Architecture And Design

August 27, 2024

NYC seeks proposals for redesign of Park Avenue medians

New York City is moving forward with a plan to put the "park" back in Park Avenue. The Department of Transportation released a request for proposals (RFP) on Tuesday seeking designs to transform the traffic medians on Park Avenue between East 46th Street and East 57th Street with more green space and pedestrian-friendly areas.
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Architecture And Design

New Jersey Symphony gets a permanent home in Jersey City

Renderings courtesy of the New Jersey Symphony

August 22, 2024

New Jersey Symphony gets a permanent home in Jersey City

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New Jersey Symphony will soon have its first-ever permanent home at a new cutting-edge theater in downtown Jersey City. Mayor Steven Fulop and the New Jersey Symphony on Wednesday announced the Symphony will relocate to a 44,000-square-foot performance space on the corner of Provost and Morgan Streets in the Powerhouse Arts District in spring 2026. The 550-seat theater, dubbed Symphony Center, will also offer educational and community programs and include 8,000 square feet of office space.
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Architecture And Design

Cathedral of St. John the Divine gets $1.5M grant to transform historic building into community hub

Photos by Brian Kutner

August 20, 2024

Cathedral of St. John the Divine gets $1.5M grant to transform historic building into community hub

By Aaron Ginsburg

A historic, underutilized building on the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine campus will become a social services center for New Yorkers facing poverty. The Morningside Heights church on Tuesday announced it received $1.5 million in city funding to support the renovation of Synod Hall, transforming it into an expanded hub for Cathedral Community Cares (CCC), the cathedral's social services arm that focuses on combating poverty with preventative services, education, and advocacy, with a focus on issues of health and hunger.
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Architecture And Design

New signs along Flatbush Avenue honor Brooklyn’s African heritage

Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

August 19, 2024

New signs along Flatbush Avenue honor Brooklyn’s African heritage

By Aaron Ginsburg

New cultural signs honoring Brooklyn's rich African heritage have been installed along Flatbush Avenue. The signs mark the beginning of the Black History + Heritage Corridors project, which connects the Lefferts Historic House and the Flatbush African Burial Ground and celebrates the history and culture of Brooklynites of African descent.
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Architecture And Design

New York Botanical Garden to host ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’-inspired light trail this fall

Rendering of Disney “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” Light Trail. Credit: LETSGO COMPANY, Creative Director: Felype de Lima, Illustrator: Borja Arrufat

August 16, 2024

New York Botanical Garden to host ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’-inspired light trail this fall

By Aaron Ginsburg

A Tim Burton-themed light trail is coming to the New York Botanical Garden this fall. Running on select nights from September 27 through November 30, the light experience inspired by "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" will illuminate the garden with iconic characters, scenes, and songs from the classic Disney film. The immersive outdoor experience features over 8,300 square feet of stunning light installations, interactive video projections, LED lighting, and 3D-printed sculptures of Jack Skellington, Sally, and other beloved characters from the movie.
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Brooklyn Children’s Museum begins $15 million garden makeover

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s terrace, courtyard, and outdoor spaces will be modernized under the project. Rendering courtesy of Gans and Company / NYC DDC

August 14, 2024

Brooklyn Children’s Museum begins $15 million garden makeover

By Aaron Ginsburg

Work has begun on the $15 million revitalization of outdoor space at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. The city's Departments of Cultural Affairs and Design and Construction this week broke ground on the project to beautify the Crown Heights museum's courtyards and terraces and create 20,000 square feet of accessible outdoor programming space for young New Yorkers and their families. The project is being funded by the Mayor's Office, City Council, and the Brooklyn Borough President's office.
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Architecture And Design

Converted 19th-century St. John’s College building in Bed-Stuy opens lottery, from $2,495/month

