City Living

December 12, 2022

Interact with nearly 1M NYC trees through a new digital map

New Yorkers will now be able to interact with nearly one million of New York City's trees through a new first-of-its-kind digital map. The NYC Parks Department last week released the NYC Tree Map, an interactive map that allows New Yorkers to see the unique IDs, species information, and maintenance status of more than 800,000 of the city's street and park trees.
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December 6, 2022

Inside the NYBG’s Holiday Train Show, a whimsical tribute to NYC

Since 1992, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx has held its Holiday Train Show. The magical exhibit recreates 190 of New York City’s landmark buildings in miniature using plant materials like bark, leaves, and seeds. Twenty-five model trains zoom in and out of the cityscape over bridges and under tunnels, just like in the real-life city. The pieces of art are created by the team from Applied Imagination, which was founded by Paul Busse in 1991. The following year, he brought his creations to the NYBG. To learn more about this iconic holiday event, we spoke to Joanna Groarke, vice president for exhibitions and programming at NYBG.
Everything you need to know
December 6, 2022

Jay-Z joins effort to open a casino in Times Square

A bid to open a casino in Times Square just gained some star power. Rapper and entertainment mogul Jay-Z and his agency Roc Nation will join SL Green and Caesars Entertainment in their efforts to open a casino at 1515 Broadway, the team announced on Monday. The full-service talent agency, which represents major clients across music, entertainment, and sports, will partner with neighborhood organizations to "reimagine programming" in Times Square.
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December 1, 2022

NYC is hiring a rat czar with a ‘virulent vehemence for vermin’

Though there may be bigger battles, New York City's war against rats is an arduous and ongoing affair. Mayor Eric Adams has positioned himself as a sworn enemy of the scurrying horde: During his time as Brooklyn Borough President, Adams expressed his distaste for the resilient rodents. Now, as mayor, Adams is seeking a fearless lieutenant to lead the extermination effort, Gothamist reports. According to a new job listing published by the city for Director of Rodent Mitigation, the individual sought for this position–"rat czar," says a City Hall spokesperson–will have a "Swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor, and general aura of badassery” and a “virulent vehemence for vermin.” In return, they can expect a salary of up to $170,000.
Rat eradication strategy ahead
November 30, 2022

Go behind the scenes at the Brooklyn Museum with this free virtual guide

The Brooklyn Museum this week launched a new digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app that allows art lovers to learn more about the museum's expansive collection that spans 5,500 years of human creativity. Aimed at enhancing in-person and virtual visits, the museum's guide includes audio tours led by curators and creators that focus on artwork found across its five floors.
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November 28, 2022

These are the best books of 2022, according to the NYPL

The New York Public Library last week released its annual list of the best books of the year. The recommendations were selected by expert librarians and staff who reviewed nearly 3,000 books and ultimately selected 260 of the best titles for kids, teens, and adults in 2022. Whether you want to buy a book as a gift for the holidays or are just interested in reading one yourself, NYPL's Best Books of 2022 list has something for every type of reader.
See the list
November 22, 2022

10 offbeat holiday events and exhibits to check out in NYC

The thing about tradition is, it never gets old. And in New York City during the holidays, there are some annual traditions that just make the city magical — the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, lights on 5th Avenue, the Bryant Park holiday market, and Santa at Macy’s to name a few. And while these tried and true mainstays will never go out of style, it is nice to switch it up once in a while. We’ve rounded up some lesser-known holiday events and activities to mix things up this holiday season in NYC.
Check them out
November 21, 2022

NYC is putting gifts given to past mayors up for auction

The city is selling gifts given to past mayors, from a basketball signed by the New York Knicks and given to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to a paperweight gifted to Mayor David Dinkins by Diana Ross. This week, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services launched "Gifts to the City," a series of online auctions of items and keepsakes given to Mayors Koch, Dinkins, Giuliani, and Bloomberg. The auctions kick off Monday with over 50 items and will continue on a rolling basis.
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November 17, 2022

