6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

The Department of City Planning announced that although it shares residents' concerns about the effects of the new crop of supertall towers rising near Central Park, it does not intend to lower the size limits on buildings in the dense Midtown district. Crain's reports that department director Carl Weisbrod said in a written response to elected officials on August 12 that the slender structures may actually preserve historic buildings nearby and that they enhance the city's iconic skyline.
Read more on the city's response

August 20, 2015

1920s Popular Science Illustration Stacks the Future American City Like a Layered Cake

As the automobile became more widely available in the 1920s, the idea of living in the suburbs became far more appealing to Americans. Residents of large cities sought to escape increasingly crowded streets (thanks to industrialization), and with newly paved roads and auto ownership, taking on a commute was well worth the space and comfort that was paid out in return. While many urbanists and architects in the '20s predicted that suburban migrations would give way to sprawl (and it eventually did), other urban "futurists" balked at the idea of decentralization, and believed instead that Americans would be living and thriving in high-density vertical cities. Architect Harvey W. Corbett's “May Live to See, May Solve Congestion Problems” is one such proposal that sees everything from homes, offices, schools, green space and even aircraft landing fields stacked on top of each other for the ultimate metropolis.
Have a closer look at the complete plan here

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 8/20-8/26

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top end of week picks for 6sqft readers!

August 20, 2015

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 8/20-8/26

By Lori Zimmer

Manhattan gets a brand new landmark today: a fantastical undersea adventure in the form of a swirling, sparkly carousel! Katya Grokhovsky lets viewers experience the fruits of her one-month residency at Soho20, while the Guggenheim welcomes guests for a full 24 hours for Agathe Snow’s latest project. Remember why you loved New York to begin with (because of its unabashed weirdness) and go see Blazes and his light-up suit, or try on the clothing made at an exhibition called “Small Town Sex Shop.” Finish off the week by getting outside your comfort zone, and head over to Staten Island for a unique and design-fueled potluck party.
All the best events to check out here

Events & Things To Do

August 20, 2015

You’ll Get Sunlight, Rooftop Memories–and Plenty of Exercise–in This Fifth Floor West Village Rental

This light-filled roost at 281 West 11th Street, available for 4-12 months, comes furnished "in a mid-century modern style." The one-bedroom walk-up is on the fifth floor, so while you don't have to worry about upstairs neighbors, you'll certainly be able to stay in shape. For an equally-steep $6,500 a month, the pre-war co-op delivers those lovely 10-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls and a wood-burning fireplace to make the whole picture even more charming. On the modern creature comforts side there's a washer dryer combo in the apartment, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. In addition, you get dibs on a quarter of the roof. And it's in a lovely and convenient part of the West Village that looks good from any angle.
Check it out, here

Distinctive Homes

August 20, 2015

New Board Game Lets You Raze and Rebuild NY; Citywide Ferry Service Plan to Be Presented Tonight

The de Blasio administration is renegotiating the terms of the redevelopment of Willets Point, Queens. [Crain’s] Why some billionaires are bad for growth. [Wonkblog] Billionaire Ken Griffin may be buying a 220 Central Park South pad. [NYP] The mysterious cottage atop an East Village building is now in contract. [Curbed] For a good time with friends and family try […]

Real Estate Trends

August 20, 2015

The Phone-brella Makes Texting and Walking on Rainy Days a Cinch

Wasn't it just miserable getting to work this morning? Trying to walk, balance the umbrella, and text all at the same time? Thankfully, there are some people out there who understand this painful situation, like the folks over at Korean-based company kt. The wireless telecommunications giant developed the phone-brella, which, according to designboom, has "an ergonomic C-shaped handgrip that’s placed around the user’s wrist. The bottom half of the C pins acts as a counter-weight, balancing the object and helping the shoulder prop it up," leaving both hands free to text away.
Find out more and watch a video about phone-brella

Modernist Designer Russel Wright’s Hudson Valley Home Is a Rare Example of Organic Mid-Century Architecture

Wright’s studio, surrounded by windows and the wooded landscape. Photo courtesy of Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center.

