March 7, 2022

Open Data Week highlights NYC’s Open Data Portal with art, design, squirrels and more

New York City loves an opportunity to show off its smarts and find innovative ways technology, art and daily life are intertwined. Data Through Design (DxD), an exhibition happening from March 5 - 13 throughout the five boroughs, is a perfect example. DxD is a central component of the broader NYC Open Data Week, which in turn highlights the city's Open Data Portal and the many things that can be done with access to data. Design and art events offer visitors a chance to interact with the city through life-sized art pieces. Even the city's bushy-tailed rodents get involved in the fun.
Art, design, rats and squirrels, this way
March 7, 2022

29 essential items that make working from home easier

Whether you’re working from home a couple of days a week or spending the entirety of each workweek at home, you need to create the right environment to work efficiently. And since you’re at home, there’s no reason why you can’t also be comfortable – and choose items that you’d actually like to use. Ahead, find some of the WFH essentials you’ll need to create the perfect workspace.
Here's what you need
March 7, 2022

Study says vaccines prevented 48,000+ Covid deaths in NYC

More than 48,000 deaths, 300,000 hospitalizations, and 1.9 million cases have been prevented since the city's Covid-19 vaccination campaign started in December 2020, the New York City Health Department announced on Friday.  “COVID-19 vaccines have saved so many lives and prevented an immense amount of suffering," Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, Health Commissioner, said. "Nearly 48,000 New Yorkers will celebrate another birthday this year due to the power of vaccination."
Find out more
March 7, 2022

Get lost on two sprawling floors of this $7.5M 12-room Upper East Side co-op

If the location of this five-bedroom co-op at 1165 Fifth Avenue–with Central Park just out the window and across the street–weren't enough to make it a big deal, it's a veritable sky-townhouse with co-op convenience. Asking $7,495,000, the 12-room duplex is a combination of two apartments, resulting in space galore, divided among colorful, livable, renovated rooms.
Take the two-floor tour
March 7, 2022

Explore hidden gems and lesser-known artists at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library’s new exhibit

The Hispanic Society Museum & Library has opened a new exhibition that brings attention to the wide variety of art, literature, and history from the Iberian Peninsula and South America. Curated by art historian Dr. Madeleine Haddon, Nuestra Casa: Rediscovering the Treasures of The Hispanic Society Museum & Library features select "hidden gems" from the museum's expansive collection of more than 750,000 pieces, including artworks by El Greco and Goya to masterpieces by lesser-known Latin American artists. The exhibition is open at the Washington Heights museum now through April 17.
Details this way
March 4, 2022

A luxurious wellness spa is now open on Governors Island

QC Terme Spas & Resorts' long-anticipated day spa has opened today within three historic buildings on Governors Island. QC NY is the luxury resort brand's first property outside of Europe and features relaxation rooms, themed saunas, Vichy showers, infrared beds, foot baths, hydro jets, steam baths, and other amenities meant to induce bliss. The resort will be the island's first year-round commercial tenant.
See more here
March 4, 2022

For $3.25M, this pretty Gramercy co-op has a near-perfect layout and a key to the park

Only a fortunate few residences in the Gramercy Park neighborhood come with keys to the actual park, and this two-bedroom co-op at 32 Gramercy Park South is one of them. The apartment–a two-unit combo asking $3,250,000–is fully renovated without the awkwardness sometimes found when units merge. Spacious bedrooms and extra living space make the layout just right, and city skyline views add to the perfect Manhattan apartment equation.
Take the tour
March 4, 2022

Director Baz Luhrmann lists vibrant Gramercy townhouse for $20M

Writer and director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin, are selling their Gramercy Park townhouse for $19,995,000, as the Wall Street Journal first reported. Located at 243 East 17th Street, the 28-foot-wide Anglo-Italianate-style six-bedroom home sits on Stuyvesant Square Park, within the area's historic district. Inside, the Australian couple put their own creative touch on the 19th-century home, with dramatic, patterned wallpaper, bright colors, and carefully curated furniture.
See inside
March 3, 2022

