Manhattan

May 15, 2019

My 775sqft: Pinup-glam and retro-kitsch collide in this East Village apartment

 apartment. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch! One might assume that a professional organizer's home would be streamlined and sparse, but before our current obsession with ridding our homes of everything that doesn't "spark joy," home organization had many different forms. Case in point--Jeanie Engelbach's East Village apartment. Jeanie started her career creating professional scrapbooks and soon landed a role as the visual manager at ABC Carpet & Home. Her knack for mixing styles, integrating color and pattern, and not taking design too seriously started attracting the attention of clients, and before long she was helping them not only organize their homes but create spaces representative of their personalities as apartmentjeanie. And this is on display nowhere more than her one-bedroom rental at the new 14th Street development EVGB. Jeanie moved into her pad about a year ago, after living for nearly 25 years at an apartment building down the street. She loved developer Extell's attention to detail and the building's amenities. But she also loved the layout of the space, which allowed her to put up the funky wallpaper she'd been eyeing for years, set up displays for her collections (at last count, she had 650 Piz dispensers), and still keep the place feeling bright and orderly. We recently paid Jeanie and her bulldog Tater Tot a visit to check out these retro, kitschy collections in person (she also collects bobbleheads, vintage lunchboxes, and Carnival Chalkware), see how she infused a touch of pinup-glam, and learn about her organizational skills.
Take the tour!
May 15, 2019

For $395K, this top-floor Columbus Circle studio is just two blocks from Central Park

This pre-war studio is definitely petite (it comes in just under 500 square feet), but it manages to pack in some charming details and has a great Midtown West location going for it. Located on the top floor of 457 West 57th Street, Columbus Circle and Central Park are less than two blocks away. The co-op is now on the market for $395,000 after last selling in 2003 for $180,000.
Peek inside
May 14, 2019

LPC calendars six sites linked to New York City’s LGBT history for possible landmark status

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission voted on Tuesday to calendar six individual sites related to the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in New York City. The proposed landmarks highlight both groups and individuals who have advanced the LGBT rights movement by providing structure for community and political support, as well as raising public awareness. The commission's decision to calendar the sites comes ahead of next month's 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and NYC's annual Pride celebration. LPC Chair Sarah Carroll said on Tuesday a public hearing to discuss the sites will be held June 4.
Find out more
May 14, 2019

Essex Crossing reveals new renderings of trendy office space

If you're looking to attract top talent these days, you better have an office outfit with the amenities to lure a millennial. So it comes as no surprise that Essex Crossing developer Taconic Investment Partners has begun to market its 350,000 square feet of office space just days after the new Essex Street Market opened and a few weeks after a Regal theater opened. The office space is split evenly between two mixed-use buildings at the complex, 145 and 155 Delancey Street. According to a press release, "A worker at Essex Crossing will have direct access to one of the largest marketplaces in the world, indoor gardens, a 14-screen movie theater and four subway lines – all within one complex."
Check out more renderings here
May 14, 2019

See inside the newly-opened Essex Street Market

The latest version of the Lower East Side's beloved Essex Street Market, its name streamlined to simply Essex Market, opened Monday in its new home inside the Essex Crossing development at 88 Essex Street. It's triple the size of the original market, from which 21 vendors (yes, Shopsin's remains) have moved in, along with 18 new stalls and two full-service restaurants. The old market officially closed its doors on May 5, making this the first new public market to open in the city since 1955.
See more, this way
May 13, 2019

FXCollaborative’s skinny FiDi school-condo tower reveals new looks and launches sales

Sales at Trinity Place Holding’s new condominium tower at 77 Greenwich Street have officially launched, and a new batch of renderings are offering us a look inside the elegant residences. Designed by FXCollaborative, the 42-story high-rise will comprise 90 residential units on top of a new public elementary school. Though it hasn’t topped out yet, the finished building will hit 500 feet in height. The residences begin on the 15th floor and will feature sprawling river views with prices starting at $1,780,000 for a one-bedroom unit.
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May 13, 2019

Columbia Medical’s Washington Heights campus will get a new public plaza

On May 28, work is scheduled to begin on Haven Plaza, a pedestrian plaza that will transform Haven Avenue between 169th Street and Fort Washington Avenue into an actual haven for faculty, staff, patients, students and the public at large. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation, is creating 60,000 square feet of open green space complete with planters, benches, café tables, and chairs.
Find out more
May 13, 2019

The $32M skylight of the World Trade Center’s Oculus is leaking

A rubber seal that runs along the middle of the retractable skylight of the World Trade Center's Oculus has ripped, causing leakage, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. The tear may have stemmed from the reopening of the skylight during last year's anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, according to the Port Authority, which owns the World Trade Center site.
More here
May 9, 2019

