September 3, 2015

Miraculously Unscathed by Time, This Historic Wooden UES Townhouse Seeks Tenants

Townhouses available for rent have a way of seeming decadent and dreamy, the perfect home for a collective of friends or a lucky city family. Their monthly bill is often but a dream for many as well, and this Upper East Side home asking $18,500 a month is no exception; the house itself, however, is quite exceptional. The amazingly preserved home at 120 East 92nd Street, as well as its neighbor at number 122, and a third, a block over at number 160, comprise a trio of wooden houses built between 1859 and 1871, before the city sprung up on all sides. This collection of dainty wooden houses presents an utterly charming shock of nostalgia amid the brick, stone and steel of Manhattan's Upper East. One of the last wood-frame houses to be built in Manhattan, the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission called 120 East 92nd "...a delightful surprise. Time and change have passed it by." But change, in this case, has been good: The three-story, four-bedroom home's longtime owners have renovated it for comfort and livability–and preserved it with the utmost care; it boasts every modern convenience while keeping its historic beauty.
Take a look inside this rare historic home
September 3, 2015

Get All Your Local Foodie News in This New Interactive Map

If you're a regular 6sqft reader you know that real estate and architecture news here in NYC moves at the speed of light. Projects change architects overnight; celebrities are constantly buying and selling their multi-million-dollar pads; and it seems like everyday there's a new development announcement. The gastronomy crowd can make the same claim, though, as restaurants constantly open and close, chefs come in and out, and the food of the moment goes from cronut to fried chicken sandwich in a matter of days. To help foodies stay up on their news, Blockfeed, a news app that uses geographic location to determine one's feed, has created the Food News in NYC map, a five-borough interactive platform that provides local food happenings (h/t DNAinfo). According to the site, "This map frees you to explore the last 60 days of food news in NYC, amounting to roughly 3,000 articles about new restaurants, festivals, pop-ups, nightlife, and more."
More on the map
September 3, 2015

Here’s How Many Calories You’ll Burn if You Walk, Jog, or Cycle Instead of Taking the Subway

Looking to shed a few pounds after all the summer cookouts and outdoor happy hours? Perhaps you should consider ditching the old Metrocard and traveling by foot or bicycle instead. To put into perspective just how fit this will get you, the folks over at Treated have calculated how many calories you'll burn by walking, jogging, and cycling between subway stops. As Curbed notes, the analysis provides calorie info for every single subway stop and also charts the longest stops, which unsurprisingly are mostly over bridges, and the shortest stops, mostly located in lower Manhattan.
See the full map and calorie charts here
September 3, 2015

BSC Architecture’s Graft House Stitches Together a Modern Upside Down Design

This rectangularly shaped house was originally built in the mid-1960s and is situated at the top of a natural knoll in Lloyd Neck, New York. The home's current design could be described as "upside down" since the private bedroom areas are located on the ground floor and the public areas above. Its recent renovation was completed in 2008 by BSC Architecture and was cleverly named the Graft House after their unique design approach.
Find out how this modern home came to be
September 3, 2015

Designer Wyatt Little Adds Wit and Whimsy to His Planters

Earlier today, we brought you the ten best plants for apartment dwellers. But now you need somewhere to put your greenery, and we love the idea of incorporating dry humor and edgy design into the items we select to decorate our homes. Wyatt Little, a Texas-based product designer, takes an unorthodox approach to design, using uncomfortable and unfortunate life experiences and translating them into physical products everybody can relate to. His planters range from shoes hanging on power lines to Slinkies, but they maintain an artistic beauty that would work well with any piece of greenery.
See more of these fun planters
September 3, 2015

VIDEO: What Ever Happened to This 1927 Parallel Parking Solution?

