Brooklyn

Ten years ago when graphic designer and typographer Ksenya Samarskaya moved into Williamsburg's famous artist loft 475 Kent, the building and neighborhood were much different. Her view of the Williamsburg Bridge remains, but it's now obscured by the slew of glassy towers rising along the waterfront, a literal representation of how the area has lost some of its creativity to corporate entities. And though the building has seen its share of controversy, Ksenya's loft feels like stepping back to Brooklyn's Millenium-era artist boom. In true artist loft fashion, the space was completely raw when Ksenya moved in. With a little help from her friends and neighbors, she achieved the perfect balance of industrial charm and chic, minimalism. From staining the concrete ceiling and retaining the original floor and wooden beams to having custom multi-use furniture pieces designed, Ksenya created her own little oasis.
Take the tour

First group of chefs revealed for Time Out’s food hall in Dumbo

Via Time Out Market

November 7, 2018

First group of chefs revealed for Time Out’s food hall in Dumbo

From the company that tells us where and what to dine in New York City, comes a brand new food hall with some seriously good eats. Time Out Group, the company behind freebie magazine Time Out New York, on Tuesday revealed the first group of chefs and concepts coming to its 21,000-square-foot space in Dumbo, expected to open in the spring. From NYC classics like the Mermaid Oyster Bar and Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant to newbies like Alta Calidad, Time Out Market will offer a wide array of delicious bites.
See the lineup

Food & Dining

November 6, 2018

Live across from Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg, from just $907/month

This new luxury rental in the heart of Williamsburg is offering the best of the neighborhood, located just steps from the East River waterfront and the Bushwick Inlet Park, as well as all of the trendy eateries and hot spots. The building at 56 North 9th Street launched a lottery on Tuesday for nine affordable apartments, all which boast floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, and state-of-the-art appliances. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from a $907/month studio to a $1,165/month two bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Work finally resumes at Brooklyn’s first 1,000+ foot tower

Rendering via SHoP Architects

November 6, 2018

Work finally resumes at Brooklyn’s first 1,000+ foot tower

Since the plan to bring the first supertall tower to Brooklyn was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in the spring of 2016, few updates have been announced about the project. While construction kicked off last year, work on 9 DeKalb Avenue was stalled for months. But YIMBY reported on Tuesday that construction of the Downtown Brooklyn tower appears to have made some progress, with its foundation now visible and workers on site. The planned 1,066-foot-tower is being developed by JDS Development, with SHoP Architects handling its design.
More this way

November 5, 2018

$830K Cobble Hill co-op has a colorful retro kitchen, a clawfoot tub, and a private backyard

This super-cute Brooklyn one-bedroom-plus-office at 242 Baltic Street in Cobble Hill has the necessary location and space for a $830,000 ask, with some standout extras. A colorful kitchen and a dreamy private garden–in addition to the bonus room that opens out to said garden, plus a laundry room–add some extra boxes to check.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): Summit, House No. 94, EVGB and 7W21

November 3, 2018

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Annie Doge

Images (L to R): Summit, House No. 94, EVGB and 7W21 Williamsburg’s, ‘House No. 94’ is 75% Leased and Renting with 1 Month Free [link] Live at The Mill in Ridgewood, New Rental Homes with Amenities from $1,895/Month [link] Summit at 222 E. 44th Street Launches Leasing: Striking 43-Story Tower with Luxury Rentals in Midtown […]

Real Estate Trends

November 2, 2018

New Bed-Stuy rental opens affordable housing lottery, starting at $1,102/month

A new rental building just a few blocks from the Myrtle-Willoughby Avenue G train stop in Bed-Stuy is opening an affordable housing lottery for 20 apartments. Conveniently, the 65-unit building at 633 Marcy Avenue will have a supermarket in its base, as well as a laundry room, gym and yoga room, kids room, and a landscaped roof terrace. The affordable units are open to households earning 80 or 130 percent of the area median income. Those on the lower end range from $1,102/month one-bedrooms to $1,327/month two-bedrooms. On the other end, however, the savings are minimal, as they range from $2,207 one/bedrooms to $2,665 two/bedrooms. Currently, the market-rate two bedrooms are going for $2,800/month.
See if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Surpassing 1,000-foot mark, SHoP’s skinny supertall shows off incredible Central Park views

