All articles by Devin Gannon

Design studio proposes underground paths and an elevated ‘shelf’ across Park Avenue

Rendering via JCW Studio

September 20, 2018

Design studio proposes underground paths and an elevated ‘shelf’ across Park Avenue

By Devin Gannon

To revitalize the drab medians of Park Avenue in Midtown, a design studio suggests building an elevated, multi-functional shelf to create more public space and ease pedestrian traffic. Studio JCW's proposal, called Big Shelf, would be installed on every median of Park Avenue between 46th and 47th Street, according to designboom. The proposed design is meant to reflect a similar structural facade as the many skyscrapers around it.
More here

Exhibit dedicated to Hip-Hop Architecture opens next month at the Center for Architecture

Proposal for JXTA Arts Center, 4RM+ULA

September 19, 2018

Exhibit dedicated to Hip-Hop Architecture opens next month at the Center for Architecture

By Devin Gannon

The emerging movement of Hip-Hop Architecture will be highlighted in an exhibit for the first time, the Center for Architecture announced last week. The exhibit, Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture, will feature the work of 21 practitioners, academics and students, curated by Sekou Cooke of the Syracuse University School of Architecture. According to the center, "hip-hop's primary means of expression—deejaying, emceeing, b-boying, and graffiti—have become globally recognized creative practices, and each has significantly impacted the urban built environment." It opens on the first day of Archtober 2018, Monday, Oct. 1.
More here

Find one of those elusive electric Citi Bikes with this interactive map

September 19, 2018

Find one of those elusive electric Citi Bikes with this interactive map

By Devin Gannon

Last month, Citi Bike rolled out 200 pedal-assist electric bikes in New York City. As one can imagine, demand is high for these e-bikes, which can reach speeds of 18 miles per hour and will most likely get riders to their destinations faster than the subway. A new map, aptly named "I Want to Ride an Electric Citi Bike," displays which docking stations have electric bikes at any given time (h/t Maps Mania). Users can find stations near them on the map, add them to a watch list, and be alerted within 10 seconds of its availability.
Get riding

Transit

LPC designates former Carroll Gardens schoolhouse as New York City landmark

(on right) 236 and (on left) 238 President Street via LPC

September 18, 2018

LPC designates former Carroll Gardens schoolhouse as New York City landmark

By Devin Gannon

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday designated the Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten at 236 President Street and the adjacent apartment building at 238 President Street as individual landmarks. The two Carroll Gardens buildings are associated with Elmira Christian, an advocate for early childhood education. "These two properties are distinguished by their architecture and share a great history of education and social reform in Brooklyn," LPC Vice Chair Frederick Bland said in a statement.
Get the details

Where I Work: The trio behind Van Leeuwen ice cream show off their pastel-painted UWS shop

Ben (left), Laura and Pete in their UWS store

September 18, 2018

Where I Work: The trio behind Van Leeuwen ice cream show off their pastel-painted UWS shop

By Devin Gannon

Ten years ago, with $60,000 on hand and no factory, Laura O’Neill and Pete and Ben Van Leeuwen decided to operate an ice cream truck in New York City. Instead of using gum stabilizers and fillers, they wanted to make their ice cream with all-natural, pure ingredients. The trio, none of whom have a culinary background, started testing ice cream recipes in the kitchen of their shared Brooklyn apartment. Today, Van Leeuwen has grown into a multimillion-dollar, multi-city dessert empire with numerous trucks and brick-and-mortar stores throughout NYC and Los Angeles. Van Leeuwen remains known for its rich and delicious vegan flavors, which hit their menu about five years ago. With a formula of raw cashews, extra virgin coconut oil, pure cocoa butter, coconut cream, and organic cane sugar, the ice cream is beloved by vegans and non-vegans. "It's not just good vegan ice cream--it's incredible ice cream that happens to be vegan," Laura told us. Pete, Ben, and Laura recently gave us a tour of one of their new NYC stores, a small pastel-painted shop on the Upper West Side. Ahead, hear from Laura about Van Leeuwen's humble start in Brooklyn, the decision-making-process behind new flavors, and plans to expand even further.
Read the sweet background here

