April 4, 2019

$2.25M Park Slope penthouse comes with three outdoor spaces and an indoor jungle gym

Photos by Will Ellis of Donna Dotan Photography, courtesy of Compass This beautifully renovated three-bedroom co-op at 421A Union Street sits atop a historic row house across the street from the Park Slope Food Co-op and a block from Prospect Park. Asking $2.25 million, the duplex-plus-roof-deck offers three outdoor spaces–including a gorgeous glass-walled sunroom–and stunning Manhattan views.
Fun in the sun, this way
April 4, 2019

Hoboken to become first city in NJ to launch electric scooter rental program

Hoboken is set to launch an electric scooter sharing program, the first in the state of New Jersey and one of the first in the tri-state area. The city's transportation department on Wednesday night passed an ordinance that allows for a six-month pilot program with companies Lime and P3GM to roll out next month. According to the law, the scooters can travel up to 20 miles per hour in bike lanes, but will not be allowed on sidewalks.
Ride this way
April 4, 2019

Dean & Deluca debuts a new fast food concept in the Meatpacking District

Dean & DeLuca has unveiled a new concept—separate from the renowned gourmet market—which seeks to slow down fast food consumption and highlight the artistry that goes into preparing food. STAGE, which opened yesterday at 29 Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District, was designed by the German architecture firm Büro Ole Scheeren. It transforms the typical buffet counter into a theatrical space that allows customers to interact with staff and watch their food being prepared.
More info
April 4, 2019

My 3,000sqft: Power broker Louise Phillips Forbes shows her family-friendly Upper West Side home

Louise Phillips Forbes moved to NYC from Nashville to further her dance career on Broadway when she was in her 20s. When an injury forced her to change her plans, she fell into real estate, quickly realizing that not only had she found her home in New York, but also her true passion. For close to three decades now, Forbes has been a powerhouse in the real estate field; in fact, her sales team is the number one at Halstead with more than $3.5 billion in career sales. But Louise has the highly coveted ability to truly balance her work and personal lives. At home, everything is about her husband and two sons and their time together. And when she renovated her Upper West Side apartment, this comfortable, welcoming feel was her number one priority. When she's not closing sales or watching her sons' hockey games, Louise can be found at her local Soul Cycle or serving on the board of Change for Kids, as well as the advisory committees for several non-profit arts organizations. To get a glimpse into how she does it all, 6sqft recently visited Louise, took a tour of her home, and got to know her a little better.
Take the tour and meet Louise
April 4, 2019

Average NYC Parks bathroom costs taxpayers roughly $3.6M to complete, report says

Bathrooms in the city's parks are flush with cash. The average comfort station built by the New York City Parks Department costs taxpayers just under $3.6 million, according to a report by Yoav Gonen of THE CITY. The Parks Department spent $1.3 million on average for bathrooms in 2011. Last year, the city finished its most expensive park bathroom to date, a $4.7 million station at the Bronx's Ferry Point Park West.
Details here
April 4, 2019

235-unit affordable building with farm and fresh food market coming to Atlantic Avenue in Bed-Stuy

On March 27 the City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an application for a 14-story affordable development that will bring 235 residential units to 1921 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, New York Law School's CityLand reports. The mixed-use project is funded by private developers Dabar Development Partners and Thorobird in partnership with a program run by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development that creates affordable housing and set-asides for the formerly homeless. The proposed project, which will be located on city-owned vacant land and three adjacent private lots, will feature a community facility run by Oko Farms and NHS as well as a fresh food grocery store.
Find out more
April 4, 2019

Find affordable NYC apartments you actually qualify for with this new tool

Apartment hunting in New York City is not easy. Figuring out who qualifies for the city's hundreds of income-restricted units (what even is AMI?)  is another challenge entirely. In an attempt to streamline the process of finding affordable housing lotteries, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development this week unveiled a new tool that allows users to search by borough, household size, and income to find lotteries currently accepting applications.
Explore the tool
April 4, 2019