Photo by Michael Toolan

November 2, 2018

Surpassing 1,000-foot mark, SHoP’s skinny supertall shows off incredible Central Park views

Without even reaching its final height of 1,428 feet tall, SHoP Architect's Midtown supertall is already boasting amazing views. New photos released this week of 111 West 57th Street, which recently surpassed 1,000 feet high, show off views from the tower's 64th, 72nd, and 73rd floors. Upon completion, the Billionaires' Row tower will become the tallest residential building in the world, taking the title from 1,396-foot 432 Park Avenue, (until 1,500-foot Central Park Tower tops out). With a super slender frame (a ratio of 1:24), 111 West 57th Street is also set to become the skinniest skyscraper in the world.
See the views

October 31, 2018

$925K duplex with a secret arch and backyard fire pit is a Bed-Stuy oasis

Located in the Stuyvesant Heights section of "arguably the most beautiful block in Bedford Stuyvesant," according to the listing, this charming duplex has a ton of hidden magic for under $1 million. The one-bedroom-plus-den condo occupies the garden and lower levels in a brownstone at 579 Jefferson Avenue and boasts a lovely backyard complete with a patio, fire pit, and rustic wooden walls. Inside, more architectural and decorative surprises await.
See for yourself

Distinctive Homes

October 31, 2018

A big brick fireplace warms up this $900K Boerum Hill apartment

By Emily Nonko

This duplex condo up for sale at 384 Warren Street, in Boerum Hill, easily stands out with its beautiful living room fireplace. It's a still-working, wood-burning brick fireplace that's going to be perfectly cozy as winter approaches. Other than that, the apartment has a host of other perks. High ceilings make the pad feel spacious, a small deck offers a nice hang-out spot in warmer months, and a skylight brightens the space. It just sold last year for $830,000, and now it's back on the market with a price bump to $900,000.
Take a tour

Distinctive Homes

October 31, 2018

Affordable lottery launches at a new Bushwick building, but doesn’t save renters a whole lot

Applications are now being accepted for eight middle-income apartments at a newly constructed building in Bushwick. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments at 18 Stanhope Street, which include four $2,175/month one-bedrooms and four $2,270/month two-bedrooms. The units do not offer that much of a discount from the market rate apartments at the building, with current listings starting at $2,500/month for a one-bedroom and $2,700/month for a two-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

October 30, 2018

$775K Scandi-styled Prospect Heights co-op is move-in ready and expandable

This two-flight walk-up at 521 Dean Street in a prime spot in Brooklyn's Prospect Heights is ready for living, unless you want more space. Then the charming one-bedroom can easily become a two-bedroom with a new wall (its original configuration). Otherwise, the designer-renovated floor-through, asking $775,000, has plenty of sun, a wood-burning fireplace, exposed brick, and a subtle, cozy Scandinavian design.
Come on in, look around

Distinctive Homes

New East New York complex opens affordable housing lotto for 120 units, from $413/month

Rendering via Gluck+

October 30, 2018

New East New York complex opens affordable housing lotto for 120 units, from $413/month

Two years ago, the city and MacQuesten Development broke ground on Van Sinderen Plaza, a redevelopment of two vacant lots in East New York into a 155,000-square-foot mixed-use complex with 130 high-quality affordable apartments, as well as retail and community space. Located just off the New Lots Avenue stop on the L train, the two-building project was built for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income households, or those earning 30, 40, 50, or 60 percent of the area median income. Apartments range from $413/month one-bedrooms to $1,281/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

October 30, 2018

Historic building at Brooklyn Navy Yard to be restored as modern manufacturing space

