March 18, 2020

131 affordable apartments available near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, from $667/month

An affordable housing lottery launched this week for 131 apartments in a newly constructed building in the Bronx. The 13-story building at 150 Van Cortlandt Avenue East in Bedford Park sits near a handful of public parks and playgrounds, including the Williamsbridge Oval recreation center, Harris Park, and the city's third-largest park, Van Cortlandt Park. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 50, 60, 90, 110 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $667/month studios to $2,346/month three-bedroom apartments.
Find out if you qualify
March 18, 2020

1,000-bed hospital ship coming to New York Harbor

In a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced that he'd reached an agreement with the federal government for the USNS Comfort hospital ship to be dispatched to New York Harbor to help with the growing need for hospital beds, in particular ICU, as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow in New York City and New York at large.
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March 18, 2020

Amidst massive ridership declines, MTA seeks $4B+ in federal aid

Facing a 60 percent decline in subway ridership and a 90 percent decline on commuter rails, the already-cash-strapped MTA is seeking more than $4 billion in federal aid, according to a letter the agency sent yesterday to the New York Congressional Delegation. "Assuming ridership trends this week continue for six months," they wrote, the anticipated revenue losses to the MTA are $3.7 billion, along with $300 million in annualized COVID-19 expenses.
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March 18, 2020

For $12M, combine these two historic Harlem townhouses for the mansion of your dreams

Two neighboring Harlem townhouses have seen a big price drop since hitting the market last year. First listed for a combined $27 million, the historic homes at 32 and 33 Mount Morris Park West are currently listed separately for $7.95 million and $3.95 million, respectively. The 7,000-square-foot, five-bedroom property at 32 Mount Morris Park has been respectfully gut-renovated, while the townhouse next door, which has the same footprint and unique architectural elements, needs restoration work.
See the properties
March 17, 2020

As NYC suspends land use and rezoning actions, some officials want to also ban construction

All city land use and rezoning processes have been temporarily suspended as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday. In an executive order, the mayor directed procedures "applicable to the city planning and land use processes" to freeze for the duration of New York's state of emergency.
Learn more
March 17, 2020

NYC bars and restaurants can now sell to-go cocktails

To stop the spread of coronavirus, New York officials on Monday closed all restaurants and bars, with the exception of takeout and delivery services. The new rules, as mandated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Liquor Authority, allow businesses to sell to-go alcoholic beverages, including wine and liquor for the first time, as long as it is with a food purchase. This change in liquor laws will continue until April 15 but could be extended.
Details here
March 17, 2020

Apply for 35 affordable apartments in new Upper East Side passive house, from $747/month

Photo of Carl Schurz Park by CityRealty In 2017, Sky Management filed plans to build a 22-story Passive House rental building at 515 East 86th Street, just off York Avenue near Carl Schurz Park and the East River. Designed by Arquitectonica with EP Engineering, the environmentally friendly building has tons of amenities, some of which include a pet spa, dog run, co-working space, fitness center, and yoga studio. In terms of outdoor space, there's a grilling terrace, landscaped interior courtyard, and roof deck. The 35 affordable units in the building are available to those earning 40, 60, 80, and 130 percent of the area median income and range from $747/month studios to $3,123 two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify here
March 17, 2020

Calvin Klein co-founder’s $100M equestrian estate is Westchester’s priciest listing

Westchester's largest privately owned property is now also the county's most expensive listing. Stonewall Farm, an equestrian estate situated on 740 acres, has just hit the market for $100 million. The property—which is located in Granite Springs, about an hour from the Belmont Park racetrack—is owned by Calvin Klein co-founder Barry Schwartz and his wife Sheryl, who purchased the first 673 acres for $3.25 million in 1979. The sprawling estate has a 40-stall barn, two 24-stall barns, hayfields, apple orchards, professional racing facilities, and riding trails.
Lots more to see here
March 17, 2020

How grocery stores are adapting amidst coronavirus: Product limits, senior shopping times, reduced hours

