6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

For a mere $14,500 a month, you can rent the style, space, and service of a bygone era in this princely pad in downtown Manhattan's iconic Police Building at 240 Centre Street, complete with fancy furnishings, two bedrooms, two baths and 1,400 square feet of space. The landmarked Beaux-Arts cooperative at the confluence of Soho, Nolita, and Little Italy is known for its history, its opulent architectural flourishes, and for the impeccable level of service provided for residents.
Chandeliers and Chinoiserie, this way

Distinctive Homes

Gracie Mansion’s largest art exhibition explores social justice and inclusion

All photos by Michael Appleton/NYC Mayor’s Office

February 25, 2020

Gracie Mansion’s largest art exhibition explores social justice and inclusion

A new art exhibition is open at Gracie Mansion, the fourth and final installation of Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray's tenure. Catalyst: Art and Social Justice, which will also be the largest ever hosted at the historic home in Yorkville, features more than 75 works created by over 50 artists since the 1960s. With a focus on inclusion, the exhibit explores the connection between art, justice, and the social change movements behind it all.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

Images courtesy of MTA/Flickr

February 25, 2020

MTA moves ahead with plans to buy up to 949 new subway cars with open gangway design

In an effort that has long been in the works, the MTA is making strides in the modernization of New York City's antiquated subway system. Following the recent retirement of its Nixon-era R-42 trains on the J and Z lines, the agency announced today that it is in shopping mode for as many as 949 new subway cars with an open gangway configuration–shown in prototype renderings–for use on the Lexington Avenue line. The move comes as the agency prepares for a major resignaling project on the 4, 5, 6 lines and plans to retire its 30-year old R62 and R62A fleets.
More new NYC Subways, this way

Transit

Bethenny Frankel sells Hamptons home after taking a loss on her Soho condo

2623 Montauk Highway. Photo credit: Chris Foster, courtesy of Compass

February 25, 2020

Bethenny Frankel sells Hamptons home after taking a loss on her Soho condo

It's been a busy 2020 so far for Real Housewives of New York alum Bethenny Frankel, who's finally unloaded two properties: her Soho condo and one of her Hamptons retreats. The Post reported last week that Frankel sold her seven-bedroom residence in Bridgehampton for $2.28 million after listing it for $2.99 million. It's a good thing she made a slight profit there because her Soho condo ended up selling for a significant loss. After almost three years on the market, Frankel sold her two-bedroom apartment at 22 Mercer Street for $3.65 million, the Observer reported last month. That's a $550,000 loss compared to the $4.2 million she paid for the pad in 2014—and more if you factor in what she spent on an extensive renovation.
Check out both residences

February 25, 2020

Apple signs lease for four floors at 11 Penn Plaza

After the Post first reported speculations of the deal in January, they now report that Apple will lease four floors of space at 11 Penn Plaza. Sources told the Post that the tech giant became interested in the 1.15-million-square-foot building that stretches along Seventh Avenue between West 31st and 32nd streets across from Madison Square Garden after losing out to Facebook on a spot in the Farley Building. However, those with knowledge of the deal say that Apple has only signed a five-year deal, which may suggest that they are still keen on finding a larger, more permanent home in NYC.
Find out more

Real Estate Trends

‘Versailles’ on the Upper East Side hits the market as a $55M townhouse with rental income

Photo credit: OLR and RARE Photography for Silvette Julian, Compass

February 25, 2020

‘Versailles’ on the Upper East Side hits the market as a $55M townhouse with rental income

We bet your home doesn't have 24-carat gilded gold moldings... but if you feel like upgrading to such a regal residence, this $55 million Upper East Side townhouse is just the ticket. Located at 10 East 62nd Street, just off Central Park, the landmarked Beaux-Arts building is currently configured as a triplex, two duplexes, and a common penthouse, all of which are currently being rented out. The triplex has been on and off the rental market for years, going for as much as $60,000 a month. In addition to the gold details, it's dripping with marble, hand-painted murals, and wrought-iron staircases.
See it to believe it

Distinctive Homes

New engineering study reconsiders tearing the BQE down and building a tunnel

Via Wikimedia cc

February 24, 2020

New engineering study reconsiders tearing the BQE down and building a tunnel

The City Council is reconsidering an alternative solution for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that would tear down the crumbling highway and replace it with a three-mile-long tunnel, the New York Times reports. The council tapped engineering firm Arup to provide insight on the rehabilitation/replacement project last September and their findings are being released in a new report on Monday. According to the Times, the report says a tunnel option similar to what cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle have done could cost as much as $11 billion.
More info