If you don't have the bucks to fork over for a parking garage, having a car in the city can be quite the debacle thanks to alternate side of the street parking, indecipherable street signs, and the wrath of the meter maid. There's also the challenge of physically getting into the parking spot, which usually requires several attempts at parallel parking. But this 1927 video shows a car with wheels that turn sideways, making urban parallel parking a no brainer.
Watch the video
September 3, 2015

Leaks and Alignment Issues Plaguing Atlantic Yards’ B2 Tower Were More Severe Than Reported

When it was announced that Brooklyn would be host to the world's tallest prefab tower, many believed that a new era of construction was upon us. Called the B2 Tower, the building would rise as stacked 32-story structure, affording all the perks of a conventional edifice, but be quick and inexpensive to build. But as it has been well-documented, the project, announced way back in 2012, has been a major flop. Stricken with delays and countless lawsuits flying left and right, the building today has only reached about half of its height. So where did things go so wrong? A fascinating piece by the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report's Norman Oder on City Limits provides some incredible insight into the project that has failed to deliver on just about every promise put forward.
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September 3, 2015

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

If you're staying in the city over this long Labor Day weekend, start September off right by giving in to your cultural lust. Head to Times Square to sample the newest art film for #MidnightMoment or kick off the reopening of galleries with DUMBO's first Thursday Gallery Walk of the season. Sample artist Boy Kong's museum-influenced show at Gitler and the Affordable Art Fair, or hit up one of the Metropolitan Opera's free screenings al fresco outside of Lincoln Center. You can also experience Washington Square Park as Jackson Pollock did with the annual outdoor art exhibition, and combine two things you never thought would mix at the Public Address Gallery: conceptual art and karaoke. And don't forget the long-standing multi-cultural tradition of the epic West Indian-American Day Carnival and Parade (bring feathers and glitter!).
All the best events to check out here
September 3, 2015

Village Green West, Alfa Development’s Chelsea Condominium, Nears Completion

The finishing touches are being applied to Alfa Development's environmentally sensitive and industrially evocative condominium Village Green West. According to CityRealty, only two if its 27 units are are currently up for grabs, with at least 18 already in contract. Alfa's 12-story mid-block building is centrally positioned at 245 West 14th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues at the crossroads of Chelsea, the West Village, and the Meatpacking District. The Michael Namer-led development team purchased the 5,200-square-foot development site in 2012 for $14.65 million.
More details on the project here
September 3, 2015

Four-Floor Stunner with a ‘Secret Garden’ Asks $11,000 a Month in Fort Greene

Here is Brooklyn brownstone living at its finest. The historic 1880s townhouse at 139 South Oxford Street, located in the very brownstone-heavy neighborhood of Fort Greene, is a good blend of historic details and modern conveniences. It's got a very special landscaped backyard, a renovated kitchen, and a staircase to die for. It's split up as a two-family home, and the upper four floors are now on the rental market asking $11,000 a month. That's nearly 3,000 square feet of living space, with four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, two half bathrooms and even additional basement storage! That's a lot of brownstone goodness right there.
See it all
September 2, 2015

Taylor Swift May Be the Reason Sir Ian McKellen Got Evicted From His Tribeca Apartment

Taylor Swift may have been named NYC's Global Welcome Ambassador, but she doesn't seem to be too welcoming to her neighbors at 155 Franklin Street in Tribeca. First, it was widely speculated that Orlando Bloom listed his apartment there just five months after moving in because of the pop princess's mobs of fans and "Girl Squad" activities (Bloom sold the apartment in less than a month). Now, actor Sir Ian McKellen is claiming that Swift had him evicted from the building, reports the Guardian.
Find out the whole story
September 2, 2015

Liza Minnelli Makes an $8.4M Sale on Her Upper East Side Apartment

And it is indeed all that jazz. Legendary actress and singer Liza Minnelli has just sold her co-op at the Imperial House at 150 East 69th Street, reports The Real Deal. City records filed yesterday afternoon show that the star struck an $8.372 million deal with New York socialites Robert Beyer and Loren Pack. The 21st floor showstopper was designed by Timothy Macdonald, who created a tranquil and versatile living environment for Minnelli that could easily be reconfigured for entertaining. The apartment's walls are also adorned with plenty of Broadway memorabilia and an incredible Andy Warhol tribute to her mother, Judy Garland.
more inside minnelli's home here
September 2, 2015