Bjarke Ingels reveals new proposal for a park-covered BQE

The latest proposal to fix the crumbling BQE comes from Bjarke Ingels Group, who unveiled their plan to a crowd of 1,000 at a town hall meeting hosted by the Brooklyn Heights Association and advocacy group A Better Way last night. Dubbed the BQP—with the P standing for Park—the firm wants to build a new, six-lane highway that would be topped by a public park, saving the promenade and expanding Brooklyn Bridge Park by more than 10 acres. The proposal comes on the heels of Mayor de Blasio hitting the brakes on a $3 billion DOT plan and instead convening a "panel of experts" to determine the best path forward.
Get all the details
April 4, 2019

A giant NYC scavenger hunt is happening next month

On Saturday, May 4th, the Museum of the City of New York will host "Keys to the City: The Ultimate New York City Scavenger Hunt." Teams of at least three, and up to 10, will have four hours to decipher 50 clues, and visit sites in the Financial District, the Lower East Side, DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. The journey will conclude at MCNY with drinks and a prize ceremony. Winners will snag a private gallery tour of the museum, and family memberships to MCNY.
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April 3, 2019

Aby Rosen says he’ll add an observation deck to the Chrysler Building

“I see the building as a Sleeping Beauty: It needs to be woken up and revitalized,” developer Aby Rosen told the Post about his plans for the Chrysler Building. His firm RFR Realty, in partnership with Signa Holding, bought the landmark for $150 million last month . His plans include restoring the 1930s Art Deco interiors by way of a series of restaurants that will take inspiration from Chrysler's original Cloud Club, as well as adding a '"fashionable food hall" (of course) and retail spaces. The biggest news, though, is that he also wants to incorporate a new observation deck, joining the ranks of 30 Hudson Yards, One Vanderbilt, and Chrysler's one-time rival the Empire State Building.
Find out more
April 3, 2019

$675K Chelsea studio features fabulous design and excellent amenities

Located in the classic 1930s Chelsea residential complex at 405 West 23rd Street known as London Terrace Towers, what might otherwise be a nondescript alcove studio has been transformed with a stylish interior redesign. From a sleek custom built-in murphy bed to an on-trend mint-green kitchen, the compact co-op gets major style points. And the building offers amenities–from a pool to parking–that might be even harder to resist.
See how it all works
April 3, 2019

Governors Island will offer expanded hours, a new ferry, and 70 free events this year

Beginning in May, Governors Island will open to the public with a new season of programming and exploration. Just a quick ferry ride from Lower Manhattan, the Island is a perfect getaway, offering car-free recreational activities, lush green space, fantastic waterfront views, local food vendors, and 70 free events spanning visual arts, performance, culture, and science. This year, Governors Island will be open daily from May 1 to October 31, with extended late-night hours every Friday and Saturday between Memorial and Labor Day.
More details
April 3, 2019

The iconic Zagat New York City restaurant guide is coming back to print this fall

For the first time since 2016, the Zagat New York City Restaurants Guide will be printed later this year, just in time for its 40th anniversary. The iconic burgundy paperback launched in the 1980s and quickly became a gold standard for restaurant reviews, spreading to other cities in the US and beyond. The family-owned company was acquired by Google in 2011 for $151 million, moved to an online platform and stopped publishing books altogether. Zagat.com was bought by the Infatuation—a restaurant rating and guides platform—last year, with the goal of rebuilding the brand. News of the upcoming 2020 edition is a sign that the "Burgundy Bible" is coming back into relevancy.
You can be part of the ranking process!
April 3, 2019

Lawsuit says 670-foot-tall Seaport condo tower has an ‘off-kilter’ foundation and a leaning problem

The sleek 670-foot-tall, 58-story condominium tower at 161 Maiden Lane that broke ground in 2015 alongside one of Manhattan’s most iconic vistas is leaning three inches to the north, according to a lawsuit filed by the project's contractor, the Observer reports. The contractor, Pizzarotti, filed a suit in New York State Supreme Court that alleges that an off-kilter foundation affects the structural integrity, facade, waterproofing, and elevators at the 150,000-square-foot tower and that developer Fortis Property Group is responsible.
Find out more
April 3, 2019

Where I Work: Noam Grossman wants to perfect the NYC slice at his throwback pizzeria Upside

