Manhattan

After saying goodbye to the Knicks, NBA star Carmelo Anthony is also hoping to bid adieu to his massive, full-floor Chelsea condo. According to Compass, who holds the $12,850,000 listing, Melo is looking for another (we'd guess smaller) NYC-area home as he recently signed a new contract with the Portland Trailblazers. The apartment is in the boutique condominium 508 West 24th Street, and thanks to its fifth-floor location, it has beautiful views of the High Line below.
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Live across the street from The Strand in this $695K loft duplex

Listing images by Evan Joseph; courtesy of Compass

February 14, 2020

Live across the street from The Strand in this $695K loft duplex

By Andrew Berman of Village Preservation

Just around the corner from the bustle of Broadway at 49 East 12th Street, this one-bedroom duplex features dramatic 16-foot ceilings and a full-height lofted bedroom. Though it technically falls within Greenwich Village, it's just two blocks south of Union Square and practically across the street from beloved bookstore The Strand. Best of all, its $695,000 price tag falls nicely within the "under $1 million" category, though maintenance fees will add $1,175 to your monthly expenses.
The full tour, this way

Distinctive Homes

February 14, 2020

Civil Rights, the NAACP, and W.E.B. DuBois: The African American history tied to 70 Fifth Avenue

When we think of great African American historic sites in New York, we typically think of Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Lower Manhattan’s African Burial Ground, or Brooklyn’s Weeksville Houses. But one building that should perhaps join the list is 70 Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village, which housed the headquarters of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization; The Crisis, the first magazine published for an African American audience; and the first magazine dedicated to African American children, meant to combat the commonplace demeaning stereotypes of the time, headed by none other than civil rights icon W.E.B. DuBois.
Learn all this history ahead

History

All Barneys New York stores to close by end of the month

Photo by Jim.henderson on Wikimedia

February 14, 2020

All Barneys New York stores to close by end of the month

It's the end of an era. Once an icon in the luxury fashion world, Barneys New York is officially closing its doors this month. All stores will shutter on Feb. 23, the New York Post reported on Thursday, with 719 employees losing their jobs at the retailer's flagship location at 660 Madison Avenue, its store in Chelsea at 101 Seventh Avenue, an outlet in Central Valley, and its corporate offices at 575 Fifth Avenue. Barneys California stores in Beverly Hills and San Francisco will also close Feb. 23.
More here

Real Estate Trends

Wealthy Russian family lists gilded Plaza apartment full of onyx and crystal for $45M

All photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

February 14, 2020

Wealthy Russian family lists gilded Plaza apartment full of onyx and crystal for $45M

Russian oligarch and co-owner of Moscow's Domodedovo Airport Valery Kogan and his wife Olga Kogan have put their insanely opulent Plaza apartment on the market for $45 million. The billionaire couple bought two units in the iconic building in 2007/2008 for $26 million and then combined them, according to the Wall Street Journal. The massive home that they're now trying to unload--which the listing describes as being "reminiscent of French royalty"--is dripping with gold detailing, crystal chandeliers, ornate moldings, and a master bathroom wrapped from floor to ceiling in imported onyx. It even has an alcove in one of the building's turrets.
You've gotta see this place to believe it

Distinctive Homes

February 13, 2020

CNN anchor Don Lemon is selling his stylish Harlem condo for $1.75M

CNN journalist Don Lemon has listed his condo in a luxury Harlem apartment building for $1.75 million, according to the New York Post. Located at 2280 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, the tower, known as 2280 FDB, is a few short blocks from Morningside Park and all that Central Harlem has to offer. The TV news anchor first bought the three-bedroom home for $1.48 million in 2013, followed by a neighboring one-bedroom unit for roughly $867,780 the next year. He sold the smaller unit in 2017 for $969,000.
Take the tour

Pierogis, borscht, and Ukrainian history: Behind the scenes at East Village restaurant Veselka

All photos taken by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

February 13, 2020

Pierogis, borscht, and Ukrainian history: Behind the scenes at East Village restaurant Veselka

