February 27, 2018

Finalists for Park Avenue design contest propose an artificial mountain and a river for kayak commutes

Fisher Brothers unveiled on Tuesday the 17 finalists chosen for its "Beyond the Centerline" design competition after receiving more than 150 submissions. Participants were asked to think of creative and ambitious ideas to transform the traffic medians along Park Avenue between 46th and 57th Streets. The finalists did not disappoint. Proposals call for an Alpine mountain, a massive aquarium, floating gardens, mini-golf, an elevated walkway and more. Although a jury will select the grand prize winner, all 17 proposals will be on display for public voting at Park Avenue Plaza, located at 55 East 52nd Street, from March 5 to March 9 for the second-place prize. Below, check out all of the unique projects.
See the ambitious ideas
February 27, 2018

My 700sqft: Mommy blogger Brianne Manz balances work and parenting in Battery Park City

The term "mommy blogger" is fairly well known today, but when Brianne Manz started Stroller in the City nearly a decade ago, she was charting new waters. A fashion industry veteran, Brianne has grown the site into a full-scale lifestyle resource, offering tips on raising a family in New York City, the latest in kids' fashion, and "all things that are mommy." 6sqft recently visited Brianne at the Battery Park City apartment she and her husband found 15 years ago but now share with their three children (their oldest son in nine and two daughters are six and four). Not only did we get to see first-hand how this entrepreneur balances work and parenting, but we chatted with her about why she loves her neighborhood, why having kids in NYC is a great idea, and how anyone can create a family-friendly home.
All this and more ahead
February 27, 2018

New details revealed for Pier 17, the foodie oasis coming to the South Street Seaport

The Howard Hughes Corporation has worked since 2010 to revitalize the Seaport District as a destination for New Yorkers, bringing more than 400,000 square feet of cultural and culinary space to the waterfront. The highlight of the $731 million redevelopment remains Pier 17, a four-story building designed by Achim Menges with a see-through canopy, dining options, an iPic theater, retail and more. The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the revised designs for the project in December and the New York Post has just learned more information about the project's timeline, with nearly everything set to open at some point this year.
More this way
February 27, 2018

Stream 30,000 free movies from the NYPL; East End Avenue’s building boom

Have a library card? You can now stream 30,000 films for free from the New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries. [Time Out NY] What it’s like living in one of NYC’s turrets. [NY Mag] NYC now has 7,500 tech companies employing 120,000 people, 60% more than a decade ago. [Crain’s] A new children’s book tells the story […]

February 27, 2018

Asking $10M, this huge Tribeca loft has a cashmere-lined bedroom and 20-foot fireplace

In the impressive converted Tribeca loft condo building at 137-141 Duane Street and 62-66 Thomas Street known as Diamond on Duane, this three- or four-bedroom loft with 75 feet of world-facing windows has a recent renovation going for it in addition to 5,800 square feet of living space. In that renovation, no luxury was spared including a cashmere-lined bedroom, and "apartment-sized" closet/dressing room, a library with a full wet bar and a 20-foot gas fireplace.
Apartment-sized closet and more, this way
February 26, 2018

Design competition proposals call for fish tanks and mini-golf in the middle of Park Avenue

In November, Fisher Brothers first launched a design competition to bring life to the boring traffic medians along Park Avenue, between East 46th and East 57th Streets. The privately-funded contest, dubbed "Beyond the Centerline," aims to spur creative thinking and unique ideas never before considered for the traffic medians. After the developer received more than 150 submissions from landscape architects and urban planners, the list has been narrowed to 17 finalists (h/t New York Times). Stand out proposals from the finalists include a mini-golf course, a glass aquarium and a curvy, elevated park.
More details here
February 26, 2018

Dick Cavett’s old-world Central Park West co-op lists for $6M

Back in 2009, Dick Cavett paid $4.2 million for an amazingly preserved unit at the historic Central Park West co-op the Kenilworth. But all of this old-world charm wasn't enough to keep the talk-show host and comedian, as the three-bedroom home, which the listing describes as "fit for Royals," has just hit the market for $5,995,000. A lucky buyer will get to enjoy a slew of pre-war details, including leaded glass windows and doors, the original oak-paneled dining room, floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins, decorative fireplaces, and carved woodwork and moldings.
Take a tour
February 26, 2018

