July 13, 2016

POLL: Would You Drop $2,000 to ‘Glamp’ in a Yurt on a NYC Terrace?

We're all for glamping here at 6sqft, though we typically reserve these outdoor adventures for places like the Catskills. But the W Hotel chain is hoping to capitalize on the trend and bring it to their Lexington Avenue location. A press release from the company announces their Outdoor Glamping Suite, part of the 17th floor Extreme Wow Suite, which makes nods to camping with "a 12-foot yurt bedecked in a kaleidoscope of fabrics and textures, glowing lanterns, rattan hanging chairs and a fire pit that lights up with a flip of a switch." The W teamed up with interior design company Laurel & Wolf to create the experience, which is going for a whopping $2,000 a night.
Would you spend that for a night of glamping in NYC?
July 13, 2016

Landmarks Tables Morris Adjmi-Designed Office Building Planned for Controversial Noho Site

In February, 6qft reported that Ironstate Development was forging ahead with plans to build a nine-floor, 46,000-square-foot office and community facility building at 363 Lafayette Street in Noho. The long-vacant parcel sits adjacent to the live/work studio of artist Chuck Close at 20 Bond Street. In 2008, he filed a lawsuit against the previous owner to prevent the construction of an office building that would've blocked his loft building's natural light, which he argued the artists depend on. Squarely sited in the recently extended Noho Historic District, the Morris Adjmi-led design came before the Landmark's yesterday aiming to compel the commission on the aesthetic soundness of their proposal. Ultimately the LPC decided to table the design and asked Adjmi to return with modifications.
More details ahead
July 13, 2016

Incredible 1842 West Village Townhouse With Multi-Level Garden Asks $9M

The listing for this three-story townhouse at 41 Bethune Street says it's on one of the most desirable residential blocks in New York City, and it would be hard to argue with that. Who wouldn't wan't to live tucked into the leafy and historic townhouse-lined blocks of the West Village—so adorably out of step with the grid—near the Hudson River? And that's pretty much all a two-family 19th century townhouse needs to ask $8.995 million any day of the week, especially if it's not, say, the narrowest house in the city (though there's a certain amount of cachet in that honor). So with that as a starting point, this nicely-preserved brick home is sure to get attention. The raves, though, are likely to be over the multi-level backyard deck where an urban garden is in full bloom.
Get a closer look at this Village house and garden
July 12, 2016

LPC Approves Faux-Classical Mansion on Notorious UES Site of Blown Up Townhouse

Ghoulish history be damned, the Woodbine Company has just received tentative design approvals from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to build a single-family, faux-classical mansion upon the parcel where Dr. Nicholas Bartha blew up his townhouse ten years ago. The now vacant 20' x 100' parcel once held the home of Dr. Bartha who purposely tampered with a gas line to destroy the five-floor mansion to punish his ex-wife for divorcing him and having the court rule that he had to sell the house as part of the settlement. The doctor vowed in an e-mail, "I will leave the house only if I am dead," and on July 10, 2006, set off an explosion which shook the typically quiet Upper East Side block. Only the doctor was inside during the time of the explosion and he succumbed to his injuries five days afterwards.
More on what’s coming to the infamous site
July 12, 2016

Why Are the Supertall Gurus at Extell Planning a Stubby 18-Story Condo on Billionaires’ Row?

Gary Barnett's Extell Development has become synonymous with sky-high towers, especially those along Billionaires' Row -- the 1,005-foot-tall One57 and the 1,550-foot-tall Central Park Tower -- where it appeared that they were readying to construct a third behemoth that would rise more than 700 feet. However, Crain's reports that Extell has filed plans for the site at 134 West 58th Street (the same block as One57), and they call for a stubby, 18-story, 41-unit condo building that's less than 200 feet tall.
What's the deal?
July 12, 2016

Stylish 470-Square-Foot Chelsea Loft Has More Space Than You’d Expect

While a 470-square-foot studio sounds pretty small when it comes to living space—and we certainly wouldn't expect much in the way of storage—this $699,000 co-op at 100 West 15th Street excels in lots of unexpected ways. Sleeping lofts can be tricky—especially when they're touted as the second floor of a "duplex" for twice the price of this unit–but in this case it works. A sizable sleeping platform with a wall of closets makes this studio look spacious rather than cell-like, and is in keeping with the Chelsea building's industrial loft history. Finishes also have a loft aesthetic, enough to look like they belong without looking precious. And the quality of the home's fixtures shows that whoever renovated this space meant business when it came to maximizing style and function in every square foot.
Find out more about this chic, efficient loft
July 12, 2016

