Manhattan

The Washington Bridge has undergone a transformative redesign, ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists while also speeding up bus service. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Monday announced the completion of a redesigned intersection at the bridge's approach, along with a dedicated bus lane and a two-way protected bike lane, stretching from Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights to University Avenue in the Bronx. The project will deliver quicker, more reliable bus service to the 68,000 daily riders who travel along the corridor.
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LES arts collective ABC No Rio breaks ground on new building in triumphant return to original home

Photo by Eden Janine and Jim via Flickr

September 17, 2024

LES arts collective ABC No Rio breaks ground on new building in triumphant return to original home

A decade ago, New York City's creative community expressed alarm, tempered by a bit of hope, at the news that ABC No Rio, the iconic downtown DIY punk rock venue and arts/cultural space that had been a fixture on the Lower East Side's street scene since 1980, would be moving. What has been a 10-year journey has achieved a promising new milestone as construction began on a new space at 156 Rivington Street this summer. As Hyperallergic reports, the collective's new home, set to open in 2026, will mean a triumphant full-circle return to the group's original "art squat" address on Rivington Street after a long and arduous wait and many setbacks along the way.
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For $6.5M, this Sutton Place townhouse can be three apartments, one modernist mansion, or anything in between

Photo credit: Udi Almog and Anton Brookes/H5 photography

September 13, 2024

For $6.5M, this Sutton Place townhouse can be three apartments, one modernist mansion, or anything in between

Townhouse living is a unique urban blessing, often with many options for a multi-family dwelling, usually with covetable outdoor space. Asking $6,500,000, this five-story townhouse at 419 East 50th Street in elegant, understated Sutton Place is particularly special on both counts. Built around 1878, the building was completely renovated in 1958, and it has retained its stunning mid-century modern appeal since then. The multi-unit townhouse can be reconfigured as a single-family or live/work home, or set up with a large owner's triplex with two income-producing units. But its finest asset may be its 32-foot-deep back garden–one of the most beautiful private gardens in Manhattan.
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Distinctive Homes

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

Cyclists and pedestrians travel along the newly redesigned plaza block on Broadway, from East 17th Street to East 18th Street. Credit: NYC DOT

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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A guide to Little Italy’s 98th annual Feast of San Gennaro

Photo by Tom Marvel on Flickr

September 12, 2024

A guide to Little Italy’s 98th annual Feast of San Gennaro

One of New York City's most popular street fairs returns to Manhattan's Little Italy neighborhood this week. The 11-day Feast of San Gennaro began in 1926 as a way for immigrants in New York to maintain the Italian tradition of honoring the patron saint of Naples, Saint Januarius, with a feast every September. While Little Italy has evolved over the last century, shrinking in size from 30 blocks to about nine, the Feast of San Gennaro remains one of the city's best events of the year. Ahead, get a taste of all things Italian American with our guide to one of the city's largest street fairs, which takes place September 12 through September 22.
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Events & Things To Do

Food hall opening at Amazon’s Fifth Avenue office

Photo credit: WRNS Studio, SCAPE, Bilyana Dimitrova

September 11, 2024

Food hall opening at Amazon’s Fifth Avenue office

New York City is getting another food hall. Earlier this year, Texas-based operator Food Hall Co. announced plans to open Shaver Hall, a 35,000-square-foot culinary experience on the ground floor of the historic Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Avenue. After serving as the department store's flagship for over a century, the landmark was bought by Amazon and converted into office space, which opened last year.
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Food & Dining

Photo by Steven Pisano on Flickr

September 11, 2024

Village Halloween Parade theme celebrates the ‘inner cat lady’ in everyone

Cat ladies are having a moment. In response to the sexist trope put forward by Republican Vice President candidate Sen. JD Vance, who called Democrats "childless cat ladies" who should have fewer voting rights, the theme for this year's annual Village Halloween Parade will be "Meow," a celebration of the "inner cat lady in everyone." Leading the parade this year as grand marshal is Tony Award-winning actor André De Shields, who recently starred as Old Deuteronomy in "CATS: 'The Jellicle Ball.'"
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Events & Things To Do

East River Park partially reopens with new ballfields and pedestrian bridge

Photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

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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Photo credit: Brown Harris Stevens

