Brooklyn

Starting today, an affordable housing lottery is open for 13 units at Williamsburg's new rental the Brooklyn Grand. Located at 774 Grand Street, the Meshberg Group-designed building is eight stories tall with ground-floor retail and offers a total of 64 units, 20 percent of which are reserved for individuals earning 60 percent of the area median income. The units up for grabs range from $722/month studios to $900/month two-bedrooms, and tenants will have access to the building's roof terrace and fitness center and, for an additional fee, parking and bike storage.
See if you're qualified to apply

Affordable Housing

July 27, 2016

$2.5M Freestanding Italianate House Charms in Bay Ridge

The charm of a freestanding home in the middle of New York City will never get old. This Italiante home, at 237 77th Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bay Ridge, pretty much exudes all the charm and is now asking a cool $2.5 million. The 11-room house has a landscaped front yard that leads to a wrap-around porch. Once inside, a grand entrance leads you to a formal living room with hand-restored crown molding, the original windows, stained glass doors and a side entry back out to the porch. The rest of the house, too, is decked out with historic extravagances like stained glass, pocket doors and a wood-burning fireplace.
Take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

July 27, 2016

Nearly 200 Affordable Units Up For Grabs in East New York, Starting at $788/Month

The affordable housing go-to's at Dattner Architects are at it again, this time with a six-building complex in East New York known as Stanley Commons, which includes five four-story buildings and one seven-story building surrounded by a large courtyard. There will also be a 19,000-square-foot community facility operated by Good Shepherds Services, a social service and youth development organization, and Man Up Inc., a local agency focusing on neighborhood improvement. The City Planning Commission recently approved a controversial rezoning of the neighborhood, part of de Blasio's push to increase affordable housing here, so it makes sense that 191 units are now up for grabs through the city's housing lottery for individuals earning 60 percent of the area media income. This ranges from a $788/month studio to $1,182/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify here

Affordable Housing

July 25, 2016

Lottery Launches for 76 Affordable Units at 300 Ashland Place, From $889/Month

It's been 14 years since Enrique Norten's ship-like design was chosen to sail upon a triangular site in an ambitious arts district planned for the area around the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Initially proposed as an eight-story glass building to house the Brooklyn Library for the Visual and Performing Arts, the project was altered to a mixed-use high-rise when Two Trees Management was brought onboard during the economic downturn in 2008. Now officially known as 300 Ashland Place, the slab-shaped tower is a silvery 32-story icon that architecture critic Carter Horsley praises as a "gleaming, but mysterious steed" in the emerging Downtown Brooklyn skyline. It will house a smattering of public uses in addition to 379 apartments above. Earlier this July, leasing began on the 300 market-rate apartments that go for roughly $2,850/month for studios, $3,600/month for one-bedrooms and $5,750/month for two-bedrooms. And now, a housing lottery has launched for the 76 affordable units that include $889/month studios, $949/month one-bedrooms, and $1,087/month two-bedrooms.
Find out here if you qualify

July 24, 2016

The Location is Good and the Price Is Right for This Cozy $440K Prospect Heights Co-op

This one-bedroom co-op at 786 Washington Avenue may have its limits–space and windows, for example–but the Prospect Heights neighborhood is a winner, a slice of old-meets-new-Brooklyn with a collection of grocery stores, cafes, restaurants and bars that grows daily, and just a few blocks from Prospect Park, Crown Heights and Park Slope for even more options. The street's a bit busy, but then again you're on the third floor where it's quieter, and if you like exposed brick, you're in luck–possibly for less per month than lots of folks are paying in rent for a one-bedroom–or even a studio.
See this little Brooklyn pad from all angles

Distinctive Homes

July 22, 2016

Grand Mansion on Michelle Williams’ Street With a Huge Ballroom Asks $3M

Actress Michelle Williams' exquisite taste in real estate has had us swooning over each of the extraordinary properties she's bought and/or transformed–and renovation plans for the pixie-haired star's historic 18-room Colonial Revival-style mansion on Albemarle Road were recently approved. In quiet Prospect Park South, her fame has paved the way for a new level of exposure for historic homes like this one at 1305 Albemarle, which hit the market yesterday for a neighborhood record-setting $2.98 million. The unusual and somewhat haunting (though hopefully not haunted) 10,000-plus-square-foot, 23-room mansion would turn a few heads on its own, but a celebrity neighbor certainly doesn't hurt. The impressive home has 10 bedrooms, six full baths and floors of pine, cherry, mahogany and oak. There’s a two-car garage and decks galore, including one with a six-person hot tub. But the Oscar for cool house features definitely goes to the unbelievably massive and dramatic third floor ballroom, complete with wet bar.
Is this antebellum manse cool, or creepy? You decide.