Get a Personalized Pattern by Punching Your Address Into This App

Nope, this isn't some kind of spam mail scheme. Called A Place to Departure, this incredible app harnesses the power of Google Maps and pairs it with a clever algorithm to generate a pattern, unique to you, based on your location. With results ranging from leafy designs to Rubik's cube-like motifs, you're likely to find yourself inputting your entire address book before you know it.
Find out more here
September 2, 2015

Giant LEGO Blocks Let You Build Anything from a Coffee Table to an Entire Room

We've seen our fair share of adult LEGO projects, including architecturally themed sets of blocks, a full scale model of New York City, and even an entire bedroom made of 20,000 of the colorful modules. But none of these endeavors have quite the versatility of EverBlock, giant LEGOs that can be used to build tables, chairs, walls, and even full rooms and structures. As the company explains, "Anything you've constructed can be taken apart and re-assembled again, and the pieces can be re-used to build other objects, making EverBlock a unique green building method."
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September 2, 2015

Bed-Stuy Brownstone With Its Historic Details Intact Asks $1.9 Million

The days of finding an affordable historic brownstone in Brooklyn are long gone. Today, brownstones–like this one at 348 Gates Avenue in Bed-Stuy–are priced into the millions. Because the home has much of its historic interior details intact, like mantles, high ceilings and the original hardwood floors, it's especially pricey for the neighborhood, with an asking price of $1.9 million. It's also in a convenient area of the neighborhood, bordering Clinton Hill and off the main drag of Franklin Avenue. So, will this brownstone achieve its high ask?
See more to decide
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September 2, 2015

Find Historic Brownstone Warmth and Manhattan Convenience at This Chelsea Duplex Rental

It's hard to resist historic brownstone interiors with their high ceilings, graceful plaster molding and tall townhouse windows. Living on two floors of a townhouse feels pretty much like you've got a whole house to yourselves. Throw in a wood-burning fireplace–and, even better, a tasteful renovation–and we can't imagine a better place to settle in and get ready for winter. Just one flight up, this gorgeous three-bedroom duplex at 322 West 20th Street is on the rental market for $9,800 a month; at 1,800 square feet, it's not house-sized, but it beats the average Manhattan apartment by a city mile–and many a sleek downtown duplex rents for as much or more.
Take a look inside this pretty brownstone apartment
September 2, 2015

VIDEO: Riding the Subway in the 1940s Wasn’t Much Different From Today

Here's a picture of the New York City subway–mobs of commuters crowding the platforms; train cars filled to the brim; passengers blocking the train doors; people walking while reading the paper, oblivious to their surroundings. Sounds like your commute this morning, right? But believe it or not, we're describing the subway from the 1940s. Unearthed today by Gothamist, this video from the New York Transit Museum archives shows just how little things have changed in the past 75 years.
Watch the video here
September 2, 2015

POLL: Would You Apply for an ‘Affordable’ $1,500/Month Studio in My Micro NY?

Yesterday, we reported that My Micro NY, the city’s first micro apartment complex, was accepting applications for its affordable units, which account for 22 of the building’s 55 studios. Located at 335 East 27th Street on the border of Gramercy and Kips Bay, the building has units that range in size from 260 to 360 square feet. One person […]

September 2, 2015

Karl Fischer-Designed Tower to Replace Beekman Place’s Piscane Seafood Building

Piscane Seafood, one of the oldest remaining fish markets in the city, closed this spring, and its humble 19th-century home at 940 First Avenue will be replaced by a 14-story residential building. According to permits filed with the city's Department of Buildings yesterday, the narrow 25-foot-wide lot will give rise to a 141-foot-tall tower developed by Brooklyn-based CS Real Estate Group and designed by the often-maligned architect Karl Fischer. The building will provide a commercial storefront at ground level and thirteen floor-through units above, likely condominiums.
More details ahead
September 1, 2015

