6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

14th Street, 23rd Street, 86th Street–there's no question that these east-west thoroughfares are some of the city's most bustling corridors of commercial, cultural, and residential activity. And 125th Street in Harlem could now be joining their ranks, a real estate trend dissected in a WSJ article today. Big-name NYC developers are cashing in on the street's transformation. Greystone & Co. bought a $11.5 million site through a bankruptcy auction earlier this month, where they'll put 75 market-rate and affordable apartments, along with ground-floor retail space. Across the street, Continuum Co. will add 700 residential units and 85,000 square feet of retail. Nearby, Wharton Properties has obtained funding for their 33,000-square-foot retail complex that will be anchored by Whole Foods.
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Real Estate Trends

December 15, 2014

Arne Glimcher, One of World’s Most Powerful Art Dealers, Buys $5.6M Madison Square Loft

If you're familiar with the NYC gallery scene you definitely know the Pace Gallery and its founder Arnold "Arne" Glimcher, one of the world's most powerful art dealers, as well as a film producer and director. According to city records, Arne and his son Marc have bought a $5.6 million Madison Square loft at 117 East 24th Street. The contemporary space boasts four bedrooms and 4,000 square feet as well as 11.5-foot ceilings and plenty of wall space to display one's art collection, though we're not sure which of the father-son art dealing pair will be residing in the loft.
Take a look around

December 15, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Jean Nouvel’s MoMA Tower Gets a Teaser Site; New Extell Mega Tower Coming to Times Square

Jean Nouvel’s MoMA tower at 53 West 53rd Street is back on track and it’s got a teaser site. [Curbed] Extell may bring a mega tall hotel tower to Times Square. [NYDN] Gowanus is also hot with hotel developments. There’s a seven-story project joining the already sizable list of accommodations on the rise. [DNA Info] You’re not […]

Real Estate Trends

December 15, 2014

Google-Backed Pedal-Powered Pod Cars Coming to a City Near You?

JPods, East River Skyway, an expanding Citi Bike—if one thing is clear, New York City's rapidly growing population has gotten a lot of people worried about how our already taxed infrastructure is going to account for all of these new bodies. The latest transportation idea to come out of the woodwork is not necessarily a new one, but it's one that's recently found a new boost thanks to interest and funding provided by everyone's favorite search giant: Google. Called "SkySMART," this new idea for mobility utilizes a series of sun- and pedal-powered pods that run along an elevated rail high above city traffic.
More on Skysmart here

December 15, 2014

QueensWay Elevated Park Moves Closer to Reality, State Allocates $444K for First Phase

It looks like the city is one big step closer to getting its second elevated park. DNA Info reports that the state has just allocated nearly $444,000 to the design of the first phase of the QueensWay, an urban renewal project that would transform 3.5 miles of abandoned elevated railway into a park akin to the High Line. The money was awarded to the Trust for Public Land via Governor Cuomo’s $709.2 million Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The first phase will consist of the design of the "Northern Gateway," which comprises a 1.5-mile-long stretch starting at Rego Park. The park is set to extend from Rego Park to Ozone Park.
Find out more here

December 15, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Metropolis Chalk Set Is Decorative and Functional

Here's a gift that both parents and children will get a kick out of. The Chalk Ware Metropolis chalk set contains eight custom-carved chalk pieces shaped like houses, skyscrapers, and everything in between. They don't resemble the buildings of a particular city, so they're perfect for your cousin in NYC or your aunt in Chattanooga. The fun pieces can be used as decorative objects on a mantle, and if mom or dad is feeling generous, the youngsters can take them and create their own works of art on the sidewalk or the chalkboard wall.
More on Chalk Ware

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December 15, 2014

Daily Link Fix: A History of the Rockettes; Journalists and Researchers Have Different Ideas of Gentrification

Did you know the Rockettes were originally the Missouri Rockets? Read this full history of the leggy holiday dancers. [Bowery Boys] A neighborhood guide to the Latino and Chinese cultures of Sunset Park. [Brooklyn Based] There seems to be a disparity between what journalists report as gentrification and what research actually finds. [City Lab] This […]

Uncategorized

December 15, 2014

EVENT: Here’s Your Chance to Check Out Billionaire Peter Brant’s Converted Con Ed Station

