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Two hours north of the city in the Dutchess County town of Wassaic, you can own an entire 125-acre farm for the price of a three-bedroom Manhattan condo. Known as Avalon Farm, the $2,950,000 property has a nearly 3,000-square-foot contemporary main house, along with a fully functional barn, an in-ground pool and adjacent log cabin pool house, tennis court, and its own stream. It's definitely secluded, but the farm is a quick drive to downtown Amenia, which is full of restaurants, antique shops, and even a drive-in movie theater.
Get a look around

Distinctive Homes

Mixed-income development with healthy grocery store breaks ground in East New York

Renderings courtesy of Pennrose, LLC

October 2, 2019

Mixed-income development with healthy grocery store breaks ground in East New York

A groundbreaking celebration this week officially kicked off construction at 50 Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York. The Dattner Architects-designed project—referred to as 50 Penn—is led by Philadelphia-based developer Pennrose with RiseBoro Community Partnership, who will manage the property. It will bring 218 units of affordable and moderate-income housing to the neighborhood, alongside retail options on the ground floor that will include a healthy grocery store. The development is slated for completion in July 2021.
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See the creative office complex proposed for a massive Art Deco post office in Chelsea

Rendering courtesy of Tishman Speyer

October 2, 2019

See the creative office complex proposed for a massive Art Deco post office in Chelsea

A historic post office in Chelsea is set to become a creative office complex. After more than a year of negotiations, Tishman Speyer and the United States Postal Service reached an agreement this week to develop 630,000 square feet of office space at the Morgan North Postal Facility, as the New York Post first reported. Constructed in 1933, the 10-story building encompasses an entire block from 9th to 10th Avenue and 29th to 30th Street and boasts a 2.5-acre private roof deck, the largest in Manhattan.
See images here

New Developments

For $12.5M, this Upper East Side townhouse comes with a 40-foot pool and a two-car garage

Listing images by Travis Mark for Sotheby’s International Realty

October 2, 2019

For $12.5M, this Upper East Side townhouse comes with a 40-foot pool and a two-car garage

Just off Park Avenue, this townhouse at 107 East 61st Street spans over 10,100 square feet and comes with two rare amenities for the Upper East Side: a two-car garage and a 40-foot pool. Originally built in 1899, the residence has a modern feel with sleek finishes and dramatic skylights. The property has been on and off the market several times since 2015 (including as a rental), with asking prices reaching up to $29 million. It was recently listed again for a significantly reduced $12.5 million.
More details

Distinctive Homes

The 2019 Open House New York Weekend schedule is here!

Photo courtesy of Open House New York

October 2, 2019

The 2019 Open House New York Weekend schedule is here!

The annual Open House New York Weekend is around the corner, and the calendar and guide to tours, events, and access to typically off-limits sites have been released. OHNY Weekend is Friday, October 18, Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Highlights include new sites like Pier 35 eco-park , the TWA Hotel, The Spur High Line (the last section of the original High Line rail structure to be converted into public space) and 277 Mott, a new core and shell project by Toshiko Mori Architect with a twisting facade that appears to shift as pedestrians approach. There are also featured sites like the Brooklyn Navy Yard and special curated series like Factory Fridays and Open Studios. Tools to help you plan your weekend include an event guide, an interactive map showing where "open access" sites and events are located throughout the five boroughs, and an itinerary planner.
Some highlights to look for during OHNY 2019 this way

Events & Things To Do

October 2, 2019

For $5,800/month this furnished two-bedroom rental feels like a Parisian garret in Park Slope

Tucked into the top of a 25-foot-wide townhouse at 842 Carroll Street in Park Slope, this attic aerie could just as easily be a Parisian pied-a-terre. The home has two bedrooms, a bath-and-a-half, a washer-dryer and a balcony–and it's completely furnished, asking $5,800 a month.
Have a look around

