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.
Find out how much a pied-à-terre tax would affect the value of NYC’s most expensive homes

220 Central Park South. Image via Vornado Realty Trust and Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

March 25, 2019

Find out how much a pied-à-terre tax would affect the value of NYC’s most expensive homes

By
Calls for a so-called pied-à-terre tax have increased since hedge fund manager Ken Griffin closed on a penthouse at 220 Central Park South for over $239 million in January, for a residence that the billionaire will be using as “a place to stay when he’s in town.” And State Budget Director Robert Mujica stated recently that a pied-à-terre tax could be combined with other revenue solutions to help fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $40 billion in capital needs. Owners of some of the city's highest-priced real estate, however, could face a dramatic dip in their property values if the tax plan is enacted, the Wall Street Journal reports, after an analysis that showed how the heftiest tax would be levied on a small number of houses, co-ops, and condos with market values of $25 million or more. The new tax could potentially slash the value of this handful of pricy properties by almost half.
How much is half of too much?
Get a peek inside the cosmic wonder of Macy’s 45th annual Flower Show

Photo: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Macy’s

March 25, 2019

Get a peek inside the cosmic wonder of Macy’s 45th annual Flower Show

By
On Sunday, March 24th, Macy’s Herald Square launched its 45th annual Flower Show. This year's theme for the two-week long floral festival is "Journey To Paradisios," celebrating the arrival of spring by transporting visitors into a multi-dimensional world of space and adventure on the mythical planet Paradisios, traveling through eccentrically landscaped gardens and spectacular floral designs made up of more than 5,000 types of plants, trees, and flowers. The theme tells the cosmic tale of Space Flight Director Lucy Ryder and her discovery of the planet Paradisios–a pristine exoplanet, untouched by human technology and filled with resplendent plant life, as Ryder and R.H. Macy IV–pilot-turned-cosmonaut and the great-great-great grandson of Macy’s founder–set out on the adventure of a lifetime.
More resplendent plant life, this way
This $3.2M Tribeca loft in a former coconut factory has polish and poise
March 22, 2019

This $3.2M Tribeca loft in a former coconut factory has polish and poise

By
Designed by noted architect Stephen Decatur Hatch, the classic loft building at 165 Duane Street, now a boutique co-op residence, was built in 1882 as coconut processing and packaging factory. This Tribeca loft retains the foundation of its industrial past with exposed wooden beams and columns and 14 windows, yet this three-bedroom home set high above Duane Park has the polished appearance of a classic Manhattan co-op. Asking $3.195 million, the loft has been fully renovated, adding modern convenience and considered design choices in fixtures and finishes.
Take a tour
Lottery opens for 149 units at amenity-packed new construction in the Bronx, from $462 a month

Rendering courtesy of The Wilfrid

March 21, 2019

Lottery opens for 149 units at amenity-packed new construction in the Bronx, from $462 a month

By
Rendering courtesy of The Wilfrid 149 affordable units are becoming available at a newly constructed building in the East Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx. Located at 4181 3rd Avenue and 1888 Bathgate Avenue, the rental building, known as The Wilfrid, offers an impressive menu of amenities including an on-site resident super, a virtual doorman, an outdoor terrace, a fitness room, a residents' lounge in each tower, laundry, parking and bicycle storage. Qualifying applicants earning 40, 50, 60, 90 and 110 percent of the area median income can apply for units that range from a $462/month studio to a $2,136/month three-bedroom.
Find out how to apply
Sales at Zaha Hadid’s High Line condo lag despite high hopes and hype

Image: Flickr cc

March 21, 2019

Sales at Zaha Hadid’s High Line condo lag despite high hopes and hype

By
Developer Related Companies' high-profile condominium at 520 West 28th Street, designed by the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, launched sales in 2015 to a flurry of hype and hubris. The highly-anticipated West Side residence was Hadid's first ground-up structure in New York City, offering homes that ranged from $4,950,000 to a $50 million penthouse. Crains reports that since that glittering launch, though, only 16 of the building's 39 units have sold, calling the offering "a rare bust." The sales figures reflect about a 40 percent sell-through that looks even lower when square footage is considered: The building's biggest units remain unclaimed, including its three penthouses. Of the 16 apartments that have sold, 14 were bought in 2017. Only two units sold in 2018, and none so far this year.
Will Hudson Yards bring more buyers?
Find your favorite spring blooms in Central Park with a map and interactive guide