Now's your chance to get a look into one of the city's coolest spaces. EV Grieve tells us that from now through Sunday, the curious yellow brick building located at 421 East 6th Street will open its doors to the public for its first art show featuring Dan Colen. The former Con Ed substation was recently purchased for $27 million by billionaire Peter Brant from the estate of the late Walter de Maria, the famed sculptor who converted the 16,402-square-foot structure into an incredible home and studio back in the '80s. The event is sure to delight, if not for the artist's work (which ARTnews dubs "deeply mediocre"), then at least for the chance to get a first glimpse into the extraordinary space. Nondescript and gritty on the outside, the building’s cavernous interior spaces boast ceilings as high as 32 feet, and plenty of the near-century-old substation's original details remain intact.
Find out more here

Distinctive Homes

Double turreted condo in a Central Park West castle is a quirky NYC dream home for $10.5M

Love is a large, lovely $2.9M Lispenard Street loft

A millwork-wrapped co-op in FiDi's iconic Morse Building asks $2.25M

This compact $2M Red Hook home embodies the neighborhood's unique, inventive spirit

Behind this $9.9M Chelsea townhouse, a secret path leads to a backyard carriage house

Asking $5.3M, the elusive Williamsburg townhouse is here, renovated and party-ready

$1.8M restored Marcel Breuer house on the Hudson has kept its mid-century modern spirit intact

This $795K Hudson Valley farmhouse has clean, classic curb appeal–and a guest house in the back

For $11.95M, a duplex in a glamorous new Upper East Side condo

This $3.2M waterfront house on the Hudson in Edgewater, NJ, would be right at home in Malibu

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December 15, 2014

Witness Superb Woodwork from the Days of Yore at This $2.4M Brooklyn Townhouse

Here at 6sqft we have a strong appreciation for all kinds of architecture–both old and new; but the truth of the matter is, they just don’t make homes like this anymore. In September 2013 this two-family home at 398 Sterling Place hit the market, asking nearly $3 million. When its price dropped to $2.79 million a month later, the townhouse was quickly snatched up. Now, the building’s 2,480-square-foot lower duplex is back on the market, touting restored original details and a new and improved reverse floor plan, for $2.39 million.
More pics inside

December 14, 2014

The Sea House by West Chin Architects Mixes Beachy Vibes with Contemporary Décor

Now that we've made it through the week of rain and dreary skies, we need a little extra sunshine in our lives, so we've decided to take a look at a beach house aptly titled the Sea. That whole nautical theme for a beach house can be a bit overdone, but we still like our seaside residences to feel as though we've been transported from the urban jungle to the sandy shores. That's why the Sea by West Chin Architects is the perfect getaway; it mixes contemporary décor with an easygoing design esthetic. Located in Long Beach, the Sea was designed to feel imposing, taking full advantage of its beach front location and stunning ocean views. Its other selling point is the abundance of outdoor spaces, including several balconies and terraces and the outdoor dining area with a bar and a lounge area by the pool.
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December 13, 2014

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

Park Slope’s Iconic Pavilion Theater May Go Residential Telecom Mogul Michael Hirtenstein Combines Three Apartments into One Elegant Tribeca Triplex REVEALED: New Look for Hell’s Kitchen Radio City Lofts Built Atop Historic Post Office Lena Dunham Buys $4.8M Brooklyn Heights Condo Traffic Light Installation Lets You Play Pong with Pedestrians on the Other Side of […]

Uncategorized

December 12, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Tony Muia Brings Us a Slice of NYC’s Largest Holiday Light Display in Dyker Heights

By Susan Cohen

Each December, New York transforms itself into a metropolitan holiday wonderland. From window displays to the Rockefeller Center tree to the Rockettes, the city is brimming with cheer. But there's one thing missing. Aside from the occasional decorated townhouse, New York lacks the light displays and decked-out front yards that are typically associated with the suburbs. But there is one place where New Yorkers can get their fill of small-town nostalgia, and it's just a quick trip away in Dyker Heights thanks to Tony Muia's bus tour of the "undisputed capital of Christmas pageantry." Inspired by the hospitality he experienced traveling abroad, Tony started giving guided pizza tours of Brooklyn in 2005. He later expanded A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours to include neighborhood tours and his famous Christmas Lights & Cannoli Tour, which was featured in a PBS documentary and on TLC. We recently spoke with Tony, the ultimate Brooklynite, about his passion for the borough, A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours, and the magic of Dyker Heights.
Read our full interview with Tony