February 24, 2020

Public gardens revealed at former Jehovah’s Witnesses HQ in Brooklyn Heights

As the former Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters continues its transformation into a modern, five-building mixed-use complex in Brooklyn Heights, photos of the project's first phase have been revealed. Designed by landscape architecture firm terrain, the former Watchtower complex, now known as Panorama, features three public gardens at grade level, as well as an architectural staircase. An open-air courtyard facing Furman Street will serve as a landscaped pocket park steps from the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Get the details

Architecture And Design

Distinctive Homes

This $4M Park Slope duplex is house-sized, with condo simplicity and outdoor space

A celebrated artist's Upper East Side co-op asks $4.75 million

For $4M, East Village living, penthouse-style

This $4.5M Lenox Hill duplex combines pre-war elegance with architectural drama

This $18.5M penthouse is Village living on a luxury level

$4M Prospect Heights penthouse has three bedrooms, a wraparound terrace, and views in every direction

Andrew Rannells lists his Chelsea triplex with a terrace for $2.4M

Sky mansion with dramatic curves on Billionaires' Row asks $10M

A long-neglected Clinton Hill townhouse gets a total glow-up and a $5.5M ask

Lily Allen's Brooklyn townhouse is for sale for $8M

VIEW ALL

February 24, 2020

Affordable housing waitlist reopens for Hamilton Heights’ PS 186, starting at $526/month

Back in 2016, Dattner Architects completed the restoration of a former early 20th-century school building in Hamilton Heights to a mixed-income affordable rental building that also serves as a new home for the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem. The Residences at PS 186 launched their first affordable housing lottery back then, and they've now opened up spots on a re-rental waiting list. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 130, or 165 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for units ranging from $526/month studios to $3,142/month two-bedrooms.
See if you qualify

Affordable Housing

$20K/month Nolita loft is colorful, modern, and above a library

Photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 24, 2020

$20K/month Nolita loft is colorful, modern, and above a library

285 Lafayette Street was built in 1886 as the Hawley & Hoops chocolate factory. In 1999, a rooftop addition was added and the building was converted to condos. Today, the open-floor lofts in a prime Nolita location are a celebrity magnet; David Bowie bought the penthouse in 1999 (his widow Iman still lives there), and Courtney Love and Ian Schrager are also former residents. But you don't have to be a star to appreciate the colorful, modern design of this three-bedroom unit, currently renting furnished for $20,000 a month. Another added bonus is that the Soho branch of the New York Public Library is in the base of the building.
Have a looksie

Distinctive Homes

Escape the everyday in a retro Catskills cabin by Kate Pierson of the B-52s

Images courtesy of Kate’s Lazy Meadow.

February 21, 2020

Escape the everyday in a retro Catskills cabin by Kate Pierson of the B-52s

As a member of the rock band The B-52s, Kate Pierson knew a thing or two about hotels and motels; that experience plus a zany sensibility led to the creation of this cozy, rustic collection of cabins with "rocket-your-socks-off" retro decor. Lazy Meadow is located on nine beautiful acres–and one big lazy meadow–in the Catskills, blessed with mountain views and fronted by a private section of the Esopus Creek, famous for tubing and trout fishing. Suites rock retro kitchens with authentic vintage cabinets, fridges, and stoves done in dazzling candy colors, the perfect backdrop for colorful tchotchkes discovered on shopping sprees all over the country.
An eyeful of this unique Catskills retreat, this way

Getting Away

In Brooklyn Heights’ Eagle Warehouse, live behind a 19th-century industrial clock for $2.35M

Listing photos by Donna Dotan, Courtesy of Compass

February 21, 2020

In Brooklyn Heights’ Eagle Warehouse, live behind a 19th-century industrial clock for $2.35M

The lucky new resident of this Brooklyn Heights loft will never have an excuse to be late again. As the listing correctly describes it, this is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to live behind the historic clock on the top floor of the Eagle Warehouse & Storage Company building at 28 Old Futon Street. The co-op is made even more incredible by its 17-foot ceilings, two huge skylights, exposed brick and millwork, and views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.
Lots more to see

Distinctive Homes

You can rent the only Plaza apartment with a private elevator for $46,000 a month

Listing photos courtesy of Elegran

February 21, 2020

You can rent the only Plaza apartment with a private elevator for $46,000 a month

