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.
New renderings of Wegmans building kick off leasing at Brooklyn Navy Yard Admiral’s Row

Renderings: Volley Studio

April 30, 2019

New renderings of Wegmans building kick off leasing at Brooklyn Navy Yard Admiral’s Row

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The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) announced Tuesday the launch of leasing for 130,000 square feet of manufacturing and creative office space at Building 212, part of a project in the works at Admiral's Row, formerly the site of a row of 19th century wood frame homes that once housed naval officers. Along with the announcement came new renderings of the five story building that will be home to a much-anticipated Wegmans supermarket scheduled to open this fall.
More renderings this way
Historic Village icon White Horse Tavern is now closed for renovation under new ownership

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr.

April 30, 2019

Historic Village icon White Horse Tavern is now closed for renovation under new ownership

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As 6sqft reported earlier this year, the building that is home to White Horse Tavern, the 140-year-old West Village bar famous for its notable literary and artist clientele, was recently purchased by Steve Croman, a notorious landlord who served prison time for tenant harassment. The tavern, which opened on Hudson Street in 1880, is also under new management; the historic bar will be run by restauranteur Eytan Sugarman, who, as Gothamist reports, was behind Midtown's Hunt and Fish Club. The latest development raises new fears: The bar has been closed, according to a sign posted on the door, for "much needed repairs and upgrades." Readers are assured, "Have no fear, we have no intention of changing any of the historical elements that make the White Horse Tavern the landmark that it is."
Find out more
There’s a rustic writer’s cabin hiding behind this $2.3M Park Slope house

Photos by Al Siedman of VHT, courtesy of Corcoran

April 30, 2019

There’s a rustic writer’s cabin hiding behind this $2.3M Park Slope house

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On a quiet, tree-lined South Slope block, this whimsically color-blocked wood-sided house at 317 12th Street was built in 1871. The legal two-family dwelling is currently configured as a five-bedroom single family home, but there's potential for rental income. Comprised of three stories plus a sweet bedroom/playroom that spans the entire attic, the house, asking $2.299 million, has original details like marble mantles, tin ceilings, and parquet floors, plus a verdant back yard with a surprise addition.
See more, this way
New ‘Then and Now’ map shows over 2,200 historic buildings in Greenwich Village
April 29, 2019

New ‘Then and Now’ map shows over 2,200 historic buildings in Greenwich Village

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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District on April 29, 1969, Village Preservation has released an online map and tour of the district. The online tour shows each and every one of the over 2,200 buildings in the district as they looked in 1969 and today.
Find buildings on the interactive historic district map and more
The Bronx’s first independent bookstore is now open
April 29, 2019

The Bronx’s first independent bookstore is now open

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On Saturday April 27, National Bookstore Day, the first independent bookstore in the Bronx–and currently the borough's only bookstore–held its grand opening bash. As Curbed reports, The Lit. Bar bookshop/wine bar at 131 Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven neighborhood is a long-anticipated labor of love brought to life by Bronx native Noëlle Santos, who first saw a need when the borough's last bookstore, a Barnes & Noble, threatened to close. The Barnes & Noble closed in 2016 despite community efforts, but a dream was born.
Find out more about the new literary addition
NYC spring art guide 2019: Don’t-miss exhibits, events, and installations

Alicja Kwade, ParaPivot. Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by Hyla Skopitz.

