Car company MINI creates stylish, micro co-living concept
August 19, 2016

Car company MINI creates stylish, micro co-living concept

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Automotive manufacturer MINI began as a solution to a global oil crisis, and now the company is looking to address another major issue--a lack of attractive, affordable housing in urban settings. Not surprisingly, they've turned to a micro version of co-living. Called MINI LIVING, the installation showcases 323-square-foot apartments with fold-out shelving units that serve multiple purposes and blur the lines behind public and private in what they're calling a larger "micro-neighborhood."
Take a look around the space
‘Game of Thrones’ star Michiel Huisman conquers $2.2M Flatiron loft
August 19, 2016

‘Game of Thrones’ star Michiel Huisman conquers $2.2M Flatiron loft

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Dutch actor Michiel Huisman, well-known for his role as rugged lover/fighter Daario Naharis on HBO's "Game of Thrones," has purchased a big, sunny corner loft in the Macintyre Building at 874 Broadway in the Flatiron district for $2.2 million, according to Luxury Listings and city records. Like the character Huisman portrays, the two-level loft is charmingly rough at the edges yet undoubtedly handsome.
See the loft from more angles
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen sell stylish Nolita pad for $4M
August 19, 2016

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen sell stylish Nolita pad for $4M

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It's been 16 months since John Legend and Chrissy Teigen listed their uber-stylish Nolita loft for $4.5 million, and four months since they welcomed their baby daughter Luna into the world, and now the power couple is free to find a new family-friendly home as the Observer reports that their apartment has sold for $3.995 million. The couple purchased the apartment in 2012 for $2.5 million after selling their East Village condo at 52 East 4th Street for $2.7 million. They enlisted Don Stewart of Los Angeles–based firm Desiderata Design to complete the "dark, moody atmosphere," which is an attractive combo of cozy, industrial, and eclectic. Some of the unique design elements, in addition to the requisite piano nook, are a reclaimed wood wall, an Asian-inspired green silk bed spread, and a 19th century gilded leather screen on a bedroom wall.
Ogle more this way
‘Late Night’ host Seth Meyers nabs a Greenwich Village co-op for $7.5M
August 18, 2016

‘Late Night’ host Seth Meyers nabs a Greenwich Village co-op for $7.5M

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Funnyman Seth Meyers has just scored himself a sprawling duplex spread in Greenwich Village. According to city records released this afternoon, the comedian and his wife Alexi dropped $7.519M on the 3,200-square-foot co-op at 32 Washington Square West, a prewar construction that sits at the northwest corner of the beloved Washington Square Park. According to the listing, the apartment boasts five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, excellent light through its 26 windows, four exposures, two wood burning fireplaces, a chefs kitchen, a supersized living/dining room setup, and much much more. Incidentally, this apartment is no stranger to hosting A-list celebs. The home was previously owned by actress Mary Louise Parker—she sold the spacious pad for $7.75 million in 2013.
have a closer look inside
Stay in this demure off-grid cabin in the middle of the Catskills
August 18, 2016

Stay in this demure off-grid cabin in the middle of the Catskills

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This Catskills cabin is "glamping" at its finest—you're not quite roughing it, but you're still sleeping in the middle of the wilderness. The property, located on 20 acres that also holds a farm house, woods, meadow and two small ponds, is available for $120/night through Airbnb. The owners built this cabin to be totally off-grid: it's powered by solar lights, there's a composting toilet and a rain-water sink. It's a perfect escape for New Yorkers who'd like to unplug and unwind in the middle of nowhere.
Check out the property
VIDEO: The MTA tells all about dumping its subway cars in the Atlantic Ocean
August 18, 2016

VIDEO: The MTA tells all about dumping its subway cars in the Atlantic Ocean

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6sqft first learned about the MTA's interesting history of dumping old subway cars into the Atlantic Ocean through Stephen Mallon's insane photo series. The initiative began in late 2000 as a way to create artificial reefs and revive marine life along the Eastern seabed. Today, 2,400 cars now rest on the ocean floor in six states from New Jersey to Georgia, and we even got a peek inside them thanks to footage from novice divers at Express Water Sports, who lead scuba tours of the Bill Perry Reef system in Myrtle Beach, SC. Now, a video from the MTA itself (h/t Tracks) explains the history of the program, its financial viability, the environmental measures involved in the process, and some concerns about the reefs in the future.
Watch the full video here
Robert A.M. Stern’s 220 Central Park South now two-thirds erected
August 18, 2016