This Luxurious, $15M New Jersey Castle Comes With 32 Acres of Land

New York City is full of incredible properties, but it's not known for its castles. You have to go to New Jersey for that. Over near Bernardsville Mountain, in northern New Jersey, is the Stronghold Castle—probably one of the most impressive homes in the entire state. It's the work of the architect George B. Post, who purchased 104 acres around the mountain in 1871. Soon after, in 1886, Post was commissioned to design a house for James Coleman Drayton, a New York banker and the son-in-law of William Backhouse Astor on one of the highest points in the area. The result? A two-story, stone villa with a tower commanding views of the estate's 128 acres. Over the years, different owners added to the home and it evolved into this modern-day castle. Between 1940 and 1995, it served as a private girl's school. The latest owner, who bought in 2004, restored the castle in all its grandeur while adding modern additions to make it a cozy home. (Or, as cozy as a castle can be.)
Take the grand tour
July 12, 2016

$1.4M Williamsburg Apartment is Surrounded by Greenery and Outdoor Space

This Williamsburg apartment at 16 Monitor Street is perfect for summer, as there's views of greenery pretty much everywhere you look. As the listing says, "Whichever window you look out of, you see lush foliage and flowers." The two-bedroom duplex spans about 1,500 square feet and is decked out with modern finishes and a very impressive walk-in closet. It's been renovated into a bona fide entertainment space, assisted in no small part by the 200 square feet of barbecue and lounge space outside.
Check out the inside and outside
July 12, 2016

Downtown Brooklyn’s 300 Ashland Releases New Renderings to Kick Off No-Fee Leasing

The latest tower to open its doors in Downtown Brooklyn‘s BAM Cultural District is 300 Ashland, a 35-story, mixed-use tower from Two Trees Management that is offering 300 no-fee rentals. There are currently nine units available with studios starting at $2,850/month, one-bedrooms at $3,300/month and a single three-bedrooms from $5,750/month. To coincide with the launch, the developer […]

July 12, 2016

Is the Mayor’s Plan To Stop Dumping Garbage by 2030 Possible–or Just Trash Talk?

New Yorkers make a lot of garbage. We create more than 44 million pounds of residential and commercial waste every day–about a ton per person annually. Of that, only a third is recycled, composted or burned to generate energy. The rest is dumped in landfills. A recent Crain's article explains how Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes to make a serious dent in all that dumping. He has pledged that by 2030, the city would be sending “zero waste” to landfills: “This is the way of the future if we’re going to save our Earth.” But like most things, the success of any plans to reduce the rubbish pile hinges on two things: management, and incentive (which, for most New Yorkers, means money).
What's the plan to get to zero waste
July 12, 2016

151 Affordable Apartments Up For Grabs Near Yankee Stadium, Starting at $532/Month

In the Melrose section of the Bronx, just a few short blocks from Yankee Stadium, 151 newly constructed apartments are up for grabs through the city's affordable housing lottery. Located at 3160 Park Avenue, the 12-story building from Trinity Park Avenue Development and Newman Design offers both low- and moderate-income units. As Welcome2TheBronx previously reported, 20 percent of the apartments are reserved for those making 40 percent of the area median income, while the remainder are for those earning 60-80 percent of the AMI. This ranges from $532/month one-bedrooms to $1,683/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 11, 2016

VIDEO: Drone Footage Shows Rare Views of North Brother Island’s Abandoned Buildings

One of 36 (42 in low tide) uninhabited New York City Islands, North Brother Island is a 20-acre piece of land in the East River between the Bronx and Rikers Island that was once home to a quarantine hospital. Currently off-limits to the public, the island became the home of Riverside Hospital for smallpox patients in 1885; "Typhoid Mary" Mallon was quarantined on the island until her death in 1938. This drone video footage offers a rare and hauntingly beautiful view of the island's decaying bridges and buildings overgrown by forest.
Watch this haunting video footage of the abandoned island
July 11, 2016

