Manhattan

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka found a buyer this month for their five-story Harlem townhouse, which first hit the market last August for $7,325,000. As first reported by the New York Post, the home at 2036 Fifth Avenue is in contract for more than $7,100,000, likely setting a new record for a townhouse sale in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood. The home, constructed in 1908 as a bed-and-breakfast, measures 8,000 square feet and 20 feet wide.
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This furnished $5.75M Midtown townhouse has been designed for modern living, framed by a rich history

Photo courtesy of The Corcoran Group

May 25, 2022

This furnished $5.75M Midtown townhouse has been designed for modern living, framed by a rich history

Just off Park Avenue on a tree-lined street just four blocks from Grand Central Station, this landmarked townhouse at 130 East 38th Street is both historic and a modern design masterpiece. Built in 1869 as a Second Empire-style brownstone, the four-story home's facade was altered in 1919 by the popular Ziegfeld actress Ida Adams. Its rounded oak front door originated in a Detroit mansion. More recently, the three-bedroom home, listed for $5,750,000, has been reimagined for the 21st century, from its finished lower-level suite to its landscaped roof terrace with panoramic skyline views.
Take the townhouse tour

Distinctive Homes

You can pick your own tulips on Park Avenue

Photo courtesy of East Midtown Partnership on Flickr

May 24, 2022

You can pick your own tulips on Park Avenue

Get your trowels ready! The Park Avenue Tulip Dig is back, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to dig up and take home tulip bulbs planted along the famed thoroughfare between the north side of East 54th Street and the south side of East 86th Street. Approximately 60,000 tulips are planted every year in a new color by the non-profit Fund for Park Avenue, as reported by Patch. This year's flowers are a pink tulip known as "Darwin Hybrid Apricot Pride."
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This $2.9M Sutton Place co-op has finishes–and furniture–courtesy of an AD100 designer

Photo credit: Stephen Kent Johnson

May 23, 2022

This $2.9M Sutton Place co-op has finishes–and furniture–courtesy of an AD100 designer

This two-bedroom, 1,400-square-foot Sutton Place co-op at 435 East 57th Street is the home of Caleb Anderson, partner in the AD top 100 interior design firm Drake/Anderson. Anderson has listed the home for $2,895,000, furniture included, so the next owner can instantly benefit from an impeccable NYC design pedigree. The elegant pre-war apartment underwent a thorough renovation, with top-tier materials and craftsmanship–from Venetian plaster walls and custom hardware to hand-painted wall coverings–evident at every turn.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Judge rules artists’ work won’t stop Manhattan jail demolition

Streetview of murals by Richard Haas at the Manhattan Detention Complex; © Google 2022

May 20, 2022

Judge rules artists’ work won’t stop Manhattan jail demolition

On Wednesday, a judge ruled against halting the demolition of the Manhattan Detention Complex at 124-125 White Street at a hearing in a lawsuit brought by two artists whose works at the site may be moved or destroyed, the New York Times reports. The plaintiffs had requested a preliminary injunction; Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied the request, citing a lack of proof that preserving the artworks outweighed the community value of a newly-constructed jail planned for the site. The artists–with support from Neighbors United Below Canal, a neighborhood group opposed to the new Chinatown jail–had invoked the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 as grounds for the lawsuit.
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People’s Theatre Project will run NYC’s first immigrant research and performing arts center

Photo by kathryn on Flickr

May 20, 2022

People’s Theatre Project will run NYC’s first immigrant research and performing arts center

The Upper Manhattan-based People's Theatre Project (PTP) will run the city's first research and arts center dedicated to immigrants and the immigrant experience in New York. On Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams announced the selection of the PTP Company, an immigrant and women-led nonprofit, to own and manage the Immigrant Research and Performing Arts Center (IRPAC), which is expected to open in Inwood in 2027. The city will grant the company $15 million to put towards the creation of the new 17,000-square-foot center, which will be developed by LMXD, MSquared, and Taconic Partners.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

