All articles by Devin Gannon

Live off trendy Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, from $1,174/month

Photo by MTA New York City Transit/ Marc A. Hermann on Wikimedia

February 5, 2020

Live off trendy Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, from $1,174/month

Two new buildings in prime Williamsburg are launching affordable housing lotteries this week. The rental at 196 North 4th Street is accepting applications from New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income for studios to two-bedroom apartments, starting at $1,174/month. At 660 Driggs Avenue, those earning the same AMI can apply for units, starting at $1,458/month for a two-bedroom and going up to $2,320/month for a one-bedroom.
Details this way

Affordable Housing

180 Broome Street on left; Rendering by Moso Studio

February 4, 2020

Lottery launches for 121 units at new Essex Crossing rental, from $562/month

By Devin Gannon

An affordable housing lottery is set to launch Wednesday for 121 mixed-income units at a brand new Lower East Side rental. The Artisan, located at 180 Broome Street, is part of the nine-site Essex Crossing development. The tower contains 263 apartments, retail at street level, office space on levels two through five, and underground access to the Market Line. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 130, or 165 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $562/month studios to $3,770/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

For just $200K, you can buy your own Jersey Shore island

Photo by Runa Parvin, courtesy of Private Islands, Inc.

February 4, 2020

For just $200K, you can buy your own Jersey Shore island

By Devin Gannon

Listings for private islands are already rare, but to find a property listed below $1 million is nearly inconceivable. Asking just $200,000, this 19-acre private island off the coast of a Jersey Shore resort town wants to make your archipelago-owning dreams come true. Christened "No Mans Island," the undeveloped property sits in the Grassy Sound near West Wildwood, located at the southern tip of the state, and is only accessible via boat.
Any takers?

Distinctive Homes

See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

Aerial rendering of Vanderbilt Plaza courtesy of SL Green

February 4, 2020

See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

By Devin Gannon

A car-free public space will open this summer between Grand Central Terminal and Midtown's newest, tallest office building, One Vanderbilt. Renderings released this week, which were first spotted by the New York Post, show a new plaza on a strip of Vanderbilt Avenue between East 42nd Street to East 43rd Street, situated at the southern end of the iconic terminal. The open space, dubbed "Vanderbilt Plaza," is part of SL Green's commitment to invest $220 million in transit improvements in exchange for zoning changes agreed to by the city in 2014.
See the plaza

New Developments

Lenox Terrace rezoning in Harlem gets green light from City Planning

Photo: Lenox Terrace Aerial; Credit: Davis Brody Bond

February 4, 2020

Lenox Terrace rezoning in Harlem gets green light from City Planning

By Devin Gannon

A plan to bring a mixed-use development with five buildings and 1,600 apartments to Central Harlem got a much-needed approval on Monday. The City Planning Commission voted in favor of an application from the Olnick Organization to rezone part of the neighborhood, clearing the way for five 28-story luxury towers to be constructed at the existing Lenox Terrace complex.
More here

Policy

Live in the artsy section of Astoria, from $990/month

Part of the Welling Court Mural Project; via Wikimedia

February 3, 2020

Live in the artsy section of Astoria, from $990/month

By Devin Gannon

Located just steps from the Welling Court Mural Project and Socrates Sculpture Park, a new rental building in Astoria has launched an affordable housing lottery. Fifteen newly constructed units are up for grabs at the Amana Astoria, located at 14-47 29th Avenue. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70, 80, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from a $990/month studio to a $2,770/month two-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Williamsburg park to be renamed after LGBTQ advocate Marsha P. Johnson

Photo of East River State Park by Harold Navarro on Flickr

February 3, 2020

Williamsburg park to be renamed after LGBTQ advocate Marsha P. Johnson

By Devin Gannon

Brooklyn's East River State Park will be renamed after black transgender rights activist Marsha P. Johnson, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. The park, located on the waterfront in Williamsburg and known for hosting outdoor market Smorgasburg, will become the first state park that honors a member of the LGBTQ community. Johnson, who passed away in 1992, played a significant role in the Stonewall Uprising and helped found the advocacy group the Gay Liberation Front.
Find out more

Policy

Win a private dinner for two ‘under the stars’ of Grand Central Terminal this Valentine’s Day

Photo courtesy of Grand Central Terminal

February 3, 2020

Win a private dinner for two ‘under the stars’ of Grand Central Terminal this Valentine’s Day

By Devin Gannon

One of the most unique Valentine's Day events in New York City is happening at one of the city's busiest transit hubs. Grand Central Terminal announced it will provide one couple a romantic, private evening under the stars of its iconic main hall as part of a new contest announced Monday. The winning couple, who will get the space to themselves on February 14 between 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., will enjoy a three-course dinner provided by Michelin-starred restaurant Agern and a live piano performance from a Steinway Artist, all under the terminal's constellation ceiling.
How to enter

Events & Things To Do

Proposed property tax overhaul could lessen burden for low-income homeowners in NYC

