On Long Island’s Gold Coast, this $2.9M mansion is an architectural treasure inside and out

Listing photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

March 1, 2021

On Long Island’s Gold Coast, this $2.9M mansion is an architectural treasure inside and out

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Sea Cliff is a charming waterfront community in Nassau County's Oyster Bay, and because of its location on a bluff, many of its homes have spectacular views of the Long Island Sound. This historic mansion not only has these views, but it's set on 1.6 acres full of beautiful landscaping and trees. The home itself, which was built in 1913 by prominent architect Ogden Codman Jr., is just as stunning, with coffered wood-paneled walls, built-ins, moldings, and original fireplaces. Known as Westways, the property just hit the market for $2,890,000.
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Campaign to save Union Square South sites connected to women’s history continues

Screenshot of Women’s History Tour map; Courtesy of Village Preservation

March 1, 2021

Campaign to save Union Square South sites connected to women’s history continues

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On the first day of Women's History Month, a preservation group is renewing calls to landmark nearly two dozen sites related to women's history in New York City. Village Preservation on Monday kicked off a campaign effort urging the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate several buildings located south of Union Square that have a connection to trailblazing women, organizations, or historic events. It's part of the group's broader effort to protect nearly 200 buildings in the area which is slated for new development.
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Here’s where to donate to support Asian communities in NYC

Photo by Mobilus in Mobili on Flickr

February 26, 2021

Here’s where to donate to support Asian communities in NYC

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Before the coronavirus even hit New York City last year, anti-Asian racism and xenophobia struck the city's Chinatown neighborhoods, affecting the residents and many small businesses. Throughout the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in harassment and violence against Chinese and other Asian New Yorkers, particularly stemming from racist misinformation about COVID-19. As The City reported, the Commission on Human Rights, recorded 205 cases in 2020 involving anti-Asian incidents, a nearly "sevenfold rise" compared to 2019. Hate crimes and attacks directed at Asian Americans have continued into 2021, in New York and across the country. Ahead, we've put together a list of local organizations to donate, for those looking to support Asian communities across the five boroughs. While incomplete, the list can serve as a starting point and will be updated.
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Giving citizens a (virtual) voice: How NYC can strengthen public input post-pandemic

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

February 26, 2021

Giving citizens a (virtual) voice: How NYC can strengthen public input post-pandemic

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Nearly a year into the pandemic, decision-making in our cities has taken center stage. Locally grown proposals by council people, small business owners, and neighbors have proven the ability to cut through red tape and innovate quickly to solve problems. Outdoor dining structures and pedestrian-only streets were implemented at a rate thought impossible before. At the same time, top-down mandates about public safety and use of funds have been at best called into question, and at worst, completely fumbled. Slow action and political quibbles have left many critical decisions out of public hands. In the face of many more important decisions to come about our city, it is high time to address a challenge that has plagued us long before the pandemic — the lack of substantial public input into big decisions.
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Asking just $350K, this Harlem condo is a compact steal

Photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 26, 2021

Asking just $350K, this Harlem condo is a compact steal

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The $350,000 asking price for this duplex condo in Harlem is one of the lowest we've seen in a while, especially considering it's not tiny at 780 square feet. Located at 161 West 133rd Street, the home has a decent amount of living/dining space on the upper level, while the lower level makes a perfect bedroom suite with a half bath (there's a full bathroom upstairs) and a laundry closet.
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Sag Harbor cottage where John Steinbeck wrote his final novel asks $18M

All photos by Gavin Zeigler for Sotheby’s International Realty

February 25, 2021

Sag Harbor cottage where John Steinbeck wrote his final novel asks $18M

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John Steinbeck's waterfront cottage in Sag Harbor where he penned his final novel, The Winter of Discontent, is on the market for $17.9 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author bought the Hamptons home, tucked away on a bluff between two coves, in 1955, as the New York Times first reported. The property sits on nearly two acres and contains a two-bedroom main residence, a gazebo-like structure that Steinbeck used as a writing space, a guest cottage, and a 60-foot private dock.
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Lottery opens for 330 middle-income units at 5Pointz towers in Long Island City, from $1,850/month

View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty

February 25, 2021

Lottery opens for 330 middle-income units at 5Pointz towers in Long Island City, from $1,850/month

