Manhattan

April 4, 2018

ODA’s proposed Chinatown ‘Dragon Gate’ pavilion interweaves tradition and modernity

As many other New York City ethnic neighborhoods have diminished or disappeared over the years, Chinatown continues to grow and prosper. Roughly bound by borders at Hester and Worth Streets to the north and south, and Essex and Broadway to the east and west, Chinatown is home to largest ethnic Chinese population outside of Asia. With this in mind, architecture firm ODA New York, known for prioritizing people over architecture, has proposed a unique and beautiful new gateway to the neighborhood at the Canal Street Triangle. ODA’s typical designs can be a bit boxy, constructed with heavier materials, but there is always a lightness to them, whether through the infusion of glass, archways, or greenery. Combining new technology with traditional Chinese symbolism, “Dragon Gate” will delicately weave the duality of Chinatown’s old and new into a strong structure, both in symbolism and material.
More renderings and details ahead

How New Yorker Howard Bennet fought to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday

Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. via Wiki Commons

April 4, 2018

How New Yorker Howard Bennet fought to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday

By Andrew Berman of Village Preservation

Fifty years ago, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This ended the life of one of the 20th century’s most revered and influential figures. It also began a 15-year campaign to make Dr. King’s birthday a national holiday — the first-ever honoring an African American. That successful quest began with and was spearheaded by a native son of Greenwich Village, Howard Bennett. Bennett was one of the last residents of a Greenwich Village community known as “Little Africa,” a predominantly African-American section of the neighborhood which was, for much of New York’s history through the 19th century, the largest and most important African-American community in the city. That neighborhood centered around present-day Minetta, Thompson, Cornelia, and Gay Streets.
Learn more here

History

A ‘small format’ Target will open on the Upper East Side next year

Rendering via Target

April 3, 2018

A ‘small format’ Target will open on the Upper East Side next year

By Devin Gannon

Retail giant Target announced on Tuesday that it will bring three new Target stores to New York City, further expanding its footprint in the Big Apple. The new stores, planned for the Upper East Side, Astoria and Staten Island, will be "small format," tailored to the needs of shoppers in urban areas (h/t NBC). In a statement, Mark Schindele, a senior vice president of Target's properties, said: "All three of these new stores will offer the best of Target in that borough, yet curate the assortment to meet the needs and preferences of the nearby community."
More details here

New Developments

Bjarke Ingels’ Nomad office tower reveals itself and nearly doubles in height

Rendering via BIG Architects

April 3, 2018

Bjarke Ingels’ Nomad office tower reveals itself and nearly doubles in height

By Devin Gannon

Despite switching architects from Moshe Safdie to Bjarke Ingels of BIG Architects in September, HFZ Capital Group is still on track with its office tower planned for 3 West 29th Street. New renderings obtained by YIMBY reveal a much taller building than filed in September, which called for 33 or 34 stories. The designs are showing a roughly 60-story tower, officially dubbed "29th and 5th," planned for the Nomad neighborhood, with a footprint of potentially 600,000 square feet.
Take a look

April 3, 2018

This stunning $22M Hotel des Artistes triplex has a 44-foot living room, 2 offices and a greenhouse bath

By Michelle Cohen

As with most of the homes in the unique–even for New York City–Hotel des Artistes building at 1 West 67th Street, this amazing Central Park West triplex must be seen to be believed. The sprawling 5,500 square-foot co-op has room after room of remarkable features–greenhouse bathroom, anyone?–and every inch of the home’s gorgeous interiors reflects a brilliant eye for style. Just a few more amazing spaces include a 44-foot-long living room, a sprawling terrace with a fire pit, two offices and several balconies.
Take the envy-inducing tour

Distinctive Homes

Hear MLK’s final speech replayed under the Washington Square arch tonight

Photo from an event test run last night, courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photo Office

April 3, 2018

Hear MLK’s final speech replayed under the Washington Square arch tonight

By Dana Schulz

Today, April 3rd, marks the 50th anniversary of when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his final speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop," in Memphis, Tennessee. In response to the Memphis Sanitation Strike, he called for unity, economic action, and nonviolent protests. He also, eerily, alluded to an untimely death. The following day, April 4, 1968, he was assassinated. To commemorate this final speech, the city will tonight replay it in its entirety throughout Washington Square Park while Mayor de Blasio and First Lady McCray light the arch in MLK's honor.
Event details ahead

Events & Things To Do

April 3, 2018

Matt Lauer attempts to shed Upper East Side co-op for $7M

By Michelle Cohen

After all, there's no need to worry about having a place near work. In addition to the disgraced anchorman's Sag Harbor home (one of his three Hamptons properties) Lauer's Upper East Side co-op at 133 East 64th Street is now for sale, asking $7.35 million. The four-bedroom, 11-room pad is also, as the Post points out, where the former "Today" anchor was holed up last November when he was informed of his dismissal by NBC News head Andy Lack.
Have a look