NYC taxi fares to increase by 23% by end of the year

The cost of an average metered New York City taxi ride will increase by nearly 23 percent by the end of the year. The city's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) voted this week to approve fare hikes for yellow cabs, the first increase in roughly a decade. The average passenger metered fare will increase from $15.97 to $19.62 per ride, which will lead to drivers seeing a 33 percent jump in gross revenue, according to the TLC.
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November 14, 2022

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in NYC

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in Midtown, marking the start of the holiday season in New York City. Donated by a family in Glens Falls, New York, the 82-foot-tall Norway Spruce tree is 50 feet wide and weighs around 14 tons. After its arrival at Rockefeller Center this weekend, the hefty tree was hoisted into position by a crane and set in place, where it will stand throughout the holiday season. The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 30.
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November 11, 2022

Citymeals’ festive holiday cards help deliver meals to elderly New Yorkers

Citymeals on Wheels' annual holiday card program is returning for the 30th year this holiday season to raise funds for the preparation and delivery of meals to elderly, homebound New Yorkers. The cards feature designs from previous seasons and new original designs of iconic New York City holiday scenes, from a snow day on the Bow Bridge in Central Park to a newly chopped-down Christmas tree atop a taxi.
How you can help
November 2, 2022

Brooklyn Council Member hopes to plant 3,400 trees in his district, and wants neighbors to chip in

Brooklyn residents should expect to see a lot more greenery over the next couple of years. Council Member Lincoln Restler on Wednesday announced a plan to plant 3,400 trees in vacant street tree pits across District 33 in an effort to max out the district's street tree capacity. The city's Parks Department has committed to planting 2,200 trees over the next four years, with Restler's office calling upon the community to help fund the planting of an additional 1,200 trees.
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November 1, 2022

Get a first look at this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has officially been announced, marking the start of New York City's holiday season. The 82-foot-tall Norway Spruce hails from Queensbury, an upstate New York town near Lake George. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree will arrive in Manhattan on Saturday, November 12, and then will be decorated with thousands of lights. The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 30.
It's that time of year again
October 21, 2022

This map of Central Park tracks fall foliage in real time

The Central Park Conservancy has launched a new, interactive Peak Fall Foliage map to let parkgoers know the best times and locations to take in autumn's most vibrant colors. In the coming weeks, approximately 18,000 trees across Central Park's 843 acres will reach their peak color. The map's real-time information is provided by Central Park's arborists who take care of more than 170 species of trees on a daily basis.
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October 20, 2022

Caesars Palace casino proposed for Times Square office tower

New York City's bustling entertainment hub may soon welcome a casino. Developer SL Green and Caesars Entertainment on Thursday announced plans to pursue a gaming license for a potential Caesars Palace casino in the heart of Times Square at 1515 Broadway, a 54-story office building. The bid comes after the state legislature in April approved up to three casinos to open in the New York City area.
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October 18, 2022

NYC to fight ‘plague of rats’ by pushing back trash pick-up to 8 p.m.

New York City wants to adjust the time of day trash can be put out as a way to curb rat infestations and improve overall cleanliness. Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced a proposal to push back the window New Yorkers can put out their trash for collection from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The city says this policy change will make the streets cleaner, ease traffic and pedestrian flow, and reduce the number of rats drawn to trash. The proposed rules are open to a public comment period through November 10, with final rules set to take effect on April 1, 2023.
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October 11, 2022

Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens for the first time in over two years

The Statue of Liberty's crown on Tuesday reopened to the public for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The crown closed in March 2020 when Covid-19 first hit New York City due to concerns about spreading the virus in the statue's enclosed spaces. Visitors should be prepared to climb the 162 steps to the top as there is no elevator service. 
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October 6, 2022

New York Mets take over the NYC subway for playoff run

To pump up New Yorkers ahead of the New York Mets' first playoff run in six years, the baseball team is taking over the subway system with a new ad campaign. The baseball team's iconic blue and orange colors and images of current and former players will be seen across the 7 train, the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle, and in the subway stations at Hudson Yards and Grand Central starting this week.
More here
October 6, 2022

This Lower East Side bar was ranked best in the U.S.