August 20, 2015

Modernist Designer Russel Wright’s Hudson Valley Home Is a Rare Example of Organic Mid-Century Architecture

Dwell Magazine recently brought to our attention this magical modernist gem, located in the Putnam County town of Garrison, New York. Manitoga, the house, studio and 75-acre wooded garden of mid-century industrial designer Russel Wright (1904-1976), is one of the few 20th century modern homes open to the public in New York State. A firm believer in the idea that “good design is for everyone,” Russel Wright was a pioneer of the idea of modern living in America. Best known for his organic yet elegant American Modern dinnerware collection, his became a household name–one which could be found on the underside of each of the over 200 million pieces that were sold between 1939 and 1959. But the designer's lesser-known–yet no less remarkable–effort can be seen in the home and surrounding landscape–including a large abandoned granite quarry–which were acquired by Russel and Mary Wright in 1942. Now a National Historic Landmark, and virtually unchanged save ongoing improvements and renovations, the Manitoga/Russel Wright Design Center hosts tours, hikes, performances and an artists’ residency.
Find out more about Russel Wright's lesser-known masterpiece this way

Architecture And Design

August 20, 2015

Spin FAILE’s 7-Foot Prayer Wheel in Times Square; Fly Over the Most Majestic Spots in the Hamptons

By Alyssa Alimurung

Find some peace in Times Square at FAILE’s hand-carved, seven-foot tall prayer wheel installation. [Gothamist] Enjoy the Hamptons without all the popped collars in this amazing drone video. [Curbed Hamptons] A Homepolish designer works her magic on her own Columbus Circle home. [Design Milk] Good job, New Yorkers. Our most used emoji is the Statue […]

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Distinctive Homes

Midtown East penthouse seen in 'Wolf of Wall Street' lists for $4.95M

For $1.6M, this Connecticut estate has an art studio, guest house, pool, and a vintage modern vibe

An artist's mural in this $1.4M Hit Factory condo will remind you of its colorful past

Steven Van Zandt's Village penthouse in a converted church asks $15M

For $59.5M, live in Bobby Axelrod's Tribeca penthouse from 'Billions'

For $6.25M, a stately 1847 Boerum Hill townhouse has historic charm and a dramatic glass solarium

This $16.7M Cobble Hill home is like having your own private club in a Brooklyn brownstone

A 70-foot brick smokestack anchors a private garden at this $2.1M Williamsburg loft

7,000-square-foot 'wellness loft' in the West Village asks $25.8M, working phone booth included

Bob Dylan's historic Harlem townhouse sells for $2.8M

VIEW ALL

August 20, 2015

Three-Bedroom Apartment with Prewar Details Asks Just $4,400 a Month in Brooklyn Heights

Is this three-bedroom rental, at 311 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, cute enough for you? It's located in a brick prewar building just north of Atlantic Avenue, so the apartment interior has plenty of prewar details as well. The rent of $4,400 a month is not all that bad given the amount of rooms and the prime Brooklyn Heights location. Seems like this apartment would serve well as a sophisticated, grownup roommate share.
See the bedrooms

Distinctive Homes

August 19, 2015

REVEALED: Bland Apartment Tower Replaces Karl Fischer’s Indigo Hotel Design in Downtown Brooklyn

By Ondel Hylton

Yesterday, we reported a staggering 22,000 residential units are on their way to the northern end of Brooklyn by 2019, 6,412 (29 percent) of which are slated for the half-square mile neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn. Now, we have our first look at a small chunk of that count: a 105-unit residential building under construction at 237 Duffield Street, in the heart of the borough's central hub.
Find out more here

August 19, 2015

Supermodel and Daughter of Zipcar Founder, Cameron Russell Scoops Up a $1.5M Bed-Stuy Townhouse

By Annie Doge

Victoria's Secret model, TED Talk speaker, burgeoning media mogul and daughter of Zipcar founder Robin Chase, Cameron Russell has just scored herself a cover-worthy townhouse in Stuyvesant Heights. According to city records filed this afternoon, the model dropped $1.522 million on the home, paying a tad more than the original ask of $1.45 million. Featured on 6sqft previously, the three-story, multi-family property was given an update back in 2011 and boasts high-end renovations, beautifully restored details and all the Brooklyn brownstone charm one could ask for. There's even a solar array topping off the structure and a large garden to boot!
Have a closer look inside