April 2, 2018

Heidi Klum buys a raw Soho penthouse loft in need of a complete reno for $5M

By Michelle Cohen

Though Heidi Klum has spent summers renting a New York City pad and even checked out Bon Jovi's pricey penthouse, the supermodel and TV personality was LA-based until recently. The Post reports that Klum just closed on a 4,772-square-foot Soho penthouse loft at 515 Broadway for $5.1 million. Purchased under the name “HK East Coast LLC,” the loft, in a 19th century Queen Anne-style building also known as 84 Mercer Street, is a former artist's studio, though it's exempt from Artist Certification requirements. The totally raw space is in need of just about everything.
Take a look

City studying gondolas for Governor’s Island transit option ahead of planned new development

Image courtesy of The Trust for Governor’s Island.

April 2, 2018

City studying gondolas for Governor’s Island transit option ahead of planned new development

By Michelle Cohen

Among a growing chorus of futuristic transportation suggestions meant to meet the city's exploding need to get from point A to point B, Crain's reports that the city's Economic Development Corp. is studying a gondola that would operate from lower Manhattan to Governors Island. Though the idea has been proposed before, anticipation of a planned redevelopment project on the 172-acre island has fostered a new urgency.
Find out more

Transit

March 30, 2018

Our 1,400sqft: A vibrant couple in their 80s ditches the suburbs for the West 70s

By Dana Schulz

Marv and Fran Lifson have been married for 32 years. After combining their families (she had five children, he four), and spending three decades in Westchester, this self-described "active, older couple" decided to sell their home and relocate not to Florida or the Carolinas, but the Upper West Side. Luckily for them, Fran's son David Katz has his own architecture firm and he stepped right in to help them with their search and, ultimately, renovation. After finding their dream home two years ago, a fixer-upper on 72nd Street and Central Park West, David combined a studio and one-bedroom into a spacious two-bedroom that's just as fresh and modern as its residents. 6sqft recently visited Fran and Marv to learn about why they'd grown tired of the suburbs, what they love about their new urban lifestyle, and how the renovation process went.
See the whole place and hear from Fran and Marv

Lottery launches for 124 middle-income units in East Harlem, from $822/month

Rendering via MAP Architects

March 29, 2018

Lottery launches for 124 middle-income units in East Harlem, from $822/month

By Devin Gannon

A brand new East Harlem mixed-use development, known as Acacia Gardens, now has 124 middle- income apartments up for grabs. The 12-story brick building at 411 East 120th Street, the site of a former parking lot, includes over 180,000 square feet of residential space. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 60 and 100 percent of the area median income can apply for units ranging from an $822/month studio to a $1,706/month three-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

When the Bronx Bombers were the Highlanders: A brief history of the Yankees

The Highlanders play a game at Hilltop Park in 1912, photo via The Library of Congress

March 29, 2018

When the Bronx Bombers were the Highlanders: A brief history of the Yankees

By Devin Gannon

Not unlike their current powerhouse lineup, the most dominant team in American sports got off to quite a rocky start. Not only did the New York Highlanders, now known as the Yankees, have a losing record for many years, but the team’s first home field was also a mess: it was located near a swamp, the outfield had no grass, and the ballpark sat mostly unfinished. In just six weeks, 500 men hastily built the stadium on Broadway and 168th Street in Washington Heights, known as Hilltop Park, in time for the Highlanders' first home game on April 30, 1903. Due to the unsavory, rock-filled conditions, the last big league game at Hilltop Park was played in October of 1912. Following its closure, the Highlanders changed their name to the Yankees in 1913, moved to the Bronx, and went on to become one of the most successful sports teams in the world.
More this way

History

Governor Cuomo looking to give the state control of Penn Station area

Photo outside Penn Station via Maciek Lulko/Flickr

March 29, 2018

Governor Cuomo looking to give the state control of Penn Station area

By Michelle Sinclair Colman

Less than one week before the state's deadline to adopt its budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed the “New York Pennsylvania Station Area Redevelopment Project,” a state-controlled development area around Penn Station. In the constant one-upmanship between Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, this would give Cuomo control over one of Manhattan’s top name-brand landmarks, according to a draft proposal acquired by Politico.
More details ahead

March 29, 2018

San Remo co-op that was Diane Keaton’s first NYC apartment lists for $17.5M

By Annie Doge

In the late '70s, after hitting it big in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall," a 30-year-old Diane Keaton celebrated her Hollywood success by buying a full-floor apartment at the storied Upper West Side co-op the San Remo. Looking back in more recent years, she said "It was one of those remarkable apartments. There was a window on every side. Everything was wide open. That was the beginning of my true interest in architecture." And now a lucky buyer will have the chance to re-live that dream, as Keaton's former home--in one of the landmark's coveted towers--has just hit the market for $17.5 million, reports the Post.
Go inside