December 12, 2014

How Bike-Friendly Architecture Can Transform Cities for the Better

By Steven Fleming

NYC is well on its way to becoming a bike-friendly city. With Citi Bike expanding and designs for bikes of all shapes and sizes growing in popularity, it's only a matter of time before we start seeing architecture built specifically for cyclists' use. In his article, “10 Points of a Bicycling Architecture”, originally published on ArchDaily, Steven Fleming explores ten ways major cities, like New York, can make this happen. A revolution is occurring in street design. New York, arguably the world’s bellwether city, has let everyday citizens cycle for transport. They have done that by designating one lane on most avenues to bicyclists only, with barriers to protect them from traffic. Now hundreds of cities are rejiggering to be bicycle-friendly, while in New York there is a sense that more change is afoot. Many New Yorkers would prefer if their city were more like Copenhagen where 40% of all trips are by bike. But then Copenhagen wants more as well. Where does this stop? If you consider that we are talking about a mode of transport that whips our hearts into shape, funnels many more people down streets than can be funneled in cars, has no pollution, and costs governments and individuals an absolute pittance, you won't ask where it stops, but how close to 100% the bike modal share can possibly go and what we must do to achieve that.
It's a beautiful day for a bike ride

Mayor De Blasio Builds a “Privacy Fence” Around Gracie Mansion to Keep Curious Eyes Out

Image: Gracie Mansion before the extra four feet of fence was added. © wallyg via photopin cc

December 12, 2014

Mayor De Blasio Builds a “Privacy Fence” Around Gracie Mansion to Keep Curious Eyes Out

“Man of the People” Mayor De Blasio seems to be getting a little annoyed with his constituents’ nosy nature. The Post reports that De Blasio has just erected a “privacy fence” adding another four feet to the home’s existing barrier. The new fence was constructed inside an existing red brick wall and a wrought-iron fence that […]

Celebrities

December 12, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Curious Pink Brooklyn House Wants $900K; Zaha Hadid Launches Teaser Site for Her High Line Condos

So bad, it’s good: Live in a bubblegum pink house in Gravesend, Brooklyn for $900K. [Curbed] Check out the teaser site for Zaha’s High Line condos. [520W28] Greenland, USA and Forest City Ratner will break ground on the second 100 percent affordable building for the Pacific Park Brooklyn development (formerly Atlantic Yards) on Monday. [6sqft inbox] Billionaire Steven Cohen […]

Real Estate Trends

December 12, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Insane Big Rig Exer-Desk Generates 100 Watts of Electricity

Do you have a friend who, year after year, promises that they'll work harder and exercise more? Pedal Power's kick-ass Big Rig exer-desk might be exactly what they need to stick with those new year's resolutions. This cool desk is totally "off-grid" and has the potential to generate up to 100 watts of electricity for one motivated user. And because it's modeled off an actual high-performance bike, it features an ergonomic seat for comfort, quick adjustments for different riders, a flywheel to smooth pedaling, and a wide range of gearing—meaning your giftee could easily go from tubby to Tour de France cyclist before the new year's close.
Find out more about the bike here

December 12, 2014

Stylish Williamsburg Loft in Desirable Gretsch Building Asks $2.5 Million

There’s a hot new loft available in Williamsburg’s coveted Gretsch Building, asking $2.5 million. The 1,832-square-foot corner apartment boasts three bedrooms and unobstructed views of the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges. Add to that soaring 13-foot beamed ceilings, imported custom cabinetry, high-end custom finishes and…well, just look at it. The place is to die for.
More pics here

Distinctive Homes

This Suspended Tent Gives New Meaning to “Sleeping Among the Trees”

What happens when you combine an idea for a multi-story camping tent with the childlike love for treehouses? You get this fanciful creation known as Vista, a suspended "tree tent" or "portable treehouse" that allows campers to sleep among the trees (literally). Designed by British tent makers Tentsile, the suspended tent hangs between trees with a series of straps and ratchets. The basic unit has a roof and insect mesh, but isn't fully sealed on the sides to give the true experience of being one with nature. To add more stories to the tent structure, additional units can be attached underneath.
Learn more about the Vista tent