By now, we've all seen the lines wrapping around the block to get into Trader Joe's or the crazed shoppers buying 100 rolls of toilet paper. And all of this panic shopping and stockpiling, coupled with the state's new guidelines on businesses, has caused grocery stores in the region to adjust their hours and practices. From reduced hours to elderly-only shopping times to purchase limits, this is how businesses like Trader Joe's, Fairway, Whole Foods, Wegmans, and some more local spots are coping amidst the coronavirus health crisis.
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March 16, 2020

Brooklyn’s Ample Hills Creamery files for bankruptcy

Popular Brooklyn-based ice cream purveyor Ample Hills Creamery has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Real Deal reported. The filing will enable the company to restructure its debt and organizations while keeping its 13 New York stores open. In a statement to the website, Ample Hills said the filing was not as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, but instead allows for the business to "course correct."
More here
March 16, 2020

Soho’s iconic Vesuvio Bakery comes back to life

Keeping in mind that the city's new restaurant policy will likely affect it, Gothamist has reported that a new bakery has opened in the former Vesuvio Bakery storefront at 160 Prince Street. They've called themselves Vesuvio Bakery and intend on preserving as much of the iconic, 100-year-old establishment's physical look and simple community aesthetic.
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March 16, 2020

How the coronavirus is affecting New York City real estate

FaceTime video tours, virtual open houses, and plunging interest rates; the real estate business in New York City in the time of COVID-19 isn’t business as usual. But as impactful and uncertain as the global pandemic is, it may not be bad for business. An important and unique attribute of this particular crisis, though, is uncertainty. There are new developments each day, and new answers–for public health and welfare, of course, but also for businesses affected by the virus.
Find out more
March 16, 2020

What you need to know about NYC’s school closures

All New York City public schools will be closed for at least four weeks in response to the coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday. "This is a decision that I have taken with no joy whatsoever, with a lot of pain, honestly, because it's something I could not in a million years have imagined having to do," the mayor said. Starting Monday, the city's nearly 1,800 schools will be closed until April 20 at the earliest. The city, which is the largest public school system in the country with 1.1 million students, has pledged to provide grab-and-go meals to students, open enrichment centers to serve children of first responders and healthcare workers, and supply 300,000 iPads to students without access to devices.
Get the details
March 16, 2020

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut impose tri-state set of coronavirus rules

The only region in the country so far to come together in such a coordinated way in the lack of federal uniformity, Governor Murphy of New Jersey, Governor Cuomo of New York, and Governor Lamont of Connecticut announced on a conference call this morning an overarching set of rules to "flatten the curve" of the coronavirus spread. This includes no gatherings of 50 or more people, no dine-in at restaurants and bars, and the closing of movie theaters, casinos, and gyms. Any non-essential travel between 8pm and 5am every day is also strongly discouraged.
More details available here
March 16, 2020

Moby’s former Central Park West turret penthouse is four floors of views for $5.75M

We've gotta hand it to Moby--he has had some killer taste in real estate over the years, from his "tiny but charming" Nolita penthouse to the incredible midcentury house in Westchester he sold for charity. But perhaps the most fabulous place of all was his four-story penthouse at the iconic El Dorado on Central Park West, where he lived from 2005 to 2008. Not only is the sprawling co-op located in the landmarked building's south tower (it occupies the entire 31st, 32nd, 33rd, and 34th floors), but it boasts four landscaped terraces with sweeping skyline and Central Park views. First reported by the Post, it's now back on the market for $5,750,000.
Get a full tour
March 13, 2020

Amid coronavirus fears, subway ridership falls 20% while Citi Bike sees a 70% increase

In the face of growing coronavirus concerns, many New Yorkers are avoiding public transportation and heeding advice to walk or bike whenever possible. As the Daily News reported, ridership on Wednesday was down nearly 20 percent on subways and 15 percent on buses compared to March 2019. A similar comparison on Thursday morning showed Metro-North ridership was down by 48 percent and Long Island Rail Road ridership down 31 percent. According to the New York Times, the number of cyclists crossing the East River bridges has doubled since the beginning of March and Citi Bike has seen a 70 percent increase in trips so far this month.
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March 13, 2020