Robert A.M. Stern’s 220 Central Park South now two-thirds erected

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Robert A.M. Stern's latest Billionaires' Row blockbuster continues its rapid ascent into the sky. As CityRealty.com reports, 220 Central Park South (220 CPS) is now two-thirds of the way up, construction having knocked out about 600 feet of the tower's eventual 950-foot height. Application of the limestone cladding started in April and has thus far been installed across over one-third of the building. When finished in 2017, the two-winged skyscraper with its rare and direct Central Park South frontage will host 118 luxurious homes across 66 stories—and it will be one of the city's most expensive residences. Jump ahead to see more photos of all the work that's been completed.
More photos of the tower under construction here
LEESER Architecture dreams up an 80-story supertall for Downtown Brooklyn Macy’s site
August 18, 2016

LEESER Architecture dreams up an 80-story supertall for Downtown Brooklyn Macy’s site

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In April, initial details were released about Downtown Brooklyn's Macy's $100 million interior makeover, which included new columns, fluted ceilings, metal and glass entrance canopies, and video screens surrounding the escalators. This came after Tishman Speyer inked a $170 million deal with the department store in January, in which they'll remodel the 11-story Art Deco building's top five floors into offices. As part of the deal, Tishman also took control of the connecting Hoyt Street parking garage, a site that was speculated may give way to a supertall, mixed-use tower. Today, CityRealty.com posted a set of renderings from architecture firm LEESER showing a glassy tower rising from the existing department store. Although it is not the design being considered by Tishman Speyer, it does give us a taste of the type of modern development that could climb from the coveted DoBro address.
See more renderings
Kim and Kanye try to snag $30M Airbnb pad for free
August 18, 2016

Kim and Kanye try to snag $30M Airbnb pad for free

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Airbnb certainly doesn't mind giving celebs free lodgings; Kardashian satellites Kylie and Kendall Jenner recently stayed gratis in a Turks and Caicos villa hosted by the home share site in return for posting bikini-ed beach shots on social media, and now according to a report by the Post, Kim K. and hubby Kanye West have been in negotiations with the company to stay for $0 in a big-ticket Manhattan penthouse for several months this fall. A source at Airbnb told Page Six: “The plan would be for Kimye to live there for a few months for free, and Kim will post on social media about the apartment," with Airbnb picking up the tab for the listing.
Find out where they're looking

Distinctive Homes

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Cuomo wants to revive 421-a program with wage subsidies
August 18, 2016

Cuomo wants to revive 421-a program with wage subsidies

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One of the biggest snags in Mayor de Blasio's ambitious affordable housing plan (to add/preserve 200,000 such units over the next decade) has been his contention with Governor Cuomo over the city's 421-a program, which provides tax breaks for up to 25 years to new residential buildings that reserve at least 20 percent of units as affordable. The program expired in January, fueling concerns that permits for new rental units would drop as developers face skyrocketing land prices and be replaced with even more luxury condos. Now, after months of uncertainty, the Times reports that the Governor "has offered developers and union officials a wage subsidy for construction workers in the hopes of reviving [421-a]." His proposal was sent out as a single-page memo to residential developers on Tuesday night, presumably unbeknownst to de Blasio. Though it doesn't require union work force or prevailing wages, it does set a $65/hour minimum for projects south of 96th Street in Manhattan with 300 or more units and a $50/hour minimum for those of the same size along the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts, $15 of which will be paid for by the state. These projects will be required to set aside 25 to 30 percent of units as below-market rate rentals.
More details ahead
For $887K in Prospect Heights, Chilled Out ‘Fuzzy Nap Zones’ for Non-Celebrities
August 18, 2016

For $887K in Prospect Heights, Chilled Out ‘Fuzzy Nap Zones’ for Non-Celebrities

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6sqft covered celeb mom/lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow's infamous $14 million Tribeca loft with its luxurious lounge vibe and what she calls "fuzzy nap zones." Here in–arguably just as desirable–Prospect Heights, this surprisingly flexible two-plus-bedroom co-op at 130 Prospect Place is sun-filled and laid back, with plush chill-out zones of its own for a much less one percent-y price of $887,000. With 1,165 square feet of space, a brand new roof deck, and Prospect Park a few blocks away, this laid-back lair looks to be quite a catch.
Hang out, stay awhile
Prisma Coffeemaker Makes Cold Brew in Just 10 Minutes
August 17, 2016