New virtual art exhibition at High Line Nine highlights multiple artists at once

Shuli Sadé’s Wild, Heterotopias; courtesy of Related Companies

October 1, 2019

New virtual art exhibition at High Line Nine highlights multiple artists at once

A new art exhibit that opened last week at the High Line Nine in Chelsea appears to be an empty room of blank walls. But the exhibition, titled "Art Has No Limits," actually features art hidden in plain sight. Through the augmented reality art app Aery, visitors have access to multiple shows by different artists in the same space, at the same time. The new exhibit, which opened at the gallery between West 27th and West 28th Streets on Sunday, shows off work by photographer Shuli Sadé and neo-conceptual artist Richard Humann.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

Listing photos courtesy of Halstead Real Estate

October 1, 2019

Old-world Victorian decor fills every inch of this $325K Bronx co-op

Located in the University Heights section of the Bronx, this co-op could easily pass for a Victorian period museum. From House of Hackney wallpaper to reclaimed 19th-century doors to a painting that is Louvre-approved (literally!), nearly every inch of the 1,250-square-foot home is filled with old-world furniture and decor. And even if this isn't quite your style, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout and $325,000 price tag will surely grab your attention.
Even the bathrooms are worth checking out

Distinctive Homes

For $7.15M, this Sag Harbor 1930s cottage is a timeless waterfront refuge

David Bowie's former Central Park South home asks $4.95M

Flatbush mansion sells for $6.25M, a neighborhood record

This $800K Chelsea two-bedroom co-op is easy on fees and rules

For $10.5M, a sunny yellow Mediterranean villa on the Upper East Side

For $595K, this Turtle Bay pre-war co-op elegantly maximizes every square inch of space

This landmarked $3M Flatbush townhouse is architecturally significant and expansively livable, garage included

This classic Park Slope townhouse sold for $5.3M in January. Now, it's asking $10.25M

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

This $1.55M Fort Hamilton home is ready for spring, inside and out

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Image: Wikimedia cc

October 1, 2019

Over 200 FDNY firehouses will welcome open house visitors this weekend

If you–or your favorite fire truck-loving kid–would like a behind-the-scenes look at where New York's bravest get to work, keep your calendar open this weekend: On Saturday, October 5th, and Sunday, October 6th, the FDNY will be hosting their fifth annual citywide open house. More than 200 firehouses and EMS stations will open their doors to the public from 11:00am to 1:00pm or 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Find a participating firehouse near you, this way

Events & Things To Do

City is heavily-subsidizing ferry rides for white, wealthy New Yorkers

Image © 6sqft

October 1, 2019

City is heavily-subsidizing ferry rides for white, wealthy New Yorkers

A majority of New York City Ferry riders are white and wealthy, the Daily News reported on Monday. According to a survey conducted by the city's Economic Development Corporation, which operates the ferry system alongside Hornblower, more than 60 percent of NYC Ferry riders are white with an average annual income between $75,000 and $99,000. In March, a study from the Citizens Budget Commission found the NYC Ferry costs the city $10.73 per rider, about 10 times that of subway subsidies.
More this way

October 1, 2019

This heavenly Brooklyn Heights duplex in an 1850 Gothic church asks $1.95M

Real estate is almost on a par with religion for many New Yorkers, and this $1.95 million co-op in a 1850 Gothic church at 99A Clinton Street in the heart of Brooklyn Heights could be the answer to your prayers. The stunning stone church was converted to a 10-unit co-op in the 1970s.
Become a believer

Distinctive Homes

Hyperloop that could get you from NYC to DC in 30 minutes gains steam

Image of the Hyperloop pod at a test site in Las Vegas; courtesy of Virgin Hyperloop

October 1, 2019

Hyperloop that could get you from NYC to DC in 30 minutes gains steam

Over the past few months, Virgin Hyperloop One has been bringing its XP-1 test Pod on a cross-country roadshow, allowing residents in cities that may adopt the technology to learn more about the project and its progress. They made a stop at Rockefeller Plaza last Friday, as the New York Post reported, giving visitors a glimpse inside the 20-foot vessel that may one day get passengers from NYC to Washington DC in just 30 minutes.
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Plans for new Metro-North stations in the Bronx move forward with first community meeting