As if living in the Plaza wasn't posh enough, this mansion apartment is the only residence in the building to have a private elevator and a personal grand staircase with a private landing. Of course, it'll cost you--$46,000 a month. But that gets you 4,665 square feet of space, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and Central Park views from every window. And the home comes fully furnished.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

February 21, 2020

City’s plan for homeless housing includes 14-building conversion and luxury development vacancies

The city took some strides this week in the search to find shelter for a growing homeless population. First, the de Blasio administration announced it would turn to vacancies in new luxury developments to find homes for potentially hundreds of homeless New Yorkers, as Bloomberg reported. On Thursday, the Neighborhood Restore Housing Development Fund—a nonprofit that partners with the city for affordable housing projects—scooped up 14 buildings in upper Manhattan and the Bronx for $74 million. According to The Real Deal, the purchase will provide immediate housing for 224 homeless households.
More info

Policy

Judge upholds $6.75M judgement against developer who destroyed 5Pointz graffiti

Photo by Ezmosis on Wikimedia

February 21, 2020

Judge upholds $6.75M judgement against developer who destroyed 5Pointz graffiti

An appeals court on Thursday upheld a $6.75 million judgement against a real estate developer who whitewashed 5Pointz, the former graffiti-covered complex in Long Island City. The 32-page decision confirms the decision made by the Federal District Court in 2018 that said developer Jerry Wolkoff of the Wolkoff Group illegally destroyed the building's colorful murals. In 2014, Wolkoff razed the iconic graffitied warehouse, which had been visible from passing trains since the 90s as a studio and exhibition space for artists. The artists, who unsuccessfully attempted to sue to stop the demolition, filed a second lawsuit in 2015 against Wolkoff, claiming their artwork was of "recognized stature" and protected by the Visual Rights Act.
Find out more

For $7.5M, George S. Kaufman’s one-time ‘European’ townhouse on the Upper East Side

Photos by Guillaume Gaudet, courtesy The Corcoran Group

February 21, 2020

For $7.5M, George S. Kaufman’s one-time ‘European’ townhouse on the Upper East Side

Celebrated playwright George S. Kaufman lived at 158 East 63rd Street in the 1920s, when he was part of the Algonquin Round Table circle of New York artists. As such, a young Moss Hart visited him at his Upper East Side home and later described seeing the home for the first time as an "illuminating and expensive moment" in his autobiography "Act One." The townhouse is now on the market again for $7.5 million, and its show-stopping features--a deep garden, European-style architecture, and a handsome library--are all still intact.
Get a look around

Distinctive Homes

Levain is bringing its giant cookies to Noho

Cropped from a photo by City Foodsters via Flickr cc

February 20, 2020

Levain is bringing its giant cookies to Noho

No need to travel uptown anymore when you have a craving for a gooey, half-pound cookie. Time Out NY tells us that Levain is opening a Noho outpost, their first downtown location, on February 26th. In addition to offering their four signature cookies--chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, dark chocolate chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin--the new shop will have a yet-to-be-revealed new menu.
READ MORE

Food & Dining

For $1.25M, an Upper West Side one-bedroom one block from Central Park

A one-bedroom in a beautiful Upper West Side brownstone has hit the market for $1.25 million. Located between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West less than one block from the park, the parlor-floor co-op at 61 West 68th Street is packed with charming pre-war details, including oversized arched windows, exposed brick, two rounded entryways, and two fireplaces. In addition to its lovely interiors, the apartment's location, at the nexus of UWS, Lincoln Square, and Central Park West, is hard to beat.
See inside

Distinctive Homes

Image by jacqueline macou from Pixabay

February 20, 2020

21 places to celebrate Mardi Gras and eat King Cake in NYC

You don't have to travel to New Orleans to get in on the Mardi Gras festivities; New York City has some fun Fat Tuesday events of its own (though they may be a tad tamer than what you'll find in Louisiana!). From brass bands and jazz performances to crawfish boils and King Cake, we've rounded up 20+ great ways to celebrate Mardis Gras this year.
Start making plans

Items at this pop-up grocery store in Times Square are made entirely of single-use plastic

Photograph by Maria Baranova-Suzuki courtesy of Times Square Arts.