21,000 pierogis, 2,500 latkes, and 110 gallons of borscht--that's how much Veselka is serving up each week. But it's impossible to quantify how many memories have been made at the famous East Village Ukrainian restaurant, which has been in operation since 1954. Whether it's grandparents who remember going to what was then a small candy shop and newspaper stand at a time when the East Village was a thriving Eastern European community, or counter-culture icons of the 1970s, or club kids of the '90s, or the NYU students of today, you can bet that nearly every New Yorker has some story of enjoying a meal at Veselka. 6sqft recently got a behind-the-scenes tour of Veselka's kitchen to see how the magic happens, in addition to chatting with third-generation owner Jason Birchard. Ahead, check out all the photos and learn about the history of Veselka.
Check it out

This year, celebrate the centennial of women’s suffrage and Susan B. Anthony

New York City women’s march, October 23 ,1915. Photo: Library of Congress.

February 13, 2020

This year, celebrate the centennial of women’s suffrage and Susan B. Anthony

2020 is an American presidential election year, and whether or not we finally see a woman in the country's highest office, this year officially marks the centennial of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Among the celebrations we'll see throughout the nation, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Monumental Women will be honoring the life and accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony in Madison Square Park on Friday, February 14th, a day before the pioneering feminist's 200th birthday on February 15th. Brewer also issued a proclamation declaring February 15th as Susan B. Anthony Day in Manhattan.
Susan B. Anthony Day and more celebrations of women's right vote, this way

Events & Things To Do

Photo via The Pennsy

February 12, 2020

Penn Station’s food hall, The Pennsy, and neighboring Kmart are closing

The retail landscape around Penn Station is set for some changes. The Pennsy Food Hall right above the station will be closing its doors for good on March 31, Commercial Observer reports. The 8,000-square-foot food hall opened at Vornado Realty Trust's 2 Penn Plaza four years ago with a mix of vendors and late-night hours to draw in delayed commuters as well as pre-concert and post-game crowds. The closure is hitting vegan eatery Cinnamon Snail especially hard—the company has confirmed it will be shutting down all operations after The Pennsy shutters. The news came on the same day that the Kmart across the street announced it would close after 24 years at One Penn Plaza.
More details

Food & Dining

February 12, 2020

LPC approves Rafael Viñoly’s revamp of National Academy building, but without rooftop addition

The plan to restore a historic Upper East Side townhouse and transform it into a new art gallery was partially approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission Tuesday. The neo-Renaissance townhouse at 3 East 89th Street in the expanded Carnegie Hill Historic District, as well as two connecting buildings, was formerly home to the National Academy Museum. Salon 94 owner Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn purchased the property last summer with the intention of consolidating her three art galleries at the property. Led by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the revamp includes a facade rehabilitation, new central gallery space, and a restoration of the original porte-cochere from 1915. While there was overwhelming support for the new gallery space, the LPC rejected the project's proposed sixth-floor rooftop addition, with most commissioners having issues with its bulk and visibility.
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Architecture And Design

Stuy Town’s new affordable housing lottery caters to those earning six-figures

Photo by Kelly on Wiki Commons

February 12, 2020

Stuy Town’s new affordable housing lottery caters to those earning six-figures

A single person earning $123,000 a year is probably not what you'd consider an appropriate candidate for affordable housing, but the new 2020 waitlist at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village is set for households earning 165 percent of the area median income. Under those guidelines, $2,985/month one-bedrooms are reserved for individuals earning between $89,550 and $123,255 annually, up to three-person households earning between $89,550 and $158,565. The $3,745/month two-bedrooms are set aside for two-person households earning $112,350 to $140,910 up to five-person households earning $112,350 to $190,245.
Want to apply?

Affordable Housing

Rendering courtesy of the Olnick Organization

February 12, 2020

Alternative plan for Harlem’s massive Lenox Terrace development gets rid of affordable units

Amidst pushback from locals and activists, the Olnick Organization has released a Plan B proposal for its Lenox Terrace expansion, reports the Post. Last week, the City Planning Commission approved an application from the complex's owner to rezone part of the neighborhood and allow five 28-story towers with a mix of market-rate and affordable units to be built at the site. The alternate plan unveiled on Tuesday presents a scaled-down version that wouldn't require a zoning change but also wouldn't include any of the affordable units or public amenities in the original plan.
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Policy

$525K East Village studio features lots of storage and a hidden solution for overnight guests