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View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty A housing lottery launched this week for 337 rental units at the pair of residential towers in Queens that replaced the famed graffiti-covered warehouse 5Pointz. Located at 22-44 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, the development, dubbed 5 Pointz LIC, contains two buildings, one at 47 stories and the other at 41, and over 1,100 units of housing. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,850/month studios to $3,200/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

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This website wants to centralize vaccine appointments for the entire country

A screenshot from VaccineFinder on 2/25/21 at 10:31am

February 25, 2021

This website wants to centralize vaccine appointments for the entire country

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Finding a vaccine appointment in New York has not been easy, to say the least. Providers are scheduling through various websites, most of which require you to fill out a pre-screening form every time you want to check availability. So unless you get lucky or are able to sit behind the computer all day, it can feel like a daunting process. That's why here in New York City, a local software engineer built a website called TurboVax that updates all availabilities in real-time. I personally have used this site to schedule for friends, and it's a life-saver. What about everywhere else, though? VaccineFinder, a CDC-backed website run by epidemiologists and software developers at Boston Children’s Hospital, is hoping to create a "centralized online portal where the public can search for nearby vaccination locations with doses on hand," according to the New York Times. But is this really feasible?
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Lovely alcove studio in Morningside Heights has a 600-square-foot terrace for $650K

Photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

February 25, 2021

Lovely alcove studio in Morningside Heights has a 600-square-foot terrace for $650K

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A 600-square-foot terrace is big for any apartment, but for an alcove studio, it's downright palatial. This just-renovated co-op at 600 West 111th Street in Morningside Heights is modern, bright, and wrapped in an L-shaped terrace overlooking the Hudson River and Riverside Park with views to the George Washington Bridge. It's hard to believe, but the asking price is $650,000.
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Asking $4M, this historic carriage house in Snedens Landing was once home to Mike Wallace

All photos by Andrea B. Swenson for Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

February 24, 2021

Asking $4M, this historic carriage house in Snedens Landing was once home to Mike Wallace

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An incredible home in the exclusive enclave of Snedens Landing that was once home to award-winning journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent Mike Wallace has hit the market for $3,995,000. Situated on nearly a full acre, the 5,000-square-foot home is made up of a carriage house built in 1880 and a modern addition completed in 2020. As the listing states, it has the largest pool in Snedens Landing, "where Laurence Olivier, Ava Gardner, and Kirk Douglas entertained when Mike Wallace owned the property."
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Preservationists fight to save the impressively-intact Art Deco lobby of the McGraw-Hill Building

Photo credit: Lynn Farrell on behalf of the Art Deco Society of New York

February 24, 2021

Preservationists fight to save the impressively-intact Art Deco lobby of the McGraw-Hill Building

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An effort to preserve one of New York City's best examples of Art Deco design is underway. The owner of the McGraw-Hill Building at 330 West 42nd Street has tapped MdeAS Architects to redesign and modernize the structure's exterior, including new doors and signage. But after renderings from the architects surfaced on Twitter this month that showed what looked to be the 1931 lobby of the Hell's Kitchen building devoid of its iconic alternation blue-green steel bands and other signature elements designed by Raymond Hood, preservationists and architectural groups sprung into action.
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Affordable units and height slashed at proposed Brooklyn Botanic Garden-bordering towers

Rendering: NYC Department of City Planning

February 24, 2021

Affordable units and height slashed at proposed Brooklyn Botanic Garden-bordering towers

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The developers behind a controversial proposal to build a pair of high-rise towers in Crown Heights next to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden have put forth a revised plan that would slash the building height and the number of affordable units offered. As first reported by The City, Continuum Company and Lincoln Equities launched a new project website that describes a 17-story residential building at 960 Franklin Avenue as an alternative to the 34-story project currently under review by the city.
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New data estimates 6.2% of NYC COVID cases are the UK variant

COVID-19 testing site sat the Highbridge Recreation Center in Manhattan on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office via Flickr

February 24, 2021

New data estimates 6.2% of NYC COVID cases are the UK variant

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A report released on Monday by the NYC Department of Health shows that 6.2 percent of new COVID cases in NYC are the  B.1.1.7 variant (more commonly known as the UK variant), an increase from 2.7 percent in January. The estimate is based on 45 identified variant cases of the 724 specimens sequenced the week of February 8-14. The week prior, it was actually 7.4 percent. On their website which has been updated to include data on variant cases, the NYC DOH says that the UK strain is "more transmissible than other variants and may cause more severe illness."
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$3M Brooklyn Heights triplex is a modern oasis with original barrel-vaulted ceilings

