Architecture And Design

Pier 17 owner proposes glass rooftop addition for year-round concerts

Credit: Seaport Entertainment Group

July 15, 2025

Pier 17 owner proposes glass rooftop addition for year-round concerts

Live music could soon become a year-round staple at the Rooftop at Pier 17, as the venue’s operator seeks approval to install a glass addition to house concerts during the winter. In a presentation to the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday, the Seaport Entertainment Group detailed plans for a seasonal heated structure on the rooftop of the South Street Seaport District venue to accommodate performances from November through mid-March. The structure would allow the venue to extend its rooftop concert series into the winter, a time when foot traffic in the Seaport drops significantly.
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The High Line’s 10th Avenue Square closed through August for repairs

Photo courtesy of Sarah Wood on Unsplash

July 8, 2025

The High Line’s 10th Avenue Square closed through August for repairs

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of the High Line’s busiest sections has closed this summer for a major upgrade. After 16 years of use, the 10th Avenue Square is temporarily off-limits for vital repairs due to wear and tear from the millions of annual visitors who pass through the popular spot, known for its stunning south-facing views of the Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River. During the reconstruction, the High Line will be closed between 16th and 17th Streets, including the adjacent Sunken Overlook seating area.
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Architecture And Design

New futuristic restrooms open in five NYC parks, each at $1M to install

All photos courtesy of NYC Parks

July 2, 2025

New futuristic restrooms open in five NYC parks, each at $1M to install

By Aaron Ginsburg

Five new sleek public restrooms have opened in New York City parks—each with a $1 million price tag. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the installation of the "Portland Loos"—modern restrooms designed for year-round use and quick assembly, now placed in each of the five boroughs. While the restrooms themselves are relatively inexpensive, installation costs reached nearly $1 million each due to infrastructure upgrades, including extending water and electrical lines, according to amNY. But the prefabricated toilets are still significantly cheaper than traditional restrooms, which can cost between $3 and $5 million.
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See CetraRuddy’s 46-story residential tower set to rise in Long Island City

Credit: CetraRuddy Architects

July 1, 2025

See CetraRuddy’s 46-story residential tower set to rise in Long Island City

By Aaron Ginsburg

A 46-story residential tower designed by CetraRuddy is ready to rise in Long Island City after developers secured financing. Developers Baron Property Group and LargaVista Companies on Monday announced that 30-25 Queens Boulevard, a 525-foot-tall project set to bring more than 500 homes to the neighborhood, had acquired $388.5 million in construction financing. The tower will include 561 residences, 451 rentals and 110 condos, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms, along with 21,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and a suite of expansive amenities.
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NYC taps landscape architect to reimagine Park Avenue

Credit: Leslie Cross on Unsplash

June 27, 2025

NYC taps landscape architect to reimagine Park Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has selected a landscape architect to lead the pedestrian-focused transformation of Park Avenue. Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced that an 18-month contract has been awarded to Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners to redesign a portion of the iconic corridor between East 46th and East 57th Streets. The project will widen the median and install pedestrian upgrades, new seating, landscaping, and innovative streetscape amenities.
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Silverstein adds 2,000 apartments to sweeten casino proposal for Manhattan’s west side

Renderings courtesy of Silverstein Properties / Binyan Studios

June 26, 2025

Silverstein adds 2,000 apartments to sweeten casino proposal for Manhattan’s west side

By Aaron Ginsburg

Silverstein Properties said it would develop more than 2,000 apartments through office-to-residential conversions on Manhattan's west side if its casino bid is awarded a license. The developer on Thursday announced a partnership with MetroLoft to develop the apartments, which would include 500 permanently affordable units, a day before casino proposals are due. The addition of housing sweetens Silverstein's $7 billion bid, The Avenir, which calls for a 1,000-room luxury hotel, restaurants, a food hall, and a gaming facility near the Javits Center. The previous plans had proposed 100 affordable apartments located off-site.
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East Village parking garage to become luxury, red-brick condo with 18 loft-style apartments

Renderings courtesy of Plomp

June 24, 2025

East Village parking garage to become luxury, red-brick condo with 18 loft-style apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