NYC’s First Micro Apartment Complex Now Accepting Applications, Units $950/Month

We knew this day was quickly approaching; just a couple of months ago, we reported that My Micro NY (also known as Carmel Place), the city's first micro apartment complex, was fully stacked, reaching its 120-foot height at 335 East 27th Street on the border of Gramercy and Kips Bay. Now, Brick Underground reports that the $17 million development began accepting applications this morning for its 260- to 360-square-foot affordable studios. According to the site, the available units are "11 $950/month studios for one person earning between $34,526 and $48,350, or two people making between $34,526 and $55,250; and three $1,492/month studios for one person making between $53,109 and $78,650, or two people making between $53,109 and $89,830."
Find out how to apply here
September 1, 2015

Modern Two-Bedroom in Williamsburg Comes With a Dreamy Outdoor Space

If you're on the hunt for a modern condo unit (and aren't shopping on a strict budget), Williamsburg is one Brooklyn neighborhood that is full of them. Here's the top-floor unit at 317 South 4th Street, a boutique condo with four total units—a two-bedroom, two-bathroom on the market for $1.45 million. The floor-through apartment has all modern finishes, lots of glass, a private balcony and even a 700-square-foot roof garden.
See more of it
September 1, 2015

Live in the City’s First Crowdfunded Condo Tower; Staten Island Making Million Dollar Penthouse Sales

There’s a new app available that connects individuals with professional movers with half-empty trucks. [AT] Units at Manhattan’s first crowdfunded condo building will soon hit the market. [Bloomberg] Spike Lee officially unveiled Do The Right Thing Way in Bed-Stuy on Saturday. [BKPaper] Has Staten Island finally arrived? A slew of $1+ million sales reveal increasing interest […]

September 1, 2015

Fresh Futon From KARUP Is Fashionable, Functional and a Perfect Fit for Guests

Everybody wants to visit NYC, and as most New Yorkers know from firsthand experience, whether you like it or not, the couch often ends up being a crash pad for friends and family. That's why we love KARUP's Fresh Futon; not only does it provide a comfy place to relax after the daily grind, but it's also the perfect bed for out-of-town guests. Plus, unlike the futons you slept on in college, this one's actually stylish.
more on this fantastic design here
September 1, 2015

Loft Renovation in DUMBO’s Eagle Warehouse Building Is Playful and Strategic

This playfully decorated loft is located in DUMBO's landmarked Eagle Warehouse Building. Although the space has always been generous in square footage, prior to the renovation the original residence only had two small windows and very little natural light. To open up and brighten the home, Etelamaki Architecture removed the kitchen walls and introduced various design treatments to increase the presence of natural light and to define distinct functional spaces.
Check out the rest of the loft
September 1, 2015

Infographic: The Correlation Between Income and Access to NYC Public Transit

We already know that there are plenty of areas within the five boroughs that are underserved by public transportation, but a new visualization provides an interesting perspective on how this lack of service is related to income. The simple infographic by FiveThirtyEight shows how New Yorkers commute based on income and access to public transportation, revealing five broad categories that range from those with no good options at all to those who have their choice of Uber or public transportation.
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September 1, 2015

Building Permits Decline by 90 Percent Following Changes to the 421-a Program

Early last month, we reported that building permits were soaring to levels not seen since the 1960s. Now Crain's tells us that the trend has taken a sharp decline with permits plunging a whopping 90 percent from June. The numbers, which were pulled from the latest stats released by the U.S. Census Bureau, point to changes in the very generous tax breaks provided by the 421-a tax abatement program as the culprit.
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September 1, 2015

For $725K This One-Bedroom Chelsea Jewel-Box Is a Just-Right Downtown Dream

On a postcard-perfect tree-lined West Chelsea street, tucked among elegant, historic apartment buildings, this one-bedroom garden co-op at 433 West 24th Street has just what it takes to recharge and take refuge from the surrounding kaleidoscope of New York City life. The listing for this funky and fabulous flat offers no floor plan or square footage, but rooms appear well-designed to take advantage of the available living space–and look good doing it.
Tour the apartment here
August 31, 2015

