January 24, 2020

Where I Work: Marvel Architects’ studio brings tropical flair to a classic Tribeca loft

Marvel Architects say they were drawn to their Tribeca office space 25 years ago because of its connection to NYC history and its openness, qualities that also resonate throughout the firm and its practice. They regularly work on cultural projects (like TheatreSquared and the Northeast Bronx YMCA), adaptive reuse projects (such as St. Ann's Warehouse and the Bedford Armory in Brooklyn) and affordable housing developments (like the Stonewall House and Rockaway Village) and they are receptive to community feedback (as was the case with their current One Clinton project). With another office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marvel continues this open dialogue throughout its team, as staff members contribute reciprocally to projects in both cities. To learn more about this unique firm, 6sqft had a chat with founding principal Jonathan Marvel and founding partners Lissa So and Guido Hartray and toured their open and airy office that brings a bit of tropical flair to Tribeca.
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January 24, 2020

For $2.75M, this dreamy Village duplex is the next best thing to a private townhouse

It's easy to forget that this gorgeous duplex at 136 West 13th Street isn't an entire townhouse. Located on the kind of Village block that inspires envy in even the most jaded passerby, it has all of the best bits within its two gracious floors. With historic charm in full effect and a stylish, sophisticated renovation adding custom design, the two-story, one-bedroom co-op is asking $2.75 million.
Take the tour
January 24, 2020

Get a little glam in this spacious Chelsea one-bedroom asking $750K

If there's one name that harkens to the glamour of pre-war architecture, it very well might be Emery Roth, the designer of the 1931 building at 300 West 23rd Street. And this one-bedroom corner unit, currently on the market for $750,000, has taken this notion of Art Deco glamour and infused it into a modern renovation that also adds some glitz and mid-century nods. With two gracious walk-in closets, a contemporary open kitchen, and plenty of street-facing windows, the co-op is sure to turn some heads.
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January 24, 2020

After Andy Byford resigns as transit chief, New Yorkers lament the loss of ‘Train Daddy’

Two years into his tenure as New York City Transit chief, Andy Byford resigned on Thursday, Politico first reported. The British native came to NYC in January 2018—in the aftermath of the transit system's so-called "Summer of Hell"—after running the Toronto Transit Commission for five years. Byford inherited a state of emergency but hit the ground running as soon as he arrived. He's been credited with boosting the subway's on-time rate from only 58 percent to 80 percent, securing funding to upgrade signal systems, and putting an emphasis on accessibility. Praised by riders and transit advocates, Byford earned the nickname "Train Daddy" which exploded on Twitter following the news of his resignation. Ahead, we've rounded up some of our favorite social media reactions to the news.
Hear what New Yorkers have to say
January 23, 2020

176 affordable units available at new Brownsville rental, from $367/month

Nearly 200 affordable apartments are up for grabs at a new rental building in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. A housing lottery launched on Thursday for 176 units at 672 Powell Street, which is part of the massive Ebenezer Plaza project that will bring four towers to two sites on the block. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $367/month studios to $1,472/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
January 23, 2020

Apply for 75 middle-income apartments in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, from $1,721/month

A housing lottery will launch Friday for 75 middle-income apartments in a newly constructed Brooklyn building. Located at 350 Clarkson Avenue in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, the building, dubbed "The Lois," contains 250 apartments with 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Designed by Cetra Ruddy, the eight-story building boasts a masonry facade with copper panel details, a nod to the area's industrial history. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $1,721/month studios to $2,975/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
January 23, 2020

11 ways to celebrate Australia Day in NYC this weekend

On January 26, Australia Day is celebrated around the world to mark the arrival of the first fleet of British ships in New South Wales. This year's festivities have an added sense of urgency. Over the past few months, widespread bushfires have burned over 40,000 square miles and killed more than one billion animals in Australia. In NYC, Australia Day celebrations this year are focused on extending support to the ongoing relief efforts. Below, we round up 11 events where ex-pats and New Yorkers alike can come together over traditional Aussie food, music, and comedy—best of all, they're each donating all or a significant chunk of proceeds to various relief funds.
More info
January 23, 2020