Mark Cuban Opening Upscale Movie Theater at Bjarke Ingels’ Via 57 West

The lucky residents of Bjarke Ingels' Via 57 West tetrahedron will not only get starchitecture bragging rights and access to the 22,000-square-foot courtyard and amenities such as a swimming pool and gold simulator, but they'll also have a state-of-the-art, eight-screen movie theater right in the building. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Durst Organization has teamed up with Landmark Theatres, owned by billionaire entrepreneurs Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban of "Shark Tank" fame. The 30,000-square-foot theater will take up residency within the 45,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in Via, which will also welcome the American Kennel Club’s dog-care center and a location from Livanos Restaurant Group.
Find out more
July 11, 2016

Lottery Opens for 110 Affordable Units at Former Site of Kings County Hospital Psych Ward

Several years ago, plans were revealed for CAMBA Gardens, an affordable housing complex set to rise on the campus of the Kings County Hospital, located on the border of Crown Heights and East Flatbush. The buildings were constructed by the city's Supportive Housing Loan Program in conjunction with non-profit CAMBA, which provides employment, education, health, legal, social, business development, and youth services to New Yorkers. CAMBA Gardens I opened in the fall of 2013 with 209 residences spread across two buildings. Now, a lottery for CAMBA Gardens Phase II has just come online and is offering 110 newly constructed units in the LEED Gold building for individuals earning 60 percent of the AMI. These range from $822/month studios to $1,228/month three-bedrooms for households earning between $29,692 and $63,060 annually.
Find out more
July 11, 2016

Camp Out in a Sioux Tipi on a Woodstock Waterfall for $168/Night

Forget the hassle of pitching a flimsy tent, and camp out in an authentic, 18-foot Sioux Tipi. Located along a waterfall on the Sawkill Creek in Woodstock, this tipi was handmade and painted by artists at the Nomadics Tipi Makers and features a cozy stone fireplace right in its center, as well as another one outside near the river. Intrigued? It's up for rent for $168/night on Airbnb.
Find out more about the camping rental
July 11, 2016

Germantown NYC: Uncovering the German History of Yorkville

If you read 6sqft's post about Kleindeutschland, or "Little Germany," you know that in 1885 New York had the third largest German-speaking population in the world, outside of Vienna and Berlin, and the majority of those immigrants settled in what is today the heart of the East Village. You also know that the horrific General Slocum disaster in 1904 pushed the last of the Germans out of the area. And as promised, we're here to tell you where that community went-- Yorkville, then commonly known as Germantown. The Upper East Side neighborhood, bounded by 79th and 96th streets and running from the east side of Third Avenue to the East River, exploded with immigrants from the former Prussian Empire in the early 20th century. Those looking for a fresh start after the tragedy saw opportunity in the many available jobs in Yorkville. Like the East Village, Yorkville still has many reminders of its German past, as well as still-thriving cultural spots.
Take a tour of Yorkville's German history
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July 11, 2016

Proposed Site of Queens’ Once-Tallest Tower Will Be Sold By Developers

Just about a year ago, 6sqft revealed renderings for Queens Plaza Park, an 800-unit 70+ story, 915-foot tall skyscraper planned for Long Island City's Clock Tower Building site (it would've encircled and incorporated the 88-year-old structure). At the time, this proposed height would've made it the tallest tower in Queens, as well as the tallest building outside Manhattan. However, it's now not only lost its superlatives (it's since been outdone by the 964-foot Court Square City View Tower in LIC and JDS' 1,066-foot 340 Flatbush Avenue Extension in Downtown Brooklyn), but the project is being scrapped altogether (h/t Curbed).
More details
July 11, 2016

This $1.2M Chelsea Loft Has Great Architectural Details and a Bonus Room

This pretty co-op loft at 131 West 28th Street right in the middle of bustling Chelsea boasts stunning design elements like original arched windows, tin ceilings and custom cabinetry. The one-bedroom space, asking $1.175 million, is currently being used as two (or you'll get a great home office). On one hand that's called a bonus room for a reason; on the other, there are some challenges in the apartment's layout that could use an architect's touch. As far as what's within steps of this 7th Avenue-area address? Basically, everything. The block isn't exactly serene, but we're guessing peace and quiet isn't why anyone's moving to Chelsea (with some possible exceptions).
Check out the rest of the space
July 11, 2016

