6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

When most people think about America’s great musical cities, Newark likely isn’t on the list—but that’s about to change now that the Grammy Museum Experience has opened at the Prudential Center. Just eight months after announcing that the first East Coast outpost of Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum would open in Newark, the interactive, multimedia Experience […]

Uncategorized

October 20, 2017

$8M Soho loft is a bachelor’s bunker for the man who has everything

From the mother-of-pearl shower with aromatic steam to the vaulted mahogany master closet, this dark and luxurious lair is stocked from stem to stern with custom perks that go way beyond the $7.9 million loft's private key-locked elevator and smart home system. Located in a classic pre-war Soho loft building at 459 West Broadway, the 3,150-square-foot space is even outfitted with a secret home gym hidden behind a moving bookcase.
Come in for a peek

Distinctive Homes

After four years, TF Cornerstone files plans for 1,200-unit building at Hunters Point South

Updated rendering of parcel c for Hunters Point South, courtesy of ODA Architecture

October 20, 2017

After four years, TF Cornerstone files plans for 1,200-unit building at Hunters Point South

TF Cornerstone on Thursday filed its first permits for a 1,200-unit apartment building as the second phase of the city’s Hunters Point South redevelopment, a project that first began in 2013. The plan for the waterfront neighborhood in Long Island City, Queens called for a mixed-use, affordable housing development that would hold up to 5,000 units, with 60 percent of them affordable. Selected for phase two of the ambitious project by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration, TF Cornerstone’s original proposal was delayed for four years after local, state and federal authorities forced the developer to rethink its design (h/t Crain's).
Find out more

How an 1894 Hangover Created an Eggs Benedict Controversy in New York City

Image via Wiki Commons

October 20, 2017

How an 1894 Hangover Created an Eggs Benedict Controversy in New York City

Brunch is inarguably one of New Yorkers' favorite pastimes, and if there's one dish that represents the lazy, and perhaps boozy, Sunday afternoon meal it's Eggs Benedict -- poached eggs and Canadian bacon on an English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce. Which is why it's not surprising to learn that the egg creation originated right in our fine city. There is however, a bit of controversy over just who gets the credit for inventing it. Was it the Wall Street bigwig who was looking for a hangover cure at the Waldorf Hotel? Or was it Charles Ranhofer, the legendary Delmonico’s chef who published a recipe for it in his cookbook "The Epicurean?"
The mysterious case of Eggs Benedict unfolds this way

A massive Japanese-themed food hall is coming to Sunset Park’s Industry City

Courtyard at Industry City, photo courtesy of Industry City

October 20, 2017

A massive Japanese-themed food hall is coming to Sunset Park’s Industry City

A 20,000 square foot Japanese food market will open in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn next year, adding to New York City's growing infatuation with food halls. The market, called Japan Village, will set up shop in Industry City, a sprawling 16-building, 6.5 million-square-foot complex of creative office space. In addition to the food hall serving up authentic dining options, Japan Village will include an izakaya restaurant, a sake store and a specialty grocery store.
More this way

Real Estate Trends

October 20, 2017

Pretty Park Slope co-op with a hammock under the window asks $895K

This two-bedroom cooperative, at 401 8th Avenue in Park Slope, is pretty as can be. After last selling in 2011 for $480,000, the pad got a full renovation to make the interior "magazine worthy cool," as the listing puts it. It'd be hard to argue with that, considering they've hung a hammock underneath the living room window, added open wood shelving, and lined the walls with interesting artwork. All the while, original details like moldings and parquet floors were kept. It all makes for an appealing property now on the market for $895,000.
READ MORE

Distinctive Homes

October 19, 2017

Horse stable turned loft with 10-foot tin ceilings asks $2.8M in Chelsea

136 West 24th Street was originally built as horse stables in the 1890s for patrons of the historic Ladies Mile shopping district. Today it's quite the stunning loft apartment, boasting thick wooden beams, 10-foot-high tin ceilings, three bedrooms, and three full bathrooms. And its Chelsea locale is right in the heart of the neighborhood, an easy walk to both Madison Square Park and the Highline. After the co-op last sold in 2011 for $2.45 million to the playwright Martha Pichey (mother to actor Rafi Gavron), it has hit the market for $2.8 million.
See the historic interior

Distinctive Homes

Distinctive Homes

This new $14.75M Cobble Hill townhouse looks like it's been standing for a century