All renderings courtesy of Woods Bagot

August 13, 2024

Converted 19th-century St. John’s College building in Bed-Stuy opens lottery, from $2,495/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A 19th-century Romanesque Revival building in Bed-Stuy originally home to St. John's College is now a luxury rental building. The Hartby, located on the corner of Willoughby and Lewis Avenues, is an adaptive reuse conversion of the former school, designed in the 1870s by Patrick Keely, a prolific architect for the Catholic Church. Developed by Property Resources Corporation and designed by Woods Bagot, the Hartby opened a housing lottery for 62 rent-stabilized apartments this week. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the residences, priced from $2,495/month for studios, $2,795/month for one-bedroom units, and $3,939/month for two-bedroom units.
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These vibrant artworks will brighten up NYC scaffolding

Clockwise from top left: Ebony Bolt, “The Jungle and The City;” Lauren Camara, “Paper Stories;” Neko Jiang, “Hidden Forest;” Venazir “Hannah Martinez,” The Shaping of New York; “Annette Weintraub,” The Myrtle Walks; “Zazu Swistel,” The Urbanite’s Clinic For Decadence and Decay; “Nikki Scioscia,” Plant Walk; “Bayeté Ross Smith,” Our Kind of People. Image courtesy of DCLA

August 7, 2024

These vibrant artworks will brighten up NYC scaffolding

By Aaron Ginsburg

Unsightly scaffolding and sidewalk sheds in New York City are getting a makeover. The city unveiled eight pre-approved vibrant artworks available to building owners looking to transform the green eyesores into platforms for beautiful public art. Overseen by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), the City Canvas program aims to improve the pedestrian experience and provide local artists an opportunity to display their work in prominent locations.
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Historic Governors Island building to become year-round restaurant and event space

Rendering by OSD (Office of Strategy + Design)

August 5, 2024

Historic Governors Island building to become year-round restaurant and event space

By Aaron Ginsburg

A former military building on Governors Island will be transformed into a SHoP Architects-designed restaurant and event space. The Trust for Governors Island last week unveiled plans for Taco Vista, which has operated on the island seasonally since 2018, to run three distinct venues in Building 140, which was constructed in the 19th century as a munitions warehouse. The 10,000-square-foot space project restores the historic building and adds a cafe and bar, an indoor-outdoor restaurant with event space, and a reimagined Taco Vista.
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New Snøhetta-designed public library opens in Far Rockaway

Photos courtesy of Matthew Lapiska/DDC

July 31, 2024

New Snøhetta-designed public library opens in Far Rockaway

By Aaron Ginsburg

Far Rockaway's new public library officially opened this week. Designed by acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the two-story Queens Public Library branch at 1637 Central Avenue is twice the size of the previous library, which closed in 2018, and features a striking sunrise-inspired glass facade and central atrium that lets natural light fill the building. The $39 million library is part of the broader 2017 Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning to bring more housing, retail, and amenities to the neighborhood.
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Architecture And Design

Shakespeare in the Park returns to new Delacorte Theater next summer with star-studded cast

Renderings courtesy of the Public Theater

July 26, 2024

Shakespeare in the Park returns to new Delacorte Theater next summer with star-studded cast

By Aaron Ginsburg

Shakespeare in the Park's much-anticipated return to the revitalized Delacorte Theater will feature a star-studded cast. The Public Theater on Thursday announced the lineup for next year's free Shakespeare in the Park program, which will reopen with a production of the classic comedy "Twelfth Night" featuring stars including Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lupita Nyong'o, and Sandra Oh. Shakespeare in the Park is set to return to its home in Central Park in August 2025.
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One High Line is complete: See inside Bjarke Ingels’ twisting Chelsea condo

All photos courtesy of Evan Joseph

July 5, 2024

One High Line is complete: See inside Bjarke Ingels’ twisting Chelsea condo

By Devin Gannon

After a foreclosure, a rebrand, and a sales relaunch, the condo project One High Line is officially complete. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the residential building at 500 West 18th Street features two travertine towers that twist away from one another, reducing their bulk and creating a gap between them that allows for open High Line and Hudson River views. Following several bumps in the road, One High Line is finally finished; newly released images provide a look inside the project, including its 18,000-square-foot amenity space.
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Inwood development with public library and 100% affordable housing opens