Fairway confirms bankruptcy filing, will sell remaining stores

Earlier this week, the New York Post reported that beloved grocery chain Fairway would be filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy and closing all of its stores, but on Wednesday, Fairway took to Twitter to deny the claims. "Despite reports, Fairway Market has no intention to file for Chapter 7 or liquidate all of its stores," the grocer tweeted. It's unclear why the grocer made these statements since it's now confirmed that they have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, under which they will engage in a supervised sale of their remaining stores, reports the Times.
More details
January 23, 2020

Go behind the scenes at Morningside Heights’ Riverside Church and its 400-foot-tall bell tower

After nearly 20 years, the iconic bell tower of the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights has officially reopened. The impressive Gothic-style cathedral is home to the 74-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon, which includes a 40,000 pound Bourdon bell, the largest tuned bell in the world. The tower closed to the public almost two decades ago following 9/11 but reopened for public tours earlier this month. 6sqft recently took a tour of the stunning Riverside Church, known for its interdenominational services and dedication to social justice causes.
Take the tour
January 23, 2020

Sarah Jessica Parker may be selling one of her West Village townhouses

For being such a high-profile couple, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have managed to keep a fairly low profile in the West Village, but when it comes to their real estate, the gossip is inevitable. The latest whisperings come via a source who told the Post that the couple is selling their townhouse on Charles Street for $19 million off-market. In 2016, Parker and Broderick dropped $34.5 million on two adjacent townhouses on West 11th Street with the intention of combining them into one mega-mansion. While the work has been ongoing, they've been living on Charles Street, so perhaps the sale plans means their new home is ready.
Get the scoop
January 23, 2020

MTA considers restoring passenger service to freight line between Bay Ridge and Ridgewood

Since the 1990s, the Regional Plan Association has been advocating for the restoration of passenger service to a rail line known as the Bay Ridge Branch that runs from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Astoria, Queens and is now used as a freight line. The MTA has announced that it will begin a feasibility study to "evaluate the potential for subway, commuter rail, light rail or bus service" along the line, which the agency notes would create the potential for reverse commuting and connect to 19 subway lines and the LIRR. In October, the RPA's Kate Slevin explained to NY1, "We don't have unlimited resources here in New York City, as we know, so the fact that we already have tracks there, that are underutilized, really means a lot."
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January 23, 2020

For $875K, this bright two-bedroom with lots of exposed brick is a Lower East Side classic

It's a challenge to find a nice apartment of any size for under $1 million–save perhaps a studio–in prime downtown neighborhoods like the Lower East Side. This two-bedroom co-op at 85 Stanton Street is a classic tenement walk-up with a small second bedroom; but in addition to location, it has a sparkling renovation on its side plus lots of brick and pre-war charm, and it's only asking $875,000.
Have a look around
January 22, 2020

Rent a 9,600-square-foot Nolita mansion in a former convent for $65K a month

This rare historic mansion right in the middle of Nolita on the Soho border at 38 Prince Street is on the rental market for a princely $65,000 per month. The historic Federal-style Manhattan townhouse, built in 1826, is unique in many ways. It was once the Saint Patrick's Convent dating back to 1826. The building has seen a thorough overhaul with no expense spared, and it's now a five-story, 9,600-square-foot mansion with an elevator and top-quality finishes throughout, anchored by a dramatic spiral staircase at its midst. Also here: A Pilates room, a "zen pillow room," a music room–and more!
Explore the many rooms of this Soho mansion
January 22, 2020

Finalists announced for this year’s City of Dreams pavilion on Roosevelt Island

Arts organization FIGMENT, the Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY) have just announced the finalists in the 2020 City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition. The competition is an annual program that invites designers to create a temporary architectural pavilion that is efficient and sustainable while considering the life cycle of the building materials used. This year's pavilion will be in Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island.
See more of the winning entries
January 22, 2020

Preservationists suggest the Frick should buy Jeffrey Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion

Preservationists who have long fought against the Frick Collection's planned expansion are proposing a rather unique solution: the museum could take over Jeffrey Epstein's "cursed mansion" across the street instead. "The fact that it’s so convenient to the museum means that the Frick could potentially lay Jeffrey Epstein’s name to rest by purchasing it and changing the function," architect Theodore Grunewald, who runs preservationist group Save The Frick, told the Daily News. "It could essentially be cleansing the house."
More details
January 22, 2020

