Architecture And Design

October 3, 2024

Penn Station needs expansion to boost train capacity, new report concludes

The only way to increase train capacity at Penn Station is to expand the Midtown Manhattan transit hub, a new report concludes. This week Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and NJ Transit released "Doubling Trans-Hudson Train Capacity at New York Penn Station," an engineering feasibility study exploring four concepts to double train capacity without expanding the station's size. Ultimately, none of these proposals were found feasible, marking a shift in focus towards options that would increase Penn Station's footprint.
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October 3, 2024

SCAPE and Bjarke Ingels to turn former Connecticut power plant site into public park

After a private company's plan to develop waterfront housing languished, Manresa Island, an extension of Norwalk, Connecticut that reaches into Long Island Sound, sat in limbo, held captive by the hulking mass of a defunct 20th-century power plant that rose from its lush marshland. Area residents Austin and Allison McChord have unveiled a plan to transform the abandoned land into a fully accessible and dynamic natural park and community destination with event and recreation spaces by 2030. The couple enlisted the aid of internationally renowned architect Bjarke Ingels of BIG and award-winning landscape architecture firm SCAPE to design the next life for the island as a thriving community hub.
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October 2, 2024

See the $300M plan to turn historic church on Central Park into new Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Plans to transform a landmarked church on Central Park West into a new home for the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) reached a major milestone this week. The museum on Tuesday announced philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch donated $50 million to support the $300 million campaign for the institution's new home at 361 Central Park West, expected to open in 2028. In addition to the funding news, the museum also released new renderings of the project, highlighting the conversion of the historic structure into a "seven-story magical castle on the park" for the children of New York City.
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October 2, 2024

Open House New York Weekend is back, with tours and special access to 270 sites throughout NYC

October is a month of discovery for fans of New York City's architecture, and a great time to explore the city's unique spaces. In addition to the Archtober celebration, Open House New York Weekend 2024 has just announced this year's lineup for a behind-the-scenes view of the city from October 18 to 20, promising hundreds of tours, unique access opportunities, and other events. From subway tunnels and skyscrapers to treasures as diverse as the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine Textile Conservation Lab to the Apollo Stages and the Bronx Music Hall, read on to discover over 270 places, tours, activities, and more throughout the five boroughs.
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September 30, 2024

1515 Surf is complete: 100% electric Coney Island rental is steps from the beach

New York City's first multi-family geothermal project has officially opened in Coney Island. Developer LCOR on Monday celebrated the grand opening of 1515 Surf Avenue, a 100 percent electric two-tower residential development featuring 463 apartments steps from the famed Brooklyn beach and boardwalk. Designed by STUDIO V Architecture, the innovative project offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, 13 luxurious penthouses, and an expansive suite of indoor and outdoor amenities with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk.
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September 30, 2024

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

Here's a first look at New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's proposed $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field. Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen last week released renderings for "Metropolitan Park," a sports and entertainment complex with a public park, hotel, live music venue, restaurants, and a casino planned for 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field. Cohen is one of several developers vying for one of the three casino licenses set to be issued in downstate New York.
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September 27, 2024

Project to protect Staten Island shores and restore marine life is complete

After over a decade of effort, a coastal resilience project designed to protect Staten Island shores with livable habitats for sea creatures is complete. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced the completion of Living Breakwaters, an $111 million project creating 2,400 feet of breakwaters to safeguard homes and businesses in Tottenville from future extreme weather events. The project features eight partially submerged structures that will break storm waves, decrease erosion, and serve as habitats for marine life.
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September 25, 2024

Archtober 2024: The best design tours to book during this year’s festival

It's beginning to feel like Archtober. In its 14th year, the annual festival dedicated to architecture and design kicks off next month with the theme "Tracing the Future," focusing on New York City's evolving landscape through affordable housing, infrastructure projects, and sustainable design. Archtober's Building of the Day series returns this year, offering architect-led tours of the projects across the city. Our must-visit list includes the sunrise-inspired Far Rockaway public library branch designed by Snøhetta, the new bike path and pedestrian space on the East Midtown Greenway, and Annabelle Selldorf's first residential project.
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September 24, 2024