$18.3M sustainable playground breaks ground at the Battery

As the threat of climate change grows, parks in New York City are working to become more resilient. Officials on Thursday broke ground on an $18.3 million waterfront playground at the Battery in the Financial District. The Battery Playscape, as it's being called, is expected to be one of the city's largest sustainable parks. It will triple the size of the current playground and will feature a rainwater runoff system and a wide variety of durable plants.
See the design
March 13, 2020

48-year-old Chinatown restaurant Jing Fong temporarily shuts down

NYC's largest Chinese restaurant, Jing Fong, has temporarily shut its doors at 20 Elizabeth Street amid the coronavirus health crisis. The situation is two-fold for the iconic dim sum restaurant; not only is business down 30 to 40 percent, according to the Post, but since the restaurant has 800 seats, they fall under Governor Cuomo's order that gatherings of 500 or more be shut down. The effect of the pandemic has been especially hard for restaurants in Manhattan's Chinatown, as well as those Chinatowns in Flushing and Sunset Park.
Find out more
March 13, 2020

This Greenwich Village rental with Parisian panache is asking $7,500/month

Custom wooden shutters, a wood-burning fireplace, and original casement windows bring a European flair to this Greenwich Village rental. A two-bedroom corner unit in the Windsor Arms co-op building at 61 West 9th Street is asking $7,500/month and it comes fully-furnished with "designer-grade pieces," according to the listing.
Take the tour
March 13, 2020

Amazon will buy former Lord & Taylor flagship from WeWork for over $1B

After The Real Deal first learned of the possible deal in late February, the Post is now reporting that Amazon is doling out $1.15 billion to acquire Midtown's Lord & Taylor building from WeWork. Rumors that Amazon would potentially lease the building circulated last summer ahead of WeWork's planned IPO. The sale will have big implications for both companies, giving WeWork much-needed capital and representing Amazon's largest real estate acquisition to date. According to the Post, the landmark building will become Amazon's NYC headquarters and home to "several thousand employees in the coming years."
More details
March 12, 2020

2,000 spots open on waitlist for middle-income apartments across East Harlem

A housing lottery is launching to replenish the waitlist for a number of rental buildings in East Harlem. Starting Monday, applications will be accepted for 2,000 spots on a waitlist for buildings at 1890-1990 Lexington Avenue, 1940-1962 First Avenue, 420-455 East 102nd Street, 1295-1309 Fifth Avenue, and 1660 Madison Avenue. New Yorkers earning 150 and 160 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,667/month studios to $3,714/month four-bedroom apartments. Eligible applicants will be randomly selected and placed on the waitlist for future vacancies.
Find out if you qualify
March 12, 2020

The outdoor kitchen and garden at this $1.9M Boerum Hill condo make for a true urban oasis

This two-bedroom-plus-office condo at 440 Atlantic Avenue, asking 1.85 million, offers the promise of tranquility and outdoor living in Brooklyn's bustling Boerum Hill. Situated at the back of the building with no adjoining neighbors is a private outdoor oasis complete with verdant landscaping and an outdoor kitchen.
Get the inside-outside tour
March 12, 2020

In a former church, $2.75M Brooklyn Heights co-op has cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows

Original stained glass windows, 23-foot vaulted ceilings, and cathedral-like arches--this incredible Brooklyn Heights c0-op has all the heavenly features you'd hope for in a church conversion. Located at 99 Clinton Street, the 1850 church was turned into residences in 1980, and this $2,750,000 unit is perhaps its most spectacular.
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March 11, 2020