First-floor pad with some prewar charm asks $1M on the Upper West Side

You're getting something of a deal for this two-bedroom co-op up for sale at 301 West 108th Street on the Upper West Side. The spacious pad is asking $1.12 million due to its first-floor location and lack of views. (It hit the market for $1.249 million last year and didn't sell.) But the listing does promise that it isn't the "typical" ground-floor unit, considering that it's "elevated well above ground level." Prewar touches that include archways, moldings, wainscoting and hardwood floors--plus a stunning building lobby--don't hurt, either. The apartment last sold in 2015 for $995,000.
See what you think
February 26, 2018

How the Second Avenue Subway is hurting Upper East Side businesses

On Valentine’s Day, The Source, a long-running store on Third Avenue that sold everything from stationary and household cleaning products to cards and candles, closed its doors for good. Since early January, when the owner hung a going-out-of-business sign in his window, he had been telling Upper East Siders shoppers that he was shutting down for two reasons: rising rents but the drastic decline in business brought about by the Second Avenue Subway’s opening in January 2017. Although one might assume that a business like The Source is really a victim of Amazon and the rise of other online retailers, the increasing vacancy rates along Third and Lexington Avenues on the Upper East Side over the past year appear to confirm his speculation. As much as the Second Avenue Subway has been good news for businesses in Yorkville, its opening seems to have dealt a devastating blow to businesses located just west of the new line.
What’s the deal?
February 26, 2018

More than half of NYC’s 20 most expensive sales were at One57 and 432 Park

The buyer of One57's $100 million penthouse was unveiled as Michael Dell last week, finally solving the mystery of which billionaire set New York City's record for the most expensive home ever sold. The reveal sparked CityRealty's interest in finding out where other costly buildings fall in comparison. Unsurprisingly, Midtown's One57 and 432 Park make up 12 out of the city's 20 priciest homes ever sold with single units going for $100.47 million and $91.5 million, respectively. While those two buildings on Billionaires' Row easily take the top three spots, 15 Central Park West ranks fourth, with its $88 million penthouse sold in 2012.
More this way
February 26, 2018

Highly elegant and highly classified: The history of espionage at the St. Regis

You know that Old King Cole had a pipe and bowl, but did you know he also had a cloak and dagger? New York’s hyper-illustrious St. Regis Hotel, home to the famous King Cole Bar, has a clandestine pedigree that goes straight to its core. Founded by a family of spies, the Hotel became headquarters for the nation’s wartime spy service, and in the process helped inspire not only the Bloody Mary cocktail but also the Invasion of North Africa.
Read on for the history of Midtown’s preeminent spy den
February 26, 2018

This $6K/month West Village loft comes with a ton of exposed brick and a dash of fun

The listing for this "truly unique" 1,200-square-foot loft at 73 8th Avenue at the Meatpacking/West Village border tells of its "ton of exposed brick," and though we're not sure that's an exact measurement, we know it's asking exactly $6,000 a month to enjoy its one bedroom, 14-foot ceilings, wide-plank cherry wood floors and private outdoor paradise.
Looks like a fun place to live
February 24, 2018

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

Images (L to R): 525W52, Hudson Crossing, 27 ON 27TH and 247N7 Neighborhood’s Rich History Embraced in 525W52’s Art Program; See the Installations Live at Hudson Crossing in Midtown West: Studio to 2-Bed Rentals from $2,475/Month Live in LIC at 27 on 27th: Rentals from $2,384/Month in Full-Service Luxury Tower Williamsburg’s 247N7 Offers Stylish Apartments […]

February 23, 2018

Win two tickets to GVSHP’s comedy night at the Village Underground

There's probably no neighborhood in NYC more associated with the history and current success of the comedy scene than Greenwich Village, and here's a chance to hear some of today's top comics in one of the neighborhood's most iconic venues. On Monday, March 12, GVSHP's Brokers Partnership will hold their fourth annual Comedy Night at the Village Underground, featuring comics Emmy Blotnick, Matthew Broussard, Phil Hanley, Matteo Lane, Lenny Marcus, Brian Scott McFadden, and more to come. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is offering one lucky 6sqft reader the chance to win two tickets to the event--worth $90!
Find out how to enter
February 23, 2018