Landmarked Boerum Hill townhouse owned by 90s designer Daryl K asks $6M

$8.2M Soho penthouse loft feels like an airy beach house surrounded by terraces

Live like royalty on the Upper East Side for $5.8M

This $1.4M Astoria home is all about flexible, fabulous, and fun townhouse living

Daring details add a spark of personality to a classic $2.35M Village co-op

Step from the glass-clad conservatory onto a magical tea porch in this $7.25M Brooklyn Heights townhouse

This $5.75M Clinton Hill two-family home is five floors of brownstone perfection

For $4.6M, this classic Park Slope limestone updates history without erasing the details

Take the elevator from the gym and English garden to the roof terrace in this $13.5M UES townhouse

VIEW ALL

New York ranks #1 in energy efficiency, says new study

Image via Pexels

October 19, 2017

New York ranks #1 in energy efficiency, says new study

Image via Pexels Congratulations New York! You rank #1 in energy efficiency, according to a new study. You might be rolling your eyes at this news because of MTA issues, Penn Station problems, and other mass transportation debacles, but the state of New York ranked first overall—#1 for auto efficiency and #4 for energy efficiency […]

City Living

October 19, 2017

$30M Hamptons estate where Jackie O summered as a child goes into contract

The childhood homes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are quickly being snatched up. Just three months after her one-time Upper East Side residence sold for $25 million, the equally impressive Hamptons estate where she summered has gone into contract, reports the Post. The 100-year-old, Arts and Crafts-style mansion is known as Lasata (a Native American word for "place of peace") and is currently owned by fashion designer and former Coach executive Reed Krakoff. He bought it for $20 million back in 2007 and first listed the 7-acre property for $40 million a year ago, then reducing the price to $30 million.
See the whole property

October 19, 2017

City officially pitches four neighborhoods for Amazon’s HQ2

By Andrew Berman of Village Preservation

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Economic Development Corporation released their official pitch for Amazon's second headquarters on Wednesday, one day before the deadline. Boasting the city's talented tech workforce, the de Blasio administration has pitched Midtown West, Long Island City, the Brooklyn Tech Triangle (DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn and the Navy Yard), and Lower Manhattan as the four best spots for Amazon to call home. The tech giant's nationwide competition, announced in September, set out to find their next headquarters, called HQ2. The company promises the headquarters will bring 50,000 new jobs and $5 billion in initial city investment.
Find out more

Policy

October 19, 2017

Off the grid: The little Flatiron Buildings of the Village

The Flatiron Building is one of the city’s most iconic and beloved landmarks. Since 1902 it’s been a symbol of New York, though ironically its acute angle formed by the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue makes it an unusual sight in our otherwise orthogonal city on a grid. But while the Flatiron Building may be the most famous product of quirky street angles, it’s far from the only one. In fact, the "off-the-grid" streets of Greenwich Village and the East Village contain scores of them, most of which pre-date the 23rd Street landmark.
Take a tour of the little Flatirons

October 19, 2017

LAST CHANCE! Win 2 tickets to the Municipal Art Society’s architectural tour of Gowanus

By 6sqft

With cleanup efforts underway along the notoriously polluted Canal and a slew of new developments rising, Gowanus is undoubtedly one of the top neighborhoods to watch. But we can't talk about its future without also looking back at its history. On October 28th, the Municipal Art Society is hosting a walking tour of Gowanus led by architectural historian Matt Postal that will explore the area's past as an industrial shipping center and its transformation into a trendy, artistic enclave. Not only will the two-hour tour take you to the city's oldest concrete structure and oldest retractile bridge, but it'll make stops at the new residential and commercial spaces. Interested in attending for free? MAS is giving away two tickets to "Gowanus Grows in Brooklyn," but today is the last day to enter!
Find out how to enter here

Events & Things To Do

October 19, 2017

Katie Couric lists Park Avenue pad for $8.25M after buying a condo nearby

By Annie Doge

Last year, Katie Couric and her husband of nearly two years, financier John Molner purchased a five-bedroom full-floor apartment at the Peter Pennover-designed 151 East 78th Street, paying $12,168,087. Now, the New York Post reports that the celebrated news anchor's longtime home at 1155 Park Avenue is for sale. The 10-room co-op, listed for $8.25 million, has five bedrooms and high ceilings, large windows, original parquet flooring and treetop views over Park Avenue's famous tulip gardens. The classic Upper East Side full-service building offers a 24-hour doorman and a fitness center among its perks.
Take a look