See inside Peak, the 101st-floor restaurant at Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards is already home to restaurants from acclaimed chefs like José Andrés, David Chang, and Thomas Keller, but as of tomorrow, a new modern American dining option opening in the neighborhood will create an even higher standard, literally. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant and bar Peak will sit on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards, the development's tallest tower. Not only does it connect to the 1,100-foot-high sky deck Edge below, but it offers insane 360-degree views and a chic design scheme. Ahead, see some of the first photos of Peak.
Details and views here
March 11, 2020

Airbnb contest seeks world’s most outrageous home designs

Airbnb is searching for the world's most unique and unusual short-term rental home as part of a new contest. Ten people will be awarded $100,000 each to design a groundbreaking home that is both livable and a space for social good, the company announced on Tuesday. Proposals can include renovations to an existing Airbnb property, a project in progress that needs funding, or a totally unbuilt project.
More details here
March 11, 2020

NYC’s coronavirus cancellations, closures, and precautions

With city and state government closing schools until at least the end of April and shutting down restaurants and bars aside from takeout and delivery, NYC is in unprecedented times. 6sqft has begun compiling a list of closures, cancellations, and postponements, as well as information on how the subway, ride-share companies, and public entities like libraries are handling the outbreak and how refunds or credits are being issued. As the situation develops, we'll be updating this list to the best of our knowledge. This list was last updated at 2:30 pm on Thursday, March 26.
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March 11, 2020

Governors Island announces free programming ahead of May 1 opening

With the weather finally warming up, it's time to start planning spring and summertime activities. The Trust for Governors Island on Monday unveiled its lineup of free programming for the island's 2020 season, which officially kicks off on May 1. Throughout the season, more than 30 organizations will bring installations, exhibitions, workshops, and more to the 172-acre site, with most programs focusing on visual art, climate change and environmental science, and culture.
Find out more
March 11, 2020

City alleges Chelsea Hotel owners harassed tenants during renovation

Lawyers for the city's Department of Housing Preservation announced Friday that the Chelsea Hotel’s owners did not qualify to receive a Certificate of No Harassment (CNH)–the document required for them to continue renovations to convert the dilapidated landmark into a luxury hotel with apartments. The document is required under a decades-old law to protect Single Room Occupancy residences from tenant harassment. As The Real Deal reports, The city's allegations of harassment are the result of tenant complaints that since owners Richard Born and Ira Drukier of BD hotels began work after acquiring a stake in the property in 2016, conditions like leaky ceilings, exposed electrical wires, high lead levels, vermin and lack of heat have made living there unsafe.
Find out more
March 10, 2020

Concrete, stone, plaster, and an enviable terrace elevate this $5M Tribeca loft

Modern condominium living gets a loft-industrial lift in this $4,995,000 two-bedroom Tribeca duplex at 471 Washington Street. In addition to a hefty collection of concrete, plaster and statement stone, a planted terrace provides abundant outdoor living potential. It's all done with clean lines, authentic materials and lots of light.
Take the tour
March 10, 2020

‘Bach in the Subways’ will spread the German composer’s music throughout the city this month

Classical music lovers, mark your calendars: Johann Sebastian Bach's 335th birthday on March 21 will be honored with a whole week of spontaneous, free performances of his music throughout the city. From March 19th to 25th, Bach in the Subways will bring hundreds of performers to the city to share the German composer's work. The name suggests you'll have to ride underground for a chance to see them play, but you can expect performers to spring up in public spaces above ground as well.
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March 10, 2020

Pubs, parades, and politicians: The Irish legacy of the East Village and Greenwich Village

For many, celebrating Irish American heritage in March brings one to Fifth Avenue for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or perhaps a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. But for those willing to venture beyond Midtown, there’s a rich Irish American history to be found in Greenwich Village and the East Village. While both neighborhoods became better known for different kinds of communities in later years – Italians, Ukrainians, gay men and lesbians, artists, punks – Irish immigration in the mid-19th century profoundly shaped both neighborhoods. Irish Americans and Irish immigrants played a critical role in building immigrant and artistic traditions in Greenwich Village and the East Village. Here are some sites connected to that great heritage, from the city's oldest intact Catholic Church to Irish institutions like McSorely's Old Ale House.
More here
March 10, 2020

