Architecture And Design

Rendering of Freedom Plaza courtesy of Negativ

February 14, 2024

Bjarke Ingels unveils design for Freedom Plaza casino development next to the U.N.

As the state's process for choosing a site for a New York City gaming facility continues to slowly move forward, new renderings released this week offer a closer look at one proposed casino in Manhattan. Renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) on Monday unveiled new images of Freedom Plaza, a mixed-use development with apartments, a hotel, a museum, a 4.77-acre public park, and an underground casino just south of the United Nations.
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‘Park of Dreams’ brings vibrant public art to Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza during renovation

All photos by Javier Romero courtesy of ART FOR CHANGE

February 9, 2024

‘Park of Dreams’ brings vibrant public art to Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza during renovation

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new site-specific public art installation is livening up Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza during the renovation of its famous Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch. ART FOR CHANGE and the Prospect Park Alliance this week revealed "Park of Dreams," a public art exhibition displayed on the construction fencing surrounding the iconic Arch. The large-scale artworks, created by contemporary artists like Jules de Balincourt, Marcus Brutus, Kelly Beeman, Danielle Orchard, Amy Lincoln, and others, will be on view through the spring.
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Leasing launches at 100% electric Coney Island rental with ocean and amusement park views

All renderings courtesy of LCOR

February 7, 2024

Leasing launches at 100% electric Coney Island rental with ocean and amusement park views

By Aaron Ginsburg

Leasing has launched at New York City's first multi-family geothermal project. Developed by LCOR and designed by STUDIO V Architecture, 1515 Surf Avenue is a 100 percent electric two-tower development steps from the beach in Coney Island. The property contains 463 apartments, 324 of which are priced at the market rate and the rest designated as affordable. The unique development offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a selection of penthouses, as well as an impressive suite of amenities with up-close views of the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Riegelmann Boardwalk.
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Architecture And Design

Major mixed-use development Manhattan West is officially complete

Photo © Tayler Crothers of CTC Studio / Courtesy of Brookfield Properties

January 31, 2024

Major mixed-use development Manhattan West is officially complete

By Aaron Ginsburg

After several decades in the making, the mixed-use campus Manhattan West is officially complete. Brookfield Properties and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) on Tuesday announced the opening of Two Manhattan West, a 58-story skyscraper with two million square feet of office space. Located on the corner of Ninth Avenue and West 31st Street, Two Manhattan West is the final piece of the seven-million-square-foot Manhattan West, marking the completion of the new neighborhood.
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Architecture And Design

Four new skateparks opening in Brooklyn and the Bronx

Mount Prospect Park in Brooklyn via Wikimedia

January 25, 2024

Four new skateparks opening in Brooklyn and the Bronx

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is working with legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk to develop four new skateparks in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Mayor Eric Adams during his State of the City address on Wednesday announced a partnership with The Skatepark Project, a nonprofit founded by Hawk, to bring four skateparks in communities lacking access to public recreation spaces. The project is being fast-tracked for completion in just three years. The plan involves renovating two existing skateparks, at Brower Park and Bronx Park, and constructing two new ones, at Mount Prospect Park and Soundview Park.
DETails here

Architecture And Design

Chinatown’s Kimlau Square to receive $56M revamp

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

January 25, 2024

Chinatown’s Kimlau Square to receive $56M revamp

By Aaron Ginsburg

Chinatown's chaotic Kimlau Square is set to receive a $55.8 million redesign, as first reported by amNewYork. During his State of the City address on Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced Kimlau Square will be renovated in three phases: an expansion of the square into a pedestrian plaza with shortened street crossings, the beautification of Park Row between the plaza and the Brooklyn Bridge, and the creation of an archway that welcomes people into the neighborhood. The project aims to straighten out the confusing six-way intersection that surrounds the plaza and increase the size of the space from 12,000 to 20,000 square feet.
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Marine science-themed playground with giant climbable fish opens in Hudson River Park

All photos courtesy of Hudson River Park.