NYC Council approves JPMorgan’s 70-story Midtown East tower

The New York City Council on Wednesday approved the first supertall to be constructed under the Midtown East rezoning. JPMorgan Chase will build a new 70-story headquarters at the site of its current offices at 270 Park Avenue. The rezoning, adopted by the city in 2017, affects more than 70 blocks around Grand Central Terminal and encourages the construction of taller, more modern office towers in the neighborhood. Designed by Norman Foster's Foster + Partners, the 1,400-foot building is set to become one of the tallest structures in the city and the tallest office building by roof height. 
More here
May 9, 2019

A mini-Smorgasburg is coming to Hudson Yards

At least this means there will be more affordable bites at the far west side mega-development. As first reported by Eater, open-air food market Smorgasburg will be setting up shop at Hudson Yards every Tuesday and Wednesday this spring/summer, starting next week. In addition to offering less-expensive options (say than, $17.50 fava beans and $14 sides of fries), the market will also bring some local flavor to the corporate complex, from Queens-based Destination Dumplings to the Red Hook Lobster Pound.
Check out the list of vendors
May 8, 2019

Living at the top of the world’s first Art Deco skyscraper just got $20M cheaper

According to the listing for The Penthouse at One Hundred Barclay, the Tribeca building, designed in 1927 by renowned architect of the era Ralph Walker, is the world's first Art Deco skyscraper. This 14,500-square-foot duplex penthouse is the crowning glory of its 21st century life. In addition to bragging rights to one of the largest living rooms in New York City at over 3,000 square feet, a mere $39.95 million–nearly $20 million less than the property's original asking price of $59 million–gets you unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty, Hudson River and New York City skyline.
Penthouse grand tour, right this way
May 7, 2019

Rent a rare West Village townhouse in the gated Greenwich Mews for $27.5K/month

This townhouse is located in the heart of the West Village, but since it’s nestled within the gated Greenwich Mews at 687 Greenwich Street, it gives the feel of being in a suburban enclave with extra privacy, a dedicated parking garage, and an enclosed courtyard. Combining a great city address with country-living vibes, this elegant residence was recently renovated into a modern three-bedroom home spanning over four levels. It’s currently on the rental market, seeking $27,500 a month.
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May 7, 2019

A herd of hungry goats will save Riverside Park from invasive plants

The hilly terrain of the Upper West Side's Riverside park is becoming overgrown with invasive plant species, poison ivy included; but the green hordes will be no match for 24 goats that the park plans to unleash on the hard-to-reach patches human gardeners have had a hard time taming. The goats are being brought out of a cushy retirement upstate to graze on a fenced-in area between 119th and 125th Streets, I Love the Upper West Side blog reports.
'Goatham' returns, this way
May 6, 2019

Proposal to rezone strip of Central Park North includes 33-story mixed-use building

A church has filed an application with New York City to rezone a strip of Central Park North in order to make way for a new mixed-use tower. La Hermosa Christian Church is seeking zoning changes to all or part of at least five lots along West 110th Street, as first reported by YIMBY. A 188-page environmental assessment statement prepared for the Department of City Planning this week details the development of a 33-story mixed-use tower with 160 units, of which roughly 48 would be affordable.
See the plan
May 6, 2019

Robert Indiana’s famous ‘LOVE’ sculptures arrive along the High Line

This past fall, the Kasmin Gallery opened a 5,000-square-foot space + rooftop sculpture garden next to Zaha Hadid's futuristic condo 520 West 28th Street. And to kick off the summer season, the High Line-adjacent space has just announced a new sculpture garden show--a trio of works from Robert Indiana's famous "Love" series. The pieces showcase the word in English (Love), Spanish (Amor), and Hebrew (Ahava), which, according to a press release "represent three of New York’s most historic and influential dialects, celebrating immigration and lingual diversity in one of the most visited public art spaces in the city."
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May 6, 2019

Preservationist groups call out lack of transparency in Union Square tech hub development

The city’s plans to create a tech hub at 124 East 14th Street near Union Square have been embroiled in a preservation battle since they were first announced. Community organizations like the Cooper Square Committee and Village Preservation have advocated for the past year that any rezoning should come with protections for the adjacent neighborhood, which is largely residential. As the Daily News reported, Village Preservation recently criticized the city for its lack of transparency in the development process, while claiming that it gave out a “sweetheart deal” based on political alliances and campaign donations.
Get the scoop
May 6, 2019

Proposed project from Vornado and Rudin calls for 1,450-foot tower in Midtown East

A tentative joint venture between two developers could bring another supertall to Midtown East. Vornado Realty Trust and Rudin Management Company may team up to develop a 1,450-foot office tower at 350 Park Avenue, the Real Deal reported Friday. A leaked brochure for the potential project includes renderings of the proposed tower, revealing a glassy building with a series of setbacks that would allow for outdoor terraces and floorplates of various sizes.
See it here
May 3, 2019

Life science campus to open at former West Harlem bakery site, adding to the Factory District’s revival

From the mid-19th to early 20th century, an area in West Harlem known as Manhattanville was a bustling industrial village dotted with factories and breweries. Now the area is transforming from a unique former factory district into a home for a growing roster of commercial businesses, nonprofits, and students and researchers from Columbia University and CUNY’s City College. Leading the way on developing this evolving neighborhood is Janus Property Group. The company announced that its 11-story Taystee Lab building will break ground next week, bringing the city’s first major life science campus to the site of a former bread bakery.
More uptown excitement, this way
May 3, 2019

