All articles by Devin Gannon

Real estate icon Barbara Corcoran lists Upper East Side penthouse for $12M

Photography by Melanie Greene, Greenehouse NYC for The Corcoran Group

May 8, 2025

Real estate icon Barbara Corcoran lists Upper East Side penthouse for $12M

Real estate whiz and investor Barbara Corcoran is parting ways with her penthouse overlooking Central Park on the Upper East Side. Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group and star of "Shark Tank," paid $10 million in 2015 for the 11-room duplex co-op at 1158 Fifth Avenue. The home, which has a glass solarium dining room, custom-designed library, and landscaped terrace, is now on the market for $12,000,000.
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Rosie O’Donnell sells Midtown East penthouse for $4.75M

Photos represent a previous listing. Courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

May 6, 2025

Rosie O’Donnell sells Midtown East penthouse for $4.75M

By Devin Gannon

Rosie O'Donnell has found a buyer for her Manhattan penthouse, two years after first listing it and a few months after moving to Ireland. The comedian first put her home at 255 East 49th Street on the market for $8,300,000 in 2023; it entered contract for $4,750,000 earlier this spring.
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Hudson Valley’s Storm King Art Center reopens after $53M renovation

An entrance path connects the Outdoor Lobby and visitor pavilions to Storm King’s grounds. Artwork: Chakaia Booker, “A Moment in Time,” 2004. Photo © Richard Barnes

May 2, 2025

Hudson Valley’s Storm King Art Center reopens after $53M renovation

By Devin Gannon

Storm King Art Center, the popular 500-acre outdoor museum in the Hudson Valley, reopened this week following a $53 million renovation and expansion. The sculpture museum's first-ever capital project, a response to its rapid visitor growth, added five acres of landscape for art, a new visitor arrival area with more accessible amenities, streamlined parking, and a conservation and fabrication building. Storm King officially opens for the season on Wednesday, May 7.
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Former sculpture studio turned enchanting live-work space in Kips Bay asks $7.95M

Photos courtesy of Andrew Frasz for Sotheby’s International Realty

April 30, 2025

Former sculpture studio turned enchanting live-work space in Kips Bay asks $7.95M

By Devin Gannon

Every so often, we come across an only-in-New York City-type listing, and this townhouse certainly falls under that category. The four-story home at 218 East 25th Street belonged to the sculpture studio Rochette & Parzini for over six decades. In addition to living quarters, the current owner, photographer Clara Aich, has used the majestic space to host musical performances, plays, and other cultural gatherings that benefit from its soaring ceilings, massive skylights, and loft-like proportions. The unique home hit the market this week for $7,950,000.
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Distinctive Homes

Leasing begins for apartments above new National Black Theatre in Harlem, studios from $3,145/month

All images courtesy of Ray

April 29, 2025

Leasing begins for apartments above new National Black Theatre in Harlem, studios from $3,145/month

By Devin Gannon

Here's a chance to live above a legendary Harlem theater. Leasing kicked off on Tuesday for apartments at Ray Harlem, a new 21-story mixed-use development at 125th Street and Fifth Avenue that includes 222 units and a new home for the National Black Theatre, the longest continuously running Black theater in New York City. The gross rent for the apartments, available in June, starts at $3,145/month for studios.
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New Developments

Central Park opens stunning year-round rec center that seamlessly connects to the landscape

Courtesy of Central Park Conservancy

April 25, 2025

Central Park opens stunning year-round rec center that seamlessly connects to the landscape

By Devin Gannon

A new recreation center has finally opened on the northern end of Central Park. The $160 million Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is a year-round facility integrated into the park's historic landscape with the ability to transform each season, from a pool in the summer, an ice rink in the winter, and a green lawn in the spring and fall.
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NYC Council approves legislation regulating helicopter trips after deadly crash

Photo by SnippyHolloW on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

April 25, 2025

NYC Council approves legislation regulating helicopter trips after deadly crash

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council this week passed legislation regulating certain helicopter flights, two weeks after a tourist flight crashed, killing six people. Sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farías, Intro 26-A prohibits helicopters that do not meet stringent federal noise standards from operating for non-essential purposes out of city-owned heliports. The ban would take effect in 2029.
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Policy

NYC could landmark five Garment District skyscrapers ahead of Midtown South rezoning

On left: Lefcourt Clothing Center, photo by Eden, Janine, and Jim on Flickr; On right: Barbey Building and Fashion Tower, courtesy of Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 24, 2025

NYC could landmark five Garment District skyscrapers ahead of Midtown South rezoning

By Devin Gannon

Several notable skyscrapers in the Garment District are up for landmark status. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to calendar five buildings in Midtown that are architecturally notable, as well as significant to the history of the neighborhood. The potential landmarking comes as Mayor Eric Adams' plan to rezone Midtown South, which would allow for up to 10,000 new homes, enters public review.
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Ai Weiwei installation coming to Roosevelt Island

Ai Weiwei, Camouflage, 2025. Rendering of installation looking Southwest. Image © Ai Weiwei.