July 19, 2016

This $4,750/Month Park Slope Townhouse Duplex Feels Like a Home

We're not sure what it is about this two-bedroom duplex occupying the top two floors of a lovely South Slope townhouse at 215 13th Street; like the neighborhood, it's laid-back rather than fancy, but the 1,200-square-foot rental looks like it has everything you'd need to move right in and make yourself at home. Asking $4,750 a month, the duplex includes a big, bright kitchen for gathering and cooking, a charming rear deck for outdoor chilling, a bath and a half for not having to climb stairs to use the baño, office space, big closets and a washer-dryer.
Take a look around

Distinctive Homes

July 18, 2016

Where I Work: Inside prop stylist Courtney Dawley’s quirky, colorful Greenpoint workspace

By Rebecca Paul

For some New Yorkers, bargain hunting is a fun weekend hobby, but stylist, designer and creator of Found By a Prop Stylist Courtney Dawley has taken the casual pastime and transformed it into her career. Courtney's keen eye for a deal and her ability to curate the unlikely into cohesive collections of modern nostalgia were the seeds for her thriving online shop and style website. Courtney also transforms many of her vintage finds into stylish and functional pieces for the home, ranging from antique painted planters to vintage mugs up-cycled into stylish candles. 6sqft recently visited Courtney at her Greenpoint studio and home, and, in addition to photographing the fun and eclectic space, we learned about how she got into collecting vintage objects, her personal design aesthetic and new collection, and the best spots nearby for vintage finds.
Get it all right here

July 16, 2016

First Look at Williamsburg’s Tallest Building Not Planned Along the Waterfront

"Avid church and factory convertor" Yoel Werzberger and Watermark Capital Group are building a 19-story, 230-foot residential building in the heart of Williamsburg at 321 Wythe Avenue, reports CityRealty.com, and it'll be the tallest tower in the neighborhood not along its waterfront. The site was formerly a parking lot and single-story church owned by the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, who also owns an acre of property on the block between Wythe and Berry Streets. The struggling church entered a long-term lease deal with Watermark last year that will allow them to erect a residential tower while making payments to the Parish that begin at $2.1 annually.
More info this way

July 15, 2016

The World’s First Escalator Was Installed in Coney Island 120 Years Ago

By Diane Pham

When you think of Coney Island, cutting edge technology probably doesn't come to mind. But more than a century ago, this little enclave of amusement and thrills was where the world's very first working escalator was installed. In 1896, engineer Jesse W. Reno brought his patented "Endless Conveyor Elevator" (though he called it the "inclined elevator") to the Old Iron Pier at Coney Island. Reno's invention stretched a mere seven feet angled at 25-degrees, and instead of steps, the escalator used a conveyor-like belt fashioned with cast-iron cleats for traction. The Coney Island installation is said to have carried over 75,000 patrons over its two-week residency.
FInd out more here

History

The New York Wheel Gets Its First Shipment of Crane Parts

Work at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, via Scott Ettin for DNAinfo

July 15, 2016

The New York Wheel Gets Its First Shipment of Crane Parts

Sunset Park was recently named one of the 15 coolest neighborhoods in the country, due in large part to the burgeoning success of Industry City and the Bush Terminal Park. And in addition to its booming creative sector, the 'hood can now include a revival of its shipping industry on its growing list of assets. As DNAinfo reports, on June 28th a cargo ship from Denmark carrying large crane parts for construction of Staten Island's New York Wheel arrived at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), where it was docked for five days with around 30 union longshoreman moving the cargo. This was the first shipment to the site in more than 10 years, revitalizing it as "a working maritime port facility" that will hopefully create hundreds of jobs.
Find out more

Transit

July 15, 2016

Looming L Train Shutdown Already Causing Williamsburg Condo Prices to Dip, Says Expert

By Diane Pham

Since word broke that the L Train would be shutting down for upwards of a year, many have been wondering just how this would affect real estate prices in the immediate term. Well it looks we may finally be getting a taste. As DNA Info first reports, The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) released their quarterly findings this week, and REBNY found that although the number of condos sales were up in Williamsburg by 43 percent this last quarter over the same time last year, the average sales price dropped a considerable 13 percent to $937,000. To put this further into perspective, for Brooklyn as a whole, REBNY recorded a nine percent rise to $923,000 over the same period; Manhattan condos by comparison grew by 21 percent to an average $2.843M.
is there anything really to this?