Listing images courtesy of Halstead Real Estate

February 11, 2020

$525K East Village studio features lots of storage and a hidden solution for overnight guests

Exposed brick walls and a decorative fireplace give this East Village alcove studio at 186 East 2nd Street charm to spare while clever space-saving solutions and plenty of storage make it adaptable to modern life. Asking $525,000, it's got a prime East Village location to boot, just two blocks away from the Second Avenue F train station and a short walk to Tompkins Square Park.
Get the full tour

Distinctive Homes

Image courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

February 11, 2020

This $1.9M Harlem penthouse comes with a ground-floor studio, a roof terrace, and lofty aspirations

Asking $1.895 million, this two-bedroom Harlem condominium penthouse at the building known as Strivers Lofts at 223 West 135th Street spans 1,700 square feet with the light and views you'd expect from the top floor. A bit more unexpected is the added perk in the form of a separate 200-square-foot home office with a powder room on the building's ground floor. The penthouse has high ceilings, tall windows, and a large planted roof deck in a former light industrial building, which is now home to full-floor lofts.
Lofty aspirations, this way

Distinctive Homes

Stylish $2.25M West Village loft comes with a fresh renovation and celebrity neighbors

Listing images by Matt Vacca for Doug Kampsen; courtesy of Compass

February 10, 2020

Stylish $2.25M West Village loft comes with a fresh renovation and celebrity neighbors

Fresh off a stylish renovation, this move-in ready loft is a prime example of downtown living on the border of the West Village and Meatpacking District. Now listed for $2.25 million, the 1,200 square foot unit is located in The Gansevoort at 321 West 13th Street, a boutique condominium known for its Neo-Classical facade, unique layouts, and intimate scale. You’ll be able to count at least one celebrity as a neighbor—Ralph Fiennes has lived in the building since 2008.
Take a look around

Rendering courtesy of FXCollaborative

February 7, 2020

Macy’s reveals proposed 900+ foot skyscraper to rise above Herald Square flagship

Macy’s, which recently announced plans to close 125 department stores over the next several years, is still hoping to cash in on the thriving office market by building an office tower above its Herald Square flagship store in Midtown. The retail icon revealed that it has proposed the construction of 1.5 million square feet of office space, a sky lobby, and public improvements to the surrounding area, the Wall Street Journal reports. The proposed tower would rise between 700 and 950 feet with, according to renderings revealed by YIMBY, a glass façade, setbacks, and a crown. The department store below could confer it with supertall status (984 feet or taller).
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New Developments

19th-century West Village townhouse comes with an owner’s triplex and five rental units for $12M

Listing images by DDReps; courtesy of Compass

February 6, 2020

19th-century West Village townhouse comes with an owner’s triplex and five rental units for $12M

Described as "a delightful and interesting street in which to live" by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Perry Street is a sought after stretch of the West Village and home to several noteworthy structures. Sited within the Greenwich Village Historic District and now on the market for the first time in 50 years, the townhouse at 73 Perry Street is almost directly across the street from two of the most recognizable facades on the block: 64 and 66 Perry Street, famous for being Carrie Bradshaw's home on Sex and the City. It's seeking $11.995 million.
Take the full tour

Distinctive Homes

Why are the tracks of the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle curved?

The Times Square shuttle platform, Photo by Helvetica Fanatic on Wikimedia

February 6, 2020

Why are the tracks of the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle curved?

At the platform of the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle, a train track is hidden in plain sight. At both ends of the two-station line, tracks are numbered 1, 3 and 4, with no Track 2 to be found. As the New York Times explained, Track 2 once ran in its appropriate spot, between Tracks 1 and 3, but was taken out of operation nearly 100 years ago. After an attempt to expand the original 1904 line turned to major confusion for commuters, transit officials covered Track 2 with wooden flooring to make it easier for New Yorkers to walk to the new tracks.
More this way

Photo credit: Alkenz courtesy of Artechouse

February 6, 2020

‘Submerge’ yourself in Pantone’s Color of the Year at this hypnotic Chelsea installation

