All articles by Michelle Cohen

Michelle is a New York-based writer and content strategist who has worked extensively with lifestyle brands like Seventeen, Country Living, Harper’s Bazaar and iVillage. In addition to being a copywriter for a digital media agency she writes about culture, New York City neighborhoods, real estate, style, design and technology among other topics. She has lived in a number of major US cities on both coasts and in between and loves all things relating to urbanism and culture.
Apply for 27 middle-income loft apartments in East Harlem, from $1,700/month

Image courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

October 27, 2021

Apply for 27 middle-income loft apartments in East Harlem, from $1,700/month

By
A lottery is now open for 27 apartments at a new rental building in East Harlem near the East River. Located at 2269 First Avenue, the building, known as East River Lofts, offers unique homes with loft areas and a long list of amenities. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income–between $58,286 annually for a one-person household and $167,570 annually for a five-person household–can apply for units that range from $1,700/month studios to two-bedrooms for $2800/month.
Find out how to apply
Six blocks of Broadway will become Manhattan’s largest shared street as part of open space plan

Mayor Bill de Blasio and DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman cut the ribbon on new open space on Broadway in the Flatiron District on Monday, October 25, 2021. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

October 26, 2021

Six blocks of Broadway will become Manhattan’s largest shared street as part of open space plan

By
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman have announced more improvements coming to the city's streets, including six blocks of Broadway that will be fully dedicated to pedestrians or modified so that cars, cyclists, and pedestrians can share the street. The DOT’s “Broadway Vision” will reimagine 12 blocks of the Manhattan street as shared public street space.
Find out more of what's coming to the streets
Actor Anthony Rapp’s Noho loft studio, bought with ‘Rent’ money, is now asking $1.95M

Photo credit: Stephanie Powell, MW Studios for Sotheby’s International Realty

October 26, 2021

Actor Anthony Rapp’s Noho loft studio, bought with ‘Rent’ money, is now asking $1.95M

By
This classic loft studio in the landmarked building at 1 Bond Street was, for 23 years, the home of actor Anthony Rapp, who played the leading role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway hit "Rent," as well as in the film version. The actor, who had lived in an East Village walk-up much like the ones featured in the play, purchased the downtown loft 23 years ago for $375,000 saved from his burgeoning acting career. The 1,250 square-foot second-floor studio–with beautifully designed custom renovations added by Rapp over the years–is now asking $1.95 million.
Tour the classic Noho studio
Tiptoe through the tulips in your private garden at this $20M Tribeca penthouse

Images courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

October 25, 2021

Tiptoe through the tulips in your private garden at this $20M Tribeca penthouse

By
At a vast 5,499 square feet, this new-to-market Tribeca penthouse at 37 Warren Street is nothing short of a modern sky mansion, wrapped with an outdoor terrace for al fresco living and watching your garden grow. On the market for $19,995,000, the two-floor condo has four bedrooms, five full baths, two half baths, and pristine interiors designed by Steven Harris Architects.
Tour this pretty, pricey penthouse
NYC Street Vendor Project launches a citywide scavenger hunt to help local vendors rebound

Photo by Anton on Unsplash

October 22, 2021

NYC Street Vendor Project launches a citywide scavenger hunt to help local vendors rebound

By
Beginning November 14, street food lovers are invited to join their favorite food carts and treats trucks for the first-ever NYC Street Vendor Scavenger Hunt. Participants will get to compete in fun challenges, meet the vendors and, of course, sample the food, to win prizes and help support the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center–the city's only street vendor organization.
Gather your squad and start sleuthing
900-unit mixed-use complex planned for MTA-owned site in Greenpoint

Image: FXcollaborative courtesy of MTA. This image is a conceptual rendering and is for illustrative purposes only.

October 21, 2021

900-unit mixed-use complex planned for MTA-owned site in Greenpoint

By
The MTA has announced a new 840,000-square-foot redevelopment project at Monitor Point in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The project will feature 900 homes with 25 percent permanently affordable and more than 100,000 square feet of retail and commercial space at 40 Quay Street, home to the NYC Transit Mobile Wash Division site. The Gotham Organization has been selected for the project, which will also bring a waterfront walkway–and a new permanent home for The Greenpoint Monitor Museum–to the site.
More on the project, this way
This grand four-bedroom Tribeca condo in the world’s first Art Deco skyscraper asks $8.8M

Image credit: Magnum Real Estate

October 21, 2021

This grand four-bedroom Tribeca condo in the world’s first Art Deco skyscraper asks $8.8M

By
. The landmarked 32-story building at 100 Barclay Street–formerly known as the Barclay-Vesey Building–is considered by some to be the world's first Art Deco skyscraper. Designed by notable Jazz Age architect Ralph Walker, the building first opened in 1927; the tower’s upper floors were reimagined as luxurious loft residences in 2015. The grandest of these, unit 20B, is a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home that spans 3,665 square feet, currently on the market for $8.8 million.
Tour the lofty Deco condo
Live in the Woolworth Tower apartment seen on ‘Succession’ for $23M

Photo by Travis Mark.