Amy Schumer lists her Upper West Side ‘secret garden’ penthouse for $15M

Photo credit: Edward Menashy for Evan Joseph Studio

May 20, 2022

Amy Schumer lists her Upper West Side ‘secret garden’ penthouse for $15M

Actress and comedian Amy Schumer is selling her Upper West Side penthouse at 190 Riverside Drive, the Wall Street Journal reports. Asking $15,000,000, Schumer purchased what she calls her "Manhattan dream apartment" for $12,150,000 in 2016. Surrounded on every side and on the roof above by 3,000 square feet of verdant planted terraces, and centered around a glass-wrapped solarium living room, the five-bedroom, 4,500-square-foot condominium is indeed a New York City dream home–even if it's no longer a secret. Schumer told the Journal she and her husband, chef Chris Fischer, are moving–likely to Brooklyn–to be closer to their son's school.
Step inside Amy Schumer's dreamy sky garden

Century 21 to reopen flagship store in the Financial District

Photo by ajay_suresh on Wikimedia

May 19, 2022

Century 21 to reopen flagship store in the Financial District

A favorite shopping destination of New Yorkers is coming back home. After undergoing a major renovation, and filing for bankruptcy in 2020, the famed department store Century 21 will return to its flagship location at 22 Cortlandt Street in the Financial District next spring. The new store will encompass four main floors, offering men's, women's, and children's apparel, including footwear, outerwear, handbags, accessories, and fragrances, according to a press release. And to emphasize its connection to the city, Century 21 is adding "NYC" to its logo.
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Real Estate Trends

Interior designer Muriel Brandolini lists attractive UES townhouse for $9.5M

All photos by Yoo Jean Han for Sotheby’s International Realty

May 19, 2022

Interior designer Muriel Brandolini lists attractive UES townhouse for $9.5M

Celebrated interior designer and decorator Muriel Brandolini is selling her four-story brownstone on the Upper East Side for $9,500,000. Brandolini, known for her "modernist-tropical" style reflective of her French-Vietnamese upbringing, decorated her home at 167 East 80th Street with art, patterns, and statement lighting, creating highly-livable spaces on every floor. Outside, a long private rear garden surrounded by bamboo gives the home a vacation vibe.
See inside

Distinctive Homes

NYC to celebrate Biggie Smalls’ 50th birthday with Empire State Building tribute, special MetroCards

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

May 18, 2022

NYC to celebrate Biggie Smalls’ 50th birthday with Empire State Building tribute, special MetroCards

One of hip-hop's most influential artists will be paid tribute by his hometown this weekend. On May 21, the Empire State Building will turn its lighting to red and white, with a crown spinning atop its mast, in honor of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., who would have turned 50 on Saturday. In Brooklyn, videos of Biggie Smalls, born Christopher Wallace, will be shown at the Barclays Center entrance and special MetroCards featuring the icon will be sold at three nearby subway stations, Variety reports.
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Nick Cave’s vibrant ‘Soundsuits’ subway station mosaics capture the energy of Times Square

All photos courtesy of MTA/Trent Reeves, unless otherwise noted

May 17, 2022

Nick Cave’s vibrant ‘Soundsuits’ subway station mosaics capture the energy of Times Square

Two new mosaics by the artist Nick Cave were unveiled in Times Square on Monday, completing a permanent artwork and marking the largest mosaic project in New York City's subway system. Commissioned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's public art program, the artwork, titled "Each One, Every One, Equal All," features Cave's wearable sculpture works "Soundsuits" translated into 4,600 square feet of colorful mosaic. The new artwork is part of a larger revamp of the 42nd Street station, including a new entrance and upgraded mezzanine level.
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For $6M, this classic Central Park South co-op has park views, possibilities, and space to spare

All photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

May 17, 2022

For $6M, this classic Central Park South co-op has park views, possibilities, and space to spare

On the 12th floor of the iconic copper-topped Hampshire House co-op at 150 Central Park South, this 2,640-square-foot residence has a parkside seat and the views to match. Asking $5,995,000, the three-bedroom (or two bedrooms and a dreamy den) classic seven is a combination of two units for an unusually spacious layout, rooms to spare, and an alternate floor plan in case you need ideas on what to do with all of them. Pre-war bones, a private south-facing balcony, and warm-toned herringbone floors tie it all together.
More park views and big, sunlit rooms, this way

Distinctive Homes

The Loisaida Festival returns to the Lower East Side after two-year Covid hiatus

All images courtesy of Loisaida Inc.