December 12, 2014

Luxurious Upper East Side Townhouse Fetches Impressive $9M

Massive townhouses that have received a modern overhaul can often feel cold and museum-like, but this Upper East Side stunner has managed to maintain its warm, cozy feel after getting a state-of-the-art contemporary upgrade from two-family home to one. Located at 435 East 87th Street, the five-story, six-bedroom home just sold for an impressive $8.9 million, according to city records. It was built in 1901, but its 6,500-square-foot interior has been completely reimagined as the ultimate "luxury entertainers' home." The classic décor, along with touches of the home's history like crown moldings and a sweeping staircase, make it pretty clear why the new owners dropped such a pretty penny.
Tour the rest of the home here

Ridgewood Gets Its Fourth Historic District with 990 Buildings

Photo © Cameron Baylock

December 12, 2014

Ridgewood Gets Its Fourth Historic District with 990 Buildings

On the heels of the recent landmarks controversy, Queens' hottest new neighborhood just got its fourth landmarked historic district, the Central Ridgewood Historic District. The 40-block, 990-building area joins Ridgewood's three existing historic districts, Ridgewood North, Ridgewood South, and Stockholm Street. The district includes buildings along Madison Street and Catalpa Avenue, as well as others, which were recognized by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for exemplifying working class housing. Most of the Renaissance Revival brick row houses were built by German immigrants between 1906 and World War I.
More on Ridgewood's newest historic district

December 12, 2014

$2M Victorian Diamond in the Rough Could Be Your Next Dream Home

Sometimes finding your dream home starts with a diamond in the rough. For those willing to put in a little sweat equity, that grubby little rock can be polished to perfection, revealing a rare gem. Okay, this home isn’t exactly a grubby little rock. It’s actually a stately Victorian on one of Ditmas Park’s best blocks. The $2.199 million house is on the market for the first time in 24 years—and it definitely looks like it hasn’t been updated during that time. But in every ugly duckling there’s a beautiful swan and this five-bedroom home's potential is undeniable.
Take a look, here

Distinctive Homes

December 11, 2014

Robert De Niro Buys $2.8M West Village Apartment

He's at it again, this time buying a $2.8 million West Village apartment at 32 Morton Street. Real estate lover Robert De Niro inked the deal for the two-bedroom penthouse loft along with his stepdaughter Drena, according to city records. A few months ago, De Niro made headlines when he moved into a $125,000/month rental at star-studded 15 Central Park West while waiting for the renovation to be complete at his Brentmore triplex. He also got some recent notorious attention for getting into a very public tax fight with the Hudson Valley town where he owns a 78-acre property. And let's not forget about his $250 million Barbados hotel project. With so many real estate balls in the air, it's hard to say if De Niro or his daughter will be living in the latest acquisition, but it would be the perfect downtown pad.
Check out the penthouse here

December 11, 2014

Family Fun: Where to Find the Best Winter Wonderlands and Santa-Centric Events in NY

By Michelle Cohen

Anyone with kids knows that there’s no such thing as too much when it comes to the sensory wonders of the holiday season. We've rounded up some Santa-centric events—from lap-climbing photo-ops to full-on wonderland to brunch with the holiday's most famous man—that aim to satisfy endless appetites for holiday cheer. We've even got a couple for your pets!
This way to the North Pole...

December 11, 2014

Biographer Couple Lists Artsy Central Park Duplex at Gainsborough Studios for $6M

Biographers Edmund and Sylvia Jukes Morris have just listed their duplex apartment at the exclusive Gainsborough Studios for $6 million. The stunning space promises to be a treat for all seasons with gigantic windows offering indescribable views of Central Park that will take your breath away. Yes, a place like this is so inspiring it would turn anyone into an artist.
Take a look inside, here

December 11, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Museum of Natural History to Expand; Bklyn House Is a New Bushwick-Themed Hotel

Lovers of the Museum of Natural History, rejoice! The city favorite will be getting a brand new addition in the form of a $325M research center designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang. [NYT] Check out Bklyn House, a new Bushwick-themed hotel said to be inspired by the neighborhood’s “raw feeling of creativity.” [DNA Info] Cushman & Wakefield may purchase Massey […]

Real Estate Trends

December 11, 2014

Weather Anchor Sam Champion Sells Upper West Side Condo for $4.7M

Everything you need to know about affordable housing: applying, getting in, and staying put

Everyone’s favorite well-coiffed weatherman Sam Champion has sold his Upper West Side condo for $4.7 million, according to city records released today. Champion bought the 2,019-square-foot unit on the top floor of 45 West 67th Street in 1995 for $750,000, netting him an impressive $4 million profit on the sale. The 33-story building was erected in 1985 and […]