The UWS Apartment Babe Ruth Once Called Home Is Selling for $1.595M

This apartment may not look like much, but baseball greatness once slept within its walls. The Upper West Side abode Babe Ruth called home at the end of his epic career is now on the market for $1.595 million. According to the Post, an open house held this weekend at the 345 West 88th Street address drew in over 50 people—a mix of folks looking buy, and surely those simply hoping for a glimpse into The Bambino's former digs.
More inside the Sultan of Swat's former home
August 31, 2015

Whimsical Map Colorfully Details 400+ New York Icons

A couple weeks ago we dug up a map from the 1950s that offered up a mind-boggling menagerie of all things New York. With over 300 points of interest hand-illustrated in painstaking detail, we found ourselves overtaken with with awe. Now, comes yet another marvelous map courtesy of Rafael Esquer, founder of Soho’s Alfalfa Studio. His stunning depiction—aptly named Iconic New York™— is made up of over 400 hand-drawn city icons. A labor of love, the piece took Esquer an incredible two-and-a-half years to complete.
more on iconic New York™ here
August 31, 2015

Dattner Architects’ Prismatic, Concrete Salt Shed Reveals Itself

Summer is coming to a close, and in a few months we'll be navigating the city's treacherous streets perfecting our penguin waddles and fine-tuning our black ice magna-vision. This winter season, downtown Manhattan residents may find a sliver of comfort knowing that the rock salt used to mitigate slippery streets will be stored in one of the most grandiose salt sheds on Earth. Recently unshrouded, the Department of Sanitation's 67-foot-tall Spring Street Salt Shed flaunts a prismatic concrete facade evoking the intriguing faceted forms of salt crystals. The award-winning design, crafted by the public works masters at Dattner Architects and WXY Architecture + Urban Design, comes with a sizable price tag of $10 million. The structure was crowned the "Taj Mahal of Salt" back in 2010, noting that it cost more than nine recently constructed city salt sheds combined. Nevertheless, even in its unpolished state, we have to admit this riverfront iceberg is pretty captivating. And despite its utilitarian use, its form is well-worthy of its prime Hudson Square locale.
More renderings and info right this way
August 31, 2015

BSC Architecture Simplifies a Park Slope Brownstone Redesign Through Subtraction

This 1899 Park Slope brownstone underwent an extensive renovation inspired by its new owners' desire to recreate their previous living space. Their former home was an airy, light-filled space with small private bedrooms adjacent to large communal areas, fostering a sense of family cohesion and intimacy. Unfortunately, their vision was contradictory to the existing Brooklyn structure. But these types of challenges can be a designer's greatest motivator, and the team from BSC Architecture took the test head on. Drawing inspiration from the words of Gordon Matta Clark, "a response to cosmetic design; completion through removal; completion through collapse; completion through emptiness,” the redesign was realized through a process of strategic removal.
More on this clever project here
August 31, 2015

The Most Tourist-Hating Cities; How New York is Your Bagel Order

New art piece atop Clinton Hill’s Broken Angel Condo pays tribute to the building’s history. [Brownstoner] City Comptroller Scott Stringer wants to make Stonewall Inn a national monument for its role in the modern LGBTQ movement. [NYP] A tweet-based comparison shows that residents of Arlington, Texas hate tourists more than New Yorkers. [CityLab] The gentrifier’s guide […]

August 31, 2015

Garden Floor Charm at this Boerum Hill Townhouse Rental, Asking $5,500 a Month

If you're in the market for a duplex rental apartment, you can't get any better than the parlor and the ground floor of a Brooklyn townhouse. For starters, you're getting lots of that historic interior charm, not to mention the big front windows and the high ceilings of the parlor floor. And with access to the garden floor comes with it access to the garden! This duplex rental, at 379 State Street in Boerum Hill, covers those very floors and yes, it has access to a private garden. It's now up for rent asking $5,500 a month.
See more
August 31, 2015