The 50 most expensive neighborhoods in New York City

The Flatiron District, photo via Pixbay

October 19, 2017

The 50 most expensive neighborhoods in New York City

Taking the top spot from Tribeca for the first time in a long time, the Flatiron District now ranks as the most expensive neighborhood in New York City, according to data compiled by Property Shark. In its latest report looking at the residential market during the third quarter of 2017, the group lists the 50 priciest neighborhoods in the city, with the usual upscale 'hoods like TriBeCa, Central Park South and Hudson Square rounding out the top tier (h/t Time Out NY). In another plot twist, Red Hook has become Brooklyn’s most expensive neighborhood this quarter--overthrowing DUMBO--with a median sale price of $1.92 million in Q3.
See the full list

Real Estate Trends

October 19, 2017

After a colorful makeover and price chops, Judy Garland’s former Dakota co-op finds a $10M buyer

Since it arrived on the market in 2016 for $16.75 million, 6sqft has admired this three-bedroom co-op in the iconic Dakota for its history as the (alleged) onetime home of the equally iconic Judy Garland as well as for its colorful makeover by trendy young designer Sasha Bikoff. Now the apartment, which was owned by the designer's late mother, former pianist, ballerina, and Studio 54 denizen Jacqueline Bikoff, has reportedly entered contract at its recent asking price of $10 million, according to Mansion Global. Bikoff bought the elegant Upper West Side pad in 2010 for $13 million from renowned bridge players Roy Welland and Christal Henner.
Take one last tour

October 18, 2017

$17M Tribeca penthouse received a mod, wood-paneled makeover

Not all luxury living in 21st century downtown Manhattan is a glass-clad cliche, and this sprawling, light-filled Tribeca penthouse is proof. On the highest floors of a five-story 1920s building at 142 Duane Street, this is a triplex to be reckoned with at 7,200 square feet plus two private outdoor terraces. Part of what makes this $16.95 million condop (a co-op with less stringent condo-like rules) so special is a showstopping contemporary gut renovation by architecture firm Triarch in 2005, with natural wood paneling inspired by modernist architects like Jean Michel Frank, Adolf Loos and Bruno Paul.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Prime Long Island City site could be the perfect spot for Amazon’s HQ2

An eight-acre, 1.6 million-square-foot residential site next to Hunters Point South is for sale, a piece of land owned by a family for generations. According to the New York Post, the site could potentially bring in $480 million if targeted to market-rate condominiums since land in Long Island City sells for roughly $300 per square foot. The triangle-shaped plot of land found at 55-01 Second Street and bounded by 54th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard, sits on Newtown Creek, an estuary that forms part of the border between Brooklyn and Queens. The site might make the perfect spot for Amazon’s second headquarters as the tech giant seeks 500,000 square feet for their HQ2 by 2019.
Find out more

October 18, 2017

Construction kicks off on Trinity Church’s Pelli Clarke Pelli-designed community center and office tower

One year ago, Trinity Church Wall Street revealed plans for a $300 million mixed-use tower designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli that would link to the historic Neo-Gothic church by a footbridge over Trinity Place. Earlier plans for luxury condos were squashed by the community, so Trinity decided instead to build an office tower and community space that will "allow the church to continue to shape the area and advocate for the community in the future," as the Rector, Rev. Dr. William Lupfer, explained. And it looks like the future is now; according to CityRealty, the Department of Buildings approved plans for the 26-story building and construction is underway.
READ MORE

Ranking the top 50 ‘rattiest’ cities in the U.S.

Image via Wiki Commons

October 18, 2017

Ranking the top 50 ‘rattiest’ cities in the U.S.

Image via Wiki Commons Autumn is many people’s favorite season, but fall isn’t just all about picturesque pumpkin patches, apple cider, and cozy sweaters—it’s also a time for rat infestations. With the change in temperature comes an increase in vermin invasions, according to Orkin. The pest control company recently released a report detailing in which cities […]

Uncategorized

October 18, 2017

Where I Work: Inside the plaster and mural studios at Evergreene Architectural Arts