Brooklinen’s new towel collection brings NYC icons to the beach

Though it might not be quite time to hit the beach, we're counting the days. Luxury bed linen disruptor Brooklinen has offered us a ray of sunshine in the form of a new collaboration with a nod to everyone's favorite New York City icons. Inspired by their Brooklyn roots, the company is collaborating with six New York City artists on a collection of limited-edition, summer-themed beach towel prints. The first three in the series, available starting March 3, include NYC Summer, High Tide, and Island Life. The first of these is indeed a snapshot of summer in the city.
Pigeons, pizza, pretzels
March 3, 2022

Brooklyn Museum’s iconic ‘OY/YO’ sculpture is wrapped in blue fabric to show support for Ukraine

The bright yellow OY/YO sculpture that sits in front of The Brooklyn Museum has been partially wrapped in blue fabric to show solidarity with Ukraine. Deborah Kass, the New York artist behind the piece, joined museum staff on Wednesday to cover the letter "O" with the fabric, a nod to the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag. According to an Instagram post published by the museum, Kass' activation "aligns with her original motivation in creating this sculpture—to connect communities and to see our commonalities."
Get the details
March 3, 2022

South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to become one of nation’s largest offshore wind ports

Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced an agreement that will transform New York City's South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into one of the country's largest offshore wind ports. As part of the deal made with the city's Economic Development Corporation, Equinor, and the Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, L.P., the terminal will become a power interconnection site for the Empire Wind 1 project, with heavy-lift platforms being built on the 39th Street Pier for use as wind turbine staging. The terminal's transformation will help the city meet its climate goal of having 100 percent clean electricity by 2040.
See more here
March 3, 2022

$17.8M Brooklyn Heights waterfront townhouse has an elevator, garage, and loads of original details

If you crave a historic brownstone with original architectural details, this 5,050-square-foot, four-story home at 77 Columbia Heights will certainly get your attention. Immaculately restored interior architecture frames a Brooklyn Heights corner townhouse with East River and Manhattan views from almost every room. In addition to state-of-the-art modern updates (including an elevator), the 25-foot-wide townhouse, asking $17,777,000, comes with a two-car garage, a wine cellar and gym, and a landscaped roof deck with a custom outdoor kitchen.
Historic townhouse details galore, this way
March 3, 2022

Port Authority releases mass transit options as possible alternatives to LaGuardia AirTrain project

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Wednesday released a set of alternative options to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $2.1 billion LaGuardia AirTrain project, a 1.5-mile elevated rail that would connect the airport with the subway system at Willets Point and link to the Long Island Rail Road. After Gov. Kathy Hochul halted the project last October and urged developers to look for alternate options, Port Authority has come up with 14 alternatives including two subway extensions, five light rail routes, five bus options, a ferry service, and options utilizing "emerging technologies."
See more here
March 2, 2022

How Planter Rob is growing a community of plant lovers & affordable housing advocates in NYC

Plant entrepreneur Robert Jeffery, aka Planter Rob, recently teamed up with New York's largest supportive housing provider Breaking Ground and plant company The Sill to donate nearly 200 houseplants to residents of Edwin's Place, an affordable housing development in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Jeffery has also started his own "Welcome-Home Plants" program; an initiative that aims to cultivate a diverse community of plant lovers who advocate for affordable housing and reap the benefits plant care brings, like a feeling of belonging and accomplishment. As someone who once faced homelessness, Jeffery can speak on the impact plant care had on his life once he was able to have a place for himself. We spoke with Planter Rob on what influenced him to become involved with houseplants, important issues in the plant community, and how he began his work with Breaking Ground and Edwin's Place.
Meet Planter Rob and learn more about his mission
March 2, 2022

City intensifies enforcement at 250 apartment buildings with 40,000 open violations

New York City will increase enforcement at 250 apartment buildings that together have roughly 40,000 open housing maintenance code violations. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development on Tuesday announced the buildings, which include more than 5,000 households, will be placed in the city's Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP), which aims to hold bad landlords accountable and improve living conditions for tenants.
More here
March 2, 2022