Aerial view of Co-op City via Wiki Commons

September 30, 2019

Plans for new Metro-North stations in the Bronx move forward with first community meeting

Plans to develop four new Metro-North Railroad stations in underserved areas of the Bronx are moving forward and beginning to engage the local community in the process. Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. and Westchester county executive George Latimer hosted the first Community Council meeting for the project last week, providing an overview of the broader Penn Station Access plan and kicking off discussions with key stakeholders. The council is composed of representatives from civic organizations and local businesses from the East Bronx and Westchester.
More information

Transit

Karlie Kloss lists cool and compact West Village townhouse for $2.75M

Photo credit: Donna Dotan courtesy of Compass.

September 30, 2019

Karlie Kloss lists cool and compact West Village townhouse for $2.75M

Model Karlie Kloss is selling her chic and petite West Village townhouse co-op at 151 Charles Street, the Wall Street Journal reports. The three-story, two-bedroom-plus-den home was just listed for $2.75M. Though it's a co-op, the triplex has all the perks of townhouse living–a front garden, a second-floor terrace, high ceilings, and skylit bedrooms to name a few–in addition to supermodel cachet and a prime West Village spot.
Tour Karlie's townhouse, this way

Artist Kehinde Wiley unveils ‘Rumors of War’ sculpture in Times Square

Rumors of War © Kehinde Wiley. Used by permission. Presented by Times Square Arts in partnership with the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and Sean Kelly, New York. Photographer: Kylie Corwin for Kehinde Wiley.

September 30, 2019

Artist Kehinde Wiley unveils ‘Rumors of War’ sculpture in Times Square

The artist widely known for his portrait of former President Barack Obama unveiled last week his first public sculpture. Nigerian-American visual artist Kehinde Wiley's "Rumors of War" will be on display in Times Square until December. Standing 27 feet high, the artwork features a young African American man dressed in ripped jeans and a hoodie sitting on a horse, a direct response to the controversial Confederate monuments found all over the United States.
Details this way

Events & Things To Do

Upper West Side group wants a stretch of Broadway to go car-free

Photo by 6sqft

September 30, 2019

Upper West Side group wants a stretch of Broadway to go car-free

It's been 10 years since Times Square went car-free along Broadway, with pedestrian plazas at Herald Square, Madison Square, Union Square North, Grand Army Plaza, and many more soon following. And now, a local Upper West Side group hopes the city will agree to do the same for the northbound stretch of Broadway from 73rd to 79th streets. As Streetsblog reported, last weekend, Streetopia Upper West Side hosted an event, “Celebrate Broadway,” where they closed this portion of the road and filled it with tables and hosted performances in hopes that the enthusiasm will lead to a permanent closure of traffic.
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DOT plans to roll out 14th Street ‘busway’ this week after judges give the stalled project a green light

Image via Oran Viriyincy / Flickr

September 30, 2019

DOT plans to roll out 14th Street ‘busway’ this week after judges give the stalled project a green light

It looks like the 14th Street busway will finally roll out this week following a court ruling on Friday. As Streetsblog reported, a panel of judges from New York State Supreme Court's Appellate Division voted 3-2 to overturn an August 9th ruling that blocked the city from starting the pilot program. Not long after Friday's order was handed down, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Transportation confirmed plans to begin implementing the busway on Thursday, October 3.
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Report suggests looking to zoning to speed up subway accessibility; map shows which lines lag

Despite recent progress–and a federal lawsuit–only 23 percent of New York City's 493 subway and Staten Island Railway (SIR) stations are fully ADA-accessible, a statistic which puts the city dead last among the country’s 10 largest metro systems for accessibility of its transit stations. The MTA has made a commitment to funding accessibility in its much-discussed Capital Plan, but hundreds of stations are still without without plans for ADA access. On Friday Speaker Corey Johnson and the City Council released a report showing that the use of zoning tools to incentivize or require private development projects to address subway station access could speed up progress toward the goal of system-wide ADA access–and simultaneously cut public expense. The report, and an interactive map, show the current system, future plans and what the use of zoning tools could accomplish.
Find out more

