6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Asking $19.5 million, this just-listed penthouse at new condo tower Olympia Dumbo is currently Brooklyn's most expensive listing. If the five-bedroom condo at 30 Front Street fetches the asking price, it will be among the borough's most expensive sales ever. The record for Brooklyn's priciest property sale currently belongs to the Brooklyn Heights townhouse at 8 Montague Terrace which sold for $25.5 million last year, followed by a $20.3 million Quay Tower penthouse on the Brooklyn Heights waterfront. The new listing also brings the big-ticket crown to Dumbo.
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New York lawmakers propose heat sensor requirement after deadly Bronx fire

Image courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

January 18, 2022

New York lawmakers propose heat sensor requirement after deadly Bronx fire

After the fire that claimed 17 lives at a Bronx apartment building last week, elected officials are brainstorming strategies to prevent future tragedies. Rep. Ritchie Torres and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Monday announced new legislation requiring the installation of heat sensors at federally-owned housing developments. Supported by Mayor Eric Adams, sensors monitor the heat levels within buildings, alerting authorities when they reach unsafe conditions. The monitors can also keep track of when temperatures drop lower than the legal limit.
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Policy

Adams vetoes measure that would increase fines for non-artist residents in upzoned Soho-Noho

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

January 18, 2022

Adams vetoes measure that would increase fines for non-artist residents in upzoned Soho-Noho

Mayor Eric Adams last week vetoed legislation that would increase fines for residents illegally occupying artist housing in Soho and Noho, a measure passed by the City Council last month alongside the approved neighborhood rezoning. Sponsored by former Council Member Margaret Chin, the bill would increase penalties on non-artist residents of the Joint Living Work Quarters for Artists (JLWQA) zone, which was created in the 1970s to allow artists to legally live in the once manufacturing-heavy area, with fines starting at $15,000 for those without proper certification.
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Policy

New-York Historical Society brings Frederick Douglass’ vision of a free America to life

Left: Carte-de-visite of Frederick Douglass, late 19th century. Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, New-York Historical Society. Right: Douglass scrapbook, Beinecke Library, New-York Historical Society

January 18, 2022

New-York Historical Society brings Frederick Douglass’ vision of a free America to life

The work of one of America's most influential advocates for liberty and equality will be on view in New York City this Black History Month. On February 11, the New-York Historical Society will open Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America, a special installation that honors the legacy of one of America’s most prolific freedom fighters. Named after one of Frederick Douglass’ most iconic speeches written at the end of the Civil War, the installation aims to paint a picture of Douglass’ optimistic vision of a new America during the era of Reconstruction.
Details here

Lottery opens for 288 apartments at 71-story rental in Long Island City, from $2,132/month

Photo: The Durst Organization/ Giles Ashford

January 18, 2022

Lottery opens for 288 apartments at 71-story rental in Long Island City, from $2,132/month

Late last year, leasing launched at Sven, a 71-story rental in Long Island City and the second tallest building in Queens. This week, an affordable housing lottery for 288 middle-income apartments opened at the residential skyscraper located at 2959 Northern Boulevard. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range in price from $1,990/month studios to $3,843/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Billionaire Daniel Och sells 220 Central Park South penthouse for $190M

220 Central Park South. Photo by Jim.henderson (cropped) via Wikimedia Commons.

January 14, 2022

Billionaire Daniel Och sells 220 Central Park South penthouse for $190M

Billionaire Daniel Och has sold his penthouse at 220 Central Park South for an astounding $190 million, nearly double the amount he paid for the home in 2019. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the sale marks one of the most expensive deals ever in New York. The buyer has not been disclosed.
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Real Estate Trends

All images courtesy of DBOX

January 14, 2022

A one-bedroom at Robert A.M. Stern’s new luxury Upper East Side tower asks $2M

Here's an opportunity to live in a new residential building designed by famed architect Robert A.M. Stern. Located on the Upper East Side, 200 East 83rd Street is a 35-story tower with a jaw-dropping amenity package (like a 17th-floor pool room with Central Park views). A spacious one-bedroom apartment at the building is up for sale, priced at $2,050,000. Developed by Naftali Group and the Rockefeller Group, the condo building made headlines last November when a six-room penthouse sold for a record-breaking $27 million.
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Distinctive Homes