February 20, 2020

Items at this pop-up grocery store in Times Square are made entirely of single-use plastic

With the new ban on single-use plastic bags hitting New York on March 1, a conversation has been started–and in some cases, continued–about the effects of our consumption on future generations. As important and complex as the topic may be, award-winning Brooklyn-based artist, puppet designer, and director Robin Frohardt has found a way to shine a creative light on consumption, conveniences, and the impact of single-use plastics. Located in Times Square, "The Plastic Bag Store" is an immersive, site-specific public art installation and three-act puppet show, on view from March 18 to April 12 at 20 Times Square.
Find out more

A hydroponic farm, mini golf, and rock climbing: Inside Bushwick’s sprawling Denizen development

Images by Eric Laigel and Imagen Subliminal, Courtesy of ODA

February 20, 2020

A hydroponic farm, mini golf, and rock climbing: Inside Bushwick’s sprawling Denizen development

Five years in the making, the sprawling Denizen Bushwick is now complete. The 1.2 million-square-foot complex designed by ODA New York and developed by All Year Management stands on part of the former Rheingold Brewery Site and covers two city blocks with addresses at 54 Noll Street and 123 Melrose Street. Perceived as a monolith from the street, the complex’s interior features a series of interconnected courtyards and a green promenade. Also of note are 15 large-scale murals painted throughout the building’s circulation corridors by local artists. With an extensive amenities package that seems to include everything under the sun, it’s no wonder the project has been described as a “city within the city.”
More details

February 20, 2020

$1.4M Seaport loft is full of character and historic details

The listing says this loft at 265 Water Street in the South Street Seaport is in "first generation" condition, which is definitely apparent from the weathered wooden beams and columns and original maple floors. The historic details and wide-open layout are the perfect backdrops for eclectic furnishings and funky art, making this $1,395,000 co-op a rare find.
Look around

Distinctive Homes

Listing photos courtesy of Compass

February 19, 2020

Former WeWork CEO Adam Neumann puts his Gramercy penthouse on the market for $37.5M

After the fallout from a failed IPO and subsequent stepping down from the company, WeWork founder and former CEO Adam Neumann has been slowing unloading his real estate empire. The latest listing is for his three-floor Gramercy penthouse at 78 Irving Place. He and wife Rebekah Paltrow Neumann bought three units in the pre-war condo (that's half of the total units in the building) in 2017 for a total of $35 million and then embarked on a major combination and remodel.
See more of the penthouse

Plan to renovate Central Park North rink and pool opposed by local skaters and swimmers

Rendering courtesy of Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture | Design and the Central Park Conservancy

February 19, 2020

Plan to renovate Central Park North rink and pool opposed by local skaters and swimmers

The $150 million plan to build a new pool and ice rink at the northern end of Central Park is facing backlash from local swimmers and skaters. Last September, the Central Park Conservancy revealed a project to replace the aging Lasker Rink and Pool and create space for year-round recreation. But a group of hockey players and swimmers is asking the conservancy to revise its plan, which they claim would reduce the space they can use, eliminating some of the programs offered.
Details here

Architecture And Design

Electric Citi Bikes return to NYC after brake redesign

Photo courtesy of Lyft

February 19, 2020

Electric Citi Bikes return to NYC after brake redesign

Citi Bike's popular pedal-assist fleet has returned to New York City, nearly a year after the company pulled them from service because of a safety issue. The bike-share company, operated by Lyft, announced on Wednesday plans to start rolling out "several hundred" e-bikes, which will be available to rent at the nearly 900 Citi Bike stations found across the city.
More here

Transit

February 19, 2020

Petite penthouse in Gramercy has a massive skylight and Empire State Building views for $698K

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

Penthouses don't often come with six-figure price tags, but this Gramercy gem at 310 East 23rd Street is asking just shy of $700,000. The top-floor condop has a slightly narrow layout, but it still feels super spacious thanks to a double-height great room with nearly 14-foot ceilings and large north-facing windows that even have views of the Empire State Building. A vaulted skylight above the bedroom loft lets in even more light.
READ MORE

Distinctive Homes

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

Raising chickens in NYC: Laws, tips, and everything else you need to know

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

10 best plants for apartment dwellers

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

VIEW ALL

The Lowline goes into ‘dormancy’ as funds dry up

Lowline Lab via 6sqft

February 19, 2020

The Lowline goes into ‘dormancy’ as funds dry up

Ambitious plans to transform the abandoned Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal on the Lower East Side into the world's first underground park are no longer viable due to waning funds, Crain's reports. The founders of the Lowline—Dan Barasch and James Ramsey—dreamed up the idea more than a decade ago and as of last year, the $83 million project was under construction with an expected opening date in 2021.
What happened?