The NYC subway saw 30 million fewer trips last year

For the second straight year, subway ridership has fallen, reports Time Out New York. Data presented in an MTA Transit Committee meeting this week shows a drop of nearly 30 million trips between 2016 and 2017, or a decrease to 1.727 billion trips last year from 1.756 billion the previous year (though it should be noted this is less than two percent of the total trips taken). Newly appointed transit president Andy Byford attributes the dip to low gas prices and the rise of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. He also told NY1 that poor service may be turning riders away, certainly possible considering that weekdays delays more than tripled between 2012 and 2017.
READ MORE
February 23, 2018

Six-acre Connecticut estate asking $2.5M is drop-dead gorgeous, inside and out

Be prepared to swoon over this estate in Warren, Connecticut. 90 minutes outside of New York City, follow a long tree-lined private road to this six-acre hideaway. Inside and out, the 1950s property stuns, with interior design worthy of a magazine spread. And property amenities are plentiful, including wood-burning fireplaces in every room, an in-ground pool with its own cabana, a barn and lush landscaping. The property is now up for grabs asking $2.495 million.
Prepare to fall in love
February 23, 2018

The Chinese government now owns the Waldorf Astoria

The Chinese government has taken control over debt-ridden Anbang Insurance Group, a Beijing-based firm known for snatching up prominent properties around the world for billions of dollars. One of those high-profile properties includes New York City's iconic Waldorf Astoria, which the group purchased for $1.95 billion in 2014. According to the New York Times, the government takeover comes after Abang violated regulations, although the exact violations committed are unclear so far. Anbang will be overseen for one year by a group that includes China's central bank, the country's securities and banking regulator, the regular of foreign exchanges and other government agencies.
Find out more
February 23, 2018

The Urban Lens: Vintage photos show the New York Times’ 1940s printing process

In September 1942, with humanity in the throes of WWII, one Marjory Collins photographed the inner workings of the New York Times for the U.S. Office of War Information. Her photos depict a culture of white men and machines working at individual tasks for the greater goal of creating the day's paper. The press printing process shown is a world apart from today's digital media industry, where so many human jobs have been antiquated by more advanced technology, which is, thankfully, more diverse.
See all the photos
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February 23, 2018

MTA approves more than $200M in cosmetic improvements for eight subway stations

The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved on Thursday a $213 million plan to rehabilitate eight subway stations, despite objections from the authority's city representatives. Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $1 billion Enhanced Station Initiative, the stations--six in Manhattan and two in the Bronx-- will get outfitted with USB ports, LED lighting, digital countdown clocks and artwork (h/t New York Times). The board first delayed the vote on the construction contracts in January after board members, appointed by Mayor de Blasio, questioned the necessity of these cosmetic improvements when the system's infrastructure remains in desperate need of repair.
More this way
February 23, 2018

Central Park’s Belvedere Castle will close for restoration next week

The Belvedere in Central Park was conceived as a miniature castle by Calvert Vaux, co-designer of the park, in 1869. It opened with some of the best views of the city's prized green space--the name Belvedere was chosen as it is Italian for "beautiful view." But the years have taken their toll on the stone structure, which has not been renovated since 1983. Now the Central Park Conservancy will close it to address issues like cracked pavement, a leaky roof, and plumbing issues. Starting this Monday, February 26th, Belvedere Castle will be off-limits to the public for its restoration, and will not reopen until 2019.
More details of the reno
February 23, 2018

This classic $6.4M West Broadway loft is the stuff of Soho dreams

In a 1900-era loft-building on a bustling West Soho block, this full-floor loft co-op at 459 West Broadway spans 3,150 square feet of brick-lined, impossibly high-ceilinged living space. On the market for $6.35 million, the three-bedroom loft has all the old-school historic details that are often copied but increasingly rare in the era of the celebrity-filled loft condo.
Take a look
February 23, 2018

3 trains down for the count, W trains picking up some slack in wacky weekend subway service