Prisma Coffeemaker Makes Cold Brew in Just 10 Minutes

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Walk down any busy street in New York during the summer, and it seems like every other person is sipping an iced coffee. Over the past few years, the trend has shifted from the traditional cup of joe with some ice cubes to the more sophisticated cold brew, which is made by steeping grounds in cold or room temperature water for 12 to 24 hours to yield a more full-bodied, less-acidic coffee. Though tasty and a welcome caffeine boost, cold brew is often not the most economical (a regular-sized cup can easily set you back $5) and making your own can be an arduous task. This is where Prisma comes in (h/t Mental Floss). The cold brew coffeemaker from home appliance company FirstBuild can produce an entire carafe of the refreshing java in 10 minutes or less.
How do they do it?
Your First Look at 2016’s Open House New York Sites!
August 17, 2016

Your First Look at 2016’s Open House New York Sites!

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Here's a sneak peek at the more than 250 sites that have made it onto 2016's highly anticipated Open House New York Weekend (OHNY), a two-day festival where usually off limits buildings across the city's five boroughs open their doors to the public for tours, talks, and exploration. Now in its 14th year, OHNY has brought back a number of beloved locales to their roster, including the NY State Pavilion, the Brooklyn Army Terminal, City Hall and Google; they've also rounded up a number of brand-new spaces like the Metropolitan Opera House and the West Village's Westbeth Artists House. The full list won't be released for another few weeks, but we've got some of the highlights ahead.
More sites opening their doors this way
Connecticut Lighthouse up for Auction Could Be Transformed Into a Home
August 17, 2016

Connecticut Lighthouse up for Auction Could Be Transformed Into a Home

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There are just a select few opportunities to live in a lighthouse outside of New York City—$1.5 million could get you a red lighthouse upstate; $425,000 buys a lighthouse and tugboat in West Haven, CT. It's not everyday these properties come around, but the government is currently auctioning off six of its lighthouses and one, the Penfield Reefer Lighthouse, is located just 60 miles away from Midtown Manhattan.
It was built in the 1870s
How NJ Settled Donald Trump’s Casino Debt; Lineup Announced For Architecture and Design Film Festival
August 17, 2016

How NJ Settled Donald Trump’s Casino Debt; Lineup Announced For Architecture and Design Film Festival

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Investment firm bigwig Daren Metropoulos bought the Playboy mansion for $100 million, half the original asking price. [NYP] Tour this luxuriously sustainable new model apartment at Tribeca’s 60 White, which recycled 80 percent of its materials from the original structure. [Inhabitat] Donald Trump’s NJ casinos had a $30 million tax debt by 2010. But under Chris […]

POLL: Will the New York Wheel Revitalize Staten Island?
August 17, 2016

POLL: Will the New York Wheel Revitalize Staten Island?

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Though the New York Wheel got its first shipment of crane parts last month, its opening has been pushed back from late 2017 to April of 2018, reports DNAinfo. Construction on the $580 million Staten Island Ferris wheel is still on track to finish up next year, at which time it will resemble the renderings, but "the wheel requires rigorous testing and commissioning that must be conducted to the highest standards," said its CEO Rich Marin. This is not the first time the project has been delayed, and it's also been plagued by financial issues (it went $300 million over budget) and legal battles, but the developers are still optimistic. In fact, they're projecting that the attraction will be more lucrative than the Empire State Building’s observation deck and bring in more than four million visitors during its first year. But is a giant Ferris wheel enough to revitalize an entire borough, especially the one that's for so many years been the black sheep of NYC?
Share your opinion
Excavation Work Begins at One Vanderbilt, Follow Its Progress on Instagram
August 17, 2016

Excavation Work Begins at One Vanderbilt, Follow Its Progress on Instagram

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Last week, a $1.1 billion lawsuit against One Vanderbilt was settled, giving the green light to the 1,401-foot project. Investors at Grand Central Terminal led the suit, claiming that the tower would divest them of the value of their air rights if developer SL Green was was allowed to proceed with construction as it was cleared to do under the controversial Midtown East Rezoning. Now that it's been dismissed, NY Yimby reports that excavation work is underway at the site of Midtown's future tallest tower, at the corner of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. And Curbed points out that architecture buffs can stay apprised of construction progress through the building's new Instagram page.
Check out some construction shots
Pitch a story icon Know of something cool happening in New York? Let us know:
Is NYC Really That Bike-Friendly?
August 17, 2016

Is NYC Really That Bike-Friendly?