Listing images courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 24, 2021

$3M Brooklyn Heights triplex is a modern oasis with original barrel-vaulted ceilings

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Brooklyn Heights' Eagle Warehouse & Storage Company building at 28 Old Futon Street was built in 1892 as the Brooklyn Eagle's headquarters. In 1980, it was converted to 85 residential co-ops, many of which retain the building's original architectural details. And this triplex unit, currently on the market for $3 million, certainly fits that bill. In almost every room, there are gorgeous brick barrel-vaulted ceilings, along with brick walls and cast-iron columns. But what makes the three-bedroom home truly unique is the modern renovation that works so beautifully with its history.
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$5.49M condo with private infinity pool is Jersey City’s most expensive penthouse ever listed

All images by DVORA, courtesy of Modern Spaces

February 23, 2021

$5.49M condo with private infinity pool is Jersey City’s most expensive penthouse ever listed

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A condo in Jersey City has hit the market for $5.488 million, becoming the most expensive penthouse ever listed in the city. The Villa at the Oakman Condominiums at 160 First Street has four bedrooms, four and a half baths, and an incredible split-level outdoor terrace that measures 2,300 square feet and boasts a private heated infinity pool. Completed in 2016, Oakman rises 15 stories, contains 159 units, and is located just a few blocks from the Grove Street PATH station, making for an easy commute to Manhattan.
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The 14 best pillows for every type of sleeper
February 23, 2021

The 14 best pillows for every type of sleeper

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If you're like me, sleep does not come easy. Whether your mind's racing or you just can't get comfortable, the most "relaxing" part of our day can often be the most frustrating. Add to that a year of pandemic- and political-related stress, and sweet dreams seem to be nothing more than a nightmare. But the right pillow can help in this department, whether it gets your body in the right position (all pillows are not created equal when it comes to side, stomach, and back sleepers), cools you down, or just brings the right amount of calming energy. Ahead, we've rounded up this year's best available pillows for every type of sleeper at every price point.
Check out the list here
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Jersey City announces $72M restoration of historic Loew’s Theatre

All renderings courtesy of OTJ Architects

February 23, 2021

Jersey City announces $72M restoration of historic Loew’s Theatre

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Jersey City has reached a $72 million deal with the operator of the Prudential Center to transform the historic Loew's Wonder Theatre into a modern 3,300-seat venue. Mayor Steven Fulop on Monday announced a partnership with Devils Arena Entertainment to renovate the nearly 100-year-old theater that once operated as an opulent entertainment destination when it opened in 1929 and was nearly demolished in the 1980s, but was saved by a grassroots preservation effort. The city sees the restoration of Loew's as part of a broader revitalization of the transit-friendly Journal Square neighborhood, where multiple mixed-use towers are in the works.
More here
New immersive art installation in Chelsea explores the beauty of mathematics and nature

All photos courtesy of Julius Horsthuis and ARTECHOUSE

February 23, 2021

New immersive art installation in Chelsea explores the beauty of mathematics and nature

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A stunning new digital installation exploring the beauty of "mathematics, nature, and architecture" opens in Chelsea next month. Artechouse NYC, an innovative digital art space beneath Chelsea Market, will kick off its 2021 season with Geometric Properties, a vibrant exhibition that explores mathematical patterns and fractional dimensions. Created by Amsterdam-based artist Julius Horsthuis, the installation opens March 1 and will be on view through September 6.
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Asking $595K, this petite Upper West Side one-bedroom is big on pre-war charm

Photos courtesy of Warburg Realty

February 23, 2021

Asking $595K, this petite Upper West Side one-bedroom is big on pre-war charm

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The gorgeous recessed windows at this co-op completely transform the small space and set the stage for its vintage-y decor. Located at 322 West 88th Street, the one-bedroom is currently on the market for $595,000. And though there's not a ton of square footage, it's in the heart of the Upper West Side and is full of pre-war charm.
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Trump-operated ice rinks in Central Park to stay open for rest of season

Photo of the Wollman Rink by bekhap on Flickr

February 22, 2021

Trump-operated ice rinks in Central Park to stay open for rest of season

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Two ice rinks in Central Park that are operated by the Trump Organization will now remain open for the rest of the season instead of shuttering early as originally planned. The Trump Organization announced it would close Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink on Sunday after city officials requested the company cease operations on February 26, ahead of the contract's April expiration. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the termination of the agreements with former President Donald Trump's company for the ice rinks and two other city concessions following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. In a reversal, the city on Sunday said the rinks can stay open for the remainder of the season.
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Petition launches against the Met’s plan to sell art amidst $150M deficit

