Brooklyn

A penthouse at 220 Central Park South has sold for $100 million to an undisclosed buyer, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Billionaire's Row transaction is only the third nine-figure deal to close in New York City, following hedge-fund executive Ken Griffin’s whopping $240 million purchase in the same building earlier this year (the most expensive home ever sold in the U.S.) and tech mogul Michael Dell’s $100.47 million penthouse at nearby One57, which closed in 2014.
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Real Estate Trends

All renderings © James Corner Field Operations and BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, courtesy of Two Trees Management

December 12, 2019

Massive Bjarke Ingels-designed apartment towers and public beach planned for Williamsburg

Two new mixed-use towers with 1,000 units of housing and six acres of public space have been proposed for the North Brooklyn waterfront. Two Trees Management on Thursday unveiled plans to bring two Bjarke Ingels Group-designed buildings, one at 650 feet and the other at 600 feet, on River Street between North 1st and North 3rd Street in Williamsburg. The buildings, with Metropolitan Avenue running between them, will serve as an entrance to the new waterfront space, part of a master plan designed in collaboration with BIG and James Corner Field Operations. The park and public beach would close the gap between Grand Ferry Park and North Fifth Park, eventually providing continuous access to the East River between South Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
Check out the whole project

Bedford Union Armory redevelopment project in Crown Heights breaks ground

Rendering courtesy of BFC Partners.

December 11, 2019

Bedford Union Armory redevelopment project in Crown Heights breaks ground

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) along with Council Member Laurie Cumbo, BFC Partners and community members today celebrated the groundbreaking of the redevelopment project finally underway at the historic Bedford Union Armory in Crown Heights. The new community hub will offer affordable space for local non-profits, recreational space for youth and hundreds of units of affordable housing as shown in new renderings. The road to this latest milestone has been a long and storied one since community leaders first envisioned the massive armory as a multi-use gathering space for the Crown Heights community.
New renderings of the redeveloped armory, this way

December 6, 2019

69 newly constructed affordable units available in East New York, from $856/month

Linwood Park Apartments, a new development at 315 Linwood Street in East New York, has just launched an affordable housing lottery. The 10-story complex is located in the rezoned Atlantic Avenue corridor and is made up entirely of affordable units, available to those earning 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income. 69 apartments are available in the lottery, ranging from $856/month studios to $1,504/month three-bedrooms. Eight of those units have been set aside for those who qualify for Section 8, meaning eligible residents will pay 30 percent of their income for rent.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 20 affordable and supportive studios in Brownsville, from $571/month

Photo by DanTD via Wikimedia Commons

December 6, 2019

Lottery opens for 20 affordable and supportive studios in Brownsville, from $571/month

By Dana Schulz

One- and two-person households earning 50 or 60 percent of the area median income (between $21,978 and $51,240 annually) can now apply for 20 affordable studios at 212 Hegeman Avenue, a newly constructed, 71-unit rental in Brownsville. Sixty percent of the units are set aside as supportive housing for formerly homeless and disabled New Yorkers, while 29 percent are open to the public. Residents can take advantage of on-site social services, a computer lab, landscaped rear yard, and laundry room.
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Affordable Housing

Construction begins on Fort Greene’s newest cultural center at 300 Ashland Place

Renderings courtesy of TEN Arquitectos and Andrea Steele Architecture

December 5, 2019

Construction begins on Fort Greene’s newest cultural center at 300 Ashland Place

The city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is starting construction on a new cultural center housed within the 32-story tower at 300 Ashland Place in Fort Greene. The new L10 Arts and Cultural Center will span across 50,000 square feet and host a range of institutions, including new gallery and performance spaces for the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), three cinemas for the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), rehearsal studios and performance space for 651 ARTS, and a new branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.
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Events & Things To Do

950-unit ‘Gowanus Green’ development met with skepticism by local residents who hoped for a park

Photo by Danny Navaro via Flickr cc

December 4, 2019

950-unit ‘Gowanus Green’ development met with skepticism by local residents who hoped for a park