Real Estate Trends

July 14, 2016

Lottery Opens Tomorrow for 300 Affordable Rentals at Pacific Park Brooklyn

It's been almost two years since architects COOKFOX were selected by developer Greenland Forest City Partners to design two residential buildings at their Pacific Park Brooklyn project, the 22-acre site anchored by the Barclays Center and containing eight million square feet of mixed-use development. COOKFOX took the helm for 550 Vanderbilt Avenue, a 275-unit condo, and 535 Carlton Avenue, a 298-unit affordable rental. A housing lottery for the latter will open tomorrow, according to a press release, offering low, moderate and middle-income residents the chance to apply for apartments ranging from $548/month studios to $3,716/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

July 14, 2016

FXFOWLE’s The Ashland Kicks Off Leasing With New Renderings of Apartments and Food Hall

At the crossroads of Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, and the BAM Cultural District, The Ashland rises. Next Tuesday, July 19, the 53-story, 586-unit tower will open its leasing office to prospective renters interested in its one-, two- and three-bedroom no-fee apartments, priced from $2,600/month for studios to $7,500/month for three-bedrooms. Previously, 282 apartments went online through the city's affordable housing lottery. To coincide with the grand opening, the Gotham Organization-developed and managed building has also launched its full website, providing us a bundle of new renderings of the exterior, the apartments, and the 17,000-square-foot marketplace that will open along its ground floor.
More details ahead

July 12, 2016

Why Are the Supertall Gurus at Extell Planning a Stubby 18-Story Condo on Billionaires’ Row?

Gary Barnett's Extell Development has become synonymous with sky-high towers, especially those along Billionaires' Row -- the 1,005-foot-tall One57 and the 1,550-foot-tall Central Park Tower -- where it appeared that they were readying to construct a third behemoth that would rise more than 700 feet. However, Crain's reports that Extell has filed plans for the site at 134 West 58th Street (the same block as One57), and they call for a stubby, 18-story, 41-unit condo building that's less than 200 feet tall.
What's the deal?

July 12, 2016

$1.4M Williamsburg Apartment is Surrounded by Greenery and Outdoor Space

This Williamsburg apartment at 16 Monitor Street is perfect for summer, as there's views of greenery pretty much everywhere you look. As the listing says, "Whichever window you look out of, you see lush foliage and flowers." The two-bedroom duplex spans about 1,500 square feet and is decked out with modern finishes and a very impressive walk-in closet. It's been renovated into a bona fide entertainment space, assisted in no small part by the 200 square feet of barbecue and lounge space outside.
Check out the inside and outside

Distinctive Homes

July 12, 2016

Downtown Brooklyn’s 300 Ashland Releases New Renderings to Kick Off No-Fee Leasing

The latest tower to open its doors in Downtown Brooklyn‘s BAM Cultural District is 300 Ashland, a 35-story, mixed-use tower from Two Trees Management that is offering 300 no-fee rentals. There are currently nine units available with studios starting at $2,850/month, one-bedrooms at $3,300/month and a single three-bedrooms from $5,750/month. To coincide with the launch, the developer […]

July 11, 2016

Lottery Opens for 110 Affordable Units at Former Site of Kings County Hospital Psych Ward

Several years ago, plans were revealed for CAMBA Gardens, an affordable housing complex set to rise on the campus of the Kings County Hospital, located on the border of Crown Heights and East Flatbush. The buildings were constructed by the city's Supportive Housing Loan Program in conjunction with non-profit CAMBA, which provides employment, education, health, legal, social, business development, and youth services to New Yorkers. CAMBA Gardens I opened in the fall of 2013 with 209 residences spread across two buildings. Now, a lottery for CAMBA Gardens Phase II has just come online and is offering 110 newly constructed units in the LEED Gold building for individuals earning 60 percent of the AMI. These range from $822/month studios to $1,228/month three-bedrooms for households earning between $29,692 and $63,060 annually.
Find out more

