6sqft | NYC local news, events, and apartments

Lull yourself to sleep surrounded by ready-to-assemble furniture and Swedish meatballs during a sleepover at Ikea's showroom in Brooklyn next month. The home goods store is launching a raffle to give shoppers a chance to spend the night at its Red Hook store on March 13. Coinciding with World Sleep Day, the "Swede Dreams" event aims to help the "tired, weary and sleep-deprived fans" of the store, according to a press release.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

For $799K, this well-outfitted Bed-Stuy condo is set up for easy living

Image credit: Rise Media courtesy of the Corcoran Group.

February 10, 2020

For $799K, this well-outfitted Bed-Stuy condo is set up for easy living

This one-bedroom-plus-office condominium in Bed-Stuy near the Clinton Hill border at 197 Spencer Street is ready to hit the ground running when it comes to modern convenience. From the keyed elevator landing to the wide-plank oak floors, central heat and air, designer lighting and private outdoor space, this 1,195-square-foot unit, asking $799,000, is a ready-for-anything contemporary home.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Plans for NYC’s first soccer stadium inch forward in the Bronx

Image by A.V. Flores from Pixabay

February 10, 2020

Plans for NYC’s first soccer stadium inch forward in the Bronx

The long-anticipated plan to build a home stadium for New York City's soccer team in the Bronx inched forward last week, the New York Times first reported. The group of developers and the New York City Football Club are close to reaching a deal with the city to bring a 25,000-seat stadium to the South Bronx as part of a $1 billion development plan that also includes a hotel, new school, and affordable housing. New York City F.C., which has been looking for a permanent home for years, currently plays games at nearby Yankee Stadium.
More here

Affordable Housing

February 10, 2020

Renters insurance in NYC: Why you should get it right now

Renters insurance is one of those things that you know is a good idea–and like so many New York City renters, you’ve been meaning to do it, but you may not have gotten around to it–until you wish you had. And though we hope we’ll never need it, it's one of the few things in city life that's simple, inexpensive, and worth every penny. Below, we explain why it's an important investment to make, how to navigate the process of getting a quote and getting covered, and which provider might be best for you.
All about renters insurance, this way

Stylish $2.25M West Village loft comes with a fresh renovation and celebrity neighbors

Listing images by Matt Vacca for Doug Kampsen; courtesy of Compass

February 10, 2020

Stylish $2.25M West Village loft comes with a fresh renovation and celebrity neighbors

Fresh off a stylish renovation, this move-in ready loft is a prime example of downtown living on the border of the West Village and Meatpacking District. Now listed for $2.25 million, the 1,200 square foot unit is located in The Gansevoort at 321 West 13th Street, a boutique condominium known for its Neo-Classical facade, unique layouts, and intimate scale. You’ll be able to count at least one celebrity as a neighbor—Ralph Fiennes has lived in the building since 2008.
Take a look around

February 7, 2020

Feel like you’re in the French countryside in this $1.6M Westchester home with a grape arbor

It's hard to pinpoint the exact style of this Westchester home; there's a Spanish-style-roof, a Tudor configuration, and a stone cottage-esque facade. But this eclectic mix somehow makes you feel like you've stepped into the French countryside, highlighted by a lovely patio complete with a grape arbor. Built in 1888, the five-bedroom home has been completely renovated inside and is currently asking $1.6 million (h/t CIRCA).
Have a look around

Distinctive Homes

Rendering courtesy of FXCollaborative

February 7, 2020

Macy’s reveals proposed 900+ foot skyscraper to rise above Herald Square flagship

Macy’s, which recently announced plans to close 125 department stores over the next several years, is still hoping to cash in on the thriving office market by building an office tower above its Herald Square flagship store in Midtown. The retail icon revealed that it has proposed the construction of 1.5 million square feet of office space, a sky lobby, and public improvements to the surrounding area, the Wall Street Journal reports. The proposed tower would rise between 700 and 950 feet with, according to renderings revealed by YIMBY, a glass façade, setbacks, and a crown. The department store below could confer it with supertall status (984 feet or taller).
Find out more

New Developments

Affordability, climate change take center stage during de Blasio’s ‘State of City’ address

Billionaires’ Row © 6sqft

February 7, 2020

Affordability, climate change take center stage during de Blasio’s ‘State of City’ address

