Manhattan

A historic Manhattan hotel that became a symbol of New York City's migrant crisis when it opened as a shelter two years ago is closing its doors. Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday the closure of the Roosevelt Hotel, which has served as an intake and support center and temporary housing for more than 173,000 asylum seekers since May 2023. At its peak, the hotel at 45 East 45th Street processed roughly 4,000 migrants weekly; recently, that number has dropped to 350 per week, according to the city. The facility will close by the end of June.
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Policy

Marble slabs and hand-painted terraces make for an unconventional Soho penthouse, listed for $8M

Photo courtesy of Brad Stein at Compass

February 21, 2025

Marble slabs and hand-painted terraces make for an unconventional Soho penthouse, listed for $8M

This Soho penthouse is an architect's vision come to life. Designed by Thomas Leeser, the top-floor home at 90 Prince Street juxtaposes random slabs of modern marble and an open floor plan with 17th-century French oak floors and exposed brick. Despite the contradictory materials, the loft creates a feeling of harmony and tranquility. Adding to its uniqueness, two outdoor terraces feature a tesselated hand-painted mural, a whimsical touch as well as a nod to the neighborhood's artistic heritage. The home is now available for $8,000,000.
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Distinctive Homes

See the $700M climate research hub coming to Governors Island

Illustrative renderings courtesy of The New York Climate Exchange and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

February 20, 2025

See the $700M climate research hub coming to Governors Island

A state-of-the-art hub dedicated to climate change research is moving forward on Governors Island. Led by Stony Brook University, the New York Climate Exchange is a cross-sector, nonprofit group dedicated to research and developing solutions to the global climate crisis. The Exchange on Thursday released new renderings of the 400,000-square-foot campus designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to include classrooms, laboratories, student and facility housing, new open space, and more. The Exchange also announced the selection of Skanska USA as the construction manager for the climate center, which is scheduled to break ground next year.
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City seeks proposals for 100% affordable development and new rec center in Hudson Square

Courtesy of NYC HPD

February 19, 2025

City seeks proposals for 100% affordable development and new rec center in Hudson Square

The city is seeking proposals for a new mixed-use development in Hudson Square with 100 percent affordable housing and a new recreation center. Mayor Eric Adams' office on Tuesday released a request for proposals for 388 Hudson Street, a roughly 14,000-square-foot vacant lot owned by the Department of Environmental Protection. The housing and rec center is proposed for the northern portion of the site, with a new public plaza planned for the southern end.
details here

Credit: Mitch Altman on Flickr

February 14, 2025

National Park Service removes transgender references from Stonewall website

References to transgender people have vanished from the National Park Service's Stonewall National Monument web pages, reflecting the Trump administration's policy that the country recognizes only two genders. On Thursday, the words "transgender" and "queer" were removed from the LGBTQ+ acronym on the website, which now reads "LGB" for lesbian, gay, and bisexual. The change follows a series of executive actions by President Donald Trump rolling back transgender rights, including banning trans people from women's sports, the military, and minors from receiving gender-affirming care.
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Policy

Upper East Side luxury rental opens lottery for 45 mixed-income apartments, from $1,828/month

All renderings courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 13, 2025

Upper East Side luxury rental opens lottery for 45 mixed-income apartments, from $1,828/month

Applications are now being accepted for 45 mixed-income apartments in a new residential tower on the Upper East Side. Located at 1487 1st Avenue in Lenox Hill, Maison 78 is a 35-story residential building featuring brand-new units with thoughtfully designed interiors, high-end amenities, and a prime location in one of Manhattan’s most sought-after neighborhoods. New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median can apply for the units, priced from $1,828/month for studios to $4,434/month for two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

NYC’s only revolving restaurant reopens in Times Square

Photo by Jason Varney, courtesy of Rockwell Group

February 13, 2025

NYC’s only revolving restaurant reopens in Times Square

New York City's only revolving restaurant is spinning again. The View, on the 47th and 48th floors of the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square, reopened this week following a revamp by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) and David Rockwell's Rockwell Group. Formerly host to an all-you-can-eat buffet, the two-story restaurant has been reimagined as an upscale dining destination inspired by "American supper clubs and chop houses of earlier eras."
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February 13, 2025

