterfalls of the Bluestone Wild Forest.
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Distinctive Homes

Massive Empire Station Complex project that will revamp Penn Station area moves forward

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to build an interconnected public transportation hub and revitalize Penn Station took a major step forward this week. The Empire State Development's Board of Directors on Thursday adopted the General Project Plan (GPP) and certified the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Empire Station Complex project, which would link an upgraded Penn Station, the newly opened Moynihan Train Hall, and a tentative new terminal one block south of Penn Station. The board also set a public hearing on the project for March 23, followed by a 30-day public comment period.
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Lottery opens for 351 mixed-income apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $524/month

Rendering courtesy of Omni New York

February 18, 2021

Lottery opens for 351 mixed-income apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $524/month

By Devin Gannon

Applications are now being accepted for 351 mixed-income apartments at a new rental building in Jamaica, Queens. Dubbed Archer Green, the development is located at 92-23 168th Street and will feature 15,000 square feet of community space and more than 68,000 square feet of retail. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $524/month studios to $2,638/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

$2.3M duplex in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone has two outdoor spaces and three fireplaces

All photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 18, 2021

$2.3M duplex in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone has two outdoor spaces and three fireplaces

By Devin Gannon

A bright duplex in Brooklyn Heights that boasts two private outdoor spaces is now on the market for $2,325,000. The property at 174 Hicks Street sits within a brownstone in the neighborhood's historic district and about two blocks from the scenic Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The two-bedroom, two-bath home measures roughly 1,500 square feet, with flexible mezzanine space and three wood-burning fireplaces.
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Distinctive Homes

Coney Island amusements can finally reopen in April

Photo by sebastien cordat on Unsplash

February 17, 2021

Coney Island amusements can finally reopen in April

By Devin Gannon

Looking ahead to warmer months, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said outdoor amusement parks, indoor family entertainment centers, and overnight summer camps in New York will be allowed to reopen. If the state's coronavirus positivity rate continues to trend downward, indoor entertainment centers can reopen starting March 26 at 25 percent capacity, outdoor amusement parks and rides on April 9 at 33 percent capacity, and eventually, overnight summer camps in June.
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Policy

See the new Long Island City condo tower anchored by Trader Joe’s

All renderings courtesy of Viserio

February 17, 2021

See the new Long Island City condo tower anchored by Trader Joe’s

By Devin Gannon

A new condo building in Long Island City is offering buyers a rare amenity in New York: private outdoor space. Located at 22-43 Jackson Avenue, The Prime contains 71 units, all of which boast balconies. And perhaps even more exciting for some, a Trader Joe's grocery store will open on the building's ground floor this year. Sales launched earlier this month at the building, developed by Circle F Capital and designed by Andres Escobar's Lemay+Escobar Architecture, with residences starting at $700,000.
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NYC releases vaccination data by ZIP code

Map shows the percentage of residents who received at least one dose of the vaccine by ZIP code as of Feb. 16, courtesy of NYC Health

February 16, 2021

NYC releases vaccination data by ZIP code

By Devin Gannon

New York City neighborhoods that have experienced the highest infection rates of COVID-19 are now seeing the lowest rates of vaccination, according to new data released by the city. For the first time, the city on Tuesday published a map of vaccination rates by ZIP code. According to the data, Staten Island and Manhattan have the highest vaccination rates, while "the South Bronx, parts of Central Queens, and Central Brooklyn lag behind," Dr. Torian Easterling, the city's First Deputy Health Commissioner, said.
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Policy

NYC subway to restore some overnight service

Photo: Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

February 16, 2021

NYC subway to restore some overnight service

By Devin Gannon

Overnight subway service in New York City will partially resume this month following more than nine months of closure. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Monday plans for a phased reopening of the subway starting February 22, which includes closing the system for cleaning from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. instead of from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Cuomo last May ordered the closure of 24/7 service, a first for the system, as part of a rigorous coronavirus disinfection plan and an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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These early 20th-century Valentine’s Day cards are delightfully bizarre

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. With loving greetings. NYPL Digitial Collections.