August 19, 2015

A Gorgeous Upstate Getaway Dubbed the Mission House Is Asking $1.4 Million

Have you spent the summer dreaming about where you want to escape to in upstate New York? This listing won't make you feel any better. Called the Mission House, it is a beautiful modern mansion located in East Fishkill, a charming town on the southern border of Dutchess County, New York. The house itself is gorgeous, with stunning landscaping, modern design, and tons of space. Get this: the house covers 4,000 square feet, with an additional 2,400 square feet of decks. Of course, it isn't cheap, but you'll still get more bang for your buck up here than down in Manhattan—for the whole mansion, the asking price is $1.4 million, cheaper than many NYC apartments. (And keep reading for a way to stay here without forking over all that cash.)
Take a tour

August 19, 2015

One in Three People Found on Bedford Avenue Are From Outside NYC; Inside the Hudson Yards Construction Site

Bedford+Bowery polled 321 people along Bedford Avenue and found that one in three were from outside of NYC, and only one in four actually lived in the neighborhood. [BB] Ceruzzi Properties and their Chinese partner SMI USA are planning to build a $1B condo at 520 Fifth Avenue. [TRD] The world’s most “livable cities” also […]

Real Estate Trends

August 19, 2015

The NYPL Is Mapping Books About NYC Neighborhoods—Add Your Favorites!

The New York Public Library is currently putting together a map of New York City neighborhoods represented in the pages of our favorite books. Novels set in the five boroughs are added to the map as readers suggest them, along with nearby landmarks and attractions so you can get your literary bearings. Currently most of the listed titles in are in Manhattan ("American Psycho" in the Financial District, "Catcher in the Rye" in Central Park, to name just a few); Team Brooklyn is looking sparse (Hello? Paul Auster?), and The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island need you!
Suggest your favorite neighborhood novels...

Uncategorized

August 19, 2015

There’s a Spanish-Style Adobe Home in Brooklyn Heights; Heroic Food Farms to Provide Employment for Military Vets

By Alyssa Alimurung

Be transported to a Spanish villa just by looking at this unique adobe-style house in Brooklyn Heights. [Gothamist] Mister Softee may serve up summer deliciousness, but don’t mess with him when it comes to his jingle. He’s suing a rival ice cream truck for allegedly stealing the signature tune. [NYDN] Ennead Architects and RAFT Landscape Architecture plan to build a Heroic […]

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August 19, 2015

POLL: Is Living Close to Work Worth Paying Extra Rent?

By Annie Doge

Last week, the Village Voice posted a video featuring recent Madison, Wisconsin transplant Grayson Altenberg, a chef at the Lincoln Center restaurant paying $1,100/month for a 100-square-foot apartment. Though the rent seems pretty ridiculous for a space that has you hanging your shoes right above your pillow, Altenberg says that the main reason he’s shelling over a […]

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Park Slope Pavilion Condo Plans Met With Resistance From Neighbors, Landmarks Commission

Rendering of Hidrock Realty’s proposed design for a five-story residential building next to the historic Pavilion Theater.

August 19, 2015

Park Slope Pavilion Condo Plans Met With Resistance From Neighbors, Landmarks Commission

Hidrock Realty, developer of a five-story condo building next to the historic Pavilion Theater on Prospect Park West, was told by the Landmarks Preservation Commision to make changes to the proposed design after neighbors expressed concerns, DNAinfo reports. Park Slope neighbors in attendance at an LPC hearing Tuesday voiced disapproval for the Morris Adjmi-designed five-story beige brick residential building, fearing that it would "open the door to out-of-character development up and down Prospect Park West."
Find out what the neighbors are afraid of

This Flatiron Rental Offers Classic Loft Living, Modern Luxury, and Curious Built-Ins