January 24, 2024

Marine science-themed playground with giant climbable fish opens in Hudson River Park

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new marine science-inspired playground opened in Hudson River Park this week. Designed by OLIN, the Pier 26 Science Playground features large-scale structures in the shape of two endangered sturgeon species native to the Hudson River, the Atlantic sturgeon and the shortnose sturgeon, climbing nets, and other nature-inspired equipment. Located on North Moore Street, the 4,000-square-foot play area also aims to educate New Yorkers about the ecological importance of the Hudson River.
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Architecture And Design

Promising ‘more house than high rise,’ Downtown Brooklyn condo Nine Chapel launches sales

Courtesy of Jonathan Hokklo

January 22, 2024

Promising ‘more house than high rise,’ Downtown Brooklyn condo Nine Chapel launches sales

By Aaron Ginsburg

Sales officially launched at Downtown Brooklyn's Nine Chapel Street, a new boutique condo tower taking an innovative approach to outdoor space. Developed by Tankhouse and designed by SO-IL, the 14-story building contains 27 luxury residences and creative outdoor space, including open-air terraces that act like front porches and weather-protected loggias. Pricing for the one- to four-bedroom residences starts at $1,040,000.
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NYC’s latest film studio is opening in Long Island City this year

Images courtesy of Innovo Property Group

January 22, 2024

NYC’s latest film studio is opening in Long Island City this year

By Devin Gannon

New York City's latest film studio will open in Long Island City this year. Taking up the upper three floors of a five-story development at 23-30 Borden Avenue, Borden Studios includes four sound stages, office and support space, and more than 8,800 square feet of outdoor space, including a rooftop terrace. Developed by Innovo Property Group and operated by The MBS Group, the studio is expected to open this spring.
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Colorful tulle sculptures in Madison Square Park brighten the winter cityscape

“To Let the Sky Know/Dejar que el cielo sepa” (2024) in Madison Square Park, for “To Let the Sky Know/Dejar que el cielo sepa.” Photo credit: Rashmi Gill.

January 18, 2024

Colorful tulle sculptures in Madison Square Park brighten the winter cityscape

By Aaron Ginsburg

New vibrant sculptures made of tulle are adding brightness to the city's bleak winter landscape. On display in Madison Square Park through March, artist Ana María Hernando's exhibition, titled "To Let the Sky Know/Dejar que el cielo sepa," includes a series of large-scale atmospheric clouds and one cascading waterfall, all made of flowing, colorful tulle. The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the Madison Square Park Conservancy's public art program.
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Stunning video art projected onto the Manhattan Bridge, BQE in Dumbo

By Aaron Ginsburg

Immersive video art can now be seen gracing Dumbo's famous infrastructure as part of Brooklyn's largest projection project ever. Presented by the Dumbo Improvement District, the Dumbo Projection Project casts world-class video art on both the Pearl and Adams Streets sides of the Manhattan Bridge and along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Susan Smith McKinney Steward Park. The projections will run through April 20 and be on view Thursdays through Saturdays from dusk to 10 p.m.
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Brooklyn Bridge towers illuminated with new LED lights

All photos courtesy of NYC DOT

January 12, 2024

Brooklyn Bridge towers illuminated with new LED lights

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Brooklyn Bridge is starting the New Year with a major "glow up." The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled on Thursday a new lighting system on the iconic landmark that includes 56 new energy-efficient LED lights illuminating its famous towers. The new lights are part of a four-year, $300 million restoration project to remove dirt and restore the mortar between every stone on the bridge, returning the towers to their original light gray color.
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Architecture And Design

Central Park’s Bow Bridge reopens with new wood decking

All photos courtesy of Central Park Conservancy

January 11, 2024

Central Park’s Bow Bridge reopens with new wood decking

By Aaron Ginsburg

The iconic Bow Bridge in Central Park reopened this week after a two-month-long renovation project. Led by the Central Park Conservancy, the project replaced the decking with new, more durable wood and bolstered several beams under the deck to stabilize them and prevent future corrosion. The Conservancy researched historic photographs of the bridge, originally constructed in 1862, to identify the number of planks and the decking size of the bridge floor.
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Architecture And Design