10 places to volunteer in New York City this winter

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

January 14, 2022

10 places to volunteer in New York City this winter

As the pandemic rages on, New Yorkers have maintained their resilience. However, many who were already struggling have had an even rougher time, with thousands of New Yorkers facing hunger, homelessness, and unemployment. As the federal holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., approaches, consider taking action and assisting the less fortunate in your community. Ahead, find a number of New York City organizations seeking volunteers this winter. Note, many of the organizations listed have put safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including masks and social distancing.
Full list here

City Living

Distinctive Homes

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

$8.2M Soho penthouse loft feels like an airy beach house surrounded by terraces

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

This $3.25M Gramercy two-bedroom comes with expansion potential–and a key to the park

Theater director David Saint lists his East Village penthouse with huge terrace for $5M

Ethan Hawke's former Chelsea townhouse lists for $5.98M

For $995K, this dreamy upstate farmhouse gets every detail just right

This $3.5M Westchester estate is a private refuge surrounded by village life

For $2.95M, this parlor floor Chelsea co-op has brownstone charm and a private terrace

$5.9M Civil War-era Clinton Hill mansion is a three-family home and an architectural gem

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The number of sidewalk sheds in NYC has tripled over past two decades

Image courtesy of Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

January 13, 2022

The number of sidewalk sheds in NYC has tripled over past two decades

Temporary sidewalk sheds are legally required to be installed at any construction site to protect pedestrians from falling debris. While they are seen as a safety necessity, the structures are eyesores that block sunlight and slow foot traffic. In New York City, the total number of sidewalk sheds has tripled over the past two decades, a new report released this week by the Independent Budget Office found. Looking at data from the Department of Buildings, the report found Manhattan was home to the most sidewalk sheds but noted the outer boroughs are starting to catch up.
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Policy

See inside a $10M penthouse at the record-setting Quay Tower in Brooklyn Heights

All photos courtesy of Donna Dotan

January 13, 2022

See inside a $10M penthouse at the record-setting Quay Tower in Brooklyn Heights

A palatial penthouse at record-setting condo building Quay Tower in Brooklyn Heights has just hit the market for $10,000,000. Located at 50 Bridge Park Drive at the south end of Brooklyn Bridge Park, the waterfront development has made headlines for several title-grabbing sales, including a $20.3 million penthouse (the borough's second most expensive residential sale ever) and a $10.65 million home that went into contract last fall, a condo record last year. 6sqft got a first look at photos of this just-listed penthouse, which measures a stunning 3,553 square feet and includes four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and unmatched views of Manhattan.
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Distinctive Homes

Apply for 44 mixed-income units at new energy-efficient Bronx rental, from $410/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

January 13, 2022

Apply for 44 mixed-income units at new energy-efficient Bronx rental, from $410/month

Applications are now being accepted for 44 mixed-income apartments at a new rental project near Fordham University in the Bronx. Developed by the BronxPro Group, Cyrus Place Apartments is an eight-story mixed-use, energy-efficient building designed to meet Passive House standards. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $410/month studios to $2,037/month three-bedroom units.
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Affordable Housing

January 13, 2022

12 design-forward lounge chairs to update your reading nook

There has never been a better time to design a corner of your home that's dedicated to the pursuit of cozy. Whether it's a reading nook, a scrolling snug, or a daydreaming den, this chill zone should provide a break from the home office, the home gym, and whatever part of your home is Grand Central Station. That doesn't mean it can't be as easy on the eyes as it is on your mood. Below you'll find a selection of chic and cozy lounge chairs to elevate your off-duty oasis (and if you really still want a BarcaLounger, you'll find one here).
Cool and cozy lounge chairs, this way

Photo credit: Allyson Lubow for The Corcoran Group

January 13, 2022

$1.7M parkside co-op in ‘Brooklyn’s Flatiron Building’ has prewar grandeur and modern style

As one of the elegant pre-war co-ops at 47 Plaza Street West in the 1928 Rosario Candela-designed building sometimes referred to as “Brooklyn’s Flatiron” due to its pizza-slice form, this three-bedroom home has the gracious architecture you'd expect from a landmarked residence. The interiors, however, are a pleasant surprise of sophisticated modern design and contemporary comforts. The building's location at the border of Park Slope and Prospect Heights is just as lovely, with the entrance to Prospect Park across the street. The home is now asking $1,699,000.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Historic Palace Theater begins 30-foot rise over Times Square for $2.5B TSX Broadway hotel