Photo of Park Slope brownstones by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash

January 31, 2020

Proposed property tax overhaul could lessen burden for low-income homeowners in NYC

By Devin Gannon

Owners of multi-million dollar co-ops and condos in New York City would have to pay property tax at full market value under a recently released proposal to overhaul the current system. The city's Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform on Thursday unveiled its long-awaited report detailing reforms of the complex system that would tax properties of similar values at equitable rates. Currently, homebuyers pay property tax based on assessed value, rather than the market rate, which puts a bigger tax burden on low- and middle-income homeowners.
Get the details

January 31, 2020

16 places to celebrate Black History Month in NYC

By Devin Gannon

February marks Black History Month, a nationwide celebration of African American culture and history. New Yorkers will have plenty of opportunities to honor the contributions made by the black community, with live performances, guided tours, comedy shows, art installations, and more events happening across the city. From the Apollo Theater's open house celebration to spoken word performances at Brooklyn barbershops, pay tribute to the achievements of black Americans this February, as well as all year round.
The full list, ahead

Events & Things To Do

Restaurant with outdoor patio space proposed for Williamsburg’s McCarren Park

By Devin Gannon

A restaurant with outdoor seating could be coming to McCarren Park in Brooklyn next year. The city's Parks Department is working with the owners of the entertainment venue Brooklyn Night Bazaar, which closed its doors permanently last fall, to bring a new concession to the McCarren Park House, a structure built in the early 20th century and designed by McKim, Mead, and White. As Brooklyn Paper first reported, the restaurant, expected to open in spring 2021, would help finance a $1.2 million renovation of the crumbling comfort station's facilities.
See the proposal

Food & Dining

Angel’s Share speakeasy owners open sit-down Japanese restaurant at Industry City

Photo courtesy of Industry City

January 29, 2020

Angel’s Share speakeasy owners open sit-down Japanese restaurant at Industry City

By Devin Gannon

A new sit-down restaurant has opened in the Japanese food court at Sunset Park's Industry City complex. From the owners of popular speakeasy Angel's Share, Wakuwaku is a 3,200-square-foot izakaya at Japan Village with 60 seats and private tatami mat rooms. Wakuwaku, currently just serving lunch as part of its soft opening, will offer Japanese-style tapas and shochu-based cocktails when the full dinner menu launches.
See inside

Food & Dining

Gowanus Canal cleanup will officially kick off this year

Photo by bobistraveling on Flickr

January 29, 2020

Gowanus Canal cleanup will officially kick off this year

By Devin Gannon

The long-awaited cleanup of the Gowanus Canal officially has a start date. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday issued an administrative order requiring the start of the first phase of the project, 10 years after the agency declared it a Superfund site. Expected to begin in September and take 30 months to complete, the $125 million project covers the cleanup of the upper canal and the 1st Street turning basin and involves "full-scale dredging," according to the agency.
Get the details

Policy

Construction of Upper West Side’s tallest tower can proceed

Rendering of 50 West 66th Street courtesy of Binyan Studios/ Snøhetta

January 28, 2020

Construction of Upper West Side’s tallest tower can proceed

By Devin Gannon

Construction of Extell's controversial supertall on the Upper West Side can move forward, the city's Board of Standards and Appeals ruled Tuesday. In an unusual 2-2 split decision, the BSA said the mechanical space planned for the tower at 50 West 66th Street is appropriate, rejecting a challenge from the preservation organization Landmark West. The group had argued that Extell abused the zoning code by including tall mechanical floors in its design in order to boost the overall height of units at the building, without increasing square footage.
More here

Policy

Sales launch from $1.4M at Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House, amenity spaces revealed

Courtesy of Related Companies

January 28, 2020

Sales launch from $1.4M at Thomas Heatherwick’s Lantern House, amenity spaces revealed

By Devin Gannon

Sales have officially launched at Thomas Heatherwick's condo project on the High Line, developer Related Companies announced Tuesday. Located at 515 West 18th Street, Lantern House consists of two bubbled towers that straddle the elevated park, one at 10 stories and 22 stories. Pricing for the residences, which include one- to four-bedroom units, start at roughly $1.395 million and go up to about $17 million. And more details on the building's amenity spaces were released, with renderings now available of the Equinox-curated health club with a swimming pool, outdoor terrace, roof deck, and private dining space.
See inside

January 27, 2020

The Chelsea Flea will return to its longtime lot under new lease with Brooklyn Flea founders

By Devin Gannon

A beloved flea market and antique fair in Chelsea that closed last month will reopen this spring. The Chelsea Flea Market, which first opened in 1976 and attracted antique-lovers and artists like Andy Warhol, is set to return to its original location on West 25th Street in April, but under new management, as Gothamist first reported. Co-founders of Brooklyn Flea, which also runs the market Smorgasburg, Eric Demby and Jonathan Butler, have reached a lease agreement for the parking lot at 29 West 25th Street.
More here