NYC’s first ‘flying theater’ RiseNY opens in Times Square

Starting Wednesday, visitors will be able to soar through the sky on an aerial tour of New York City in a flying theater. Located at 160 West 45th Street, RiseNY is a state-of-the-art virtual experience created and produced by Running Subway that takes participants on an exhilarating journey of the city skyline and cultural landmarks. The experience is a three-part journey starting with a film narrated by Jeff Goldblum, taking guests through the recreation of NYC's first subway station and delving into the city's global impact.
Details here
March 2, 2022

This $15M UES mansion has six floors topped by a solarium and roof garden

Appropriately situated on one of the Upper East Side's grandest blocks, the Adele Kneeland Mansion at 154 East 71st Street is a 20-foot-wide Neo-Georgian townhouse with more than 11,000 square feet of interior space. Asking $14,950,000, this six-story residence boasts both original and updated architecture on the inside and outside. An elevator serves all floors, including the glass-walled double-height solarium and 1,250-square-foot landscaped rooftop terrace at its crown. The options here are many on the live/work spectrum; in addition to a palatial private home, it would be well-suited for a medical practice, school, private art museum, or non-profit organization HQ.
More about this historic Manhattan mansion
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March 1, 2022

New transparency bill would make it harder for international elites to hide behind LLCs in NY

State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher on Tuesday introduced legislation that would help shine a light on the money behind Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and anonymous shell companies. The new bill would help uncover assets of international oligarchs, trace tax evaders and help hold bad landlords accountable by requiring LLCs to disclose to the NYS Department of State the names and addresses of their beneficial owners.
Find out more
March 1, 2022

Harlem’s massive $700M Taystee Lab Building is complete

A state-of-the-art building built for life science, academic, and creative tenants is officially complete in Harlem, serving as the anchor of a major new commercial district in the neighborhood. The 350,000-square-foot Taystee Lab Building, named after the bread bakery that once occupied the lot, is the largest building in the Manhattanville Factory District, a master-planned, multi-building campus stretching from West 125th Street to West 128th Street with dedicated commercial and community space.
Get the details
March 1, 2022

The New York Botanical Garden’s colorful orchid show returns for 19th year

After it was cut short due to the pandemic, the New York Botanical Garden's famed orchid exhibition is returning for its 19th year. Created by lifestyle icon and floral designer Jeff Leatham, The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham's Kaleidoscope transforms the garden's historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a colorful experience reminiscent of a kaleidoscope. The orchid show is open through May 1.
See more here
March 1, 2022

Brooklyn officials call for end of minimum parking requirements at new developments

Brooklyn officials are calling for the end of minimum parking requirements at new construction projects in transit-rich neighborhoods. Currently, developers of most new residential developments in the borough must create off-street parking spaces for both as-of-right and rezoned projects. Officials argue parking minimums disrupt the area by adding congestion, reducing walkability, and producing more carbon emissions. While changing requirements is seen as more of a long-term goal, officials on Monday voiced a temporary solution: asking the Department of City Planning to encourage developers to include special permit applications to waive parking requirements for any residential project subject to rezoning.
Find out more
March 1, 2022

$4M Tribeca loft offers privacy and plenty of room for living

For anyone who dreams of loft living but wants modern condo convenience and privacy, this freshly renovated Tribeca loft in the Sugar Warehouse at 79 Laight Street should hit a sweet spot. For $3,995,000 you get a private elevator landing, three well-distanced bedrooms, a huge entertaining space, and sparkling new finishes in an authentic, historic loft frame.
More modern loft goodness, this way
February 28, 2022