Image by anielbaez0 from Pixabay

February 22, 2021

Petition launches against the Met’s plan to sell art amidst $150M deficit

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In early February, the Metropolitan Museum of Art began talks about selling some of its artworks in the face of a $150 million deficit. As the New York Times explained, the Association of Art Museum Directors created a two-year window during which its members could use the proceeds from sales of works in a collection to pay for its own expenses as opposed to just for future art purchases, as was the rule in the past. But a new Change.org petition is calling for the Met's board members, many of whom are billionaires, to foot the bill instead of selling off its art.
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FEMA community-based vaccination sites open in Brooklyn and Queens this week

Photo by Jules Antonio on Wikimedia

February 22, 2021

FEMA community-based vaccination sites open in Brooklyn and Queens this week

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Two coronavirus vaccination sites run by the state with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open in Queens and Brooklyn on Wednesday, with appointments set aside for residents of specific ZIP codes. Appointment slots opened over the weekend for vaccinations at Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights and York College in Jamaica, starting this Wednesday. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, there are many appointments still up for grabs.
Find out more
Chinatown restaurant Jing Fong will close its legendary 800-seat dining room

Photo by josh s jackson via Flickr cc

February 22, 2021

Chinatown restaurant Jing Fong will close its legendary 800-seat dining room

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Jing Fong, NYC's largest Chinese restaurant, will close its famous 800-person dining room due to losses suffered from the COVID crisis. The iconic dim sum spot made the announcement on Friday in an Instagram post. "We are heartbroken to announce that our Chinatown location at 20 Elizabeth Street, will be permanently closing its indoor dining operation on March 7, 2021 at 8:00pm. We will continue to operate from the 2nd floor kitchen for our outside patio, take-out, and delivery until further notice." The pandemic took its toll early on the restaurant, which was forced to shut down temporarily in March under Governor Cuomo’s order that locations of 500 or more be closed.
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For $695K, this Murray Hill co-op has a split-level layout and nearly 1,000 square feet

Listing photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

February 22, 2021

For $695K, this Murray Hill co-op has a split-level layout and nearly 1,000 square feet

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Usually, the split-level layout is reserved for suburban homes, but this Murray Hill one-bedroom has incorporated it in a practical and stylish way. Located at The Antoinette co-op at 7 East 35th Street, the home offers a very impressive 900+ square feet for its $695,000 price tag. The large living room is open to the elevated kitchen and dining room, which provides a good amount of separation while still maintaining an open feel. And above that is a spacious bedroom suite complete with an en-suite bathroom and balcony.
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For $446K, a restored 150-year-old cottage in Kingston with waterfall views

All photos courtesy of Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty

February 19, 2021

For $446K, a restored 150-year-old cottage in Kingston with waterfall views

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Here's an opportunity to live in the booming "creative capital" of the Hudson Valley. A restored 150-year-old cottage in Kingston has hit the market for $445,555. Located at 1143 Sawkill Road, the incredible property was built in 1870 and comes with an adjoining artist's barn. The two-bedroom, two-bath home measures about 1,250 square feet and sits on one acre of land, surrounded by the nearby woods and waterfalls of the Bluestone Wild Forest.
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Massive Empire Station Complex project that will revamp Penn Station area moves forward

Rendering of new entrance on 8th Avenue to Penn Station via Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office

February 19, 2021

Massive Empire Station Complex project that will revamp Penn Station area moves forward

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to build an interconnected public transportation hub and revitalize Penn Station took a major step forward this week. The Empire State Development's Board of Directors on Thursday adopted the General Project Plan (GPP) and certified the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Empire Station Complex project, which would link an upgraded Penn Station, the newly opened Moynihan Train Hall, and a tentative new terminal one block south of Penn Station. The board also set a public hearing on the project for March 23, followed by a 30-day public comment period.
More details here
MTA predicts ‘new normal’ ridership by 2024 that may be 80% of pre-pandemic levels

Photo by Joey via Flickr cc

February 19, 2021

MTA predicts ‘new normal’ ridership by 2024 that may be 80% of pre-pandemic levels