Image courtesy of NYPL/Jonathan Blanc

June 27, 2024

Inwood development with public library and 100% affordable housing opens

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City this week celebrated the opening of a unique new development in Inwood that combines a public library with affordable housing. City officials on Wednesday opened The Eliza, a 14-story rental with 174 deeply affordable apartments atop a two-level New York Public Library branch. In addition to 100 percent affordable homes and a public library, the project at 4790 Broadway also includes a pre-K space, STEM learning center, and community facility.
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Pfizer’s former Midtown HQ to become 1,500 apartments

Pfizer World Headquarters. Photo via WikiCommons

June 26, 2024

Pfizer’s former Midtown HQ to become 1,500 apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

The former Midtown headquarters of pharmaceutical company Pfizer is poised to become New York City's largest office-to-residential conversion. As Crain's New York first reported, the vacant two-building complex at 219 and 235 East 42nd Street will become a 1,500-unit rental property. Metro Loft Developers, the team behind other large residential conversions, including 55 Broad Street in the Financial District, is leading the conversion. The project will not contain any affordable housing units, according to the developer.
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Two blocks of brownstones in Bed-Stuy now an NYC historic district

Photos courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission

June 25, 2024

Two blocks of brownstones in Bed-Stuy now an NYC historic district

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's newest historic district is a two-block stretch of homes in Bed-Stuy. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate the Willoughby-Hart Historic District, which includes two streets of intact 19th-century rowhouses between Marcy and Nostrand Avenues. Built primarily in the Neo-Grec style between the 1870s and 1890s, the 150-year-old homes are architecturally cohesive and reflect a period of Brooklyn's transformation from farmland to residential, according to the commission.
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Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center opening, marking 55th anniversary of historic uprising

Renderings courtesy of EDG Architecture + Engineering

June 21, 2024

Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center opening, marking 55th anniversary of historic uprising

By Aaron Ginsburg

The first visitor center in the National Park Service dedicated to the gay rights movement officially opens in Greenwich Village next week. Overseen by the advocacy group Pride Live and the NPS, the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center will open its doors on June 28, marking the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Located next to the Stonewall Inn tavern on Christopher Street, the 2,100-square-foot center offers an immersive look into LGBTQIA+ history and the fight for equality for all, with engaging programs, art installations, lectures, and more.
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SHOP THE LISTING: Park Slope’s priciest townhouse is an $18M masterpiece of modern design

Photo credit: Kevin Scott/ Brown Harris Stevens

June 20, 2024

SHOP THE LISTING: Park Slope’s priciest townhouse is an $18M masterpiece of modern design

By Michelle Cohen

Not all big-ticket properties live up to their astronomical price tags, but the most expensive listing in Park Slope–a custom-engineered five-story townhouse at 535 1st Street on a prime landmarked block–is the very definition of no-expense-spared reconstruction. The five-bedroom residence, asking $18,000,000, was commissioned by the award-winning architecture and design firm Leroy Street Studio. Recently featured in Architectural Digest, this British Regency-style limestone mansion has been recreated with dramatic details like double-height entertaining levels and terraced, landscaped outdoor spaces, executed with flawless engineering skill and modern design expertise. The home would become Park Slope’s priciest townhouse on record if it sells for the asking price. If you love the interior design of this home, we’ve sourced a few key pieces that are identical or similar to the items in the listing photos. So you can get the look–without having to move.
read on for interior inspiration

The Brooklyn Edison Building is designated a landmark

Photo credit: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

June 20, 2024

The Brooklyn Edison Building is designated a landmark

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate the Brooklyn Edison Building in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 345 Adams Street, the office building was designed by renowned architectural firm McKenzie, Voorhees & Gemlin and constructed between 1922 and 1926 for the Brooklyn Edison Company. The structure stands out for its important role in the borough's development and its striking Renaissance Revival architectural features, according to the commission.
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Mosaics reflecting intimacy of NYC public life installed at Williamsburg subway station

Personal Choice #5 (2023) © Chloë Bass, NYCT Lorimer St Station. Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. Photo: Nicholas Knight.