An East Village parking garage plagued by structural issues is getting new life as an attractive red-brick condo with 18 loft-like residences. Designed and developed by Arcus, the project at 220 East 9th Street converts the shuttered 175-space garage into a six-story boutique building with one- to four-bedroom apartments, each with a distinct floor plan. Currently under construction, the condo will feature a hand-laid red brick facade punctuated by oversized arched and factory-style windows, and includes private on-site parking, a rarity in downtown Manhattan.
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A ‘mini forest’ has arrived on the Williamsburg waterfront

Images courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

June 19, 2025

A ‘mini forest’ has arrived on the Williamsburg waterfront

By Aaron Ginsburg

A neglected stretch of the Williamsburg waterfront just got "spruced" up. NYC Parks unveiled a new "mini forest" at North Fifth Pier and Park this week, transforming an empty lot into a fully formed forest ecosystem with mature trees, wildflowers, stones, and more. The new green space, designed to beautify the area, improve air quality, and help protect against flooding, is inspired by "Miyawaki pocket forests," a Japanese planting method that adds dense clusters of native trees to compact urban spaces. In 2024, New York City's first-ever mini forest was planted on Roosevelt Island.
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Architecture And Design

Two areas of historic suburban Flatbush could be landmarked

Proposed Beverley Square West Historic District. Photo credit: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

June 17, 2025

Two areas of historic suburban Flatbush could be landmarked

By Aaron Ginsburg

Two well-preserved areas of historic suburban Flatbush could become New York City’s newest landmarked districts. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the proposed Beverley Square West and Ditmas Park West Historic Districts, which together include 247 freestanding homes built between 1894 and 1910. The houses exemplify early 20th-century suburban architecture in Flatbush, like Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, or a mixture of the two.
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$8.9M restoration of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Arch is complete

Photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

June 6, 2025

$8.9M restoration of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Arch is complete

By Devin Gannon

A Brooklyn icon has been restored. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza reopened on Thursday following a $8.9 million renovation, the city's Parks Department and the Prospect Park Alliance announced. The two-year project replaced the arch's roof, cleaned and replaced the brick and stone structure, repaired interiors, including the cast-iron spiral staircase, and added new lighting. The landscape surrounding the arch was also revitalized with new plants, trees, paving, and an accessible curb cut.
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Architecture And Design

New public space and skateboarding section open as part of revitalized Brooklyn Banks

By Aaron Ginsburg

Two more acres of public open space have opened beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Chinatown, as part of the revitalization of skateboarding mecca Brooklyn Banks. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced the expansion of "The Arches," along with an additional $50 million in funding to further enhance the park with new amenities, including public seating, plantings, lighting, and other upgrades. The new section includes a refurbished "Big Banks," which has been closed to skateboarders since 2010. The city began revitalizing and gradually reopening it as a public space in May 2023.
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The Frick Collection opens its first cafe

All photos of Westmoreland, the new cafe at the Frick Collection, courtesy of William Jess Laird, unless otherwise noted.

June 5, 2025

The Frick Collection opens its first cafe

By Lidia Ryan

Spending an afternoon at a museum is one of the most "New York" things you can do. And while MoMa, the Met and the Guggenheim are flocked to, the Frick Collection is a quieter Upper East Side gem. Now, the newly renovated museum housed in the 1914 residence of Henry Clay Frick serves up Rembrandt and El Greco masterpieces with a cocktail and a bite.
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Bjarke Ingels unveils cascading concrete tower with 1,000 apartments along the Gowanus Canal

All renderings by bucharest.studio

June 3, 2025

Bjarke Ingels unveils cascading concrete tower with 1,000 apartments along the Gowanus Canal

By Devin Gannon

It's going to be BIG. Architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) this week unveiled designs for a 1,000-unit mixed-use tower at 175 Third Street in Gowanus, expected to be the largest building in the neighborhood. Situated along the canal, the concrete-clad building will take a horseshoe shape and rise 27 stories in a series of cascading volumes. The u-shape design opens towards the canal, where a park and esplanade will offer public open space and flood protection.
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Artist Isolina Minjeong’s Downtown Brooklyn ground murals feel like ‘quiet blessings’

Images courtesy of DBP

June 3, 2025

Artist Isolina Minjeong’s Downtown Brooklyn ground murals feel like ‘quiet blessings’