Real Estate Trends

January 27, 2020

Fundraiser launches for the Museum of Chinese in America after fire destroyed 85K-item archive

By Devin Gannon

The Museum of Chinese in America has launched an online fundraiser after a fire likely destroyed most of its extensive archive. Last Thursday night, a fire broke out at 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown, in a building that housed a number of nonprofits, including about 85,000 irreplaceable items from the museum's collection. According to the New York Times, priceless artifacts like traditional wedding dresses from the early 1900s and documents from 1883 about the Chinese Exclusion Act are thought to be among items lost.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

New details and looks for Essex Crossing’s second condo building

Credit: VMI Studio

January 24, 2020

New details and looks for Essex Crossing’s second condo building

By Devin Gannon

Sales will launch at Essex Crossing's second condo building this spring, developers announced. Dubbed One Essex Crossing, 202 Broome Street is the seventh of nine buildings currently under construction or completed at the Lower East Side site. A teaser website and new rendering were released this week for the 83-unit tower, as first reported by Curbed NY, as well as additional details about the impending sales launch.
More here

January 23, 2020

176 affordable units available at new Brownsville rental, from $367/month

By Devin Gannon

Nearly 200 affordable apartments are up for grabs at a new rental building in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. A housing lottery launched on Thursday for 176 units at 672 Powell Street, which is part of the massive Ebenezer Plaza project that will bring four towers to two sites on the block. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $367/month studios to $1,472/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Apply for 75 middle-income apartments in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, from $1,721/month

Rendering of 350 Clarkson Avenue; Credit: Phiro

January 23, 2020

Apply for 75 middle-income apartments in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, from $1,721/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery will launch Friday for 75 middle-income apartments in a newly constructed Brooklyn building. Located at 350 Clarkson Avenue in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, the building, dubbed "The Lois," contains 250 apartments with 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Designed by Cetra Ruddy, the eight-story building boasts a masonry facade with copper panel details, a nod to the area's industrial history. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $1,721/month studios to $2,975/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

January 23, 2020

Go behind the scenes at Morningside Heights’ Riverside Church and its 400-foot-tall bell tower

By Devin Gannon

After nearly 20 years, the iconic bell tower of the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights has officially reopened. The impressive Gothic-style cathedral is home to the 74-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon, which includes a 40,000 pound Bourdon bell, the largest tuned bell in the world. The tower closed to the public almost two decades ago following 9/11 but reopened for public tours earlier this month. 6sqft recently took a tour of the stunning Riverside Church, known for its interdenominational services and dedication to social justice causes.
Take the tour

MTA unveils first look at new open-gangway subway cars

Photo courtesy of the MTA on Flickr

January 22, 2020

MTA unveils first look at new open-gangway subway cars

By Devin Gannon

Straphangers will soon be able to move freely between some subway cars. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday released photos of the city's newest subway fleet which features an "open-gangway" design, or accordion-like walls located at the ends of cars. The R211 car design is meant to increase capacity by allowing for better movement and "customer flow." Expected to be partially delivered later this year, the new subway cars are part of a nearly $4 billion contract awarded to Kawasaki Industries in 2018.
See it here

Transit

Rendering of 1277 East 14th Street by Maqe

January 21, 2020

91 middle-income units up for grabs at brand new Midwood rental, from $2,346/month

By Devin Gannon

A housing lottery launched Tuesday for 91 middle-income apartments at a newly constructed building in Midwood. Located at 1277 East 14th Street in the central Brooklyn neighborhood, the building sits on the former site of Vitagraph Studios, an acclaimed production company founded in the borough in 1897. The Vitagraph Apartments, which opened last summer, contain 302 units and amenities like a landscaped roof deck and fitness center. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which includes $2,346/month one-bedrooms and $2,830/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

City likely to rename Bronx block outside of Yankee Stadium after Derek Jeter

Photo by Daniel Vargas on Unsplash

January 16, 2020

City likely to rename Bronx block outside of Yankee Stadium after Derek Jeter

By Devin Gannon

Although he's moved on to a new team and city, former Yankee Derek Jeter will always be a Bronx Bomber in the eyes of fans. As a way to honor the star shortstop and current Miami Marlins coach, two Bronx Council Members are introducing legislation to rename East 161st Street, the block in front of the stadium, "Jeter Street," as amNY first reported.
More details here

Celebrities

January 15, 2020

17 spots to celebrate Lunar New Year 2020 in NYC

By Devin Gannon

The two-week-long celebration of Lunar New Year begins next week, considered one of New York City's most festive events of the year. The welcoming of the Year of the Rat, the first zodiac animal and said to be a sign of wealth, kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 25 and is followed by 15 days of festivities, including lots of parades, performances, and firework displays. With several Chinatowns and many Asian communities found across the five boroughs, there are fun Lunar New Year activities for all New Yorkers, from Lower Manhattan's 21st annual Chinatown parade to the first-ever Asian comedy festival.
Our favorites ahead

Events & Things To Do

All articles by Devin Gannon

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