Image courtesy of TSX Broadway

January 12, 2022

Historic Palace Theater begins 30-foot rise over Times Square for $2.5B TSX Broadway hotel

One of the most city's most iconic Broadway theaters, the Palace Theater, began its rise last week to a spot 30 feet over Times Square. The 105-year-old theater is being lifted three stories as part of a $2.5 billion mixed-use development project, TSX Broadway, set to rise at 1568 Broadway. It will take six to eight weeks for the theater to achieve its final height of 30 feet.
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Architecture And Design

The Russian Tea Room in Midtown is participating in Restaurant Week. Photo by Amy Lombard, courtesy of NYC & Company

January 12, 2022

NYC Restaurant Week returns with deals at more than 440 neighborhood eateries

Reservations are now open at more than 440 local restaurants participating in New York City Restaurant Week this winter. The biannual program, which was first introduced 30 years ago, offers New Yorkers a chance to dine at highly acclaimed restaurants at a discounted price. Running from January 18 through February 13, the 2022 winter Restaurant Week includes prix-fixe deals for two-course lunches or three-course dinners for $29, $39, or $59, depending on the restaurant.
Get the details

Food & Dining

New York’s eviction moratorium will end this week, Hochul confirms

Image courtesy of Mari Small on Unsplash

January 12, 2022

New York’s eviction moratorium will end this week, Hochul confirms

New York's eviction moratorium will not be extended after it expires this weekend, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday. In the meantime, the state’s rent-relief portal will be reopened to give aid to New Yorkers facing eviction. The freeze on evictions was established at the beginning of the Covid pandemic by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to give relief to struggling New Yorkers. Over the past two years, it has been extended multiple times, with Hochul extending it to January 15 during her first week in office.
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Policy

Justin Timberlake sells Tribeca penthouse for $29M

443 Greenwich; Photo by Jim.henderson on Wikimedia

January 11, 2022

Justin Timberlake sells Tribeca penthouse for $29M

According to city records, Justin Timberlake has sold his 5,400-square-foot condo at 443 Greenwich Street for $29 million in an off-market sale at the end of December, the Wall Street Journal reports. Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel purchased the unit atop the celebrity-packed building in 2017 for $20.2 million.
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New art exhibit lets you walk through a glowing tunnel in the Garment District

A small section of Broadway in the Garment District has been transformed into a glowing tunnel. The Garment District Alliance today revealed Passage, an art installation consisting of 20 illuminated circles that form a tunnel for pedestrians to walk through. The art piece is interactive, with each ring radiating light and emitting sound as participants pass by them. Located on Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets, the free immersive art experience will be open to the public until February 13.
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258 middle-income units up for grabs at Brooklyn’s Pacific Park complex, from $1,905/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

January 11, 2022

258 middle-income units up for grabs at Brooklyn’s Pacific Park complex, from $1,905/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 258 middle-income apartments in a new rental building in Prospect Heights. Designed by Perkins Eastman, Brooklyn Crossing is a 51-story residential tower in Prospect Height’s 22-acre Pacific Park mega-development. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $65,315 for a single person and $167,570 for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,905/month studios to $3,344/month for two bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

For $7.5M, history, architecture, and smart design fill a compact 1897 urban cottage in the Village

Photos provided by Sotheby’s International Realty

January 11, 2022

For $7.5M, history, architecture, and smart design fill a compact 1897 urban cottage in the Village

On the market for the first time in 22 years, the pair of townhouses at 183 and 185 West 4th Street in Greenwich Village has as much historic cachet as its many charming neighbors. Built in 1897, the property was home to industrialist and art collector Armand Hammer in the 1920s. Today it retains more of its original beauty than most. A painstaking renovation by the renowned architectural firm of Fairfax & Sammons has not only combined and updated the homes for modern living, but given well-deserved attention to every inch of the diminutive jewel-box townhouses–complete with magical patio and garden. The property is asking $7,500,000.
Tour this compact jewel of a townhouse

Distinctive Homes

NY lawmakers introduce ‘Dark Skies Act’ to protect migrating birds and limit light pollution

Photo by Carlos Oliva from Pexels

January 10, 2022

NY lawmakers introduce ‘Dark Skies Act’ to protect migrating birds and limit light pollution