April 24, 2025

Ai Weiwei installation coming to Roosevelt Island

By Devin Gannon

Artist and activist Ai Weiwei will unveil his first major artwork in New York City since 2017 this fall. Four Freedoms Park Conservancy on Thursday announced it had commissioned the Chinese artist for a monumental installation on Roosevelt Island that will open this September. "Camouflage" will take over all 3.5 acres of FDR Four Freedoms State Park, with an open architectural structure that rises above its granite walls and is draped in camouflage netting.
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Events & Things To Do

Knicks to host playoff watch party outside of MSG

All photos courtesy of MSG Sports

April 24, 2025

Knicks to host playoff watch party outside of MSG

By Devin Gannon

The New York Knicks are hosting another free watch party for game five of the first round of the NBA playoffs. While the team plays the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday night, Knicks fans can still head to Midtown to watch the games on giant screens outside of Madison Square Garden. The team heads into tonight up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
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Events & Things To Do

Frank Lloyd Wright’s corner apartment at the Plaza finds a buyer

By Devin Gannon

Frank Lloyd Wright's former apartment at the Plaza Hotel has found a buyer. Listed for $18,900,000 in February, the 4,000-square-foot home entered contract on Tuesday, as first spotted by the New York Post. The architect lived in the corner residence at 1 Central Park South from 1954 to 1959 while he was working on the Guggenheim Museum.
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Real Estate Trends

Take in 65,000 colorful tulips, and pick your own, at Queens Farm

Photos courtesy of Queens County Farm Museum

April 23, 2025

Take in 65,000 colorful tulips, and pick your own, at Queens Farm

By Devin Gannon

While cherry blossoms usually steal the spotlight every spring, tulips provide some of the most vibrant signs of the season. The Queens County Farm Museum is once again turning into a tulip wonderland, with a display of over 65,000 flowers in full bloom. As part of "Blooms at Queens Farm," visitors can pick their own flowers to bring home on Saturdays and Sundays through May 4.
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Events & Things To Do

Landmarks approves Frida Escobedo’s new Met Museum wing

Exterior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Tang Wing (view from the northwest corner). Visualization by © Filippo Bolognese Images, courtesy of Frida Escobedo Studio

April 23, 2025

Landmarks approves Frida Escobedo’s new Met Museum wing

By Devin Gannon

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to approve architect Frida Escobedo's design for a new wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The $550 million Tang Wing will replace the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing at the museum's southwest corner and house its collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. The commission also approved landscape changes to Central Park next to the museum, which will include more trees and plantings.
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Architecture And Design

NYC’s plan to add 14,700 new homes to Long Island City enters public review

All images courtesy of DCP

April 22, 2025

NYC’s plan to add 14,700 new homes to Long Island City enters public review

By Devin Gannon

New York City has launched the public review for a Long Island City rezoning plan that could bring roughly 14,700 new homes to the Queens neighborhood. Certified by the Department of City Planning on Monday, the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan looks to rezone a 54-block stretch along the waterfront that has largely remained industrial to allow for more homes, including at least 4,000 income-restricted units. The proposal would mark the most housing units created from a rezoning in 25 years, according to the city.
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Policy

Trump threatens federal funds for NYC transportation projects over congestion pricing

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

April 22, 2025

Trump threatens federal funds for NYC transportation projects over congestion pricing

By Devin Gannon

President Donald Trump's administration ramped up its threats to New York and set a new deadline to end congestion pricing over the weekend. In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state needs to end New York City's congestion pricing program or risk losing federal funding for transportation projects. Duffy's letter came one day after his previous April 20 deadline to stop the program; Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have said the tolls will continue until a judge rules otherwise.
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Van Gogh’s paintings will come to life at the New York Botanical Garden this summer

Rendering of Starry Nights drone show finale during “Van Gogh’s Flowers.” Courtesy of NYBG

April 21, 2025

Van Gogh’s paintings will come to life at the New York Botanical Garden this summer

By Devin Gannon

Vincent van Gogh's famous flower paintings will come to life at the New York Botanical Garden this summer. Opening on May 24, a new floral exhibition titled "Van Gogh's Flowers" will present botanical displays alongside large-scale contemporary art inspired by the Dutch post-Impressionist artist, as well as an after-hours drone show celebrating "Starry Night" and other iconic pieces.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC suspends most composting fines just weeks after enforcement began

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 21, 2025

NYC suspends most composting fines just weeks after enforcement began

By Devin Gannon

Just a few weeks after fines began for buildings failing to comply with the composting program, New York City is temporarily changing the rules. Curbside composting became mandatory in October, but enforcement didn't begin until April 1. Now, as Hell Gate reported, the city will only fine buildings with more than 30 units that get more than four warnings from the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), letting a majority of buildings off the hook through the end of the year.
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Policy