The subways are a mess this weekend, with track replacement, electrical and structural improvements, and track maintenance wreaking havoc on service citywide – not that straphangers would expect anything better. Particularly detrimental this weekend is that the 3 is once again not running and 7 train service will be severely limited. The W train will be coming out of its usual weekend hibernation for some "special service" operating between Whitehall St and Ditmars Blvd.
Trains are masquerading as each other right and left
February 22, 2018

NYC is the dirtiest city in the country; Italian-American group wants to landmark Christopher Columbus statue

New York is the dirtiest city in the nation, topping the categories of litter and pests. [NBC] And its residents smoke more weed than any other city in the world. [Brokelyn] The Columbus Heritage Coalition is petitioning the LPC to landmark the controversial Christopher Columbus statue. [amNY] Related’s Stephen Ross discusses Hudson Yards’ centerpiece, the Vessel. […]

February 22, 2018

Just 35 miles outside NYC, this magnificent estate on the New Jersey waterfront asks $1.75M

Located right on the shores of Green Pond--known as the cleanest lake in New Jersey--and just 35 miles outside of NYC, this custom property is asking $1.75 million (h/t CIRCA). Everything here is unique, from the stonework, wrought iron gates, deck and stone patio around the property, to the two-story glass conservatory inside. There's even a separate apartment for guests, so the property sleeps 16 people total. It's surely a destination that'll lure New Yorkers out of the city.
Get inside
February 22, 2018

Configure your loft life any way you like in this $1M Bushwick condo

There was a time when it would be surprising to find a million-dollar condo in deepest Bushwick near the Ridgewood border. But that time has passed long ago, and turnkey loft living awaits at this $1.05 million loft at the Wy 101 Lofts at 101 Wyckoff Avenue. The four-story 1925 warehouse building has been converted to 29 lofts possessed of every modern convenience (minus the L train, starting in 2019.). Currently configured as two large private rooms and a living room/kitchen area, the 1,152-square-foot corner floor plan is ready for configuration to fit your lifestyle in true loft fashion.
Get a closer look
February 22, 2018

Soon to be largest deliberately demolished tower ever, 270 Park Avenue proposal faces backlash

Plans to replace JPMorgan Chase's current headquarters at 270 Park Avenue with a much taller tower at the same site is facing opposition from architecture and preservation buffs, shortly after the proposal was announced. Not only will the project become the largest intentionally demolished building in history, as YIMBY reported, the landmark-worthy Union Carbide Building was also designed in 1960 by Natalie de Blois, a pioneer of American architecture and one of the few female senior designers at that time. As the first project under the Midtown East rezoning, JPMorgan Chase's existing 700-foot tall structure will be bulldozed to make way for a tower that will most likely be over 1,200 feet tall.
More this way
February 22, 2018

NYC developments get smart: A look at the latest residential building technologies

In a refreshingly non-"Black Mirror" way, many NYC residential developments are taking advantage of new technologies, like keyless door entry systems and digital concierges, not to replace humans but rather enhance them. These building technologies are making residents’ lives easier while prioritizing the importance of face-to-face interaction. According to a joint cnet/Coldwell Banker survey, “81 percent of current smart-home device owners say they would be more willing to buy a home with connected tech in place.” Clearly, developers got that message. Many new buildings in NYC are incorporating technology into their developments to enhance service as well as increase residents' personal security and privacy.
Get the scoop on all the latest tech
February 22, 2018

Did you know the Flatiron Building used to have a massive restaurant in the basement?

New York's iconic Flatiron building, built in 1902, gets plenty of attention for its distinctive, triangular design. But the massive restaurant that operated out of the landmark's basement--known as The Flat Iron Restaurant and Cafe--has seemingly been lost to the ages. The basement restaurant allegedly could seat up to 1,500 guests. And by 1906, Madison Square had transformed from a desirable residential neighborhood for the city’s elite, as it had been in the Gilded Age, to a bustling commercial hub. The lengthy menu reflects that, with offerings that include affordable dishes of shellfish, meats, and sandwiches.
Check out the menu
February 22, 2018

Billionaire Michael Dell revealed as the secret buyer of One57’s $100M penthouse

Founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, Michael Dell, was revealed as the buyer of the sprawling penthouse at One57 for $100.47 million, the most expensive home ever sold in New York City. According to the Wall Street Journal, Dell first entered a contract to buy the unit in 2012 when the Billionaires' Row building, located at 157 West 57th Street, was still under construction. He closed the transaction through a limited liability company in 2014.
Get the details
February 22, 2018