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

New York may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean there aren't plenty of deals to uncover. If you’re looking to dress up your walls or find a new couch that doesn’t cost a month’s rent, a thrift store is often your best bet. So where can you find these wallet-friendly unicorns? There are plenty of larger chains throughout the five boroughs like Housing Works, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill, but also many under-the-radar shops that each offer their own brand of charm. You can find the weird and the wonderful, give new life to ancient floor lamps or grab a barely-used armchair. Plus, what’s good for your wallet also happens to be good for the environment. And best of all, many of these stores are money-making vehicles for various nonprofits or charities, meaning your money is working twice as hard. From a 10,000-square-foot warehouse to a carefully curated resale shop, here are the eight best stores in NYC to thrift for home goods.
More this way
February 28, 2022

Manhattan borough president calls for seizure of Russian oligarchs’ NYC properties

High-profile sales deals with wealthy Russian buyers have made headlines–Dmitry Rybolovlev's $88 million condo buy at 15 Central Park West, for example–and Manhattan's trophy condos have been seen as a safe investment for Russian oligarchs. But since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there have been calls to seize those properties, The Real Deal reports.
Find out more
February 28, 2022

40 middle-income units available at new Fordham Heights rental, from $1,539/month

A housing lottery opened last week for 40 middle-income apartments at a new residential building in the Bronx. Located at 2065-2067 Ryer Avenue in Fordham Heights, the 12-story building is being developed by the UA Builders Group. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $52,766 annually for a single person to $167,570 for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,539/month studios to $1,878/month two-bedrooms.
Find out more
February 28, 2022

For $1.8M, a ‘Folk Victorian’ style Hudson Valley home once frequented by Gilded Age celebrities

Once a boarding house frequented by celebrities of the Gilded Age, this 1867 colonial overlooking the Hudson River in Rockland County is on the market. Located at 91 River Road in Grandview, the Limont House, with six bedrooms and five-and-a-half-bathroom, is asking $1,825,000. The property, which includes a separate pool house, sits on the site of a former sandstone quarry and leads to nature trails on the former Erie Rail.
See inside
February 27, 2022

Adams to end school mask mandate, most indoor vaccine requirements on March 7

New York City will no longer require masks in public schools or proof of vaccination for indoor dining and entertainment starting March 7 if there is no spike in Covid-19 cases before then, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday. The announcement comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul lifted the indoor mask mandate statewide for schools. In addition to ending the mask mandate in schools, Adams said the "Key to NYC' initiative, which has required proof of vaccination at restaurants, bars, gyms, and indoor entertainment venues since August, will also be lifted. An official decision is expected on March 4.
Find out more
February 25, 2022

NYC Council approves zoning amendment in move toward permanent outdoor dining

The New York City Council on Thursday approved the Open Restaurants zoning text amendment to NYC’s Zoning Resolution, an important step in the path to making permanent outdoor dining a part of city life. The zoning amendment expands the areas where outdoor dining can be considered to all NYC neighborhoods. The amendment joins proposed legislative changes that would cut red tape for restaurant owners.
Find out more
February 25, 2022

Pebble Bar to open at historic four-story townhouse at Rockefeller Center

A 19th-century townhouse once home to a beloved Irish saloon that refused to move during the construction of Rockefeller Center is getting a new life as a glamorous multi-level bar. Set to open on February 28, Pebble Bar will stretch across three floors at 67 West 49th Street, where the pub named Hurley's served New Yorkers for over 100 years. Designed by Gachot Studios, Pebble Bar features a bar overlooking Sixth Avenue, a moody 35-seat dining room with a marble-lined oyster bar, and fourth-floor flexible event space and "secret" entrance.
More this way
February 25, 2022

Hochul says 190 homes at Inwood Tower will remain affordable for next 30 years

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced an agreement with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYHCR) to preserve affordability for 30 years for 190 households at Inwood Tower, a Mitchell-Lama cooperative development in Washington Heights. By terms of the agreement, NYHCR will grant the co-op a $7.6 million subsidy loan that the development will use for essential repairs. With this grant, the state has ensured that more than 22,000 Mitchell-Lama apartments remain affordable for low and moderate-income New Yorkers as part of its five-year housing plan.
Find out more
February 25, 2022