AIA New York announces winners of 2024 Design Awards

Bedford Green House I. Image courtesy of Michael Grimm

January 10, 2024

AIA New York announces winners of 2024 Design Awards

By Aaron Ginsburg

The winners of the 2024 AIA New York Design Awards have been revealed, with 13 of the 22 winning projects located in New York. Each submitted project had to be completed by an AIANY member, an architect or designer practicing in NY, or be a NY project designed by an architect or designer from elsewhere. The winning projects range from temporary installations and exhibitions to large-scale urban interventions and are awarded in four categories, including Architecture, Interiors, Projects, and Urban Design.
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Architecture And Design

Self-filtering floating pool pilot to be installed in NYC this summer

+POOL Rendering, 2024. Designed by Family New York & Playlab, Inc. Image by proto.

January 5, 2024

Self-filtering floating pool pilot to be installed in NYC this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City will test the waters of a self-filtering floating pool this summer. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams on Friday committed $16 million to the nonprofit +POOL, which has worked for over a decade to build a swimming pool in the East River. The group plans to launch a pilot pool to demonstrate and test +POOL's unique filtration system this summer, with the hopes of opening to swimmers in 2025. The news comes as part of a larger proposal from the governor to expand access to swimming across the state.
DIVE IN

City seeks proposals for sports center at Brooklyn Bridge plaza in Dumbo

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

January 5, 2024

City seeks proposals for sports center at Brooklyn Bridge plaza in Dumbo

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is looking to reopen nearly 100,000 square feet of open space at the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in 15 years. As first reported by Streetsblog, NYC Parks this week released a request for proposals (RFP) seeking contractors to operate a seasonal outdoor activity center for up to six years at the two-lot Anchorage Plaza, located on Old Fulton Street and Washington Street and connected by a ramp known as "Ash Alley" underneath the bridge. According to the RFP, the Parks Department seeks proposals for "parks appropriate" activities, including paddle ball, public art or performances, a dog run, and food and drink vendors.
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Photo by Ling Tang on Unsplash

January 4, 2024

10 secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge

By Emily Nonko

On May 24, 1883, throngs of New Yorkers came to the Manhattan and Brooklyn waterfronts to celebrate the opening of what was then known as the New York and Brooklyn Bridge. It was reported that 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people total crossed what was then the only land passage between Brooklyn and Manhattan. The bridge--later dubbed the Brooklyn Bridge, a name that stuck--went on to become one of the most iconic landmarks in New York. There's been plenty of history and secrets along the way. Lesser-known facts about the bridge include everything from hidden wine cellars to a parade of 21 elephants crossing in 1884.
All the secrets right this way

NYC wants artists to spice up sidewalk sheds and construction fencing

Ebony Bolt “Hope and Humanity” Lenox Hill Hospital, Upper East Side, Manhattan, 2021. Image courtesy of ArtBridge

January 3, 2024

NYC wants artists to spice up sidewalk sheds and construction fencing

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is seeking artists to help beautify sections of unattractive sidewalk sheds and construction fencing throughout the five boroughs. The city's Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) has issued an open call for artists for 2024 through 2025 as part of its City Canvas program, which installs temporary, large-scale artworks on protective structures to make them more visually appealing.
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December 20, 2023

Vote for 6sqft’s 2023 Building of the Year!

By Devin Gannon

For New York City real estate, 2023 was a year of reinvention and renewal. Projects on pause for years resumed construction, iconic 100-year-old buildings were revived, developments were rebranded and relaunched, and the city’s next tallest towers began to rise. This year also offered a glimpse into the future: the completion of the city's largest office-to-condo conversion and its first all-electric skyscraper. 6sqft has narrowed our picks down to 12 of the most notable residential projects of the year. Which do you think deserves to be crowned the 2023 Building of the Year? Polls for our ninth annual competition will remain open through noon on Wednesday, December 27. A winner will be announced on Thursday, December 28. Happy voting!
cast your vote!