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With CitiBike expanding deeper into NYC’s many neighborhoods and 70-plus miles of new and upgraded bike lanes added this year alone, it comes as no surprise that more and more New Yorkers are taking to the streets on two wheels. However, while things appear to be changing for the better, it may come as a surprise to many that when […]

Tenant Blacklists Stack the Deck Against Renters in an Already Unfair Equation

Image by Jorbasa Fotografie / Flickr 

August 17, 2016

Tenant Blacklists Stack the Deck Against Renters in an Already Unfair Equation

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In a tight market, landlord blacklists, where owners are called out for sleazy–or worse–practices may have little impact if renters are desperate to find living quarters. But at least they have a choice. The New York Times reports that “blacklists” containing names of tenants who have run afoul of landlords in the past have created a bias against potential tenants to the point where the home-hunters–even those with stellar credit, a clean record and a perfectly good explanation–feel they have no chance of finding an apartment anytime soon. Going beyond background and credit checks, a database known to housing advocates and lawyers as the tenant blacklist provides prospective landlords throughout the country with a means to, as the Times puts it, "weed out risky tenants." The list, however, is filled with errors and cases in which, for example, tenants legally withheld rent due to unlivable conditions and later won their cases. But without explanation, the list can make renting an apartment an impossibility.
Is this even legal?
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber Swap Cute Amagansett Cottage for $5.4M Montauk Beachside Retreat
August 17, 2016

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber Swap Cute Amagansett Cottage for $5.4M Montauk Beachside Retreat

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The hot Hollywood couple may be downsizing as far as the number of bedrooms they'll have, but they’re getting ocean views from everywhere in the house. As 6sqft reported, Watts and Schreiber put their stylish six-bedroom Amagansett cottage on the market for $6 million back in December. Now, 27East reports they’ve purchased a four-bedroom house further out on the Island in boho-trendy Montauk. The 3,600-square-foot home, for which the award-winning actors paid $5.4 million, sits on a half-acre across the street from the beach and abuts a 100-acre nature preserve. Similar to their former retreat, there's a heated gunite pool and pool house, a chef’s kitchen and garage parking.
Take a look inside this elegant beach house
Babe Ruth’s Former UWS Apartment Sells to ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Actress
August 16, 2016

Babe Ruth’s Former UWS Apartment Sells to ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Actress

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Though this Upper West Side apartment doesn't look like much, it's certainly racking up the celebrity accolades. At the end of his career, from 1929 to 1940, Babe Ruth and his family owned the entire seventh floor at 345 West 88th Street. At the time it boasted 11 rooms, but it's since been divided into two units. One unit, 7B, hit the market for $1,595,000 last August; the other, 7F, listed in February for $1,175,000. According to the Observer, the latter has sold for $1,130,000 to former "How I Met Your Mother" actress Ashley Williams and her husband, producer Neal Dodson.
See the full apartment
VIDEO: Watch One of NYC’s Largest Trees Get Taken Down and Turned Into Lumber
August 16, 2016

VIDEO: Watch One of NYC’s Largest Trees Get Taken Down and Turned Into Lumber

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When the Parks Department recently declared one of the city's largest trees dead (and therefore dangerous to those walking by), they turned to the experts at RE-CO BKLYN, a Ridgewood-based company that reclaims fallen NYC trees and produces live edge slabs and custom furniture. The circa 1870 European Elm tree lived in Prospect Park and was 75 feet high and more than seven feet in diameter with 18- and 24-inch limbs that were starting to break off in extreme weather events. But instead of simply ripping the tree up and dumping it in a landfill, Andrew Ullman, Brooklyn’s Director of Forestry, decided to enlist RE-CO to mill it and turn it into dry lumber that will be used to create a custom conference table for the NYC Parks Prospect Park offices.
Watch the full video here
3D-Printed Replica of Syria’s Lost Palmyra Arch Arrives Next Month; NYC’s Most Beautiful Streets
August 16, 2016

3D-Printed Replica of Syria’s Lost Palmyra Arch Arrives Next Month; NYC’s Most Beautiful Streets

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The most beautiful streets in the city. [Thrillist] A 12-ton, 3D-printed replica of Syria’s Arch of Palmyra (destroyed last fall) is coming from London to Manhattan on September 19th. The location has yet to be determined. [Untapped] The World Trade Center Mall opens today! [NYP] The city’s Economic Development Corporation set aside $10 million for “emerging” real estate […]

Where I Work: Tour Brooklyn wallpaper company Flavor Paper’s fun and futuristic ‘lair’
August 16, 2016

Where I Work: Tour Brooklyn wallpaper company Flavor Paper’s fun and futuristic ‘lair’