Wrapped in pink and surrounded by greenery, Fort Greene condo 144 Vanderbilt launches sales

Sales have officially launched at Fort Greene's 144 Vanderbilt, a new luxury condo offering an unconventional take on Brooklyn living with apartments designed as "private sanctuaries." Developed by Tankhouse and designed by SO-IL, the building on the corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt Avenues is wrapped in pink precast concrete with a unique stacked design of varying heights and setbacks. All 26 condos at 144 Vanderbilt, including a selection of penthouses and townhomes, have private outdoor space and residents can enjoy roughly 11,000 square feet of high-end amenities. The two- to four-bedroom residences will start at $1.95 million.
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September 23, 2024

Former FiDi office tower launches leasing for luxury rentals, from $4,100/month

A former Financial District office building turned luxury rental tower officially launched leasing this week. Reimagined by CetraRuddy, the 36-story building at 55 Broad Street, once the headquarters for Goldman Sachs, is now home to 571 new apartments and 25,000 square feet of amenities, including a rooftop pool. Pricing for the studio to three-bedroom apartments starts at $4,100/month.
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September 19, 2024

Phase two of Greenpoint Hospital conversion begins, adding 311 affordable homes

The Hudson Companies and St. Nicks Alliance on Wednesday, in collaboration with the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), broke ground on the second phase of Kingsland Commons, a transformation of the former Greenpoint Hospital campus into an affordable housing complex. Designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP) and Architecture Outfit, this phase includes an 18-story building with 311 permanently affordable units for extremely low- and very low-income residents, including formerly homeless individuals and families.
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September 13, 2024

Pedestrian plaza, two-way bike lane now on Broadway near Union Square

Broadway is gradually becoming a safer, more welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the completion of the latest phase of "Broadway Vision," bringing a new pedestrian plaza, two-way bike connections, and other safety upgrades between East 17th and East 21st Streets. The Union Square Partnership and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will maintain the new spaces.
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September 11, 2024

East River Park partially reopens with new ballfields and pedestrian bridge

New York City officials this week opened two ballfields in East River Park and unveiled the new Delancey Street pedestrian bridge, marking a significant milestone for the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR). Ballfields 1 and 2 have been equipped with an advanced drainage system and new amenities to withstand climate change through the $1.45 billion ESCR initiative. The Delancey Street Bridge, manufactured in Italy and installed in the park, provides an ADA-accessible entry point from the Lower East Side to East River Park.
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September 10, 2024

Architecture & Design Film Festival brings top documentaries from around the world to NYC

The Architecture & Design Film Festival was founded in 2009 to celebrate the creative universe of architecture and design. The event has grown into the world’s largest annual film festival devoted to the subject, bringing a curated selection of films, events, and panel discussions to cities around the world, to the delight of all who are excited about architecture and design. ADFF New York is in town from September 25 through 28 to kick off the festival's 16th season. This year brings a full slate of excellent documentaries in a carefully selected program that focuses on sustainability, culture, and the power of personal and public space.
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September 9, 2024

New York’s largest geothermal residential project tops out in Greenpoint

New York's largest geothermal residential project has topped out on the Greenpoint waterfront. Located at 1 Java Street, the two-tower development features 834 rental units, a climate-resilient shoreline, and 13,000 square feet of retail space. Slated for completion in 2026, the all-electric project's sustainable features are expected to reduce annual carbon emissions from heating and cooling by 53 percent compared to traditional residential systems.
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September 9, 2024

100 life-size Indian elephant sculptures migrate through the Meatpacking District