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With New York City having fully vaccinated more than 450,000 people and a vaccine surge expected by April, it's all too easy to start envisioning the good-old-days. But many aspects of city living may never quite be what they were. To account for that, the MTA has predicted a "new normal" ridership that will stabilize "in 2023 and 2024 between 80% and 92% of pre-pandemic levels," according to a press release. And though the agency has staved off subway and bus service cuts through 2022, they warn that they may still eventually make cuts to adapt to reduced ridership.
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Gramercy one-bedroom is a sunny gem for $625K

Listing photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

February 19, 2021

Gramercy one-bedroom is a sunny gem for $625K

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In an unassuming building at 207 East 21st Street, this co-op is a simple, sunny home that has a lot to offer for its $625,000 price tag. Not only is it in a prime Gramercy location, but it's a true one bedroom, has a lovely terrace, and is just generally a really nice little place.
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Lottery opens for 351 mixed-income apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $524/month

Rendering courtesy of Omni New York

February 18, 2021

Lottery opens for 351 mixed-income apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $524/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 351 mixed-income apartments at a new rental building in Jamaica, Queens. Dubbed Archer Green, the development is located at 92-23 168th Street and will feature 15,000 square feet of community space and more than 68,000 square feet of retail. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $524/month studios to $2,638/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Apply for 89 mixed-income apartments in Bed-Stuy, from just $524/month

Photo via CityRealty

February 18, 2021

Apply for 89 mixed-income apartments in Bed-Stuy, from just $524/month

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A mixed-income affordable housing lottery has opened for 89 units at 645 Gates Avenue in Bed-Stuy. The apartments, which range from $524/month studios to $2,638/month three-bedrooms, are available to those earning 40, 50, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income. The building, known as The Astra, offers an outdoor terrace, roof deck, bike storage, a laundry room, rec room, and community center. It's in the heart of the neighborhood and a short walk to the G train at the Bedford-Nostrand station.
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Upper East Side townhouse with an indoor lap pool asks $18M

Listing photos courtesy of Fox Residential

February 18, 2021

Upper East Side townhouse with an indoor lap pool asks $18M

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This Upper East Side townhouse at 17 East 74th Street was built in 1869 in the neo-Federal style. And though it retains this historic pedigree from the street, inside it's been modernized with opulent finishes and a classicaly elegant style. According to the Post, the home, which is on the market for $18 million, is owned by Sandi Feinberg, widow of the late philanthropist Herbert Feinberg. They bought the five-story house in 1989 for $2.5 million and then spent three years on a renovation that included adding a 46-foot-long saltwater lap pool and hot tub on the lower level, as well as spiffing up the garden and roof deck.
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The wild and dark history of the Empire State Building
February 18, 2021

The wild and dark history of the Empire State Building

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Known for its record-breaking height and sophisticated Art Deco style, the Empire State Building is one of New York City’s, if not the world's, most recognized landmarks. While the building is often used in popular culture as light-natured fodder—such as the opening backdrop to your favorite cookie-cutter rom-com or the romantic meeting spot for star-crossed lovers—the building's past is far more ominous than many of us realize. From failed suicide attempts to accidental plane crashes, its history casts a vibrant lineup of plot-lines and characters spanning the past 90 years.
Read about the dark side of the empire state building
$2.3M duplex in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone has two outdoor spaces and three fireplaces

All photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 18, 2021

$2.3M duplex in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone has two outdoor spaces and three fireplaces

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A bright duplex in Brooklyn Heights that boasts two private outdoor spaces is now on the market for $2,325,000. The property at 174 Hicks Street sits within a brownstone in the neighborhood's historic district and about two blocks from the scenic Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The two-bedroom, two-bath home measures roughly 1,500 square feet, with flexible mezzanine space and three wood-burning fireplaces.
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Coney Island amusements can finally reopen in April

Photo by sebastien cordat on Unsplash

February 17, 2021

Coney Island amusements can finally reopen in April

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Looking ahead to warmer months, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said outdoor amusement parks, indoor family entertainment centers, and overnight summer camps in New York will be allowed to reopen. If the state's coronavirus positivity rate continues to trend downward, indoor entertainment centers can reopen starting March 26 at 25 percent capacity, outdoor amusement parks and rides on April 9 at 33 percent capacity, and eventually, overnight summer camps in June.
More here
See the new Long Island City condo tower anchored by Trader Joe’s