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6sqft’s series “Where I Work” takes us into the studios, offices, and off-beat workspaces of New Yorkers across the city. In this installment, we take a tour of the Cobble Hill studio of colorful wallpaper company Flavor Paper. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! Nestled among the charming streets and quaint rowhouses of Cobble Hill is the headquarters of a wallpaper company that's taken the art to a completely new level. Flavor Paper was founded in 2003 in New Orleans before moving to Brooklyn nine years ago. What started out as an attempt to salvage old equipment from a hand-screened wallpaper company on the Oregon coast has morphed into an internationally recognized brand--known for its bright colors, bold patterns, and plain-old fun aesthetic--with over 156 designs and collaborations with the likes of Lenny Kravitz and the Andy Warhol Foundation. 6sqft recently toured what the company calls their "Flavor Lair" (it houses their production facilities, offices and showroom) and chatted with founder Jon Sherman about what sets Flavor Paper apart from other wallpaper manufacturers, why he calls Brooklyn home, and the backstory on some of the most popular designs. We also got a sneak peak into Jon's personal home, a sexy abode located above the Skylab Architecture-designed Lair.
Take the tour this way
City Says Yes to Bronx Complex, No to Flatiron Site for Affordable Housing Plan
August 16, 2016

City Says Yes to Bronx Complex, No to Flatiron Site for Affordable Housing Plan

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The New York City Planning Commission has voted to approve a boutique condominium project on Manhattan's west side without the mayor's new Mandatory Inclusionary Housing plan in place, the New York Times reports; a much larger development in the Bronx also got the green light, and will be among the first to be included in the new affordable housing program. 6sqft reported previously on the controversy over whether a 17-story condominium slated to replace a parking lot and two low rise buildings at 6th Avenue at West 18th should be among the first recipients of the mayor’s new mandatory inclusionary housing (M.I.H.) program. Both the city and the project's developers, Acuity Capital Partners, made the argument that the proposed project is “more of a rejiggering of the zoning than an enlargement,” and therefore does not fall under the M.I.H. rules.
Find out more
Harriet the Spy’s $5M Upper East Side Townhouse Finds a Buyer
August 16, 2016

Harriet the Spy’s $5M Upper East Side Townhouse Finds a Buyer

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In May, the Queen Anne-style townhouse said to have inspired the fictional Upper East Side home of "Harriet the Spy" hit the market for the first time in 70 years, asking $4.95 million. And in less than three months it's already entered entered contract, reports Curbed. Author Louise Fitzhugh lived on 85th Street, so it's no surprise that this gorgeous 1880s property at 558 East 87th Street sparked her creative juices. Located on the corner of a quiet and leafy Yorkville block in the Henderson Place Historic District, the 3,000-square-foot stunner overlooks Gracie Mansion, Carl Schurz Park, and the East River, "the perfect setting to get into covert shenanigans, à la Harriet," as 6sqft previously quipped.
See the whole place

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Flexible West Village Co-op Has Lots of Outdoor Space and a Bit of Mid-Century Charm
August 16, 2016

Flexible West Village Co-op Has Lots of Outdoor Space and a Bit of Mid-Century Charm

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This furnished co-op at 256 West 10th Street offers flexible lease terms, but the attractive, understated West Village apartment is flexible in other ways–and even manages to throw a few curves. On the rental market for $12,500 a month, the unusual home's three bedrooms–one in an enclosed loft–are joined by a small office/study, and adventurous architectural details add more space for living between rooms. The 1,600-square-foot Hudson Mews apartment's steep rent is undoubtedly based on its location behind a gated courtyard on a block where the streets toss off their rigid grid and boast some of the city's finest restaurants, shops and historic buildings. The enviable landscaped private courtyard and lushly planted roof deck won't send anyone running, either.
See more of this off-the-grid co-op
Ruggie: An Alarm Clock-Rug That Only Stops Buzzing if You Step on It
August 15, 2016

Ruggie: An Alarm Clock-Rug That Only Stops Buzzing if You Step on It

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Tired of sleeping through the snooze every morning, hitting the button over and over again to only wake up sleepier? Then you might want to consider Ruggie, an efficient alarm clock-rug by Winson Tam that will only stop buzzing if you actually get out of bed and step firmly on it. And to help ease the pain of leaving the warmth of the covers, it will then play daily motivational quotes, setting a positive mood for the day.
Learn more about this clever alarm
Hudson Heights’ Famed Cliffside ‘Pumpkin House’ Returns for $5.3M
August 15, 2016