Where I Work

With most approved residential units in NYC, the Bronx building boom continues

Via Nelson Mejia Jr. on Flickr

September 17, 2018

With most approved residential units in NYC, the Bronx building boom continues

By Devin Gannon

Out of the 20 New York City neighborhoods with the most residential units approved within the past year, seven of them are in the Bronx, more than any other borough. According to a new report from Localize.city, a group that analyzes data related to housing, 13 percent of all approved apartments between 2010 and 2015 were in the Bronx. In the first half of 2018, the Bronx had 27 percent of the city's share of approved new units. While a majority of new buildings in the borough are affordable, increasing land prices could mean more market-rate projects are on the horizon, the New York Times reported.
Get more details

Real Estate Trends

Signal problems delayed the subway every weekday morning in August except one

Via Dan Phiffer on Flickr

September 17, 2018

Signal problems delayed the subway every weekday morning in August except one

By Devin Gannon

Signal problems caused subway train delays during morning rush hour every weekday during the month of August except one day, according to a report released last week by the Riders Alliance. Between 6 am and 10 am each weekday morning, except on Thursday, Aug. 23, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority issued a delayed train alert. Every line except the L train experienced signal and/or mechanical problems during one or more of the 23 morning rush hours last month, WNYC reported.
More here

Transit

Plans revealed to convert abandoned hospital in Greenpoint into affordable housing complex

September 14, 2018

Plans revealed to convert abandoned hospital in Greenpoint into affordable housing complex

By Devin Gannon

Shuttered since 1982, the Greenpoint Hospital will soon be home to a new mixed-use development with roughly 500 units of affordable housing, as well as a shelter for 200 homeless New Yorkers. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced on Thursday it will work with St. Nicks Alliance, Hudson Companies Incorporated, and Project Renewal on the project, with the design led by Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP) and Architecture Outfit. The 3.4-acre site, located at 288 Jackson Street, will include two newly constructed buildings and two rehabilitated historic buildings.
see the renderings

Affordable Housing

Delayed train? MTA is on it (within the next 5 to 10 years)

Via rhythmicdiaspora on Flickr

September 14, 2018

Delayed train? MTA is on it (within the next 5 to 10 years)

By Devin Gannon

In August, Twitter users shamed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for vaguely announcing a tunnel closure on Twitter in the middle of Monday morning rush hour. And this month, the MTA is facing backlash after being too honest with its commuters. One straphanger tweeted at the agency, "The @MTA really needs to get its shit together. People got places to go." In response, whoever was running the agency's NYCT Subway Twitter promised they are working on "fixing things within the next 5-10 years with our Fast Forward Plan." That post did not bode well.
Not so Fast Forward

Transit

See George Washington’s handwritten farewell address and more at NYPL’s new permanent exhibit

Guttenberg Bible; Via Jonathan Blanc/NYPL

September 13, 2018

See George Washington’s handwritten farewell address and more at NYPL’s new permanent exhibit

By Devin Gannon

The New York Public Library announced on Thursday it will open a permanent exhibition of rotating treasures at their Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street location. The exhibit will be the first to showcase the depth of the library's holdings, which includes over 46 million items in its research collection. While the specifics are still being determined, some notable artifacts from the collection being considered for the treasures exhibit include the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson, a handwritten farewell address from George Washington, the original Winnie-The-Pooh, writings from Lou Reed, and manuscript material from Maya Angelou.
See the treasures

Popular Articles

Latest StuyTown affordable housing lottery opens, rents from $1,462/month

Via StuyTown Property Services

September 13, 2018

Latest StuyTown affordable housing lottery opens, rents from $1,462/month

By Devin Gannon

A lottery launched this week for newly available apartments at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village in the East Village. New Yorkers earning 80 and 165 percent of the area median income (or between $43,860 and $268,620 annually) can apply for the available units, which range from $1,462/month studios to $5,508/month five-bedrooms. As Manhattan's largest rental community, StuyTown includes a 24-hour on-site property manager, laundry, a cafe, children's playroom, a fitness center and shared outdoor space across 80 acres.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