‘Glee’ actor Matthew Morrison puts his beachy Chelsea condo on the market for $2.5M

Actor Matthew Morrison of "Glee" fame must really want to part ways with his Chelsea condo because he and his wife Renee have just listed the two-bedroom at 540 West 28th Street for $2.495 million, according to People, barely more than the $2.25 million they bought it for in 2014. The couple was using the two-bedroom corner unit as a pied-a-terre while Morrison starred on Broadway in "Finding Neverland" from 2015-2016, but after welcoming their first child, a son named Revel, four months ago, they may be looking to reprioritize.
Take a look around
February 21, 2018

Christie Brinkley leaves Hamptons homes behind for a $30K/month Tribeca rental

Supermodel Christie Brinkley recently picked up a penthouse in Tribeca for $29,500 per month while two of her Hamptons estates are still on the market. The gorgeous 3,000-square-foot apartment at 475 Greenwich Street boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, two terraces and incredible views of the Hudson River. Although Brinkley has called the Hamptons home for decades, one of her Sag Harbor estates is currently listed for $20 million and another, a little further down, for $29.5 million, as Variety reported.
See inside
February 21, 2018

Two affordable apartments up for grabs right off Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx

In the Wakefield section of the Bronx, two affordable apartments are up for grabs just a block east of the picturesque Woodlawn Cemetery and a quick walk to Van Cortlandt Park. Located right near the 2 and 5 trains, the recently constructed, four-story, eight-unit building at 626 East 223rd Street is offering a $690/month one-bedroom to a household earning 40 percent of the area median income and a $1,200/month two-bedroom to a household earning 60 percent.
See if you qualify
February 21, 2018

Beamed ceilings and a spiral staircase make a bold statement at this $6,500/month West Village pad

The West Village co-op 92 Horatio Street is featuring a duplex apartment up for rent, and it's got lots of personality. This unit is decked out with dark wood beamed ceilings, two brick fireplaces, and a spiral staircase taking you up to a private roof terrace. The one bedroom also boasts some extra space in the form of a home office. There have been no shortage of quirky co-ops up for sale in this building, but this one is up for rent asking $6,500 a month.
Go see inside
February 21, 2018

Conceptual proposal envisions futuristic mixed-use NYC project with micro units and drone landings

Although Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last year new mandates to force building owners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a way to fight climate change, a Dallas-based architecture firm has taken the idea of sustainable design to the next level. During last month's International Builder's Show, Humphreys & Partners presented a conceptual plan for a mixed-use project on Manhattan's waterfront. In Pier 2: Apartment of the Future, the architects tackled major issues prevalent in many cities, like affordability and energy efficiency (h/t Curbed NY). The futuristic proposal includes two towers with modular and micro-units, which would boast futuristic amenities like artificial intelligence, drones, home automation and more.
More this way
February 21, 2018

Our 1,600sqft: The owners of NYC’s oldest dog boutique mix classic styles on Central Park West

When Mark Drendel and Chad Conway met on Fire Island 21 years ago, they didn't know that they'd one day claim ownership of "the world’s only Dog Lifestyle brand." Despite the wild success of Canine Styles, also the oldest dog emporium in New York City, this couple remains down-to-earth and grounded in their family, which includes their high school-aged son, 13-year-old border terrier Katie, and year-old miniature schnauzer Izzy. But of course, their home, located in the Art Deco Central Park West building The Century, is just as fashionable as their business. They describe Canine Styles as having "a flair for traditional, classic but up-to-date design," which holds true for their recently renovated apartment, too. Mark and Chad's basic design concept was wanting guests to not be completely sure what city or era they're in. By mixing the space's Art Deco bones with their modern art collection, contemporary furnishings, and antiques spanning from the 18th century to the 1960s, they've created a uniquely stylish space. 6sqft recently took a tour and chatted with this lovely couple about the history and future of Canine Styles, what a normal day at home looks like, and their thoughts on raising a family (human or four-legged!) in NYC.
All of that, this way
February 21, 2018

New 70-story JPMorgan Chase tower will be the first project under Midtown East rezoning