Hudson Heights’ Famed Cliffside ‘Pumpkin House’ Returns for $5.3M

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So titled for its window pattern that resembles a jack-o'-lantern (especially when lit up at night), this funky home in Hudson Heights has long been a hot topic in the real estate scene thanks to its unusual location extending over a cliff near the highest point in Manhattan, just north of the George Washington Bridge. Built around 1925, the 17-foot-wide brick house was purchased in 2000 for $1.1 million by interior decorator William Spink. After doing a good deal of structural renovation, he listed it for $3.45 million in 2005, but after failing to sell, tried again in 2010 for $3.9 million. It sold the following year and is now back on the market asking $5.25 million.
Take a look around and learn more about the Pumpkin House's history
$700K Greenwich Village Studio Fits Maximum Storage Into 500 Square Feet
August 15, 2016

$700K Greenwich Village Studio Fits Maximum Storage Into 500 Square Feet

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This studio loft at 23 Waverly Place in Greenwich Village may only be 500 square feet, but it's been designed for maximum storage potential. (This may be one of the few studios out there that boasts both a spacious kitchen and walk-in closet.) An architect has also modernized the prewar apartment, transforming it into a more modern and sleek space. Post renovation, it's now on the market for $699,000.
Take a look
The Evolution of Greenpoint: From Oil and Sewage to Gentrification
August 15, 2016

The Evolution of Greenpoint: From Oil and Sewage to Gentrification

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Since Greenpoint started to attract displaced Manhattanites in the early 1990s, the cost of renting in the neighborhood and nearby Williamsburg has shot up a staggering 78.7 percent. According to a 2015 study published by NYU’s Furman Center, Greenpoint/Williamsburg is the most rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in New York City. What many newcomers don’t realize is that […]

Live on the High Line for $596/Month, Lottery Launching for 75 Units at New West Chelsea Tower
August 15, 2016

Live on the High Line for $596/Month, Lottery Launching for 75 Units at New West Chelsea Tower

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As 6sqft reported last summer, "To provide a gradual transition from mid-rise West Chelsea to the enormous skyscrapers planned for the Far West Side, the Bloomberg administration in 2005 allowed more generous zoning between West 28th and 30th Streets along Tenth and Eleventh avenues." One of the projects that took advantage of this upzoning was what's now being called Maestro West Chelsea, a 35-story, 220-unit, mixed-use tower at 323 Tenth Avenue (the tallest in the neighborhood) and its two adjoining 13-story buildings at 507 West 28th Street, which are providing an additional 155 units. The two portions are on either ends of the High Line and were designed by Avinash K. Malhotra Architects. Starting tomorrow, qualifying New Yorkers earning 40 or 50 percent of the area media income have the chance to apply for 75 affordable units in the buildings. They range from $596/month studios to $979/month two-bedrooms, and amenities include an attended lobby, recreation room, roof deck, fitness center, and parking (not to mention a much-sought-after location on one of the city's biggest outdoor attractions).
Find out if you qualify here
Food Network’s Ina Garten Buys Former House & Garden Editor’s Park Avenue Pad for $4.65M
August 15, 2016

Food Network’s Ina Garten Buys Former House & Garden Editor’s Park Avenue Pad for $4.65M

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In November 6sqft featured the Upper East Side co-op at 563 Park Avenue listed by Nancy Novogrod, former editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure magazine and Condé Nast’s House & Garden, and her husband, John, noting the just-right decor and roll-up-your-sleeves renovated kitchen. The Observer reports that sleeves will indeed be rolled up in the marble-topped chef's paradise, as Food Network's Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten and her husband, Yale University dean emeritus, Jeffrey, have purchased the two-bedroom home for $4.65 million.
Take another look at the couple's new Park Avenue pied a terre
Design Firm Décor Aid Helps a Soho Couple Turn an Outdated Duplex Into a Modern Multitasking Home
August 14, 2016

Design Firm Décor Aid Helps a Soho Couple Turn an Outdated Duplex Into a Modern Multitasking Home

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While the company's name might sound like a designers' fund-raising rock concert, the method offered by design firm Décor Aid simplifies renovation and redecorating for clients like the Soho resident who needed to hit refresh on the downtown Manhattan apartment that serves so many functions for himself and his girlfriend–and their four-legged companion. The stale duplex emerged as a stylish and user-friendly home base, office and entertaining space with the help of these savvy and straight-shooting design pros.
See more of the striking results
Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff
August 13, 2016