Affordable Housing

July 8, 2016

Actress Lake Bell Lists Clinton Hill Townhouse for Double What She Paid

By Annie Doge

Back in 2013, just a few months before they tied the knot, actress Lake Bell and tattoo artist to the stars Scott Campbell dropped $1.55 million on a quaint Clinton Hill townhouse. Three years and one baby later, they've listed the home at 119 Vanderbilt Avenue for $3 million, double what they previously paid. Located in the Wallabout Historic District, the four-story home was built in 1850 and has been "customized from top to bottom." Bell and Campbell have configured it as a single-family residence--complete with historic details like a wood-burning fireplace, original marble mantles, custom engraved oak floors, panel molding, and antique lighting--but it's a legal two-family duplex.
Check it out

July 8, 2016

$995K Bed-Stuy Loft Boasts Custom Closet and Reclaimed Wood Staircase

689 Myrtle Avenue in Bed-Stuy is known as the Chocolate Factory Lofts as this warehouse building was formerly home to the Chocoline Chocolate Factory. Today there are 45 loft apartments in the building, and this one stands out from the rest--at least according to the listing. The one-bedroom pad is decked out with custom, one-of-a-kind details, like a curved, iron and reclaimed wood staircase and a hand-built five section "disappearing" closet. (In that it's storage space that blends right in with the apartment.) This quirky loft has just hit the market for a hair under $1 million.
Take a look around

Distinctive Homes

July 8, 2016

TBD Design Studio Converted a 19th Century Williamsburg Firehouse Into a Live/Work Haven

When a photographer recently bought this 19th century firehouse in Williamsburg, its interior was in a complete state of disrepair, though the historic facade was intact. To transform it into a live/work home, the owner brought on Josh Weiselberg and Selin Semaan of TBD Architecture + Design Studio, who turned the garage into a ground-floor photo studio and gallery, created a second-floor residence, and added a rooftop penthouse, lounge, and terrace (h/t designboom). The result is an open and airy haven that's sensitive to the original firehouse, but is also functional for its modern use.
See the entire home

Architecture And Design

July 8, 2016

Friday Five: 5 Buildings in the Heart of Brooklyn Offering Free Rent

By Annie Doge

Rental deals have become increasingly tough to find but they're most definitely still out there. Starting today, every Friday 6sqft is rounding up five of the best deals showcased on CityRealty's newly launched no-fee rental offers page, where NYC house hunters can find the latest and most generous concessions being offered by landlords across the city. This week, we've culled five fabulous buildings in prime Brooklyn that are currently offering FREE RENT on new leases. Among the offers ahead, check out a newly renovated two-bedroom with yard in pretty Carroll Gardens offering a month rent-free on an already reasonable $2,700/month price tag.
Check them out here

Uncategorized

July 7, 2016

Rare Opportunity to Apply for New Upscale Condos in Clinton Hill, Priced From $156,000

Here's your rare opportunity to purchase a NYC condominium in an upscale building for a fraction of market-rate prices. The developers of Clinton Hill's under-construction condo Waverly Brooklyn are now accepting applications for 11 subsidized homes priced as low as $156,444. Qualified applicants have a chance to purchase the deal of a lifetime with studio, one- and two-bedroom homes priced 86-percent below the neighborhood's market-rate medians. The condos are available to households earning between $32,617 to $48,923.
More details ahead

July 7, 2016

$15,000/Month Firehouse Offers a Sprawling Live/Work Space in Williamsburg

Check out this 5,000-square-foot live/work space at 246 Frost Street, a former 19th century Williamsburg firehouse. While the historic facade remains intact, the interior has pretty much been transformed into a lofty, two-floor apartment with plenty of exposed brick to go around. And it's full of bonus space: a finished basement, an extra sleeping loft, a deck, parking garage, recording studio and fully-functioning dark room. For all that, it'll cost a cool $15,000 a month.
Take a look

Distinctive Homes

July 6, 2016

Hello Albermarle’s ‘Avant-Garde-on-a-Budget’ Condos Take Flight in Flatbush

Hello Living is extending their Bauhaus-inspired magic deeper into Brooklyn with their latest project Hello Albermarle. It rises from a former parking lot located near the renewed Loew’s Kings Theatre and another upcoming high-rise development by the firm Hello Nostrand. Now having ascended four floors out of its concrete pit, the 44-unit condominium tower will ultimately tower 12 stories and 140 feet over its cozy Flatbush community.
More info ahead

July 6, 2016

$1.4M Townhouse in Rising-Star Sunset Park Includes a Magical Backyard Studio