Interview: How tequila entrepreneur Joe Cruz Jr. remains true to his Harlem roots

With Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, New Yorkers most certainly have margaritas on the brain. And while we may typically associate tequila with Mexico, a new label here in NYC is bridging the divide between our southern neighbor and local entrepreneurship. Joe Cruz Jr. grew up in Harlem, spending much of his younger years hanging out in the Bronx. After working in the beverage industry for many years, he decided to take a mere $25,000 and create his own "ultra-smooth" tequila right from Harlem. And so in late 2017, YaVe Tequila was born. Not only has the company garnered culinary headlines (it produces the first-ever mango-flavored tequila), but it's caught the attention of local stakeholders thanks to Joe's commitment to working with his neighborhood.
Read on for our interview with Joe
May 3, 2019

Arts center near Hudson Yards faces demolition from city to make way for new park

To make room for New York City's most expensive park project ever, a handful of properties near the Hudson Yards site face demolition. One of those buildings is Affirmation Arts, a gallery on West 37th run by William Hillman. According to THE CITY, Hillman said he is willing to give his building to the city for free, on the condition it remains a cultural center. "I would like to give this building to the people of New York City to share with the world," Hillman said during a hearing Tuesday.
More here
May 2, 2019

Go inside 7 landmarked houses in Greenwich Village this weekend

This Sunday, Village Preservation will hold its 21st annual Spring Benefit House Tour. As this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District, all the homes and the reception site are landmarked structures located within the district. The tour is the main annual fundraiser for Village Preservation, allowing us to conduct hundreds of educational programs throughout the year and work to protect the irreplaceable history and architecture of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho. The addresses of the homes are kept secret to all but ticket buyers, and until the tour. But we can offer a sneak peek at some of the amazing historic homes you will be able to see on the tour--from the current home of Linda Ellerbee and the former residence of Marlon Brando to a one-time speakeasy and a sleek, modern renovation.
What you can expect on this year's tour
May 2, 2019

Members-only rooftop pool to open at the American Copper Buildings, with fees starting at $1,600

Just in time for summer, a members-only pool is opening atop one of Manhattan's most recognizable buildings. Starting Memorial Day Weekend, the Sentry Club at the American Copper Buildings in Murray Hill will offer guests a private rooftop with poolside cabana service, event space for parties, and classes focused on wellness. But it will cost you: memberships start at $1,600 for the entire summer and go up to $3,200 for the season. The pool will be open starting Thursday, May 23 through Labor Day.
Dive in
May 2, 2019

Loft in Soho’s first building designated to low-income artists is now asking $3M

In 1978, a ragtag band of artist residents of Soho's 45 Crosby Street won what the New York Times called "an impressive victory." The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development had granted the former industrial building's title to its residents in exchange for merely the "sweat equity" of getting it up to code (estimated cost: $164,000), making it the city's first loft building exclusively set aside for low-income artists. Now, a 2,100-square-foot loft co-op in the building, which has been home to artists ever since, is asking $3 million.
Times change, the loft remains a classic
May 2, 2019

Manhattan intersection is permanently renamed to honor 50th anniversary of ‘Sesame Street’

The city has officially renamed the intersection of West 63rd Street and Broadway in Manhattan "Sesame Street," to honor the beloved educational program's 50th anniversary. As part of a year-long celebration, Mayor Bill de Blasio was joined by Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Elmo and other members of the "Sesame" crew at a renaming ceremony at the bustling West Side corner–the location of the Sesame Workshop offices. "We’re here because we believe in what Sesame Street means today and what it’s meant for half-a-century, what it’s done for our children."
de Blasio and Big Bird: separated at birth?
May 2, 2019

$3.5M East Village carriage house boasts a private courtyard and an expansive roof terrace

Here’s a rare opportunity to live in a freestanding home right in the heart of the East Village with this carriage house at 217 East 5th Street. The one-bedroom residence spans over four levels and includes three outdoor spaces that are ready for all your entertaining needs. Fresh off an extensive renovation—the top three levels were stripped to the studs and entirely rebuilt—the rare property seeks $3.49 million.
Get the full tour
May 1, 2019

First hearing for Tin Pan Alley’s possible landmark designation draws debate

The Landmarks Preservation Committee heard mixed testimonies yesterday during a public hearing over the designation of five buildings on West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues known as Tin Pan Alley. The buildings in question—ranging from 47-55 West 28th Street—are notable for the significant concentration of sheet music publishers they housed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As music publishers continued to flock to the block, the nickname “Tin Pan Alley” was coined in 1903 to describe the sound of piano music that could be heard from every corner. Though most everyone in attendance agreed on the historical significance of these buildings, some pointed to the racist tunes that were also written there as a reason to block the landmark designation—with even the buildings’ owner, controversial developer Yair Levy, arguing against it.
More info