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.

For $2.3M, an Amzi Hill-designed Bed-stuy townhouse with historic details and an artist’s legacy

November 13, 2017

For $2.3M, an Amzi Hill-designed Bed-stuy townhouse with historic details and an artist’s legacy

By Michelle Cohen

On one of the prettiest blocks in the landmarked Stuyvesant Heights section of Bed-Stuy, this 3,240-square-foot 1890s brownstone is brimming with historic architectural details. Designed by prolific Brooklyn architect Amzi Hill, 740 Macon Street has been lovingly restored by the home's longtime owners, one of whom happens to be a celebrated local artist whose sense of history and beauty is reflected at every turn. Highlights include arched windows, six tiled fireplaces, parquet floors, wooden shutters, pressed tin ceilings, pocket doors, a pier mirror, egg-and-dart molding and intricate fretwork, plus a landscaped garden and terrace. The two-family townhouse–there's a one-bedroom garden unit for rental income–is asking $2.3 million.
Tour this beautiful four-story house

Distinctive Homes

Frank Lloyd Wright had a plan to build a ‘city of the future’ on Ellis Island

Frank Lloyd Wright/TAA drawing of Key Project for Ellis Island. Credit: The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archives (The Museum of Modern Art | Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York)

November 10, 2017

Frank Lloyd Wright had a plan to build a ‘city of the future’ on Ellis Island

By Michelle Cohen

Ellis Island, well known as the processing center for millions of American immigrants until 1954, has figured heavily in the nation's history; once the center was closed and neither of its current owners, the states of New York and New Jersey, knew of an alternative for its re-use, the island was offered for sale. Among the bidders for the 27-acre site were a pair of young NBC executives whose idea included breathtaking plans conceived by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. According to Metropolis, Wright's idea supported the media execs' vision for “an entirely new, complete, and independent prototype city of the future."
So what happened?

Trump Tower prices slide since 2015 presidential campaign

Photo of Trump Tower via Krystal T’s Flickr

November 10, 2017

Trump Tower prices slide since 2015 presidential campaign

By Michelle Cohen

Sales prices at the tony Midtown condo building at 721 Fifth Avenue have dropped sharply since Donald Trump began his presidential campaign, according to the Wall Street Journal. The median sale price and average price per square foot are down since 2015 and are now reaching the lows experienced during the last financial crisis. Brokers aren't exactly sure whether the "Trump effect" has caused the slump–including issues specific to the tower such as heightened security, protests, and a general antipathy toward all things Trump–or it's part of an overall softening of the luxury condo market.
Is it the Curse of Trump?

Real Estate Trends

Costly MTA improvements may mean unplanned fare hikes

November 9, 2017

Costly MTA improvements may mean unplanned fare hikes

By Michelle Cohen

According to the annual financial outlook report by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, recent and much-needed improvements by the MTA may mean fare increases could come sooner than the ones that are already scheduled, Newsday reports. DiNapoli’s report pointed out that even if it gets the hoped-for additional government funding, recent improvement efforts that address subway performance could add up to $300 million annually, requiring an unscheduled fare and toll increase of about 4 percent. Currently, a 4 percent hike is planned for 2019, and another for 2021.
Find out more

Transit

Flying Ubers coming in 2023 after NASA partnership

A recently-released rendering of what Uber’s flying taxi, to begin testing in 2020, might look like. (Credit: Uber Technologies via AM New York).

November 9, 2017

Flying Ubers coming in 2023 after NASA partnership

By Michelle Cohen

6sqft reported recently on testing of the CityAirbus self-piloted flying taxi by Airbus. There's already competition ahead, it seems: Uber reported Wednesday that the company is joining the U.S. National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) in the development of software for managing flying taxi routes–essentially "flying Ubers." In what represents the first formal services contract by NASA dealing with low-altitude airspace, Uber plans to begin testing proposed four-passenger, 200-miles-per-hour flying taxi services in Dallas/Fort Worth, with more testing planned for Los Angeles in 2020 in advance of the 2028 Olympics.
So when can I call one?

Run your own library from this $5M bookshelf-lined Central Park West loft

November 9, 2017

Run your own library from this $5M bookshelf-lined Central Park West loft

By Michelle Cohen

The Century condominium at 25 Central Park West lives up to its ambitious name; its Art Deco architecture is as distinctive as its prime Central Park location with views to match. This light-flooded corner penthouse has 360-degree park views, but even those may need to compete with the sheer amount of reading material on the bookshelves that line this $5 million loft. With impossibly high ceilings, exposed beams, multiple levels, and innovative modern finishes, the three-bedroom residence has the feel of a loft within the elegant context of a pre-war apartment building.
Library with better hours, rules and furniture this way

Distinctive Homes

StuyTown will be Manhattan’s largest solar power producer after $10M rooftop panel investment

