November 3, 2016

Apple will open second Brooklyn store at 300 Ashland Place

Apple opened its first Brooklyn store on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg over the summer, which many felt was the final nail in the coffin of the neighborhood's gentrification. The company has now set their sites on another rapidly developing part of the borough, as The Real Deal reports they've inked a 10-year deal for a 12,000-square-foot space in the ground floor Two Trees Management's 300 Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn's BAM Cultural District. It was an off-market deal, so there's no asking rent, but sources say the going price for the 32-story rental tower's retail space is $150 per square foot.
More details ahead
November 3, 2016

Trump hopes to celebrate victory in Midtown; Bob Dylan paints the most Instagrammed spot in Brooklyn

Donald Trump is planning his victory party at the Midtown Hilton. [USA Today] Bjarke Ingels’ Via 57 West tetrahedron is the winner of the 2016 International Highrise Award. [ArchDaily] A new exhibit of Bob Dylan’s sketches, watercolors, and acrylic paintings is on view in London and it features none other than the most Instagrammed spot in Brooklyn. […]

November 3, 2016

Live like a ‘Dreamgirl’ in Jennifer Hudson’s former Apthorp apartment for $21K a month

If anyone needs another reason to covet a home in the amenity-packed Apthorp, the apartment that was recently home to"Dreamgirls" Oscar winner and singer Jennifer Hudson is on the rental market for a suitably diva-esque $21,000 a month (h/t New York Post). The 3,000 square-foot 11th floor unit in the elegant Upper West Side residence at 2211 Broadway has plenty of star power on its own with four bedrooms, a marble entryway, a formal dining room, fireplaces and separate residential suites.
See more, this way
November 3, 2016

Lottery opens for two affordable units in prime Greenpoint, starting at $904/Month

The latest lottery through the city's affordable housing portal is for two units in a brand-new Greenpoint building. Located at 126 India Street in the heart of the neighborhood--just a couple blocks from the Grenenpoint Avenue G train station, three blocks from the waterfront, and right near all the hot spots like Ovenly, Troost, and the Water Table--the eight-unit building has high ceilings, heated floors in the bathrooms, washers/dryers, and high-end appliances. The two apartments up for grabs are a $904/month studio and a $1,039/month one-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify here
November 3, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week- 11/3-11/9

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! The turn of the month means a new Midnight Moment in Times Square, which delves into the abstract paintings of Emilio Perez. The former Tunnel nightclub welcomes art prints and books for the EAB Fair, and Equity Gallery brings guest curator Osman Can Yerebakan on for a show inspired by Jean Genet. Epic duo Justin Lowe and Jonah Freeman transform Storefront for Art and Architecture into the Rat Fink Room, and Francisco de Pajaro transforms every inch of Castle Fitzjohns into an extension of his street art. The 22nd Annual ArtWalk NY art party honors Kenny Scharf this year, and Hauser & Wirth honor the late Mike Kelley with a show of his exquisite 2D works. Finally, grab a group for a day of excitement and learning for the Peg-Leg Pete Scavenger Hunt!
More on all the best events this way
November 2, 2016

Tommy Hilfiger chops more than $20M off lavish Plaza penthouse

All-American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger bought three separate condos in the Plaza in 2008 for a combined $25 million. He and his wife Dee Ocleppo then embarked on a very internationally influenced, $20 million renovation that combined the units into one opulent, 5,600-square-foot duplex, complete with marble-clad rooms, vintage limestone fireplaces from England, and a domed room inside one of the building's iconic turrets that features a custom-designed "Eloise" mural by the books' illustrator Hilary Knight. The couple listed the apartment in 2013 for $80 million, but despite its lavish interiors, it's been on and off the market since then, its price dropping to $75 million in March 2015 and to $69 million a few months ago. The Wall Street Journal now reports that it's reappeared with even sharper discount, dropping 26 percent to $58.9 million.
Take a tour of the incredible home
November 2, 2016

Daredevil climber scales Robert A.M. Stern’s 220 Central Park South to capture these insane shots

