February 21, 2024

Mayor Adams sued over failure to enact housing voucher laws

The New York City Council on Wednesday filed a motion to join a class-action lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams for failing to comply with new laws regarding housing vouchers that should have taken effect on January 9. The Legal Aid Society filed the suit last week on behalf of four plaintiffs who are unable to access housing vouchers they are entitled to under laws passed by the City Council last year, according to Gothamist.
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February 21, 2024

Google opens new NYC office at historic St. John’s Terminal

Google on Wednesday officially opened its newest New York City office. What once was a freight terminal in an industrial section of lower Manhattan is now a high-performing modern workplace for thousands of employees. Anchoring Google's larger campus in Hudson Square, the historic St. John's Terminal building at 550 Washington Street has been reimagined by COOKFOX Architects with a nine-floor addition atop three existing floors, a sustainable and biophilic design, diverse work areas, and outdoor communal spaces with Hudson River views.
see it here
February 21, 2024

MTA installing LED lights in every NYC subway station

Bright LED lights will be installed in every New York City subway station in a new effort to make the system safer for commuters, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced this week. The project includes replacing all 150,000 fluorescent lights across the city's subway system with LED lighting by the middle of 2026. Officials say the lights will enhance safety on the subway by brightening every platform and mezzanine and improving the visibility of the 15,000 security cameras found throughout the transit system.
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February 21, 2024

Lottery opens for 83 mixed-income luxury apartments near Times Square, from $934/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 83 mixed-income apartments at a new rental in Midtown West. Located at 312 West 43rd Street on the border of Times Square and Hell's Kitchen, the 33-story building offers 330 luxury apartments with high-end finishes, state-of-the-art amenities, and a central location. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 120 percent of the area median income, or between $32,023 for a single person and $183,000 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, which range from $934/month studios to $3,813/month two bedrooms.
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February 20, 2024

Asking $20M, a university president’s Greenwich Village residence enters a new chapter

This circa 1850 Greek Revival Federal Style townhouse at 21 West 11th Street on a postcard-perfect Greenwich Village block has the distinction of having been the official president's residence at the New School in Manhattan for four decades. As mentioned in a recent New York Times feature highlighting the listing, the elegant home, like many similar university residences, is considered by some to be an incongruous symbol of opulence–and smaller schools throughout the nation are growing more mindful of their bottom line. The home is now on the market for $20,000,000.
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February 20, 2024

Annie Leibovitz sells UWS home for $2M over asking price

Annie Leibovitz has sold her Upper West Side co-op for nearly 24 percent over the asking price. The duplex, located in the star-studded Brentmore building at 88 Central Park West, fetched $10,625,000, roughly $2,000,000 more than what it listed for in October. But the sale was still a loss for Leibovitz, who paid about $11,250,000 for the home in 2014. The Brentmore is known for its high-profile residents, including Robert DeNiro, Paul Simon, and Sting. Kim Cooper, a general counsel at Apple, and Gregg Zehr, the creator of the Kindle, are listed as buyers of the residence, as Curbed first reported.
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February 20, 2024

All-electric affordable housing project planned for Mott Haven parking lot

A project that will bring an all-electric affordable housing development and a new community theater to Mott Haven is moving forward. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) last week selected the team that will convert a city-owned parking lot at 351 Powers Avenue into a 90-unit, fully-electric affordable housing development dubbed the Powerhouse Apartments. The South Bronx development is part of Mayor Eric Adams' "24 in 24" plan, which calls for two dozen affordable housing developments on public land to advance this year.
details this way
February 16, 2024

21 middle-income luxury apartments available in the South Bronx, from $1,800/month

Applications are now being accepted for 21 middle-income apartments at a new rental development in the South Bronx. Located at 2976 Third Avenue in Melrose, the 15-story building offers residents newly constructed luxury units with spacious open layouts. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $61,715 for a single person and $198,250 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced at $1,800/month for studios, $2,250/month for one-bedrooms, and $2,600/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
February 16, 2024

Vornado floats temporary outdoor event space at site of demolished Hotel Pennsylvania

Vornado Realty Trust may bring an outdoor event space to the site of the former Hotel Pennsylvania as it delays constructing a 56-story office tower there. As first reported by Crain's, the developer has floated the idea of "Penn Platform," an 80,000-square-foot space for U.S. Open tennis matches, New York Fashion Week shows, concerts, soccer matches, and other events, in addition to giant billboards, as seen in conceptual renderings published in a marketing brochure. Located on 7th Avenue between 32nd and 33rd Streets, the site sits across from Penn Station and was once home to a 100-year-old hotel, which was demolished last year.
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February 16, 2024