MTA unveils first look at new open-gangway subway cars

Straphangers will soon be able to move freely between some subway cars. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday released photos of the city's newest subway fleet which features an "open-gangway" design, or accordion-like walls located at the ends of cars. The R211 car design is meant to increase capacity by allowing for better movement and "customer flow." Expected to be partially delivered later this year, the new subway cars are part of a nearly $4 billion contract awarded to Kawasaki Industries in 2018.
See it here
January 22, 2020

Meryl Streep’s waterfront Tribeca penthouse finds a buyer for $15.8M

Roughly a year and a half after it was first listed, Meryl Streep has sold her Tribeca penthouse for $15.8 million, the Wall Street Journal reports. Located in the waterfront River Lofts condominium, the 4,000-square-foot residence has four bedrooms and a landscaped terrace that wraps around three sides of the penthouse. The revered Oscar winner bought the home with her husband, Donald Gummer, for $10.13 million in 2006. It was initially listed for $24.6 million in the summer of 2018. Following a broker switch, the price was slashed to $18.25 million, and it was relisted last August. Listing agent Juliette Janssens of Sotheby's International Realty—who held the most recent listing with Allison Koffman—told the Journal that despite selling for 36 percent less than the original asking price, the final sale still reflects a "very strong number" for today's market.
Have a look around
January 22, 2020

LPC approves COOKFOX’s plans to convert Chelsea’s historic Terminal Warehouse into an office complex

The entire city block bound by 11th and 12th Avenues and 27th to 28th Streets in West Chelsea is occupied by the Terminal Warehouse complex, a former freight distribution hub built in 1891. After losing its place in the shipping industry in the 1930s, it then became infamous in the 1980s and '90s as the home of The Tunnel nightclub. Now, after years as a mini-storage facility and commercial offices, the structure will once again see new life, this time as a wholistic, modern office complex. L&L Holding and Normandy Real Estate Partners have partnered with COOKFOX architects to adaptively reuse the building, preserving and restoring its historic elements, as well as to add shops and restaurants on street level, a central courtyard, and a contemporary glass addition. Yesterday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously approved the plans.
More looks and details
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January 21, 2020

Beloved Upper West Side shop Book Culture closes for good

Drawing comparisons to "The Shop Around the Corner" in the movie "You've Got Mail" (which is also set on the Upper West Side), Book Culture became a beloved neighborhood shop for its whimsical atmosphere, great selection of books, and cozy children's reading room. But this past year, the store's owner penned a letter to city officials asking for a $500,000 loan to stay afloat amid unpaid vendor debts and loans. Earlier this month, a city marshal seized the store for "eviction action" due to unpaid rent, West Side Rag reported. Though the store was hopeful it could find a solution to remain open (even starting a Post-it Note campaign where customers left their support on the storefront), they announced today in an email that their doors are shut forever.
What happened?
January 21, 2020

In Park Slope, this $500K compact co-op has a working fireplace and lots of brownstone charm

This one-bedroom, pre-war co-op at 19 7th Avenue is just one flight up from a classic north Park Slope street. Asking $499,000, it has the proper postcard charm of a lovely landmarked brownstone–working fireplace included–and it's just a few blocks from Prospect Park.
Brooklyn brownstone charm, this way
January 21, 2020

Cuomo taps Martin Luther King III, Lucy Liu, and Lin-Manuel Miranda to lead 2020 census campaign

As part of the city’s ongoing efforts to count every New Yorker in the upcoming 2020 census, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday the creation of the Census Council, which will coordinate the state’s campaign to “get out the count.” Martin Luther King III, Lucy Liu, and Lin-Manuel Miranda have been tapped to serve as co-chairs for the council. They will “act as the state’s coordinating arm” to oversee outreach efforts and make sure the count is as complete as possible. Cuomo also proposed adding an additional $10 million to the state’s effort, bringing the total up to $70 million.
Details here
January 21, 2020

In debate over $119B sea wall to protect NYC from superstorms, Trump says ‘get your mops’