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

10 Ways to Decorate an Exposed Brick Wall Without Drilling

Raising chickens in NYC: Laws, tips, and everything else you need to know

10 Great Places to Buy Affordable Art in New York City

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December 11, 2014

Telecom Mogul Michael Hirtenstein Combines Three Apartments into One Elegant Tribeca Triplex

By Rebecca Paul

Designer Amy Lau recently completed an impressive mid-century triplex in NYC's downtown neighborhood of Tribeca. The apartment belongs to Michael Hirtenstein, a high-rolling telecom mogul, who, upon seeing it, knew he had to make the massive space his own. The apartment was originally purchased by Mr. Hirtenstein for $16.5 million dollars as three separate units before he combined them into one massive apartment for an unknown amount of money. This gorgeously designed home spells luxury in every detail and features exquisite furnishings throughout. Combining pieces from bespoke, mid-century modern and contemporary designers, this space tells a unique story represented by many points of view.
Get a closer look inside

December 11, 2014

Turn Your Arm into a Touch Screen Device with the Cicret Bracelet

We still can't quite get used to people walking down the street "talking to themselves," but actually using their phone's Bluetooth. We're in for a whole different kind of confusion, though, because a new wearable device can turn your arm into a touch-screen device. Just imagine seeing that during your rush-hour commute. Created by a group of Paris-based designers, the Cicret Bracelet remotely connects to a mobile device and projects the screen of the smartphone onto the user's lower forearm, transforming one's skin into an operable touch screen to check emails, play games, and even answer calls.
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Policy

December 11, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: High-Tech ‘Tile’ Helps Those Who Constantly Lose Their Keys

There are fewer things more annoying than waiting for a friend or family member as they frantically search for their keys. Help them in their hunt (and preserve your sanity) by gifting them a Tile this holiday. This simple but brilliant device takes the mystery out of finding one's most important belongings and takes advantage of something we all have: a smartphone.
How it works

Policy
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December 11, 2014

Computer Scientist Invents Technology That 3D Prints Gardens

By Alyssa Alimurung

At this point, you already know you can 3D print anything from furniture to entire estates, but now you can even add gardens to the list. Yuichiro Takeuchi, a computer scientist at the Sony Computer Science Laboratories in Tokyo, has invented a way to create herb and flower gardens using the incredible technology. And the best part? […]

December 11, 2014

Bates Masi + Architects Renovated the Far Pond Residence with Hurricane-Proof Prefabricated Panels

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

The stunning Far Pond Residence has a naturally weathered wood skin and large windows overlooking layers of wetlands, an estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Located on a half-acre site on the east end of Long Island in Southampton, this modern family dwelling is actually a renovated 1970s kit house. Its extension and tasteful modernization was designed by Bates Masi + Architects, who used prefabricated materials and new technologies that minimized waste and elevated the experience of inhabiting the space.
Learn more about the prefab home extension

December 11, 2014

Karim Rashid Checks Out a Bright and Airy $3.5M Duplex in Williamsburg

With a handful of new buildings coming up in Manhattan, Karim Rashid's NYC architectural star is quickly rising. So it only makes sense that the renowned industrial-designer-cum-architect would want a place of his own to call home in the Big Apple. According to the NYP, Rashid was recently spotted scoping out this spectacular Atelier New York Architecture-designed pad located at 201 North 11th Street in Brooklyn. True to the designer's taste, the Williamsburg apartment is bright, modern, and plenty green with its 805 square feet of outdoor space and sweet views of McCarren Park and the surrounding historic buildings.
Have a look inside

December 11, 2014

REVEALED: Interior Renderings for Robert A.M. Stern-Designed 520 Park Avenue

Robert A.M. Stern's 520 Park Avenue has already been called "the next 15 Central Park West," and like its Stern predecessor, 520 is an ultra-luxury development with a stately façade wrapped in stone. Set to be completed in 2016, it will rise 51 stories high, but contain just 31 units, one of which is the $130 million penthouse, the city's most expensive apartment. And though most of the attention has been on "the greatest apartment on the Upper East Side," the fanfare has now shifted to the first batch of interior renderings for the building. 520 Park's full website is now live, and not surprisingly, the residences have classic layouts, impressive Central Park views, and a host of high-end amenities.
Take the tour here

December 10, 2014

Penthouse at Cary Tamarkin-Designed 456 West 19th Street Returns with Same $12M Asking Price