Every year in New York City, tens of thousands of migratory birds are killed after being drawn from their flight paths by the city’s artificial light. To combat this, State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Patricia Fahy last week introduced the “Dark Skies Act,” a bill that aims to prevent the deaths of migratory birds and reduce light pollution. The bill would require the majority of non-essential outdoor lights to be turned off, covered, or switched to motion sensor activation after 11 p.m. Alternatively, lights could be set to shine downwards.
Details this way

NYC bodegas launch campaign against corporation-backed 15-minute grocery delivery

Photo by Clément Falize on Unsplash

January 10, 2022

NYC bodegas launch campaign against corporation-backed 15-minute grocery delivery

New York City bodegas and delis are fighting back against 15-minute delivery startups. A group representing local grocers, the Save Mom-and-Pop Business Coalition, rallied on Sunday with elected officials, calling out the venture capitalist-backed services they say threaten the city's small businesses. The rally took place outside of Stop 1 Deli, a Lower East Side bodega located directly across the street from GoPuff, one of the delivery services in question. Delivery services like GoPuff have moved into large spaces on commercial strips, morphing them into warehouses stuffed with groceries and other goods.
See more here

How to help victims of the Bronx apartment building fire

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro and other leaders brief the press after Sunday’s deadly five-alarm fire Photo: Michael Appleton / Office of Mayoral Photography on Flickr

January 10, 2022

How to help victims of the Bronx apartment building fire

A five-alarm fire ignited in a residential tower in the Bronx on Sunday morning, killing 17 people, including eight children, and marking the city's most devastating fire since 1990. According to Fire Department officials, a faulty space heater started the fire at the 120-unit Twin Parks North West building, located at 333 East 181st Street. In addition to dealing with the tragic loss of life and dozens of serious injuries, families in the building have now been displaced and are in urgent need of relief supplies. We've put together a list of organizations accepting monetary donations and emergency supplies for those affected by the fire.
More here

Events & Things To Do

Donald Trump’s niece Mary Trump buys $7M condo at 565 Broome in Soho

Photo by Adrian Gaut /Edge Reps

January 10, 2022

Donald Trump’s niece Mary Trump buys $7M condo at 565 Broome in Soho

Mary Trump, Donald Trump's niece and author of the memoir “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man,” recently bought a 2,250-square-foot three-bedroom unit at the Renzo Piano-designed condominium building at 565 Broome Street for $7 million, as the Wall Street Journal reports. The 2020 book, which delves into the Trump family's background, has sold more than a million copies.
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For $1.8M, a co-op in a Lenox Hill landmark has two exposures and five-star hotel service

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

January 7, 2022

For $1.8M, a co-op in a Lenox Hill landmark has two exposures and five-star hotel service

A perfectly proportioned two-bedroom co-op next to Central Park is now available. The home sits in the iconic Sherry Netherland, a 38-story cooperative residential hotel at 781 Fifth Avenue built in the 1920s. Now asking $1,795,000, the residence boasts East and West exposures, pouring light into the home through its incredible 12 windows.
See inside

Distinctive Homes

Adams, Hochul will increase police presence in NYC subway system to combat homelessness and crime

Image courtesy of Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

January 7, 2022

Adams, Hochul will increase police presence in NYC subway system to combat homelessness and crime

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

Commuters will soon see more New York City police officers riding the subway, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday. Hochul and Adams on Thursday laid out a new initiative to tackle homelessness by deploying teams of specially trained Safe Options Support officials. These "SOS" teams will consist of mental health professionals who will work with the city's outreach teams to assist homeless New Yorkers. To combat crime in the subway system, Adams has ordered the mobilization of more officers who will patrol stations and board trains to make visual inspections.
Find out more

THE 6SQFT SHOP

The best websites for buying and selling used furniture in NYC

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

8 best places in NYC to thrift for home goods

Everything you need to know about using a guarantor in NYC

New York City's best holiday markets of 2023

15 quintessential NYC gifts for the New Yorker in your life

10 Ways to Decorate an Exposed Brick Wall Without Drilling

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

10 Great Places to Buy Affordable Art in New York City

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Photo credit: David Paler for The Corcoran Group

January 7, 2022

This $8.975M Soho penthouse is a private garden retreat with a hot tub and an outdoor kitchen