November 8, 2017

StuyTown will be Manhattan’s largest solar power producer after $10M rooftop panel investment

By Michelle Cohen

The new owners of the massive East Village residential complex now known as StuyTown plan to spend over $10 million to install 10,000 solar panels on 56 buildings in the complex, the Wall Street Journal reports. Blackstone Group and Canadian investment firm Ivanhoé Cambridge bought the storied complex for $5.3 billion in October 2015. As 6sqft previously reported, the solar investment is part of an effort by Blackstone, one of the world's largest private equity firms, to generate energy cost savings in its global commercial real estate portfolio. The panels will provide enough power for about 1,000 apartments each year–about nine percent of the units in the 80-acre complex–which Blackstone says will triple Manhattan's solar power generating capacity and make it the largest private multifamily solar installation in the U.S.
Find out more

Cozy Chelsea co-op has all-season appeal for $1.2M

November 8, 2017

Cozy Chelsea co-op has all-season appeal for $1.2M

By Michelle Cohen

This charm-filled two-bedroom co-op at 333 West 22nd Street has the good fortune of being located on one of Chelsea's most picturesque historic townhouse blocks. Inside the apartment, recently listed for $1.195 million, you'll find just as much charm in the form of a wood-burning fireplace, exposed brick walls and a renovated bath, plus plenty of closet space. In case you're not convinced: In the den/second bedroom is a glass door that leads to a tranquil and gorgeous planted garden, perfect for restful pondering or outdoor dining.
Have a look around

Distinctive Homes

November 7, 2017

The short life of NYC’s women-only subway cars

By Michelle Cohen

In dealing with the examples of ill-behaved humanity that still plague the city's subway today, the powers that be in 1909 thought they were doing the ladies a favor when they suggested the addition of women-only subway cars, according to Ephemeral New York. Called "suffragette" cars (though women didn't win the right to vote in New York until 1917) they were introduced on trains of the Hudson Tubes running from Manhattan to Hoboken (today's PATH line). In trial runs, the last car in each train was reserved for women. Officials of the five-year-old IRT line began considering the idea–thought to be a success in its earliest trials–for the New York City subway.
Find out more

$17M Dutchess County ‘castle’ once belonged to Andrew Carnegie

November 7, 2017

$17M Dutchess County ‘castle’ once belonged to Andrew Carnegie

By Michelle Cohen

Built in 1927 for Andrew Carnegie's daughter, the 34,000-square-foot estate in Millbrook, NY known as Migdale Castle was modeled after Carnegie's Skibo Castle in Scotland. Beginning in 2002, the home's current owners spent four years renovating its four floors, the 100 acres it occupies, and another 100-acre adjacent plot, giving new life to one of Dutchess County's most distinguished estates. Migdale first hit the market for $25 million, making it the county's most expensive listing, but a recent $8.1 million price chop resulted in the current $16.9 million ask.
READ MORE

Popular Articles

Bjarke Ingels to design WeWork’s new ‘capitalist kibbutz’ entrepreneurial elementary school

Rendering of the planned school by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). Source: WeWork via Bloomberg.

November 6, 2017

Bjarke Ingels to design WeWork’s new ‘capitalist kibbutz’ entrepreneurial elementary school

By Michelle Cohen

Fast-growing coworking brand WeWork has been in the news recently for the company's rapid expansion into everything from "co-living" to wellness, including a planned move into the former Lord & Taylor department store Fifth avenue flagship building, which will become the company's new HQ. Now, Bloomberg reports that the $20 billon startup, which boasts offices in 57 international cities, has plans to launch a private elementary school for “conscious entrepreneurship”called WeGrow in a New York City WeWork location next year. The company has even tapped Danish architect du jour Bjarke Ingels' firm BIG to design the first WeWork school, which will likely be within the aforementioned new Fifth Avenue headquarters.
More about WeGrow

Architecture And Design

Frank Lloyd Wright’s mushroom-shaped house in Westchester asks $1.5M

November 6, 2017

Frank Lloyd Wright’s mushroom-shaped house in Westchester asks $1.5M

By Michelle Cohen

All around the Sol Friedman House at 11 Orchard Brook Drive in Pleasantville, New York, country roads wind through forests and meadows and the homes–three designed by Frank Lloyd Wright himself, the rest approved by Wright and built by noted architects of his choosing–that make up Westchester's 1947 Usonian community of 50 houses blend perfectly into the landscape. None can be seen from the nearby highway that makes the Usonia Historic District a mere 50 minute commute to Manhattan. Documented by architectural photographers and featured in numerous publications, the Friedman house is indeed an extraordinary masterpiece, one of the three designed by the master architect–and it can now be yours for $1.5 million (h/t Curbed). The home's overlapping circular masonry design brings structure and nature together in one of Wright's celebrated signature styles–one which would be seen before long in the design of Manhattan's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
More great photos, this way

