All articles by Devin Gannon

City is heavily-subsidizing ferry rides for white, wealthy New Yorkers

Image © 6sqft

October 1, 2019

City is heavily-subsidizing ferry rides for white, wealthy New Yorkers

By Devin Gannon

A majority of New York City Ferry riders are white and wealthy, the Daily News reported on Monday. According to a survey conducted by the city's Economic Development Corporation, which operates the ferry system alongside Hornblower, more than 60 percent of NYC Ferry riders are white with an average annual income between $75,000 and $99,000. In March, a study from the Citizens Budget Commission found the NYC Ferry costs the city $10.73 per rider, about 10 times that of subway subsidies.
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Artist Kehinde Wiley unveils ‘Rumors of War’ sculpture in Times Square

Rumors of War © Kehinde Wiley. Used by permission. Presented by Times Square Arts in partnership with the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and Sean Kelly, New York. Photographer: Kylie Corwin for Kehinde Wiley.

September 30, 2019

Artist Kehinde Wiley unveils ‘Rumors of War’ sculpture in Times Square

By Devin Gannon

The artist widely known for his portrait of former President Barack Obama unveiled last week his first public sculpture. Nigerian-American visual artist Kehinde Wiley's "Rumors of War" will be on display in Times Square until December. Standing 27 feet high, the artwork features a young African American man dressed in ripped jeans and a hoodie sitting on a horse, a direct response to the controversial Confederate monuments found all over the United States.
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Events & Things To Do

Canarsie Tunnel rehab to wrap up early, full L train service expected in April

Cuomo toured the Canarsie Tunnel with MTA officials on Sunday; Photo courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Flickr

September 30, 2019

Canarsie Tunnel rehab to wrap up early, full L train service expected in April

By Devin Gannon

Repair work of the century-old Canarsie Tunnel will wrap up three months early, bringing full L train service to commuters as early as April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday. The original construction plan from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority called for the subway line to totally shut down for 15 months during the repairs. Last winter, a few months before work was set to begin, the governor stepped in with a new plan that avoided a full shutdown of L train service.
Find out more

Transit

Live near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, from $1,075/month

Photo by Steven Pisano on Flickr

September 27, 2019

Live near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, from $1,075/month

By Devin Gannon

A lottery will launch next week for 36 middle-income units in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. Located at 3470 Fort Independence Street, the newly constructed building sits about a ten-minute walk from New York City's third-largest park, Van Cortlandt Park, and steps from Jerome Park Reservoir. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,075/month studios to $2,388/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

A-Rod takes another swing at NYC real estate, buys second apartment building

Map data © 2019 Google

September 26, 2019

A-Rod takes another swing at NYC real estate, buys second apartment building

By Devin Gannon

As a rookie in the New York City real estate game, Alex Rodriguez is trying to hit it out of the park. The former New York Yankee has picked up a second apartment building, a 14-story residence in Turtle Bay, as first reported by the New York Post. In June, A-Rod bought his first major Big Apple purchase, a 21-unit rental in the East Village with Barbara Corcoran, who founded the eponymous real estate firm and is an investor on the television show Shark Tank.
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Celebrities

18 places to celebrate Oktoberfest in and around New York City

September 26, 2019

18 places to celebrate Oktoberfest in and around New York City

By Devin Gannon

Grab some lederhosen and a giant beer, it's time to celebrate Bavarian culture in New York City. Oktoberfest has officially arrived in the five boroughs and beyond, offering the chance to travel to Munich without a passport. Festivities range from traditional stein-holding competitions and pig roasts to more out-of-the-box events, like the Voelker Orth Museum's Flushing-style Oktoberfest with sauerkraut and kimchi eats and brews in the zoo at Turtle Back Zoo.
Get the full list