Back in the 20th century, before luxury loft condos were a thing, artists, heiresses and the adventurous lived large in city lofts, and while the artists needed the square footage for living and working, others enjoyed the idea of carving out living areas in a cavernous open space with ceilings so high you almost couldn't see them, and windows almost as big. It was a world of (private) freight elevators and DIY kitchens (the look of which today's high end kitchens emulate). This Flatiron loft at 10 East 18th Street offers a hangar-esque 2,700 square feet of living space accessed by private keyed elevator; exposed brick walls are lined with oversized windows and there are plenty of custom-built luxuries that are more professionally-crafted than DIY; though there's no floor plan, it's listed as having two bedrooms and 2.5 baths. There are also more modern comforts than you'd find in an old-school loft, such as a wine cooler, central air and a Bosch washer-dryer–and there's a totally 21st century price tag of $14,000 a month.
Take a look around this huge loft

Distinctive Homes

Google Earth rendering of the new residential buildings going up in Downtown Brooklyn, via CityRealty

August 18, 2015

22,000 New Apartments Coming to Northern Brooklyn by 2019

We recently reported that New York City was entering its biggest building boom since 1963. Building permits rose 156 percent over the last year, accounting for 52,618 new residential units. If that number seems large to you, keep in mind it's spread over the five boroughs, including the supertall towers of Manhattan. But a new report from CityRealty shows that northern Brooklyn alone with get 22,000 new apartments over the next four years. According to the report, which only looked at buildings with 20 or more units, "around 2,700 new units are expected to be delivered in 2015. That number will nearly double in 2016, when approximately 5,000 apartments will be ready for occupancy." The majority of these units, 29 percent or 6,412 apartments, will come to Downtown Brooklyn, followed by Williamsburg with 20 percent or 4,341 units.
More on the Brooklyn building boom

Real Estate Trends

August 18, 2015

VIDEO: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rats Coming up Your Toilet

Warning: Explicit rat footage ahead. If you don't already live in fear of rats taking over your apartment, you will after this. A new video from National Geographic shows exactly how these rodents make their way up your toilet bowl, which is apparently quite a common city occurrence, according to Gothamist. Though we're used to seeing them scamper around near the garbage bins, rats are pretty aquatically adept; they can tread water for three days and stay underwater without breathing for three minutes. Plus, their ribs are hinged at the spine, meaning they can fit through even the narrowest of pipes.
Watch the video here if you dare

City Living

August 18, 2015

‘Exceptional Quirks’ and Reclaimed Materials Abound in This Historic Williamsburg Church Conversion

One of the neighborhood's oldest landmarks, the Saint Vincent De Paul Church at 167 North Sixth Street in Williamsburg's uber-trendy North Side was recently converted into 40 rental apartments known as the Spire Lofts. We know that converted churches get people's attention at the very least–but like many historic building conversions, they can be a disappointment. The apartments here don't try to be especially historic–but the interiors differ somewhat from the usual boilerplate rental "lofts" that tend to spring up like weeds in North Brooklyn. The building's recently-listed batch of two- and three-bedrooms ranges from $6,400 to $8,000 (the spoken-for one-bedrooms started at $4k), so they're pricey. The interiors are somewhat innovative, though. The listing promises "...modern details and state-of-the-art finishes [that] blend flawlessly with expertly salvaged materials, including original exposed brick, reclaimed Heart Pine pillars and beams, arched stained glass windows, custom steel work and exceptional quirks around every corner." On the down side, there's no floor plan and no mention of square footage.
Take a look at the loft-style interiors, this way

August 18, 2015

The Final Design of Extell’s Nordstrom Tower Still Undecided

Back in May it was reported that the official rendering for Extell's Nordstrom Tower—a.k.a. Central Park Tower, a.k.a. NYC and the country's future tallest tower (by roof height)—had finally been released by the developer, showing a glassy construction rising 1,523 feet from its 217 West 57th Street address. But now comes news from The Post's Steve Cuozzo that the tower's final design is actually "still up in the air."
Find out more here

August 18, 2015

Donald Trump Reports for Jury Duty; Did Louis C.K. Come to Mayor de Blasio’s Defense?