Robert A.M. Stern's 220 Central Park South will eventually rise 950 feet amongst the supertall and super-luxury towers of Billionaires' Row. As of August, the 66-story tower had risen 600 feet, and now that it's nearing the homestretch, urban explorer and photographer Viktor Thomas decided it was time to get past the construction zone and scale the limestone skyscraper. First shared by Untapped, he posted this vertigo-inducing set of photos on his Instagram account @vic.invades that show the truly insane views from the tower.
See all the photos right here
November 2, 2016

15 CPW still NYC’s most expensive building; 56 Leonard joins lineup of 100 priciest condos

Even after countless big ticket closings at blockbuster buildings like 432 Park Avenue and The Greenwich Lane, the long-admired Robert A.M. Stern-designed, Zeckendorf-developed 15 Central Park West (15 CPW) remains king. According to CityRealty's latest CR100 report—an index comprised of the top 100 condominium buildings in Manhattan—units in 15 CPW sold on average for $6,735 per square foot over 12 months, a number that is impressively higher than the index average of $2,824. Tribeca's Herzog & de Meuron-designed "Jenga tower," 56 Leonard also made its debut on the latest CR100, clocking an average price per square foot of $2,657.
find out more
November 2, 2016

14th Street and Williamsburg no-car zones proposed for L train shutdown

Transit advocacy groups and politicians who have been promoting the idea of ridding Manhattan’s 14th Street of private car traffic during planned L subway tunnel repairs, and only allowing bus, bike and pedestrian traffic, have also suggested that the no-auto plan would be good for Grand Street in Williamsburg, the New York Post reports. Grand Street is a major neighborhood thoroughfare similar to 14th Street, and advocates say giving the streets to bikes, pedestrians and shuttle buses would be one way to lessen the impact of the shutdown.
Find out more
November 2, 2016

Hillary Clinton planning election night victory fireworks over Hudson River; Ed Reed’s 30 years of mayoral photography

The Soul Cycle effect: proximity to fitness studios is the new real estate must have. [NYO] Hillary Clinton’s campaign is planning a two-minute fireworks display to go off on election night. They’d launch from the Javits Center, where she’d have her victory party. [Gothamist] Photographer Ed Reed has been capturing the candid moments of NYC’s […]

November 2, 2016

Rare collection of Alexander Hamilton’s unpublished letters headed for auction

Auction house Sotheby's has announced the sale of a rare collection consisting of hundreds of Alexander Hamilton's letters and personal manuscripts held by his family at auction on Jaunary 18. Alexander Hamilton: An Important Family Archive of Letters and Manuscripts will offer a trove that contains, among others, love letters from the first United States Secretary of the Treasury to his wife, Eliza, and the condolence letter, sealed with black wax, that his father-in-law sent to her after Hamilton was killed in the infamous duel with Aaron Burr, the New York Times reports.
Find out more about this rare collection
November 2, 2016

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ director Danny Boyle lists sunny Chelsea penthouse for $2.15M

Eight-time Academy Award-winning director and producer Danny Boyle (his credits include "Slumdog Millionaire," "Trainspotting," "28 Days Later," and "Steve Jobs," and he was the artistic director for the 2012 Olympics) has put his sunny Chelsea co-op on the market for $2.15 million, according to LL NYC. The triplex penthouse at 334 West 19th Street looks a bit bland for such an A-lister, but as Luxury Listings explains, Boyle bought the apartment in 2010 for $1.7 million (in a reported all-cash transaction), and then transferred it to his daughter Caitlin in 2014.
See the place
November 2, 2016