A barrier wall proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers as one of several options being evaluated to shield the New York area from rare storms–which may well become less rare and more destructive with global warming–is the subject of a heated debate among planners and environmental experts. Supporters suggest that a barrier be constructed in the outer New York Harbor where it's mostly hidden from view, saying it would go the farthest in protecting people, land and valuable landmarks along the waterfront from a storm surge. Others fear the idea is a short-sighted measure that doesn't address major climate threats–and could even worsen matters by trapping sewage and toxins during flooding from high tides and storm runoff. President Donald Trump, however, remains the sole proponent of the mop-and-bucket approach, as the New York Daily News reports.
What will save us from a tweetstorm?
January 21, 2020

MTA announces $750M plan to overhaul 42nd Street subway stations

The MTA has unveiled a new plan to integrate all the planned work along the 42nd Street corridor—at the Grand Central, Bryant Park, and Times Square stations—into one project. In doing so, the agency expects the newly bundled 42nd Street Connection project will both cut costs and speed up the schedule. The plan encompasses several rehabilitation projects along one of the city’s busiest transportation corridors, including the redesign and rebuild of the 42nd Street shuttle. 
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January 21, 2020

91 middle-income units up for grabs at brand new Midwood rental, from $2,346/month

A housing lottery launched Tuesday for 91 middle-income apartments at a newly constructed building in Midwood. Located at 1277 East 14th Street in the central Brooklyn neighborhood, the building sits on the former site of Vitagraph Studios, an acclaimed production company founded in the borough in 1897. The Vitagraph Apartments, which opened last summer, contain 302 units and amenities like a landscaped roof deck and fitness center. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which includes $2,346/month one-bedrooms and $2,830/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
January 17, 2020

Check out The Sill’s first Brooklyn brick-and-mortar in Cobble Hill

Cobble Hill got a little more green with the opening of The Sill's first brick-and-mortar in Brooklyn (they also have a recently opened kiosk at City Point). The outpost at 195 Pacific Street features an apartment-friendly collection of succulents, cacti, and tropical plants that can be potted in the store's own line of planters or purchased on their own. And to make it easy for newbies, each plant has straight-forward labels that you know how much sunlight and water it needs, as well as if it's pet-friendly.
More info
January 17, 2020

This $529K co-op tucked between Columbia and Riverside Park could be a smart move

Asking $529,000, this first-floor home at 606 West 113th Street is on a pretty tree-lined street in Morningside Heights between Riverside Park and Columbia University/Barnard College. Located in an historic co-op building with a gorgeous lobby and plenty of pre-war details, this charming one-bedroom apartment has bay windows, 10-foot ceilings, and exposed brick in the living room and bedroom.
Get a closer look
January 17, 2020

From Civil War generals to Oscar winners: 7 historic figures who called 14-16 Fifth Avenue home

Madison Realty Capital filed plans last month to demolish 14-16 Fifth Avenue, a five-story apartment building constructed in 1848, and replace it with a 244-foot-tall tower. Because it is located within the Greenwich Village Historic District, it can only be demolished if the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission rules that the building itself is of no historic or architectural merit, and does not contribute to the character of the district (the public hearings where this would be debated and decided have not yet been scheduled). What may seem like a nondescript apartment building actually has an incredibly rich and varied history. Throughout its 170-year history, 14-16 Fifth Avenue was home to Civil War generals, Gold Rush writers, Oscar-winning actors, railroad magnates, pioneering industrialists, inventors, and politicians. What follows is just some of the history behind this easily-overlooked lower Fifth Avenue landmark.
One building, tons of history
January 17, 2020

New looks revealed for 3 Hudson Boulevard, the next office tower to rise at Hudson Yards

A new design–the third so far–has been revealed for 3 Hudson Boulevard, the next office tower to rise at Hudson Yards. Located at the northwest corner of West 34th Street and Hudson Boulevard, the tower, which has long been in planning stages, will have 1.85 million square feet of office space. The latest designs reveal a height of just under 1,000 feet with 56 stories, the New York Post reports. Some floors will have ceilings of almost 30 feet with terraces at the end.
Find out more
January 17, 2020