See inside WeWork’s first elementary school in NYC designed by Bjarke Ingels

Via WeWork/WeGrow

September 12, 2018

See inside WeWork’s first elementary school in NYC designed by Bjarke Ingels

By Devin Gannon

WeWork opened its first elementary school in Chelsea last week, equipped with modular classrooms, tree houses and giant floor cushions, dezeen reported Wednesday. Bjarke Ingels was tapped last year to design the WeGrow school on West 18th Street, designated for children ages three to nine, with a focus on education through play and interaction. New photos from the co-working company reveal open-plan classrooms with multi-functional furniture and lots of natural light.
Take a tour

Architecture And Design

Trump-run attractions in NYC suffer from declining revenue

Trump-run Wollman Rink via subherwal on Flickr

September 12, 2018

Trump-run attractions in NYC suffer from declining revenue

By Devin Gannon

Although President Donald Trump continues to profit from his family-run business while serving in office, the New York-native is seeing a drop in revenue in his hometown. At four concessions in New York City run by the Trump Organization, sales have dropped or have been flat since Trump became president, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Even as tourism is on the rise and the city's economy is bustling, business is not booming for two Trump-affiliated ice rinks, a Bronx golf course, and a carousel in Central Park.
More this way

Real Estate Trends

Apply for 41 middle-income units at Bushwick’s Rheingold Brewery site, from $1,432/month

September 12, 2018

Apply for 41 middle-income units at Bushwick’s Rheingold Brewery site, from $1,432/month

By Devin Gannon

A lottery launched on Wednesday for 41 middle-income units at 115 Stanwix Street, a building which is part of the Rabsky Group's redevelopment of the Rheingold Brewery site in Bushwick. Designed by ND Architecture & Design, the eight-story development sits between Montieth Street and Flushing Avenue. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $1,432/month one-bedrooms to a $3,225 three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Pay to break stuff for fun at these ‘rage rooms’ in NYC

September 11, 2018

Pay to break stuff for fun at these ‘rage rooms’ in NYC

By Devin Gannon

Some New Yorkers in need of major stress relief are skipping meditation and trying an unusual, but apparently effective, alternative. As a self-described provider of destruction services, the Rage Cage lets visitors smash printers, VCRs, dishes, and other items with a sledgehammer or baseball bat. Sessions range from $45 for 25 minutes of raging to a $120 30-minute session for four people (h/t WSJ).
More breaking news ahead

City Living

Three NYCHA developments on the Upper East Side ranked among the worst in the U.S.

Google Street View of the Holmes Towers

September 11, 2018

Three NYCHA developments on the Upper East Side ranked among the worst in the U.S.

By Devin Gannon

The federal government ranked three Upper East Side public housing buildings as some of the worst in the United States, the New York Post reported Monday. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gave the Holmes Towers, the Isaacs Houses and Robbins Plaza just 25 points out of a maximum of 100 as a measure of quality following recent inspections. Out of the more than 3,800 scores counted by HUD last year, the three complexes tied for 13th worst in the country.
More here

Affordable Housing

Live in an amenity-rich building in Prospect-Lefferts Garden, from $1,775/month

Photo via Nookyln

September 10, 2018

Live in an amenity-rich building in Prospect-Lefferts Garden, from $1,775/month

By Devin Gannon

A brand new rental building in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens launched a lottery this week for five middle-income apartments. The 16-unit building located at 664-668 Rutland Road, between Albany and Troy Avenues, offers enviable amenities like on-site laundry, central air, a fitness center, roof access and a common courtyard. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the one $1,775/month one-bedroom and four $2,270/month two-bedroom apartments.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

The retractable skylight at the World Trade Center Oculus will reopen on 9/11

September 10, 2018

The retractable skylight at the World Trade Center Oculus will reopen on 9/11

By Devin Gannon

The skylight at the World Trade Center Oculus will reopen on September 11 at exactly 10:28 a.m., the same time the North Tower fell in 2001. The "Way of Light," which happens every year on 9/11, will shine through the opening, bringing light to the bustling WTC transit center below. Santiago Calatrava designed the Oculus oriented in a way that allows sunlight to cross the floor, directly along the axis of the building.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

INTERVIEW: Exhibition designer Jonathan Alger on how sports healed NYC and the nation after 9/11

September 10, 2018

INTERVIEW: Exhibition designer Jonathan Alger on how sports healed NYC and the nation after 9/11