Events & Things To Do

MTA board approves $51.5B capital plan, largest in the agency’s history

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr cc

September 26, 2019

MTA board approves $51.5B capital plan, largest in the agency’s history

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday approved its largest capital plan ever, with a $51.5 billion investment in the city's transit system. The 2020-2024 capital plan will invest a whopping $40 billion in subway and buses alone, which includes fully funding the long-awaited second phase of the Second Avenue Subway. In phase two, three new subway stations will be built with the Q train extending to East Harlem.
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As Hart Island nears capacity, city seeks new public cemetery sites

Photo by cisc1970 on Flickr

September 25, 2019

As Hart Island nears capacity, city seeks new public cemetery sites

By Devin Gannon

The city is looking for land to build a new public cemetery for residents who were unclaimed or unable to afford a burial. The city's Human Resources Administration on Tuesday issued a request for information (RFI) from private burial companies to develop ideas for new cemeteries, citing concerns over the lack of space on Hart Island, land located off the Bronx where more than one million people have been buried since the Civil War. The RFI comes as the City Council recently finalized a package of bills to reform the Island, as well as the city's process for public burials.
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Policy

See inside Long Island City’s new public library designed by Steven Holl Architects

Photo © Paul Warchol

September 25, 2019

See inside Long Island City’s new public library designed by Steven Holl Architects

By Devin Gannon

Despite standing just 82 feet tall, the new Hunters Point Library manages to stand out among its skyscraper neighbors on the Long Island City waterfront. The concrete structure, designed by Steven Holl Architects, officially opened to the public Tuesday, about two decades after officials proposed building a new Queens Public Library branch. The delays, and the whopping $40 million price tag, appear to have been worth it, as the building, with its carved windows and incredible skyline views, continues to garner approval from top architecture critics.
Take the tour

Architecture And Design

IKEA will open in Queens next summer

Rendering courtesy of IKEA U.S.

September 24, 2019

IKEA will open in Queens next summer

By Devin Gannon

IKEA is coming to Queens. The Swedish furniture store announced on Tuesday plans to open a new location at a shopping center in Rego Park next summer. The store, located in the Rego Center, will be the first in the United States with a new layout, according to the company.
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Uncategorized

Popular Articles

Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

Photo courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate

September 24, 2019

Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

By Devin Gannon

An English-style castle in New Jersey has returned to the market, offering potential buyers the chance to feel like royalty near the Ramapo Mountains. Asking $39 million, the three-story Darlington Mansion sits on over 12 acres in Mahwah and contains 58 rooms. Constructed in 1907 by George Crocker, the son of railroad baron Charles Crocker, the estate has been modernly restored over the last decade, all while retaining original materials and architectural elements. The mansion, also known as the Crocker Mansion, last listed in 2017 for $48 million.
See inside

Governors Island gains its first year-round home for the arts

Photo by Zachary Tyler Newton for LMCC

September 23, 2019

Governors Island gains its first year-round home for the arts

By Devin Gannon

A permanent arts center opened on Governors Island last week, becoming the 172-acre site's first year-round tenant dedicated to arts and culture. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has transformed a 19th-century warehouse into a 40,000-square-foot space for arts and educational programming. LMCC partnered with the Trust for Governors Island on the $12 million renovation, with designs from PEI Cobb Freed & Partners and Adamson Associates Architects. Historic details of the building were retained while enabling space for galleries, studios, rehearsal space, and an indoor cafe.
See the space

$139M street repair and infrastructure upgrade project kicks off in Far Rockaway

Rendering of Mott and Central Avenues next to the planned new public library, courtesy of NYCEDC

September 23, 2019

$139M street repair and infrastructure upgrade project kicks off in Far Rockaway

By Devin Gannon

About 25 blocks of Downtown Far Rockaway will soon see major changes as the Queens neighborhood gears up for one its largest infrastructure project in decades. Construction will kick off this week on a $139 million plan to revamp the area's streets, pedestrian space, and stormwater drainage, city officials announced Wednesday. The project, expected to take three years to complete, falls under the city's Far Rockaway rezoning plan, which was approved in 2017.
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Policy

Free cannolis and major pastry discounts for Veniero’s 125th anniversary celebration