Trump administration says it will take over Penn Station reconstruction project from MTA

Penn Station 33rd Street entrance. Photo courtesy of D. Benjamin Miller on Wikimedia Commons

April 17, 2025

Trump administration says it will take over Penn Station reconstruction project from MTA

By Devin Gannon

President Donald Trump's administration said it was taking over the reconstruction of Penn Station from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Gov. Kathy Hochul. In a statement released on Thursday, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that Amtrak, which owns Penn Station, would spearhead the overhaul instead of the state agency.
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The Frick Collection reopens after $220M renovation: See inside the revitalized Gilded Age museum

West Gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.

April 17, 2025

The Frick Collection reopens after $220M renovation: See inside the revitalized Gilded Age museum

By Devin Gannon

The Frick Collection is back and more accessible than ever. Following a five-year, $220 million renovation, the Gilded Age house museum reopened on Thursday with more gallery space, an auditorium, improved accessibility, a new cafe, and access to the second floor for the first time. Designed by Selldorf Architects with Beyer Blinder Belle, the project marks the first upgrade and expansion of the 1914 mansion since the home became a museum 90 years ago.
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Upscale sushi restaurant to open inside the Wegmans on Astor Place

All photos courtesy of Nico Schinco unless otherwise noted

April 17, 2025

Upscale sushi restaurant to open inside the Wegmans on Astor Place

By Devin Gannon

An upscale sushi restaurant is opening inside the East Village Wegmans. On April 30, the supermarket will debut Next Door, a restaurant with a "fresh take on contemporary Japanese cuisine" inside the Astor Place store. Designed in a warm and inviting Art Deco-inspired style, Next Door will offer a main dining room, a champagne bar, and a sushi counter, where diners can enjoy fish sourced by Wegmans directly from Tokyo, an extensive raw bar, and small plates and entrees from the robata grill.
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Food & Dining

Jessica Chastain’s Osborne co-op returns to market with nearly $1M discount

All photos courtesy of Evan Joseph / Sotheby’s International Realty

April 16, 2025

Jessica Chastain’s Osborne co-op returns to market with nearly $1M discount

By Devin Gannon

Actress Jessica Chastain's stunning home in The Osborne is back on the market for nearly $1 million less than the original asking price. Last year, the sprawling four-bedroom apartment at 205 West 57th Street in Midtown West, which once belonged to Leonard Bernstein, was listed for $7,450,000. Nearly a year later, the apartment has been relisted for $6,499,000.
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The Met unveils last rooftop commission until at least 2030

Jennie C. Jones (born 1968, Cincinnati, Ohio). Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Jennie C. Jones, “Ensemble,” 2025. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photos by Hyla Skopitz

April 15, 2025

The Met unveils last rooftop commission until at least 2030

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has unveiled its last commission for its rooftop until 2030. On view at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden through October 19, "Ensemble" by Jennie C. Jones includes large sculptures based on string instruments that play sounds activated only by the wind. Free with museum admission, the installation marks the 12th and final Roof Garden commission before work begins on the new five-story Tang Wing for modern art designed by Frida Escobedo.
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NYC helicopter company shuts down after deadly Hudson River crash

The National Transportation Safety Board team surveyed the wreckage recovered from the Bell 206 L-4 helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on April 10 near Jersey City. Photo via NTSB on Flickr

April 14, 2025

NYC helicopter company shuts down after deadly Hudson River crash

By Devin Gannon

The New York City helicopter company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson River last week is shutting down immediately. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Sunday announced that New York Helicopter Tours will cease operations after a helicopter operated by the company rapidly descended into the river on Thursday, killing all six people on board.
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Policy

Tenant group pushes for rent freeze for NYC’s stabilized apartments

New York State Tenant Bloc launched in January to counter the real estate lobby. Photo courtesy of New York State Tenant Bloc

April 10, 2025

Tenant group pushes for rent freeze for NYC’s stabilized apartments

By Devin Gannon

Tenant advocates are pushing for a rent freeze for New York City's one million stabilized apartments as new data shows that landlords' income has increased as renters continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. The Rent Guidelines Board officially kicked off its annual review of economic conditions for both landlords and tenants to determine adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments. In 2024, the board voted to raise rent for the third consecutive year.
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Policy

April 9, 2025

A glass house on the Hudson River designed by Roy O. Allen lists for $3M

By Devin Gannon

A restored mid-century glass house designed by a notable architect is for sale in the Hudson Valley. Roy O. Allen, an original partner of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), built the home at 104 Marlborough Road in Briarcliff Manor in 1957 in the International Style, evident through its glass-wrapped facade, simple form, and connection to nature. Following two renovations that have respected its architectural integrity, the home is back on the market for $2,999,000.
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