Canarsie Tunnel rehab to wrap up early, full L train service expected in April

Cuomo toured the Canarsie Tunnel with MTA officials on Sunday; Photo courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Flickr

September 30, 2019

Canarsie Tunnel rehab to wrap up early, full L train service expected in April

Repair work of the century-old Canarsie Tunnel will wrap up three months early, bringing full L train service to commuters as early as April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday. The original construction plan from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority called for the subway line to totally shut down for 15 months during the repairs. Last winter, a few months before work was set to begin, the governor stepped in with a new plan that avoided a full shutdown of L train service.
Find out more

Transit

$3M Chelsea duplex is lofty and light with lots of built-ins

Listing images courtesy of Douglas Elliman

September 30, 2019

$3M Chelsea duplex is lofty and light with lots of built-ins

Within walking distance of Chelsea Market, Union Square, and more, this three-bedroom Chelsea loft at 214 West 17th Street checks a lot of boxes. Beyond the location, the pad is in mint condition following a recent renovation and comes with conveniences like central air-conditioning and private laundry. The residence previously sold in 2012 for $1.865 million and is now back on the market with a fresh look and a $2.995 million price tag.
Take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

Live near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, from $1,075/month

Photo by Steven Pisano on Flickr

September 27, 2019

Live near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, from $1,075/month

A lottery will launch next week for 36 middle-income units in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. Located at 3470 Fort Independence Street, the newly constructed building sits about a ten-minute walk from New York City's third-largest park, Van Cortlandt Park, and steps from Jerome Park Reservoir. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,075/month studios to $2,388/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Photo: NYC Department of Records courtesy of Urban Archive.

September 27, 2019

Get to know Bay Ridge in the Urban Archive scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt can be a great way to get to know a new neighborhood–or discover things about its history that you might never have learned. Join Urban Archive, the Historic Districts Council, and the New York City Department of Records for a scavenger hunt using the Urban Archive app in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn on Sunday, October 6th.
Start hunting, this way

Events & Things To Do

Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

Renderings by Hargreaves Jones, courtesy of NYCEDC

September 27, 2019

Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

During a Brooklyn Community Board 2 meeting on Wednesday, the group's Youth, Education, and Cultural Affairs Committee voted to rename Downtown Brooklyn's proposed Willoughby Square Park, as Curbed NY first reported. Jacob Morris, a historian and the head of the Harlem Historical Society and the New York City Freedom Trail, initially brought forward a resolution to co-name the square Abolitionist Place Park. By the end of the meeting, the board decided to recommend a full renaming to the city's Economic Development Corporation. The resolution will be voted on by CB2's full board on Oct. 7.
Details here

Uncategorized

Photo credit: Nicole Franzen.

September 27, 2019

Mod Montauk retreat with surf-inspired interiors asks $1.95M

A mere five minutes from Ditch Plains beach, this surf-inspired Montauk house at 48 South Federal Street was designed by Studio Robert McKinley, known for interiors with laid-back style, including the venerable Surf Lodge. This fetching four-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot getaway on a half-acre hilltop lot has a heated pool outside and lots of light and space indoors. It's the kind of move-in ready summer spot that seems well worth its $1.95 million ask.
Take a tour of this beachy retreat

September 27, 2019

Archtober 2019: Top 10 events and program highlights

Archtober is an annual architecture and design festival consisting of tours, events, films, lectures and exhibitions celebrating New York City's love affair with the built environment. During the month of October, a full calendar of events puts a focus on the importance–and the future–of architecture and design. Organized by the Center for Architecture, over 80 partner and sponsor organizations across the city add their voices to the festival. Now in its ninth year, Archtober offers something for everyone—from the arch-intellectual with a love for concept to the armchair designer with a thing for waterways, parks or sustainable design—in the 100+ event roster. Below, we pick 10 intriguing highlights from this year’s offerings.
Celebrate architecture and NYC at these cool events