October 20, 2021

Live in the Woolworth Tower apartment seen on ‘Succession’ for $23M

By
The palatial residence perched on the 29th floor of Downtown Manhattan's iconic Woolworth Building is unique enough as it is. Now, Pavilion A at The Woolworth Tower Residences at 2 Park Place has the additional status of having been recently featured in the season three premiere of  HBO's Succession. Two years ago, 6sqft reported the apartment's listing for $29.85 million–about $3 million less than when it made its debut. In addition to its star turn on the Emmy-winning drama, the five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath duplex has been discounted 30 percent to $23.355 million.
See more of the film-worthy Pavilion residence, this way
Take the elevator to a rooftop hot tub at this $12.5M designer townhouse in Cobble Hill

Photo credit: Donna Dotan for Workshop APD/The Corcoran Group.

October 20, 2021

Take the elevator to a rooftop hot tub at this $12.5M designer townhouse in Cobble Hill

By
On the market for the first time, asking $12,500,000, this 25-foot-wide new-construction townhouse at 57 Wyckoff Street in Cobble Hill is a modern dream home in historic Brooklyn. Designed by Workshop/APD, the 7,000-square-foot townhouse was built three years ago, a stunning addition to a classic tree-lined block. From the elevator and walls of glass to the rooftop hot tub, there's room for just about everything and everyone in this single-family five-bedroom home.
Start in the garden, work your way up
For $1.3M, this bright Bed-Stuy garden duplex has a dreamy back yard with an outdoor kitchen

Listing photos courtesy of The InHouse Group.

October 19, 2021

For $1.3M, this bright Bed-Stuy garden duplex has a dreamy back yard with an outdoor kitchen

By
This one-bedroom garden duplex unit in a collection of five condo residences at 394 Kosciuszko Street in Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood offers plenty of space for living and recreation. In addition to a full lower level, there's a backyard oasis that's perfect for outdoor living, complete with a cook station, wet bar, and fridge.
Tour the duplex
A designer’s West Village penthouse, wrapped in luxurious finishes and outdoor gardens, asks $11.3M

Images courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

October 18, 2021

A designer’s West Village penthouse, wrapped in luxurious finishes and outdoor gardens, asks $11.3M

By
Perched above one of Manhattan's most desirable downtown neighborhoods, this corner penthouse condo is surrounded by landscaped terraces, with carefully considered designer finishes within. Designed by AD100 designer Ken Fulk, the dramatic duplex is currently the home of Danielle Snyder, cofounder of the Dannijo clothing line. She and her husband have just listed the home at 175 West 10th Street for $11.3M.
Tour the designer's downtown aerie
The best 2021 Halloween happenings and spooky spectacles in NYC

Photo of 2015 Village Halloween Parade by Peter Burka on Flickr

October 18, 2021

The best 2021 Halloween happenings and spooky spectacles in NYC

By
New York City really shows its creative side for Halloween, and after a year of laying low, everyone's ready for some trick-or-treat action. The epic Village Halloween Parade is back on, parks and pumpkin patches are putting their fall bounty on display, and our favorite gathering, shopping, and dining spots are stocking up on candy and planning fun events. For the best ideas, browse our list of Halloween haunts and happenings from family-friendly to wicked and wild.
See the full list, this way
The faces of 1,200 New Yorkers now greet visitors outside of the Port Authority bus terminal

All photos: Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance.

October 15, 2021

The faces of 1,200 New Yorkers now greet visitors outside of the Port Authority bus terminal

By
The Port Authority bus terminal in Midtown may not be one of New York City's most beautiful places, but the world’s busiest terminal recently got a beauty boost in the form of a 40-foot-high, 600-foot-wide gallery wall that features the diverse and fabulous faces of over 1,200 New Yorkers. The Garment District Alliance (GDA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) have collaborated to bring the giant photo gallery, "Inside Out: NY Together," part of an international initiative by world-renowned artist JR, to the Manhattan bus gateway.
See more smiling faces, this way
See David Chipperfield’s plans to renovate the historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue

Image © Sebastian Kaempf, KARO Architects

October 14, 2021

See David Chipperfield’s plans to renovate the historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue

By
From October 14 through October 17, cultural organization 1014 will introduce the public to prize-winning architect David Chipperfield's plans for the renovation of an Upper East Side historic and cultural gem at 1014 Fifth Avenue. Built in 1907 and flanked by two 15-story apartment buildings, the Beaux-Arts townhouse faces the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The renowned British architect was chosen in 2020 to design the building's future form after an international competition that included some of the field's most noted names. This weekend “1014 Past and Future” and related programming are taking place as part of Archtober and Open House New York.
Find out more about this unique global cultural hub
With modernist designer interiors, this $7.5M townhouse next to Central Park is an UWS dream

Photo courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens.