April 26, 2019

NYC spring art guide 2019: Don’t-miss exhibits, events, and installations

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New York City's art scene blossoms anew in springtime, with fresh ways to look at classic museum collections, international art fairs, cutting-edge installations and everything in between. And new public works pop up in the city's parks and gardens, making it possible to enjoy both the outdoors and the art. We've rounded up a list of must-see exhibits, fairs, and installations to get you started.
Check out our top spring picks
New interactive tool tracks transit ridership in America’s cities
April 26, 2019

New interactive tool tracks transit ridership in America’s cities

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The story of public transit in America is an ongoing one: We need more of it, in more neighborhoods; we need to pay for it; ridership is declining in some places and growing in others. The state of transit often varies wildly depending on the city it serves. Transit Insights, a new visual tool from TransitCenter allows you to compare the country's transit systems in recent years while looking into factors like regional population changes and density, fare prices, operating costs and how many miles the system covers. Transit Insights combines information from the National Transit Database, the U.S. Census and route maps from Transit.Land into a visual format so you can reference information quickly and easily.
What's the story behind your city's transit system?
Long Island City library may be evicted from Queens tower after Amazon debacle

image via Google Earth

April 25, 2019

Long Island City library may be evicted from Queens tower after Amazon debacle

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Two months after mega-retailer Amazon announced it was walking away from a lease at One Court Square, a Long Island City library branch that occupies space on the ground floor of the 53-story Citigroup building is facing the possibility of eviction according to non-profit publication The City. The lease on the 3,200-square-foot One Court Square branch of the Queens Public Library expires on August 31. The library has paid an annual rent of $1 since the building opened in 1989 as part of a deal with Citigroup, whose lease on the space ends in May of 2020, but a spokesperson for the library has said that the building's owner has “indicated it is seeking market rent for the library space.” Last year, building owner Savanna was reportedly seeking $55 to $65 per square foot for space in the building.
A valuable community service in jeopardy
Macy’s may build a skyscraper above its flagship Herald Square store

Image: Wikimedia cc.

April 25, 2019

Macy’s may build a skyscraper above its flagship Herald Square store

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Classic retailer Macy’s Inc. is in early talks with the city about the possibility of building an 800-foot-tall office tower above the company’s Herald Square flagship location, Bloomberg reports. The retail brand, which has a 10-story office tower under construction atop its downtown Brooklyn store, is looking at ways to leverage its prime real estate in the bustling midtown crossroads. In this case, the tower would be used as office space for other companies.
Find out more
Built in 1842, this $9.8M Gramercy mansion is one of the neighborhood’s oldest homes
April 24, 2019

Built in 1842, this $9.8M Gramercy mansion is one of the neighborhood’s oldest homes

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Located within the Gramercy Park Historic District, this classic four-story Greek Revival-style townhouse at 216 East 18th Street, asking $9.75 million, was one of the first in the district to be built. It was constructed–along with its neighbor at 214 East 18th Street–in 1842 for wealthy businessman, civic leader and Native American rights activist William E. Dodge. The townhouse is a rare 25 feet wide; within are 5,000 square feet of living space that includes 15 rooms and seven fireplaces with original mantles intact. Also intact is a stunning combination of plaster molding, high ceilings and tall windows.
Take the tour
Artists chosen for Shirley Chisholm statue in Prospect Park

Rendering by Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous.

April 24, 2019

Artists chosen for Shirley Chisholm statue in Prospect Park

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In New York City's five boroughs, only five out of 150 monuments of historic figures depict women. Launched last year, a program from Women.nyc called She Built NYC is attempting to narrow that gap by commissioning monuments throughout the city honoring visionary women who have helped define the city and made an impact on the world. To that end, acclaimed artists Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous have been selected to design the first of these monuments, which will honor celebrated New York congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.
More of the winning design, this way
April 24, 2019

Paul Simon lists 32-acre New Canaan, Connecticut ‘private park’ for $14M

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Musician Paul Simon has just listed his New Canaan, CT countryside estate for $13.9 million–16 percent less than he paid for it (h/t Wall Street Journal). The 32-acre property that Simon and his wife, singer-songwriter Edie Brickell and their three children, have called home since 2002 includes a 8,500-square-foot main house and a private recording studio, formal walled gardens and a courtyard, landscaped grounds with a brook, meadows, woodlands, a great lawn, a pond, waterfalls and a three-car garage.
See more of the marvelous, musical mansion
16 affordable units now available in new Greenpoint building on McCarren Park, rents from $1,114/month