How do you heighten something as ubiquitous in New York City as a slice of pizza? It’s all about the dough. Noam Grossman, the founder of Upside Pizza, which opened in the Garment District in January, uses a 100 percent naturally leavened dough with a sourdough starter, unbleached flour, and a rise time of 72 hours. Grossman credits this mixture, along with the use of a brick-lined oven and in-house ingredients, for making Upside Pizza stand out among the hundreds of other slice joints found across the city. With a team consisting of dollar-slice gurus Eli and Oren Halai, of 2 Bros. Pizza, and pizza consultant Anthony Falco, of Roberta’s fame, Grossman’s pizzeria elevates the New York slice experience while retaining its grab-and-go roots. “We’re not cranking out quick-made pies,” Grossman told 6sqft. “We’re working tirelessly to make our pies memorable, and the absolute best they can be.” And all of this is happening in a 330-square-foot joint on the busy corner of 39th Street, across from the Port Authority. Boasting a colorful, in-your-face aesthetic, the inspiration for Upside Pizza's design came from "the nostalgia of being a kid in the '90s when hip hop and sports reigned supreme, and local pizza parlors were places of community gathering," he said. Ahead, hear from Grossman on Upside Pizza's plan to perfect the slice, the pizzeria's expansion, and his favorite slice joint in the city.
Meet Noam
April 3, 2019

Mod Midtown West penthouse with an enormous wraparound terrace seeks just under $1M

Located just one block away from Central Park, this one-bedroom penthouse at 140 West 58th Street offers modern living in a classic Midtown West pre-war building. Dark-framed casement windows, fresh white walls, and black accents set a graphic palette and contemporary tone. The best part? Each room has views of the enormous wrap-around terrace that circles the residence. Now on the market for $975,000, the residence last sold in 2015 for $873,777. 
Get the tour
April 2, 2019

A mix of rustic and industrial touches make this $539K Park Slope one-bedroom a cozy getaway

The layout of this two-room residence may be straightforward, but rustic details—exposed brick, a barn door that is both decorative and functional, and bamboo floors—and industrial-inspired accents give this Park Slope co-op at 411 15th Street plenty of character and a cozy vibe. Asking $539,000, it's on the market for the first time in 10 years, after previously selling in 2009 for $285,000.
Get the tour
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April 2, 2019

City files plans for 174 affordable apartments at Inwood library site

The city this week filed plans with the Department of Buildings for the redevelopment of Inwood's New York Public Library branch, as first reported by Patch. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development revealed last March plans to transform the current site into a new 14-story residential building with a three-level library at its base. Above the new state-of-the-art library, there will be 174 permanently affordable apartments, designated for households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income.
More this way
April 2, 2019

Legendary French bistro Pastis will reopen in the West Village in May

Keith McNally’s Pastis was an iconic fixture of the New York dining scene since it opened in 1999, known for serving steak frites to an A-list celebrity crowd including regulars Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, and Sarah Jessica Parker (it also made regular appearances on "Sex and the City"). Replicating the vibe of an early 20-century French brasserie in the middle of the industrial Meatpacking District, the influential spot was credited with transforming the neighborhood into one of the city’s top dining destinations. Since it shuttered its doors in 2014, McNally has been resolved to reopen and now the anticipated arrival of Pastis 2.0 is almost here. Referred to as “the biggest comeback in NYC dining in years,” Pastis is set to open at its new West Village location, 52 Gansevoort Street, in just one month, Eater reports.
More info
April 2, 2019

RPA report for BQE redesign includes ideas for sparing Brooklyn Heights Promenade

A report released today by civic think tank Regional Plan Organization highlights options for the impending Brooklyn-Queens Expressway reconstruction that would appear to upend conventional highway reconstruction policy. The new report suggests that the DOT could actually reduce the number of lanes needed when redesigning the expressway's 1.5-mile “Triple Cantilever” under the historic Brooklyn Heights Promenade, in addition to looking at congestion pricing, HOV restrictions and two-way tolling for the Verrazano Bridge. The demand management policies outlined contain both immediate benefits–like eliminating the need to block access to the historic Brooklyn Heights Promenade–and long-term rewards like reducing pollution.
Fewer highways, less traffic?
April 2, 2019