6sqft’s new 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 Industry City space of Evergreene Architectural Arts, one of the nation's foremost restoration and conservation firms. On Monday evening, the Historic Districts Council will present their 29th annual Landmarks Lion Award to Jeff Greene of EverGreene Architectural Arts, one of the nation's foremost experts in specialty contracting for both traditional and new, innovative techniques for restoring and conserving murals, ornamental plaster, and decorative finishes. "Jeff has been pivotal in restoring some of New York City’s most beloved landmarks to their proper glory," said HDC’s executive director Simeon Bankoff. And indeed, this is true; their commissions include the recent restoration of the New York Public Library’s Rose Reading Room, Brooklyn's Loew’s Kings Theater, the Eldridge Street Synagogue, and the McKim, Mead and White-designed University Club, where the event will be held, and this only scratches the surface of their hundreds of projects throughout the country. In anticipation of Jeff's recognition, 6sqft was given a behind-the-scenes tour of EverGreene's new office and studios in Industry City, where the firm's master artisans were hard at work painting murals, casting plaster moldings, and researching the history of several upcoming projects. We also spoke with Jeff himself about what inspired him to get into the field ("I ate the crayons before marking the walls," he says), how preservation has changed since he started the firm in 1978, and what some of his favorite projects have been.
Hear from Jeff and take a tour of EverGreene's incredible space

Eateries and entertainment venues proposed for Governors Island

Photo of Governors Island via simplethrill on Flickr

October 18, 2017

Eateries and entertainment venues proposed for Governors Island

Since Governors Island first opened in 2005, transforming the 172-acre piece of land in the New York Harbor into a public space has been slow. However, after a 40-acre park with a playground opened last year the ball has officially started rolling. According to Crain’s, the Trust for Governors Island recently released two requests for proposals aimed at making the waterfront location a destination for entertainment and cultural activities. The trust is offering licenses for up to three years during the island's season, which runs from May 1 through October 31.
Find out more

October 18, 2017

Asking $2.5M, ‘this old house’ on the Upper West Side belonged to Bob Villa

Fans of the renovation show "This Old House" will appreciate this Upper West Side townhouse at 21 West 75th Street. Bob Vila, the host of the show for 10 years, owned the home with his son, Chris. Built in 1909 by John C. Umberfield and designed by architect George Walgrove, the historic townhouse inspired many episodes of the show. And in the show's spirit, it was more recently renovated and restored before being divided into five condos. This condo, asking $2.5 million, occupies the full third floor of the property.
See the original details still in place

October 18, 2017

For $125M, you can own this 46-acre North Shore island compound

For the third time in a 100-year history, this island compound off the North Shore of Long Island is looking for a buyer. Anybody willing to spend $125 million can own what's known as Dosoris Island--which includes 46 acres of land, 10 acres of underwater rights and a 28-acre pond. On top of that, the island is home to a compound built by Junius Morgan, a J.P. Morgan scion, with six homes, landscaping by Frederick Law Olmsted, and all sorts of other perks. A pool, private dock, and horse stables--it's all included in this magnificent private island package listed by Sotheby's.
Get a closer look

Bjarke Ingels’ curvy East Harlem tower tops out

Rendering of E126 courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group

October 18, 2017

Bjarke Ingels’ curvy East Harlem tower tops out

The concrete, t-shaped residential tower designed by starchitect, Bjarke Ingels and his firm BIG, topped out over the weekend, adding diversity to Upper Manhattan’s usual upright architecture. The East Harlem project at 158 East 126th Street, known as E126, uniquely slopes inward as it rises upward, allowing more sunlight to hit the street. As CityRealty learned, the unusual configuration will provide residents incredible views of the East River and Central Park from a rooftop garden.
Check it out

Architecture And Design

New RPA report is ‘a wake up call’ on rising sea levels and growing flood risk

Density of population and infrastructure in the projected 2050 floodplain. Image: RPA.

October 18, 2017

New RPA report is ‘a wake up call’ on rising sea levels and growing flood risk

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

Hurricane season is impossible to ignore, and as the October 29th anniversary date of Superstorm Sandy approaches, the Regional Plan Association (RPA) has released a report titled "Coastal Adaptation: A Framework for Governance and Funding to Address Climate Change" that warns of the imminent threat of rising sea levels and outlines a strategy to protect the many vulnerable stretches of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. According to the report, 59 percent of the region's energy capacity, four major airports, 21 percent of public housing units, and 12 percent of hospital beds will be in areas at risk of flooding over the next 30 years. RPA research found that even in light of these projections, the region’s climate change planning tends to be reactive and local rather than pro-active and regional–and it's not nearly enough.
Find out more about who's at risk and what can be done