If this duplex penthouse at 456 West 19th Street were a movie buff it would probably quote Rose Dawson from Titanic, saying, “I’ll never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go…of my $11.75 million price tag.” Okay, so maybe we took a few creative liberties, but you get the point. In 2011, Code and Theory founder Brandon Ralph spent $6.8 million on the pad before turning around and attempting the ambitious flip. For roughly a year and a half, the unit sat on the market before finally withdrawing this past summer. Yet it returns, completely undeterred by its apparent misfortune. This condo knows its worth… and that number is $11.75 million. Why? For starters, it sits on the top half of the building, where its fluid curves set the entire building apart from the rest. Add to that soaring windows and seamless indoor/outdoor living and you have a winner right in the heart of the West Chelsea Arts District. Now, does that make it worth almost $12 million? We’ll let you decide.
Let's take a look inside

Distinctive Homes

December 10, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Loathed UWS Church Conversion Rejected; A Sutton Place Condo for the Poorly Read

A plan to convert a historic Upper West Side church into condos gets a thumbs down from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. [Curbed] This Sutton Place condo features some wacky wallpaper masquerading as floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. [Curbed] New York is expensive, but it’s still the country’s most “livable” city. [Brick Underground] Is Queens the #1 travel destination in the […]

Real Estate Trends

December 10, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: iBlock Is a Brooklyn-Made Cutting Board That Holds Your Tablet

We were recently introduced to the term "lumbersexual," used to describe a rising trend among males who, though they may spend no time outdoors at all, prefer to dress like upscale lumberjacks (think red flannels, stylish lace-up boots, and jeans) and buy woodsy, handcrafted goods. Does this sound like a guy you know who lives in Williamsburg or Bushwick? Well then we have the perfect rustic holiday gift for him–or anyone on your list who likes locally-made goods and cool kitchen supplies. Made by Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, iBlock serves double duty as a cutting board and tablet holder, so you can read your recipe (or watch Netflix) while chopping veggies. It's also reversible; the raised back that holds the tablet keeps the board flush to the edge of the counter.
Learn more about iBlock

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December 10, 2014

Traffic Light Installation Lets You Play Pong with Pedestrians on the Other Side of the Street

For New Yorkers addicted to their smart phones, standing still at traffic lights must be quite painful (unless they're texting of course), but a fun new invention would help pass those 13 seconds in no time. Known as the ActiWait project, this street light installation allows pedestrians on either side of a street to play pong (or "street pong," if you will) with each other while waiting to cross. There are currently two sets of the touch-screen devices installed in Hildesheim, Germany, so it shouldn't be long before New Yorkers are running late to work due to an intense game of pong on Park Avenue.
More on the ActiWait street pong project here

December 10, 2014

In.Site-Architecture’s Southern Tier BARNagain Is Built from Old Barns

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

Instead of building a new home from scratch, a resourceful family decided to put all of the wood they salvaged from a few local barns to good use. They called up In.Site-Architecture to help them on their journey, and what they got was a reclaimed wood dwelling with a stunning modern meets rustic look.
Learn more about the recycled BARNagain

December 10, 2014

Daily Link Fix: MoMA Acquires the First 4D-Printed Dress; 16 Secrets of the NYC Subway

MoMA gets the first 4D-printed dress, which automatically changes shape. [Dezeen] More people in cities today live in poverty than in 1970. [Next City] Ever take a ride on the number 11 train? There’s a quirky history behind this subway sign. [Forgotten NY] And here’s a list of 16 more things you probably didn’t know […]

Uncategorized

December 10, 2014

POLL: Are You Going to See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree This Year?

Yesterday, we rounded up the massive Christmas trees around the city for those of you looking for an alternative to Rockefeller Center. But we’re sure this isn’t going to stop a lot of die-hard holiday revelers from heading over to midtown and gawking at the world’s most famous Christmas tree. So, we want to know what your plans are. […]

Events & Things To Do

December 10, 2014

Diane von Furstenberg’s Daughter Sells Gramercy Park Co-op for $4.2M

Tatiana von Furstenberg, singer, filmmaker and daughter of fashion mogul Diane von Furstenberg, has sold her luxury co-op at 1 Gramercy Park for $4,240,000, according to city records. She purchased the home in 2006, and since her address of record is in Los Angeles, perhaps she’s becoming a permanent West Coaster–or moving to her mother’s beloved […]