Surrounded by a 1,344-square-foot network of lushly landscaped terraces–including a rooftop with a hot tub, outdoor kitchen, shower, and pergola–this duplex penthouse at 15 Renwick Street in Hudson Square feels like a garden in the sky. Asking $8,975,000, the 2,859-square-foot duplex has floor-to-ceiling windows and a windowed kitchen to gaze at the greenery.
Tour this indoor-outdoor paradise

Hochul announces 14-mile-long ‘Interborough Express,’ connecting Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights

Image courtesy of the MTA

January 6, 2022

Hochul announces 14-mile-long ‘Interborough Express,’ connecting Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights

After decades of speculation and discarded plans, better train access could be on the way for New Yorkers living in Queens and Brooklyn. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced in her 2022 State of the State address plans for the development of the "Interborough Express," a major transit service expansion that would connect the boroughs. The proposed expansion takes the Bay Ridge Branch, a freight rail line that already runs through Brooklyn and Queens, and transforms it into a 14-mile arching track stretching from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights. The new track would link up to 17 existing subway lines across the two boroughs, as well as provide a connection to the Long Island Rail Road.
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Colorful Ditmas Park Deco co-op has style, space, and amenities for $599K

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

January 6, 2022

Colorful Ditmas Park Deco co-op has style, space, and amenities for $599K

For $599,000, this bright one-bedroom-plus-office co-op at 1825 Foster Avenue in Flatbush/Ditmas Park has fresh, updated interiors, eastern and southern exposures, and treetop views. A pre-war 1931 building means the space is framed by hardwood floors and graceful moldings.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Photo via Flickr

January 6, 2022

Hochul’s sweeping New York recovery agenda addresses affordable housing crisis, homelessness

In her first State of the State address Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a sweeping agenda that would address housing affordability, equity, and stability by growing the state's affordable housing stock and expanding the housing supply. She also proposed a set of initiatives to address homelessness and housing instability. Hochul called the state's housing needs "a complex challenge that requires an all-levers approach."
See Hochul's housing proposals

Famed NYC bar Dante opens winter-themed pop-up at the Seaport

Image courtesy of Dante

January 6, 2022

Famed NYC bar Dante opens winter-themed pop-up at the Seaport

North America’s number one bar returns to the Seaport to serve award-winning food and drink in its seasonal pop-up at Pier 17’s Pearl Alley. Guests can enjoy their food and drink alongside live music in a warm, winter-themed setting. The Greenwich Village staple will offer guests signature cocktails and negronis, as well as espresso, coffee, and pastries.
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Hochul wants to make to-go cocktails legal again in New York

Photo of New Yorkers drinking on St. Mark’s Place by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

January 5, 2022

Hochul wants to make to-go cocktails legal again in New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday plans to introduce legislation permanently allowing the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages. First permitted at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to support the restaurant industry during the lockdown, the state ended takeout cocktails last June, coinciding with the lift of Covid-related restrictions. Legalizing the sale of to-go drinks will help local restaurants and bars recover from the pandemic, according to Hochul's proposal. "Cheers, New York," Hochul said Wednesday during her State of the State address.
Get the details

$4.2M penthouse condo sets sale record in Hoboken

Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman

January 5, 2022

$4.2M penthouse condo sets sale record in Hoboken

A penthouse at the Hudson Tea Building at 1500 Hudson Street has set a new record for Hoboken, New Jersey condo sales. The three-bedroom, three-bath home just sold for $4.2 million, the city's priciest condo sale ever. The newly-renovated loft–a two-unit combo–spans 2,820 square feet with direct New York City skyline views in three directions. A previous Hoboken record was held by Eli Manning's 2018 sale in the same building. The Giants quarterback sold his three-bedroom pad in the waterfront loft building for $3.55 million.
This is what $4.2M in Hoboken looks like

Real Estate Trends

$850M South Street Seaport project gets final approval

Photo credit: The Howard Hughes Corporation/SOM

January 5, 2022

$850M South Street Seaport project gets final approval

The Howard Hughes Corporation last week got the official go-ahead from the city to build a mixed-use tower on a parking lot in the South Street Seaport. Originally proposed as a 1,000-foot-tall tower, the plan for 250 Water Street has changed many times over the last few years due to feedback from community groups and local officials, with the final result being a 324-foot-tall tower with roughly 270 apartments. The $850 million project is expected to break ground this year following remediation of the site.
Get the details