During a Brooklyn Community Board 6 meeting on Monday night, architects, developers, and city officials revealed preliminary plans for Gowanus Green, a multi-building development on a 5.8-acre site at the corner of Smith and Fifth Streets. Once home to a gas plant, the city-owned site has been vacant for decades and was designated as a "public place" in 1974. As the Brooklyn Daily Eagle first reported, Carroll Gardens and Gowanus residents who were expecting that the site would become a park widely panned the new proposal for a series of buildings ranging from a five-story school to a 28-story residential tower.
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This Saturday, celebrate the 300th anniversary of Brooklyn’s Lott House

Photo by Alyssa Loorya, VP of Friends of the Lott House

December 4, 2019

This Saturday, celebrate the 300th anniversary of Brooklyn’s Lott House

By Dana Schulz

It's been 300 years since the Hendrick I. Lott House was built on a rural piece of land in Marine Park, Brooklyn. One of the few Dutch-American houses remaining in NYC, in its original location no less, the Lott House also has the distinction of being the longest single-family owned and occupied home in the city. Though it is currently closed for renovations, the Lott House still hosts educational events, and this Saturday, they'll be celebrating their milestone anniversary with a holiday celebration, tree lighting, and rare chance to go inside.
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December 3, 2019

Lottery launches for 55 middle-income apartments at chic Clinton Hill rental, from $1,097/month

At the nexus of Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy, a new rental in Clinton Hill launched an affordable housing lottery this week for 55 middle-income units. Located across the street from the Franklin Avenue C, S subway station at 1134 Fulton Street, the building offers residents a gym, on-site laundry, parking, and rooftop access. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from $1,097/month studios to $2,400/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

141 middle-income units up for grabs at Prospect-Lefferts’ tallest tower, from $2,156/month

Rendering courtesy of ArX Solutions

November 26, 2019

141 middle-income units up for grabs at Prospect-Lefferts’ tallest tower, from $2,156/month

A housing lottery launched this week for 141 middle-income apartments at a newly constructed building that borders Brooklyn's Flatbush and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens neighborhoods. Dubbed "PLG," the 26-story tower at 123 Linden Boulevard sits a few blocks from the southern end of Prospect Park and boasts 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space. As the tallest building in the neighborhood at 320 feet, PLG offers unobstructed panoramic views of Prospect Park, the Manhattan skyline, and the Verrazano Bridge. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $2,156/month studios to $3,122/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

The 8 best neighborhoods in NYC for holiday shopping

Photo by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash

November 26, 2019

The 8 best neighborhoods in NYC for holiday shopping

By Rebecca Fishbein

New York is a prime spot for holiday shopping, in large part because of big department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, designer flagships that line the Upper East Side, and whatever hell awaits you in the Disney Store in Times Square. But true New Yorkers should avoid the major shopping hubs, and instead seek gifts and other goods in some of the city’s slightly less crowded and infinitely more interesting ‘hoods, including the many holiday markets and pop-up shops found across the five boroughs. Find our favorite neighborhoods for holiday shopping this season, ahead.
See the full list

Events & Things To Do

Watchtower-replacing Welcome sign unveiled in Brooklyn Heights

All photos by Will Femia

November 25, 2019

Watchtower-replacing Welcome sign unveiled in Brooklyn Heights

By Dana Schulz

Last month, Columbia Heights Associates unveiled renderings for a new "Welcome" sign that would replace the iconic "Watchtower" sign atop the building at 25-30 Columbia Heights in Downtown Brooklyn. The Jehovah’s Witnesses had operated their world headquarters here since 1969 but sold the building complex for $340 million in 2016. The new owners are transforming the site into Panorama, a five-building office complex that will also have retail and outdoor space. Their new sign is reminiscent of its predecessor, with 15-foot-tall bright red letters. This Wednesday, it will be officially lit on the 50th anniversary of the first lighting of the "Watchtower" sign.
But it might not be there for long

Uncategorized

See the design for the new Made in NY campus in Sunset Park

Renderings by nARCHITECTS and W Architecture and Landscape Architecture, courtesy of NYCEDC

November 21, 2019

See the design for the new Made in NY campus in Sunset Park

The city released on Thursday designs for the fashion and film production complex planned for the Sunset Park waterfront. The new Made in NY Campus at Bush Terminal in Brooklyn involves the restoration of existing city-owned industrial buildings that will serve as a manufacturing hub for the garment industry, as well as the construction of a 100,000-square-foot media facility. The $136 million development, which will house between 20 and 30 companies from the fashion industry, will open in the spring of 2021.
See it here

New Developments

This classic Boerum Hill Italianate brownstone checks all of the boxes for $5M

Photo credit: DDreps, courtesy of Compass.