Sonja Morgan of ‘Real Housewives of New York’ hopes to unload UES townhouse for $10.75M

Could $10,750,000 be the lucky number for Real Housewives of New York star Sonja Morgan? The socialite bought the townhouse at 162 East 63rd Street in 1998 for $9.1 million with her ex-husband John Adams Morgan (grandson to the J.P. Morgan). After divorcing in 2008, Sonja first listed the home for $12 million in 2009, with three separate listings over the next six years fluctuating between $7 and $9 million. In 2018, she began renting the home for $32,000/month. And as of this past November, Sonja switched the listing to Corcoran and listed it as both a rental and a sale.
Look around
March 10, 2020

To offset Coronavirus-related dips in attendance, tickets for six Broadway hits will be only $50

As Coronavirus fears begin impacting Broadway attendance, producer Scott Rudin is slashing ticket prices to keep theatres full, Deadline reports. Starting this Thursday at noon, all remaining March tickets for Rudin's popular productions—To Kill a Mockingbird, West Side Story, The Lehman Trilogy, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and The Book of Mormon—will be available for only $50.
This could be the deal you've been waiting for
March 10, 2020

City seeks ideas for two 100 percent affordable senior complexes on NYCHA land

The city is looking to construct two affordable senior complexes with between 150 and 200 housing units each. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development on Friday released a request for proposals for two underused city-owned sites, one in the Bronx's Morrisania neighborhood and the other in Crown Heights in Brooklyn. The developments fall under Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration's "Seniors First" housing program, which aims to serve 30,000 senior households by 2026 through the creation and preservation of affordable housing.
Find out more
March 10, 2020

$595K Morningside Heights pad is a flexible two-bedroom near Columbia and Riverside Park

Conveniently located near Columbia University and only one block from Riverside Park, this two-bedroom in Morningside Heights is sunny, flexible, and recently upgraded. It’s in an HDFC co-op building at 175 Claremont Avenue so income restrictions will apply, but if you qualify, the apartment is a sound investment at $595,000.
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March 9, 2020

Midtown hardware store gets fined for price gouging cleaning products

$20 for Clorox and Lysol sprays and $40 for a three-pack of disinfectant wipes--that's how much a Midtown hardware store was selling its products for before getting caught and fined by the city. The store, Scheman and Grant on West 39th Street, may also have been trying to sell a bottle of hand sanitizer for $80. According to NBC, they created a list of prices for these hard-to-find products and told customers to check those prices before purchasing because returns would not be accepted.
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March 9, 2020

With court decision delayed, broker fees live on (for now)

Real estate agents can continue to charge New York renters broker fees until at least June, Crain's reported. Last month, the state department updated a set of guidelines for last year's rent reform laws to prevent brokers who are hired by landlords from charging tenants a fee as part of the application process. Industry groups, including the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and a number of brokerages, filed a petition last month to stop the new rule, which resulted in a temporary restraining order. The office of  State Attorney General Letitia James on Friday asked for a three-month extension to respond to the lawsuit, pushing the court date from this week to June 12.
Get the details
March 9, 2020

New York State is producing its own hand sanitizer, starting at 100,000 gallons per week

At a press conference this morning, Governor Cuomo announced that New York State is beginning to produce 100,000 gallons of its own hand sanitizer every week, with that amount expected to increase. Called New York Clean, the sanitizer was introduced to deal with the incredible price gouging on the product taking place on Amazon and Ebay. It has a higher alcohol content than Purell--75 percent versus 70 (the CDC recommends 60).
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March 9, 2020

$1.97M Central Park West penthouse is rich in color, architecture, and private outdoor space

This Upper West Side brownstone duplex co-op at 31 West 70th Street, asking $1,968,300, is a confluence of Manhattan apartment dream factors: It's half a block from Central Park, has a wealth of private outdoor space, and is filled with rich architectural details that keep the cookie-cutter blues far away. The renovated pre-war duplex is currently set up as a two-bedroom home with two and a half baths, but it can easily be expanded to include three bedrooms with plenty of space left to spare.
Get a closer look
March 9, 2020