Daring details add a spark of personality to a classic $2.35M Village co-op

On a Gold Coast block, this vibrant Village apartment at 2 Fifth Avenue stands out against a classic co-op setting. A thorough renovation by interior designer Sasha Bikoff leaves no corner untouched by creative detail and adventurous design. Asking $2,350,000, the two-bedroom home has a private balcony and unrivaled views down the Avenue.
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February 15, 2024

Gaze at the sun, moon, and stars above from this $5.45M Tribeca penthouse

With a private terrace, fireplaces, open city views, and a front-row seat to the sky above, you could definitely call this sprawling three-bedroom condo at 459 Washington Street a trophy pad. Asking $5,450,000, this downtown Manhattan home boasts plenty of living and entertaining space along with modern design details and amenities exactly where you need them.
take the penthouse tour
February 15, 2024

Portraits of 200 Brooklynites on view at Industry City

The portraits and stories of 200 South Brooklyn residents will be on display in Sunset Park later this month as part of the Free Portrait Project. During a year-long residency at Industry City that began in January 2023, artist Rusty Zimmerman selected Brooklynites to be the subjects of oil paintings and share their oral histories. The portraits, which will be given to participants for free, will be on view from Saturday, February 24 through March 25.
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February 15, 2024

Walk the runway at the New York Botanical Garden’s fashion-forward orchid show

The New York Botanical Garden's beloved orchid show returns this weekend, bringing the catwalk with it. Designed by artists Hillary Taymour, Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL (a.k.a. Kristen Alpaugh), "The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion" is transforming the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a picture-perfect fashion show with stylish creations made with thousands of orchids and accessory plantings. Tickets are now on sale for the show, which opens on Saturday, February 17, and runs through April 21.
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February 14, 2024

Bjarke Ingels unveils design for Freedom Plaza casino development next to the U.N.

As the state's process for choosing a site for a New York City gaming facility continues to slowly move forward, new renderings released this week offer a closer look at one proposed casino in Manhattan. Renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) on Monday unveiled new images of Freedom Plaza, a mixed-use development with apartments, a hotel, a museum, a 4.77-acre public park, and an underground casino just south of the United Nations.
see the proposal
February 14, 2024

Wegmans may open on the Upper West Side

Wegmans may be continuing its foray into Manhattan with a new space on the Upper West Side. As first reported by the New York Post, Danny Wegman, chairman of the Rochester-based grocery store, recently signed a long-term lease for the former 58,900 square foot space of Bed Bath & Beyond at 1932 Broadway between 64th and 65th Streets. While the exact amount Wegman paid for the space isn't known publicly, sources told the Post that it was a "blended $3.5 million."
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February 14, 2024

Free Shakespeare in the Park program traveling to all five boroughs this summer

Shakespeare is coming to a park near you this summer. The Public Theater on Tuesday announced its free Shakespeare in the Park program will travel to all five boroughs while its Central Park home, the Delacorte Theater, undergoes a renovation. Kicking off on May 28, "Go Public! A Festival of Free Shakespeare in the Park" includes a citywide tour of "The Comedy of Errors" by the theater's mobile unit at parks and plazas across the city, including on the Fifth Avenue Terrace at the New York Public Library and Bryant Park and in Hudson Yards.
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February 13, 2024

The Brooklyn Edison Building may be NYC’s next landmark

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to calendar the Brooklyn Edison Building in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 345 Adams Street, the office building was designed by renowned architectural firm McKenzie, Voorhees & Gemlin and constructed between 1922 and 1926 for the Brooklyn Edison Company. The structure stands out for its important role in the borough's development and its striking Renaissance Revival architectural features, according to the commission.
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February 13, 2024

Cronut creator Dominique Ansel opening bakery in Greenwich Village condo

At a brand new condominium in the Greenwich Village, Cronuts will be one of its selling points. Dominique Ansel, inventor of the iconic pastry, will operate a 2,000-square-foot bakery at 64 University Place, an under-construction 28-unit residential tower designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. The new bakery will be the third Dominique Ansel location in Manhattan.
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February 13, 2024

$19.5M Tribeca townhouse of late designer Thierry Despont sells after three years

The Tribeca townhouse of late French architect Thierry Despont, best known for renovating New York City landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Carlyle Hotel, has finally sold after three years on the market. The five-bedroom townhouse at 182 Franklin Street entered contract with an asking price of 19.5 million, according to CityRealty. Despont, who died in August at the age of 75, listed the property in 2021 for $25 million.
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February 13, 2024