June 17, 2024

Mosaics reflecting intimacy of NYC public life installed at Williamsburg subway station

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled two new mosaics in a Williamsburg subway station that reflect on the human connections of language and touch experienced throughout New York City's diverse communities. Fabricated by Miotto Mosaic Art Studios, Jackie Chang's "Signs of Life" and Chloë Bass' "Personal Choice #5" were installed throughout the Metropolitan Avenue/ Lorimer Street station in conjunction with new accessibility upgrades, including new stairs and elevators.
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Bankside Park opens, giving Mott Haven residents waterfront access for the first time in a century

Photos courtesy of Jakob Dahlin

June 14, 2024

Bankside Park opens, giving Mott Haven residents waterfront access for the first time in a century

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new public waterfront park officially opened at the sprawling Bankside development in the South Bronx. Brookfield Properties on Thursday cut the ribbon on Bankside Park, a green space and esplanade designed by landscape architects MPFP that stretches over an acre along the Harlem River. Located on a former brownfield site, the new park provides Mott Haven residents direct access to the waterfront for the first time in over a century. Bankside Park is a key component of the 4.3-acre Bankside, a $950 million seven-tower, mixed-use development.
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Pickleball is coming next to the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo

Rendering courtesy of NYC Parks

June 12, 2024

Pickleball is coming next to the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo

By Aaron Ginsburg

Closed to the public for 15 years, two parking lots underneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo will transform into a pickleball hub. NYC Parks on Wednesday selected CityPickle to revitalize Anchorage Plaza, a space located on Old Fulton and Washington Streets and connected by a ramp known as "Ash Alley." CityPickle, which currently has courts in Central Park, Long Island City, and Industry City, is expected to operate at the plaza seasonally from March through November next year. Amenities like a dog run, food trucks, public art, and seating would be available year-round, under the proposal.
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Windsor Terrace rental overlooking Prospect Park launches leasing, from $3,637/month

Renderings courtesy of Williams New York

June 11, 2024

Windsor Terrace rental overlooking Prospect Park launches leasing, from $3,637/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new luxury rental tower overlooking Prospect Park launched leasing this week. Located at 11 Ocean Parkway in Windsor Terrace, the 13-story One Park Point offers tenants spacious layouts, a large amenities suite, and a prime spot steps from Brooklyn's backyard. Available one-bedrooms start at $3,637/month and two-bedrooms at $4,754/month.
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City landmarks Victorian atrium at The Beekman Hotel

Photo by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

June 4, 2024

City landmarks Victorian atrium at The Beekman Hotel

By Devin Gannon

The nine-story Victorian atrium at the Beekman Hotel is now a New York City landmark. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate the central atrium at 5 Beekman Street in the Financial District as an interior landmark, recognizing both its stunning architecture and the restoration project that returned the space to its 19th-century glory. Built as part of the commercial building Temple Court, and now the centerpiece for the converted Beekman Hotel, the space consists of eight tiers of galleries topped by a pyramid-shaped skylight.
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June 3, 2024

Studio Gang’s agricultural education hub at Gravesend NYCHA complex breaks ground

By Aaron Ginsburg

Work has begun on a Studio Gang-designed urban agricultural education center that will teach young Brooklyn residents about nutrition and provide healthy food. City officials on Saturday broke ground on the 9,900-square-foot Marlboro Agricultural Education Center (MAEC) at the New York City Housing Authority's Marlboro Houses in Gravesend. The $18.2 million facility, located on West 11th Street between Avenues W and X, includes a rooftop greenhouse to raise fish and plants, a teaching kitchen, a pantry where greens will be grown on-site and then delivered to residents, and multi-purpose room for programs and workshops.
green in gravesend