A lofted upper level gives this $2.75M Chelsea condo extra living space

This two-bedroom condo at 121 West 20th Street, asking $2,750,000, has classic Manhattan loft details like 15-foot ceilings, oversized windows, and cast-iron columns. A lofted mezzanine provides the second bedroom, plus office space and closets, and a new renovation adds a sleek kitchen, designer fixtures and finishes, and contemporary convenience.
Take the tour
February 24, 2022

NYC reaches $2.25M settlement with notorious Crown Heights landlord duo

Mayor Eric Adams and New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday announced a $2.25 million settlement against Gennaro Brooks-Church and Loretta Gendville, who attempted to illegally evict tenants at their Brooklyn property during the pandemic in violation of the state's moratorium, and reportedly ran an illegal hotel operation over the course of several years. By terms of the settlement, the property located at 1214 Dean Street in Crown Heights will be turned over to the city and transformed into affordable housing, with the previous owners paying $250,000 in fines.
See more here
February 24, 2022

Everything is for sale, including the $6.5M apartment, at this Upper West Side interior design exhibition

The Belnord at 225 West 86th Street is getting plenty of attention recently. The Upper West Side condo building stars as the fictional Arconia in Hulu’s "Only Murders in the Building" series. Now, a three-bedroom unit, on the market since October for $6,475,000, is having a turn in the spotlight as an international interior design showcase. The Belnord Project presents the home's interiors and art in a shoppable exhibition curated by frenchCALIFORNIA in partnership with Evan Snyderman of modern and contemporary design gallery R & Company.
Check out the design collaboration, room by room
February 23, 2022

See the luxury condo towers coming to one of Greenpoint’s remaining waterfront parcels

A new luxury residential project is set to rise on one of Greenpoint's few remaining vacant waterfront parcels. First spotted last month by CityRealty, The Huron is a two-tower condo development featuring 171 units ranging from studios to four bedrooms. Developed by Quadrum Global, the two towers boast eight exposures that maximize waterfront views and 30,000 square feet of amenity space, including an indoor saltwater pool overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
See more here
February 23, 2022

The 15 best poufs and ottomans you can buy online

I love poufs and ottomans because they’re so versatile that they can be used for seating, serve as a footrest, and some can even provide storage. Poufs and ottomans are available in a variety of sizes and materials, making them ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, kids’ rooms, and nurseries--as well as on the patio. Below, find some of our favorite poufs and ottomans you can buy online.
Full list ahead
February 23, 2022

MTA to test platform barriers at 3 stations in Manhattan and Queens

After the tragic killing of a subway rider pushed in front of a train earlier this month, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has finally heeded the calls of transit advocates and New Yorkers and will be testing platform doors at three stations in Manhattan and Queens. The MTA will be piloting the barriers at Times Square on the 7 line, at Third Avenue on the L line, and at Sutphin Boulevard/JFK on the E line, as MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber told NY1 Wednesday morning.
Find out more
February 23, 2022

Mayor’s budget comes up short on housing and homelessness, NYC advocates say

Mayor Eric Adams released the city's preliminary budget for fiscal year 2023 last Wednesday, placing emphasis on public safety, employment, and aiding the plight of the city's youngest residents by addressing childcare and at-risk youth. While the mayor's safety-focused policy actions–prohibiting homeless people from sleeping in subway stations, for example–made headlines, advocates for equitable housing and the homeless say the proposed budget is a disappointment without a previously promised focus on those basic needs.
More on where the money's going, this way
February 23, 2022

For $1M, this historic Hudson bed and breakfast has lots of options beneath its mansard roof

This eclectic 1865 Second Empire-style home–complete with mansard roof and widow's walk–is currently operated as Hudson City Bed and Breakfast in buzzy Hudson, NY. Asking $1,025,000, the 4,825-square-foot, six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath home at 326-328 Allen Street has lots of appeal for anyone fond of architectural quirks, including an Italianate tower and one of the town's only accessible widow's walks with views of the surrounding Catskill Mountains.
Tour this historic Catskill home
February 22, 2022