With coronavirus cases expected to surge in NYC, de Blasio urges staggered commute times

Photo via WNYC/Flickr cc The city thus far has said that public transportation will continue to operate normally (with increased cleaning measures, of course), but this weekend, after Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, Mayor de Blasio urged NYC residents to stagger their commute times to avoid rush hour. He also promoted biking or walking to work (despite the fact that the latter is not a feasible option for most), telecommuting, and avoiding crowded subway cars.
See what else the Mayor has to say
March 7, 2020

New York implements ‘cancel for any reason’ travel policies amid coronavirus outbreak

The night before declaring a State of Emergency in New York State, Governor Cuomo announced that travel agents and travel insurers will offer "cancel for any reason" travel policies, joined by six global and national insurance companies. According to a press release, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) put in place this action "to provide reassurance to New York businesses and residents who are seeking to make plans that may involve travel to locations that are not currently under travel advisories due to COVID-19."
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March 6, 2020

This incredibly detailed 3D replica of Manhattan took 1,000 hours to complete

French artist Johann Perathoner has created a panoramic 3D replica of Manhattan that is currently on view in the Empire State Building’s lobby. Though compact in scale, the composition is ambitious in scope and captures an incredible amount of detail in its small size. Made up of vibrant colors and 100 different textures that include rhinestones and fake diamonds, the piece took Perathoner more than 1,000 hours to complete.
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March 6, 2020

Well-known author sells Upper East Side carriage house with an artist’s studio for $11M

Fans of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series will love getting a look inside author Ann Brashares's gorgeous Upper East Side carriage house, which she just sold for $11 million, reports the Post. Brashare and her husband, painter Jacob Collins, bought the 7,200-square-foot home at 167 East 69th Street in 2001 for $3.65 million from the Sculpture Center. They first listed it in 2018 for $18.95 million, with a price chop to $15 million this past July. Not only does the home have beautiful interior architecture, but it boasts a huge artist's studio and a garage with a curb cut.
Have a look around
March 6, 2020

$5M north Slope townhouse on Prospect Park has original woodwork and deeded parking

Though the neighborhood may be lovely and its amenities many, it's not for nothing that Park Slope is known as "no place to park Slope." This gracious 23.5-foot-wide four-story home at 559 1st Street, asking $4,995 million, is in a prime spot right on the park; even better, deeded parking is available for trade with the sale. The two-family home is being used as a single-family townhouse, but the opportunity for rental income exists if the new owner wants to change the configuration.
House tour, this way
March 6, 2020

Four permanent artworks will transform LaGuardia Airport

The ongoing $8 billion transformation of LaGuardia Airport has focused on bringing the airport's functionality into the 21st century, but a series of major art commissions will also enhance how travelers experience the overhauled spaces. On Thursday Governor Cuomo announced a partnership with the nonprofit Public Art Fund that will bring site-specific works by four renowned artists —Jeppe Hein, Sabine Hornig, Laura Owens, and Sarah Sze—to the new Arrivals and Departures Hall opening later this year at Terminal B.
More info
March 6, 2020

The Lower East Side’s ‘vertical village’ at One Manhattan Square unveils interior amenities

Extell Development Company's largest-ever luxury residential property, One Manhattan Square, has introduced a standout collection of indoor amenities twice the size of the White House, including four pools, a full-sized basketball court, a bowling alley and a cinema, Located on Manhattan's Lower East Side on the East River waterfront, the 847-foot-tall, 815-unit condominium tower–it was 6sqft's 2017 Building of the Year–boasts unobstructed panoramic water and skyline views, but its amenities package is the real standout. Extell has called the residence "a true vertical village," with 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities–more than anywhere else, the company claims, in New York City.
Have a look at some of those fab amenities

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