A former boat repair facility at the Brooklyn Navy Yard will get restored as a modern manufacturing space, the last adaptive reuse project at the 300-acre site. The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) last month closed on $42 million in financing to restore Building 127, which was built in 1904 by the U.S. Navy for ship construction. S9 Architecture is handling the "historically sensitive" gut renovation, which will bring 95,000 square feet of modern industrial space to the Yard by 2020.
More here

Apply for 67 middle-income units near the J, M, Z lines in Bushwick, from $1,759/month

Via Manny Moss on Flickr

October 29, 2018

Apply for 67 middle-income units near the J, M, Z lines in Bushwick, from $1,759/month

For those looking to move away from the soon-to-be-shuttered L train but remain in Brooklyn, this affordable housing lottery may be a decent solution. Applications are now being accepted for 67 middle-income apartments across two buildings in Bushwick, both conveniently near the J, M, Z subway lines. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,759/month studios to $2,506/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

October 29, 2018

The former Swedish American Athletic Club in Park Slope is now a $6M townhouse

Situated on an elegant Park Slope corner lot where Sixth Avenue meets Garfield Place, the house at 267 Sixth Avenue has a rare and unusual history. Built in the 1870s, the building is the former home of the Swedish American Athletic Club. In its current incarnation, the 7,200 square-foot house is comprised of a 5,400-square foot owner's triplex over a 1,800-square foot three-bedroom rental apartment–asking $5.999 million. In its athletic club days, the building featured a 90-foot ballroom, a billiard room, a bowling alley and a lounge with a 15-foot cocktail bar. The bar remains intact and the bowling alley (not pictured, unfortunately) lives partially unaltered on the home's lowest level.
Take the grand tour

Brooklyn Point’s $3.9M penthouse is the highest apartment ever in the borough

Via Extell

October 26, 2018

Brooklyn Point’s $3.9M penthouse is the highest apartment ever in the borough

The highest apartment ever built in Brooklyn just hit the market for $3.9 million. The penthouse sits on the 68th floor of Extell Development's tower, Brooklyn Point, which at 720 feet remains the tallest building in the borough. The corner residence contains three bedrooms, three baths, and will boast incredible views of Manhattan via windows with North and East exposure. Brooklyn Point, at 138 Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn, is still under construction, but officially launched sales in March, with condos starting at $837,000.
See the penthouse

Distinctive Homes

Month-long ‘winterfest’ and holiday market coming to the Brooklyn Museum

Photo via WinterFest at Brooklyn Museum

October 25, 2018

Month-long ‘winterfest’ and holiday market coming to the Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn is getting a new winter festival and market this holiday season full of family-fun events, shopping, wine and beer tastings, and more. Dubbed WinterFest, the pop-up will take over 40,000 square feet of outdoor space at the Brooklyn Museum from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31 and feature more than 50 holiday-decorated wooden chalets with local crafts and handmade gifts inside.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

October 25, 2018

Transformed from a wreck into pricey condos, Crown Heights’ oldest house is renting for $9.25K/month

The historic Elkins House at 1375 Dean Street, an 1850s wood-frame home in Crown Heights, is officially the neighborhood's oldest house–and you can rent one of its duplex units from January to April of 2019 for $9,250 a month. The landmarked wood-frame building has been completely renovated with 2,033 square feet of living space including five bedrooms (two with private balconies) and a private top-floor deck. The home's newly-converted condos were last seen on the market last spring, with two duplex units–including this one–asking $2.3 and $2.7 million.
Take a tour

5 River Park; image credit: Williams New York.

October 24, 2018

First tower in Cobble Hill’s LICH-replacing River Park condo project launches sales

Sales began this week at 5 River Park, the first new tower to rise in the River Park project, the seven-building masterplan redevelopment of the former Long Island College Hospital Site. The new building, whose address is 347 Henry Street, is the first to hit the market in phase two of a masterplan comprised of the project's first three new towers, which in turn are part of Fortis Property Group's $240 million plan to transform the Cobble Hill facility into market-rate condos and a clinic.
Amenities, interiors this way