100 Barclay: Restoring and reinventing a historic Tribeca landmark

This post has been sponsored by 100 Barclay. To learn more about available condos or to schedule a tour, visit the official 100 Barclay website. Finished in 1927, 100 Barclay is one of New York City's most pivotal structures. Designed by one of our country's most esteemed architects, Ralph Walker, while he was an associate at McKenzie Voorhees & Gmelin, the tower began construction in 1923, during a time marked by a dramatic shift in architecture and the beginning of the Roaring Twenties. Originally known as the Barclay-Vesey Building, the 32-story building ascends to a height of nearly 500 feet, which made it one of the globe's tallest towers upon completion. The voluminous building was also built as the largest telephone company building in the world, encompassing more than 1.2 million square feet of office and telecommunication space. Its Hugh Ferris-inspired massing, and nature-influenced ornamentation stands as a monument to man's prowess and the machine age, and is widely recognized by architects and historians to be the first Art Deco skyscraper, a prototypical example of the style in its finest form.
hear from the architects who have worked on this project
November 2, 2016

East Village loft in the historic Christodora House has loads of charm, space and park views for $5,500/month

If you love classic prewar apartments but you also love the East Village, you might think you'll have to make some concessions when finding an apartment to rent among the neighborhood's tenement walk-ups and boxy new buildings. But don't give up until you've seen this unbelievably charming and spacious loft apartment in the venerable Christodora House at 143 Avenue B, on the rental market for $5,500.
Seeing is believing
November 2, 2016

City reveals maps of proposed routes for Brooklyn-Queen streetcar

When the plan for a streetcar from Brooklyn to Queens was officially announced by the city in February, we knew that the $2.5 billion line would run 16 miles along the East River, from Astoria to Sunset Park, but the exact routes have remained a mystery, up until now. The Times reports that yesterday the city released a 25-page report that outlines these key details, as well as how the streetcar would traverse bridges to cross Newtown Creek and the Gowanus Canal and more logistical details. It also includes maps for the various routes through each neighborhood with a list of pros and cons (road width, proximity to existing subway stations, street and pedestrian traffic) for each possible street.
See the maps
November 2, 2016

Sales launch for Extell’s Lower East Side tower One Manhattan Square

Despite community opposition against the surge of new development in the Two Bridges neighborhood, things are moving full steam ahead in the Chinatown-meets-Lower East Side area. Curbed reports that the project that started it all, One Manhattan Square, has officially launched sales for the first batch of its 815 condos, and they range from a $1.18 million one-bedroom to a $4.4 million three-bedroom. It's prices like these, as well as the 823-foot height, that have angered residents of the mostly low-rise and low-income neighborhood, but nevertheless, the huge luxury building at with an insane amenity package is well on its way to opening its doors.
Find out more this way
November 1, 2016

New renderings revealed for Essex Crossing’s 150,000 square-foot mega-market

The Essex Crossing megaproject is taking shape in the Lower East Side, most notably with the Market Line, the 150,000 square-foot retail area serving the project's buildings. Within will be the new home for the neighborhood's beloved 76-year-old Essex Street Market, upon which concept the modern retail destination was built. As 6sqft previously reported, the SHoP Architects-designed market will be among the largest in the nation. Principal Rohan Mehra of the project's retail development firm Prusik Group told Curbed that he compares the new market to Seattle’s Pike Place Market or Barcelona’s La Boqueria, “hubs of activity” all. The Market Line will stretch over 700 feet across three buildings, incorporating the new city-operated Essex Street Market and several new spaces.
More renderings this way
Pitch a story icon Know of something cool happening in New York? Let us know:
November 1, 2016

Brownstone rental on Katharine Hepburn’s old block asks $4,000/month in Turtle Bay

This charming top floor apartment is located in the townhouse at 247 East 49th Street, in Turtle Bay. It's just a few doors down from Katharine Hepburn's longtime New York home--she lived more than 60 years at 244 East 49th Street. If you're willing to endure the fourth floor walkup you can also call the block your home, as well as this $4,000/month rental apartment loaded with prewar details.
Take a look around
November 1, 2016

Uma Thurman makes a big profit on her Gramercy Park duplex

Uma Thurman's Gramercy Park duplex went into contract in May after hitting the market for $6.25 million less than two months prior. Considering the co-op at 1 Lexington Avenue came with five bedrooms, a classically elegant look, and a coveted key to the park, it's no shock that it actually closed for $6.61 million, more than five percent over ask, according to the Observer, and well over the $2.65 million the actress paid for it in 2006.
Take a look around
November 1, 2016