Last Two Chances to See Manhattanhenge; Prospect Park Dog Beach Getting a Makeover

Visiting Angelica, New York, a quaint village named for Alexander Hamilton’s sister-in-law. [Atlas Obscura] Manhattanhenge returns tonight and tomorrow. [TONY] The Prospect Park Alliance announced the start of a restoration of Dog Beach—a popular swimming area for dogs during off-leash hours. [6sqft inbox] Junior’s, the Downtown Brooklyn restaurant famous for its cheesecakes, is opening a second […]

July 10, 2016

Classic Flatiron Co-op Has Good Closets, Great Location and a Private Terrace for $825K

This stylish junior one-bedroom co-op at 16 West 16th Street offers the kind of convenience city dwellers crave: Just off Fifth Avenue, it's within a few blocks of Union Square, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, the area's cornucopia of restaurants and hotels, Chelsea shopping and much more, yet on one of the area's classic residential blocks, with both similar elegant towers and pretty townhouses. The apartment itself has obvious covetable qualities on its own. A tasteful, modern renovation erases the cookie-cutter co-op feel found in some postwars. Perhaps best of all, there's a private terrace for enjoying the sunshine.
Get a closer look
July 9, 2016

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

Competition Reimagines New York State Pavilion As a Cheeseburger Museum, Hanging Meadow Lottery Opens for 259 Affordable Units in East New York, Starting at $494/Month NYC May Get a Big Ugly Wall Instead of Bjarke Ingels’ Storm Protection System New Jersey’s Oldest and Largest Frank Lloyd Wright House Listed for $2.2M Rare Opportunity to Apply […]

July 9, 2016

Win a Pass to the NYT’s Cities for Tomorrow Conference (Worth $950)

Join the world’s leading urban-thinkers for the New York Times’ 3rd annual Cities for Tomorrow conference. 6sqft has teamed up with the Times to give one lucky reader a free pass (worth $950!) to the event happening July 18-19th in Midtown Manhattan. This year’s talks are centered on identifying and dissecting the best ideas that lead to flourishing cities. Speakers on the […]

July 8, 2016

Actress Lake Bell Lists Clinton Hill Townhouse for Double What She Paid

Back in 2013, just a few months before they tied the knot, actress Lake Bell and tattoo artist to the stars Scott Campbell dropped $1.55 million on a quaint Clinton Hill townhouse. Three years and one baby later, they've listed the home at 119 Vanderbilt Avenue for $3 million, double what they previously paid. Located in the Wallabout Historic District, the four-story home was built in 1850 and has been "customized from top to bottom." Bell and Campbell have configured it as a single-family residence--complete with historic details like a wood-burning fireplace, original marble mantles, custom engraved oak floors, panel molding, and antique lighting--but it's a legal two-family duplex.
Check it out
July 8, 2016

Apply For Affordable Condos at Harlem’s Circa Central Park, Starting at $225,000

Circa Central Park, Harlem’s most anticipated condominium project is currently is offering ten lucky households a chance to buy an affordable new unit within the high-end, curving building. Crescent 110 Equities is spearheading the lottery program, and occupancy of the development is set to begin in 2017. The available apartments range from $225, 294 studios to $381,105 two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
July 8, 2016

Airbnb Pulls 2,233 Listings Ahead of Illegal Hotel Ad Law

Increasingly the subject of criticism from state legislators and advocacy groups, Airbnb reported Thursday that it had removed 2,223 more listings from the site that may have been illegal hotels under the current law, according to the New York Post. Governor Cuomo may soon sign a bill that would make it illegal to advertise these listings–i.e. those available for fewer than 30 days in buildings with more than three units where the original tenant isn’t present–in deference to claims that these illegal hotels are removing much-needed stock from the pool of available housing for those who need it. 6sqft recently cited a new report claiming that 56 percent of the company's New York City listings were illegal.
Why did all those listings get booted?
July 8, 2016