All renderings courtesy of Viserio

February 17, 2021

See the new Long Island City condo tower anchored by Trader Joe’s

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A new condo building in Long Island City is offering buyers a rare amenity in New York: private outdoor space. Located at 22-43 Jackson Avenue, The Prime contains 71 units, all of which boast balconies. And perhaps even more exciting for some, a Trader Joe's grocery store will open on the building's ground floor this year. Sales launched earlier this month at the building, developed by Circle F Capital and designed by Andres Escobar's Lemay+Escobar Architecture, with residences starting at $700,000.
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Artist BKFoxx debuts new Year of the Ox mural in Chinatown

Photo by @just_a_spectator

February 17, 2021

Artist BKFoxx debuts new Year of the Ox mural in Chinatown

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Public artist BKFoxx recently debuted her new mural in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Located at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School 131 on Eldridge and Hester Streets, the piece representing the Year of the Ox is titled "Onward." The artist tells us that she was inspired by what the Ox represents--honesty, hard work, stubbornness. "No better time than now for that theme, moving forward into 2021 and learning to be resilient," she says.
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50 Hudson Yards tops out at 1,011 feet

Photo by Joe Woolhead for Related Companies

February 17, 2021

50 Hudson Yards tops out at 1,011 feet

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One of the largest office buildings in New York City officially topped out this month. The Foster + Partners-designed 50 Hudson Yards reached its 1,011-foot summit last week, becoming the city's fourth-biggest office tower by square footage. Developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group, the 2.9 million-square-foot stone and glass structure completes phase one of the Hudson Yards mega-development.
Get the details
Actress Sela Ward puts her artsy Soho loft on the market for $5.8M
February 17, 2021

Actress Sela Ward puts her artsy Soho loft on the market for $5.8M

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  Photo credit: Al Seidman/VHT for The Corcoran Group Emmy Award-winning actress Sela Ward and her husband, entrepreneur Howard Sherman, have put their classy Soho loft on the market for $5,795,000. According to the New York Times, the couple used the three-bedroom co-op as a pied-a-terre, as their main residence is in Meridian, Mississippi. But now, they're looking for a larger apartment closer to Central Park to accommodate visits from their two children. Ward and Sherman bought the loft at 16 Crosby Street in 2016 for $4,200,000 and then embarked on a year-long renovation that preserved its 19th-century details such as 14-foot tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, and cast-iron columns while adding their own contemporary, artistic touch.
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Now asking $1.75M, Richard Meier designed this Essex County, NJ home for his parents in 1965

Photo credit: Compass

February 16, 2021

Now asking $1.75M, Richard Meier designed this Essex County, NJ home for his parents in 1965

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His first commission in private practice, architect Richard Meier designed this modernist home in New Jersey for his parents in 1965. The home is set on three-quarters of an acre overlooking the Essex Fells Country Club and because of this natural setting, the architect introduced large glass walls to blur the boundaries between inside and outside. His parents requested a one-story home that offered privacy unlike most suburban homes, so Meier incorporated an interior courtyard, as well as a roof garden. The home has only had one other owner since the Meiers, and they've now listed it for $1,750,000.
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NYC releases vaccination data by ZIP code

Map shows the percentage of residents who received at least one dose of the vaccine by ZIP code as of Feb. 16, courtesy of NYC Health

February 16, 2021

NYC releases vaccination data by ZIP code

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New York City neighborhoods that have experienced the highest infection rates of COVID-19 are now seeing the lowest rates of vaccination, according to new data released by the city. For the first time, the city on Tuesday published a map of vaccination rates by ZIP code. According to the data, Staten Island and Manhattan have the highest vaccination rates, while "the South Bronx, parts of Central Queens, and Central Brooklyn lag behind," Dr. Torian Easterling, the city's First Deputy Health Commissioner, said.
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Candice Bergen buys $2M Upper East Side co-op

Google Street View; Map data © 2020 Google

February 16, 2021

Candice Bergen buys $2M Upper East Side co-op

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According to city property records, actress Candice Bergen spent $2,150,000 on an Upper East Side co-op at 825 Fifth Avenue. The apartment last sold in 2007 for $1,600,000; it had previously been owned by eccentric real estate developer and political figure Abraham Hirschfeld, who passed away in 2005. In December, Ms. Bergen put her Hamptons home on the market for $18 million.
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$2.7M Williamsburg penthouse has four outdoor spaces and a rooftop sauna