September 11, 2024

Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi lists Chelsea condo for $5.9M

Manhattan living doesn't always mean giving up indoor and outdoor space. Asking $5,895,000, this sunny, sprawling full-floor Chelsea condo at 532 West 20th Street is a 2,703-square-foot, three-bedroom home. On a high floor in a modern 11-story building, warm wood accents and high ceilings frame Scandi-style interiors, accessed by a private keyed elevator, and a south-facing terrace is perfect for skyline-gazing and big enough for outdoor dining. And about that dining: Husband/wife culinary team Will Guidara and Christina Tosi are the home's current owners. He's the former owner of Eleven Madison Park and NOMAD and she founded Milk Bar and hosts “Bake Squad” on Netflix among other accomplishments, so you can bet the kitchen won't disappoint.
let's see what's cooking

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

Film poster photos courtesy of ADFF

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

Photos by Mark Warner

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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Image via WikiCommons

September 6, 2024

Hotel Chelsea’s iconic neon sign headed to auction

Here's a chance to own an iconic part of New York City. The original neon letters from the Hotel Chelsea will be coming to auction this month as part of Guernsey's "Downtown Auction," celebrating the culture of downtown Manhattan over the last 60 years. Before its first sale in 2011, the hotel at 222 West 23rd Street was known for its celebrity and creative-minded residents, like Jimi Hendrix, Andy Warhol, Madonna, and many others.
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96th Street bus lane plan faces backlash from Upper West Side residents

Image via WikiCommons

September 5, 2024

96th Street bus lane plan faces backlash from Upper West Side residents

A plan to add dedicated bus lanes along 96th Street has sparked outrage from some Upper West Side residents. The Department of Transportation proposal, first introduced to Manhattan Community Boards 7, 8, and 11 in May, would limit general traffic along the corridor to a single lane and convert the outer traffic lanes into dedicated bus lanes. During a press conference on Thursday, a group of local residents and elected officials said the plan will exacerbate existing congestion issues and further affect the quality of life in the area, as local news site I Love the Upper West Side reported.
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This $7.75M West Village home updates 1828 Federal style with a perfect country kitchen

Photo credit: MW Studios for Sotheby’s International Realty

September 5, 2024

This $7.75M West Village home updates 1828 Federal style with a perfect country kitchen

Surrounded by the historic homes and winding streets of the West Village, the 21-foot-wide townhouse at 45 Barrow Street is the very picture of curb appeal. Built in 1828, the Federal-style row house, asking $7,750,000, is a piece of neighborhood history, reborn in the 21st century via a two-year renovation. Inside, the four-story brick home has the comfortably elegant charm of a country estate, filled with well-chosen color and texture framed by modern amenities.
four floors of restored historic charm, this way

Distinctive Homes

Grand Central-Times Square shuttle gets full cell service

Photo credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

September 5, 2024

Grand Central-Times Square shuttle gets full cell service

The shuttle connecting Grand Central Terminal and Times Square now has full cell service. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday announced the installation of 5G wireless service on the 42nd Street Shuttle line, marking the MTA's first step in adding connectivity to all 418 track miles of subway tunnels. The new service, made possible through a public-private partnership with Boldyn Network, allows Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile customers to take a phone call or browse the internet while traveling between the two stations.
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Andy Cohen lists West Village duplex for $14M

Photo credit: Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images

September 4, 2024

Andy Cohen lists West Village duplex for $14M

TV host Andy Cohen is selling his longtime West Village home. The one-of-a-kind apartment at 2 Horatio Street is a combination of four units assembled by Cohen over the last 20 years. While not on the market publicly yet, the home will be listed later this month for $14 million. Ryan Serhant of SERHANT., a former Bravo alum and current star of "Owning Manhattan" on Netflix, has the listing.
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Central Park art installation is a monument to Puerto Rican communities

Edra Soto, “Graft,” 2024. Photo: Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY Presented by Public Art Fund at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, New York City, Sep 5, 2024 – Aug 24, 2025.