November 21, 2019

This classic Boerum Hill Italianate brownstone checks all of the boxes for $5M

At 20 feet wide, renovated in 2016 and complete with options for rental income and indoor-outdoor entertaining, the four-story townhouse at 355 Pacific Street is offering all the benefits of brownstone living in a pretty package. Built in 1869, this quintessential row house–it was featured on the 2016 Boerum Hill House and Garden Tour–on a postcard-perfect landmarked Boerum Hill block is asking $4,999 million. Inside are lots of original details and 21st-century amenities–including many wine fridges. There's also that covetable Brooklyn bonus of a backyard complete with mood lighting and a fire pit.
Take the townhouse tour

Distinctive Homes

Photo credit: Rise Media, courtesy of Compass.

November 20, 2019

This $2M boho-chic Crown Heights row house would make a great apartment alternative

This two-story row house in Crown Heights at 996 Saint Johns Place has plenty of space for family and friends without being too much house to handle. Asking $1.975 million, the barrel-fronted limestone facade looks out over a small front garden, and there's lots more room in the back for al fresco activities. Interiors have been lovingly restored without being too fancy, and lots of old details remain.
Take the townhouse tour

Distinctive Homes

November 20, 2019

13 Brooklyn condos with the best waterfront views

By Michelle Sinclair Colman

Way back in 1992 when David Dinkins was mayor, a Department of City Planning report began, "New York City's waterfront is a valuable but still untapped resource. Decades of declining maritime activity have left much of the city's waterfront dormant. Today, after years of neglect and revitalization attempts stalled by the clash of competing interests, New Yorkers are coming together to fulfill the public's claim to productive use and increased enjoyment of this resource." Today, this transformation is perhaps the most evident along the Brooklyn waterfront, where views of Manhattan and beyond are enjoyed from contemporary towers, restored industrial buildings, and cool, open lofts. Ahead, we round up 13 condominiums with the best views on the waterfront in Brooklyn.
Check them all out

Events & Things To Do

Construction breaks ground for Greenpoint Landing’s OMA-designed towers

Rendering courtesy of OMA/ nuur.nu

November 20, 2019

Construction breaks ground for Greenpoint Landing’s OMA-designed towers

Construction is now underway on the next phase of development at Greenpoint Landing, which includes one acre of additional public waterfront space designed by James Corner Field Operations and two new residential towers designed by Rem Koolhaas’ international architecture firm, OMA. In addition to 745 units of mixed-income housing, the new towers will also add 8,600 square feet of ground-floor retail.
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New renderings show 72,600-square-foot public park coming to Brooklyn’s Pacific Park development

Renderings of park courtesy of MNLA

November 19, 2019

New renderings show 72,600-square-foot public park coming to Brooklyn’s Pacific Park development

Developer TF Cornerstone this week released new renderings for two sites within Brooklyn's long-delayed Pacific Park development that have yet to break ground: 615 and 595 Dean Street. Their plans will bring 72,600 square feet of public open space with community amenities, 800 units of mixed-income housing, and retail to Pacific Park. In addition, Chelsea Piers is set to open a Field House that will offer a wide range of family and youth-focused programming when the site opens in 2023.
More details

New Developments

Will restored details and a flawless renovation land $3.5M for this Bed-Stuy brownstone?

Images courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

November 18, 2019

Will restored details and a flawless renovation land $3.5M for this Bed-Stuy brownstone?

Brownstone-obsessed Brooklyn developers Dahill & Bunce have put their obsession to work in this 20-foot-wide Bed-Stuy townhouse, which, after a design-savvy renovation, they've served up for sale at a notable-for-the-neighborhood $3.495 million. The meticulous renovation puts all the right airy, livable modern finishes into place while preserving plenty of details that distinguish the 1882 Neo-Grec townhouse at 158 Halsey Street. The resulting three-bedroom triplex–plus garden apartment–totals about 4,000 square feet. The house has an extension which puts it at a rare 60 feet deep, and there are five private outdoor areas throughout.
More sexy brownstone interiors this way