Here’s a hilarious (and somewhat poetic) account of what went down when Donald Trump was called into jury duty this week. “He listed his occupation as ‘real estate’.” [NYT] A caller who sounded a lot like comedian Louis C.K. dialed into “The Brian Lehrer Show” this morning to defend Mayor Bill de Blasio. He identified himself as “Louis in the Village.” [Politico] […]

Real Estate Trends

August 18, 2015

Become One With Nature Safely From Your Cocoon Tree

By Shiloh Frederick

French designer Berni du Payrat has created the perfect product for those who want to be one with nature, but not exposed to the elements. Like a combination of the Kodama Zomes we recently featured and these suspended tents, the Cocoon Tree is a durable pod that's held in suspension by ropes tied to trees. It's made of aluminum and covered with waterproof tarpaulin that can stand up to all sorts of weather in any season. The 130-pound Cocoon Tree comfortably fits two people and comes with a mattress for total relaxation. According to the product website, you will be sure to "reconnect with sensations forgotten since the modern world consumes us today."
More on the Cocoon Tree here

August 18, 2015

Vote to Bring the East River Skyway to SXSW 2016!

By Alyssa Alimurung

These are the facts: NYC subways still run on 1930s technology, the delays are getting longer, and there’s no stopping the residential development boom happening not only in Manhattan, but also in Brooklyn. If you’ve commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan (and vice-versa) during rush hour you know that the subway ride is a nightmare. That's why we need the East River Skyway, an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes. The project is being led by Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty* and a Williamsburg resident, who noticed while skiing how quickly gondolas moved and how comfortable they were. He has spent several years investigating the technology and completed preliminary studies to see what it would take to adapt a similar system to meet the needs of New York City. What he found was that implementation would be relatively inexpensive and quickly deployable.
Learn how you can help

August 18, 2015

Revel in Greenery at the Front and Back of This Fort Greene Townhouse Rental

Snag the Greenest Seat in Town: Gufram's 1972 Pratone Chair is Shaped Like a Patch of Grass

When it's summertime, New Yorkers all make the decision to spend as much time outside as possible. In parks, on roofs, in backyards, wherever—and it's especially nice if you have your own private outdoor space to enjoy. Even better than that? When there's also a park within walking distance of your house. This apartment rental, at 150 Dekalb Avenue in Fort Greene, has all the outdoor bases covered. It's got a big private porch and backyard, and it faces Fort Greene Park. For all that greenery, it's going to cost you $5,000 a month.
See inside

Distinctive Homes

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See the New York City Sets of Hollywood Studios Through Google Maps

The NYC set at Paramount, via Google Maps

August 18, 2015

See the New York City Sets of Hollywood Studios Through Google Maps

Not all NYC-based television shows make the city streets their personal set a la "Law & Order" and "Girls." Perhaps the most notable example is "Friends," where, although some exterior building shots and panoramic views are of New York, the scenes involving the actual actors are often less than realistic (don't even get us started on their apartments). Other shows that took place in the city but filmed on a sound stage in LA include "Will & Grace," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Mad Men," among many other shows and movies. A couple of Redditors recently posted links to aerial Google Maps views of famous studios' New York City sets, and it's pretty interesting to compare the actual city to the Hollywood version.
See more fun aerial views here

Uncategorized

August 18, 2015

New 15-Story Passive House Condo May Be Coming to 128 West 23rd Street

By Ondel Hylton

A new residential building may be coming to West 23rd Street next to Citizen condos. While no new building or demolition permits have been filed for the parcel, an eco-friendly design penned by Sven Peters in collaboration with VUW Studio / CastDesignStudios visualizes the site's full zoning potential. Their 15-story conceptual design targets the "high-end, enviro-hedonist buyer," yielding a 25,000-square-foot building with 15 full-floor loft residences and ground-level commercial space. Their website notes that the project will be designed under the German Passivhaus environmental standards and will incorporate the latest advancements in energy recovery, infiltration mitigation, and air purification.
More details ahead

August 17, 2015

Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Nabs $18.5M Trump Tower Loft