Background image: Shinya Suzuki via Flickr

March 20, 2019

Find your favorite spring blooms in Central Park with a map and interactive guide

By
Spring is officially here, and there's no better place to confirm the good news than Central Park, where the season brings a burst of color to every corner of the park's 840 acres. Warmer weather brings beautiful blooms and a flurry of activities and events along with photogenic landscapes. The park's Spring Guide has all you need to know about the park's prettiest places to visit; a handy map points out where the blooms are, and you can search for your favorites and learn more about them. There are also events for families, Conservancy members and the general public that will help you make the best of the season's beauty.
Where the blooms are, this way
$8M Soho loft includes two units, no tax or co-op fees and a share of commercial rent
March 19, 2019

$8M Soho loft includes two units, no tax or co-op fees and a share of commercial rent

By
$7.995 million might seem steep for this grand 3,600-square-foot cast iron loft at 148 Greene Street, but the Soho co-op property comes with some great perks in addition to keyed elevator access, 13-foot ceilings, and 12 massive windows. First, the space contains two units, giving you the flexibility to use it for live/work purposes or reconfigure it for one sprawling full-floor home. More benefits: There are no tax or maintenance fees. Also, owners in the building benefit from proceeds of the commercial lease space on the ground floor.
More loft loveliness, this way
Affordable housing wait list opens for Mitchell-Lama apartments in Harlem, from $741/month

Google Street View of Bethune Towers

March 19, 2019

Affordable housing wait list opens for Mitchell-Lama apartments in Harlem, from $741/month

By
A lottery for waiting list spots for Mitchell-Lama rental apartments in Bethune Towers at 650 Lenox Avenue is about to open for New York state residents. Rents range from $741 for a studio to $1,215 for a one-bedroom unit. Preference will be given to documented veterans who are selected in the lottery. The deadline to apply for all is April 2, 2019. Some apartments in the building have balconies and views of the Harlem River and the 145th Street Bridge, and the 3 subway is only a few blocks away.
Find out more about Mitchell-Lama and how to apply
Lou Reed archive opens at New York Public Library, complete with special edition library card

Image courtesy of NYPL.

March 18, 2019

Lou Reed archive opens at New York Public Library, complete with special edition library card

By
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, located in Lincoln Center, has just announced that the Lou Reed Archive is open to the public. The archive documents the life and history of the musician, composer, poet, writer, photographer and tai-chi student through his own extensive collection of papers, photographs, recordings and other materials that span Reed's creative life starting with his 1958 Freeport High School band, the Shades, right up to his last performances in 2013. In addition, the archive's opening is being celebrated with a special edition library card as well as a display of items in the collection and more events.
Find out more
WeWork Food Labs will open in West Chelsea to support innovative food-related startups

A rendering of the WeWork Food Labs space. Image courtesy of WeWork.

March 15, 2019

WeWork Food Labs will open in West Chelsea to support innovative food-related startups

By
Coworking, office space leasing (and everything else) company WeWork has launched its second "innovation lab." WeWork Food Labs intends to nurture early-stage startups focused on the future of food. Food Labs will offer dedicated space, community, and programming to entrepreneurs who are tackling challenges in food-related industries from hospitality, consumer goods and kitchen appliances to supply chain management, agricultural technology, distribution software, robotics and more, all of which are apparently very much in need of innovation. A flagship New York City location will open in late 2019 at 511 West 25th Street adjacent to the High Line in West Chelsea.
Find out more
Photo exhibit shows 10 years of subway cars dropped in the Atlantic Ocean to become artificial reefs

Air Break, 2008. Photo by Stephen Mallon.