October 14, 2021

With modernist designer interiors, this $7.5M townhouse next to Central Park is an UWS dream

By
Who hasn't dreamed of living on the Upper West Side in a stately row house with room for the whole family and lots of outdoor space? On the market for $7.5 million, this classic home on a park block at 18 West 95th Street embodies the fantasy of townhouse living–complete with carefully considered custom interiors designed with European flair by Resolution: 4 Architecture, a design firm known for its modern homes. In addition to an owners' triplex, the home offers three studio apartments for extra income or guest/office space. Central Park lies just at the end of the block.
Tour the modern-house-in-a-classic-townhouse
Cuomo’s $2.1B LaGuardia AirTrain project is halted

Rendering courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

October 13, 2021

Cuomo’s $2.1B LaGuardia AirTrain project is halted

By
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Tuesday that it would be putting the brakes on any further development of the AirTrain, the proposed 1.5-mile elevated rail that would run between the airport and the eastern Queens neighborhood of Willets Point, with a connection to the subway and Long Island Rail Road. The project was a top priority for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. His successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, has called for a review of alternatives to the project in response to opposition by community groups and local officials who have criticized its environmental review process, its impact on the surrounding community, and a dearth of alternatives being discussed.
Is it the end of the line for AirTran?
Waterfront views and a private green rooftop add to the luxury of this $3.75M Red Hook townhouse

All images courtesy of Douglas Elliman

October 13, 2021

Waterfront views and a private green rooftop add to the luxury of this $3.75M Red Hook townhouse

By
Located at 142 Dikeman Street, this four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom new-construction single-family home, asking $3.75 million, occupies a quiet corner in Brooklyn's colorful and charming Red Hook neighborhood. Designed by architect Gabriel Calatrava (son of world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava) and design firm Decada, this modern four-story townhouse features towering atrium ceilings, three outdoor spaces including a private green roof, bespoke finishes, and a drive-in garage.
Check out the soaring spaces and urban views
For $3.8M, this eco-friendly Dobbs Ferry home has Hudson River views, a pool, and a solar-paneled roof

All photos by Dan Milstein

October 12, 2021

For $3.8M, this eco-friendly Dobbs Ferry home has Hudson River views, a pool, and a solar-paneled roof

By
This 3.41-acre hilltop retreat in the village of Dobbs Ferry, NY, only 22 miles from NYC, offers a stunning contemporary home with panoramic views of the Hudson River and Ramapo Mountains as well as landscaped patios, a roof deck, a gunite pool and pool house. The six-bedroom home with a distinctive barreled metal roof, on the market for $3.8 million, sits on land that was once part of a 200-acre estate purchased in 1929 by Joseph Patterson, publisher of the New York Daily News.
Take the tour
Christie’s will auction works from top contemporary artists to benefit New York City AIDS Memorial

Photo: John Moore, Circular Space Photography

October 12, 2021

Christie’s will auction works from top contemporary artists to benefit New York City AIDS Memorial

By
As the New York City AIDS Memorial celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding, Christie’s has announced "UNQUESTIONING LOVE: An Auction to Benefit the New York City AIDS Memorial." The November auction will present a select group of 19 artworks by leading contemporary artists that will be sold across two live sales. The Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on November 12 will feature a selection of 16 artworks by contemporary art stars, with works by Elmgreen & Dragset, Sam Gilliam, the Haas Brothers, Jim Hodges, Shara Hughes, KAWS, Rashid Johnson, Trevor Paglen, Adam Pendleton, Ugo Rondinone, Sarah Sze, Salman Toor, Jonas Wood, and Lisa Yuskavage, many made for the event.
Find out more
The world’s first air conditioner was invented in Brooklyn in 1902
August 19, 2021

The world’s first air conditioner was invented in Brooklyn in 1902

By
Photo of Willis Carrier (left) courtesy of Wikipedia; Photo of air conditioners in NY building courtesy of Marcel Oosterwijk on Flickr It figures, but history shows us yet another way Brooklyn was cool, like, forever–though this particular example is a bit more literal. A classic New York City heatwave was just enough to turn up the Brooklyn ingenuity in a junior engineer named Willis Carrier, who devised a system of fans, ducts, heaters, and perforated pipes that became the world’s first air conditioner. The problem: blistering temperatures that were literally melting the equipment in a Williamsburg printing house. The solution was one that had eluded centuries of inventors through sweltering summers. The system was installed in the summer of 1902, according to the New York Times, and Carrier went on to found Carrier Corporation. He had hit on the idea while walking in the fog.
It's the humidity
The best mattresses you can buy online in 2021

Image courtesy of Tuft & Needle.