50 Cent finally unloads 52-room Connecticut compound for $2.9M

Twelve years later, the massive Connecticut mansion owned by rapper-actor 50 Cent has finally sold. According to the Wall Street Journal, the musician's mansion in Farmington sold for $2.9 million, 84 percent less than the $18.5 million he first sought in 2007. Most recently, the 17-acre estate was listed for just under $5 million. The home stretches 50,000 square feet and is decked out with 19 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, its own night club, basketball court, movie theater, and G Unit-themed decor throughout.
Take a tour
April 2, 2019

The 10 best spots for plant classes in NYC

Even if you've never managed to keep a succulent alive for more than a month, there's no denying that apartment greenery is having a moment. Luckily, New York is full of plant shops and other great spots offering classes and workshops to locals looking to shore up their green thumbs and maybe not kill a plant the second it crosses their threshold. Ahead, we've rounded up the 10 best, from terrarium and flower-crown making to botanical mixology to the principles of hydroponics.
Check out the list
April 2, 2019

City Winery is moving to Google’s Pier 57

Update 4/2/19: City Winery is moving to Hudson River Park's Pier 57, Crain's reported on Monday. The music venue joins other retail and food vendors planned for the pier, which is currently undergoing a $380 million transformation from a former maritime port into a modern mixed-use development, with Google as its primary tenant.  Entertainment venue City Winery has found a new home not far from its current Varick Street location. The founder of the company, Michael Dorf, plans on revealing the exact spot next month and told Crain's the new location is just a "three-minute Uber or Citi Bike ride" from the present Hudson Square space, which will close this summer. Dorf has been forced to relocate his business to allow for the construction of a new ABC and WABC News headquarters.
More here
April 2, 2019

Quiet studio in an 1870s Clinton Hill mansion is asking just $350K

Photos by Joel Pitra of DDreps for Compass This bright top-floor studio sits within a perfectly-preserved historic limestone mansion at 269 Clinton Avenue on Brooklyn's grandest "mansion row." Asking $350,000, the co-op home at has lots of old-world charm and modern comforts. The building also offers storage space for each unit and shared laundry facilities.
Take a peek inside
April 1, 2019

Mr. Chow founder lists Dumbo penthouse with private courtyard and roof terrace for $6.5M

Michael Chow, founder of the Mr. Chow restaurant chain, has just put his Dumbo penthouse on the market for $6,495,000. It seems the restaurateur is moving to the West Coast, as earlier this month Chow and his wife bought two Los Angeles properties from pop star Katy Perry, as Mansion Global reported. Chow bought his three-bedroom duplex at 1 John Street in 2016 for $5,760,000. The modern abode spans across 2,600 square-feet and is one of four homes in the 42-unit building to have a private courtyard and a private roof terrace. You’ll be able to enjoy the views from inside as well since every room overlooks the river and Manhattan skyline.
Take a look inside
April 1, 2019

Developer can close historic Tribeca clock tower to the public to make way for penthouse, court rules

Update 4/1/19: The New York State Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled against a group of preservationists who sued to stop developers from turning a historic clock tower into a penthouse. According to the judge, the LPC does not have the authority to give access to the building and the agency's plan to make the 19th-century clock run electronically is reasonable. Developers had big plans for the luxury condominiums they were creating at the block-long former site of the New York Life Insurance Company at 346 Broadway (also known as 108 Leonard Street) since purchasing it from the city in 2014. The new residential project would hold 140 units starting at $1.5 million, capped by a stunning penthouse that would be priced at over $20 million. The one snag in this golden opportunity: The building's iconic Clock Tower–sometimes called New York's 'Big Ben,' which sits atop the building and was designated an interior landmark in 1987. The clock must be wound by hand, a process which requires access through, as the New York Times reports, the future penthouse. A case against the developers' plan and a subsequent appeal were both won by the opponents, saying the LPC couldn't unwind the clock's landmark status–but an appeal in the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals, is still pending.
Find out more
April 1, 2019