Policy

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

10 Ways to Decorate an Exposed Brick Wall Without Drilling

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

10 Great Places to Buy Affordable Art in New York City

VIEW ALL

A Beaux-Arts style building will rise on the Upper East Side’s 79th Street, the block’s first condo

27 East 79th Street, renderings courtesy of Adellco

October 17, 2017

A Beaux-Arts style building will rise on the Upper East Side’s 79th Street, the block’s first condo

The Upper East Side's 79th Street, stretching between Madison and Fifth Avenues, remains known for its architecturally beautiful 19th and early 20th-century homes. Now, as CityRealty learned, the stretch of street will soon gain its first condominium at 27 East 79th Street, also the block's first new building in 40 years. The Parisian-inspired, 15-story building will have interiors designed by Cabinet Albert Pinto, whose trademark style mixes old-world luxury with modern design. The firm's previous clients include the French President and royal families of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Albert Pinto's team, run by Linda Pinto, will be working with local firm, HTO Architects.
See inside

Architecture And Design

October 17, 2017

Bay Ridge Avenue R subway stop reopens with a modernized station

The Bay Ridge Avenue train station that was once a dark and dreary stop along the R line has completed its six-month renovations, the MTA announced Friday. The 102-year-old station was closed in April so the agency could bring it into the modern age with countdown clocks at all three entrances, Wi-Fi, digital displays, USB ports […]

Transit

October 17, 2017

$388K for a classic prewar co-op in the Jackson Heights Historic District

Jackson Heights, Queens, is an affordable neighborhood with lots going for it. There's a central transit hub, great restaurants, and loads of beautiful pre-war buildings. This co-op, at 35-27 80th Street, is well known in the neighborhood as the Greystones, an early 1900s building that's part of the Jackson Heights Historic District. This one-bedroom apartment for sale, asking $388,500, is a classic pre-war pad with some modern details like open shelving and a renovated eat-in kitchen. The apartment last sold in 2010 for $260,000.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

General Motors will bring self-driving cars to Manhattan in 2018

A self-driving vehicle, photo via GM

October 17, 2017

General Motors will bring self-driving cars to Manhattan in 2018

General Motors will bring a fleet of self-driving cars to a 5-square-mile section of lower Manhattan early next year, becoming the first company to deploy autonomous cars in New York City. As the Wall Street Journal learned, in partnership with driverless-car developer Cruise Automation, GM's testing will include an engineer in the driver's seat to monitor the performance and a second person in the passenger seat. In May, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state began accepting applications from companies interested in autonomous technologies in New York. GM and Cruise's planned testing will become the first time Level 4 autonomous vehicles will be tested in NYC, getting a head start on making the Big Apple a hub for self-driving cars.
More this way

My 865sqft: A treehouse bedroom grows inside the Williamsburg loft of two creatives

6sqft’s series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to the Williamsburg apartment of designer Gregoire Abrial and marketing creative Hang Pham. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!

October 17, 2017

My 865sqft: A treehouse bedroom grows inside the Williamsburg loft of two creatives

By Diane Pham

Raw, industrial loft spaces are increasingly difficult to come by these days in NYC, so when you walk into one that's been custom outfitted by its tenants to a tee, the experience is truly unique. Found inside none other than Williamsburg's infamous artists bunker, 475 Kent, is the 865-square-foot loft of French furniture designer Gregoire Abrial and Vietnamese-born marketing creative Hang Pham. Ahead the international duo offer up a tour of their inimitable Brooklyn space (that upon move-in seven years ago had nothing more than a bathtub, toilet, and kitchen sink) which they've outfitted with "slow designs" by Gregoire (more on that ahead), items bartered with neighbors, refuse found on the street, tchotchkes and treasures from family, friends and travels, and, of course, a pretty amazing DIY treehouse bedroom.
go inside their creative home

David Adjaye reveals designs for an interactive spy museum in Midtown

Renderings courtesy Adjaye Associates

October 17, 2017

David Adjaye reveals designs for an interactive spy museum in Midtown

One of the reasons for Ghanaian British architect David Adjaye's rise to international fame is his work on renowned museums, from Washington D.C.'s National Museum of African American History and Culture to Denver's Museum of Contemporary Art to the recently released plans for the Studio Museum in Harlem. And he'll now add to that list, again in NYC, but this time the project is a bit on the lighter side. The Architect's Newspaper reveals Adjaye Associates' renderings for SPYSCAPE, a spy museum and interactive experience that will open at 250 West 55th Street on February 16th. Spread over two floors in the office building, the exhibitions will be divided among individually designed pavilions, each one exploring one of the seven themes of spying. This format, according to the firm's Associate Director Lucy Tilley, allowed them to "challenge the traditional museum typology with a design that straddles the physical and digital worlds."
More details and renderings ahead

Architecture And Design

What happens if Amazon’s HQ2 doesn’t land in New York?