On this year's list of the World's 50 Best Bars, announced during a ceremony in Barcelona this week, New York City leads with six bars, more than any other city in the world, including two making the top 10. The Lower East Side's Double Chicken Please ranked sixth in the world, and the best in North America, and was given the highest new entry award. Katana Kitten, which serves Japanese-inspired drinks and fare in the West Village, came ninth.
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September 15, 2022

New York’s 2022 fall foliage map has arrived

New York State has begun its colorful transformation into fall. The first signs of autumn can already be seen in the Adirondacks, with the rest of the state to soon follow suit. To help New Yorkers follow the cycle of foliage, the state released this week its annual Fall Foliage Report. The interactive map is updated weekly using observations and reports from a state-wide group of volunteers known as "leaf peepers," as 6sqft previously reported.
Get ready to leaf-peep
September 9, 2022

New York pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

To honor the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday at the age of 96, landmarks across New York were illuminated purple. Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all flags on state buildings to be flown at half-staff on Friday; Mayor Eric Adams also directed all flags on city buildings and stationary flagstaffs to be lowered.
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September 2, 2022

Free classes taught by immigrant professors and experts return to Prospect Park

A "pop-up university" offering free classes and workshops taught by immigrant professors and experts from around the world returns to Brooklyn this month. Organized by the Brooklyn Public Library and the Prospect Park Alliance, University Open Air provides immigrant teachers, professors, and academics who were trained outside of the country a chance to share their knowledge with the public during free courses held outdoors in Prospect Park. University Open Air takes place on the lawn outside of the Boathouse in Prospect Park on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 8 through September 18.
Learn more
September 1, 2022

NYC Comptroller proposes framework to legalize basement apartments

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida, Comptroller Brad Lander on Tuesday released a new report that lays the groundwork for legalizing New York City's basement apartments. On September 1, 2021, the hurricane hit the city with record rainfall and historic flooding that ultimately killed more than a dozen New Yorkers, a majority of whom lived in basement units, many of them unregulated. Modeled after New York's Loft Law, Lander's proposed "Basement Resident Protection Law" temporarily legalizes existing basement apartments, requires owners to provide basic safety measures, like smoke detectors and backflow preventers, and creates a "Basement Board" to oversee rights.
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August 30, 2022

Inside Peachy Keen, a ’70s-inspired Times Square restaurant with funky decor and comfort food

An over-the-top dining experience bursting at the seams with color, patterns, and nostalgia opened in Times Square this summer. Peachy Keen is a sprawling restaurant with exaggerated 1970s-inspired interiors, decked out in a vibrant color scheme of coral, turquoise, orange, and pink with design elements like white ceramic tiles with pink grout and neon signs. The team behind the delightfully retro restaurant's design is Wid Chapman Architects, the hospitality experts who designed New York City hot spots like Dhamaka and the restaurant inside 70 Pine Street. Serving up inventive comfort food and funky cocktails, the all-day eatery is massive with a little over 140 seats, but pockets of tucked-away seating and banquettes provide space for private moments, too. Ahead, hear from architect Wid Chapman on how Peachy Keen's colorful menu inspired the restaurant's technicolor vibe, as well as the firm's design process and his favorite thing to order from the new restaurant.
A Times Square throwback
August 24, 2022

Independent bookstore McNally Jackson to open new flagship location at Rockefeller Center

Bookworms will soon have a new reason to visit Rockefeller Center. This December, beloved independent bookstore McNally Jackson will open a new flagship location at the iconic commercial complex in Midtown, Tishman Speyer announced this month. The new bookstore will measure 7,000 square feet and include McNally Jackson's stationary store, Goods For The Study.
Get the details