December 10, 2014

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Reopens This Week After a Three-Year High-Tech Renovation

It's been three years since the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum was first cloaked in scaffolding, but the $91 million, LEED-certified renovation has finally come to a close. The museum, located in Andrew Carnegie's former Gilded Age mansion on Fifth Avenue, is set to reopen this Friday, December 12th. It now boasts 60% more exhibition space and a slew of new high-tech interactive features including downloadable 3D designs, multi-touch surfaces as large as pool tables and an interactive projection that allows guests to view 500 digital images of wallpaper right on the gallery walls.
More details on the revamped museum

December 9, 2014

Lena Dunham Buys $4.8M Brooklyn Heights Condo

According to the Daily Mail, Girls creator Lena Dunham has scooped up a $4.8 million condo at 30 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, the former offices of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle–now known as The Heights. Despite the recent controversy over her memoir, 28-year-old Dunham is really moving up in the world. Not only did she reportedly get a $3.7 million book advance, but her first home in the neighborhood at 145 Hicks Street cost her only $500,000. She purchased her newest residence under a trust and still owns her one-bedroom pad. Dunham shares her new home with boyfriend and Fun frontman Jack Antonoff, who has been spotted on moving duty while Dunham is on her book tour. The four-bedroom corner apartment is completely elegant and modern, a sure sign that the "girl" is growing up.
More on Lena's big move

O Christmas Tree: Where to See the Biggest Evergreens Around the City

New York Stock Exchange Christmas tree via Mille Fiori Favoriti

December 9, 2014

O Christmas Tree: Where to See the Biggest Evergreens Around the City

Last week, we took a look back at the history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to mark the annual lighting celebration. Though this is probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world, many of us jaded New Yorkers would rather not deal with the crowds and traffic jams that come with visiting Rock Center. So as an equally festive alternative, we've rounded up some of the other huge trees illuminating the city this holiday season.
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Events & Things To Do

1289 Lexington Avenue

Carnegie Hill

Refined living on the Upper East Side

2 beds starting at $2,495,000
3 beds starting at $4,995,000
4 beds starting at $5,250,000
5 beds starting at $8,995,000

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December 9, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Wacaco’s On-the-Go Espresso Maker Can Fit Inside a Purse

If you've got someone on your gift list that's overworked, under-caffeinated and looking for a better way to get their fix (this is New York, after all), look no further than Wacaco's Minipresso as the perfect present. This portable hand-held device is a godsend for those who frequently need a boost but don't have the time to wait in long coffee shop lines—or simply for those with a more discerning taste for the finer grounds in life.
More on this cool high-caf design here

December 9, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Brooklyn Getting Its First Apple Store; $500K/Month Apartment Finds a Tenant

There’s a brand new Apple store coming to Williamsburg right along Bedford Avenue where the Bagel Store and Kings Pharmacy used to be. [NYP] The city’s most expensive rental, a $500K doozy at the Pierre, has found a taker. [WSJ] A look at the benefits of living in a NYC home that hasn’t been landmarked. [NYT] A One57 unit sells […]

Real Estate Trends

December 9, 2014

Greenpoint Townhouse by WeDesign WeBuild Has a Unique Point of View

By Rebecca Paul

We love Greenpoint. We also love great design, and this beautiful townhouse brings those two fabulous things together. From the design team at WeDesign WeBuild, the interior of this home is a fresh approach to color, texture and light. With subtle Scandinavian-style touches, warm natural elements, and crisp white walls, this home could easily turn any self-professed Manhattanite into a happy Brooklyn dweller.
Take a look around

December 9, 2014

Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D in the All-Glass Photon Space

It's raining, it's pouring, and all we can think of are sunnier days. Before people knew the health risks of tanning beds, they were a welcome cure for the winter blues, and a new, first-of-its-kind, all-glass modular structure could be just the safe replacement we've been looking for. The Photon Space was recently launched on Crowdcube, a British crowdfunding platform, by the Photon Project, a group of innovators in the fields of architecture, technology, engineering and design, along with scientists at Oxford University. It is a 147-foot compact living space that takes into account the health benefits of exposure to natural light. The distinguishing element of the Photon Space is its intelligent glass architecture, which can change in an instant from transparent to opaque.
More on the structure ahead

December 9, 2014

Don’t Forget, One World Trade Was Supposed to Be the Greenest Building in America