MAP: What languages New Yorkers speak at home, by neighborhood

Life in New York City in all its diversity means hearing a colorful mix of languages spoken every day. Web developer and artist Jill Hubley's new census map (h/t Gothamist) shows us which languages are spoken by New Yorkers at home in their neighborhoods. Hubley intially created the Languages of NYC map for a GISMO exhibit at the Queens Museum entitled, "Map Mosaic: From Queens to the World" with data from the United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The result is a colorful tableau of native tongues, from Russian in Brighton Beach to Spanish in Sunset Park, with large swaths of French Creole in Brooklyn and Chinese in lower Manhattan–and those are the ones we already expected. The map allows you to view "islands" of one or more languages or to view them all.
Check out the map
November 1, 2016

The world’s 12 richest people could buy all of Manhattan’s residential stock

When it comes to the richest people in the world, the disparity is staggering, and what better way to exemplify this than by sizing these individuals up against the nation's most expensive real estate market, in a city that's home to more billionaires than anywhere else. PropertyShark took data from Forbes' World Billionaires List and created an infographic that shows how the world's 12 richest people have enough wealth to buy all of Manhattan's residential stock for $578 billion and still have some pocket change leftover.
See the full infographic here
November 1, 2016

Hoteliers buy historic Hotel Chelsea for $250M, will redevelop as condos and hotel

After five years of ownership changes and tenant battles, a group of well-known hoteliers is betting on the future of the historic Hotel Chelsea. The Real Deal reports that a joint venture made up of BD Hotels’ Richard Born and Ira Drukier and Sean MacPherson (who owns, among others, the Bowery Hotel and Waverly Inn) has closed on the hotel for $250 million, and they plan to convert it to condos and a likely trendy hotel.
Find out more
November 1, 2016

FiDi Birkinstock penthouse on the rental market for $20K, international antiquities included

This 3,500-square-foot penthouse atop the Setai Wall Street at 40 Broad Street in the Financial District is a stunning home by NYC standards, but the condominium also includes a world tour's worth of collected fixtures. The two-bedroom penthouse belongs to Alex Birkenstock–scion of the trendy-crunchy European sandal family–who bought the posh pad in 2011 for just under $6 million. An attempt was made in 2104 to sell the apartment for $13 million as 6sqft previously reported. But even after being eventually chopped to $9 million, the pad still doesn't appear to have changed hands. Now it's for rent for $19,995 a month, amazing spin-the-compass collections and all. For starters, there's a 1,000-pound steel and brass safe bought from the Bank of France...
Take the tour
October 31, 2016

Amy Schumer drops $12.1M on glassy Riverside Drive penthouse

Earlier this month, 6sqft shared reports that Amy Schumer toured a $15 million, historic Beaux Arts mansion at 352 Riverside Drive. But just two weeks later, the comedian closed on a more contemporary penthouse farther south along the river. Sources told the Post that she dropped $12.1 million on a 4,500-square-foot duplex at 91st Street, and after some sleuthing, 6sqft has uncovered that it's the top-floor spread at 190 Riverside Drive. The five-bedroom Upper West Side home is described as "a Malibu beach house, with the sophistication of Manhattan architecture," which is fitting considering the wrap-around terrace surrounded by glass walls and the recent renovation by Spivak Architects.
Take a virtual tour of the penthouse
October 31, 2016

12 experts suggest creative ways to handle 9 million future New Yorkers

With New York City's population on its way to nine million, the city's infrastructure may be impressive, but it has its limits–including red tape and resource shortages–that will make it difficult to withstand the projected surge. Reminding us of the transformative innovations of Robert Moses–he of the big ideas and ego to match–Crains invited 12 firms who make their living wrangling infrastructure to hit us with some big ideas. Ahead of the upcoming summit, "Getting Ready for 9 Million New Yorkers," they've shared these visions for future (bigger, better) New York from top architects, designers and real estate experts. Ideas include some that have already proven themselves (repurposing existing track beds) and some already in the works (Bushwick's Rheingold brewery project) to others that Robert Moses might not love (shrinking the city's highways).
Take a look at these futuristic ideas for moving the city forward.
October 31, 2016