A herd of 100 life-size elephant sculptures has arrived in the Meatpacking District as part of their great migration across America. Hosted by the Meatpacking BID in partnership with Elephant Family USA, the Great Elephant Migration seeks to captivate viewers while raising awareness and money for global conservation efforts. On view through October 20, the sculptures can be seen along 9th Avenue, between Gansevoort Plaza and 15th Street.
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September 9, 2024

Archtober 2024: Your guide to this year’s celebration of architecture and design

Archtober, New York City's annual fall festival celebrating all things architecture and design, is once again upon us. The festival, in its 14th year, will run from October 1 through October 31, with more than 100 partners and sponsors and over 400 events city-wide. This year's theme, "Tracing the Future," focuses on the city's changing landscape in the context of affordable housing, sustainable design, infrastructure, and more. The festival offers a chance to attend events, exhibitions, and talks, join neighborhood tours across the five boroughs, and become more deeply acquainted with New York City's singular architecture and design contributions to history–and the future.
things to see and do during Archtober, this way
September 5, 2024

Brooklyn Public Library begins next phase of Central branch renovation led by Toshiko Mori

Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday kicked off the next phase of the major renovation of its main branch. Led by renowned architect Toshiko Mori, the project at the Central Library includes an updated adult learning center, a new teen center, a restored collections area, and a renovated children's center. The first phase of the renovation, which wrapped up in 2021, added more light-filled, publicly accessible spaces, and a modernized career center.
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September 4, 2024

New public art campaign honors immigrant New Yorkers

A new public art project celebrates the contributions and experiences of immigrants in New York City. Presented by Photoville in partnership with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), "New York Proud" includes 25 captivating portraits by Venezuelan photographer Oscar B. Castillo displayed at more than 200 locations in subway stations and public spaces across the five boroughs. The photographs capture immigrants from all walks of life at their workplaces, highlighting the role of immigrants in NYC's vibrant cultural and economic tapestry.
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September 3, 2024

Central Park art installation is a monument to Puerto Rican communities

Artist Edra Soto's first large-scale work in New York City pays tribute to the architectural legacy of Puerto Rico. Presented by the Public Art Fund, "Edra Soto: Graft" draws inspiration from rejas, the wrought iron gates often found outside homes in Puerto Rico, and serves as a monument to lower and middle-class Puerto Rican communities. The exhibition will be on view at Doris C. Freedman Plaza in Central Park at 60th Street and 5th Avenue from September 5 through August 24, 2025.
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September 3, 2024

New renderings show what $12B Hudson Yards casino proposal would look like from the High Line

Related Companies and Wynn Resorts released new renderings of their $12 billion proposal to build a huge mixed-use development anchored by a casino on the western, undeveloped portion of Hudson Yards. The images show how the "Hudson Yards West" proposal, which includes a resort and casino, a 5.6-acre public park, 1,500 new homes, a public school, and office space, would potentially impact the surrounding neighborhood, including the High Line. Supporters of the elevated park concerned the new development would affect the High Line's sightlines and sunlight have launched a campaign against the project.
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August 29, 2024

12 museums just outside NYC perfect for a day trip

New York City is celebrated as one of the world's art capitals, with travelers coming far and wide to visit its world-class museums. However, you can find many cultural gems beyond the borders of the five boroughs. Ahead, here are some of the best museums worth visiting on a day trip from NYC, from the expansive sculpture fields of Storm King Art Center and Art Omi to the historic charm of house museums at the Olana State Historic Site and Philip Johnson's Glass House.
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August 28, 2024

The Met to host first major museum exhibition dedicated to architect Paul Rudolph

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host the first-ever major museum exhibition dedicated to the works of influential architect Paul Rudolph. Running from September 30 through March 16, 2025, "Materialized Space: The Architecture of Paul Rudolph" examines the career and legacy of the Modernist architect and how his contributions to architecture continue to inspire innovative designs in cities across the globe. The exhibition will feature over 80 works, ranging from small objects he collected throughout his life to drawings, models, furniture, material samples, and photographs.
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August 22, 2024

New Jersey Symphony gets a permanent home in Jersey City

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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