$5.2M Chelsea loft is a showcase of design talent, with endless room options

This renovated loft, asking $5.175 million, spans the full ninth floor of a classic early 1900s building at 142 West 26th Street in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. The 4,000-square-foot co-op apartment was designed by Fernando Santangelo, who is known for the famous Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles. In addition to reflecting a brilliant eye for color and detail, the home hits every luxury loft high note, from 11-foot ceilings to vast room proportions. Though it's currently set up with three "official" bedrooms, its current collection of spaces--including a formal living room, a great room, and a library--offer room for many more (see the "alternate" floor plan in the gallery below for just one version).
Tour the fabulous, flexible loft
January 16, 2020

Gorgeous West Village townhouse once owned by Hilary Swank hits the market at $11M

The charming West Village townhouse that was once home to Hilary Swank is back on the market for $10.995 million (h/t Curbed). Swank and her then-husband Chad Lowe bought the four-story property at 33 Charles Street for $3.9 million in 2002 and sold it four years later for $8.25 million, a significant profit. The current owner is Harry A. Lawton III, the president of Macy's, who closed on the home in 2017 for $10.5 million, just under the current asking price.
Take a look around
January 16, 2020

Photo exhibit highlights the disappearing single-story buildings of the East Village and LES

In 2015, photographer Adam Friedberg was passing through Astor Place and took notice of the two single-story buildings on Third Avenue and St. Marks Place--the one that housed Continental Bar and the other a McDonald's. From there, Friedberg began a project to photograph all the single-story buildings throughout the changing East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods and the negative space they created. After capturing 97 of the roughly 105 structures, his work is now on view at the Center for Architecture in an exhibit titled "Single-Story Project."
See more of the photos
January 16, 2020

10 best places to work remotely in NYC

One of the best things about freelancing in New York City is not having to fight with the subway to get to my desk on time, something I did almost daily when I had an office job. One of the worst things, though, is feeling permanently stuck in my cramped apartment. Luckily, this city has lots of great, airy spaces that lend themselves well to remote work, whether you do it full time or are just looking to spend the day free of fluorescent lighting and Gary from HR. Ahead, discover 10 of our favorites.
See the full list
January 16, 2020

Developer scraps Bjarke Ingels-designed 2 WTC for revamped Norman Foster tower

It looks like Norman Foster's design for 2 World Trade Center might rise after all. First unveiled in 2006, the original Foster + Partners proposal was scrapped in 2015 for Bjarke Ingels' stacked tower, which was deemed more suitable to prospective media tenants. After leases with Fox and News Corp. fell through in 2016, the future of the tenant-less tower has remained uncertain. Absent any takers, developer Larry Silverstein is now pivoting back to the Foster vision, the New York Post reports. The old design is being "significantly modified to be more reflective of contemporary needs and taste," Silverstein said.
More details
January 16, 2020

For $520K, this customized Murray Hill studio has a sleeping alcove, built-ins, and plenty of personality

Located on the 10th floor of Lindley House at 123 East 37th Street, this pre-war studio, asking $520,000, is that rare NYC apartment that has been recently renovated yet retains its classic details, with colorful uniqueness added. Though not a large space, the co-op has a sleeping alcove separated by doors, a separate kitchen, and lots of thoughtfully-designed storage
More cool studio surprises, this way
January 16, 2020

City likely to rename Bronx block outside of Yankee Stadium after Derek Jeter

Although he's moved on to a new team and city, former Yankee Derek Jeter will always be a Bronx Bomber in the eyes of fans. As a way to honor the star shortstop and current Miami Marlins coach, two Bronx Council Members are introducing legislation to rename East 161st Street, the block in front of the stadium, "Jeter Street," as amNY first reported.
More details here
January 15, 2020

Hudson Yards shares rendering of public open space to dispel reports of 700-foot wall

"There has never been a wall along the High Line and there will never be a wall," Hudson Yards emphasized on Twitter today in response to reports that a 700-foot wall will turn the next phase of development into a veritable gated community. Plans for the Western Yard always included paving over the remaining tracks with a deck that would slope down toward the High Line, but last week, it was reported that developer Related Companies was floating around an idea that would have the deck slope up instead to accommodate a parking garage underneath. It would also essentially wall off the new development's green space and overshadow the High Line. However, Hudson Yards continued in its series of Tweets, "We have always shared the vision that the Western Yard should include a great public open space."
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January 15, 2020