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday laid out his vision to "save" New York City, pledging to focus on affordability, climate change, and protections for small businesses during his last two years in office. "This city and everything it stands for must be saved. And we are the ones who have to save ourselves," the mayor said during his State of the City address. De Blasio's vision involves building on initiatives his administration has put forward during his tenure, including creating more affordable housing, increasing tenant protections, legalizing basement apartments, and launching the second phase of the Green New Deal.
Find out more

Distinctive Homes

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

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

Live like royalty on the Upper East Side for $5.8M

Tiffany-blue walls and de Gournay designs surround a $1M UES co-op with Deco-era glamour

Asking $2.75M, this pale pink Greenpoint townhouse has gardens, terraces, history, and charm

This $5.75M Clinton Hill two-family home is five floors of brownstone perfection

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

Inside this $12.75M Park Slope brownstone, architect-designed perfection includes a separate studio and two-car garage

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

For $55K, spend a post-modernist summer in a designer's Long Island home and studio

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Photo credit: Allyson Lubow courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

February 7, 2020

Loft living comes to Bay Ridge in this $939K two-bedroom

The facade of the new-construction condo building at 9907 Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with its red brick and arched factory windows, could just as easily be in Dumbo. The loft aesthetic (minus the double-height ceilings and actual factory pedigree) carries through to the interior of this $939,000 third-floor home just a block from Shore Road and Parkway and New York Harbor. The 12-unit building was designed by Elizabeth McDonald, who, according to the listing, is known for her modern aesthetic and high-end interiors in Tribeca. The two-bedroom unit has an elevator landing that opens right into the open-plan living space, a designer kitchen, Siberian oak floors, and nine-foot ceilings.
Bay Ridge condo/loft tour, this way

9 patriotic places to spend Presidents’ Day in NYC

Painting of George Washington: Rembrandt Peale, George Washington (1732–1799), 1853, Oil on canvas; New-York Historical Society, Bequest of Caroline Phelps Stokes

February 7, 2020

9 patriotic places to spend Presidents’ Day in NYC

By 6sqft

New York City is rich with presidential history, from hosting the inauguration of the country's first president to being home to Grant's Tomb, the largest mausoleum in North America. Presidents' Day celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln each year on the third Monday in February. Those who get the day off from work or school can spend the holiday learning about the city's presidential history, from Federal Hall to the Flatiron District. Or, for a more low key (but still patriotic) three-day weekend, eat cake, go bowling, or catch a Commander in Chief-themed comedy show.
Full list, ahead

19th-century West Village townhouse comes with an owner’s triplex and five rental units for $12M

Listing images by DDReps; courtesy of Compass

February 6, 2020

19th-century West Village townhouse comes with an owner’s triplex and five rental units for $12M

Described as "a delightful and interesting street in which to live" by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Perry Street is a sought after stretch of the West Village and home to several noteworthy structures. Sited within the Greenwich Village Historic District and now on the market for the first time in 50 years, the townhouse at 73 Perry Street is almost directly across the street from two of the most recognizable facades on the block: 64 and 66 Perry Street, famous for being Carrie Bradshaw's home on Sex and the City. It's seeking $11.995 million.
Take the full tour

Distinctive Homes

Why are the tracks of the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle curved?

The Times Square shuttle platform, Photo by Helvetica Fanatic on Wikimedia

February 6, 2020

Why are the tracks of the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle curved?

At the platform of the Times Square-Grand Central shuttle, a train track is hidden in plain sight. At both ends of the two-station line, tracks are numbered 1, 3 and 4, with no Track 2 to be found. As the New York Times explained, Track 2 once ran in its appropriate spot, between Tracks 1 and 3, but was taken out of operation nearly 100 years ago. After an attempt to expand the original 1904 line turned to major confusion for commuters, transit officials covered Track 2 with wooden flooring to make it easier for New Yorkers to walk to the new tracks.
More this way

For $599K, this two-bedroom Prospect Lefferts condo is a block from the park

Photo credit: Rise Media courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

February 6, 2020

For $599K, this two-bedroom Prospect Lefferts condo is a block from the park

This cozy home in a condo conversion at 41 Clarkson Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens gets plenty of sun, a tax abatement and a spot just off Prospect Park. And since it's a condominium, it's likely to be a good investment as a rental for which you could count on a steady income stream to offset the $599,000 this two-bedroom unit is asking.
Get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

