All articles by Devin Gannon

$1.7M cliffside Colonial in Nyack has a two-story watchtower facing the Hudson River

Photos courtesy of Jump Visuals for Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

December 22, 2020

$1.7M cliffside Colonial in Nyack has a two-story watchtower facing the Hudson River

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Near a cliffside overlooking the Hudson River, a Colonial-style home is on the market for $1.695 million. The property at 57 Tweed Boulevard is located just south of Nyack, a village in the Hudson Valley about 20 miles from New York City. Surrounded by wooded state parks, mountains, and water, the home's two-story turret-like watchtower is perfect for taking in all of those scenic views.
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In a win for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, de Blasio says he opposes Crown Heights high-rise towers

Rendering: NYC Department of City Planning

December 22, 2020

In a win for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, de Blasio says he opposes Crown Heights high-rise towers

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Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced his opposition to two controversial high-rise towers proposed for a Crown Heights lot across from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. As first reported by Gothamist, the mayor said the project would "harm the research and educational work carried out by one of this city’s prized cultural institutions."
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Funding for MTA and Broadway included in latest federal COVID relief bill

Photo by (vincent desjardins) on Flickr

December 21, 2020

Funding for MTA and Broadway included in latest federal COVID relief bill

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Congress on Sunday reached an agreement on a $900 billion emergency coronavirus relief package, roughly nine months after the first stimulus was signed into law. The package is expected to provide one-time direct payments of $600 to most taxpayers and provide an additional $300 per week to those unemployed. In some positive news for New York, the stimulus deal also includes $4 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Save Our Stages bill, which provides funding for live performance venues, comedy clubs, and Broadway. Congress could vote on the package as early as Monday.
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These are the books New Yorkers borrowed the most from the library in 2020

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

December 21, 2020

These are the books New Yorkers borrowed the most from the library in 2020

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During an unusually tough year full of challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic, an election, and racial justice issues, New Yorkers relied on books to not only stay informed but to find comfort. The city's three public library systems on Monday released their top checkouts of 2020 lists. At the New York Public Library, which includes branches in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the most borrowed book of the year was Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half. In Brooklyn, the top checkout was How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and in Queens, The Guardians by John Grisham.
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For $1.2M, a 19th-century Hudson Valley castle with Tiffany fixtures and river views

All photos courtesy of RMC Real Estate Photography for Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

December 18, 2020

For $1.2M, a 19th-century Hudson Valley castle with Tiffany fixtures and river views

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In New Windsor, a 19th-century stone castle is on the market for $1.225 million. Located on two acres of land overlooking the Hudson River, the Roe Brewster Castle at 11 Oak Ridge Drive was constructed in 1870 and features fixtures designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The 8,400-square-foot estate has six bedrooms and seven baths but has operated as a multi-family rental property.
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Atlantic City is auctioning off chance to blow up Trump’s former casino

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

December 18, 2020

Atlantic City is auctioning off chance to blow up Trump’s former casino

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You can bid farewell to Donald Trump's one-term presidency by bidding on the rights to blow up one of his former buildings. Atlantic City is auctioning off the chance to press the button that will implode the shuttered Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, Mayor Marty Small announced on Thursday. Plans to demolish the building, which has sat empty since closing in 2014, have been in the works for years. Money raised in the auction will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, the mayor said.
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Candice Bergen lists cottage-style country estate in the Hamptons for $18M

Photos courtesy of Compass

December 17, 2020

Candice Bergen lists cottage-style country estate in the Hamptons for $18M

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Actress Candice Bergen is selling her six-bedroom East Hamptons estate for $18 million. The impressive 4,500-square-foot cottage-style home is located at 72 Lily Pond Lane, just a block from the beach. As first reported by the New York Post, the cedar-shingled home was reimagined in 2004 by late architect Jacque Robertson. The year-round oasis features a stunning wraparound porch, in-ground pool, flower gardens, and a separate guest house.
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Feel festive all year round: The best apartments for sale near Rockefeller Center
December 17, 2020

Feel festive all year round: The best apartments for sale near Rockefeller Center

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There’s no place like New York during the holidays. Even in the middle of a pandemic, the city manages to still feel magical this time of year. And Rockefeller Center, with its iconic Christmas Tree, ice skating rink, and Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, remains the city’s crown jewel of the season. For those who want to feel festive all year round, we’ve found the best apartments located within walking distance to Rockefeller Plaza and priced below $1.5 million, from a $530,000 charming pre-war pad in Midtown East to a $1.27 million Theater District one-bedroom with 12-foot ceilings and a shared outdoor terrace with a fireplace.
Full list ahead
340-year-old East Hampton home reimagined with a modernist design asks $4.5M

All photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

December 15, 2020

340-year-old East Hampton home reimagined with a modernist design asks $4.5M

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An East Hampton Village home with roots dating back to the 17th-century is on the market for $4.495 million. The property at 177 Main Street was originally a Colonial saltbox built in 1680 and owned by John Mulford, one of the founders of the village. The home was named Congress Hall in the mid-19th-century as then-owner David Mulford used the space for local men to gather and talk about politics. After the site sold in 2012, owners transformed the property into a 5,500-square-foot compound with five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths.
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More than 80 NYC parks will shine bright with holiday light displays

Photo by Charley Lhasa on Flickr

December 15, 2020

More than 80 NYC parks will shine bright with holiday light displays

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Dozens of New York City parks will glow with holiday displays this year, bringing some much-needed cheer to all five boroughs. The city's Parks Department last week released an interactive map that marks all of the menorah and Christmas tree lightings at parks and administrative buildings in the city by borough. The agency is encouraging New Yorkers to stay local and enjoy the illuminated green spaces in their neighborhoods.
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NYC shuts down outdoor dining on streets ahead of major snowstorm

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

December 15, 2020

NYC shuts down outdoor dining on streets ahead of major snowstorm

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Outdoor dining on New York City streets will be suspended Wednesday afternoon ahead of an impending snowstorm, the city's Department of Sanitation announced. The "Snow Alert" issued by the DSNY says "roadway dining" must end by 2 p.m. and be shut down for the duration of the alert. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service predicts between 8 and 14 inches of snow in the city starting late afternoon on Wednesday.
Details here
After 90 years, NYC’s legendary 21 Club will close

Photo by Marianne O’Leary on Flickr

December 14, 2020

After 90 years, NYC’s legendary 21 Club will close

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Midtown Manhattan's historic speakeasy 21 Club plans to close for good next year. The Prohibition-era restaurant on 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, known for its art collection, jockey figurines, and A-list clientele, has been closed since the coronavirus pandemic first hit New York City in March. But as amNY reported, the closure appears to be permanent.
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Lottery opens for 223 mixed-income apartments in the South Bronx, from $354/month

All images courtesy of Phipps Houses

December 14, 2020

Lottery opens for 223 mixed-income apartments in the South Bronx, from $354/month

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A housing lottery launched last week in the South Bronx for over 200 affordable homes set aside for extremely-low to moderate-income households. Located in Soundview, the newly-constructed 12-story Metcalf Avenue Apartments offers residents on-site laundry, children's playroom, roof deck, landscaped courtyard, and a community room. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 70, 90, and 110 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $354/month studios to $2,346/month three-bedroom apartments.
Find out if you qualify
For the first time, East Harlem’s exclusive Rao’s is offering delivery

Photo courtesy of Thrillist

December 14, 2020

For the first time, East Harlem’s exclusive Rao’s is offering delivery

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Noncelebrity New Yorkers will finally be able to taste the iconic Italian food of Rao's, long considered the city's most exclusive restaurant. As part of a joint program led by culture brand Thrillist and ghost kitchen operations company Zuul, the East Harlem institution will offer delivery of its signature dishes for the first time ever. As part of the program, ten New York City restaurants will lead a two-week chef residency with limited-edition menu items available for takeout and delivery.
Details here
Indoor dining in New York City will shut down next week

Photo by Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

December 11, 2020

Indoor dining in New York City will shut down next week

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Indoor dining in New York City will end on Monday as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to climb, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. Outdoor dining, delivery, and take out can continue. According to the contact tracing data from the governor's office, restaurants and bars account for 1.43 percent of the spread of the virus in the state of New York. Indoor household gatherings making up nearly 74 percent.
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‘Open Culture’ program will bring outdoor art and live performances to NYC this spring

The Museum of the City of New York opened an outdoor photo installation this summer titled “New York Responds,” Photo courtesy of MCNY

December 11, 2020

‘Open Culture’ program will bring outdoor art and live performances to NYC this spring

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The New York City Council on Thursday passed legislation permitting cultural institutions to use public outdoor space for events and performances. Sponsored by Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, the bill requires the city to create the "Open Culture" program, modeled after the city's successful outdoor dining initiative, which lets restaurants set up seating on sidewalks and some streets closed to cars. The program is set to be established by March 1, 2021.
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13-tower project proposed for Flushing as part of rezoning gets City Council approval

Rendering: FWRA LLC

December 10, 2020

13-tower project proposed for Flushing as part of rezoning gets City Council approval

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Plans to rezone parts of the Flushing waterfront to make way for a 13-tower mixed-use development were approved by the New York City Council on Thursday. The approval of the zoning changes and the project, which calls for 1,725 units of housing, a hotel, offices, and retail space across 29 acres, came after elected officials reached an agreement this week with union groups SEIU 32BJ and the Hotels Trade Council to provide good-paying jobs for service workers, as well as hire public housing residents in the area.
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The best places to live in Westchester
December 10, 2020