$995K Bed-Stuy Loft Boasts Custom Closet and Reclaimed Wood Staircase

689 Myrtle Avenue in Bed-Stuy is known as the Chocolate Factory Lofts as this warehouse building was formerly home to the Chocoline Chocolate Factory. Today there are 45 loft apartments in the building, and this one stands out from the rest--at least according to the listing. The one-bedroom pad is decked out with custom, one-of-a-kind details, like a curved, iron and reclaimed wood staircase and a hand-built five section "disappearing" closet. (In that it's storage space that blends right in with the apartment.) This quirky loft has just hit the market for a hair under $1 million.
Take a look around
July 8, 2016

Take to the Seas on a Frank Gehry-Designed Yacht for $100K

In between designing international museums and giving journalists the finger, Frank Gehry likes to unwind at sea. The lifelong yachtsman just last year designed a 74-foot wooden sailboat alongside naval architect Germán Frers for real estate bigwig Richard Cohen. While the yacht has thus far been reserved for Cohen's private use, according to Gehry in an interview with Sotheby's (h/t LLNYC), another wealthy seafarer can now raise its sails for a mere $100,000.
more details here
July 8, 2016

TBD Design Studio Converted a 19th Century Williamsburg Firehouse Into a Live/Work Haven

When a photographer recently bought this 19th century firehouse in Williamsburg, its interior was in a complete state of disrepair, though the historic facade was intact. To transform it into a live/work home, the owner brought on Josh Weiselberg and Selin Semaan of TBD Architecture + Design Studio, who turned the garage into a ground-floor photo studio and gallery, created a second-floor residence, and added a rooftop penthouse, lounge, and terrace (h/t designboom). The result is an open and airy haven that's sensitive to the original firehouse, but is also functional for its modern use.
See the entire home
July 8, 2016

Go Glamping in a Geodesic Dome on a Catskills Farm for $350/Night

Looking for an upstate weekend getaway, but don't want to deal with the mosquitoes and unpredictable weather that often go with traditional camping? This geodesic dome in the Catskills promises to be an "incredible glamping space," and its funky design and foodie-focused community only sweeten the deal. Available on Airbnb for $350/night, the dome is located on a farm in Sullivan County. It has wooden floors and screened-in windows, but you'll need to BYObed if you have more than two guests. There's also outdoor double hot showers, a sink, and a clawfoot tub, as well as a full outdoor kitchen with a grill, fridge, sink, and fire pit.
Get the full experience
July 8, 2016

Spotlight: Alex Gomberg Keeps Up the Tradition at 63-Year-Old Brooklyn Seltzer Boys

When Alex Gomberg says "I have seltzer in my blood,” he's not referring to the quantity of seltzer he drinks, but rather describing how deep the seltzer tradition runs in his family. It began in 1953 with his great-grandfather, Moe Gomberg, who opened up Gomberg Seltzer Works, a seltzer bottling plant in Brooklyn. The term seltzer man may be new to some, but it refers to someone who delivers seltzer in glass bottles right to your door; no supermarket needed. Over the years, seltzer delivery went out of favor and the family business, currently run by Alex’s father Kenny Gomberg and uncle Irv Resnick, continued to bottle for others, but was no longer doing delivery routes themselves. Four years ago, Alex joined Gomberg Seltzer Works and felt strongly that company should return to its delivery roots. He helped developed a delivery branch, aptly named Brooklyn Seltzer Boys, and today, Alex is well on his way to becoming many New Yorkers’ 21st century seltzer man. His idea of returning to delivery service was right on the mark as the company is benefitting from a myriad of factors including nostalgia, a focus on curated, well made items, and the popularity of home delivery. 6sqft recently spoke with Alex to find out about Gomberg’s seltzer, what it’s like to be a seltzer man, and how he's bringing seltzer delivery back to New York.
Read the full interview here
July 8, 2016

Friday Five: 5 Buildings in the Heart of Brooklyn Offering Free Rent

Rental deals have become increasingly tough to find but they're most definitely still out there. Starting today, every Friday 6sqft is rounding up five of the best deals showcased on CityRealty's newly launched no-fee rental offers page, where NYC house hunters can find the latest and most generous concessions being offered by landlords across the city. This week, we've culled five fabulous buildings in prime Brooklyn that are currently offering FREE RENT on new leases. Among the offers ahead, check out a newly renovated two-bedroom with yard in pretty Carroll Gardens offering a month rent-free on an already reasonable $2,700/month price tag.
Check them out here
July 7, 2016