Photo by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

September 20, 2019

Free cannolis and major pastry discounts for Veniero’s 125th anniversary celebration

By Devin Gannon

A longtime Italian pastry shop is celebrating its 125th anniversary this month and celebrating in the best way possible: free cannolis. Family-owned and operated since 1894, Veniero's has grown from a small immigrant-owned candy shop in the East Village to a New York City institution, selling more than 150 desserts today. On Monday, Sept. 23, the bakery will offer free mini cannolis (while supplies last), live music, and a discount of 18.94 percent on all orders, according to Time Out.
Get the delicious details

Events & Things To Do

Partial stop work order issued for 200 Amsterdam after wet concrete hits playground

Rendering of 200 Amsterdam courtesy of Binyan Studios

September 20, 2019

Partial stop work order issued for 200 Amsterdam after wet concrete hits playground

By Devin Gannon

Update 9/20/19: NYC Parks reopened P.S. 199's playground on Friday after determining the area was no longer at risk. SJP Properties, the developer of 200 Amsterdam Avenue, said in a statement: "We are pleased that the school park has been reopened following review by the school and Parks Department, which deemed the area safe." Wet concrete fell 55 stories from an under-construction Upper West Side tower on Wednesday, hitting a school playground below. The Department of Buildings issued the condo project at 200 Amsterdam Avenue a partial stop work order to prevent work above 40 stories on that side. A parent told West Side Rag that his son and his friends were hit by the falling concrete while playing at P.S. 199's playground during recess, but no injuries have been officially reported to the DOB.
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New Developments

Apple’s Fifth Avenue flagship reopens with famed glass cube and new public plaza

Photo by Aaron Hargreaves for Foster + Partners

September 20, 2019

Apple’s Fifth Avenue flagship reopens with famed glass cube and new public plaza

By Devin Gannon

Apple's famous Fifth Avenue flagship reopens Friday after more than two years of renovations. The glass cube has returned as an entrance to the store, set above the newly updated and locust tree-lined public plaza. As 6sqft previously reported, it cost $2 million to remove the cube in 2017 during the Midtown Manhattan store's expansion.
Take a step inside

Uncategorized

Jersey City to launch on-demand bus service operated by ride-sharing app Via

Photo courtesy of Via

September 19, 2019

Jersey City to launch on-demand bus service operated by ride-sharing app Via

By Devin Gannon

Commuters in Jersey City will soon be able to hail a city bus from their smartphones. In a partnership with ride-sharing app Via, the city will launch on-demand bus service as an alternative to often delayed-plagued New Jersey Transit, Mayor Steven Fulop announced Thursday. Passengers can request a shared trip using Via's app and then will be given a "virtual" bus stop within walking distance from both pickup and drop-off locations.
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Transit

The city wants to put a self-filtering floating swimming pool on the East River

Rendering by Family New York, Courtesy of Friends of +POOL

September 19, 2019

The city wants to put a self-filtering floating swimming pool on the East River

By Devin Gannon

Swimming in the East River may once again become a reality. The city's Economic Development Corporation is seeking ideas for a floating pool that would filter the water of the East River to allow for safe swimming, according to a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) released Wednesday. A similar idea was first announced in 2010 by the nonprofit +POOL, which has been working with the city for years, as THE CITY first reported. The pool would likely be built between the north side of Brooklyn Bridge and the south side of Pier 35 on the Lower East Side, according to the request.
Get the details

Architecture And Design

One Vanderbilt tops out at 1,401 feet, becomes tallest office building in Midtown

Photo of One Vanderbilt © 6sqft

September 17, 2019

One Vanderbilt tops out at 1,401 feet, becomes tallest office building in Midtown

By Devin Gannon

The Grand Central Terminal-adjacent supertall One Vanderbilt officially topped out this week, reaching its full 1,401-foot height. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the tower is now Midtown's tallest office building and the fourth-tallest skyscraper in New York City. One Vanderbilt, developed by SL Green, measures 1.7 million square feet and boasts a unique terra cotta facade as well as the fourth-highest observation deck in the city.
Another supertall makes its mark