Photo courtesy of Robert Scoble on Flickr

October 17, 2017

What happens if Amazon’s HQ2 doesn’t land in New York?

Amazon’s nationwide competition to find a home for its second headquarters draws to a close this week, with pitches from stakeholders due Thursday. While New York City meets most of the requirements the tech giant listed for its HQ2-- a population of at least 1 million people, proximity to an international airport, mass transit access and talented workforce--business costs in the city would be sky-high. However, as Crain’s reported, even if Amazon does not set up shop in NYC, politicians and developers have been preparing for a comparably-sized company to move in for over a decade. The failure of the city to win the 2012 Olympics bid back in 2005 actually turned into a success, allowing apartments to rise in Brooklyn where sports stadiums never did.
Find out more

October 17, 2017

MAS’ new ‘Accidental Skyline’ report offers 10-point plan to keep supertalls in check

6sqft has reported previously on the increasing alarm caused by New York City's future skyline and its growing army of skyscrapers-to-be, with community groups expressing deep concern about the shadows cast across the city's parks by the tall towers. The Municipal Art Society (MAS) has been leading the pack when it comes to thorough analysis of the issue, which they see as having its roots not only in the sheer height of the new buildings but in a lack of regulation of how and where they rise in the larger context of the city. This "accidental skyline" effect reflects the fact that New York City currently has no restrictions on the shadows a tower may cast–the city doesn’t limit height, it only regulates FAR (floor area ratio). At this week's MAS Summit for New York City, the organization released its third Accidental Skyline report, calling for immediate reform in light of an unprecedented boom in as-of-right–and seemingly out-of-scale–development. MAS president Elizabeth Goldstein said, “New York doesn’t have to settle for an ‘accidental skyline.’”
See more future NYC skyscrapers, mapped

Beyer Blinder Belle overseeing $50M restoration of FiDi’s iconic Equitable Building

Rendering via MAQE

October 17, 2017

Beyer Blinder Belle overseeing $50M restoration of FiDi’s iconic Equitable Building

One of New York's best-known office buildings will get a major restoration. According to Curbed, Equitable Building owner Silverstein Properties plans to spend $50 million to return the Financial District building to its former glory, restoring many design elements that were on display when it first opened in 1915. Beyer Blinder Belle will oversee the reno, which includes the restoration of the entrance, a new lighting system with hanging bronze fixtures, a new reception desk, and a granite accent wall. For those unfamiliar with the Equitable Building, it actually played a huge role in the city's current zoning laws. The H-shaped tower, which takes up the entire block on Broadway between Pine and Cedar Streets, caused a scandal when it opened due to the long shadows it cast on nearby streets, leading the city to establish the first-ever zoning laws to regulate the height of future tall buildings.
Read about the restoration details

Architecture And Design

October 16, 2017

Art meets architecture at 180 East 88th including an intricate plasterwork installation in the lobby

CityRealty previously reported on the highly anticipated–and visually unique–skyscraper rising at 180 East 88th Street. Developers DDG want the 50-story condominium tower to stand apart from the sea of glass towers rising on the Upper East Side, and renderings show that the building's design is indeed a breathtaking departure from the average both inside and out, from herringbone-patterned brickwork to each unit’s herringbone floors imported from Austria. As an example of the project's unmatched level of individuality and attention to detail, DDG is working with a series of artists, including the renowned stucco artist Jan Hooss, who is creating an intricate plasterwork installation above the fireplace that will anchor the building's lobby. Based in Stuttgart, Germany, the artist has worked with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at Chateau Miraval. DDG CEO Joseph McMillan told CityRealty, "We wanted something unique and different for this building which is why we went with stucco art."
Watch a video of the artist describing his work for Brad Pitt and for the new building

Museum of Natural History reveals designs for new Halls of Gems and Minerals

Conceptual rendering of the south entrance to the new Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, from the Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites. Visitors will be greeted by 9- and 12-foot amethyst geodes. Courtesy of Ralph Appelbaum Associates.