By Annie Doge

If there's one name in soccer that Americans know (other than David Beckham, of course), it's Cristiano Ronaldo, the forward for Real Madrid, captain of the Portuguese national team, and multiple-time best player in the world winner. It's been rumored that the internationally-known hunk is making a move to the MLS, the United States soccer league, and a recent real estate transaction right here in NYC is fueling the fire. The Post reports that Ronaldo has scored an $18.5 million loft at the Trump Tower from Italian real estate mogul Alessandro Proto.
Check out the loft here

August 17, 2015

NeighborhoodX’s 3D Map Reveals the Blocks Where Real Estate Prices Are Soaring

Click for the expanded version >> We all have a pretty good idea which NYC neighborhoods command top dollar, but this incredible 3D map from NeighborhoodX really puts things into perspective by pinning the city's 325 neighborhoods against one another in a visually jarring side-by-side comparison. Among the most expensive? For Brooklyn, Gravesend beats out our best guess of DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights with its enclave of multi-million dollar, over-the-top mansions; and in Manhattan, Billionaires' Row rises as a whole other beast with prices soaring as high as its supertalls.
get a more detailed look here

Real Estate Trends

August 17, 2015

REVEALED: New Renderings of PMG’s Queens Plaza Park, the Future Tallest Tower Outside Manhattan

By Ondel Hylton

Here's a closer look at Property Markets Group and the Hakim Organization's upcoming Long Island City skyscraper dubbed Queens Plaza Park. Slated to soar 70 stories-plus into Queens Plaza's burgeoning skyline, the 915-foot tall building will contain a whopping 800 units, and will be, by far, the largest and tallest residential building outside of Manhattan. Positioned at the forefront of transit-accessible Queens Plaza, the project will encircle and incorporate the 88-year old Manhattan Bank Building (affectionately dubbed "the clock tower"). The joint-venture acquired the building for $31 million last November, which itself was once the tallest building on Long Island, and is now calendared to be designated an official city landmark.
more info on the project here

August 17, 2015

Wood Detailing Galore at This Bed-Stuy Brownstone Asking $2 Million

One of our favorite things about old, well-kept brownstones? The intricate wood detailing you'll find along the doorways, mantelpieces, staircases and shelving. The phrase, "They just don't make them like that anymore" applies here. This brownstone at 429 Hancock Street in Bed-Stuy, a classic Brooklyn brownstone neighborhood, has plenty of the above details. As the listing says, the home is in the Queen Anne style with some Romanesque Revival elements thrown in. It's also got some modern upgrades to go along with it. For this blend of the historic and the new, it's going to cost you a total of $1.999 million.
Tour the interior

Distinctive Homes

August 17, 2015

FiDi’s 50 West Tops Out; Let’s Build Another Borough

FiDi’s new luxury tower 50 West has just topped out. [6sqft inbox; Listings] Limited space? Why don’t we just build another borough? [The Awl] Soho’s mom and pop design shops want to stop the infiltration of corporate retailers. [AMNY] There’s a 19th century stable hidden in the heart of Midtown. [Scouting NY] After 30 years, […]

Real Estate Trends

August 17, 2015

Quirky Taxi Poster Illustrates the Designs of NYC’s Iconic Cabs

Although in daily life you're more likely to curse cabs than celebrate them, this cool print by illustrator James Gulliver Hancock highlights the charms of the city's yellow icon. Featuring the cab designs of today and yesteryear, this wonderful print is a work of art and a pretty accurate representation of just how nutty NYC traffic can get.
Where to buy one here

August 17, 2015

Mapping Every County in America by Its Natural Beauty Ranking

New York has come a long way in recent years in terms of improving its "natural beauty." We added the High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park. We increased ferry service and are sprucing up the East River esplanade. But apparently this is not enough to make our fine city a "desirable" place to live. A new mapping series from the Washington Post takes data from the USDA's Natural Amenities Scale–a measure of the physical characteristics of a county area that enhance the location as a place to live–and color codes from low to average to high just how naturally beautiful and pleasant a given county is. The scale takes into account "six measures of climate, topography, and water area that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer," which includes "warm winter, winter sun, temperate summer, low summer humidity, topographic variation, and water area." And judging by today's stickiness and last winter's polar vortex, maybe it's our extreme seasons that are putting our counties in the "low" category.
Find out more here