Architecture And Design

Image by Scott Frances for Related-Oxford

February 19, 2020

See the views from NYC’s highest outdoor residential space at 15 Hudson Yards

Adding to Hudson Yards' height superlatives, the city's highest outdoor residential amenity space has opened at 15 Hudson Yards. Rising 900 feet in the air, "Skytop" features 6,000 square feet of curvy indoor-outdoor space, which follows the shape of the building's crown. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro with interiors by Rockwell Group, the amenity space offers unobstructed views of the Hudson River and beyond.
See the sky-high views

Leasing launches for Greenpoint Landing’s 40-story second tower

Image by QuallsBenson

February 18, 2020

Leasing launches for Greenpoint Landing’s 40-story second tower

The second tower at Greenpoint Landing, the master plan transforming 22 acres of the north Brooklyn neighborhood, has officially opened. Designed by Handel Architects, Two Blue Slip rises 40 stories and contains 421 rental units, with 30 percent of them income-restricted. While pricing has not been released yet, the neighboring building One Blue Slip, which opened in August 2018, most recently listed a three-bedroom unit for $7,892/month, according to CityRealty.
Get the scoop

See more of the historic residences inside 111 West 57th Street’s landmarked Steinway Building

Listing images courtesy of 111 West 57th Street

February 18, 2020

See more of the historic residences inside 111 West 57th Street’s landmarked Steinway Building

Two more listings inside Midtown’s historic Steinway Hall have just hit the market: a two-bedroom with a private terrace for $8,750,000 and a four-bedroom duplex seeking $17,995,000. The landmarked building at 111 West 57th Street was designed by renowned firm Warren & Wetmore and finished in 1925. The longtime home of the Steinway & Sons piano company was acquired by developers JDS Development, Property Markets Group, and Spruce Capital Partners in 2013 for $217.5 million and has since become incorporated into SHoP Architects’ super-slender supertall tower rising next to it. The Beaux-Arts structure serves as the project’s grand entryway and will hold the amenity spaces and a small handful of residences designed by Studio Sofield. We previously got a look inside the striking duplex penthouse that hit the market for $21 million last November—a price it still holds.
Get a look around

Trader Joe’s looks to open UES store in former Food Emporium space under Queensboro Bridge

Photo by missvancamp on Flickr

February 18, 2020

Trader Joe’s looks to open UES store in former Food Emporium space under Queensboro Bridge

Trader Joe's footprint in New York City is growing again. The popular grocery chain will likely open a new store on the Upper East Side in a space beneath the Queensboro Bridge. Formerly occupied by Food Emporium, the space features a 5,000-square-foot Guastavino-tiled arcade and was landmarked by the city in 1974 as part of the bridge's designation. Last month, Trader Joe's opened a new location in the East Village, its 10th store in the city, with possible plans to move to a condo tower in Long Island City.
Details this way

City Living

City seeks historic boat concession at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6

Photo by Lukas Schlagenhauf on Flickr

February 18, 2020

City seeks historic boat concession at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6

A historic vessel could soon permanently dock at Brooklyn Heights' waterfront park. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation this month issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking operators for the long-term docking of a ship with historical significance to serve as an educational or cultural center at the park's Pier 6. Historic boats have previously operated at the pier on a seasonal basis, but the group is looking for a more permanent amenity, as the Wall Street Journal first reported.
Find out more

Uncategorized

February 18, 2020

For $4.5M, a giant Greenwich Village loft with a sunken living room and 1,000-square-foot master

The sunken living room at this Greenwich Village co-op is giving off "Mad Men" vibes, while the exposed brick and cast-iron columns are quintessentially downtown loft. Taking up the entire fourth floor at 43 West 13th Street, the three-bedroom apartment is a whopping 5,000 square feet, 1,000 of which is dedicated to the master suite. Other features include 14-foot ceilings, a kitchen with two of everything, and 10 oversized south-facing windows.
READ MORE

Distinctive Homes

Latest court ruling against 200 Amsterdam Avenue could result in the removal of 20 floors

Rendering courtesy of Binyan Studios

February 18, 2020

Latest court ruling against 200 Amsterdam Avenue could result in the removal of 20 floors

The Upper West Side's tallest tower north of 61st Street may soon be getting a major trim, the New York Times reports. In a dramatic ruling last week, State Supreme Court Judge W. Franc Perry ordered the city to revoke 200 Amsterdam Avenue's building permit and decided the developers will have to remove floors from the top of the building to fall in line with zoning limits. It's not yet been decided how many floors will need to be removed from the nearly-complete 52-story tower, but it could be as many as 20. Co-developers SJP Properties and Mitsui Fudosan America are expected to "vigorously" appeal the decision, according to their lawyer.
What's the deal?