Revealed: Floor Plans and Pricing for Jean Nouvel’s MoMA Tower

After progress crept along for nearly ten years, Jean Nouvel's highly anticipated MoMA Tower, officially known as 53W53, is now inching closer to the finish line. A year ago we got a peak at unofficial penthouse floorplans, and the first interior renderings were revealed in February, followed by a pre-sales-launch video of the interiors in May. Now, the Post has uncovered floorplans and pricing for three of the units in the 1,050-foot, 82-story asymmetrical tower. They include a 3,846-square-foot, 55th-floor three-bedroom asking $21.7 million; a smaller 55th-floor three-bedroom for $14.42 million; and a 4,362-square-foot, 72nd-floor three-bedroom duplex going for $39.2 million.
More floorplans and pricing
August 31, 2015

A Price Cut for a Gated Mansion in Jamaica Estates, Queens

Yes, you can live in a 6,500-square-foot, five bedroom mansion right in New York City. It's here, at 184-15 Hovendon Road in Jamaica Estates, Queens. The neighborhood is known for its large plots and spacious freestanding homes, but this property takes it to the next level. Not only is it gated in, but the interior is awash in marble, coffered ceilings and Venetian plaster walls. It's got a new asking price since it first hit the market last year, with a price chop down from $3.488 million to $3.388 million.
Check out this interior
August 29, 2015

August’s 10 Most-Read Stories and This Week’s Features

August’s 10 Most-Read Stories NeighborhoodX’s 3D Map Reveals the Blocks Where Real Estate Prices Are Soaring Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Nabs $18.5M Trump Tower Loft Supermodel and Daughter of Zipcar Founder, Cameron Russell Scoops Up a $1.5M Bed-Stuy Townhouse See NYC’s Subway Lines Superimposed Over an Aerial Photo of the City Construction Kicks Off at […]

August 28, 2015

New Yorker Spotlight: Courtside at the Century-Old West Side Tennis Club With Roland Meier and Bob Ingersole

With the U.S. Open starting on Monday, tennis fever is once again sweeping across the city. Over the next two weeks, thousands of New Yorkers will hop on the 7 train or the Long Island Rail Road to watch the likes of Roger Federer and Serena Williams play in Flushing Meadows at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. However, prior to 1978, tennis players and fans found themselves playing and cheering at a different venue: The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills. The West Side Tennis Club was the former home of the U.S. Open. Founded in 1892 in Manhattan, the club moved to Forest Hills in 1913, where it played host to many great moments in tennis history. Following the U.S. Open's relocation, The West Side Tennis Club faced a number of challenges and retreated from the spotlight. But after years under the radar, the club's president Roland Meier and tennis director Bob Ingersole are helping The West Side Tennis Club re-emerge as a major player on the tennis scene. We recently spoke with Roland and Bob to learn how history and modernity mix in Forest Hills.
Read our interview with the pair here
August 28, 2015

Want to Dine Al Fresco Tonight? This Interactive Map Shows All 1,357 Sidewalk Cafés in NYC

This time of year, who wants to eat inside? New Yorkers are constantly on the hunt for a great al fresco restaurant where they can snag a table and enjoy the warm weather and people watch. And with this handy new map from the city, picking a spot just got a whole lot easier. The interactive platform plots all 1,357 sidewalk cafés in the city, as well as how many outdoor tables and chairs are allowed, pending applications, license status, and health grades. But interestingly enough, the Department of Consumer Affairs didn't create the map to make life easier for foodies; they want to "boost transparency and reduce confusion surrounding the licensing process," according to Crain's.
Find out more
August 28, 2015

Enchanting 1930s Tudor Home Is Just $429K, but Also Way Out in Queens

Have you ever heard of Laurelton? If not, start Googling. It's a neighborhood in Queens where you can buy a single-family home for $429,000—a very impressive price in today's real estate market. It's a Tudor built in around 1930 with a charming exterior, unique details on the interior, a small front and back yard and a garage. Of course, at that price, you'll make some kind of sacrifice—it's not located anywhere near a subway station. But if you're in the market for an affordable single-family, don't write this one off.
Check it out

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