Essex Street Market announces more vendors for new Essex Crossing location

Rendering courtesy of SHoP Architects for Market Line

March 29, 2018

Essex Street Market announces more vendors for new Essex Crossing location

By Michelle Cohen

This week's announcement of more vendors that will make up the inaugural roster for Essex Street Market's new home at the Essex Crossing mega-development included some favorites from around the city along with current faces, reports Bedford + Bowery. New to the market when the 24-story building at 115 Delancey Street opens will be Williamsburg's Middle Eastern takeout spot Samesa, East Village herbal apothecary Roots, Fort Greene florist Saffron and Union Square Greenmarket regular Josephine's Feast!
What else is in the works?

Jennifer Lopez and A-Rod pick up $15M apartment at 432 Park Avenue

432 via DBOX; Alex Rodriguez via Wiki Commons; Jennifer Lopez via Wiki Commons

March 28, 2018

Jennifer Lopez and A-Rod pick up $15M apartment at 432 Park Avenue

By Annie Doge

Update 4/2/18: The pair picked up a three-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom that takes up half of the 36th floor of 432 Park, according to Observer. The apartment measures just over 4,000 square feet and features its own elevator, oak floorings, a library and custom-designed eat-in kitchen. Power-couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, affectionately known as J-Rod, have purchased an apartment for $15.316 million at 432 Park Avenue, the tallest residential building in the Western Hempishere. As Mansion Global reported, the duo picked up a 4,000-square-foot unit with three bedrooms and four and a half baths. The deal, which closed in February, turned out to be less expensive than expected, as the couple in October reportedly checked out a $40.5 million three-bedroom and an $82 million penthouse.
More details here

Celebrities

March 28, 2018

A wall of windows stuns at this $1.8M artsy loft in the heart of Tribeca

By Emily Nonko

A massive wall of windows anchors this artsy Tribeca loft, complete with high ceilings, exposed brick walls and Corinthian columns. It's located at 6 Varick Street, a condo conversion with no shortage of distinct loft apartments. After being on the market last year, asking $1.695 million and not selling, this pad is trying its luck with the higher price tag of $1.8 million. The next buyer will have free range across 1,079 square feet of open apartment.
Take a look

Distinctive Homes

For $6,500 you can buy your very own ‘Fearless Girl’ statue

The statues available for sale. Photo Credit: Jafe Parsons.

March 28, 2018

For $6,500 you can buy your very own ‘Fearless Girl’ statue

By Michelle Cohen

It was bound to happen. Two-foot-high replicas of the popular, controversial "Fearless Girl" statue of a young girl standing up to Wall Street’s “Charging Bull” are now for sale, Huffington Post reports. The statue's creator, artist Kristen Visbal, is selling reproductions of the infamous statue for $6,500; the statues will be part of a limited edition with only 1,000 made in total.
How can I get one?

Events & Things To Do

March 28, 2018

The final frontier of history and hip: Developments and amenities shaping the Lower East Side

By Michelle Sinclair Colman

For many New Yorkers, the Lower East Side is one neighborhood that still has a lot of authenticities and good 'ole New York grit left. It has been described as Manhattan’s "last frontier of cool. The promised land of old as well as new... Where the Godfather lives side by side with a hipster movie." Put more tangibly by Benjamin Baccash of Taconic Investment Partners, the developer of LES's Essex Crossing, "The Lower East Side has wonderful restaurants, art galleries, and great street life. It’s a real neighborhood and that’s what a lot of people are looking for." In addition to great diversity, personality, and transportation, the city is undertaking huge improvements on the east river waterfront, and developers are erecting new developments at all corners of the 'hood. Ahead, 6sqft takes a look at everything that's keeping the Lower East Side a vestige of old New York during its contemporary resurgence, from massive projects like Essex Crossing to a booming art gallery scene.
As Irving Berlin once said, “Everybody ought to have a Lower East Side in their life.”

Real Estate Trends

Investor group may create its own cryptocurrency to fund purchase of the Plaza

Photo via Wally Gobetz/Flickr

March 28, 2018

Investor group may create its own cryptocurrency to fund purchase of the Plaza

By Michelle Sinclair Colman

Photo via Wally Gobetz/Flickr Cryptocurrencies make the wild west look tame. Yet despite their volatility, they’re becoming more of a presence in NYC real estate. Five days ago, when we reported on the first Bitcoin closings in Manhattan, the value of Bitcoin was $8,592. It is currently $7,999. According to a CNBC report, Chimera, a group of foreign investors interested in buying the Plaza Hotel, is considering offering partial payment for the transaction in a new cryptocurrency. Chimera has proposed the creation of the “Plaza Token,” an asset-backed securitized token, to raise more than $375 million. They are being advised about this initial coin offering by a company called Securitize. “This would give cryptocurrency investors the chance to diversify into luxury real estate and receive certain concessions inside the Plaza Hotel,” CNBC reports.
READ MORE