Policy

Listing photos by Rich Caplan for The Michael Graves Team, Compass

February 14, 2020

Carmelo Anthony lists his massive Chelsea condo with High Line views for $12.85M

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.
READ MORE

Oval Office replica opens at the New-York Historical Society

Photo by Glenn Castellano, New-York Historical Society

February 14, 2020

Oval Office replica opens at the New-York Historical Society

This Presidents' Day, visit Washington, D.C. without leaving New York City. The New-York Historical Society on Friday opened a special permanent gallery that features a detailed replica of the White House Oval Office. The "Meet the Presidents" exhibit allows visitors to play POTUS for a day, with the classic Resolute Desk set up for photo ops.
See the exhibit

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

See inside The Wing’s fifth NYC location in Williamsburg

Photos by Tory Williams; courtesy of The Wing

February 14, 2020

See inside The Wing’s fifth NYC location in Williamsburg

Female-focused coworking space The Wing has opened another gorgeous outpost for its growing membership, this time in trendy Williamsburg. Located in a new building at 71 North 7th Street, the space spans two floors and 12,000 square feet (with just under half of that being outdoor space). It's The Wing's fifth location in New York City and second in Brooklyn.
Have a look around

Looking for your next great read? Here are 125 books NYPL hopes you’ll love

Photo: Jonathan Blanc/NYPL

February 14, 2020

Looking for your next great read? Here are 125 books NYPL hopes you’ll love

Forget the roses and chocolate, spend this Valentine's Day enjoying a new book. As part of its 125th-anniversary celebration, the New York Public Library on Friday released an expertly-curated list of 125 books that inspire a love of reading. A team of librarians spent a year debating and choosing its 125 Books We Love list, which includes fiction and non-fiction titles published after May 23, 1895, the year the library was incorporated.
The full list, here

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

New NYCHA deal will turn 5,900 units to private developers and raise $1.5B for repairs

Via Wikimedia

February 13, 2020

New NYCHA deal will turn 5,900 units to private developers and raise $1.5B for repairs

The New York City Public Housing Authority has inked an agreement that will turn 5,902 units over to private developers and raise over $1.5 billion for much-needed repairs, Crain’s reports. In 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to convert 62,000 apartments by 2028 and has so far converted over 7,000 units. Thursday’s deal represents “the largest single package of conversions yet undertaken by the agency,” according to Crain’s. Included in the deal are five complexes: Linden Houses and Boulevard Houses in East New York, Williamsburg Houses in East Williamsburg and Audubon Houses and Harlem River Houses 1 and 2 in Harlem. The long list of selected developers includes major builders like L+M Development and Hudson Companies and some smaller players.
More details

$1.7M Long Island City condo comes with unobstructed views of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign

Listing images by Rare Photography; courtesy of Compass

February 13, 2020

$1.7M Long Island City condo comes with unobstructed views of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign

From its location on the fourth floor, this waterfront condo at 46-30 Center Boulevard in Long Island City (the same building that recently held the neighborhood's priciest listing) directly overlooks the iconic Pepsi Cola sign. Seeking $1,698,000, the two-bedroom pad spans a generous 1,160 square feet. Common charges will add another $995 to the monthly payments, but due to a pilot tax abatement program, taxes for the property are only $13 a month.
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Distinctive Homes

One Domino Square

8 South 4th Street

Williamsburg

Spectacular living on the Williamsburg waterfront

1 beds starting at $1,925,000
2 beds starting at $2,055,000
3 beds starting at $3,030,000

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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.
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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.
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Fascinating photos show the 20th-century construction of NYC’s subway system

Lexington Avenue, between 105th and 106th Streets, Manhattan, 1913. Photograph by Pierre P. Pullis, Lundin Collection, Courtesy of the New York Transit Museum

February 13, 2020

Fascinating photos show the 20th-century construction of NYC’s subway system

A new photo exhibit at the New York Transit Museum provides a unique look at the construction of the city's subway system, as well as its enduring impact. Opening Thursday, Streetscapes & Subways: Photographs by Pierre P. and Granville W. Pullis shows what it was like before and after the subway system was constructed, as well as the architectural and cultural changes occurring simultaneously above ground.
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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

Image courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

February 13, 2020

This little blue house in Bushwick is a tastefully designed two-unit home, asking $1.5M