Celebrating Halloween in the West Village in 1993; St. Paul’s Chapel Unveils 9/11 Chapel of Remembrance

St. Paul’s Chapel, Manhattan’s oldest church that survived the September 11th attacks without even a broken window, marks its 250th anniversary by unveiling a 9/11 Chapel of Remembrance. [NBC] 10 “trumpkins” that are making Halloween great again. [Inhabitat] There are 47 gravestones at the Old Southampton Burial Ground on Long Island, but a cemetery-mapping service found close to […]

October 31, 2016

Interior and amenity renderings revealed for Hub, Brooklyn’s tallest tower

For now, Downtown Brooklyn's Hub holds the title of tallest building in Brooklyn. Topping off at 610 feet, the Dattner Architects-designed, Douglas Steiner-developed slab tower at 333 Schermerhorn Street will offer 740 apartments, 150 of which became available through the city's affordable housing lottery earlier this month. But aside from its height and number of units, the 55-story building has been turning heads for its list of amenities--a landscaped outdoor terrace with sun deck, 75-foot pool, fitness center with yoga studio, dog run, grilling terrace, indoor and outdoor movie screens, children’s playroom, and bike storage for every unit. And Curbed has gotten its hands on the first set of renderings that show these swanky offerings, along with views of the apartments and news that leasing for the market-rate units will begin in January.
More details and renderings
October 31, 2016

A historic stable house with completely modern interior asks $8.35M in Murray Hill

The interior of 149 East 38th Street in Murray Hill looks insanely modern--but just wait until you see the exterior. This home was carved out of the Bowdoin Stables, an imposing carriage house built in 1902 for the real estate developer and clothing executive William R. H. Martin. According to Daytonian in Manhattan, the structure sold to financier George S. Bowdoin in 1907 (hence the stable's name), and Bowdoin’s horses lived on the first floor while his coachmen lived upstairs. The building has served as everything from a home to art gallery to cultural center since then; now it's on the market as an impressive residence asking $8.35 million.
See it all here
October 31, 2016

René Lalique’s windows saved this Fifth Avenue building from destruction in the 1980s

In 1984, a series of grime-covered windows at 714 Fifth Avenue caught the attention of an architectural historian by the name of Andrew Dolkart. Seemingly innocuous, and almost industrial in aesthetic—at least from afar—the glass panes would later become the foundation for a preservation victory.
more this way
October 31, 2016

Bobby Flay finds a renter for his $22,500/month Chelsea duplex

Famed chef and Food Network personality Bobby Flay has had a tough time unloading his Chelsea Mercantile duplex since splitting with his ex-wife, "Law & Order: SVU" actress Stephanie March. He originally listed the sprawling home a year ago for $7.95 million, then added the option to rent it for $22,500/month in January, followed by a $1 million price chop in May. But the Post reports today that the Iron Chef has finally found a renter to take the pad off his hands.
Take a look around
October 31, 2016

MAP: East Williamsburg would be fined the most by new Airbnb law

After Governor Cuomo recently signed into effect a bill that would impose fines of up to $7,500 on those offering illegal short-term Airbnb rentals, the company filed a federal lawsuit against the legislation, saying it would "impose significant immediate burdens and irreparable harm." And according to an analysis from ValuePenguin, shared by DNAinfo, it's East Williamsburg that would be hit the hardest by the new regulations. The personal finance website says that, as of October 1st, the neighborhood (zip code 11211) has 314 full apartment rental listings, which could result in $2,355,000 in fines. It's followed by zip code 10003, which covers parts of Greenwich Village, Gramercy, and the East Village, the Lower East Side (10002) and Chelsea (10011).
More data ahead
October 31, 2016