Head to Pier 17 to ride a sonic wave of illuminated seesaws in a new public art installation

All photos courtesy of Wagstaff New York/The Howard Hughes Corportation As 6sqft shared last week, The Garment District Alliance unveiled its latest public art installation, a collection of 12 oversized, illuminated seesaws titled “Impulse,” that emit various sounds as New Yorkers play on them. If you're looking for even more giant interactive seesaws, you're in luck: Wave-Field is now lighting up the lower Manhattan night. Now through the end of March, you'll find the installation of illuminated musical seesaws at Seaport Square next to Pier 17.
Find out more
January 15, 2020

See the proposed revamp for Rockefeller Center

Tishman Speyer proposed a plan to revamp certain aspects of Rockefeller Center during a hearing at the Landmark Preservation Commission on Tuesday, as CityRealty reported. With Gabellini Sheppard Associates at the helm, the design proposal makes tweaks to the gardens and outdoor plaza spaces at the 22-acre site. The upgrades—which mostly seek to improve circulation—come as city officials have been discussing the permanent restriction of traffic around Rockefeller Center following the successful pedestrianization of the area during the recent holiday season.
More details
January 15, 2020

17 spots to celebrate Lunar New Year 2020 in NYC

The two-week-long celebration of Lunar New Year begins next week, considered one of New York City's most festive events of the year. The welcoming of the Year of the Rat, the first zodiac animal and said to be a sign of wealth, kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 25 and is followed by 15 days of festivities, including lots of parades, performances, and firework displays. With several Chinatowns and many Asian communities found across the five boroughs, there are fun Lunar New Year activities for all New Yorkers, from Lower Manhattan's 21st annual Chinatown parade to the first-ever Asian comedy festival.
Our favorites ahead
January 15, 2020

Carroll Gardens’ one-time most expensive house returns for $10M

Back in 2014, an oversized, four-story townhouse replaced an old garage at 181 President Street in Carroll Gardens, and it became known as one of the most "lavish" homes in Brooklyn thanks to its 5,356-square-foot layout, elevator, landscaped roof deck, wine cellar, home gym, two-car garage with a Tesla charging station, and more. So it was no surprise when it set a neighborhood record upon selling for $9.15 million in 2018. The five-bedroom home is now back on the market, asking a pretty comparable $9,995,000.
Have a look around
January 15, 2020

Soho-based fashion mecca Opening Ceremony will close its stores this year

The close of the last decade also saw the demise of a few retail icons that have made New York City dear to every fashionista’s heart. If Barneys was the cutting-edge couture go-to for a well-heeled international set, Soho’s Opening Ceremony was the chic street-style crossover hit of the early 21st century. The brand, whose stores include the Howard Street flagship and an Ace Hotel outpost as well as stores in Los Angeles, London and Tokyo–announced Tuesday that it would be shutting down its retail stores this year after being acquired by the New Guards Group, a streetwear conglomerate in turn owned by online fashion platform Farfetch, The Cut reports.
Find out more
January 15, 2020

Group of Coney Island boardwalk businesses could see up to 400 percent increase in rent

Owners of six small businesses in Coney Island, Lola Star Boutique, Nathan's Famous, Ruby's Bar & Grill, Paul's Daughter, Tom's Restaurant, and the Coney Island Beach Shop, are currently negotiating new 10-year lease agreements with amusement park operator Zamperla. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the boardwalk businesses are facing rent increases of between 50 and 400 percent each. "We care about Coney Island and its future, and we are dedicated to making it as strong a community as possible," Alessandro Zamperla, the president of the company, told the Times. "This is why we've been working with our tenants to ensure their success and preserve the character of Coney Island." Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration has not come forward with a plan to mediate; according to the newspaper, the rent increases do not violate the agreement between Zamperla and the city.
Find out more
January 15, 2020

Tiffany & Co. moves into a temporary location next door to iconic Fifth Avenue flagship

Under the watchful eyes of 30 security officers and 300 surveillance cameras, Tiffany & Company moved 114,179 pieces of jewelry from their iconic Fifth Avenue flagship store over the weekend to prepare the building for a renovation. Everything was taken to the adjacent storefront at 6 East 57th Street—a former Nike store—that will host a temporary location of the jewelry store until the renovation wraps up in 2021. Cheekily dubbed The Tiffany Flagship Next Door, the jeweler's new home centers around a central atrium that will feature a rotating schedule of "periodic installations and exclusive partnerships."
More details
January 14, 2020