The new year will bring toll and fare hikes for NY-NJ bridges and tunnels

Image via alvaroreguly / Flickr

September 27, 2019

The new year will bring toll and fare hikes for NY-NJ bridges and tunnels

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

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey voted to increase tolls and fares on Hudson River bridges and tunnels, paving the way for a costlier commute between New Jersey and New York. The agency also imposed fees on taxis and for-hire vehicles at the area's major airports and raised fares on the JFK and Newark AirTrain. The new tolls on bridges and tunnels will go into effect on January 5, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Find out what you'll be paying

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

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

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

50 places to shop locally in NYC for that perfect gift

10 best plants for apartment dwellers

VIEW ALL

New MCNY exhibit highlights the Native American community in NYC

Artists from the exhibition, Women of Sweetgrass, Cedar and Sage, friends and community members outside the American Indian Community House Gallery, 1985. Photo by Jesse Cooday. Courtesy of MCNY

September 26, 2019

New MCNY exhibit highlights the Native American community in NYC

By Lucie Levine

In honor of the 50th anniversary of New York's American Indian Community House on the Lower East Side, the Museum of the City of New York's newest exhibit, "Urban Indian: Native New York Now" will feature contemporary art, documentary film, and community memorabilia from Native American New Yorkers. While New York's Mohawk community is famous for having helped build many of New York's most iconic buildings, the Native American community in NYC is exceptionally diverse (the American Indian Community House counts 72 different tribal affiliations amongst its members.) Accordingly, the exhibit puts "shared authority, self-representation and collaboration" at its center.
Learn More!

Events & Things To Do

The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets

September 26, 2019

The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets The Nets have revealed a new primary court design just in time for the 2019-20 season. It's the first full redesign of the court since the Nets moved to Barclays Center in 2012 and it's very much inspired by the team's roots. The new floors retained their trademark herringbone pattern but got updated with a fresh gray hue—an unusual, but symbolic, choice.
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Uncategorized

September 26, 2019

A-Rod takes another swing at NYC real estate, buys second apartment building

As a rookie in the New York City real estate game, Alex Rodriguez is trying to hit it out of the park. The former New York Yankee has picked up a second apartment building, a 14-story residence in Turtle Bay, as first reported by the New York Post. In June, A-Rod bought his first major Big Apple purchase, a 21-unit rental in the East Village with Barbara Corcoran, who founded the eponymous real estate firm and is an investor on the television show Shark Tank.
More here

Celebrities

September 26, 2019

18 places to celebrate Oktoberfest in and around New York City

Grab some lederhosen and a giant beer, it's time to celebrate Bavarian culture in New York City. Oktoberfest has officially arrived in the five boroughs and beyond, offering the chance to travel to Munich without a passport. Festivities range from traditional stein-holding competitions and pig roasts to more out-of-the-box events, like the Voelker Orth Museum's Flushing-style Oktoberfest with sauerkraut and kimchi eats and brews in the zoo at Turtle Back Zoo.
Get the full list

Events & Things To Do

September 26, 2019

Cuomo breaks ground on Belmont Park arena; see new renderings of Islanders’ future home

In a ground-breaking ceremony that included the New York Islanders, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, local leaders and hockey fans, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week heralded construction of the New York Islanders' new arena at Belmont Park. The arena will anchor the $1.3 billion Belmont Park redevelopment project that promises to create 10,000 jobs and generate $2.7 billion in economic activity for the region. The new 19,000-seat arena, which will host the hockey team and other events, is part of the governor's effort to transform 43 acres of parking lots into a top destination for sports, hospitality and retail, with a 250-key hotel, a retail village and office and community space to come.
More new renderings, this way

MTA board approves $51.5B capital plan, largest in the agency’s history

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr cc

September 26, 2019

MTA board approves $51.5B capital plan, largest in the agency’s history

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday approved its largest capital plan ever, with a $51.5 billion investment in the city's transit system. The 2020-2024 capital plan will invest a whopping $40 billion in subway and buses alone, which includes fully funding the long-awaited second phase of the Second Avenue Subway. In phase two, three new subway stations will be built with the Q train extending to East Harlem.
Details this way