Study shows huge disparity in U.S. urban land value, with NYC making up 10%

Photo via Public Domain Pictures

November 3, 2017

Study shows huge disparity in U.S. urban land value, with NYC making up 10%

By Michelle Cohen

A recently-published study by economists at the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan shows that 48 percent–almost half–of the total value of America’s urban land can be found within the borders of five of what Citylab's Richard Florida calls "superstar metro areas:" New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. According to the study, the value of America's urban land is a total of $25 trillion as of 2010—more than double the nation’s 2006 GDP. That's an average of $511,000 per acre or $100,000 for the typical residential lot of a fifth of an acre. But in NYC, which makes up a whopping 10 percent of this total, an acre of land is worth more than $5 million.
The gap widens

Real Estate Trends

Rent a renovated Bed-Stuy triplex with a deck, yard and nanny suite for $6K/month

November 3, 2017

Rent a renovated Bed-Stuy triplex with a deck, yard and nanny suite for $6K/month

By Michelle Cohen

On one of the neighborhood's most beautiful historic brownstone streets where Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy meet, the upper triplex of a turn-key renovated townhouse at 22 Brevoort Place is for rent for $6,000 a month, complete with nanny suite/kitchenette, roof access, and a sweet Brooklyn backyard.
Take the three-floor tour

Distinctive Homes

Jane Jacobs-developed West Village Houses may be replaced by luxury complex to preserve affordability

West Village Houses. Courtesy New York City Municipal Archives

November 3, 2017

Jane Jacobs-developed West Village Houses may be replaced by luxury complex to preserve affordability

By Michelle Cohen

As the clock ticks down on a significant and decades-old property tax break for residents of the 420-unit West Village Houses, developer Madison Equities has proposed a possible solution–with a price, Crain's reports. The unassuming affordable West Village cooperative located between West Street and Washington Street was developed in the 1970s by Jane Jacobs. The tax break expires in March, and residents are scrambling to find a solution to offset the impending increase in monthly fees. The development firm has attempted to entice shareholders with another option: an offer to purchase the buildings, demolish them, and allow current residents to snag affordable apartments in a new 42-building development that would span seven sites bounded by Washington, Morton, West and Bank streets. The new development, which would add yet another massive apartment complex to the low-rise neighborhood would also include luxury units.
What are the options?

Affordable Housing

Charming duplex in an Upper East Side clapboard house asks $695K

November 1, 2017

Charming duplex in an Upper East Side clapboard house asks $695K

By Michelle Cohen

If you have to have half of your apartment in a basement, English or otherwise, this one-bed-plus-bonus-room duplex at 229 East 81st Street is the one you want. The co-op known as Canterbury Mews occupies two buildings on a Yorkville block lined with gracious townhouses and well-tended brick. In front is an eight-unit 20th century apartment building and around the back is a 19th century white clapboard house. Between the two is a lovely landscaped patio, which is what you'll look out onto from this compact charmer asking $695,000.
Get a peek inside

Distinctive Homes

Seth Meyers’ $4.5M West Village condo is in contract after only a month

October 30, 2017

Seth Meyers’ $4.5M West Village condo is in contract after only a month

By Michelle Cohen

Just over a month after listing his West Village condo at 302 West 12th Street for $4.5 million, the “Late Night” host has reportedly found a buyer for the two-bedroom unit (h/t Curbed). Meyers and his wife, Alexi, purchased the pad for $3.5 million in 2013, but last summer they dropped $7.5 million on a five-bedroom co-op at 32 Washington Square West.
See more, this way

New Domino Sugar Factory renderings show barrel-vaulted glass topper and taller towers

292-314 Kent. Rendering by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism via Landmarks Preservation Commission.

October 30, 2017

New Domino Sugar Factory renderings show barrel-vaulted glass topper and taller towers

By Michelle Cohen

Update 10/31/17: The Landmarks Preservation Commission did not approve the new plans at the hearing, instead suggesting the architects present revised designs that address how the newly exposed brick will be preserved and how the ground floor will interact with the open space. The Commissioners were divided on the glass topper, with some feeling it appropriately references the building's arches and others feeling it inappropriately treats the structure as a ruin. 6sqft previously shared the latest round of designs for the three million-square-foot Domino Sugar Factory mega-development in Williamsburg, done by Vishaan Chakrabarti‘s Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU). Developer Two Trees broke ground on the first tower in the Domino Sugar Refinery Master Plan last spring, and the lottery opened for 104 affordable units at the SHoP Architects-designed building, the 16-story 325 Kent Avenue. Now, more new renderings of the complex have been released ahead of an October 31 presentation before the Landmarks Preservation Commission (h/t Brownstoner).
More new renderings this way

Global interiors and a 1,000-square-foot garden put this $1.8M East Village maisonette in a class by itself