By Aaron Ginsburg

Downtown Brooklyn just got brighter and safer, thanks to a colorful new public art installation. In the ground murals titled "Fear No Frontier," New York City-based artist Isolina Minjeong channels her Korean and Peruvian heritage with a bold design depicting powerful creatures, like tigers and dragons, a tribute to the resilience of New Yorkers. The vibrant piece measures roughly 10,700 square feet across the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Shared Streets and the area surrounding the Jay Street busway. Ahead, learn more about the murals and hear from Minjeong, who said she wanted the artwork to feel like "quiet blessings."
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Architecture And Design

East River Park section reopens with new passive lawn, picnic areas, and courts

All photos courtesy of DDC

May 30, 2025

East River Park section reopens with new passive lawn, picnic areas, and courts

By Aaron Ginsburg

City officials on Thursday celebrated the opening of new public spaces in East River Park, just in time for summer. Closed since 2021 as part of the project to protect the Lower East Side from rising sea levels, the south end of the park's new amenities include picnic and barbecue areas, six tennis courts, two basketball courts, a passive lawn, a nature exploration area, and a multi-use area. These areas are currently only accessible via the new Delancey Street pedestrian bridge.
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Construction begins on new $10B Port Authority Bus Terminal

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Gov. Phil Murphy, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey broke ground on the Dyer Avenue deckovers. Photo courtesy of PANYNJ on Flickr

May 29, 2025

Construction begins on new $10B Port Authority Bus Terminal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Construction began on the first phase of the new $10 billion Port Authority Bus Terminal on Thursday, marking an important milestone for the long-awaited project. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Gov. Phil Murphy joined the Port Authority in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Dyer Avenue deck-overs, which will be used for staging buses during construction and will eventually become a public green space when the new terminal opens. The first phase deck-overs, along with new ramps and a bus storage facility, are expected to be completed by 2028, with the full terminal opening in 2032.
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Silverstein unveils new wavy design for 785-foot-tall casino complex across from Javits Center

Renderings courtesy of Silverstein Properties / Binyan Studios

May 28, 2025

Silverstein unveils new wavy design for 785-foot-tall casino complex across from Javits Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

Silverstein Properties this week unveiled a new design for its casino project proposed for an empty lot across from the Javits Center. The Avenir would rise 785 feet at 41st Street and 11th Avenue and include a 1,000-room luxury hotel, restaurants, a food hall, and a gaming facility, if the developer secures one of the three downstate casino licenses expected to be awarded this year. Designed by CetraRuddy Architecture and Steelman Partners, the project includes a podium with a facade of "gentle harmonious waves" topped by a sculpted 45-story tower. The design revises the original proposal, which called for two 46-story towers, following community feedback.
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The Met to reopen Rockefeller Wing with free, all-day festival

Arts of the Ancient Americas collection. Photo by Brigit Beyer

May 23, 2025

The Met to reopen Rockefeller Wing with free, all-day festival

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will celebrate the long-awaited reopening of its Michael C. Rockefeller Wing this month with a free festival. Taking place on May 31, the all-day event will celebrate the unveiling of newly reimagined galleries for the Arts of Africa, ancient Americas, and Oceania following a four-year, $70 million renovation. Visitors can enjoy live music, interactive art-making, gallery chats, and more at the Met, all inspired by the stunning art and cultures showcased in the updated wing.
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14th Street Busway mural honors Union Square as hub for connection, above and below ground

Photos by Jane Kratochvil

May 22, 2025

14th Street Busway mural honors Union Square as hub for connection, above and below ground

By Aaron Ginsburg

This year’s 14th Street Busway mural has officially been unveiled, bringing vibrant colors to the corridor and celebrating Union Square’s role as a hub for connection and exploration. Designed by New York-based artist Yuke Li, "Turning Point" features bold, abstract compositions and retro-inspired hues, with fluid shapes that mirror the movement of people and energy through the space. The mural was completed on Friday after five days of work, in collaboration with Brooklyn-based urban planning and design firm Street Plans, local volunteers, and community groups.
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Architecture And Design