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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Architecture And Design

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

Dog park at Hudson Yards West with the High Line above. All renderings courtesy of Related Companies and Wynn Resorts

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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Architecture And Design

Modulightor. Image credit: Joe Polowczuk

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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NYC seeks proposals for redesign of Park Avenue medians

Image by Fabio Fistarol on Unsplash

August 27, 2024

NYC seeks proposals for redesign of Park Avenue medians

New York City is moving forward with a plan to put the "park" back in Park Avenue. The Department of Transportation released a request for proposals (RFP) on Tuesday seeking designs to transform the traffic medians on Park Avenue between East 46th Street and East 57th Street with more green space and pedestrian-friendly areas.
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Architecture And Design

$120M project to close gap in Manhattan’s East River greenway moves forward

Image courtesy of the NYC Economic Development Corporation

August 26, 2024

$120M project to close gap in Manhattan’s East River greenway moves forward

A decade-old plan to fill in the gap in the East River greenway near the United Nations is finally moving forward. The city's Economic Development Corporation last week issued a request for proposals (RFP) from contractors to supervise the construction of the proposed esplanade, which will span less than a mile between East 41st and East 53rd Streets, as first reported by Gothamist. The project is the city's latest effort to reach its goal of creating a 32-mile cycling and pedestrian path along Manhattan's waterfront.
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Policy

Photo credit: Tim Waltman with Evan Joseph for Douglas Elliman

August 26, 2024

For $5.1M, this pretty Gramercy condo comes with a key to the private park

From the outside, the ornate, historic building at 36 Gramercy Park East is a neighborhood icon; its stunning pre-war architecture is enhanced by the surrounding 19th-century townhouses and the greenery of Gramercy Park just across the street. Only a few hundred New Yorkers possess keys to that rare private oasis, and this parkside residence offers a chance to be among them. The four-bedroom home, asking $5,100,000, brings modern comfort and style to a classic frame, with sophisticated finishes, big windows, and light-filled open spaces.
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Distinctive Homes

Barneys New York returns to Soho for a New York Fashion Week pop-up

Photo by Jim.henderson on Wikimedia

August 23, 2024

Barneys New York returns to Soho for a New York Fashion Week pop-up

Attention New Yorkers: Barneys New York is returning to Soho, but only for a limited time. The beloved luxury retailer will host a five-week-long pop-up at 14 Prince Street from September 5 through October 11, to coincide with New York Fashion Week. Managed by beauty brand Hourglass Cosmetics, the 1,500-square-foot pop-up will feature a selection of both established and up-and-coming brands, including Marc Jacobs, Thom Browne, Christopher John Rogers, and Khaite, and newcomers Reome, Perfumehead, and AKT, according to Retail TouchPoints.
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Events & Things To Do

For $32.5K/month, rent a five-story designer townhouse in Gramercy

Photo credit: Zoe Wetherall for Duplex Imaging

August 22, 2024

For $32.5K/month, rent a five-story designer townhouse in Gramercy

Even for those with plenty to spend, renting is often preferred for the flexibility it offers, especially in uncertain financial times. This gorgeous Italianate townhouse at 238 East 19th Street in Gramercy Park, asking $32,500 per month, awaits a renter who needs plenty of space and a turnkey experience. The restored 19th-century home's interiors have been featured in Architectural Digest as a showcase of historic beauty and modern style. Architectural flourishes and designer details include steel-framed rear glazing, landscaped outdoor space, iconic lighting, and high-end fixtures and finishes in every room.
gramercy townhouse luxury, this way

Cathedral of St. John the Divine gets $1.5M grant to transform historic building into community hub

Photos by Brian Kutner

August 20, 2024

Cathedral of St. John the Divine gets $1.5M grant to transform historic building into community hub

A historic, underutilized building on the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine campus will become a social services center for New Yorkers facing poverty. The Morningside Heights church on Tuesday announced it received $1.5 million in city funding to support the renovation of Synod Hall, transforming it into an expanded hub for Cathedral Community Cares (CCC), the cathedral's social services arm that focuses on combating poverty with preventative services, education, and advocacy, with a focus on issues of health and hunger.
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Architecture And Design

For $8.5M, this Gramercy townhouse is a slender slice of reclaimed history

Photo credit: Shannon Dupre and Francisco Rosario / DD-Reps

August 19, 2024

For $8.5M, this Gramercy townhouse is a slender slice of reclaimed history