Leasing begins at 51-story Brooklyn Crossing, Pacific Park’s largest building

Image courtesy of VMI Studio for IF Studio

January 5, 2022

Leasing begins at 51-story Brooklyn Crossing, Pacific Park’s largest building

The Brodsky Organization and Greenland USA on Tuesday announced the beginning of leasing for Brooklyn Crossing, the latest, and currently tallest, addition to Prospect Height’s 22-acre development Pacific Park. Located at 18 Sixth Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street, the 51-story residential tower offers 858 mixed-income units, ranging from studios to one-to-three bedroom apartments, with 258 of the units to be designated as affordable for middle-income earners. Occupancy is expected this month.
See more here

New Developments

For $2.8M this newly-minted Brooklyn duplex has four bedrooms, a private terrace and parking

Photo credit: DD Reps

January 5, 2022

For $2.8M this newly-minted Brooklyn duplex has four bedrooms, a private terrace and parking

Here's an opportunity to live in the classic, historic Brooklyn neighborhood of Carroll Gardens while getting the benefits of new construction. Asking $2,825,000, this duplex condo at 480 Degraw Street boasts four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a spacious private terrace, and amenities like a parking garage and a pet spa.
Get a closer look

How New York keeps its cool: A history of ice skating in NYC

Central-Park Winter, 1862, via NYPL Digital Collections

January 5, 2022

How New York keeps its cool: A history of ice skating in NYC

By Lucie Levine

While we haven't had much snow yet this year, New York is already a winter wonderland thanks to the many ice skating rinks found across the city. If you choose to glide through the season on ice, taking a spin anywhere from Central Park to Coney Island, you’re sliding into a New York winter tradition that includes the nation’s first organized ice rink, a decade of “Icetravaganzas” that drew millions, a glittery trend of hotel ice gardens throughout Midtown, and even a relationship to the origins of baseball. So lace up, and read on for a history of ice-skating in New York City.
Glide into this story!

History

Photo by Daniel Lee on Unsplash

January 4, 2022

Manhattan housing market makes record rebound to close out 2021

New York City real estate made a major comeback to close out 2021, experts say. According to a new report from Compass, condo and co-op sales volume hit $7 billion in the last quarter of the year, the highest of any fourth quarter on record. More than 3,400 apartments were sold in this quarter, between October 1 and December 31, up 79 percent from the previous year and the highest total in a Q4 since 2013. After Covid crippled much of the market in 2020, 2021 saw an impressive turnaround in Manhattan, particularly with the sales of luxury properties, new development condos, and townhouses.
Find out more

See NYC’s sweeping master plan that promises climate resilience for Lower Manhattan

Image credit: NYCEDC

January 4, 2022

See NYC’s sweeping master plan that promises climate resilience for Lower Manhattan

New York City has taken an important step toward protecting one of the country’s largest central business districts from the costly and destructive effects of climate change. The city's Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Climate Resiliency recently released the Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan. At a projected cost of up to $7 billion, this environmental blueprint for the Lower Manhattan shoreline imagines a resilient waterfront that can withstand severe storms and rising sea levels.
Find out more about the plan

NYC unveils plan for 100% affordable homeownership development in Bed-Stuy

Rendering courtesy of Leong Leong

January 4, 2022

NYC unveils plan for 100% affordable homeownership development in Bed-Stuy

The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development last week announced their plan for the construction of a 100 percent affordable homeownership development in Bed-Stuy as part of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Housing Plan. HPD, along with Almat Urban and the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, will work to develop the Norma, an 11-story mixed-use development that will bring 44 homeownership opportunities to first-time home buyers. Located on Fulton Street and Howard Avenue, The Norma will offer a mix of condo-style units ranging from one to three bedrooms designated for those with low to moderate household incomes.
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This $4.5M penthouse has the breathtaking bridge and Manhattan skyline views you only get in Dumbo

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

January 4, 2022

This $4.5M penthouse has the breathtaking bridge and Manhattan skyline views you only get in Dumbo

Asking $4,500,000, this penthouse loft condo sits atop the Sweeney Building at 30 Main Street in Dumbo. The 1,887 square-foot loft has three bedrooms and 18 windows for taking in panoramic, unobstructed views of the East River, bridges, and city skylines. But the most coveted perk may be the huge private terrace where said views can be enjoyed outdoors.
Wait til you see the roof deck

Brooklyn Heights co-op with charming bay window and original stained glass asks $825K

Photo credit: Shannon Dupre with DDreps

January 3, 2022

Brooklyn Heights co-op with charming bay window and original stained glass asks $825K