Breuer Building gets landmarked before Sotheby’s opens headquarters

Photo courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission

May 21, 2025

Breuer Building gets landmarked before Sotheby’s opens headquarters

By Devin Gannon

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission voted on Tuesday to designate the Breuer Building on the Upper East Side as an individual and interior landmark, protecting the Brutalist icon before auction house Sotheby's opens its global headquarters there. Designed by innovative architect Marcel Breuer, the building at 945 Madison Avenue was home to the Whitney Museum of American Art from 1966 to 2014. Sotheby's acquired the building in 2023; Herzog & de Meuron are currently leading a renovation and restoration of the space.
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U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium to get $800M revamp

All renderings courtesy of USTA

May 20, 2025

U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium to get $800M revamp

By Aaron Ginsburg

The U.S. Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium is getting an $800 million revamp, the U.S. Tennis Association announced Monday, marking the largest single investment in the tennis tournament's history. Unveiled on Monday, the project includes a grand entrance designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, expanded public space, upgraded concourses, a larger courtside bowl, and a new players-only building with state-of-the-art training facilities, premium accommodations, and cafes. Work is already underway and will roll out in three phases, continuing through 2025 and 2026 without disrupting tennis events, with completion expected ahead of the 2027 U.S. Open.
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Architecture And Design

Lincoln Center unveils design for revamped Amsterdam Avenue side of campus

Aerial view from Amsterdam Avenue looking east; visible are new streetscape, gardens, and theater. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry

May 19, 2025

Lincoln Center unveils design for revamped Amsterdam Avenue side of campus

By Aaron Ginsburg

New renderings reveal a reimagined west side of Lincoln Center, part of a project aimed at making the campus more welcoming and accessible. Lincoln Center for Performing Arts (LCPA) on Monday unveiled a preliminary design for the transformation of its Amsterdam Avenue-facing side, led by Hood Design Studio, Weiss/Manfredi, and Moody Nolan. The proposal includes an outdoor performance venue, new community park spaces, and the removal of a longstanding wall, which cuts the campus off from the rest of the neighborhood.
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Architecture And Design

NYC’s earliest concrete building in Gowanus back on market for $3M

Photos by Vanessa DeGarcia, courtesy of The Corcoran Group

May 15, 2025

NYC’s earliest concrete building in Gowanus back on market for $3M

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Coignet Stone Building, the earliest known concrete building in New York City, is back on the market for $2,995,000. Located at 360 3rd Avenue in Gowanus, the landmarked structure was built in 1873 as both a showroom and a physical advertisement for Francois Coignet's concrete construction company, marking the first documented use of concrete for a building in the city. Whole Foods purchased the property in 2005 and completed a $1.3 million restoration in 2016 before listing it for $6 million. The building returned to the market in 2019 as a proposed residential townhouse, asking $6.5 million.
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New public art exhibition in Midtown East explores what it means to be American

All photos courtesy of The Soloviev Group, unless noted otherwise

May 13, 2025

New public art exhibition in Midtown East explores what it means to be American

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new public art installation in Midtown East celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with stories of veterans, farmers, activists, and other everyday heroes. Designed by C&G Partners, the nearly 7-acre exhibition, "Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US," immerses visitors in 55 personal stories brought to life through striking visuals and interactive elements. Opening on May 15, the installation is located at the site of the Soloviev Group's proposed Freedom Plaza casino on First Avenue between 38th and 41st Streets.
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NYCxDESIGN 2025: 12 can’t-miss events during New York City’s annual celebration of design

Photo courtesy of NYCxDESIGN

May 13, 2025

NYCxDESIGN 2025: 12 can’t-miss events during New York City’s annual celebration of design

By Michelle Cohen

Each spring, New York City takes its turn as the epicenter of global design during the NYCxDESIGN Festival. The 2025 festivities run from May 15 to May 21, drawing industry professionals, innovators, tastemakers, and design lovers from around the world. From iconic trade events like ICFF and WANTED to a city-wide constellation of exhibitions, studio tours, discussions, and product debuts, the festival offers a first look at the ideas shaping tomorrow’s design landscape. It’s a brilliant opportunity to discover emerging talent, explore cutting-edge trends in furniture, lighting, textiles, and objects, and experience the energy of the city’s design scene. Keep reading for an overview of what not to miss.
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Architecture And Design

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