Manhattan

December 17, 2020

On New Year’s Eve, you can sleep in a private igloo under the Times Square Ball

"To honor the strength and resilience" of New Yorkers this year, Airbnb has teamed up with Nasdaq and Mariah Carey to offer two lucky locals (from the same household!) the chance to ring in the new year under the Times Square Ball. The 10th-floor terrace of the Nasdaq MarketSite will hold a heated igloo-like geodesic dome to get cozy in, as well as provide panoramic views of all the live, broadcasted events and performances that will be going on that night. The guests will also get a personal, virtual greeting from Mariah Carey, a $5,000 shopping credit, and dinner by a private chef.
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December 17, 2020

Feel festive all year round: The best apartments for sale near Rockefeller Center

There’s no place like New York during the holidays. Even in the middle of a pandemic, the city manages to still feel magical this time of year. And Rockefeller Center, with its iconic Christmas Tree, ice skating rink, and Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, remains the city’s crown jewel of the season. For those who want to feel festive all year round, we’ve found the best apartments located within walking distance to Rockefeller Plaza and priced below $1.5 million, from a $530,000 charming pre-war pad in Midtown East to a $1.27 million Theater District one-bedroom with 12-foot ceilings and a shared outdoor terrace with a fireplace.
Full list ahead
December 17, 2020

Oops! 2020 did it again! We have TWO Buildings of the Year

Earlier this week, 6sqft reported that 15 Hudson Yards was voted 2020 Building of the Year with a whopping 50 percent of the votes. However, after we discovered a glitch in our vote-counting system (how 2020!), the results are too close to call and it’s a virtual tie with One South First. If it were another year, we would extend the voting to call a single winner, but it is 2020, and we don’t want to think about voting anymore! The fact that our readers put these two buildings on par is fitting, as they are both prominent projects that have changed the trajectories of their respective neighborhoods--15 Hudson Yards at the Hudson Yards mega-development and One South First at the Domino Sugar development on the south Williamsburg waterfront. Ahead, learn more about the two buildings and what sets them apart.
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December 17, 2020

In a former Hudson Square printing factory, this $2.3M condo is an old-world dream

Located at 104 Charlton Street in the burgeoning Hudson Square area, this two-bedroom condo is located in a former printing factory and retains old-world details like wood-beamed ceilings, brick walls, and rustic wood floors. Though there are oversized windows, the 2,000-square-foot home has a cozy, cavernous feel. It also has a charming outdoor terrace, and it's asking $2,325,000.
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December 16, 2020

Here’s what you need to know about Times Square’s virtual ball drop this New Year’s Eve

In September, the Times Square Alliance announced that its annual New Year's Eve celebration will take place virtually this year, including the famous ball drop. This will be the first time in 114 years that the December 31 event will not have a crowd. But thanks to a new app developed by Jamestown, Times Square will come to the living rooms of revelers around the world. Turning the New Year's Eve experience into a video game, the app lets users create a personalized avatar, explore a virtual Times Square, play games, and live stream the countdown to midnight.  Real-life musical performances, interviews, and countdowns are still happening this year but will be live-streamed instead.
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December 15, 2020

$22M Upper East Side townhouse has a teak media room, mid-century solarium, and neon accents

Try as we might, it's really impossible to classify the style of this Upper East Side townhouse, currently on the market for $22 million. The five-story home is filled with contemporary decor like neon light art and leather flooring, but also has classic architectural elements running throughout. Then there are all the outliers--an all-teak media room, a prairie-style solarium, and an Ipe garden. Located at 48 East 81st Street, it's just a block from Central Park and the Met.
Take the full tour
December 14, 2020

For the first time, East Harlem’s exclusive Rao’s is offering delivery

Noncelebrity New Yorkers will finally be able to taste the iconic Italian food of Rao's, long considered the city's most exclusive restaurant. As part of a joint program led by culture brand Thrillist and ghost kitchen operations company Zuul, the East Harlem institution will offer delivery of its signature dishes for the first time ever. As part of the program, ten New York City restaurants will lead a two-week chef residency with limited-edition menu items available for takeout and delivery.
Details here
December 14, 2020

Rhonda Sassoon puts Soho’s famous ‘Dean & Deluca loft’ on the market for $5.8M

Six-and-a-half years ago, Rhonda Sassoon, fourth wife and widow of famed hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, dropped $5.8 million on this stunning Soho loft at 133 Wooster Street. Not only is it notable for its sprawling 3,600-square-foot layout, but for the fact that she bought it from Dean & Deluca co-founder Jack Ceglic, who created his cookbook right in this very kitchen. Sassoon has now put the co-op back on the market for $5.8 million, hoping to break even.
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December 11, 2020

East Village Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is expanding with a pierogi bar

