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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

Distinctive Homes

Carnegie Hill co-op owned by MoMA's original director lists for $2.3M

Asking $1.3M, this historic Newburgh home has designer interiors and dramatic Hudson River views

This $6.4M Chelsea condo is like having a library, cafe, and office in a three-bedroom loft

$5M Yorkville home offers a flexible frame for townhouse living

For $1.85M, this Chelsea co-op is a work of art

Steve Madden's former Trump Palace pad lists for $11.5M

Flatbush mansion sells for $6.25M, a neighborhood record

Big, beautiful Boerum Hill townhouse has a barefoot lawn and a finished basement for $7.8M

For $1.3M, easy living with a view in a Brooklyn high-rise condo

For $8M, this newly-constructed Williamsburg townhouse has every design trend covered

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$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.
Have a look around

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

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.
See the photos here

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

Immediately recognizable by its chic cadet blue facade, this three-story house in Bushwick is comprised of two residential units. Asking a not-unreasonable $1,499,000, the wood-clad home at 27 Bleecker Street has been given a contemporary redesign with good looks, quality, design trends, and comfort in mind. Fortuitously situated between burgeoning sections of Bushwick and Stuyvesant Heights, the best destinations in both neighborhoods are within blocks.
Bushwick townhouse tour, this way

Distinctive Homes

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

Step into a ‘Kaleidoscope’ of color at this year’s New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show

Photo courtesy of New York Botanical Garden

February 12, 2020

Step into a ‘Kaleidoscope’ of color at this year’s New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show

The New York Botanical Garden's popular orchid show will return for its 18th season this Saturday with a special exhibit from "floral designer to the stars" Jeff Leatham. The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope employs the artist's love of color, transforming various galleries with thousands of orchids and their own color schemes. Highlights of the very-Instagrammable show include a kaleidoscopic tunnel of lights, a 10-foot tall mirrored orchid sculpture set above a water fountain, and a series of yellow and orange orchid arches.
Take a tour of this year's show!

February 12, 2020

450-unit affordable housing development planned for New York Botanical Garden property

A two-building development with 450 affordable housing units will be constructed on property owned by the New York Botanical Garden, developers announced Tuesday. Douglaston Development has entered a 99-year lease with NYBG for a lot on Webster Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard, located about a block from the 250-acre garden.
More this way

Affordable Housing

50-year-old R-42 subway cars are finally being retired

The NYC subway rolls a little further into the 21st century today: The MTA is finally retiring its Nixon-era R-42 trains. The silver half-century-old R-42s, first rolled out in 1969 (the same year "Sesame Street" debuted), will make their last run today along the A line before being permanently retired, having already been mostly replaced by the R-160 fleet (h/t NYPost). The new R-179s cars will eventually replace them (h/t Gothamist). The R-42 cars were scheduled to disappear in December, but the R-179s were pulled from the system due to problems with their door-locking mechanisms.
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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.
Find out more

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

Image courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

February 12, 2020

$839K South Bronx condo offers loft living in Mott Haven

In the bustling and buzzy South Bronx community of Mott Haven, this bonafide loft at 305 East 140th Street is also a 2008 condominium conversion known as Bronx Bricks. Constructed in 1904, the classic loft building features a ground-floor art gallery and adjacent theater performance space, both of which highlight the neighborhood's vibrant arts community. The 1,290-square-foot unit is asking $839,000.
Just don't call it SoBro

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

City launches design competition to fix Brooklyn Bridge congestion problem

Image by Ali Vidler from Pixabay

February 11, 2020

City launches design competition to fix Brooklyn Bridge congestion problem

The city is looking for ideas to fix the jam-packed promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and the Van Alen Institute on Tuesday launched a design competition seeking creative improvements to the 137-year-old structure's narrow walkway, where thousands of pedestrians and cyclists fight for space each day. The overcrowded conditions have made the number of cyclists crossing the bridge drop to about 3,000 daily riders, compared to 3,600 two years prior, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Find out more

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

Billionaires’ Row property taxes would dramatically increase under proposed system overhaul

Image courtesy of Vornado Realty Trust and Robert A.M. Stern Architects

February 11, 2020

Billionaires’ Row property taxes would dramatically increase under proposed system overhaul

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

Last month, the city's Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform revealed a report outlining sweeping changes to the property tax code that would essentially raise the same amount of money but substantially redistribute where it comes from. Under the current system, property owners pay taxes based on assessed value rather than market value, so working-class homeowners often pay a higher tax rate than those who can afford the city's multimillion-dollar luxury condos. Mansion Global took a closer look at the numbers and found that property taxes along Billionaires' Row could increase up to five times their current rate under the proposed system.
More details

Policy

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

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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

50 places to shop locally in NYC for that perfect gift

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Temporary restraining order rolls back broker fee ban