17 spots to go sledding in New York City

Sledding has long been a New York City pastime during the long winter months, thanks to the many hills and slopes found in parks across the five boroughs. With the first real snowstorm in two years upon us, it's the perfect chance to escape your apartment and get some fresh air and winter fun. Ahead, find the best places to go sledding in every borough, from scenic Sunset Park in Brooklyn to the natural rolling hills of Manhattan's Inwood Hill Park.
See the full list
February 12, 2024

The best space heaters for small apartments

Space heaters are a great way to add extra warmth to a small, drafty apartment. And as long as you use them as recommended, space heaters are perfectly safe – especially the newer versions, which come with lots of safety features. Options include powerful models that can oscillate, show the temperature on the digital display, have remote controls, and are compatible with voice assistance – and some can also cool and purify the air. Ahead find some of the best space heaters for small apartments.
stay warm this winter
February 12, 2024

Crown Heights townhouse seized from slumlords available for $678K through lottery

A Crown Heights townhouse owned by an infamous slumlord duo and seized by the city is for sale. The home at 1214 Dean Street was turned over in 2022 after a $2.25 million settlement between the city and the previous owners, who tried to illegally evict tenants during the pandemic and ran an illegal hotel. Following a restoration, the property is now accepting applications as part of the city's affordable housing lottery system. First-time homebuyers with at least a four-person household earning 110 percent of the area median income can apply to buy the home, which is listed at $678,000.
HOW TO APPLY
February 12, 2024

Village Cigars in Greenwich Village closes amid rent dispute

Village Cigars, the iconic Greenwich Village smoke shop in front of Hess Triangle, New York City's smallest piece of private land, has closed after over a century in business. The shop, located at 110 Seventh Avenue and Christopher Street within a distinctive red triangle-shaped building, shut its doors amid an alleged rent dispute between owner Andy Singh and landlord Jon Posner, as reported by Curbed. Posner claims that he signed a separation agreement with Singh, which required him to vacate the store by February 7.
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February 9, 2024

40 gift ideas for every type of Valentine

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to give your loved one something they will really appreciate. It could be candy and flowers – but it could also be something that, at first glance, doesn’t seem like a Valentine’s Day gift. The point is to get them something that they’ll want, like, and use. With that in mind, we’re suggesting a variety of Valentine’s Day gift ideas that are sure to please.
our picks
February 9, 2024

Essex Crossing’s Market Line food hall to close in April

The Market Line, the food hall located inside the Lower East Side's Essex Crossing development, is closing its doors on April 1. A spokesperson for developer Delancey Street Associates on Friday announced that the subterranean food hall will close this spring due to pandemic-related difficulties. A majority of the food hall's vendors, including its anchor beer spot the Grand Delancey, have announced their exodus from the space over the last month, as Eater New York reported. Delancey Street Associates said that they're looking at other uses for the space.
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February 9, 2024

NYC rental vacancy rate drops to 1.4%, lowest in 50+ years

New York City's net rental vacancy rate has dropped to a mere 1.4 percent, the lowest rate on record. According to a survey released by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development on Thursday, the city had a little over 33,000 vacant rental apartments available between January and mid-June of 2023 citywide, out of a total stock of 2,357,000 units. Despite adding 60,000 units since 2021, the demand for housing in all five boroughs is outpacing the construction of new homes.
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February 9, 2024

‘Park of Dreams’ brings vibrant public art to Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza during renovation

A new site-specific public art installation is livening up Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza during the renovation of its famous Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch. ART FOR CHANGE and the Prospect Park Alliance this week revealed "Park of Dreams," a public art exhibition displayed on the construction fencing surrounding the iconic Arch. The large-scale artworks, created by contemporary artists like Jules de Balincourt, Marcus Brutus, Kelly Beeman, Danielle Orchard, Amy Lincoln, and others, will be on view through the spring.
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February 9, 2024

Bed-Stuy brownstone living in a compact condo for $725K

On a historic block on the Clinton Hill-Bed-Stuy border, this top-floor home at 190 Lefferts Place offers townhouse living and modern condo convenience. On the highest floor of a beautifully restored four-unit brick-and-stone townhouse, this one-bedroom home, asking $725,000, blends pre-war details with 21st-century additions like central air, a newly-minted kitchen and bathroom, and a washer/dryer.
Get a closer look
February 8, 2024