When Veselka first opened on the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 9th Street in 1954, the business was a small candy shop and newspaper stand. Sixty-years later, and the Ukrainian restaurant serves up 21,000 pierogis, 2,500 latkes, and 110 gallons of borscht each week. That is until the pandemic hit. In September, owner Tom Birchard spoke about how the restaurant was struggling. But thanks to a dedicated customer base filling its heated sidewalk seating and indoor tables, as well as a growing delivery and national shipping arm, Veselka is expanding to the space next door, as was first reported by EV Grieve. The addition will be complete with a new "sushi bar-style counter that will showcase the restaurant’s pierogi-making process," according to the New York Times.
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December 11, 2020

Asking $1.5M, this classic Chelsea co-op is full of Asian influences

The listing for this Chelsea one-bedroom says it "delivers sensations of a tranquil Zen Garden." From the hand-carved, fern-leaf motif window shutters and doors to the woven bamboo bedroom ceiling to the hand-painted woven fabric wall coverings, the 875-square-foot home mixes its classic co-op details with unique Asian-inspired decor, all of which was envisioned by designer Paul Ochs. It's located at 465 West 23rd Street, the iconic London Terrace Towers, and is asking $1,495,000.
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December 10, 2020

For $489K, a classic Upper West Side studio right off Central Park

If you're cool with a studio, here's your chance to live just off Central Park in a classic Upper West Side co-op... for only $489,000. This lovely residence is located at The Bancroft, also just steps from the West 72nd Street subway station. It's got two large, arched windows that bring in plenty of light, along with classic pre-war details.
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December 9, 2020

You can spend a toy-filled night inside FAO Schwarz

It's like Night at the Museum meets Big--one lucky New York City family of four will get the chance to spend the night inside FAO Schwarz, arguably the world's most famous toy store. The experience comes courtesy of Airbnb, who arranged the stay especially for the holidays. For just $25, you'll be able to freely roam the store, as well as receive a special tour from a real FAO Schwarz toy soldier. Other perks include a shopping spree, a fantastic feast, and a music lesson on the store’s iconic Giant Dance On Piano.
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December 9, 2020

$57M penthouse at 111 West 57th Street joins list of NYC’s priciest pandemic sales

A penthouse apartment at the supertall 111 West 57th Street has sold for over $50 million, making it one of the priciest real estate deals in the city since the coronavirus pandemic struck this spring. Duplex Penthouse 75 sold "for around the list price" of $57 million, according to a spokesperson for the Billionaires' Row development. The two-level apartment has four bedrooms, five and a half baths, and boasts 14-foot ceilings and incredible views of Central Park.
Get the details
December 7, 2020

Pearl River Mart to close Tribeca flagship next year

Pearl River Mart will shutter its Tribeca flagship early next year, store owners announced last week, becoming the latest New York City institution to shutter because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a blog post, company president Joanne Kwong said negotiations with the landlord "have stalled" and that he "has made clear his desire to use the courts to recoup every dollar he can, not just from our business, but from our personal assets." Despite the closure, Pearl River Mart, which has sold one-of-a-kind Asian-inspired decor and cookware in Manhattan since 1971, will keep its stores and new food concept in Chelsea Market open and the company said it has already secured a new location in the neighborhood.
More here
December 7, 2020

NYC’s highest outdoor observation deck is twinkling with 50,000 lights for the holidays

Edge, the city's highest outdoor observation deck at 1,131 feet (as well as the highest in the entire western hemisphere), is all ready for its first holiday season. The Hudson Yards attraction is adorned with 50,000 twinkling lights illuminating the Skyline Steps and interior spaces and is offering a limited-edition holiday "Cocoa in the Clouds" to keep you nice and toasty while you take in those insane views.
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December 2, 2020

VOTE for 6sqft’s 2020 Building of the Year!

It goes without saying that 2020 has been an unpredictable, challenging year. This March, COVID-19 brought New York City to a standstill, from the city's bustling street life to the plethora of construction projects that defined the prior year. The pandemic quickly changed the way we live and build, but ultimately didn't stop New Yorkers from doing either. The city is still a place with bold new construction projects, glittering towers and mega-developments, unique and creative amenities -- especially to respond to a year sticking close to home. 2020 brought the introduction of a new public park inside an Upper West Side mega-development, multi-million dollar condo sales along Billionaire's Row, the restoration of a classic NYC landmark, and impressive new architecture that promises to shape our ever-changing skyline. Our picks are down to 12 of the most notable residential structures this year. The only question is: Which do you think deserves 6sqft’s title of 2020 Building of the Year? To have your say, polls for our sixth annual competition will be open up until midnight on Sunday, December 13 and we will announce the winner on Monday, December 14.
Cast your vote!
December 1, 2020