Maya Angelou’s second Harlem townhouse sells for $2M

Over the summer, 6sqft shared the sale of the late Maya Angelou's historic Harlem brownstone. After listing last February for $5.1 million, the beautifully preserved home in the Mount Morris Park Historic District finally sold for $4 million in July. But as it turns 0ut, this wasn't the only property she owned that hit the market at the beginning of the year. The Post reports that the author and activist also owned a property for which she was the landlord, just about ten blocks away at 29 East 129th Street, and after hitting the market for $2.6 million and going through two price chops, it's now found a buyer for $1.98 million.
More this way
October 31, 2016

This $7.5M West Village townhouse was once home to Derek Jeter and A-Rod

According to the listing for this otherwise nondescript brick townhouse on a pretty West Village street, both Derek Jeter and fellow former Yankee Alex Rodriguez were one-time residents. Jeter was renting the 2,800 square-foot home until last spring, and Curbed tells us that while Courtney Love took a look but didn't bite, the four-story home at 56 Bank Street has been on the market for quite some time, most recently asking $7.495 million.
Take a look inside
October 30, 2016

Join the Society of Magicians on Halloween for a séance at Harry Houdini’s former Upper East Side home

Last week, a commemorative plaque was installed on the facade of the former Upper East Side home of Harry Houdini at 244 East 79th Street, marking the 90th anniversary of his death and celebrating National Magic Week. To coincide with this, the Society of American Magicians will meet tomorrow for a séance at the building's Sojourn restaurant in hopes of contacting the great illusionist. As the Wall Street Journal notes, when he and his family moved into the top-floor studio of the boardinghouse in 1887, a young Houdini practiced his tricks and escapes in the space that now holds the eatery.
The rest of the story here
October 30, 2016

$629K apartment in Park Slope packs charm into a cozy space

This one-bedroom apartment, at 132 St. Marks Place in Park Slope, does a lot with just 665 square feet. The unit comes from an eight-unit condo in a four-story walkup building—and from what we can gather it's on the top floor. But once you're there it's charming indeed, with 11-foot ceilings, painted exposed brick, and a skylight that fills the apartment with light. (Hey, it's one perk of being on the top floor.)
Take a tour
October 29, 2016

October’s 10 most-read stories and this week’s features

October’s 10 Most-Read Stories Saddam Hussein had a secret torture chamber across from Mayor Bloomberg’s UES mansion 41 affordable units up for grabs in Williamsburg, starting at $788/month Emily Blunt and John Krasinski drop $6M on a historic Park Slope townhouse Live in Brooklyn’s tallest tower for $833/month, lottery launching for 150 units at 333 […]

October 29, 2016

20-foot-wide townhouse with unused air rights asks $7.9M in the West Village

Calling all buyers who have dreams of a designing their own mega-mansion. This West Village townhouse, at 541 Hudson Street, already has tons of living space over four floors, and comes with an additional 1,400 square feet of unused air rights. It's an opportunity, as the listing puts it, for "the purchaser to increase the size of this extraordinary home"--but you'll have to cough up $7.995 million first. Currently, the townhouse is broken up into an income-producing commercial space and two separate, impressive apartments.
Check it out
October 28, 2016

As the election nears, sales at Trump buildings decline

Now that we're nearer to the election, and since the negative press surrounding all things Donald Trump has come to a head, things are starting to crumble for his real estate empire. Not only did his personal hotel brand decide to drop his moniker, but a group of Trump Place tenants even went so far as to petition their board to remove his name from their buildings. A report out today in the Times takes a closer look at how sales are declining, and data from CityRealty confirms that from 2015 to 2016, there was a 17 percent decrease in the number of sales at Trump condos.
Find out more this way
October 28, 2016

Wine condoms provide ‘on-the-go protection’ for your bottle of vino

Wine and condoms often go hand-in-hand, but one product has actually combined the two. Wine Condoms, available on Amazon, are so popular that they are currently sold out through the online retailer. Their description also claims that Amy Poehler, Sharon Stone, Mila Kunis, Madonna, Bethenny Frankel, Melissa McCarthy, Patricia Arquette, Rosie O’Donnell and Ruby Rose “have […]