Photo credit: Alkenz courtesy of Artechouse

February 6, 2020

‘Submerge’ yourself in Pantone’s Color of the Year at this hypnotic Chelsea installation

With a press preview on February 4, Artechouse NYC kicked off its 2020 season with "Submerged," an immersive installation inspired by Pantone Color of The Year 2020, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue. The new Chelsea art space dedicated to immersive digital art launched the exhibition during New York’s Fashion Week, and it will be on view until February 23, 2020. Artechouse opened in September in the 6,000-square-foot boiler room beneath Chelsea Market’s main concourse.
Immersion, submersion and multi-sensory exploration, this way

Events & Things To Do

New York renters no longer have to pay broker fees

Photo by Rachel Martin on Unsplash

February 6, 2020

New York renters no longer have to pay broker fees

Renters in New York will no longer have to pay a broker fee when they lease an apartment, the state ordered Tuesday. In an updated set of guidelines for last year's rent reform laws, the state department said real estate brokers hired by landlords "cannot be compensated by the prospective tenant." While brokers can still charge a fee, landlords are now responsible for paying it, according to the revised rules. However, if a renter hires a broker to find apartments on their behalf, a fee can be collected.
Find out more

After 55 years, the Verrazzano Bridge gets a second ‘Z’

Photos: Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority

February 6, 2020

After 55 years, the Verrazzano Bridge gets a second ‘Z’

On Tuesday crews from MTA Bridges and Tunnels began addressing a 55-year-old spelling mistake by replacing the first of 19 signs on agency property to feature the correct spelling of Verrazzano with two Z's instead of just one. The bridge was named after Giovanni de Verrazzano—the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor—but a longstanding dispute over the name's proper spelling led to the bridge being inaugurated as the Verrazano-Narrows bridge in 1964. In 2018, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to add a second Z into the name.
More details

Transit

Elegant Brooklyn Heights one-bedroom is an easy starter home at $540K

Listing images courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 5, 2020

Elegant Brooklyn Heights one-bedroom is an easy starter home at $540K

Original pre-war details give this Brooklyn Heights co-op its undeniable charm, but the price tag is pretty appealing too. For $540,000—well below the neighborhood average—this one-bedroom starter home at 55 Hicks Street is well maintained with a recently renovated kitchen and bathroom. Being on the fourth floor, the walk-up situation is a bit of a drag but for someone, it'll be well worth the effort. The elegant home features some of our favorite details, like picture frame moldings in the living room and a restored tin ceiling in the kitchen.
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Distinctive Homes

MTA looks to ride-share services to help late-shift workers in the outer boroughs

Subway service in New York City runs 24 hours a day, but late-night commutes for outer-borough residents—who often have to make multiple connections—can get inconvenient quickly. To ease the burden on those commuters, the MTA is looking to make an unlikely partnership with ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft. The agency announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Tuesday from transportation companies that could shuttle riders to the subway during late-night hours. Whoever is selected will participate in the "Late-Shift" pilot program beginning later this year.
More details

Transit

February 5, 2020

Target signs lease for Food Emporium space on Union Square East

Don't get too excited yet--it's not opening until at least 2023, when the lease expires for the space's current tenant, the Food Emporium grocery store. The Post reports that Target signed a lease for the 32,579-square-foot space at the base of 10 Union Square East. Target currently has seven stores in Manhattan, with two more set to open in Times Square, Columbus Circle, and Washinton Heights. One of their stores is just a few avenues east on 14th Street at Avenue A.
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City Living

For $588K this Upper East Side co-op is chic, efficient and totally New York City

Photo credit: Al Siedman of VHT, courtesy of The Corcoran Group

February 5, 2020

For $588K this Upper East Side co-op is chic, efficient and totally New York City

It's easy to overcomplicate things when it comes to real estate, but this Upper East Side co-op at 333 East 66th Street keeps things simple. It's basically an alcove studio, but custom-designed built-in storage makes great use of every inch of space. A recent designer renovation makes it easy on the eyes, and a high floor means light and city views.
Have a look around