March 15, 2019

Photo exhibit shows 10 years of subway cars dropped in the Atlantic Ocean to become artificial reefs

By
By now you may have seen Stephen Mallon’s mind-bending photo series showing thousands of decommissioned NYC subway cars being tossed into the Atlantic Ocean. The MTA initiative was undertaken more than 10 years ago with the goal of creating artificial reefs that would support sea life along the eastern seabed. The amazing photo series, briefly on view at NYU’s Kimmel Galleries, documented the train cars being heaved into the briny deep from Delaware to South Carolina over three years. Now, a new exhibit, "Sea Train: Subway Reef Photos by Stephen Mallon," opening March 20th at the New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery, features 19 large-format photographs that capture the iconic subway cars, dropped like toy trains from hulking barges as they're being deployed as sea-life-sustaining artificial reefs,
More amazing photos and their story, this way
This $3.3M Upper East Side penthouse is wrapped with terraces and classic casement windows
March 15, 2019

This $3.3M Upper East Side penthouse is wrapped with terraces and classic casement windows

By
This two-bedroom penthouse at 205 East 69th Street in the Upper East Side certainly has no dark side: The apartment's walls are lined with pre-war Deco-style casement windows and doors, just outside which you'll find spacious wrap-around terraces in every direction. Asking $3,295,000, this uptown oasis has cultural bragging rights as well: It was the New York City home of developer, preservationist and visionary David Wolkowsky, who is considered to be the most important transformational influence in modern-day Key West, Fla., and credited with creating the island's reputation as a quirky bohemian oasis and tourist destination. Wolkowsky, who was known as "Mr. Key West," passed away last year at the age of 99.
See what's outside all those fabulous windows
223 mixed-income units available at new South Bronx rental, from $389/month

Rendering via L+M Development

March 14, 2019

223 mixed-income units available at new South Bronx rental, from $389/month

By
A housing lottery has just launched for 223 mixed-income apartments in the new South Bronx building located at 1520 Story Avenue, known as Story Avenue West. The rental building is one of two new structures at the site, part of the Lafayette-Boynton residential complex in the Soundview neighborhood, developed by Nelson Management Group and L+M Development Partners. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 60, 90 and 110 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $389/month studios to $2,066/month three-bedrooms.
Find out how to apply
Taylor Swift’s former West Village carriage house rental finds a buyer

Listing photos by Chris Riccio, courtesy of the Corcoran Group

March 14, 2019

Taylor Swift’s former West Village carriage house rental finds a buyer

By
The carriage house at 23 Cornelia Street in the West Village that Taylor Swift called home while her sprawling Franklin Street property was being renovated has sold for $11.5 million after several years on the market and a price chop of half its original ask of $24.5M, the New York Post reports. The pop star's hefty $39,500 monthly rent sounds a little more understandable when you've seen the private pool, garage and rooftop terrace with city views.
Take a last look
‘It’s the Bronx’ arts and culture festival aims to be the ‘SXSW of the Bronx’
March 13, 2019

‘It’s the Bronx’ arts and culture festival aims to be the ‘SXSW of the Bronx’

By
The creators of The Bronx Night Market will soon be launching a grand festival dedicated to "celebrating Bronx hustle." The It's the Bronx (@itsthebronx) festival will take place on March 22-24 at the Union Crossing building in Port Morris, featuring up-and-coming musicians, visual artists, discussion panels, video screening, a gallery exhibit and street performances plus plenty to eat and drink.
Find out more
Hudson Yards developers say protection against natural disasters and terrorism is part of its design

Rendering of the observation deck at 30 Hudson Yards, via Related Companies

March 13, 2019

Hudson Yards developers say protection against natural disasters and terrorism is part of its design

By
The soon-to-open Hudson Yards, the 28-acre development that's being called the largest private development in the U.S, is not only situated on the Hudson River, but what could pass for a small city could easily be seen as a target for terrorists with its million-square-foot retail center and dining district, the 1,296-foot-tall 30 Hudson Yards, the city's most expensive office building (50 Hudson Yards) and thousands of pricey apartments. The Wall Street Journal reports that the $25 billion project from Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group claims to be fortress-like in its protection against the wrath of both nature and humankind.
What's the plan, then?
Five ‘Tin Pan Alley’ buildings may be landmarked for their musical history

Via LPC

March 12, 2019

Five ‘Tin Pan Alley’ buildings may be landmarked for their musical history

By
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted on Tuesday in favor of calendaring five buildings on West 28th Street in Manhattan's "Tin Pan Alley," in the neighborhood now called Nomad. The buildings at 47-55 West 28th Street were an integral part of the area known for having New York City's most significant concentration of sheet music publishers at the turn of the 20th century, and as the birthplace of iconic American songs like "God Bless America." It's also where popular music icons like Irving Berlin and George Gershwin wrote songs. Calendaring is the first formal step in the historic status designation process.
Sounds like a good idea
Trump says ‘no deal’ on federal funding for Gateway rail project in 2020 budget

Photo courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.