Rare Opportunity to Apply for New Upscale Condos in Clinton Hill, Priced From $156,000

Here's your rare opportunity to purchase a NYC condominium in an upscale building for a fraction of market-rate prices. The developers of Clinton Hill's under-construction condo Waverly Brooklyn are now accepting applications for 11 subsidized homes priced as low as $156,444. Qualified applicants have a chance to purchase the deal of a lifetime with studio, one- and two-bedroom homes priced 86-percent below the neighborhood's market-rate medians. The condos are available to households earning between $32,617 to $48,923.
More details ahead
July 7, 2016

New Jersey’s Oldest and Largest Frank Lloyd Wright House Listed for $2.2M

During his prolific career, Frank Lloyd Wright built four houses in the Garden State, the first and largest being the 2,000-square-foot James B. Christie House in Bernardsville, which dates to 1940. At the time, Wright, who coined the term "organic architecture," told his client to find a site with "as much individuality as to topography and features—stream, trees, etc. and as much freedom from adjacent buildings as is possible." Christie obliged, and the resulting home sits on seven acres of secluded woodland. For the physical architecture, Wright employed his Usonian principles of simplicity, practicality, and a connection to nature. As Curbed reports, after selling in 2014 to a private buyer for $1,700,000, the Christie House is now on the market for $2.2 million after receiving a new roof and heating system.
Tour the property
July 7, 2016

Find Out if a Building Has Rats Using the City’s Interactive Map

From the fine folks at the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene comes this most informative interactive map of the five boroughs that tells you whether you'll need to keep an eye on your pizza. The Rat Information Portal (RIP) gives you the facts about rats in NYC—where they are and what you can do about them. You can search the city, building by building—handy if you're thinking of renting or buying an apartment—to get the 411 on potential pest problems of the furry kind.
Let's find some rats
July 7, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week- 7/7-7/13

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! July is heating up in the art world (and on the thermometer!). Take the month to check out my curatorial debut with Times Square Arts every night on the ad screens, head to City Hall Park to enjoy a new sculpture series, and definitely be sure to frolic in the balloon room by Martin Creed at the Park Avenue Armory. Check out the 1920s Chinese screen siren Ruan Lingyu in a film set to a live score by Gary Lucas, or head outdoors for a screening of April and the Extraordinary World in Riverside Park. Head to the Bronx for an all-female show at Wall Works Gallery, or if you're in the Hamptons, spend a day at Market Art and Design at the Bridgehampton Museum.
More on all the best events this way
July 7, 2016

Manhattan View Condo Launches Full Website, Touting Luxury Amenities and Far-Reaching Views

Co-developers Kuafu Properties and SCG America have fully launched their website marketing 151 Jamie Drake-designed condos called Manhattan View. For those in search of an upscale home in Midtown West, it's unlikely that Manhattan View can escape your radar for long. The residences are perched on 13 floors atop the Arquitectonica-designed MiMA Tower at 460 West 42nd Street, and the exclusive collection of apartments will provide richly appointed amenities and far-reaching views of the city and waterways. The new website leads with a fun and quirky film of the building that tours its apartments and amenities and grants a view of the lifestyle it hopes to provide its residents.
More details and the full video ahead
July 7, 2016

Conserve and Reuse Pre-Shower Water With Aguawell

On days like today, a cold shower is often the only way to cool down, but this overindulgence can get quite wasteful, especially if you're guilty of letting the shower run before hopping in. In fact, designboom tells us that those moments of adjusting the temperature can add up to 12 liters of lost water per minute. That's where Aguawell comes in. The simple, practical unit catches clean water before it hits the drain, so you can then use it for everything from watering plants to keeping pets hydrated.
Find out more
July 7, 2016