NYC real estate developer arrested in $86M+ fraud scheme

The former executive of a luxury New York City development firm has been arrested for his connection to an $86 million fraud scheme. Nir Meir, the former managing director of HFZ Capital, was taken into custody on Monday along with other high-ranking industry officials, for stealing money from investors, subcontractors, and the city of New York, according to the indictment. Prosecutors claim Meir, who managed the firm's largest projects, specifically The XI (now One High Line), directed more than $253 million of the project's funding to LLCs controlled by HFZ despite being legally required to use the money for the development.
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February 8, 2024

22 unexpected NYC date ideas for the offbeat romantic

When February arrives, we're reminded that love is, in fact, in the air, filling our inboxes with a never-ending litany of ways to summon Cupid's attention, from expensive restaurant seatings to every bloom and bonbon that will fit in a heart-shaped box. If you're looking for a romantic New York City (or nearby) date idea with a bit more thought behind it, check out our love-infused list.
Think out of the (Heart-shaped) box
February 8, 2024

Fotografiska New York to offer discounted museum admission on second Sundays

The photography museum Fotografiska New York will soon offer discounted admission on the second Sunday of every month. Starting on February 11, the contemporary museum is offering $10 admission on second Sundays; tickets normally cost $31 for adults. Located at 281 Park Avenue South in Gramercy, the museum offers visitors engaging photography exhibitions, coffee and pastries at its cafe, and a curated retail shop.
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February 7, 2024

New York lawmakers propose new state agency to build affordable ‘social housing’

New York lawmakers want to create a new publicly-funded agency to address the state's ongoing affordable housing crisis. State Sen. Cordell Cleare and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher on Tuesday introduced a bill proposing the creation of the Social Housing Development Authority (SHDA), a new agency that would use state money to finance the creation of permanently affordable, 100 percent union-built housing, instead of relying on private developers. According to City Limits, SHDA would create "social housing," a term used to describe developments typically owned by public entities, non-profits, or the residents themselves.
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February 7, 2024

Leasing launches at 100% electric Coney Island rental with ocean and amusement park views

Leasing has launched at New York City's first multi-family geothermal project. Developed by LCOR and designed by STUDIO V Architecture, 1515 Surf Avenue is a 100 percent electric two-tower development steps from the beach in Coney Island. The property contains 463 apartments, 324 of which are priced at the market rate and the rest designated as affordable. The unique development offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a selection of penthouses, as well as an impressive suite of amenities with up-close views of the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Riegelmann Boardwalk.
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February 7, 2024

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

This co-op in the Financial District offers a designer-crafted residence at a historic address. On a high floor within the 19th-century landmarked Morse Building, the home was designed by architect David Hotson, known for his work on the SkyHouse penthouse at 150 Nassau Street and the Pinnacle of the Woolworth Building. On a slightly smaller scale than those projects but sophisticated nonetheless, the available two-bedroom home, asking $2,250,000, is wrapped in white oak millwork and features two clever lofted spaces.
details here
February 6, 2024

70 NYCHA workers charged with bribery and extortion

Dozens of current and former employees of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) were charged on Tuesday with bribery and extortion offenses. As many as 70 superintendents and assistant superintendents at nearly 100 NYCHA buildings allegedly demanded over $2 million in bribery money from contractors collectively in exchange for $13 million in work, according to charges unsealed by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, the action marks the largest single-day bribery takedown in the history of the Justice Department. Williams said 66 of the 70 defendants were arrested this morning.
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February 6, 2024

Bronx Night Market will return to Fordham Plaza this April

The Bronx Night Market is returning to Fordham Plaza this spring after announcing its permanent closure last October. MASC Hospitality Group (MHG) on Monday announced the beloved market will reopen on April 6 with a new holistic approach designed to address previous issues and make Fordham Plaza a center for "community, culture, and commerce." The revamped market will feature a variety of new programming, including cooking demonstrations and nutrition education, an artisanal cafe, a curated bookstore, live performances, and more.
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February 6, 2024

Aman New York condo sells for $61.58M

An apartment on Fifth Avenue has sold for $61.58 million, according to city records. Terence Chan, chair of Hong Kong-based private equity firm Bay Area Capital Partners, closed on the four-bedroom apartment at Aman New York, an ultra-luxe hotel-condo with 83 hotel rooms and 22 residences inside the iconic Crown Building, Crain's reported.
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February 6, 2024