Uncategorized

August 17, 2015

Touring Long Island’s ‘Time Machine’; JFK Airport’s Demolished Jet-Age Terminals

Find out more about her job here

Sweltering in your apartment with no AC? Here’s ten hacks to stay cool. [AOL Real Estate] There’s a giant particle collider on Long Island. It recreates conditions present shortly after the Big Bang, making it the closet thing we have to a “time machine.” [Tech Insider] Decoding the secret language of a city’s street signs, […]

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New York in the ’60s: Being a Woman in Advertising During the ‘Mad Men’ Days

Our series “New York in the ’60s” is a memoir by a longtime New Yorker who moved to the city after college in 1960. Each installment will take us through her journey during a pivotal decade. From $90/month apartments to working in the real “Mad Men” world, we’ll explore the city through the eyes of a spunky, driven female. In our first installment, we went house hunting with the girl on the Upper East Side, and in the second, we visited her first apartment and met her bartender boyfriend. Now, we hear about her career at an advertising magazine… looking in on the Donald Drapers of the time.

August 17, 2015

New York in the ’60s: Being a Woman in Advertising During the ‘Mad Men’ Days

By Penelope Bareau

History

August 17, 2015

For $1.85M This Park Slope Floor-Through Has Pre-War Charm and Parkside Cachet

For some Park Slope buyers it might be enough that this 1,700-square-foot, three-bedroom co-op at 90 Prospect Park West is directly across from the 585-acre park. Of course, there are those three bedrooms, gorgeous pre-war bones, three exposures, custom built-ins and clean, updated interiors. But this prime Center Slope home also has that covetable Brooklyn perk: outdoor space, in the form of a sweet semi-private deck. Currently on the market for $1.85 million, the unit last changed hands in July of 2010 for $1.155 million, so the current ask would add up to a significant payday for the current owners. Another minor historic footnote: in the 1960s and '70s, the building's tenants purchased the then-rent-stabilized building and set up co-operative ownership–making it possibly the first co-op building in Brooklyn.
Take a tour

August 16, 2015

Bring the Elements of NYC Into Your Home (Sans the Grime) With These Printed Pillows

No need to reach for your hand sanitizer after handling these NYC artifacts. Ronda J. Smith's "In the Seam" pillows are meant to spruce up lackluster spaces while celebrating all that makes New York New York. Pigeons, rats and all. Works of art in their own right, each image featured has been shot by Rhonda herself (she's also a photographer specializing in food and still life), then printed on cotton sateen, hand stuffed, and sewn onto cotton-twill fabric in Brooklyn.
Where to get them here

August 16, 2015

Construction Begins on Bushwick’s AnX Artist Lofts by Gene Kaufman

By Heather Cooper Vivares

Construction has begun on a cross-braced, utilitarian artists' space in the heart of Bushwick at 13 Grattan Street. According to the Wall Street Journal, after the great success of the adjacent artist production studio space The BogArt in 2005, contemporary patrons of the arts Marianne and Ted Hovivian decided to meet the growing demand for affordable work and exhibition space with a new 40,000-square-foot building. The mixed-use development will be divided between 23,000 square feet of artist lofts on the second through fourth floors and an additional 8,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.
More details here

August 15, 2015

Weekly Highlights: Top Picks from the 6sqft Staff

Venus and Serena Williams Sell Midtown West Apartment for $2M The Bronx Is Getting a New Mixed-Use High-Rise Near Yankee Stadium Facebook Co-Founder Lists His Elegant Bespoke Soho Loft for $8.75M First Look at 23-Story Condominium Replacing Greenwich Village’s Bowlmor Lanes New York Times Custom Birthday Book Features Every Front Page Since Your Birth Inside […]