Photo credit: Melanie Greene

February 16, 2021

$2.7M Williamsburg penthouse has four outdoor spaces and a rooftop sauna

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While the interiors at this three-bedroom South Williamsburg condo are eye-catching on their own, it's the four outdoor spaces that really set the home apart. Located at The Smith Grey at 138 Broadway, the three-level apartment has two terraces, a balcony, and a huge roof terrace complete with an outdoor sauna. It's currently on the market asking $2,695,000.
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NYC subway to restore some overnight service

Photo: Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

February 16, 2021

NYC subway to restore some overnight service

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Overnight subway service in New York City will partially resume this month following more than nine months of closure. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Monday plans for a phased reopening of the subway starting February 22, which includes closing the system for cleaning from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. instead of from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Cuomo last May ordered the closure of 24/7 service, a first for the system, as part of a rigorous coronavirus disinfection plan and an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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King Cake, crawfish, and more: How to celebrate Mardi Gras 2021 in NYC
February 12, 2021

King Cake, crawfish, and more: How to celebrate Mardi Gras 2021 in NYC

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Like almost everything this past year, Mardi Gras is looking a lot different (New Orleans is even closing all its bars), but that doesn't mean the festive, celebratory sentiment is lost. Here in New York City, there are plenty of bakeries with King Cake and other colorful treats, and restaurants have put together special seafood boils. There are also some virtual events so you can celebrate carnival safely.
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These early 20th-century Valentine’s Day cards are delightfully bizarre

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. With loving greetings. NYPL Digitial Collections.

February 12, 2021

These early 20th-century Valentine’s Day cards are delightfully bizarre

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While jewelry, roses, and a steak dinner are always nice, a romantic greeting card remains one of the most popular, and affordable, ways to say "I love you." Instead of the typical heart and floral card designs, why not surprise your Valentine this year with a bizarre note from the early 20th-century that depicts delightfully weird cherubs and charming cupids? The New York Public Library has an amazing digital collection of vintage Valentine's Day cards, some of which stand the test of time and others that may not. Ahead, see some of our favorites from the collection and choose your own to exchange on February 14.
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Jerry Seinfeld, Fran Lebowitz among celebs making new COVID PSAs on the subway

Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

February 12, 2021

Jerry Seinfeld, Fran Lebowitz among celebs making new COVID PSAs on the subway

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Jerry Seinfeld, Edie Falco, Cam’ron, Debbie Mazar, Whoopie Goldberg, Fran Lebowitz--these are just a few of the 25 New York celebrities whose voices were recorded by the MTA for a new set of subway PSAs. The announcements, which begin today, are meant to bring humor and some good old-fashioned NYC swagger to the subway as the city begins its recovery. The project was done in collaboration with Nicolas Heller, a talent scout who has gained notoriety for his popular Instagram account New York Nico. "This was such a dream project and I wanna give a huge thanks to my team who helped make this whole thing happen in less than 6 weeks with $0," he wrote in a post today.
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Plan for 900-foot tower with 1,325 rentals at 5 World Trade Center moves forward

Photo by bilderkombinat berlin on Flickr

February 12, 2021

Plan for 900-foot tower with 1,325 rentals at 5 World Trade Center moves forward

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Plans to build a 900-foot mixed-use tower with 1,325 units of housing at 5 World Trade Center are moving forward. The boards of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation voted on Thursday to approve the recommendation of the selection committee for the proposal from Brookfield Properties, Silverstein Properties, Omni New York, and Dabar Development Partners. The site is the former location of the Deutsche Bank building which was damaged in the September 11 terrorist attacks and later demolished. The developer will now enter negotiations for a lease for the residential tower, expected to measure 1.56 million gross square feet.
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$925K Bleecker Street co-op mixes loft details with modern design

Listing photos by Alan Chorm & Allison Dubuisson, The Eklund|Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman

February 12, 2021

$925K Bleecker Street co-op mixes loft details with modern design

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Located at 77 Bleecker Street between Mercer Street and Broadway in Greenwich Village, the Bleecker Court co-op is a mix of post-war and pre-war structures, and this unit inside also has the best of both worlds. The 650-square-foot loft is technically a studio, but there's a separate sleeping nook. For the $925,000 price tag, you'll also get historic details like cast-iron columns and wooden beams along with modern additions like the contemporary fireplace and sleek kitchen.
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