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks From the 6sqft Staff

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79 Affordable Units Up For Grabs in New Luxury Hell’s Kitchen Project, Starting at $913/Month Architecture Workshop’s 400-Square-Foot Studio Has a Secret Bedroom and Sleeps Six Live in SHoP’s American Copper Buildings for $833/Month, Lottery Launching for 160 Affordable Units New Renderings of Bjarke Ingels’ High Line Towers Show Crowns and Amenity Bridges Revealed: Kenneth […]

Friday 5: Beat the Heat at These Poolside Aeries Offering Free Rent

Every Friday 6sqft is rounding up five of the best rental deals showcased on CityRealty.com’s newly launched no-fee rentals page, a space where house hunters can find the best concessions being offered by landlords across the city.

August 12, 2016

Friday 5: Beat the Heat at These Poolside Aeries Offering Free Rent

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As we sizzle in this uncomfortable pocket of August air, many of us yearn for a picturesque beach or pool-side locale to cool off, but when a swim in the East River starts to look inviting, you know things are dire. Not to worry; for those looking to stay close to home, these premier rental buildings are outfitted with resident-only swimming pools accompanied by sun decks, resort-style amenities, and killer views. And with months of free rent embedded into leases, and thousands of newly available apartments on the market, this season could be your best chance to snag a home in one of these coveted buildings.
See all the deal this way
POLL: Will Amenity-Filled Skybridges Become a New Architectural Trend?
August 12, 2016

POLL: Will Amenity-Filled Skybridges Become a New Architectural Trend?

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When the SHoP Architects-designed American Copper Buildings were first revealed, it wasn't as much their twisting silhouettes that made headlines as it was their diagonal, amenity-filled skybridge. The three-story bridge, boasting a lap pool and lounge and topped with private terraces, is located 300 feet above the street, the highest such structure in the city and a new concept in enticing residents to the luxury market. And just this week, Bjarke Ingels unveiled new views of his High Line towers, which will feature two skybridges. Though they're much closer to the ground, they're also planned as amenity spaces, which makes us wonder--is this architectural feature set to become a new trend in NYC?
Share your opinion here
Triarch Uses Lipstick Hues and Gallery Walls to Meld Two Downtown Apartments
August 12, 2016

Triarch Uses Lipstick Hues and Gallery Walls to Meld Two Downtown Apartments

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At this Beekman Street residence, two small apartments had been combined into one large one by a previous owner. Architecture and design firm Triarch reworked the floor plan to better connect the apartment's series of separate rooms. The end result combines candy-coated pops of pink, red and purple, eye-popping art and contemporary finishes to make the home feel playful and creative, as well as livable.
See more of the interiors this way
Spotlight: Douglas Quint on How Big Gay Ice Cream Became a New York Foodie Phenomenon
August 12, 2016

Spotlight: Douglas Quint on How Big Gay Ice Cream Became a New York Foodie Phenomenon

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If you're walking on East 7th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A or in the West Village on 7th Avenue near Christopher Street and see a long line on the sidewalk coupled with smiling faces walking by with ice cream cones, you've found Big Gay Ice Cream. The two shops are places where ice cream is not scooped, but swirled, in offerings that have become famous not only for their imaginative ingredients, but their fabulous names. There's the Bea Arthur, named after the "Golden Girls" actress and activist, comprised of vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche and crushed 'nilla wafter; the Cococone with chocolate ice cream and toasted curry coconut; and perhaps their most well-known, the Salty Pimp, made up of vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt, and a chocolate dip. One of the visionaries behind Big Gay is Douglas Quint, who, along with Bryan Petroff, founded the business in 2009. While it started out as a summer experiment when the two opened an ice cream truck, it quickly developed into something much bigger (a third location recently opened in Philadelphia and the duo published a cookbook last year). 6sqft recently spoke with Douglas to discuss all the magic that takes place at Big Gay, including how the flavors come to be, their three locations, and the best time to stop by for a cone.
The full interview ahead
The Real Estate Loopholes That Let Donald Trump Look Penniless on Paper
August 12, 2016