116 deeply affordable homes coming to city-owned Prospect Heights site

A project that will bring affordable apartments and a community garden to Prospect Heights is underway. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) last week selected Apex Building Group and Bridge Street Development Corporation to convert a 17,000-square-foot HPD satellite office at 516 Bergen Street into a 116-unit affordable housing development known as "Bergen Green." The project falls under the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan (AAMUP), which in combination with the nearby redevelopment of a Dean Street parking lot, will bring roughly 270 affordable homes to Prospect Heights.
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February 5, 2024

NYC reveals automated, side-loading garbage truck

A revolutionary garbage truck is hitting New York City streets, four years ahead of schedule. Mayor Eric Adams last week revealed a new automated side-loading garbage truck that will allow Department of Sanitation workers to easily collect trash from large containerized bins at high-density residential buildings. With the use of the new trucks and a data-driven containerization model, Manhattan Community Board 9 will be the first district to have 100 percent of its garbage containerized next year.
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February 5, 2024

20 best spots to watch the Super Bowl in NYC

On February 11, the San Francisco 49ers will face the defending champs the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. In New York City, there is no shortage of exciting ways to enjoy the big game with many of the city's bars and restaurants hosting watch parties with food and drink specials. Ahead, here are some of the best spots to watch Super Bowl LVIII in NYC, from taking a ping-pong break between downs at SPIN to cheering from a heated cabana at Williamsburg's BK Backyard Bar.
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February 4, 2024

2026 World Cup Final will be held in New Jersey

One of the largest sporting events in the world is coming to New Jersey. On Sunday, FIFA, the governing body of football, announced MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will hold the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. The joint bid of “New York New Jersey” was one of 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada selected in 2022 as a host city for the tournament.
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February 2, 2024

Visit the Frick Collection at the Breuer Building before it closes in March

Here's your last chance to visit the Frick Madison at its temporary home inside the brutalist icon the Breuer Building. The Frick Collection, which has temporarily resided at 945 Madison Avenue since 2021, is closing its doors on March 3 as the art institution prepares to move back to its newly-renovated, historic home at 1 East 70th Street on the Upper East Side. The museum and its library are expected to reopen later this year.
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February 2, 2024

Open gangway subway cars are now in service on the C line

The New York City subway system's new open gangway cars have officially hit the rails. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday participated in an inaugural ride of the open gangway subway cars which are in service on the C line between Washington Heights and East New York. The ride marked the first time in modern history that an open gangway train, already used in major European and Asian cities, has operated in the United States.
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February 2, 2024

Port Authority unveils revised design for $10B Midtown bus terminal

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Thursday unveiled an updated design for the project to build a new modern Midtown bus terminal and announced the publication of the draft environmental impact statement. Plans to replace the rundown 73-year-old bus terminal--the world's busiest--originated over 10 years ago to accommodate expected ridership growth. The terminal will cost $10 billion and take eight years to build, with construction potentially starting as early as this year.
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February 1, 2024

Look out on the city from high above the Lower East Side in this $3.8M penthouse

Manhattan's Lower East Side is enjoying a true 21st-century glow-up; this three-bedroom penthouse atop 196 Orchard Street embodies the layers of luxury that now define the storied neighborhood. The 1,925-square-foot condo offers an iconic city perch surrounded by 18-foot ceilings and views of downtown Manhattan through bronze-edged casement windows.
downtown penthouse living, this way
February 1, 2024

Rubin Museum to close its doors after two decades

Known for its Himalayan art, New York City's Rubin Museum will close this fall after 20 years. The Rubin Museum of Art on Wednesday announced the museum will evolve into a global institution "without walls" and close its Chelsea building on October 6 after its final exhibition. After selling its building on West 17th Street, the Rubin will become an organization that processes long-term loans, hosts traveling exhibitions, and helps with research inquiries and fundraising, according to the New York Times.
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February 1, 2024

Brooklyn Museum marks 200th anniversary with a yearlong celebration

Founded in 1824 as Brooklyn’s first free circulating library, the Brooklyn Museum has supported and promoted art and culture in New York City for 200 years. To mark its 200th anniversary, the museum is hosting a yearlong birthday party, kicking off this fall, with special events, exhibitions, programs, and even a new Museum on Wheels. 
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February 1, 2024

Play with giant light-up dominos in the Financial District

A new interactive public art installation in the Financial District is injecting vibrant color and sound into New York City's dreary winter. Created by Montreal-based design studio Ingrid Ingrid, "Domino Effect" features 120 giant dominos scattered across 12 tables in Fosun Plaza, with each domino giving off a unique sound and color. Presented by the Downtown Alliance in partnership with Quartier des Spectacles International, the installation is on view at Fosun Plaza in front of 28 Liberty Street through March 6.
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