Photo by Rachel Martin on Unsplash

February 11, 2020

Temporary restraining order rolls back broker fee ban

In an update made last week to the state's recent rent reform laws, the Department of State said real estate brokers hired by landlords could no longer charge tenants a fee. The ruling sparked a widespread backlash from the real estate industry, particularly rental brokers. In response, a group of industry representatives filed an Article 78 petition in Albany, which resulted in a temporary restraining order on Monday, The Real Deal reported. The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and a number of high-profile brokerages have filed a lawsuit claiming the new guidance was an “unlawful, erroneous, and arbitrary” interpretation of the rent reform law passed in June and wreaked “havoc and confusion” on the industry. The restraining order means agents acting on behalf of landlords can collect a commission from tenants until further notice without fear of discipline by the DOS.
Find out more

You can have a sleepover at IKEA in Red Hook next month

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

February 10, 2020

You can have a sleepover at IKEA in Red Hook next month

Lull yourself to sleep surrounded by ready-to-assemble furniture and Swedish meatballs during a sleepover at Ikea's showroom in Brooklyn next month. The home goods store is launching a raffle to give shoppers a chance to spend the night at its Red Hook store on March 13. Coinciding with World Sleep Day, the "Swede Dreams" event aims to help the "tired, weary and sleep-deprived fans" of the store, according to a press release.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

For $799K, this well-outfitted Bed-Stuy condo is set up for easy living

Image credit: Rise Media courtesy of the Corcoran Group.

February 10, 2020

For $799K, this well-outfitted Bed-Stuy condo is set up for easy living

This one-bedroom-plus-office condominium in Bed-Stuy near the Clinton Hill border at 197 Spencer Street is ready to hit the ground running when it comes to modern convenience. From the keyed elevator landing to the wide-plank oak floors, central heat and air, designer lighting and private outdoor space, this 1,195-square-foot unit, asking $799,000, is a ready-for-anything contemporary home.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Plans for NYC’s first soccer stadium inch forward in the Bronx

Image by A.V. Flores from Pixabay

February 10, 2020

Plans for NYC’s first soccer stadium inch forward in the Bronx

The long-anticipated plan to build a home stadium for New York City's soccer team in the Bronx inched forward last week, the New York Times first reported. The group of developers and the New York City Football Club are close to reaching a deal with the city to bring a 25,000-seat stadium to the South Bronx as part of a $1 billion development plan that also includes a hotel, new school, and affordable housing. New York City F.C., which has been looking for a permanent home for years, currently plays games at nearby Yankee Stadium.
More here

Affordable Housing

February 10, 2020

Renters insurance in NYC: Why you should get it right now

Renters insurance is one of those things that you know is a good idea–and like so many New York City renters, you’ve been meaning to do it, but you may not have gotten around to it–until you wish you had. And though we hope we’ll never need it, it's one of the few things in city life that's simple, inexpensive, and worth every penny. Below, we explain why it's an important investment to make, how to navigate the process of getting a quote and getting covered, and which provider might be best for you.
All about renters insurance, this way

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

February 7, 2020

Feel like you’re in the French countryside in this $1.6M Westchester home with a grape arbor

It's hard to pinpoint the exact style of this Westchester home; there's a Spanish-style-roof, a Tudor configuration, and a stone cottage-esque facade. But this eclectic mix somehow makes you feel like you've stepped into the French countryside, highlighted by a lovely patio complete with a grape arbor. Built in 1888, the five-bedroom home has been completely renovated inside and is currently asking $1.6 million (h/t CIRCA).
Have a look around

Distinctive Homes

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

February 7, 2020

Affordability, climate change take center stage during de Blasio’s ‘State of City’ address

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday laid out his vision to "save" New York City, pledging to focus on affordability, climate change, and protections for small businesses during his last two years in office. "This city and everything it stands for must be saved. And we are the ones who have to save ourselves," the mayor said during his State of the City address. De Blasio's vision involves building on initiatives his administration has put forward during his tenure, including creating more affordable housing, increasing tenant protections, legalizing basement apartments, and launching the second phase of the Green New Deal.
Find out more

Photo credit: Allyson Lubow courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

February 7, 2020

Loft living comes to Bay Ridge in this $939K two-bedroom

The facade of the new-construction condo building at 9907 Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with its red brick and arched factory windows, could just as easily be in Dumbo. The loft aesthetic (minus the double-height ceilings and actual factory pedigree) carries through to the interior of this $939,000 third-floor home just a block from Shore Road and Parkway and New York Harbor. The 12-unit building was designed by Elizabeth McDonald, who, according to the listing, is known for her modern aesthetic and high-end interiors in Tribeca. The two-bedroom unit has an elevator landing that opens right into the open-plan living space, a designer kitchen, Siberian oak floors, and nine-foot ceilings.
Bay Ridge condo/loft tour, this way