The Real Estate Loopholes That Let Donald Trump Look Penniless on Paper

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As chatter surrounding Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's refusal to make his tax returns public grows louder, the New York Times explains what all the fuss is about, pointing out that while he's under no legal obligation to open up the books to public scrutiny, every presidential candidate has chosen to do so since Richard Nixon. Despite the hundreds of millions in gross revenue from his vast real estate holdings, there's a good chance that Trump has paid little–perhaps even zero–federal income tax in past years. The interesting point is that technically the candidate hasn't done anything "wrong," but rather is in the business of doing business, and that business is real estate. The opportunities that real estate can provide for the wealthy to legally avoid forking over the taxes that their incomes would otherwise dictate they pay are numerous, from hiding behind LLCs to swapping real estate purchases to avoid paying taxes.
Get the full scoop
Live in Riverdale’s Historic Fieldston Neighborhood For Just $1,230 a Month
August 12, 2016

Live in Riverdale’s Historic Fieldston Neighborhood For Just $1,230 a Month

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While the Bronx has been busting at the seams with affordable housing lotteries, most of them have been clustered in the southern areas of the borough. The latest, however, takes us up to the historic Fieldston neighborhood of Riverdale, considered one of the city’s best preserved early 20th century suburbs. These nine available units, $1,230/month one-bedrooms and $1,403/month two-bedrooms, may not be located in one of the area's signature revival style homes, but they are in a brand new building at 6155 Broadway, right on Van Cortlandt Park and steps away from the prestigious Horace Mann school.
See more interiors and find out if you qualify
Renderings Revealed for SHoP-Designed Interiors at the American Copper Buildings
August 11, 2016

Renderings Revealed for SHoP-Designed Interiors at the American Copper Buildings

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Today is the day for big reveals at the American Copper Buildings. Earlier, 6sqft broke the news that the affordable housing lottery for the project's low-income units will begin Monday (with homes ranging from $833/month studios to $1,247/month three-bedrooms), and now Curbed has shared the first interior renderings of the 761 apartments, as well as some additional amenity details. SHoP Architects, who designed the pair of dancing towers for JDS Development, are also responsible for the interiors, an unusual occurrence for the firm. They've outfitted the residences with 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, and custom-designed oak floors, kitchens, lighting, and shades.
Check out all the renderings
$4.4M ‘Eco-Luxurious’ Beach House in Amagansett Sits Next to a 216-Acre Nature Reserve
August 11, 2016

$4.4M ‘Eco-Luxurious’ Beach House in Amagansett Sits Next to a 216-Acre Nature Reserve

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The Hamptons is known for its incredible mansions, but this unique beach house was actually inspired by a simple barn. The architects, Studio Zung, reinterpreted the traditional wooden barns of the area to create this modern and luxurious property, which sits between the Atlantic Ocean and a sprawling nature reserve. One of the biggest design considerations was making the home eco-friendly, so it's outfitted with everything from salvaged pine beams to an eco-smart saline swimming pool. Dubbed Atelier 216, this drool-worthy property could be yours for $4.425 million.
Take a look around
The Success Story of Industry City as Told by Its Innovative Manufacturing Tenants
August 11, 2016

The Success Story of Industry City as Told by Its Innovative Manufacturing Tenants

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Industry City is a six million-square-foot, 30-acre industrial complex on the Sunset Park waterfront. Its 16 buildings made up the former Bush Terminal, a manufacturing, warehousing and distribution center that opened in 1895. After falling into disrepair over the past few decades, in 2013, a new ownership team led by Belvedere Capital and Jamestown began their $1 billion undertaking to update the complex while cultivating a diverse tenant mix that fuses today’s burgeoning innovation economy with traditional manufacturing and artisanal craft. Today, there are more than 4,500 people and 400 companies working in Industry City, and 6sqft recently paid a visit to four of them (a handbag designer, lighting designer, candle company, and chocolatier) to learn why the complex makes sense for their business and what unique opportunities it's afforded them. We also spoke with Industry City CEO Andrew Kimball about the unprecedented success of the complex and his visions for the future, as well as took a tour of the buildings and their wildly popular public amenity spaces such as the food hall, outdoor courtyards, and tenant lounge.
All this and more ahead
Live in SHoP’s American Copper Buildings for $833/Month, Lottery Launching for 160 Affordable Units
August 11, 2016

Live in SHoP’s American Copper Buildings for $833/Month, Lottery Launching for 160 Affordable Units

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One of the flashiest new residential projects on the horizon is the American Copper Buildings, the SHoP Architects-designed dancing towers along the East River that have become best known for their three-story, amenity-filled skybridge, the highest such structure in the city at 300 feet above street level. As 6sqft previously reported, when completed early next year, the shimmering buildings will offer 761 rental units, 20 percent of which will be earmarked for low-income households. This latter group of 160 apartments has now officially come online through the city's affordable housing lottery, ranging from $833/month studios to $1,247/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify here

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