October 30, 2017

Global interiors and a 1,000-square-foot garden put this $1.8M East Village maisonette in a class by itself

By Michelle Cohen

This impeccably decorated one-bedroom garden maisonette at 645 East 11th Street has East Village charm, international flair and a claim to the "largest private garden in Manhattan." Adding to the apartment's unique style is the treasure trove of interior details that reflect the owners' extensive travels to Asia, Bali and elsewhere including ceiling fans from the Metropole Hotel in Vietnam, a rosewood fireplace mantel, 19th century mahogany doors, a 19th century Chinese armoire and 10-foot teak walls surrounding a dozen bamboo trees in teak planters in the massive back garden.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

For $1.25M, Juliet balconies and an enchanted garden create romance on the Upper West Side

October 29, 2017

For $1.25M, Juliet balconies and an enchanted garden create romance on the Upper West Side

By Michelle Cohen

This bright and cozy garden duplex co-op at 24 West 69th Street on the Upper West Side has pre-war details like high beamed ceilings, built-in bookshelves, crown moldings, French doors and two Juliet balconies; but it's the 731-square-foot private enchanted garden just outside those French doors that makes this one-bedroom-convertible-to-two such a charmer.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

Crown Building’s five-story penthouse is the latest to join Midtown’s $100M+ club

Penthouse rendering (Aman Resorts)

October 27, 2017

Crown Building’s five-story penthouse is the latest to join Midtown’s $100M+ club

By Michelle Cohen

Taking its name from an elaborate pyramid-shaped crown, the Crown Building at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street has been described as one of the city's most desirable retail locations. Michael Shvo and Russian developer Vladislav Doronin bought the non-retail upper floors of 730 Fifth Avenue in 2015 and filed plans to redevelop the Billionaires' Row property, and new details have been revealed, CityRealty reports. An 83-key luxury hotel with a three-story spa, a members-only lounge, a jazz club and cigar bar and two restaurants will start on the fourth floor. Above the hotel, 20 luxury condominiums known as Aman New York Residences will start on the 11th floor. The building's crown jewel will be a 14,000 square-foot five-story penthouse on floors 22-26 asking $100 million.
See more, this way

New Developments

Mayor de Blasio announces new $250M program to keep Mitchell-Lama developments affordable

October 27, 2017

Mayor de Blasio announces new $250M program to keep Mitchell-Lama developments affordable

By Michelle Cohen

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that the city will invest $250 million to protect 15,000 Mitchell-Lama apartments from going to market rate. The investment is part of the city's initiative to create or preserve 300,000 units of affordable housing by 2026. The new program will address over 15,000 Mitchell-Lama homes where affordability is at risk over the next eight years.
Find out more

System Architects’ fiery Tribeca townhouse is partially unveiled

First glimpse of Jeremy Edmiston’s “Unhistoric Townhouse” at 187 Franklin Street. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Citizen.

October 27, 2017

System Architects’ fiery Tribeca townhouse is partially unveiled

By Michelle Cohen

The latest Tribeca distraction: the partial unveiling of the single-family townhouse at 187 Franklin Street, a funky flame-façaded new building that its architect, Jeremy Edmiston of System Architects, refers to as the Unhistoric Townhouse. Tribeca Citizen reports that workers at the building (which also resembles a Yankees logo) were lifting off some of the mesh that conceals the wavy wonder, perhaps to install one of its metal-mesh balconies. 6sqft previously covered the building, whose design of an undulating red façade complemented by those silvery, net-like balconies was first proposed in 2010.
Landmarks approved rendering, this way

MTA approves $574M MetroCard-replacing e-readers; new video and renderings

Cubic MTA payment system. Rendering courtesy of Cubic Corporation.

October 26, 2017

MTA approves $574M MetroCard-replacing e-readers; new video and renderings

By Michelle Cohen

Cubic, the San Diego-based company who was awarded the job of creating the MTA's new cardless fare system, has just announced that the $539.5 million contract award (with additional options worth $33.9 million) has been approved by a vote of the MTA Board. As 6sqft previously reported, Cubic is the same company that developed the MetroCards that replaced subway tokens over 30 years ago. The new MTA system is modeled on the one that has been in use in London’s Underground and commuter railroads.
See the new fare payment system in action

Kristen Stewart buys a $5.6M fixer-upper artists’ loft in Noho

October 26, 2017

Kristen Stewart buys a $5.6M fixer-upper artists’ loft in Noho

By Michelle Cohen

Kristen Stewart just purchased a potential-filled Noho artists' loft at 1 Bond Street, the New York Observer reports. The "Twilight Saga" actress and model snagged a 3,000-square-foot fixer-upper in the historic Robbins & Appleton building that boasts three exposures, Corinthian columns, a "highly customizable floor plan" and endless possibilities–for $5.64 million.
More this way

Celebrities

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