Uncategorized

August 15, 2015

Washington Heights’ First Two Hotels Set to Open This Summer

By Emrys Fitzgerald

Overnight visitors to Washington Heights–you know, that hotel-free neighborhood "upstate somewhere"—will soon have two brand new lodging options. Both hotels feature geographic monikers, will yield more than 100 rooms combined, and will reportedly open this summer.
more on the two new developments here

August 14, 2015

Hudson Yards’ Outdoor Observation Deck Will Be the Highest in the City

At the end of last year, we learned that 30 Hudson Yards, the 92-story tower that's part of the west side mega-development, would offer a death-defying observation deck. Initial reports said that a tilting glass walkway would jut out of the building around 1,000 feet, but a new report from the Post confirms that the actual height will be 1,100 feet. This puts it 50 feet higher than the Empire State Building's 86th-floor outdoor observation deck, making it the highest in the city. The paper also has a shiny new rendering of the deck, which will span more than 5,000 square feet and boast 360-degree views.
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August 14, 2015

What’s Your Subway Cred? New Game Judges You Based on the Number of Stations You’ve Visited

Akin to pinning all of the cities you've visited on a world map, "What's your Subway Number?" allows you to visually quantify your worldliness—or in this case your "New Yorkness"—by accounting for every subway stop you've stepped foot in. The game is the clever creation of digital designer Mike Solomon, and breaks straphangers down into four categories: Rich Tourist, Junior Commuter, Official Resident, and NYC Lifer.
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Transit

255 East 77th Street

Lenox Hill

Upper East Side condos with Central Park views

3 beds starting at $5,300,000
4 beds starting at $7,400,000
5 beds starting at $8,750,000

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August 14, 2015

VIDEO: This Guy Pays $1,100 to Live in an 100-Square-Foot Apartment

Madison, Wisconsin transplant Grayson Altenberg is paying $1,100 a month for a 100-square-foot apartment in a 4th-story walk-up. Yes, it’s as insane as it sounds. [Village Voice] Helping sugar daddies and their sugar babies find apartments on the hush is big business. [NYDN] A $150,000/month apartment at One57 is the city’s priciest non-hotel rental. [Curbed] The […]

Real Estate Trends

August 14, 2015

New Yorker Spotlight: BriAnne Wills, Creator of the Latest Internet Sensation ‘Girls and Their Cats’

By Susan Cohen

Cats are certainly having their moment. From memes to museum exhibits to full-page articles in major publications, felines are everywhere these days. And for the women who love their cats, there's a chance to join in on the fun thanks to fashion photographer BriAnne Wills. Earlier this year, BriAnne founded Girls and Their Cats, a photography series capturing the intimate bond between New York women and their kitty companions. She initially launched her work on a Tumblr page, expecting it to be a quick project before she got back to the fashion world. Instead, cat lovers found BriAnne, and she now has almost 4,000 followers on Girls and Their Cats' Instagram account. She is currently expanding the series to accommodate the growing community of like-minded women relishing their fondness for felines. We recently chatted with BriAnne about how her small project is quickly becoming a big one and why women and their cats are in the spotlight.
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August 14, 2015

Map Shows the Countries Other Than Mexico That Have the Most Immigrants in Each U.S. State

New York prides itself on its diversity, so it comes as no surprise that we have the second-highest immigration population in the country. But what may be surprising is that the most immigrants–other than those from Mexico–in our state come from China, according to this informative map. In nearby New Jersey and Connecticut, India is responsible for the largest immigrant group.
More on the map here

Uncategorized

August 14, 2015

Cozy Ground-Floor Duplex in Midtown West With Big Terrace Asks $1.1 Million

If you're looking for space and a central location like Midtown Manhattan, check out this one-bedroom co-op that is now for sale by owner. It's a duplex in Midtown West at 453 West 43rd Street located on the ground and lower floors. It comes with two bedrooms, 900 square feet, and a large, 575-square-foot terrace. Of course, extra space and a convenient Manhattan location don't come cheap–the ask comes in at $1.1 million.
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Distinctive Homes

August 14, 2015

Photographs Document Transformation of Freshkills; Pool Floatie Explodes Like a Jack-in-the-Box