October 16, 2017

Museum of Natural History reveals designs for new Halls of Gems and Minerals

The giant blue whale and equally massive dinos might get all the glory at the American Museum of Natural History, but a new acquisition is bringing another exhibit into the extra-large club. This morning, the institution unveiled a 12-foot-tall, 9,000+ pound amethyst geode from Uruguay (one of the largest in the world) that will anchor its all-new Halls of Gems and Minerals. Ralph Appelbaum Associates is handling the renovation of the 11,000-square-foot space, which is being designed in anticipation of AMNH's upcoming $340 million expansion by starchitect Jeanne Gang. The Halls previously ended in a cul-de-sac but the new Halls will feature a "stunning Crystalline Pass" to connect to Studio Gang's 235,000-square-foot Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation.
See all the renderings and watch a timelapse video of the geode's installation

Architecture And Design

October 16, 2017

LeFrak City’s $70M renovation brings a spectacular amenity space to Queens

Five years ago, LeFrak City offered its residents amenities like pools and tennis and basketball courts, but very little green space. Now, the hidden city-within-a-city in Corona, Queens is getting an upgrade. “There really wasn’t a lot of play area. There was gardening, but it wasn’t meant to be trampled on or used. It was meant to be […]

Uncategorized

October 16, 2017

This lofty, compact duplex in Forest Hills is a deal with an ask of $329K

There's a deal to be found in the Queens neighborhood Forest Hills Gardens, where this lofted one-bedroom apartment has hit the market for $329,000. This is the only duplex in the entire cooperative, a historic Arts and Crafts style building located at 1 Station Square. Custom storage and closets maximize the space, which holds a living area, open kitchen and master bedroom below. Above, accessed by a spiral staircase, is a bonus space for an office and second bedroom. The apartment last sold in 2008 for $340,000.
See the space

Distinctive Homes

Live in a studio along the Williamsburg waterfront from $613/month

15 Dunham Place offers spectacular Williamsburg Bridge views, photo courtesy of C&C Apartment Management

October 16, 2017

Live in a studio along the Williamsburg waterfront from $613/month

Applications are being accepted for studio rental apartments at 15 Dunham Place in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Located along the waterfront between Broadway and South 6th Street, the 11-story building features 160 units, half of which are income-restricted. Amenities include a 13,000-square-foot common room on the third floor, a game room, doorman and bike storage. Qualifying New Yorkers earning between $22,903 and $26,720 can apply for studios listed at $613 per month, and those earning between $27,800 and $33,400 can apply for studios at $755.83 per month.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

A short history of New York City’s foul air shafts

Image by Bikes And Books

October 16, 2017

A short history of New York City’s foul air shafts

By Cait Etherington

If you think there is nothing worse than renting an apartment with windows and no view, think again. At one point in the city’s history, where one may now enjoy a small sliver of daylight and at least some fresh air, there was no light or air at all. Indeed, at some points in the history tenants’ windows looked out onto slits—sometimes a mere 28 inches wide—that were teeming with waste, rancid smells, and noise.
on the history of NYC air shafts

A previous rendering of 666 Fifth Avenue, courtesy of Kushner Companies/Zaha Hadid Architects

October 16, 2017

Kushner Companies’ plan for extensive renovations at 666 Fifth Avenue rejected by Vornado

Instead of the 41-story Midtown tower becoming an 80-story office building with hotel rooms and luxury housing, 666 Fifth Avenue will now get a much more simple upgrade. According to Bloomberg, Vornado Realty Trust, the project’s partner alongside Kushner Companies, told brokers the property will remain an office building, with“mundane” renovations planned. As one of the most financially troubled developments for Kushner Cos., the Fifth Ave project has been losing money since its purchase was first coordinated by Jared Kushner, currently a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, in 2007.
More this way

Policy

October 16, 2017

$6.5M home in The Carlyle comes with valet, room service, and IT support

Rising high above the Upper East Side and Central Park, the iconic tower of the The Hotel Carlyle at 35 East 76th Street has symbolized old-world elegance and society glamour since it was built in 1929. This two-bedroom co-op on the market for $6.495 million puts all the comforts of home in the hands of the hotel's attentive staff, giving residents access to housekeeping, a concierge, doorman, valet, 24/7 room service, a phone operator, an engineer, IT support, shipping, a courtesy car, a garage, a spa and salon and a fitness center, plus banquet and conference facilities. Just downstairs are the famed Bemelmans bar–named for Ludwig Bemelmans artist and author of the "Madeline" series of children's classics (his mural adorns the walls of the establishment)–and Cafe Carlyle.
Get a peek behind the velvet curtains