$15,000/Month Firehouse Offers a Sprawling Live/Work Space in Williamsburg

Check out this 5,000-square-foot live/work space at 246 Frost Street, a former 19th century Williamsburg firehouse. While the historic facade remains intact, the interior has pretty much been transformed into a lofty, two-floor apartment with plenty of exposed brick to go around. And it's full of bonus space: a finished basement, an extra sleeping loft, a deck, parking garage, recording studio and fully-functioning dark room. For all that, it'll cost a cool $15,000 a month.
Take a look
July 7, 2016

Flirt, Frolic and Shower Outside at This Indulgent $1.5M Village Co-op

When a listing is advertised as having a "Soho House meets The Standard Hotel design motif,” we already know who the target audience is. But just to be sure, an accompanying video features a pair of bed-headed hotties–one of whom is the listing broker–who would look right at home at either of those establishments as they frolic about the apartment in a steamy state. The smitten pair caress the home's custom fixtures and invite the viewer to imagine a puzzlingly effort-free existence in this chic $1.495 million sixth-floor co-op at 303 Mercer Street's Snug Harbor.
They're gonna need that central air...
July 6, 2016

NYC May Get a Big Ugly Wall Instead of Bjarke Ingels’ Storm Protection System

"Not only is New York City going to build the cheapest, ugliest version of the big dumb wall, there’s a very good possibility that it won’t even be big enough." According to a recent Rolling Stone article titled "Can New York Be Saved in the Era of Global Warming?" the level of storm protection put in place to protect the city from future superstorms may fall short of the elegant solution that was originally promised. According to the story, the city funded a proposal–Danish firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)'s winning submission in the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Rebuild by Design contest–that involved a 10-mile barrier system that would protect Lower Manhattan from the ruinous effects of storm surges and sea-level rise. Called the Big U, the $540 million infrastructure project would be designed to contain parks and public spaces. But because of cost issues, the project may not materialize as planned.
Find out how the proposal may have changed
July 6, 2016

The History of Bowery Bay Beach, the ‘Coney Island of Queens’

This past holiday weekend, New Yorkers flocked to Coney Island for the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, the fireworks display, and to enjoy the beach and boardwalk. For some, though, traveling all the way out to the end of Brooklyn with beach chairs and coolers is daunting, which is why it's sad to learn that back in the 19th century, there was another amusement destination in the city, at the site of present-day LaGuardia Airport. Bowery Bay Beach (later named North Beach) opened in 1886 on the shores of Bowery and Flushing Bays. Built by noted piano manufacturer William Steinway in partnership with brewer George Ehret, it included beaches, swimming pavilions, a huge beer hall, zoo, and the Gala Amusement Park. At one time it was more popular than the parks in Brooklyn, earning it the moniker "the Coney Island of Queens."
So what happened?
July 6, 2016

LES Residents Propose Turning Lowline Site Into a Bus Depot During L Train Shutdown

There's been no lack of ideas for how to deal with the impending L train shutdown, from realistic proposals like the East River Skyway to some more out-there concepts like a giant inflatable tunnel. The latest suggestion was presented at a recent public meeting between the MTA and Manhattan's Community Board 3. DNAinfo reports that local residents discussed taking the old underground trolley station at Delancey and Essex Streets (the same site that's been long proposed for the Lowline) and turning it into a transportation hub for the B39 bus that operates between Williamsburg and the Lower East Side.
Find out more
July 6, 2016

Hello Albermarle’s ‘Avant-Garde-on-a-Budget’ Condos Take Flight in Flatbush

Hello Living is extending their Bauhaus-inspired magic deeper into Brooklyn with their latest project Hello Albermarle. It rises from a former parking lot located near the renewed Loew’s Kings Theatre and another upcoming high-rise development by the firm Hello Nostrand. Now having ascended four floors out of its concrete pit, the 44-unit condominium tower will ultimately tower 12 stories and 140 feet over its cozy Flatbush community.
More info ahead
July 6, 2016

Playful Moiré Lights Reveal Magical Patterns As They Rotate

Transform your space from stuffy to spectacular with one of these mesmerizing Moiré Lights by designer David Derksen. This artsy yet functional piece takes lighting to a new level by using perforated discs to create a lamp that projects moving patterns as it rotates and glows. As you may have guessed by the name, the hypnotic visage of each lamp is inspired by the Moiré effect.
Learn more about this magical lamp

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