Doris Roberts’ former Central Park South duplex sells for $4M

Back in 2017, 6sqft reported that the duplex co-op at 200 Central Park South owned by the late Emmy-winning actress Doris Roberts (you probably know her best as Marie Barone from “Everybody Loves Raymond”) had been listed for $3.3 million. Now the New York Post reports that the two-bedroom duplex has sold for $4 million. The sale included the two apartments owned by Roberts' estate, plus an adjacent one-bedroom. The buyer, a Broadway producer, plans to combine the apartments into one big duplex within walking distance to the theater district.
Get one last look
April 1, 2019

Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley’s West Village showroom-townhouse sells for over $14M

Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley has found a buyer for her three-story townhouse in the West Village. The buyer paid more than $14 million for the property at 16 Morton Street and plans to use the 25-foot-wide home to house a luxury car collection, the Wall Street Journal reported. The townhouse was first listed last April for $17.5 million; Rowley lowered the price to just under $16 million last fall.
Tour the digs
April 1, 2019

Where I Work: Architecture and interiors firm CetraRuddy shows off their self-designed offices

6sqft’s series “Where I Work” takes us into the studios, offices, and off-beat workspaces of New Yorkers across the city. In this installment, we’re touring the Battery Park office of architecture-interior design firm CetraRuddy. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! Husband-and-wife team Nancy Ruddy and John Cetra started architecture/design firm CetraRuddy in 1987, and after working from an office in Soho for 25 years, the firm moved to One Battery Park Plaza a year-and-a-half ago. Now with 100 employees, they had outgrown the space and wanted to use the move as an opportunity to revamp and improve the things that didn't work. They were first attracted to the space's light and views, but the firm was also able to occupy the entire floor, meaning they could design the entire office space, as well as the corridors. After recently interviewing Nancy about CetraRuddy's many successes, 6sqft paid a visit to their new offices, where we received a tour from Eugene Flotteron, Director of Architecture. Eugene has been with the firm for 17 years and has been a partner for five, so he's had the opportunity to see them grow and transform over the years.
Take the tour
April 1, 2019

New mansion tax will raise $365M for the MTA

New York's 2020 budget was revealed this weekend; among many other items, the proposed "pied-à-terre tax" went away, but a progressive "mansion tax,"–a one-time tax on properties valued from $1 million to $25 million or more–and an attendant transfer tax when those properties sell–will reportedly raise $365 million, according to The Real Deal. The money will head straight to the MTA. The new tax will top out at 4.15 percent.
A big tax on big ticket buys
April 1, 2019

Verrazzano Bridge is now the most expensive toll in the country—but only for Brooklynites

After a fare increase that went into effect this past weekend, the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge is now the most expensive bridge to cross in the country, the New York Post reports. The cost to take the Verrazzano from Brooklyn to Staten Island is now $19, up from $17. Drivers with an E-ZPass will be charged a lower rate of $12.24, up from $11.52. Staten Island drivers, however, will be spared the price increase and only have to pay $5.50 under a new rebate program. The cost in that direction was slated to increase to $6 but at the last minute Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature put up $6 million a year to keep the tolls low for folks living on the Forgotten Borough.
More info
April 1, 2019

NYC becomes the first city in the country to adopt a congestion pricing program

Drivers traveling in the busiest parts of Manhattan will be charged an extra fee under a new initiative approved by state lawmakers Sunday. The first of its kind in the country, the "Central Business District Tolling" program installs electronic tolling devices on the perimeter of a zone that covers all neighborhoods south of 60th Street in the borough, with the exception of the West Side Highway and FDR Drive. While details for the program remain unclear, including how much it will cost drivers, the congestion fees will not be implemented until 2021.
Get the details
March 29, 2019

We’re hiring! Join the 6sqft team.

6sqft and its parent company CityRealty are hiring a Content and Digital Media Manager. Are you passionate about real estate, architecture, design, history, and general NYC lifestyle? Then this might be the position for you. Working for both websites, the manager will write stories, post on social media, and help with the overall editorial schedule. Interested? Find […]

March 29, 2019

The city is selling historic artifacts and photos from NYC’s bygone era of baseball

To celebrate the start of the baseball season this week, the city's Department of Records & Information Services released a series of artifacts and historic photos for sale. From architectural drawings of Brooklyn's Ebbets Field to photos of Babe Ruth at the 1936 World Series, the images provide a look back at our national pastime's origin in New York City.
How to buy them
March 29, 2019