The world’s tallest residential building, Central Park Tower, tops out at 1,550 feet

Central Park Tower in early Sept., Photo © 6sqft

September 17, 2019

The world’s tallest residential building, Central Park Tower, tops out at 1,550 feet

By Devin Gannon

Central Park Tower officially topped out on Tuesday, breaking the record set by nearby 432 Park Avenue for the tallest residential building in the world. Reaching 1,550 feet high, the skyscraper at 217 West 57th Street would be the tallest building in New York City if not for the 400-foot spire of One World Trade, as New York Magazine reported. Developed by supertall-specialists Extell, Central Park Tower includes a seven-story Nordstrom flagship store and 179 luxury condos.
Get the details

New Brooklyn Museum exhibit will explore the legacy of Studio 54 for the first time

Dustin Pittman. Stroke of Midnight at Studio, 1978–79. Photograph, 15x 20 in. (38.1 x 50.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist. © Dustin Pittman

September 16, 2019

New Brooklyn Museum exhibit will explore the legacy of Studio 54 for the first time

By Devin Gannon

An exhibition opening at the Brooklyn Museum next year will explore for the first time the enduring impact of Studio 54. Opening in March, Studio 54: Night Magic examines the influence that the disco-era nightclub continues to have on design, cinema, and fashion today. Iconic photography and roughly 650 objects, including drawings, paintings, music, and decor, will be on display.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

Application fee for New York rentals officially capped at $20

Photo courtesy of CityRealty

September 16, 2019

Application fee for New York rentals officially capped at $20

By Devin Gannon

New York officially capped the cost of applying for an apartment at $20, clearing up confusion over a key part of rent reform legislation passed earlier this summer. The Department of State announced on Friday that licensed real estate brokers and salespeople cannot charge more than $20 for a rental application, as Gothamist first reported. The DOS released a set of guidelines to help real estate professionals understand the new rent laws.
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Policy

Long Island City’s Skyline Tower is now the tallest outer-borough building

Rendering by Binyan Studios

September 13, 2019

Long Island City’s Skyline Tower is now the tallest outer-borough building

By Devin Gannon

A tower on the rise in Queens just became the tallest building in New York City outside of Manhattan. Hitting the 63rd floor, Skyline Tower has officially surpassed in height its neighbor and previous record-holder, the 673-foot-tall Citigroup Building. Located at 23-15 44th Drive, the new Long Island City tower offers studio to four-bedroom homes, priced between $500,000 and $4 million. Upon its completion, Skyline Tower will reach 762 feet and contain roughly 800 condos.
Learn more

NYC’s subway is finally starting to improve, MTA says

Photo by Dan Phiffer on Flickr

September 13, 2019

NYC’s subway is finally starting to improve, MTA says

By Devin Gannon

After an abysmal couple of summers, New York City's subway system finally saw significant improvement in service this year, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Thursday. According to data from the agency set to release in full next week, the on-time performance rate reached 84 percent on weekdays last month, up from just over 68 percent last August. That is the highest on-time performance, which measures the percentage of trains that reach their terminal location within five minutes of their planned arrival, recorded in roughly six years.
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Transit

New exhibit from photographers James and Karla Murray celebrates mom-and-pop storefronts of NYC

Photo © James and Karla Murray

September 9, 2019

New exhibit from photographers James and Karla Murray celebrates mom-and-pop storefronts of NYC

By Devin Gannon

A free photography exhibition highlighting mom-and-pop shops of New York City opens in the East Village next week. Photographers and award-winning authors James and Karla Murray hosted two workshops earlier this year on using photography and oral history to "raise public awareness, build community, and encourage advocacy." The free exhibition, "Capturing the Faces & Voices of Mom-And-Pop Storefronts," shows off the photos and interviews from the workshop's participants, as well as large-scale photos of now-shuttered East Village shops, taken by James and Karla.
More here

Events & Things To Do

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