The Modulightor Building. Photo credit: Joe Polowczuk

December 19, 2023

Paul Rudolph’s Modulightor Building is now an NYC landmark

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to landmark the Modulightor Building, an iconic building in Midtown East designed by renowned modernist architect Paul Rudolph. Located at 246 East 58th Street, the building was built between 1989 and 1993 to house the Modulightor lighting company founded by Rudolph with German physicist Ernst Wagner. According to the commission, the building stands out for its special character and its historical and aesthetic significance in New York City.
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December 15, 2023

Free six-acre light installation ‘Field of Light’ opens in Midtown East

By Aaron Ginsburg

A massive installation made of thousands of twinkling lights opened this week in Midtown East. Designed by Bruce Munro, Field of Light at Freedom Plaza includes 18,750 low-light, fiber-optic stemmed spheres that change colors and create a mesmerizing landscape across more than six acres next to the United Nations headquarters. The installation is free to visit thanks to the Soloviev Group, the developer who is proposing building a casino on the vacant site. The 12-month Field of Light is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
how to visit

Office-to-residential conversions could significantly lower NYC’s carbon emissions: report

Image courtesy of Carl Solder on Unsplash

December 12, 2023

Office-to-residential conversions could significantly lower NYC’s carbon emissions: report

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City could drastically decrease its carbon footprint if the eligibility for office-to-residential conversions is expanded, according to a new report. In the study "Office to Residential Conversions: The Carbon Story," sustainable development consultant Arup found updating zoning rules to allow for more office buildings to become apartments could cut carbon emissions by 54 percent by 2050.
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Photos show off One High Line as new addition to Chelsea’s hub of high-end architecture

All photos courtesy of Evan Joseph.

December 8, 2023

Photos show off One High Line as new addition to Chelsea’s hub of high-end architecture

By Devin Gannon

Work has wrapped up on One High Line, the two-tower residential development designed by Bjarke Ingels, marking a major milestone for a project that has hit a few bumps along the way. Located next to the iconic elevated park for which it shares a name, the distinctive condominium at 500 West 18th Street consists of a 36-story tower and a 26-story tower that twist in tandem away from each other, maximizing city and Hudson River views. One High Line joins several notable high-end architecture projects in West Chelsea, like Lantern House, 520 West 28th Street, and The Cortland.
see it here

Leasing launches at Pearl House in the Seaport, NYC’s largest office-to-rental conversion

All renderings courtesy of Williams New York

December 7, 2023

Leasing launches at Pearl House in the Seaport, NYC’s largest office-to-rental conversion

By Aaron Ginsburg

Leasing has launched at New York City's largest office-to-rental conversion to date. Developed by Vanbarton Group and designed by Gensler, Pearl House at 160 Water Street in the Seaport District includes 588 luxury apartments and three levels of resort-style amenities at what was a 1970s-era office building. Pricing starts at $3,500 for studios, $4,700 for one-bedrooms, and $6,400 for two-bedrooms, according to Bloomberg.
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See plan to replace former Harlem prison next to Central Park with 105 affordable homes

All renderings courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office

December 6, 2023

See plan to replace former Harlem prison next to Central Park with 105 affordable homes

By Aaron Ginsburg

A plan to replace a former Harlem prison with affordable housing is moving forward. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday unveiled Seneca, the winning proposal for a project that will transform the Lincoln Correctional Facility at West 110th Street, which shuttered in 2019, into 105 affordable homes for purchase. The governor selected a team led by Infinite Horizons, L+M Development Partners, Urbane, and Lemor Development Group to develop the roughly $90 million project, which will go through a public review process before final approval.
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