Relive monumental public art installation ‘The Gates’ in Central Park, 20 years later

"The Gates," the public art installation that took over Central Park with saffron-colored fabric panels for 16 days in 2005, is returning to New York City—virtually. To celebrate the installation's 20th anniversary, New Yorkers can relive the monumental artwork from Christo and Jeanne-Claude through an augmented reality experience on the Bloomberg Connects app. Plus, an exhibition now open at The Shed in Hudson Yards titled "Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City," explores the legacy of the artists and their work, as well as the journey behind bringing "The Gates" to life.
details here

Photo credit: The Charlie Attias Team / Compass

February 13, 2025

Frank Lloyd Wright’s palatial former Plaza suite asks $18.9M

Once known as the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite–the architect lived in the corner apartment at the Plaza Hotel while he was working on the Guggenheim Museum from 1954 to 1959–this impressive condominium residence at 1 Central Park South occupies the rare level of Manhattan homes that just may justify its towering price tag. Asking $18,900,000, the 4,000-square-foot home adds up to a living space as dazzling as the park and city views it offers. Featured in Architectural Digest in 2014 as a media power pair's pied-a-terre, this extraordinary apartment offers the five-star hotel amenities of the iconic Plaza along with those views.
the tour starts here

Distinctive Homes

City plans $57M redesign of 42nd Street to prevent terror attacks

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation

February 12, 2025

City plans $57M redesign of 42nd Street to prevent terror attacks

New York City is investing $57 million to redesign part of West 42nd Street to prevent vehicle-based terror attacks, like the recent truck incident on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Starting next summer, the city's Department of Transportation will revamp the street between 7th and 8th avenues in the Theater District with wider sidewalks, new security bollards, and planters. As first reported by Crain's, the project also includes much-needed upgrades to aging water and sewer lines beneath the street.
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Photo credit: Andrew Werner at Andrew Werner Photography

February 12, 2025

This $4M condo feels like a fresh start in a new addition to the Upper East Side

It's hard to name a more classic Manhattan neighborhood than Lenox Hill on Manhattan's Upper East Side. At the heart of this prime residential spot, the six-story boutique condominium residence at 420 East 75th Street recently launched sales, offering pristine 21st-century interiors and a dazzling menu of amenities to match the building's sought-after address. Asking $3,995,000, this three-bedroom home offers dual balconies, a cozy library, an additional "accessory room," and the understandable draw of fresh new...everything.
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Distinctive Homes

Beaux-Arts office building in the Flatiron District to become 20 luxury condos

Renderings courtesy of VMI Studios

February 12, 2025

Beaux-Arts office building in the Flatiron District to become 20 luxury condos

A former 1920s publishing house in the Flatiron District will turn into 20 boutique condos, becoming New York City's latest office-to-residential conversion. Located at 114 East 25th Street, the 14-story Beaux-Arts building—now known as Armorie—has been reimagined by developer Adellco and design firm Andre Kikoski Architecture (AKA) to preserve its historic charm while transforming it into a collection of modern, high-end residences. The condo includes one- to four-bedroom lofts, topped by a luxurious penthouse with a private rooftop terrace.
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Macy’s Herald Square debuts pop-up spring market

All photos courtesy of Macy’s Herald Square

February 11, 2025

Macy’s Herald Square debuts pop-up spring market

Macy's Herald Square has unveiled a new seasonal pop-up celebrating love and the arrival of spring. Open just in time for Valentine's Day, the Shops at the Square offer customers a curated assortment of unique gifts, tasty treats, and other items. Find the shops on the mezzanine level of Macy's Herald Square through April 6.
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Events & Things To Do

Behind a stately Village brownstone facade, a massive six-story mansion asks $35M

Photo credit: DD-Reps for Sotheby’s International Realty

February 11, 2025

Behind a stately Village brownstone facade, a massive six-story mansion asks $35M