The best places to live in Westchester

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Moving to the suburbs after growing out of a New York City apartment is not a new phenomenon. But after many New Yorkers spent the early days of the coronavirus pandemic cooped up inside small spaces, trading in city life for country living has become more attractive than ever. Westchester County continues to draw new residents with its affordable and spacious homes, access to nature, proximity to Manhattan, and abundant public transit options. But with six cities, 19 towns, and 20 villages, choosing where to live in Westchester can be daunting. Whether you're looking for walkable urban areas with a reputable school system, artsy towns with waterfront access, or rural villages with more horses than people, there's a home for you in this diverse county.
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$57M penthouse at 111 West 57th Street joins list of NYC’s priciest pandemic sales

Photo by Peter Murdock

December 9, 2020

$57M penthouse at 111 West 57th Street joins list of NYC’s priciest pandemic sales

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A penthouse apartment at the supertall 111 West 57th Street has sold for over $50 million, making it one of the priciest real estate deals in the city since the coronavirus pandemic struck this spring. Duplex Penthouse 75 sold "for around the list price" of $57 million, according to a spokesperson for the Billionaires' Row development. The two-level apartment has four bedrooms, five and a half baths, and boasts 14-foot ceilings and incredible views of Central Park.
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To help fund MTA, proposed bill calls for $3 fee on packages delivered in NYC

Photo by Raidarmax on Wikimedia

December 9, 2020

To help fund MTA, proposed bill calls for $3 fee on packages delivered in NYC

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A state lawmaker is calling for a new surcharge on packages delivered in New York City as a way to raise money for the cash-strapped Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Assembly Member Robert Carroll revived a bill he first introduced last February that would impose a $3 fee on all online delivery transactions, except for essential medical supplies and food. Facing its worst financial crisis in history because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the MTA has said without the $12 billion in aid from Congress it has requested, subway and bus service could be cut by 40 percent.
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For $2.4M, a renovated Ditmas Park home with two porches and turquoise accents

All photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

December 8, 2020

For $2.4M, a renovated Ditmas Park home with two porches and turquoise accents

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A pretty, suburban-like home in Ditmas Park has hit the market for $2.4 million. Recently renovated by the current owner, 498 Westminster Road artfully mixes old and new, with stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and bay windows accompanied by all new appliances and top-of-the-line fixtures. Located on a tree-lined street that feels a ways away from city life but is really around the corner from the subway, the freestanding home--with its two porches, backyard, and basement--offers the best of both worlds.
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Frederick Law Olmsted’s farmhouse on Staten Island recognized as national landmark

Photos courtesy of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

December 8, 2020

Frederick Law Olmsted’s farmhouse on Staten Island recognized as national landmark

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The National Park Service this month placed a Staten Island farmhouse once owned by Frederick Law Olmsted on the National Register of Historic Places. Formerly part of a 130-acre farm, the property, known as the Olmsted-Beil House, is significant for the role it played in Olmsted's discovery of landscape design and parks as a public good, which later influenced his ideas for Central Park and Prospect Park. Despite its designation as a city landmark in 1967, the house, while intact, has deteriorated over the years and requires significant restoration work.
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Proposed Coney Island complex has 461 units and outdoor pool with ocean views

Renderings courtesy of LCOR

December 8, 2020

Proposed Coney Island complex has 461 units and outdoor pool with ocean views

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Real estate developer LCOR last week filed plans with the city to bring a 461-unit residential project to Coney Island. Located about a block from the beach and boardwalk at 1515 Surf Avenue, the proposed 16-story development will rise on the parking lot of Gargiulo's Restaurant, a 100-year-old neighborhood staple. Gargiulo's owner Louis Russo agreed to a 99-year ground lease for the lot late last year.
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Pearl River Mart to close Tribeca flagship next year

Pearl River Mart Foods in Chelsea Market; Courtesy of Chelsea Market

December 7, 2020

Pearl River Mart to close Tribeca flagship next year

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Pearl River Mart will shutter its Tribeca flagship early next year, store owners announced last week, becoming the latest New York City institution to shutter because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a blog post, company president Joanne Kwong said negotiations with the landlord "have stalled" and that he "has made clear his desire to use the courts to recoup every dollar he can, not just from our business, but from our personal assets." Despite the closure, Pearl River Mart, which has sold one-of-a-kind Asian-inspired decor and cookware in Manhattan since 1971, will keep its stores and new food concept in Chelsea Market open and the company said it has already secured a new location in the neighborhood.
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Former toxic landfill in Jersey City to become public park with COVID-19 memorial
December 7, 2020

Former toxic landfill in Jersey City to become public park with COVID-19 memorial

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A former toxic landfill in Jersey City will become a public park with a memorial dedicated to residents who lost their lives from the coronavirus. Mayor Steven Fulop last week unveiled the final $10 million phase of the plan to transform the Superfund site into Skyway Park, 30 acres of green space with both passive and active uses, waterfront access, a butterfly garden, and a memorial grove that will contain more than 500 trees, each representing a Jersey City resident who died earlier this year and who were not permitted a proper funeral because of COVID-19 restrictions.
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