Beachy bungalow in Montauk has modern interiors and cute backyard for $1.7M

Just moments from the hub of the hamlet of Montauk, this charming Hamptons cottage offers a quaint and quiet escape without sacrificing convenience. The two-bedroom home, located on Fort Pond at 100 Edgemere Street, feels like a beachy bungalow due to its relaxed layout and use of natural textures but is still stylish enough to entertain and host visitors. The home is now available for $1,695,000.
More this way
February 22, 2022

NYC begins effort to ‘harden’ 20 miles of protected bike lanes

The New York City Department of Transportation is implementing new strategies to keep cyclists safe while navigating the hectic city streets. Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Friday announced the start of a new project that will fortify half of all delineator-protected bike lanes in NYC, which better protects cyclists and keeps lanes clear of vehicles. Originally set to be completed within the first 100 days of Rodriguez's term, as Streetsblog reported, the city now aims to harden 20 of the city's 40 miles of delineator-protected bike lines by the end of 2023.
Find out more
February 22, 2022

Apply for 95 middle-income units at Jamaica rental with sweeping skyline views, from $1,550/month

Nearly 100 new middle-income units are up for grabs at a new residential tower in Queens. Located at 160-05 Archer Ave in Jamaica, One Archer provides its residents with easy access to Manhattan and a wide variety of amenities, including a rooftop with impressive views. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $54,858 annually for a single person or $167,570 annually for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,550/month studios to $2,345/month two-bedrooms.
Find out more
February 22, 2022

The contemporary curves of this $15.3M Village condo hold a family-sized home

This 4,535-square-foot pre-war corner condo at 65 West 13th Street in Greenwich Village has the stylish contemporary lines of a gallery and the 12-foot ceilings of a loft, with sweeping city views. A renovation designed by Workshop/APD created a perfect canvas for an art collection–and a sprawling refuge for family living. Thanks to four bedrooms in separate wings, a playroom, den, and laundry room, living in the city doesn't have to mean giving up space–though it does mean parting with $15,300,000.
Take the grand tour
February 18, 2022

NYC announces plan to stop homeless New Yorkers from sheltering on the subway

New York City will increase enforcement of certain rules in the subway system as part of a broader safety plan to address homelessness announced by Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA on Friday. The NYPD will boost their enforcement of the "rules of conduct," which includes the prohibition of lying down or sleeping in a way that interferes with others, exhibiting aggressive behavior, spitting, smoking, using drugs, and "using the subway for any purpose other than transportation," according to the 17-page plan. "No more just doing whatever you want," Adams said on Friday. "Those days are over. Swipe your MetroCard, ride the system, and get off at your destination."
Get the details
February 18, 2022

Paul McCartney sells Fifth Avenue apartment for $8.5M, at a $7M loss

Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney has just sold his Upper East Side co-op at 1045 Fifth Avenue for $8.5 million, The Real Deal reports. Sir Paul and his wife, Nancy Shevell, purchased the four-bedroom co-op in 2015 for $15.5 million. The duplex penthouse overlooking the Central Park reservoir was first listed in June for $12 million, then received another cut before going into contract in October.
More on this mid-century modern gem
February 18, 2022

Apply for 125 mixed-income units on Greenpoint’s waterfront, from $1,437/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 125 mixed-income units at a new residential tower on the Brooklyn waterfront. Located at 1 Bell Slip in Greenpoint, the 31-story building offers its residents a host of luxury-style amenities and breathtaking views of the city skyline. New Yorkers earning 80, 125, and 130 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,437/month studios to $3,397/month two-bedrooms.
Find out more
February 18, 2022

Sprawling Upper West Side pre-war ‘classic seven’ with city and river views asks $3.9M

It's the kind of jumbo pre-war classic co-op that has launched nearly a century of Manhattan fantasies–on the Upper West Side, no less. Asking $3,895,000, the 15th-floor apartment at 90 Riverside Drive, on the market for the first time in 50 years, has the pre-war size and city and river views that look just as enviable in the 21st century.
Tour this uptown classic

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