April 16, 2021

The best mattresses you can buy online in 2021

By
Buying a mattress is no longer like buying a car, requiring showroom visits that put us at the mercy of unctuous sales agents and an SUV-sized investment. The advent of “bed-in-a-box” disruptors changed the game, but this new era has brought so many options that it’s almost impossible to comparison shop. There’s no perfect formula, and it really comes down to personal preference, so while we can't tell you which mattress is perfect for you, below is a roundup of the current important entries in the mattress field, and why they’re so popular.
Don't lose sleep over buying a mattress
It was illegal to play baseball in NYC on Sunday until 1919

1912 World Series at the Polo Grounds. Image via Wikimedia Commons

April 1, 2021

It was illegal to play baseball in NYC on Sunday until 1919

By
Baseball may be a long-standing tradition in New York City, but not so very long ago that seemingly innocent pastime was illegal on Sundays. As one of the infamous "blue laws" on the state books–that other beloved NYC pastime, shopping, was illegal as well–the ban was part of a sweeping statute from colonial times called the Statute for Suppressing Immorality. Enacted in 1778, it was the first state "Sabbath law." Section 2145 of the revised New York State Penal code of 1787 outlawed all public sports on Sunday–so as not to "interrupt the repose of the Sabbath"–and wasn't repealed until 1919.
No movies, either
The best gifts for plant lovers in 2020

Image courtesy of The Sill.

December 7, 2020

The best gifts for plant lovers in 2020

By
Plants don’t just make our rooms look great, they also purify indoor air, reduce stress (especially important in 2020!), and add liven up even the smallest apartments for a relatively low cost. Even if plant care and feeding lie just outside your skillset, faux foliage, like the life-like specimens from The Sill, has come a long way. Plants and everything you need to nurture them can be easy and convenient to order online, and plants and accessories make great gifts for both experienced "plant people" and newbies. See our guide below for some great green thumb gift ideas.
Get growing
The TWA Hotel’s rooftop is now a retro Alpine-themed retreat with a heated ‘pool-cuzzi’

Courtesy of the TWA Hotel

October 29, 2020

The TWA Hotel’s rooftop is now a retro Alpine-themed retreat with a heated ‘pool-cuzzi’

By
Looking to safely hang with friends outdoors without freezing your bum off? Then you might consider heading out to the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport. For the second year, the hotel is sharing its Eero Saarinen-designed mid-century fabulousness with its guests by transforming its rooftop bar into the Runway Chalet for the rest of the winter season. In addition to a tented and heated Alpine-themed restaurant and bar, the chalet offers the "pool-cuzzi," which is heated up to 95 degrees.
Find out more
Here’s what you need to know about New York’s plastic bag ban

Image: Michael Kowalczyk via Flickr.

October 19, 2020

Here’s what you need to know about New York’s plastic bag ban

By
The ban on single-use plastic bags will go into effect on Monday, more than seven months after enforcement was set to begin. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's statewide ban on plastic bags was approved by state lawmakers last year with plans to begin enforcement on March 1, 2020. But a lawsuit from the Bodega and Small Business Association and a delay in a court decision on the lawsuit because of the coronavirus pandemic pushed enforcement of the new law back multiple times until a state judge ruled in August that the ban can begin on October 19. Starting Monday, grocery and retail stores that collect state taxes from customers will no longer be permitted to use plastic bags to contain purchases at checkout. Ahead, learn more about the Bag Waste Reduction Law, the exceptions to the law, and alternatives to single-use plastic.
Find out more
Pitch a story icon

Pitch a Story

We love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

Interested in seeing the property in person?

It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo

"*" indicates required fields

or Call (212) 755-5544

Interested in seeing the property in person?

It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo

Distinctive Post Form

"*" indicates required fields

or Call (212) 755-5544
Contact us image

Get in Touch

We love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

Send us a tip image
Delivering New York stories focused on design, lifestyle & real estate.

Send us a Tip

We love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

Interesting in learning more about purchasing a new home?

Let us know what you are looking for and we’ll help you find the home of your dreams. It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo
or Call (212) 755-5544

Thinking about selling your home?

We’ll provide current market comps and connect you with a trusted expert.

CityRealty Logo

Sell a Home (Footer)

"*" indicates required fields

or Call (212) 755-5544

Before You Move On
from this Page.

Subscribe for NYC's Lastest Design, Lifestyle,
and Real Estate Trends!

No Worries. We Don’t Spam.

By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Your Daily Dose
of NYC Life!

No Worries. We Don’t Spam.

By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time.