From a basement gym to a fully landscaped roof terrace–and the elevator that shuttles between them–the six-floor townhouse at 34 West 12th Street has all the trimmings of a contemporary suburban mansion. From the outside, the 1860s home maintains the genteel tone of the neighborhood, its perfectly preserved brownstone facade blending with neighbors on a tree-lined Greenwich Village block. Though a no-expenses-spared three-year renovation has endowed the home's interiors with over 7,000 square feet of luxury finishes and 2,000 square feet of private gardens and terraces, its $35,000,000 ask represents a tall order.
six-floor townhouse tour ahead

Distinctive Homes

New York designates part of Washington Heights as ‘Dominican Historic District’ despite local pushback

Credit: JJBers on Flickr

February 7, 2025

New York designates part of Washington Heights as ‘Dominican Historic District’ despite local pushback

New York officially designated a large part of Washington Heights the Dominican Historic District, sparking controversy among some local residents. As first reported by The City, the 40-block district aims to honor the neighborhood's Dominican heritage. However, some residents argue the state kept them out of the designation process, failing to recognize other ethnic groups with ties to important sites in the area. The designation was approved by a slim margin during a New York State Board for Historic Preservation meeting in September, where several community members showed up to oppose it.
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Policy

1,600-foot-tall office tower 350 Park Avenue prepares to enter public review

350 Park Avenue © DBOX for Foster + Partners

February 7, 2025

1,600-foot-tall office tower 350 Park Avenue prepares to enter public review

A proposed supertall office tower in Midtown East is set to enter the public review process next month, according to a land use application filed with the city this week. Vornado Realty Trust, Citadel, and Rudin Management are looking to build a 1,600-foot-tall skyscraper at 350 Park Avenue. Set to replace three existing buildings, the fully electric tower will rise 62 stories and deliver 1.8 million square feet of office space and a new public concourse. Designed by Foster + Partners, Ken Griffin's Citadel and Citadel Securities would be the tower's anchor tenants, occupying at least 850,000 square feet.
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Architecture And Design

For $2.35M, condo living on three levels in South Harlem

Photo credit: Hayley Ellen Day | DD-Reps

February 7, 2025

For $2.35M, condo living on three levels in South Harlem

Manhattan condo living can mean sacrificing space, but this 2,574-square-foot triplex apartment at 271 West 122nd Street adds up to townhouse living–multi-level outdoor space included–in a sleek, 21st-century package. Asking $2,350,000, the upper Manhattan home offers four bedrooms, lots of storage on three levels, laundry facilities, an elevator, and a landscaped garden.
take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Fifth Ave’s highest condo fetches $11.5M

Photo Credit: Alden Studios

February 6, 2025

Fifth Ave’s highest condo fetches $11.5M

The highest condo on Fifth Avenue has found a buyer. As first spotted by CityRealty, Penthouse 80 at 520 Fifth Avenue sits 880 feet in the air, surrounded by iconic views in every direction. The trophy residence first hit the market two months ago for $11,500,000; the deal will likely close by the end of the year when the building wraps up construction.
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Melba’s opens location in Grand Central Terminal

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

February 6, 2025

Melba’s opens location in Grand Central Terminal

Southern comfort food favorite Melba's is now serving a taste of Harlem in Grand Central Terminal. The 500-square-foot outpost will offer the Harlem restaurant's signature Southern comfort food from Chef Melba Wilson, including her renowned Chicken and Eggnog Waffles and Low Country Collard Greens.
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Food & Dining

Waldorf Astoria welcomes first condo residents after renovation

All images courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria

February 5, 2025

Waldorf Astoria welcomes first condo residents after renovation

Nearly a decade in the works, the famed Waldorf Astoria is welcoming its first residents after a restoration converted the historic hotel into luxury condos. Closings have officially commenced at the landmarked Park Avenue hotel, which shuttered in 2017 as part of a revamp to bring 375 luxury condos atop a 375-key hotel. Building on the success of the first phase of sales, prospective buyers can now experience model residences designed by AD100 designer Josh Greene, with prices starting at $1,875,000 for studios.
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This $10.5M Soho loft in a former chocolate factory feels like a country estate