Mayor Bill de Blasio and JPMorgan Chase announced on Wednesday plans to build a new 70-story world headquarters at the site of the bank's current offices at 270 Park Avenue, the first project under the East Midtown Rezoning plan. Approved by the City Council in August, the rezoning affects 78 blocks running from East 39th Street to East 57th Street and from Third Avenue to Madison Avenue. The updated zoning code is expected to clear the way for 6.5 million square feet of modern office space and allow for taller buildings. JPMorgan Chase's new building will have enough room for about 15,000 employees, compared to the old building's capacity of just 3,500 employees.
Find out more
February 21, 2018

30 chances to live in FiDi’s new art-themed rental tower, from $613/month

The Financial District's new 23-story luxury rental tower Exhibit offers what's becoming the usual package of high-end amenities--a wrap-around roof deck, lounge, and fitness studio complete with a yoga room and Pelaton indoor cycles--but what sets the project apart is that it's considered the city's "first curated rental residence." The building at 60 Fulton Street has on display a collection of more than 100 pieces of art, from works by a 5 Pointz graffiti legend to massive photography, which they consider "a dynamic celebration of the downtown art, music, culture, and style that made New York City the capital of the world." Whether or not you buy into the hype, you might have a chance to live in this hip building for a lot less. The lottery is currently open for 30 affordable units ranging from $613/month studios to $2,733/month two-bedrooms, reserved for households earning 40, 60, or 130 percent of the area median income.
Find out if you qualify
February 21, 2018

Live in historic townhouse style without the commitment in this $5,500/month Clinton Hill duplex

Historic Brooklyn townhouses are at a premium, and they're a lot of work to maintain. Opportunities like this gorgeous duplex on one of the prettiest avenues in the Clinton Hill Historic District give you a chance to live in high-ceilinged grandeur, fabulous backyard oasis and all, without the mortgage or the commitment. It will, however, cost you $5,500 a month for this 1,700-square-foot rental at 227 Washington Avenue.
Take the tour
February 20, 2018

Taylor Swift has ‘bad blood’ with her Tribeca neighbors; Inside David Adjaye’s Midtown spy museum

Taylor Swift’s Tribeca neighbors are not happy about her recent real estate hoopla, even posting “Taylor Swift Can Go F–k Herself” signs. [NYP] A proposed law would force NYC businesses to accept credit cards for transactions over $10. [Time Out NY] See inside David Adjaye’s Spyscape museum of espionage in Midtown. [Dezeen] New York state has 400 breweries, breaking […]

February 20, 2018

$3M Tribeca loft has the elegance of old New York in a 21st century condo

This full-floor, pre-war Tribeca loft condominium is truly, as the listing implies, a warm and stylish exception in a sea of fabulous but frosty new developments. Asking $3.095 million, the spacious 1,835-square-foot home at 42 White Street is more civilized than the average loft, though more laid-back than the average townhouse, and currently has enough books and art to satisfy an entire generation of culture-hungry New Yorkers.
Have a look around
February 20, 2018

With permit to dig, Elon Musk’s plan for a 29-minute ride between NYC and D.C. inches forward

The Boring Company, led by Elon Musk, received a building permit this week from the Washington, D.C. government, potentially jumpstarting the tech entrepreneur's plan to bring a high-speed tube system between New York City and D.C. Although Musk said last summer he received "verbal" approval from officials, the new, written permit allows preparatory and excavation work to begin on a parking lot on New York Avenue in D.C., the Washington Post reported. The Hyperloop One would be able to take passengers from NYC to D.C., with stops in Philadelphia and Baltimore, in just 29 minutes via a tube moved by electric propulsion.
More this way
February 20, 2018

$14M “single family masterpiece” on the Upper West Side stuns in seafoam

The current owners of the Upper West Side townhouse at 144 West 82nd Street took on a careful renovation that they're hoping will appeal to a new buyer. The 6,193-square-foot residence was transformed into a grand single-family home, with impressively restored, ornate interior details paired with modern appliances and perks like a wine room and elevator. (They've also finished much of the interior in shades of seafoam green.) The owners bought in 2000 for $3.6 million--post reno, it's asking a $13.9 million.
The interior will impress
February 20, 2018

Subway stations on the Upper West Side and Astoria to temporarily close this spring