Distinctive Homes

October 16, 2017

J.Lo and A-Rod go apartment hunting at 432 Park Avenue

By Annie Doge

When your relationship status gets its own acronym you know you're in another league of celebrity, so it comes as no surprise that J-Rod is said to be checking out apartments in 432 Park Avenue, the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. According to the Page Six, a broker says they've been to the tower four times, while another broker claims they're looking at a "four-bedroom, half-floor unit on a high floor." The timing makes sense, as Jennifer Lopez put her enormous Nomad penthouse on the market for $27 million just 10 days ago.
READ MORE

Celebrities

Brooklyn Point

138 Willoughby Street

Downtown Brooklyn

America's highest infinity pool + 25-year tax abatement

Studios starting at $985,000
1 beds starting at $1,200,000
2 beds starting at $1,885,000
3 beds starting at $2,700,000

Learn More

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): THE ALEXEY, THE LAURA, THE LARSTRAND and DUNHAM PLACE

October 14, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Ondel Hylton

Images (L to R): THE ALEXEY, THE LAURA, THE LARSTRAND and DUNHAM PLACE Style & Elegance at The Larstrand on West 77th Street; No-Fee Rentals Available Now [link] Tetris-Like South Slope Building Launches Leasing; No Fee Rentals from $2,308/Month [link] Bed-Stuy Rental Near the G Train Offers Two Months Free; One-Bedrooms from $2,350/Month [link] Renovated […]

Real Estate Trends

Rafael Vinoly’s Three Waterline Square tops out, first of starchitect trio

Three Waterline Square. Photos: Noe Associates with The Boundary (left), CityRealty (right)

October 13, 2017

Rafael Vinoly’s Three Waterline Square tops out, first of starchitect trio

Rafael Viñoly's tapering, pinstriped Three Waterline Square has topped out construction, CityRealty reports, and Richard Meier's neighboring One Waterline Square is rapidly approaching its final 36-story height. Construction crews pitched an American flag atop the nearly-400-foot-tall Viñoly-designed building signifying that vertical construction is complete. 6sqft has previously reported on the trio of glassy residential towers known as Waterline Square, highlighting the starchitect designs and amazing amenities of the under-construction West Side additions.
More photos and renderings this way

October 13, 2017

$4.4M carriage house off Cobble Hill Park was a stop on the Underground Railroad

This is one of the select few carriage homes that line the charming Cobble Hill Park, and now it's up for grabs asking $4.4 million. What you're getting is a house full of history: constructed in the 1840s through 1860, the carriage houses on this block served as homes for both the servants and horses of the wealthy homeowners along nearby Warren and Clinton streets. 20 Verandah, in particular, later served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Of course, the interior is lovely too, with original details like bricks, ceiling beams and wood-burning fireplaces maintained within the four-bedroom, two-family home.
Get a look around

The Urban Lens: Go back to the ‘mean streets’ and urban decay of 1970s NYC

The corner of Broadway and 55th Street in 1970

October 13, 2017

The Urban Lens: Go back to the ‘mean streets’ and urban decay of 1970s NYC

6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, Edward Grazda shares photos from the "mean streets" of 1970s and '80s NYC. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. When photographer Edward Grazda moved to New York in the early '70s, he was renting a loft on Bleecker Street for $250 a month during a time when the city was in a financial crisis, jobs were hard to come by, and places like the Bowery were facing a huge rise in homelessness. But it was also a time when a new generation of artists were beginning to move in. Instead of the tourist- and millionaire-filled streets we see today, 40 years ago they were teeming with energy. "I felt like there were many possibilities to be creative," Ed says. And with that in mind, he began shooting candids and random street scenes between personal projects in Latin American and Afghanistan. This work abroad taught him "how to make oneself invisible and blend in on the street." Just a few years ago, Ed rediscovered these black-and-white photos and noticed how different things are now, from the physical buildings to the absence of people reading newspapers. He decided to compile them into a book "Mean Streets: NYC 1970-1985," which was just released earlier this week and offers a rare look back "at that desolate era captured with the deliberate and elegant eye that propelled Grazda to further success."
See Edward's photos here

October 13, 2017

Subway delays cost New Yorkers $1.23M a day in lost work time