With a press preview on February 4, Artechouse NYC kicked off its 2020 season with "Submerged," an immersive installation inspired by Pantone Color of The Year 2020, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue. The new Chelsea art space dedicated to immersive digital art launched the exhibition during New York’s Fashion Week, and it will be on view until February 23, 2020. Artechouse opened in September in the 6,000-square-foot boiler room beneath Chelsea Market’s main concourse.
Immersion, submersion and multi-sensory exploration, this way

Events & Things To Do

February 5, 2020

Target signs lease for Food Emporium space on Union Square East

Don't get too excited yet--it's not opening until at least 2023, when the lease expires for the space's current tenant, the Food Emporium grocery store. The Post reports that Target signed a lease for the 32,579-square-foot space at the base of 10 Union Square East. Target currently has seven stores in Manhattan, with two more set to open in Times Square, Columbus Circle, and Washinton Heights. One of their stores is just a few avenues east on 14th Street at Avenue A.
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City Living

For $588K this Upper East Side co-op is chic, efficient and totally New York City

Photo credit: Al Siedman of VHT, courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 5, 2020

For $588K this Upper East Side co-op is chic, efficient and totally New York City

It's easy to overcomplicate things when it comes to real estate, but this Upper East Side co-op at 333 East 66th Street keeps things simple. It's basically an alcove studio, but custom-designed built-in storage makes great use of every inch of space. A recent designer renovation makes it easy on the eyes, and a high floor means light and city views.
Have a look around

Distinctive Homes

‘Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward’ tells the story of American Jews in the early 20th century

Lower East Side Matzoh Line, 1930; image courtesy of the Museum at Eldridge Street.

February 5, 2020

‘Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward’ tells the story of American Jews in the early 20th century

An exhibition now on view at the Museum at Eldridge Street shares a treasure trove of photographs and documents from the Jewish Daily Forward, a newspaper that has been published on the Lower East Sid since 1897–and today still thrives in digital format. For over 120 years, the Forward was the go-to source for news, culture, and opinion both global and everyday for New York City's Jewish community. The printed paper's deep archives trace its history and the stories it covered in "Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward."
Find out more

180 Broome Street on left; Rendering by Moso Studio

February 4, 2020

Lottery launches for 121 units at new Essex Crossing rental, from $562/month

An affordable housing lottery is set to launch Wednesday for 121 mixed-income units at a brand new Lower East Side rental. The Artisan, located at 180 Broome Street, is part of the nine-site Essex Crossing development. The tower contains 263 apartments, retail at street level, office space on levels two through five, and underground access to the Market Line. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 130, or 165 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $562/month studios to $3,770/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

A closer look inside Waterline Square’s starchitect-designed rentals, from $3,938/month

Living area inside an apartment at One Waterline Square; photo by Evan Joseph

February 4, 2020

A closer look inside Waterline Square’s starchitect-designed rentals, from $3,938/month

When rental units at the Waterline Square development on the Upper West Side hit the market last fall it was clear that the price tags reflected the starchitect lineup involved with its design: The trio of glassy towers was designed by Richard Meier & Partners (One Waterline Square), Kohn Pedersen Fox (Two Waterline Square), and Rafael Viñoly (Three Waterline Square), with Hill West Architects serving as executive architect for the master plan. Located on Riverside Boulevard between 59th and 61st Streets, the complex holds 868 rental units (in addition to 263 condos), which start at $3,938/month for a studio and go up to $15,000/month for a four-bedroom. If you’re curious about what those pricey rentals look like inside, here’s a look at three model homes in each of the towers.
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See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

Aerial rendering of Vanderbilt Plaza courtesy of SL Green

February 4, 2020

See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

A car-free public space will open this summer between Grand Central Terminal and Midtown's newest, tallest office building, One Vanderbilt. Renderings released this week, which were first spotted by the New York Post, show a new plaza on a strip of Vanderbilt Avenue between East 42nd Street to East 43rd Street, situated at the southern end of the iconic terminal. The open space, dubbed "Vanderbilt Plaza," is part of SL Green's commitment to invest $220 million in transit improvements in exchange for zoning changes agreed to by the city in 2014.
See the plaza

New Developments

Lenox Terrace rezoning in Harlem gets green light from City Planning

Photo: Lenox Terrace Aerial; Credit: Davis Brody Bond

February 4, 2020

Lenox Terrace rezoning in Harlem gets green light from City Planning