From campus strikes to student government, Harlem’s City College is home to many firsts

Now that “Operation Varsity Blues” has shown afresh the ways in which the nation’s elite can buy admission into prestigious universities, it may be instructive to consider the history City College, the flagship of the CUNY system, and the first free institution of higher education in the nation. Founded as The Free Academy of the City of New York in 1847, City College has long nurtured brilliant students from all walks of life as the “The Harvard of the Proletariat,” and served as an engine of upward mobility for New Yorkers and other strivers from around the world. As the home of the first student government in the nation, the first student-led strike, and the first degree-granting evening program, City boasts a legacy of equity and equality that reflects the best ideals of the city it serves.
Get the full history
March 29, 2019

Exposed brick, built-ins, and a shoe closet make this $389K Upper East Side one-bedroom a shoo-in

This bright, pretty junior one-bedroom co-op at 246 East 90th Street in Yorkville may not be sprawling, but it's big on organization. In addition to large windows, exposed brick and tidy finishes, the co-op, asking $389,000, comes with three full-sized closets and a shoe closet with shelves as well as a built-in desk/media unit. It's not far from Central Park and Carl Schurz Park.
Get a closer look
March 29, 2019

The first Equinox Hotel launches reservations at 35 Hudson Yards, starting at $700/night

Luxury gym Equinox is now accepting reservations for its Hudson Yards hotel, the company's first foray into lodging. When it opens in June, the hotel will take up floors 24 through 38 of 35 Hudson Yards, a 1,000-foot-tall tower designed by David Childs and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for the recently opened neighborhood. The hotel's 212 rooms are designed to promote better sleep, featuring soundproofed walls, blackout shades, and a thermostat set to 66 degrees. According to the Equinox Hotel website, rooms can be booked starting July 15, with rates starting at more than $700 per night.
Learn more
March 29, 2019

NYC Ferry gets a $10.37 per ride subsidy despite fewer annual riders than the subway has in a day

According to a report from the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) "Swimming in Subsidies," the three-year-old NYC Ferry transports fewer people in a year than the city's subway moves in a day. But at about $10.37 per rider, the ferry's operating subsidy is 10 times that of the New York City Transit system. And an expansion of the system was recently announced that will mean even higher public subsidies–as much as $24.75 per ride for the Coney Island route. Why the steep subsidies? First, operating costs are high due to long routes and leisure-oriented ridership. And revenue is low because fares are tied to subway and bus fares.
Find out more
March 29, 2019

Upper West Side duplex with plenty of pre-war charm and a serene terrace asks $1.1M

On a quintessential Upper West Side block—just two blocks away from both Riverside and Central Parks—this one-bedroom duplex at 141 West 85th Street packs a lot of pre-war Manhattan charm. Exposed brick and wood beams, a wood-burning fireplace, a spiral staircase—check, check, and check. Best of all, the top-floor residence comes with a patch of private outdoor space in the form of a lovely landscaped terrace off the bedroom. It’s now on the market for $1,075,000 after selling in 2017 for $915,000.
Take a look inside
March 29, 2019

Subway work eases up this weekend, but it’s not all smooth sailing

Overall, the subway service changes this weekend are more merciful than in past weeks but, as always, there are still some things to watch out for. Uptown F trains are running via the A and E, the 6 is running in two sections so you'll have to transfer at 125th Street, and there won't be any J or M service between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Check out more details below.
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March 28, 2019

Jennifer Hudson’s former Apthorp apartment is back on the market for $8M

The apartment that was home to "Dreamgirls" Oscar winner and singer Jennifer Hudson from 2015 to 2016 just hit the market for $7.9 million, the Post reports. The 3,000 square-foot 11th floor unit in the elegant Upper West Side residence at 2211 Broadway was on the rental market in 2016 for a suitably diva-esque $21,000 a month, as 6sqft reported. The gut-renovated four-bedroom condo has plenty of star power on its own, starting with a marble entryway, a formal dining room and multiple fireplaces.
See what's new
March 28, 2019

Celebrate Coney Island’s opening day with a walking tour of its newly landmarked boardwalk