Pioneering juice bar Liquiteria appears to shutter all NYC locations

The Liquiteria at Fourth Avenue and 13th Street closed down last week, the last of five remaining New York City locations that have now shuttered, Eater reports. The juice bar chain opened its first location in the East Village at Second Avenue and East 11th Street in 1996, making it an early pioneer in the celebrity-fueled juice craze that eventually followed. There has been no mention of the closures from the company (their social media accounts haven't been active in months or years, depending on the platform) but their website is no longer active and phones at every location are disconnected. The Fourth Avenue storefront appears largely emptied in photos captured by EV Grieve.
More details
January 14, 2020

20 fascinating photos of New York City in the 1920s

Welcome back to the Roaring '20s, New York! Now that the new decade has officially dawned, we're turning the clock back 100 years to see what the city was like the last time the calendar struck 20. If you're looking for a little inspiration for your next Great Gatsby-themed bash, ahead find 20 fantastic photos of New York during the Jazz Age, depicting everything from old Ebbets Field to the height of Prohibition.
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January 14, 2020

In Westchester, an 1860s barn was converted to a mid-century estate for $1.25M

Located in Pound Ridge, a quaint town in northeastern Westchester just an hour's drive from NYC, this sprawling estate set on nearly six acres is asking $1,250,000 (h/t Curbed). The New York Times wrote of Pound Ridge's "wooded slopes, streams and lakes and 19th-century stone walls," all of which create a "bucolic feel" that this home at 39 Old Snake Hill Road also embodies. Originally an 1860s barn, the listing tells us that the property was converted by Vito Fosella, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, into a charming mid-century residence "ideal for weekend or year-round living."
Take the tour
January 14, 2020

See inside the amenity spaces at Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue

The Olayan Group released a new batch of renderings giving us a sneak peek inside the amenity floor at 550 Madison Avenue. Designed by Rockwell Group, the seventh floor offers a mix of “hospitality-driven” spaces for tenants, including food and beverage options, lounges, shared workspaces, and fitness and wellness areas. The center of it all will be the iconic Philip Johnson-designed oculus—which greets visitors as soon as they step off the elevator on the club floor—framed by two floor-to-ceiling artworks by Dorothea Rockburne, which were commissioned in 1993 specifically for the building.
Have a look around
January 14, 2020

This $3.5M wood-frame house in Fort Greene has high-end finishes and a delicious mint kitchen

Built in 1870, this historic wood-frame home on a block of gorgeous landmarked townhouses a few blocks from Fort Greene Park is asking $3,495,000. It's had a recent renovation that bestowed updates like well-concealed central air and an intercom system and high-end finishes like herringbone wood flooring, arriving at that magic mix of contemporary comfort and historic charm. Within the single-family home are four bedrooms, each with its own bath, plus grand entertaining rooms and plenty of family space. A large landscaped rear yard joins a patio and wood deck for indoor-outdoor living in season.
Take the townhouse tour
January 13, 2020

New-York Historical Society hosting an after-hours ‘Roaring 20s’ party this weekend

Photo courtesy of Dandy Wellington The New-York Historical Society is calling all "fabulous flappers and dapper dandies" for a Roaring 20s-themed fete this Saturday. The Jazz Age soiree will come to life with music from Dandy Wellington and encouragement for attendees to wear their most festive costumes. There will also be an open bar, snacks, and a photo booth.
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January 13, 2020

Bushwick rezoning stalled after city dismisses community plan

The plan to rezone Bushwick hit a possibly fatal roadblock Monday after city officials and local politicians failed to reach an agreement on affordable housing requirements. The city said it will not study the Bushwick Community Plan (BCP), first envisioned by the community in 2014 to address out-of-context development, as part of its proposal, effectively postponing the rezoning. After years of Bushwick residents calling for a study of the area's growing gentrification, the city released its official rezoning plan last April. But local stakeholders and leaders, including Council Members Antonio Reynoso and Rafel Espinal Jr., said the city's plan fell short of the vision laid out in the BCP.
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