Rendering of 848 Lorimer Street in Greenpoint (Image: Meshberg Group)

April 23, 2019

16 affordable units now available in new Greenpoint building on McCarren Park, rents from $1,114/month

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A lottery offering 16 affordable apartments is now officially open at the newly-constructed mixed-use building at 848 Lorimer Street overlooking McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Qualifying New Yorkers earning between 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply, with rents ranging from a $1,125/month studio to a $2,684/month two-bedroom. The brick-and-glass building is six stories tall with 52 residential units total, and includes a street-level parking garage.
Fabulous amenities, this way
Pier 35 eco-park and ‘urban beach’ is open to the public
April 23, 2019

Pier 35 eco-park and ‘urban beach’ is open to the public

By
After years of anticipation, Pier 35 on the East River waterfront is officially open (h/t Curbed). The project, designed by SHoP with Ken Smith Workshop, consists of a new eco-park and an "urban beach" anchoring the northern flank of the East River waterfront esplanade and providing much-needed public space on the waterfront. The park also functions as a habitat restoration feature: "Mussel Beach" was created to replicate the characteristics of the original East River shoreline.
See more of pier 35, this way
New rendering shows 277-foot tower rising next to Williamsburgh Savings Bank

Rendering courtesy of Stonehill Taylor. Bank image via Wikimedia cc.

April 22, 2019

New rendering shows 277-foot tower rising next to Williamsburgh Savings Bank

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The 26-story tower rising at 159 Broadway next to South Williamsburg's landmarked, domed Williamsburgh Savings Bank is making progress on its way to becoming 21 condos and a hotel. A new rendering courtesy of architectural firm Stonehill Taylor depicts the 277-foot-tall tower on the rise thanks to air rights above the bank, purchased by developer Cornell Realty Management along with the lot adjacent the bank hall.
More this way
This cute slice of a Clinton Hill townhouse has rooms for everyone, a garden and a roof deck for $2.8M

Photo by Al Siedman of VHT, courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

April 18, 2019

This cute slice of a Clinton Hill townhouse has rooms for everyone, a garden and a roof deck for $2.8M

By
This beautifully renovated single-family brick townhouse at 151 Willoughby Avenue among the elegant brownstone blocks of Clinton Hill may be narrow, but within its walls are five bedrooms, seven working wood burning fireplaces, a gracious parlor, a stylish and well-appointed eat-in kitchen, a family room, a back yard, and a roof deck. Though the home, asking $2.795 million, is ready for modern living, it's filled with unique details.
Take the townhouse tour
Census data shows New York City’s population has been shrinking for the first time in over a decade

Via Pexels

April 18, 2019

Census data shows New York City’s population has been shrinking for the first time in over a decade

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According to U.S. Census Bureau information released Thursday, the number of people moving into New York City's five boroughs has fallen for the first time in decades, the Wall Street Journal reports. The city's population saw a drop of 0.47 percent to 8.4 million–still the highest of any U.S. metro area–between 2017 and 2018. And more people left than arrived: International migration dipped, lowering the city’s population in 2017 and 2018. Overall, cities in the nation's south and west saw the biggest population growth, with the area that includes Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington seeing the most growth of any metropolitan area.
A trend reverses
Renovation Diary: A Clinton Hill townhouse makes room for layers of history and modernist design
April 17, 2019

Renovation Diary: A Clinton Hill townhouse makes room for layers of history and modernist design

By
Our Renovation Diary has been following 6sqft writer Michelle Cohen as she takes on the challenge of transforming a Brooklyn townhouse in the historic Clinton Hill neighborhood into a site-sensitive modern home. She previously shared plans for the 150-year-old building and the first big steps she and her husband, a public health lawyer and antique lighting dealer, have taken to make their dream home a reality, including two years of hunting, planning the renovation, and assembling the professionals needed to make it happen (and how the homeowners made the best of all the waiting time). With Landmarks' signoff and permits in hand, a year-long renovation began. Below, the results, with plenty of hindsight, advice, resources and construction photos on the way.
Hear from Michelle and see the transformation
Marymount School puts grand Upper East Side mansion on the market for $32M