By Devin Gannon

Immediately after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, sporting events across the country were suspended as the nation grieved, with stadiums used for prayer services and relief efforts instead of games. After a few weeks, commissioners and government officials decided to recommence games, with one of the first at Shea Stadium between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. When former Mets catcher Mike Piazza hit a home run, tens of thousands in the crowd, and even more watching on television at home, truly cheered and celebrated for the first time since 9/11. From then on, sports became something that was okay to enjoy again. "Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11," a new year-long exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, examines the role of sports in helping New York City and the entire nation heal after the attacks. Designed by C&G Partners, the show uses the emotion of the crowd to inspire and guide the narrative, with broadcasts and sports memorabilia from that time. The exhibition chronologically follows what happened in sports in the aftermath of 9/11 with nine sections that look at significant sports moments. 6sqft spoke with Jonathan Alger, the co-founder of C&G Partners, about the strategy behind "Comeback Season," the importance of the color green throughout the show and the capacity of sports to do actual good.
Learn about the exhibit and hear from Jonathan

Remove an ex-lover’s clutter with ‘ExBox’ storage service

September 7, 2018

Remove an ex-lover’s clutter with ‘ExBox’ storage service

By Devin Gannon

In addition to the emotional baggage an ex-lover leaves behind after a breakup, they typically leave their literal stuff scattered across your apartment. Instead of being forced to remember happier times, a new startup is offering to remove or store anything that reminds you of your ex (h/t apartment therapy). The company "ExBox" will send a box to your apartment, ready to be filled with your former sweetheart's junk.
How to sign up and more

Shop

Brooklyn entrepreneur launches next-day delivery service in Park Slope as challenge to Amazon

September 7, 2018

Brooklyn entrepreneur launches next-day delivery service in Park Slope as challenge to Amazon

By Devin Gannon

With the tremendous growth of Amazon, valued this week at one trillion dollars for the first time, local businesses and brick-and-mortar shops are having to think outside of the box to entice customers. An entrepreneur from Brooklyn is hoping to directly challenge Amazon by launching his own e-commerce and next-day delivery service (h/t Bloomberg). This month, Peter Price, a 78-year-old New Yorker who formerly served as the president of Liberty Cable, will roll out a trial service in Park Slope called EMain, which will allow local stores to post deals online and deliver items the following day for free.
More here

City Living

The most expensive development site in the Bronx will be 30 percent affordable

A previous rendering of 101 Lincoln Avenue via Hill West Architects

September 7, 2018

The most expensive development site in the Bronx will be 30 percent affordable

By Devin Gannon

The most expensive transaction on record for a development in the Bronx officially closed Wednesday, after Brookfield Property Partners picked up the two sites for $165 million from Somerset Partners and Chetrit Group. Originally, Somerset and Chetrit planned for all of the development's 849 residential units to be market rate, and while Brookfield intends to keep the same number of apartments, they are designating 30 percent of them affordable, according to the Real Deal.
Find out more

This $1.9M penthouse in Hell’s Kitchen has Spanish-inspired interiors and a stained-glass solarium

September 6, 2018

This $1.9M penthouse in Hell’s Kitchen has Spanish-inspired interiors and a stained-glass solarium

By Devin Gannon

With its 14-foot wood beamed ceilings, terracotta tiles and stained-glass solarium, this Hell's Kitchen penthouse easily transports you from Manhattan to Spain. The three-bedroom duplex, located at 521 West 47th Street, is asking $1.895 million. The listing describes the unique home, which measures just over 2,200 square feet, as a "private villa penthouse in the sky."
See inside

Distinctive Homes

Expansion of Hudson Yards green space could be NYC’s most expensive park project ever

Rendering via MVVA and the Hudson Yards Development Corporation

September 6, 2018

Expansion of Hudson Yards green space could be NYC’s most expensive park project ever

By Devin Gannon

The $374 million plan to extend green space at Hudson Yards would be the most expensive park project in New York City history, Crain's reported Thursday. Last month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced financing had been secured for the extension of Hudson Park and Boulevard, which currently runs between West 33rd and West 36th Streets. This funding allows the park to extend to West 39th Street.
Get the details

Uncategorized

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