October 28, 2016

$600M overhaul at the Lambert Houses underway to bring 1,665 affordable housing units to the Bronx

When it comes to affordable housing, the Bronx is booming. 6sqft previously reported that proposals were being heard to bring 1,665 affordable apartments to the site of the Bronx Zoo-bordering Lambert Houses, which would double the development's current affordable housing units, triple the existing retail space, create a new public school, and help to better integrate the community into the surrounding neighborhood. As reported by the Times, Phipps Houses, the complex's nonprofit owner and developer, has moved ahead on plans to demolish the existing 14 buildings and build taller towers, a project that's gotten a $600 million price tag.
Find out more
October 28, 2016

Church details adorn this $6.35M triplex condo in Gramercy

The St. George’s Church conversion, at 205 East 16th Street in Gramercy, did an amazing job of preserving church details as well as integrating them into residential units. Now known as the Abbey Condominium, it's not unusual for these luxury units to boast stained glass, pews or wrought iron lantern lights. This triplex, which has just hit the market, is decked out with remnants from the church--even in the apartment's solarium--and it's asking $6.35 million.
Go inside
October 28, 2016

The Urban Lens: A walk through the wild and wonderful Village Halloween Parade

6sqft’s ongoing series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, award-winning photographers James and Karla Murray return with a series of snapshots from last year's debaucherous Village Halloween Parade. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Started by Greenwich Village mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee in 1973, the Village Halloween Parade began as a “wandering neighborhood puppet show.” The event was a walk from house to house in Lee's neighborhood, created for his children and their friends to enjoy. In the three years that followed, the parade took on new shapes and sizes, propelled first by George Bartenieff and Crystal Field of the Theater for the New City, who staged the production in its second year as part of their City in the Streets program; and then two years later when the parade became a non-profit with its own resources to put on a major show. By 1985, the parade morphed into an extravaganza that marched down Sixth Avenue, attracting 250,000 participants and onlookers. Today, the Village Halloween Parade is the largest celebration of its kind, considered by Festivals International to be "The Best Event in the World" for October 31st.
see more here
October 28, 2016

For New York City rats, getting here is easy, surviving is tough

To investigate the question, “What is a New York City rat, and where did it come from?” the New York Times checks in with researchers at Fordham University, led by Jason Munshi-South, who have embarked on a rat-tracking study to find the answer to that very question (among others). It turns out that–much like the city's millions of two-legged inhabitants–the answer is "everywhere," from Galapagos and Brazil to New Zealand and Japan.
We're all immigrants at some point
October 28, 2016

Domino Sugar Factory reveals renderings of creative office building The Refinery

Commercial landlords looking to compete with cutting-edge co-working spaces like the Navy Yard's New Lab or amenity-filled developments like Industry City have their work cut out for them, and it looks like Two Trees is pulling out all the requisite stops for their new office building The Refinery at Williamsburg's massive, under-construction Domino Sugar Factory complex. Curbed got its hands on the first set of renderings of the 380,000-square-foot office space, which show how tenants can work with architects Beyer Blinder Belle to customize their spaces for "innovation" and "authenticity." The interiors preserve the former industrial details (exposed brick, ceilings beams), while incorporating creative perks such as suspended glass-and-steel office pods, an indoor skate park, and a bevy of common areas.
More details and renderings ahead
October 28, 2016

Apply for 63 newly-built affordable units off the Rockaway Beach waterfront, from $494

Rockaway Beach is having a rebirth of sorts as more and more New Yorkers head for its waters on the hottest of days. On top of new restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, surf clubs and other hipster hotspots popping up along its main drags, now comes an opportunity to live in a brand-new construction at 9306 Shore Front Parkway, just steps from the sand. Per the NYC Housing Connect, households of up to six earning 40, 50 or 150 percent of the area median income can now apply for 63 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments priced between $494 and $2120.
more details here

Our Mission

More than just current events, here you'll learn about the places, people, and ideas that are shaping your city.