Thousands of straphangers on the Upper West Side and Astoria will have to rethink their daily commutes come spring, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans on closing some stations for up to six months for repairs and upgrades. The station makeovers fall under the MTA's Enhanced Station Initiative, a plan to improve the reliability and customer experience inside the subway system. Planned enhancements include installing digital countdown clocks at subway entrances, glass barriers, LED lighting and adorning station walls with artwork.
Find out more
February 20, 2018

The 8 best places in Times Square that don’t suck

One of the true marks of a New Yorker is an aversion to Times Square, where slow-walking out-of-towners clog sidewalks, costumed characters try to hug you for tips, and overpriced suburban chains like Olive Garden and Applebees abound. But a few bright spots exist amid the touristy madness and Broadway shows, and they’re worth a visit if you happen to be in the area, if not a specific trip (seriously, avoid Times Square at all costs if you can).
Here are a few of our favorites
February 20, 2018

Could an East River pontoon bridge be a viable L train alternative?

Real estate investor, sailing champion and former Calvin Klein underwear model Parker Shinn has entered the impending void of the dreaded L train shutdown scheduled for April of 2019 with a new alternative. The concept, which joins a growing list that includes a gondola, an inflatable tunnel, car-free bus lanes, bike lanes and a lot of MTA re-routing, is called L-ternative Bridge, and consists of a temporary pontoon bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan that would be capable of supporting two lanes of bus traffic and two walking/bike paths.
So what's a pontoon bridge?
February 20, 2018

Rafael Viñoly’s octagonal-cored Upper East Side tower gets new rendering

First announced over a year ago and later approved by the city's Department of Buildings in September, Rafael Viñoly’s residential project planned for 249 East 62nd Street moved forward this week after the architect released a new rendering. As YIMBY reported, the 510-foot building will feature retail and a townhouse at its base, with apartments above it through the 12th floor. The uniqueness of this project's design lies with its 150-foot-tall octagonally-shaped core, aimed at raising the height of upper-level apartments without counting it toward usable square footage.
Details here
February 20, 2018

Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava to design Hudson Yards residential towers

Though starchitect Frank Gehry threatened to flee to France after the 2016 election, he'll likely be sticking around to design new towers at the Hudson Yards mega-development on Manhattan's west side; Gehry and fellow controversial architect Santiago Calatrava are among those chosen to work on the residential western section of Related Cos. and Oxford Properties' 28-acre complex, according to a source close to the project who spoke with the Wall Street Journal.
Find out more
February 17, 2018

NYC RENTALS: This week’s roundup of rental news & offers

Special Leasing Offers at 175 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg New Renderings of Lenox Terrace Expansion in Harlem, Plus Renovated Apartments from $1,650/Mo. New Listings at RIVERBANK in Hell's Kitchen: Sky-High Rentals from $2,879/Month 1629 Pacific Street: Luxury Crown Heights Rentals Start at $2,667/month Ready to Roll: Long Island City Rental The Silver Star Set for March Launch Live at Rocket Factory Lofts on Williamsburg's South 4th Street; 1- and 2-Beds Available Now Leasing Kicks Off on New Uptown Rentals at 531 West 159th Street
READ MORE
February 16, 2018

This drool-worthy, lofty pad asks $1.4M inside a historic Chelsea townhouse

The Neo-Classical townhouse at 146 West 16th Street sits on a dreamy historic Chelsea side street, and one of the apartments inside is just as charming. The two-bedroom apartment spans the entire floor and has been renovated. It sold in 2010 for $899,000, in 2014 for $1.29 million, and now it's asking $1.399 million. Interior details like walnut stained oak floors, whitewashed exposed brick, an original decorative marble mantel, plus a wall of windows facing 16th Street are sure to impress.
So take a look
February 16, 2018

Before its summer kickoff, new renderings for Halletts Point’s first rental

The first of the Durst Organization's seven-building, $1.5 billion development on the Astoria waterfront got new renderings this week, months ahead of its scheduled opening. As Curbed NY learned, the developer said leasing will launch for the two-tower 10 Halletts Points this summer. The first building to open on the Halletts Point campus, the tower will feature 405 apartments, of which up to 25 percent will be affordable.
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