Chic Cobble Hill townhouse in converted Long Island College Hospital building asks $5.4M

Listing images by Tim Waltman, Evan Joseph Studios; courtesy of Compass

September 26, 2019

Chic Cobble Hill townhouse in converted Long Island College Hospital building asks $5.4M

This four-bedroom unit at 355 Henry Street is one of three townhouse conversions inside the former Long Island College Hospital's Lamm Institute building (previously 110 Amity Street). The French Renaissance-style structure was designed by William C. Hough and constructed in 1902. It originally served as nurses residence's before the Lamm Institute for Developmental Disorders moved in during the 1970s. The landmarked Cobble Hill building and three adjacent lots were sold to investors in 2007 for $6 million. The modernized residence sprawls over four stories and boasts a roof deck with harbor views for the asking price of $5.4 million.
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Distinctive Homes

Sou Fujimoto will design co-living complex at former Slave Theater site, his first New York project

Renderings courtesy of The Collective and Artefactorylab

September 25, 2019

Sou Fujimoto will design co-living complex at former Slave Theater site, his first New York project

Days after filing building permits for 1215 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy—the site of the former Slave Theatre—London-based co-living startup The Collective has announced it will be partnering with renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto on the design, his first in New York. The 10-story structure will span over 240,000 square feet and be comprised of three buildings connected by an expansive “ground-floor hub” designed to feel like “an extension of the street.” The project aims to create “a new idea of how a community can come together in a building,” as the architects explained in a design statement.
Take a first look at the renderings

City’s Gowanus Canal cleanup plan gets squashed by Trump’s EPA

Photo by Danny Navarro / Flickr cc

September 25, 2019

City’s Gowanus Canal cleanup plan gets squashed by Trump’s EPA

Photo by Danny Navarro / Flickr cc Since taking office, Donald Trump and his administration have been proposing cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would decrease funding for the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal. Declared a federal Superfund site in 2010, the Canal has a major issue with combined sewer overflow (CSO), which occurs when heavy rainfall overtaxes the sewer system and causes stormwater runoff and wastewater to empty into the waterway. As Brooklyn Eagle reports, the city's proposal to mitigate this issue was to "replace two [CSO] retention tanks holding 8 and 4 million gallons with a 16 million-gallon CSO tunnel running beneath the upper portion of the canal." However, in a letter obtained by the Eagle, Trump EPA appointee Pete Lopez said that they would instead install two large retention tanks along the Canal walls.
What next?

Policy

As Hart Island nears capacity, city seeks new public cemetery sites

Photo by cisc1970 on Flickr

September 25, 2019

As Hart Island nears capacity, city seeks new public cemetery sites

The city is looking for land to build a new public cemetery for residents who were unclaimed or unable to afford a burial. The city's Human Resources Administration on Tuesday issued a request for information (RFI) from private burial companies to develop ideas for new cemeteries, citing concerns over the lack of space on Hart Island, land located off the Bronx where more than one million people have been buried since the Civil War. The RFI comes as the City Council recently finalized a package of bills to reform the Island, as well as the city's process for public burials.
More here

Policy

Famed Clinton Hill Pfizer Mansion with a rock-n-roll past and a $5M renovation lowers ask to $10M

Photo credit: Rayon Richards and Connie Zhou, courtesy The Corcoran Group

September 25, 2019

Famed Clinton Hill Pfizer Mansion with a rock-n-roll past and a $5M renovation lowers ask to $10M

Photo credit: Rayon Richards and Connie Zhou, courtesy The Corcoran Group In brownstone Brooklyn, there are dozens of grand homes that have historic significance and even more that are dazzling showcases of considered design. The unique 10,000-square-foot double mansion at 280 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill happens to be one of Brooklyn's finest examples of both. Known as the Pfizer Mansion–it was built in 1887 by Charles Erhart, co-founder of the Pfizer pharmaceutical company and brother-in-law to Charles Pfizer–the block-through property had a full slate of interesting inhabitants, from a library to industrial band rockers, before receiving an epic renovation from its current owner. That same owner, designer Jessica Warren, who purchased the property in 2007 for $3.2 million, spent many years and many millions restoring the house to a stunning degree that surpassed even its former glory. The home, which has been featured in numerous design publications, has most recently been a beloved B & B known as The Notorious B.N.B. The current owners put the house on the market in 2018 for $13.5 million. After a year and a broker switch, it's now asking $9.995 million–and it's worth every penny, from its graceful, curving windows to a working Otis elevator and private parking space.
Tour this colorful and beautiful Brooklyn home