October 23, 2018

Where I Work: Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop is dishing out retro pizzeria vibes in Greenpoint

By James and Karla Murray

6sqft’s series “Where I Work” takes us into the studios, offices, and businesses of New Yorkers across the city. In this installment, we’re going inside Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop in Greenpoint. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! Long-time pizza enthusiast Paulie Giannone opened his first wood-fired pizza restaurant, Paulie Gee’s, in 2010 on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn. Since then, he's opened locations in Miami, Columbus, Ohio, Chicago, and Baltimore. Most recently, though, he came back to his roots with Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop, just a few blocks away from his original spot in Greenpoint. While Paulie’s restaurants center around gourmet pizzas, including many vegan options, the Slice Shop specializes in classic New York City-style and Sicilian slices. In keeping with this classic pizza joint feel, the Slice Shop’s retro décor is inspired by the pizzerias Paulie Gee frequented while growing up in Kensington, Brooklyn. We had a chance to speak with Paulie at the newly opened Slice Shop and sample some of the delicious pizzas, including his classic cheese slice and his sauceless Mootz. He filled us in on how he got his start in the pizza business, where he found the '60s and '70s decor, and his reaction to the long lines New Yorkers are waiting on to get a slice of Paulie Gee's.
Get a slice of Paulie Gee's!

October 22, 2018

Contemporary ‘upside down’ townhouse in Boerum Hill asks $1.6M

Located in the quintessentially Brooklyn neighborhood of Boerum Hill, this contemporary-design carriage house is a dramatic example of loft-meets-townhouse on a landmarked block. Seeking $1.649 million, the home at 139 Bond Street offers modern perks that you'd expect in a new apartment, such as split-system A/C and a washer-dryer, with the added bonus of multi-level townhouse living and a gorgeous roof deck
Take a look

Distinctive Homes

Images (L to R): The Niko East Village, 30-78 43rd Street, 633 Marcy Avenue and The Essex

October 20, 2018

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Ondel Hylton

Images (L to R): The Niko East Village, 30-78 43rd Street, 633 Marcy Avenue and The Essex 633 Marcy Avenue in Bed-Stuy Debuts Spacious 2- and 3-Bed Rentals from $2,565/Month [link] The Greystone: Prewar Upper West Side Rentals with Amenities from $2,395/Month [link] The Essex Launches: Tallest Building in Essex Crossing Offers Rentals with 1 […]

Real Estate Trends

Updated looks for COOKFOX’s Domino Sugar building, Williamsburg’s will-be tallest

A previous rendering (left) and new rendering (right) of 1 South First via DBOX for Two Trees Management

October 19, 2018

Updated looks for COOKFOX’s Domino Sugar building, Williamsburg’s will-be tallest

Fully above ground, the second tower to rise at the massive Domino Sugar site has a pair of new renderings. Designed by COOKFOX Architects, 1 South First (previously 260 Kent Avenue) is a 42-story mixed-use tower on the Williamsburg waterfront development, which was formerly home to the sugar manufacturing facility. When 1 South First opens next fall, it will join already opened 325 Kent Avenue and Domino Park, all developed by Two Trees Management.
See them here

October 19, 2018

This $8M Carroll Gardens home is five stories of Brooklyn townhouse fantasy, elevator included

Anyone with Brooklyn brownstone dreams will be entranced by this 5,500+ square-foot Carroll Gardens townhouse whose considered design and addition of every possible luxury of modern living come courtesy of a thorough reconstruction by CWB architects and Manhattan-based interior designer Tamara Eaton. Even better news: 2,000 square feet of outdoor space and an elevator to access all of it. The six-bedroom residence at 32 1st Place, which has been featured in New York Cottages & Gardens, rings in at $8 million.
Take the grand tour

Distinctive Homes

October 19, 2018

L train shutdown haunted house and nightclub brings transit terror to Bushwick