Keeping with more than 60 years of tradition, the Coney Island Amusement Park will open for the season next month on Palm Sunday. To kicks things off on April 14, historian Charles Denson will lead a tour of the Riegelmann Boardwalk, which was designated a scenic landmark last year. The opening day celebration continues the following weekend with an Immigrant Heritage Tour of Coney Island, with stops at Nathan's Famous, founded by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker and Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, purchased by Greek immigrant Denos D. Vouderis as a wedding ring for his wife.
Get the details
March 28, 2019

Photos capture the historic glamour of the Waldorf Astoria before its renovation

To the dismay of many New Yorkers, the Waldorf Astoria closed its doors in 2017 for a huge renovation project that will ultimately create larger hotel rooms and add a new set of luxury condos. After the plans were announced, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the hotel's first three floors as an interior landmark, meaning the new owners will need to preserve the 1931 Art Deco spaces. But after a four-year hiatus (the hotel will reopen in 2021) and a completely new vibe, it's not clear if those interiors will have the same glamorous, old-school New York vibe that they were once famous for. Luckily, photographers James and Karla Murray captured the Waldorf in all its glory before it closed its doors. Ahead, take a tour of the old Waldorf, from its iconic, two-ton lobby clock to the three-tiered grand ballroom.
Take the tour
March 28, 2019

320-square-foot West Village studio asks $500K after a crisp designer renovation

A gut renovation transformed this West Village studio into an efficient space with custom built-ins throughout and a breezy palette of bright white, exposed brick, and maple hardwood. Located at 118 Perry Street, a largely residential street famous for housing Carrie Bradshaw's home, you’ll be right in the heart of the West Village and steps away from everything the neighborhood has to offer. The petite pad is a smart investment—it last sold in 2015 for $375,000, and just hit the market for $499,000.
Take a look inside
March 28, 2019

Brooklyn Heights library tower One Clinton tops out

The Hudson Companies Inc. has just announced the topping out of the 38-story One Clinton condominium building in Brooklyn Heights. The new building, with entrances at 280 Cadman Plaza West and 1 Clinton Street, was designed by Marvel Architects, who gave the 409-foot tower a Flatiron building-inspired shape.
Check out more construction photos, this way
March 28, 2019

Eliot Spitzer’s Williamsburg-waterfront development opens lottery for 121 low-income units

Back in June, an affordable housing lottery launched for 65 apartments at one of Spitzer Enterprises’ trio of rental buildings along the South Williamsburg waterfront known as 420 Kent. These apartments were located in the northernmost of the ODA-designed glassy towers. Now, a second lottery has come online (20 percent of the development's 857 units are affordable) for 121 low-income apartments at the southern piece of the complex. These residences are reserved for households earning 60 percent of the area median income and range from $867/month studios to $1,123/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
March 28, 2019

Jersey Shore’s first five-star hotel set to launch reservations this spring, starting at $295/night

After over a decade in the works, the Jersey Shore is getting its first five-star boutique hotel. The Asbury Ocean Club, a 17-story hotel-condo, will open this June in Asbury Park, a hip beach community with working-class roots known for its flourishing foodie and surf scene, as well as its Bruce Springsteen connection. Opening this summer, the 54-room beachfront hotel occupies the building's entire fourth floor and sits next to the pool deck, which offers water views. With its proximity to New York City, the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel hopes to attract New Yorkers looking for an oceanfront oasis. And the prices even mirror Manhattan, with rooms starting at $295 per night. Reservations officially launch May 1.
See inside
March 27, 2019

See the five designs proposed for the Shirley Chisholm monument in Prospect Park

The city announced last November plans to commission a permanent statue in Brooklyn of Shirley Chisholm, a Bed-Stuy native who became the first black woman to serve in the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, the Department of Cultural Affairs unveiled five finalist design proposals and asked the public for feedback. An artist will be selected next month, with the monument, which will be placed outside of the Parkside entrance to Prospect Park, completed at the end of next year. The statue of Chisholm will be the first monument constructed under the city's She Built NYC! initiative, which aims to increase the number of public monuments dedicated to NYC women. Currently, just five of the city’s 150 statues are of women.
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More than just current events, here you'll learn about the places, people, and ideas that are shaping your city.