Mike Myers finally unloads $14M Soho penthouse

Photo of Mike Myers via Wikimedia

March 27, 2018

Mike Myers finally unloads $14M Soho penthouse

By Annie Doge

After three years on the market, Mike Myers' Soho penthouse has gone into contract. The actor bought the duplex at 72 Mercer Street back in 2007 for just under $8 million and renovated to its current contemporary state. He first listed in 2015 for $17 million, shortly after adding another unit in the building to the sale, upping the combo price to $21.5 million. This past November, Myers tried yet again, relisting the original penthouse unit for the reduced price of $14 million, and it looks like that did the trick as it's now in contract.
Get a look inside

March 27, 2018

A baronial co-op belonging to designer Francine Coffey asks $2.25M on the Upper East Side

By Emily Nonko

Designer Francine Coffey brought an elegant aestheitc--inspired by American history and the Federal era--to her co-op spanning the full parlor floor of the Upper East Side mansion at 36 East 69th Street. The prewar, baronial-feeling home spans 1,425 square feet, all of it dripping with lavish details that include fireplaces, French doors, wood moldings and decorative ceilings. Coffey has listed the grand spread for a grand total of $2.25 million.
Go inside

Three historic East Harlem buildings designated as New York City landmarks

Photos via LPC

March 27, 2018

Three historic East Harlem buildings designated as New York City landmarks

By Devin Gannon

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday officially designated three East Harlem buildings as individual landmarks, marking them as some of the neighborhood's most culturally significant structures. The landmarks include a former 19th-century meatpacking house and two former public schools. The LPC chair, Meenakshi Srinivasan, said the buildings were designated for their architectural and cultural significance. "They embody East Harlem's unique development history and recognize the civic institutions and businesses that helped shape the lives of the neighborhood's immigrant groups," Srinivasan said in a statement.
More here

Policy

Downtown’s historic glass sidewalks may become a lost relic

Vault lights in Soho, via WooJin Chung for 6sqft

March 27, 2018

Downtown’s historic glass sidewalks may become a lost relic

By Dana Schulz

Last week, 6sqft outlined the Landmarks Preservation Commission's series of new proposed rules, which "calls for more oversight by LPC staff but less time for public review" in proposals for alterations to historic buildings. But these rule changes extend further than buildings--right down to the sidewalks. As Treehugger first pointed out, one of the LPC's new rules pertains to the removal of vault lights--historic sidewalks made from small circular glass bulbs that are seen throughout Soho and Tribeca. As 6sqft previously explained, "the unique street coverings are remnants from the neighborhood's industrial past when they provided light to the basement factories below before electricity was introduced."
READ MORE

Saudi prince wants Trump building’s ‘grossly disproportionate’ rent lawsuit thrown out

Image courtesy of CityRealty

March 27, 2018

Saudi prince wants Trump building’s ‘grossly disproportionate’ rent lawsuit thrown out

By Michelle Cohen

Trump Park Avenue LLC, a unit of President Trump's company, sued Faisal bin Abdul Majeed al-Saud in February claiming the Saudi prince signed a lease on the Manhattan condo at 502 Park Avenue in 2013 but hasn't paid rent since January 2017. Bloomberg reports that according to a complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court, the Trump Organization says the defendant agreed in June 2014 to extend his lease through June 2019. The defendant, on the other hand, says the landlord failed to comply with lease’s terms and is asking the judge to toss out a lawsuit seeking almost $2 million in unpaid rent, claiming that he gave back the keys to the penthouse last year.
More international drama and intrigue this way

Uncategorized

New looks at Manhattan West and Empire Station developments show the future Midtown West

Via Visualhouse

March 26, 2018

New looks at Manhattan West and Empire Station developments show the future Midtown West

By Devin Gannon

Imagine a future Midtown West with state-of-the-art retail and office towers, an abundance of open green space and an attractive, efficient transit station. While plans to bring all of that is in the works, it could be years away from becoming reality. As CityRealty learned, one of the neighborhood's busiest developers, Brookfield Properties, is giving us a preview of what the area will eventually look like, with new renderings for its expansive, six-building Manhattan West project. Plus, the developer also created a CGI video that provides a virtual tour of the Empire Station, the hall currently undergoing renovations at Penn Station.
Take a peek

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One Domino Square

8 South 4th Street

Williamsburg

Spectacular living on the Williamsburg waterfront

1 beds starting at $1,925,000
2 beds starting at $2,055,000
3 beds starting at $3,030,000

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