Photo credit: Will Ellis of DD Reps, courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

April 17, 2019

Marymount School puts grand Upper East Side mansion on the market for $32M

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Currently home to Marymount School of New York, this grand–even by Upper East Side standards–12,300-square-foot property at 2 East 82nd Street, asking $32 million, could give new meaning to the term "private school." Originally built as a residence around 1898 by architect Alexander McMillan Welch of Welch, Smith & Provot, the home's first owners were Mr. Albert Gould Jennings, owner of a Brooklyn lathe works, and his wife, who lived here until 1940. Behind its landmarked limestone-and-brick facade, many of the original turn-of-the-century details remain, and an elevator services all floors.
Tour this unusual city mansion-turned-school
New renderings show rebuilt, non-bouncing Squibb Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Rendering by Arup, courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

April 17, 2019

New renderings show rebuilt, non-bouncing Squibb Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park

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Brooklynites are hoping the third time's a charm for the trouble-plagued Squibb Bridge, a 450-foot-long wooden walkway connecting Squibb Park to Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The bridge has had what Brooklyn Bridge Park president Eric Landau called a "challenged history.” But the park has been working with engineers at Arup to find ways to make the new bridge safe (h/t Curbed). Possible solutions included retrofitting the existing bridge, which would cost $4 million and take about a year, and building a new bridge from scratch atop the current concrete in-ground support structures, with a cost of about $6.5 million and an 18-month schedule. The latter plan was chosen, and the new bridge will be made from pre-fabricated steel, which means it should be safe for years to come rather than needing significant maintenance soon.
More on Squibb Bridge 3.0, this way
Mayor de Blasio begins first-ever lead paint testing program in 135,000 NYCHA apartments

Image via Wikipedia

April 16, 2019

Mayor de Blasio begins first-ever lead paint testing program in 135,000 NYCHA apartments

By
Mayor Bill de Blasio kicked off a new lead-based paint testing program today, to be implemented in NYCHA apartments. 135,000 apartments will be tested with portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers as part of the mayor's LeadFreeNYC plan to eliminate childhood lead exposure. The effort will determine whether lead paint is present and abate any hazards found in the tested units, which were built before the federal ban on lead paint in 1978.
Find out more
Get a first look at City Winery’s new Pier 57 location

Rendering courtesy of City Winery/Fox Greenberg PR.

April 15, 2019

Get a first look at City Winery’s new Pier 57 location

By
After much anticipation, Tribeca venue City Winery recently announced that it will leave its 10-year home at 155 Varick Street for a new 32,000-square-foot space at Pier 57 in Hudson River Park. The Pier will be anchored by Google and occupies a highly visible location at West 15th Street. The venue has just released renderings of both the exterior and the inside of the new space.
Find out more
Renovated Webster Hall will host Jay-Z, Patti Smith for official reopening concerts

Image via Wikimedia cc.

April 15, 2019

Renovated Webster Hall will host Jay-Z, Patti Smith for official reopening concerts

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The historic East Village music venue Webster Hall is scheduled to reopen on April 26, 2019 after being closed for nearly 19 months for renovations. The concert hall was first opened in 1886, making it New York's oldest still-operating venue. According to AMNewYork, the Marlin concert room, Grand Ballroom and studio space have had a complete overhaul; the venue, which was acquired by Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment and AEG Presents (parent company of The Bowery Presents) in 2017, has announced a reopening concert featuring Jay-Z performing "The B-Sides," as well as a month of notable shows that will include Patti Smith, MGMT, Built To Spill, Sharon Van Etten, Broken Social Scene, Real Estate and more.
Find out more
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