May 16, 2022

The Loisaida Festival returns to the Lower East Side after two-year Covid hiatus

After two years of virtual celebrations, the annual parade honoring the Lower East Side's Puerto Rican and Caribbean community will take place in person. Hosted by the Loisaida Center in partnership with the Acacia Network, the Loisaida Festival is returning for its 35th year this Memorial Day Weekend. The event will kick off on Sunday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m. with a parade showcasing organizations, community figures, artists, and performers before moving north up to the main stage on 12th Street. The festival will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Avenue C between 5th and 12th Streets.
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Events & Things To Do

AMNH’s revamped Northwest Coast Hall features exhibits curated by Indigenous communities

All images © D. Finnin/AMNH

May 16, 2022

AMNH’s revamped Northwest Coast Hall features exhibits curated by Indigenous communities

Five years and a $19 million renovation later, the American Museum of Natural History's oldest gallery reopened to the public last week. Developed alongside curators from Native Nations of the Northwest Coast, the new 10,200 square-foot Northwest Coast Hall showcases the history of the Pacific Northwest with a focus on the "scholarship and material culture of the Northwest Coast communities," according to a press release. The gallery contains more than 1,000 artifacts including a 63-foot-long canoe, the largest Pacific Northwest dugout canoe existing today, and a diverse collection of art, from monumental carvings up to 17 feet tall to contemporary works of art from Native artists.
Details here

Award-winning design is crowned by a perfect penthouse in this $13.8M Upper West Side home

Photo credit: Tim Waltman for Pamela D’Arc / Compass

May 16, 2022

Award-winning design is crowned by a perfect penthouse in this $13.8M Upper West Side home

This 6,300-square foot Upper West Side townhouse at 347 West 84th Street has enough going for it given its size, 2,000 square feet of outdoor space, and prime Manhattan location off Riverside Park. A pristine and beautifully-designed renovation by O’Neill Rose Architects has transformed this four-story house, asking $13,750,000, into a home worthy of design awards and inclusion in publications like Architect Magazine and Dezeen. To maximize natural light, two curved skylights were added, and glass panels replaced the home's rear wall. On the top floor, a glass-walled atelier provides a sun-filled indoor and outdoor oasis.
Tour four floors of livable luxury

Distinctive Homes

East Village speakeasy PDT opens pop-up on 86th floor of the Empire State Building

Photo courtesy of the Empire State Building

May 13, 2022

East Village speakeasy PDT opens pop-up on 86th floor of the Empire State Building

One of New York City's favorite speakeasies has opened at one of the world's most famous buildings. PDT (Please Don't Tell)--the cocktail bar hidden behind a phone booth in the East Village hot dog joint Crif Dogs--is operating a pop-up on the 86th-floor of the Empire State Building this month. In addition to enjoying sweeping city views and stellar signature drinks, guests can chow down on hot dogs from Crif Dogs.
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Food & Dining

51 middle-income rentals available in East Harlem, from $2,200/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

May 12, 2022

51 middle-income rentals available in East Harlem, from $2,200/month

Applications are currently being accepted for 51 middle-income units at a new residential development in Upper Manhattan. Located at 1998 Second Avenue in East Harlem, the 12-story building gives residents access to a host of amenities and the Upper East Side's wide variety of restaurants and stores. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income-- or between $75,429 annually for a single person and $215,150 for a family of seven--are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,200/month studios to $3,750/month three bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

NYC announces first-ever parade celebrating Asian American heritage

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

May 12, 2022

NYC announces first-ever parade celebrating Asian American heritage

The city's first-ever parade celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander New Yorkers will take place this weekend, Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday. On Sunday, May 15, the AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade will start in Midtown at 6th Avenue and West 44th Street and head north to West 55th Street. New York City's newest parade comes during AAPI Heritage Month and as the city continues to experience a spike in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
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Events & Things To Do

The El Dorado apartment of renowned art collector and ‘Beastie mom’ Hester Diamond asks $19.5M

Photo credit: Rise Media

May 12, 2022

The El Dorado apartment of renowned art collector and ‘Beastie mom’ Hester Diamond asks $19.5M

An apartment in the El Dorado at 300 Central Park West is an enviable enough thing on its own, even without the added cachet of belonging to the estate of Hester and Harold Diamond, owners of one of the world's finest art collections and parents of Mike Diamond of Beastie Boys fame, whose childhood home this was, Picassos and all. Ms. Diamond, who passed away in 2020 at 91, was an art dealer and collector whose collection of Old Masters and Modernist art, according to the New York Times, included Picasso, Mondrian, Rothko, and many more. Asking $19,500,000, the duplex co-op in one of New York City's most venerable buildings is museum-sized at 6,300 square feet with 800 square feet of terrace space and peerless park and skyline views.
View more of this amazing El Dorado residence