9 patriotic places to spend Presidents’ Day in NYC

Painting of George Washington: Rembrandt Peale, George Washington (1732–1799), 1853, Oil on canvas; New-York Historical Society, Bequest of Caroline Phelps Stokes

February 7, 2020

9 patriotic places to spend Presidents’ Day in NYC

By 6sqft

New York City is rich with presidential history, from hosting the inauguration of the country's first president to being home to Grant's Tomb, the largest mausoleum in North America. Presidents' Day celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln each year on the third Monday in February. Those who get the day off from work or school can spend the holiday learning about the city's presidential history, from Federal Hall to the Flatiron District. Or, for a more low key (but still patriotic) three-day weekend, eat cake, go bowling, or catch a Commander in Chief-themed comedy show.
Full list, ahead

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.
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For $599K, this two-bedroom Prospect Lefferts condo is a block from the park

Photo credit: Rise Media courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

February 6, 2020

For $599K, this two-bedroom Prospect Lefferts condo is a block from the park

This cozy home in a condo conversion at 41 Clarkson Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens gets plenty of sun, a tax abatement and a spot just off Prospect Park. And since it's a condominium, it's likely to be a good investment as a rental for which you could count on a steady income stream to offset the $599,000 this two-bedroom unit is asking.
Get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

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

New York renters no longer have to pay broker fees

Photo by Rachel Martin on Unsplash

February 6, 2020

New York renters no longer have to pay broker fees

Renters in New York will no longer have to pay a broker fee when they lease an apartment, the state ordered Tuesday. In an updated set of guidelines for last year's rent reform laws, the state department said real estate brokers hired by landlords "cannot be compensated by the prospective tenant." While brokers can still charge a fee, landlords are now responsible for paying it, according to the revised rules. However, if a renter hires a broker to find apartments on their behalf, a fee can be collected.
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After 55 years, the Verrazzano Bridge gets a second ‘Z’

Photos: Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority

February 6, 2020

After 55 years, the Verrazzano Bridge gets a second ‘Z’

On Tuesday crews from MTA Bridges and Tunnels began addressing a 55-year-old spelling mistake by replacing the first of 19 signs on agency property to feature the correct spelling of Verrazzano with two Z's instead of just one. The bridge was named after Giovanni de Verrazzano—the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor—but a longstanding dispute over the name's proper spelling led to the bridge being inaugurated as the Verrazano-Narrows bridge in 1964. In 2018, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to add a second Z into the name.
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Transit

Elegant Brooklyn Heights one-bedroom is an easy starter home at $540K

Listing images courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 5, 2020

Elegant Brooklyn Heights one-bedroom is an easy starter home at $540K

Original pre-war details give this Brooklyn Heights co-op its undeniable charm, but the price tag is pretty appealing too. For $540,000—well below the neighborhood average—this one-bedroom starter home at 55 Hicks Street is well maintained with a recently renovated kitchen and bathroom. Being on the fourth floor, the walk-up situation is a bit of a drag but for someone, it'll be well worth the effort. The elegant home features some of our favorite details, like picture frame moldings in the living room and a restored tin ceiling in the kitchen.
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Distinctive Homes

720 West End Avenue

Upper West Side

Serene Upper West Side homes near Riverside Park

1 beds starting at $1,005,000
2 beds starting at $2,495,000
3 beds starting at $3,495,000
4 beds starting at $5,850,000

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MTA looks to ride-share services to help late-shift workers in the outer boroughs

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

February 5, 2020

MTA looks to ride-share services to help late-shift workers in the outer boroughs

Subway service in New York City runs 24 hours a day, but late-night commutes for outer-borough residents—who often have to make multiple connections—can get inconvenient quickly. To ease the burden on those commuters, the MTA is looking to make an unlikely partnership with ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft. The agency announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Tuesday from transportation companies that could shuttle riders to the subway during late-night hours. Whoever is selected will participate in the "Late-Shift" pilot program beginning later this year.
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Transit

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.
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Distinctive Homes

Live off trendy Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, from $1,174/month

Photo by MTA New York City Transit/ Marc A. Hermann on Wikimedia

February 5, 2020

Live off trendy Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, from $1,174/month

Two new buildings in prime Williamsburg are launching affordable housing lotteries this week. The rental at 196 North 4th Street is accepting applications from New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income for studios to two-bedroom apartments, starting at $1,174/month. At 660 Driggs Avenue, those earning the same AMI can apply for units, starting at $1,458/month for a two-bedroom and going up to $2,320/month for a one-bedroom.
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Affordable Housing

Photo courtesy of Metrograph LLC/Minu Han

February 5, 2020

12 places to watch the Oscars in New York City