March 12, 2019

Trump says ‘no deal’ on federal funding for Gateway rail project in 2020 budget

By
Despite a meeting in November to discuss the Gateway project, President Donald Trump has made it clear that the 2020 federal budget doesn't specify an money for the much-needed rail tunnel under the Hudson River. U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Jeffrey Rosen told reporters Monday that, “Those transit projects are local responsibilities, and elected officials from New York and New Jersey are the ones accountable for them.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo replied in a statement, "These ridiculous claims should not be taken seriously," calling the exclusion of funds for the project "political posturing."
200,000 daily commuters hope somebody figures it out
400 spots open on waitlist for affordable units at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, from $731/month

Image courtesy of El Barrio’s Artspace PS109. Photo by Christopher Lopez.

March 11, 2019

400 spots open on waitlist for affordable units at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, from $731/month

By
A housing lottery has opened for 400 spots on the wait list for residential units at El Barrio's Artspace PS109 at 215 East 99th Street in East Harlem. Built in 1899, the limestone-and-brick neighborhood landmark was a school building until 1996. In 2015 it became El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, a project that transformed the then-abandoned public school building into a housing complex for local artists with affordable live/work housing for artists and their families and 10,000 square feet of complementary space for arts organizations. Qualifying New Yorkers earning between 40 and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for apartments which range from a $731/month studio to a $1,348/month two-bedroom.
Find out how to apply
Flatiron-shaped Prospect Heights co-op with loft-like details is back on the market for $1.8M
March 11, 2019

Flatiron-shaped Prospect Heights co-op with loft-like details is back on the market for $1.8M

By
This Prospect Heights co-op at 296 Sterling Place has the unusual blessing of having views on all three sides through oversized windows and all-day sunlight due to the building's Flatiron resemblance. Inside, the top-floor pre-war loft has beamed ceilings that reach almost 13 feet, original hardwood floors and exposed brick. Listed back in 2016 for $1.8 million, the three-bedroom home is back on the market for the same price, albeit with new kitchen and bath details.
Get a closer look
Hudson Yards got bigger tax breaks than the ones promised to Amazon

Rendering courtesy of Related/Oxford.

March 11, 2019

Hudson Yards got bigger tax breaks than the ones promised to Amazon

By
The $20 billion, 28-acre Hudson Yards megaproject has been in the news recently as its official March 15 grand opening approaches. The New York Times reports that the nation's largest residential development has gotten more than a little financial help from the city government to get there. In fact, public records–and a recent study by the New School–reveal that the development has received nearly $6 billion in the form of tax breaks and additional government assistance, twice the controversial $3 billion in incentives held out to Amazon to entice the retail tech giant to bring its second headquarters to Queens.
That's a pretty big break
Judge rules MTA must provide elevators in all stations it renovates

Photo via Flickr

March 8, 2019

Judge rules MTA must provide elevators in all stations it renovates

By
On Wednesday U.S. District Court Judge Edgardo Ramos ruled that the MTA was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for failing to install elevators when it renovated a Bronx subway station. The ruling is the result of a 2016 lawsuit initiated by Bronx Independent Living Services after the MTA refused to make a the Middletown Road elevated subway station in the Bronx wheelchair accessible, though the $27 million renovation included new floors, walls, ceilings and stairs to the street and the train platform, Gothamist reports. Ramos' ruling stated that the MTA is obligated to install an elevator, regardless of cost, unless it is technically infeasible.
Really, MTA?
Deal reached between Hudson Yards developer and unions ends bitter labor fight

Rendering courtesy of Related/Oxford.

March 7, 2019

Deal reached between Hudson Yards developer and unions ends bitter labor fight

By
The announcement Wednesday of a newly-forged framework between developer Related Companies and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (BCTC) marks the end–at least for now–of a menacing feud between the developer of the $20 billion Hudson Yards megaproject and the umbrella union group representing 100,000 union construction workers. The two organizations have headed back to the bargaining table after a year-long boycott of the project by the labor group which threatened progress on its final phase. The accord, unanimously ratified at a BCTC executive board meeting, represents a new model of collaboration between the development community and skilled workforce.
Find out more
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