February 12, 2021

These early 20th-century Valentine’s Day cards are delightfully bizarre

By Devin Gannon

While jewelry, roses, and a steak dinner are always nice, a romantic greeting card remains one of the most popular, and affordable, ways to say "I love you." Instead of the typical heart and floral card designs, why not surprise your Valentine this year with a bizarre note from the early 20th-century that depicts delightfully weird cherubs and charming cupids? The New York Public Library has an amazing digital collection of vintage Valentine's Day cards, some of which stand the test of time and others that may not. Ahead, see some of our favorites from the collection and choose your own to exchange on February 14.
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Events & Things To Do

Plan for 900-foot tower with 1,325 rentals at 5 World Trade Center moves forward

Photo by bilderkombinat berlin on Flickr

February 12, 2021

Plan for 900-foot tower with 1,325 rentals at 5 World Trade Center moves forward

By Devin Gannon

Plans to build a 900-foot mixed-use tower with 1,325 units of housing at 5 World Trade Center are moving forward. The boards of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation voted on Thursday to approve the recommendation of the selection committee for the proposal from Brookfield Properties, Silverstein Properties, Omni New York, and Dabar Development Partners. The site is the former location of the Deutsche Bank building which was damaged in the September 11 terrorist attacks and later demolished. The developer will now enter negotiations for a lease for the residential tower, expected to measure 1.56 million gross square feet.
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Take a look inside the penthouses at the High Line-straddling Lantern House

A four-bedroom penthouse at Lantern House is on the market for $12.975 million. Credit: Related Companies

February 11, 2021

Take a look inside the penthouses at the High Line-straddling Lantern House

By Devin Gannon

Thomas Heatherwick's unique condo project on the High Line is showing off its collection of penthouses ahead of the building's impending completion this year. Lantern House, located at 515 West 18th Street in Chelsea, consists of two towers that rise on either side of the High Line, one at 10 stories and the other at 22. Last October we got a peek inside the bubbled residences, and now new images have been released of a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath penthouse with a large outdoor terrace, currently listed for $12.975 million.
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New York stadiums and arenas can reopen February 23 with COVID-19 testing

Photo by Ajay Suresh on Flickr

February 10, 2021

New York stadiums and arenas can reopen February 23 with COVID-19 testing

By Devin Gannon

Large stadiums and arenas in New York can welcome back fans and audiences starting February 23, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday. Venues that reopen must operate at 10 percent capacity and with coronavirus testing requirements in place. According to the governor, this could apply to sports, music, and performance venues. The Barclays Center has already been approved to reopen for a Brooklyn Nets game against the Sacramento Kings on February 23.
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NYC sees end-of-year residential sales surge, especially in Brooklyn and Queens

Photo by Jeffrey Blum on Unsplash

February 10, 2021

NYC sees end-of-year residential sales surge, especially in Brooklyn and Queens

By Devin Gannon

After three consecutive quarters of decline, the total residential sales volume and residential transactions in New York City during the final quarter of last year increased considerably. According to a new report released this week by the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), total sales increased to $9 billion in Q4 2020 from $6.5 billion in Q3, a roughly 40 percent increase in sales volume. Notably, the outer boroughs drove the surge in sales, with a sales volume increase of 90 percent in Brooklyn and 69 percent in Queens during this period.
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Mapping the NYC landmarks and historic districts related to Black history

Screenshot courtesy of NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

February 10, 2021

Mapping the NYC landmarks and historic districts related to Black history

By Devin Gannon

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday released an interactive story map that explores significant buildings, districts, and sites in New York City that are related to Black history and culture. The project highlights 75 individual landmarks and 33 historic districts associated with African American figures and historical events across the five boroughs dating to before the Civil War up to today, from the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan to the East 25th Street Historic District in Flatbush.
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You can stay overnight at Bryant Park’s Winter Village this Valentine’s Day

All images courtesy of Booking.com

February 9, 2021

You can stay overnight at Bryant Park’s Winter Village this Valentine’s Day

By Devin Gannon

Travel company Booking.com is transforming Midtown's Bryant Park into a unique overnight experience this Valentine's Day. As part of its "Love Letters to America" campaign, the company is celebrating cities across the U.S. that have been hit hard by the coronavirus and inviting others to share adventures they are looking forward to once it's safe to travel again. As a tribute to the Big Apple, Booking.com has converted the Polar Lounge at the Bank of America Winter Village into an après ski-inspired chalet, available to book for two nights only on February 13 and February 14.
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All articles by Devin Gannon

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