Facebook sets its sights on Midtown’s former Farley Post Office for new office space

Rendering courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill via Gov. Cuomo’s office

September 25, 2019

Facebook sets its sights on Midtown’s former Farley Post Office for new office space

Facebook has been on the hunt for office space in NYC for several months and now the tech giant has set its sights on the former James A. Farley Post Office, as the New York Post first reported. Sources say the company plans to lease all 740,000 square feet of office space currently being built in the old post office across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. The landmarked building—redubbed Moynihan Train Hall—is being redeveloped by a team including Related, Vornado Realty Trust, Skanska USA and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It's on track to open next year.
Here's what we know so far

Uncategorized

The making of Hudson Yards’ Spanish market: Meet the team behind Mercado Little Spain

All photos taken by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft.

September 25, 2019

The making of Hudson Yards’ Spanish market: Meet the team behind Mercado Little Spain

When New York Times food critic Pete Wells visited José Andrés' Mercado Little Spain, he declared that it had "more great food and drinks per square foot than anywhere else in New York." From Ibérico hams and Peking duck to the seemingly simple yet ever-pleasing pan con tomate, the food at Hudson Yards' Spanish market has certainly made its mark on the gastronomy scene. But what sets Andrés apart from other chefs and restauranteurs is his entire vision. Mercado Little Spain is designed as a series of "streets," with the various kiosks leading guests on a curated experience. Most of the design elements and materials were sourced from Spain, and the artists commissioned represent different regions of the country. To bring his vision to life, Andrés assembled a stellar team, including Michael Doneff, the Chief Marketing Officer at his ThinkFoodGroup; Juli Capella, co-founder of Spanish architecture and design firm Capella Garcia Architecture; and NYC-based design studio (and NYC food hall experts) ICRAVE. Ahead, take a behind-the-scenes tour of Mercado Little Spain and hear from all these amazing and talented collaborators on what it was like working on the project.
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September 25, 2019

See inside Long Island City’s new public library designed by Steven Holl Architects

Despite standing just 82 feet tall, the new Hunters Point Library manages to stand out among its skyscraper neighbors on the Long Island City waterfront. The concrete structure, designed by Steven Holl Architects, officially opened to the public Tuesday, about two decades after officials proposed building a new Queens Public Library branch. The delays, and the whopping $40 million price tag, appear to have been worth it, as the building, with its carved windows and incredible skyline views, continues to garner approval from top architecture critics.
Take the tour

Architecture And Design

Rendering courtesy of IKEA U.S.

September 24, 2019

IKEA will open in Queens next summer

IKEA is coming to Queens. The Swedish furniture store announced on Tuesday plans to open a new location at a shopping center in Rego Park next summer. The store, located in the Rego Center, will be the first in the United States with a new layout, according to the company.
More here

Uncategorized

Image via Wiki Commons

September 24, 2019

Owner of The Strand Book Store will challenge landmark status in court

Following a City Council Land Use Committee vote on Monday that confirmed the landmark designation of The Strand, store owner Nancy Bass Wyden said she will sue the city. Wyden has been staunchly opposed to the designation since the building at 826 Broadway was first calendered, citing concerns about costly construction and renovation work that could force her out of the business her grandfather started 92 years ago. Wyden will sue the Landmarks Preservation Commission in Manhattan Federal Court "to start," according to the Daily News, who spoke with her lawyer, Alex Urbelis. Politicians "picked the wrong bookstore and they certainly picked the wrong woman,” Urbelis said.
More details