This available, cozy Brooklyn Heights one-bedroom radiates pre-war charm, while also boasting modern interiors. Located at 149 Willow Street on a tree-lined block, the co-op features a renovated kitchen and spacious layout. A major highlight of the apartment is the living room's lovely bay window that overlooks treetops and features original stained glass at the top. It's currently on the market for $825,000.
See inside

Distinctive Homes

Hochul announces Covid ‘surge plan 2.0’ as New York sees record number of daily cases

Photo of Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing the Winter Surge Plan 2.0 by Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

January 3, 2022

Hochul announces Covid ‘surge plan 2.0’ as New York sees record number of daily cases

On Friday, the state of New York recorded over 85,000 new cases of the coronavirus, the highest daily total since the start of the pandemic. Nearly 50,000 of those cases were reported in New York City alone. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced over the holiday weekend a "winter surge plan 2.0," an attempt to strengthen the state's fight against Covid with more testing, additional testing sites, and an increase in access to vaccines.
Find out more

Policy

Lottery opens at Williamsburg’s 45-story rental One South First, from $1,550/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

January 3, 2022

Lottery opens at Williamsburg’s 45-story rental One South First, from $1,550/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 89 middle-income apartments in Williamsburg's tallest building, One South First. Developed by Two Trees Management and designed by COOKFOX Architects, One South First is a 45-story mixed-use building developed on the former Domino Sugar Factory site. New Yorkers earning 80, 125, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,550/month studios to $3,169/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Front & York

85 Jay Street

Dumbo

Upscale DUMBO living with timeless views

1 beds starting at $995,000
2 beds starting at $1,699,000
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Walk-in Covid testing now available at 7 subway stations across NYC

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

January 3, 2022

Walk-in Covid testing now available at 7 subway stations across NYC

Pop-up coronavirus testing sites are now open at seven subway stations across New York City. After opening two walk-in PCR testing sites at Grand Central and Times Square stations last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority opened additional sites at five subway stations, including Penn Station, Broadway Junction in Brooklyn, East 180th Street in the Bronx, and Roosevelt Avenue and Jamaica-179th Street in Queens. The state is currently experiencing a record surge in new Covid cases, which officials are attributing to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
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Policy

The 2007 Times Square Ball during construction. Image courtesy of Focus Lighting.

December 30, 2021

How the Times Square Ball is made

By Dana Schulz

When midnight hits this New Year's Eve, the Times Square Ball will dazzle people just the same from five feet away or on their television. Making this magic happen is no easy feat, though. To learn a bit more about how the nearly 12,000-pound ball was created, we chatted with principal designer Christine Hope of Focus Lighting, the architectural lighting design firm that conceptualized the current ball more than 10 years ago. From engineering a new system to make all 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles sparkle to dreaming up the magical light show that plays leading up to the ball drop, Focus Lighting shares the inside scoop on this world-famous tradition.
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NYC Ferry continues expansion with new Bronx stop in Throgs Neck

NYC Ferry launched service in Throgs Neck in the Bronx with the opening of a new landing at Ferry Point Park. Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

December 29, 2021

NYC Ferry continues expansion with new Bronx stop in Throgs Neck

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday cut the ribbon on a new ferry landing in the Bronx. Located at Ferry Point Park in Throgs Neck, the new landing extends NYC Ferry's Soundview route, which stops on the Upper East Side, Midtown, and the Financial District. With the addition of this new stop, the Soundview route begins at Ferry Point Park, continuing onto stops in Soundview, East 90th Street, 34th Street, Stuyvesant Cove, and Wall Street/Pier 11. The entire route takes a total of 60 minutes.
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Lottery opens for 324 units at world’s largest affordable Passive House, from $388/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

December 29, 2021

Lottery opens for 324 units at world’s largest affordable Passive House, from $388/month

A housing lottery opened this week for more than 300 apartments at the world's largest fully affordable Passive House. Sendero Verde is a mixed-use project currently under construction in East Harlem that includes affordable housing, community space, retail, outdoor gardens, and a school. As part of phase one, the 100 percent affordable building designed by Handel Architects is now accepting applications for 324 mixed-income units. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and 110 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $388/month studios to $2,524/month three bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

NYC schools will reopen in January with increased Covid testing

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

December 28, 2021

NYC schools will reopen in January with increased Covid testing