Distinctive Homes

May 11, 2022

How mixed-use development Manhattan West is creating a sustainable food system

A mixed-use development in Midtown this month announced a new initiative that aims to create a campus-wide sustainable food system. Manhattan West will become the first-ever "Rethink Certified Campus," requiring every food establishment at the development to donate their excess food and prepare free meals for New York City families facing food insecurities, developer Brookfield Properties and nonprofit Rethink Food announced. Funded with a $250,000 donation by Brookfield, the project is expected to collect five tons of excess food and provide 50,000 meals to families in need.
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Policy

The 92nd Street Y rebrands as 92NY and kicks off $200M redevelopment

All renderings courtesy of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP

May 11, 2022

The 92nd Street Y rebrands as 92NY and kicks off $200M redevelopment

A New York institution is getting a makeover---and a new name. The 92nd Street Y announced on Tuesday it has rebranded to 92nd Street Y, New York (with a nickname of 92NY), as part of a post-pandemic transformation that also involves a major revamp and new online programs. This month, a $200 million redevelopment of the organization's Upper East Side home at 1395 Lexington Avenue led by Beyer Blinder Belle will begin, starting with a renovation of its public performance space, a new dance center, and improvements to the gym.
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Talea Beer Co. opens outdoor pop-up brewery next to Grand Central

All images courtesy of Talea Beer Co.

May 11, 2022

Talea Beer Co. opens outdoor pop-up brewery next to Grand Central

New York City's first and only female-owned and operated production brewery has opened a pop-up outside of Grand Central Terminal. Located at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and 45th Street, Talea Beer Co.'s pop-up brewery is open daily from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and offers five different beers on tap, as well as canned beers and draft pours to go. Open through September, the brewery also offers cocktails and wine for non-beer drinkers.
Details here

Food & Dining

NYC’s first-ever Japan Parade takes place this weekend

Image courtesy of Geoff Livingston on Flickr

May 9, 2022

NYC’s first-ever Japan Parade takes place this weekend

New York City is hosting a parade dedicated to Japanese people and their culture for the first time ever this weekend. On Saturday, May 14, the Japan Parade kicks off at Central Park and West 81st Street and moves south towards 68th Street. The parade will showcase a variety of Japanese performing arts and Japanese organizations, like Anime NYC, the International Karate Organization Kyokushin, and the Japanese Folk Dance of NY, according to Thrillist.
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Events & Things To Do

Alexander Skarsgård lists his top-floor East Village co-op for $2.6M

All photos courtesy of Yale Wagner

May 9, 2022

Alexander Skarsgård lists his top-floor East Village co-op for $2.6M

Actor Alexander Skarsgård has just listed his top-floor townhouse co-op at 119 East 10th Street for $2,599,000, roughly $300,000 more than he paid in 2017 for the East Village apartment, which once belonged to actress Parker Posey (Chloe Sevigny also lived in the same building before heading to Brooklyn in 2013). The Emmy-nominated star of “Big Little Lies” and “True Blood" oversaw a thorough renovation of the loft-like one-bedroom home, giving its pre-war details and wood-beamed ceilings a careful upgrade, a renovated kitchen, and more (h/t Architectural Digest).
Tour the new, improved version of this top floor co-op, this way

$500M One Times Square revamp includes outdoor viewing deck, museum, and even more ads

All renderings courtesy of Jamestown

May 6, 2022

$500M One Times Square revamp includes outdoor viewing deck, museum, and even more ads

One of the most valuable advertising locations in the world will cash in on its prime location even further. One Times Square, home of the New Year's Eve ball drop, will undergo a $500 million redevelopment to become a new visitor center with a viewing deck, museum, and 12 floors of interactive "branded" experiences, developer Jamestown announced on Friday. While the 26-story building, located at 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, has been vacant for years, its exterior is covered in giant billboards. As part of the half-a-billion-dollar project, advertisers will be able to reach more consumers through immersive "digital, virtual, and augmented reality integrations" inside One Times Square.
Details here

Historic Palace Theatre finishes 30-foot lift above Times Square

Images courtesy of TSX Broadway

May 5, 2022

Historic Palace Theatre finishes 30-foot lift above Times Square