Policy

Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

Photo courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate

September 24, 2019

Landmarked ‘castle’ in NJ relists for $39M

An English-style castle in New Jersey has returned to the market, offering potential buyers the chance to feel like royalty near the Ramapo Mountains. Asking $39 million, the three-story Darlington Mansion sits on over 12 acres in Mahwah and contains 58 rooms. Constructed in 1907 by George Crocker, the son of railroad baron Charles Crocker, the estate has been modernly restored over the last decade, all while retaining original materials and architectural elements. The mansion, also known as the Crocker Mansion, last listed in 2017 for $48 million.
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September 24, 2019

Own a 6,670-square-foot Tribeca townhouse with a garden, private garage and condo amenities for $15M

From the outside, the five-story townhouse at 3 Collister Street gives the appearance of being a modernist loft building, customized with a facade wall of windows to provide lucky homeowners with light and views. Within, the Tribeca home is a 6,670-square-foot mansion of a luxury home, with five bedrooms, a private garage, a private elevator, a back garden and a roof deck. But unlike even the most tricked-out of city townhouses, this home, asking $14.995 million and offered to the public for the first time, comes with the amenities of a full-service condominium–in this case one designed by BKSK Architects.
The best of all possible worlds, this way

Distinctive Homes

One Domino Square

8 South 4th Street

Williamsburg

Spectacular living on the Williamsburg waterfront

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

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$1.7M Upper East Side duplex offers classic uptown elegance

Listing images by VHT; courtesy of The Corcoran Group

September 24, 2019

$1.7M Upper East Side duplex offers classic uptown elegance

Right in the middle of the block between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, this two-bedroom duplex at 12 East 64th Street boasts an impressive address on the Upper East Side's posh Gold Coast, just steps away from Central Park and surrounded by the area's grand limestone mansions. Inside, original architectural details like elaborate molding, woodwork, and mantels bring charm to every room. The classic residence is now on the market, seeking $1.7 million.
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Distinctive Homes

Governors Island gains its first year-round home for the arts

Photo by Zachary Tyler Newton for LMCC

September 23, 2019

Governors Island gains its first year-round home for the arts

A permanent arts center opened on Governors Island last week, becoming the 172-acre site's first year-round tenant dedicated to arts and culture. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has transformed a 19th-century warehouse into a 40,000-square-foot space for arts and educational programming. LMCC partnered with the Trust for Governors Island on the $12 million renovation, with designs from PEI Cobb Freed & Partners and Adamson Associates Architects. Historic details of the building were retained while enabling space for galleries, studios, rehearsal space, and an indoor cafe.
See the space

September 23, 2019

Site of former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy will get a 10-story co-living and hotel building

London-based communal living company The Collective filed a building permit application last week for a planned development on the site of the former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy, which the company bought earlier this year for $32.5 million. As Brownstoner first reported, the application is for a 10-story, roughly 161,000-square-foot structure that will comprise residential units, a hotel, and community space. Ismael Leyva Architects will lead the project, which is expected to include 136 apartments, 222 hotel rooms, underground parking, a restaurant, a public courtyard, spa lounges, and other amenities. The finished building is expected to open in 2022.
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New Developments

September 23, 2019

The original honeycomb skylight shines at this $2.65M Soho loft

If you're looking for a quintessential downtown loft, 16-foot ceilings, exposed brick, lofted bedrooms and all, but don't want to deal with renovations and taming a raw space, this two-bedroom co-op at 41 Crosby Street (also known as 428 Broome Street) fits the bill. Traditional loft proportions and 1870s detail frame modern necessities like central air, heated floors, custom closets and a mansion-worthy kitchen. Asking $2.65 million, this Soho home spans 2,452 square feet, with a layout that emphasizes privacy (for a loft, that is) and comfort.
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Distinctive Homes

$139M street repair and infrastructure upgrade project kicks off in Far Rockaway

Rendering of Mott and Central Avenues next to the planned new public library, courtesy of NYCEDC

September 23, 2019

$139M street repair and infrastructure upgrade project kicks off in Far Rockaway