The Salvation Army unveils giant red kettle in NYC as need for support services remains high

With the need for support services at an all-time high coupled with a lack of foot traffic at retail stores due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Salvation Army has had to think outside the kettle this holiday season. While typically the charity group relies on its bell-ringers stationed outside of stores with red kettles to raise money for those in need, this year the Salvation Army is calling for digital donations. To bring attention to its online fundraising campaign, the group unveiled on Tuesday a giant 32-foot red kettle in Times Square.
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December 1, 2020

NYC AIDS Memorial debuts powerful sound installation for World AIDS Day

The voices of New Yorkers affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic will be heard daily as part of a new program installed in Greenwich Village. In recognition of World AIDS Day on Tuesday, the New York City AIDS Memorial will launch a sound-based installation composed of speeches, poetry, music, and readings of texts related to the history of the epidemic. The hour-long program, titled Hear Me: Voices of the Epidemic, will be broadcast from the memorial nightly at 7 p.m. for the month of December, along with a new lighting installation.
More here
December 1, 2020

For $349K, this Beekman studio is a tiny charmer

This Beekman apartment may be small, but it's nothing if not charming. Located at the prestigious Southgate co-op at 434 East 52nd Street, the studio has plenty of pre-war details like beamed ceilings, oak floors, classic moldings, and an exposed brick wood-burning fireplace. It also has a foyer, two generous closets, a separate full kitchen, and a dressing nook outside the bathroom. And it's asking just $349,000.
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November 30, 2020

You’ll need timed tickets to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree this year

Starting this Thursday, December 3, if you want a chance to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree for five minutes (yep, there's a time limit), you'll need to reserve advance tickets. In his press conference today, Mayor de Blasio outlined the new system, which includes closing 49th and 50th Streets between 6th and 7th Avenues to vehicular traffic and setting up four-person "pods" where guests will be directed to see the tree. "This is going to be a challenging holiday season in a lot of ways, but it's still going to be a beautiful one," said the mayor.
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November 30, 2020

This $1.3M Yorkville duplex is classy, sassy, and perfect for a small family

Over in Yorkville, this $1,295,000 duplex has all the elegant details you'd expect from a pre-war co-op, with tons of chic, modern style mixed in. And with two en-suite bedrooms and a large rear garden, it's the perfect place for a small family. Located at 511 East 82nd Street, it's also just a few blocks from Carl Schurz Park and a quick walk to the Second Avenue Subway.
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November 25, 2020

$2.5M full-floor FiDi condo has two outdoor spaces and World Trade Center views

A spacious full-floor loft with two outdoor terraces in the Financial District is asking $2.48 million. The two-bedroom, two-bath condo is located at 119 Fulton Street and has perfectly-framed Freedom Tower views. The apartment features a newly renovated kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, custom built-ins, keyed elevator access, and outdoor spaces on either end of the unit.
More ahead
November 24, 2020

Flatiron’s new holiday art installation connects New Yorkers from a distance

A new public art installation opened on Monday in the Flatiron Public Plaza as part of the neighborhood's annual "23 Days of Flatiron Cheer" holiday programming. Designed by firm Studio Cooke John, the Point of Action installation consists of nine metal pavilions surrounded by six-foot concentric circles with ropes that part, creating a "spotlight" and allowing passersby to connect with one another. The firm's work was selected as this year's winning design by the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership and Van Alen Institute.
See it here
November 24, 2020

Obama’s former Morningside Heights apartment lists for $1.45M

During his time attending Columbia in the early '80s, President Barack Obama lived first on West 109th Street and then on East 94th Street. After graduating, he moved back to Morningside Heights, to a three-bedroom apartment at 622 West 114th Street. This fourth-floor walkup is now listed for sale, asking $1,450,000.
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November 23, 2020

Astor Place Hairstylists has been saved from closing

Just two days before it was set to close for good, Astor Place Hairstylists was saved by a group of New York investors. As the New York Post first reported, enough money has been raised to keep the East Village basement barbershop "open for at least another 75 years," businessman Jonathan Trichter told the newspaper on Monday. Astor Place Hairstylists announced last month plans to permanently close just before Thanksgiving due to a lack of business because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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November 23, 2020

Washington Heights will become first COVID micro-cluster zone in Manhattan

Since last week, many New Yorkers have been anticipating an announcement that the entire city will become an orange zone. This has been avoided at least for another day, but Governor Cuomo did announce that Washington Heights will become a precautionary yellow zone, hitting a 3.30% positivity rate. This is the first micro-cluster zone in Manhattan and the fifth and final borough to join this map. The governor also announced a dire situation on Staten Island in which an emergency overflow facility for COVID patients will open at South Beach.
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