Distinctive Homes

Norah Jones is selling her 19th-century Cobble Hill townhouse for $8M

Photo by Christian Harder for Nest Seekers International

November 12, 2019

Norah Jones is selling her 19th-century Cobble Hill townhouse for $8M

Grammy Award winner Norah Jones has listed her four-story townhouse in Cobble Hill for $8 million, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday. The Brooklyn home sits 25 feet wide at 166 Amity Street and contains five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a backyard with a disappearing heated pool and hot tub. The singer-songwriter first picked up the 19th-century pad in 2009 for $4.9 million. Unfortunately, the vintage Krakauer piano found by the back door is not included in the sale.
Take the tour

Prime Park Slope duplex with a lovely private garden asks $6,500/month

Listing images courtesy of The Corcoran Group

November 12, 2019

Prime Park Slope duplex with a lovely private garden asks $6,500/month

Right around the corner from Park Slope's bustling 5th Avenue, this two-bedroom duplex at 695 Degraw Street is convenient, cozy, and comes with a private, well-maintained garden. Located in a three-unit building dating back to 1899, the home still has some of its classic pre-war details alongside all of the modern conveniences that are on your list: central AC, a laundry room, and more. For the asking rent of $6,500 a month, the apartment can come partially furnished or vacant.
Look inside

With a new ‘Arid Room’ focused on rare cacti and succulents, Tula is growing its roots in Greenpoint

Images courtesy of Tula Plants & Design

November 11, 2019

With a new ‘Arid Room’ focused on rare cacti and succulents, Tula is growing its roots in Greenpoint

Less than a year after opening their new flagship in Greenpoint, Tula Plants & Design has expanded its lush storefront with a dedicated space for cacti and succulents. Owners Christan Summers and Ivan Martinez recently completed a 400-square-foot expansion in the nearly 100-year-old warehouse at 59 Meserole Avenue, adding a desert plant oasis to complement their tropical plant offerings. The “Arid Room” is packed with varieties young and old and specializes in sourcing rare, hard-to-find species.
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City Living

The city introduces a new branding initiative to unite NYC’s public markets

Photo of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market by Leonard J. DeFrancisci via Wikimedia Commons

November 11, 2019

The city introduces a new branding initiative to unite NYC’s public markets

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) last week unveiled a new brand strategy for the city's network of six public markets, which includes a multilingual ad campaign, a dynamic new website and social media presence, direct mail campaigns and more, all of which are designed to consolidate a network of historic markets under one city-wide brand. It's all part of the organization's comprehensive initiative to promote NYC's public markets--including Essex Market, the Bronx's Arthur Avenue Market, and Williamsburg's historic Moore Street Market--as "world class destinations for both local residents and tourists."
See what's in store

City Living

Penthouse inside 111 West 57th Street’s landmarked Steinway Building hits the market for $21M

Renderings by Hayes Davidson and images by Peter Murdock; courtesy of Douglas Elliman

November 8, 2019

Penthouse inside 111 West 57th Street’s landmarked Steinway Building hits the market for $21M

Once home to the Steinway & Sons piano company, the landmarked building at 111 West 57th Street was acquired by developers JDS Development, Property Markets Group, and Spruce Capital Partners in 2013 for $217.5 million and has since become incorporated into SHoP Architects’ super-slender supertall tower rising next to it. Originally built in 1925, the Beaux-Arts building will house the lobby for the luxury tower and a small number of apartments, including this 5,200+ square-foot duplex penthouse that just listed for $21 million.
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See inside Domino Sugar Factory site’s first commercial building

Image by Two Trees Management

November 8, 2019

See inside Domino Sugar Factory site’s first commercial building

The first commercial building at the Domino Sugar Factory site in Williamsburg officially launched leasing this week. Ten Grand Street sits within the 45-story mixed-use tower One South First, which opened in September with 330 rental units. Designed by COOKFOX Architects and developed by Two Trees Management, the towers interlock, a sustainable component that allows extra heat from the office building to be preserved and reused at the residential property. Offering tenants between 5,000 and 6,000-square-foot floor plates and floor-to-ceiling windows, Ten Grand boasts sweeping views of Manhattan, faces the six-acre Domino Park, and will be home to several Brooklyn-based retailers, including Roberta's and Other Half Brewing.
Take the tour

Photo credit: VHT, courtesy of The Corcoran Group

November 7, 2019

$6.2M Boerum Hill townhouse corners the market on luxury, from the roof deck to the wine cellar