Photo credit: Shannon Dupre | DD-Reps

February 4, 2025

This $10.5M Soho loft in a former chocolate factory feels like a country estate

The classic lofts that line the streets of Soho and Nolita are known for their flexible floor plans and cavernous open living space; this 4,100-square-foot loft condo at 285 Lafayette Street checks those boxes, adding a level of sumptuous coziness you'd expect to find in a Catskills country home. Asking $10,500,000, the four-bedroom loft began life at the turn of the 20th century, in a chocolate factory that later became one of the neighborhood's earliest full-service condominiums.
explore the loft

Distinctive Homes

Governors Island oyster bar closing, new outdoor restaurant to open next year

Photo @ Julienne Schaer

February 4, 2025

Governors Island oyster bar closing, new outdoor restaurant to open next year

The first full-fledged restaurant to ever open on Governors Island will close this year. Island Oyster opened its doors in 2017 and became a summer destination for seafood, island-inspired cocktails, and stunning skyline views. This week the Trust for Governors Island issued a request for proposals seeking a new seasonal food and beverage operator for the 32,000-square-foot waterfront site starting in 2026. The James Beard award-nominated Island Oyster will operate one final season before ending its run on October 31, 2025.
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Food & Dining

One and Two United Nations Plaza in center; United Nations Secretariat Building to the left; Photo via WikiCommons

February 4, 2025

UN Plaza buildings to get $500M revamp

Two United Nations buildings will undergo a $500 million revitalization, creating over 1,800 jobs and boosting New York City's economy by billions, New York officials announced this week. Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and the UN Development Corporation (UNDC) on Monday announced plans for the redevelopment, which will modernize One and Two United Nations Plaza—built in the 1970s and 80s—while consolidating its office space. As part of the plan, the UN has committed to long-term leases at the site.
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Real Estate Trends

City unveils design of new Hudson Square public plaza

Photo of existing Hudson-Houston Plaza by Tdorante10 on WikiCommons

February 4, 2025

City unveils design of new Hudson Square public plaza

New York City is moving forward with plans to turn part of a parking lot in Hudson Square into a new public plaza. The city's Parks Department, DEP, and the Hudson Square Business Improvement District this week unveiled the design for Hudson-Houston Plaza, a new 0.26-acre open space at the intersection of Hudson and Houston Streets that will provide a much-needed public area for the neighborhood while allowing for continued DEP operations below ground. The northern half of the city-owned site will become an affordable housing development, known as 388 Hudson Street.
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Architecture And Design

February 3, 2025

Waitlist opens for affordable apartments at Bjarke Ingels’ Harlem rental, from $1,056/month

Applications are now being accepted to replenish a waitlist for affordable apartments at The Smile, an 11-story rental in East Harlem designed by renowned architect Bjarke Ingels. Named for its grin-like shape, the building opened in 2020 and contains 233 apartments, 77 of which are priced below market-rate. New Yorkers earning 60 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply to be considered for current and future vacancies; prices range from $1,056/month for studios to $2,849/month for two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Fordham’s Lincoln Center sculpture garden debuts new exhibition, including iconic ‘Hippo Ballerina’

“The Magis Sculpture Exhibition” at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus. All images courtesy of Taylor Ha, Fordham University

February 3, 2025

Fordham’s Lincoln Center sculpture garden debuts new exhibition, including iconic ‘Hippo Ballerina’

New York City's beloved hippo sculpture, and other whimsical works of art, can now be found at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus. On display through December, "The Magis Sculpture Exhibition" adds 11 new pieces to the university's outdoor sculpture garden, between West 60th and West 62nd Streets. Inspired by fables, art history, music, modern animation, and more, the exhibition complements the garden's 10 sculptures on permanent display. A highlight of the new installation is Bjørn Okholm Skaarup’s "Hippo Ballerina"—a 15-foot hippo sculpture that draws inspiration from Edgar Degas’ "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" and the dancing hippos from Walt Disney’s "Fantasia."
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Planet Hollywood returns to NYC with 360-degree video screens instead of movie memorabilia

All photos courtesy of Planet Hollywood

February 3, 2025

Planet Hollywood returns to NYC with 360-degree video screens instead of movie memorabilia