Distinctive Homes

Live off trendy Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, from $1,174/month

Photo by MTA New York City Transit/ Marc A. Hermann on Wikimedia

February 5, 2020

Live off trendy Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, from $1,174/month

Two new buildings in prime Williamsburg are launching affordable housing lotteries this week. The rental at 196 North 4th Street is accepting applications from New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income for studios to two-bedroom apartments, starting at $1,174/month. At 660 Driggs Avenue, those earning the same AMI can apply for units, starting at $1,458/month for a two-bedroom and going up to $2,320/month for a one-bedroom.
Details this way

Affordable Housing

Photo courtesy of Metrograph LLC/Minu Han

February 5, 2020

12 places to watch the Oscars in New York City

We're living in a Netflix, Disney Plus world, and that means that a lot of New Yorkers don't have cable to watch big events like the Oscars. But if you want to get in on the Academy Awards action this Sunday, fear not. There are tons of bars, restaurants, and theaters hosting viewing parties. Step back to 1920s Hollywood at Metrograph or the Roxy Cinema, take an Oscars-themed cocktail class before the show at Parklife, spoof the nominees at Brooklyn Comedy Collective, and much more. Ahead, we've rounded up 11 spots around NYC to watch the 92nd Oscars on February 9th.
Check out the list

Events & Things To Do

‘Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward’ tells the story of American Jews in the early 20th century

Lower East Side Matzoh Line, 1930; image courtesy of the Museum at Eldridge Street.

February 5, 2020

‘Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward’ tells the story of American Jews in the early 20th century

An exhibition now on view at the Museum at Eldridge Street shares a treasure trove of photographs and documents from the Jewish Daily Forward, a newspaper that has been published on the Lower East Sid since 1897–and today still thrives in digital format. For over 120 years, the Forward was the go-to source for news, culture, and opinion both global and everyday for New York City's Jewish community. The printed paper's deep archives trace its history and the stories it covered in "Pressed: Images from the Jewish Daily Forward."
Find out more

K-pop boy band BTS brings Antony Gormley’s ‘New York Clearing’ to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Antony Gormley, “NEW YORK CLEARING,” 2020; Approximately 18km (11mi) of 25.4mm (1in) square section aluminum and steel spigots. Installation view, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 3, New York City, 2020. Photograph by Christopher Burke. © the artist

February 5, 2020

K-pop boy band BTS brings Antony Gormley’s ‘New York Clearing’ to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Top British sculptor Antony Gormley's "giant drawing in space" opened Wednesday at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 3 as part of an international public art project, Connect, BTS. The project is a collaboration between popular South Korean boy band BTS, who introduced the project's New York City installation, and a select group of artists in cities around the globe. The installation, "New York Clearing" (2020), will be open to the public from February 5 to March 27, 2020.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

180 Broome Street on left; Rendering by Moso Studio

February 4, 2020

Lottery launches for 121 units at new Essex Crossing rental, from $562/month

An affordable housing lottery is set to launch Wednesday for 121 mixed-income units at a brand new Lower East Side rental. The Artisan, located at 180 Broome Street, is part of the nine-site Essex Crossing development. The tower contains 263 apartments, retail at street level, office space on levels two through five, and underground access to the Market Line. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 130, or 165 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $562/month studios to $3,770/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

A closer look inside Waterline Square’s starchitect-designed rentals, from $3,938/month

Living area inside an apartment at One Waterline Square; photo by Evan Joseph

February 4, 2020

A closer look inside Waterline Square’s starchitect-designed rentals, from $3,938/month

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

When rental units at the Waterline Square development on the Upper West Side hit the market last fall it was clear that the price tags reflected the starchitect lineup involved with its design: The trio of glassy towers was designed by Richard Meier & Partners (One Waterline Square), Kohn Pedersen Fox (Two Waterline Square), and Rafael Viñoly (Three Waterline Square), with Hill West Architects serving as executive architect for the master plan. Located on Riverside Boulevard between 59th and 61st Streets, the complex holds 868 rental units (in addition to 263 condos), which start at $3,938/month for a studio and go up to $15,000/month for a four-bedroom. If you’re curious about what those pricey rentals look like inside, here’s a look at three model homes in each of the towers.
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THE 6SQFT SHOP

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For just $200K, you can buy your own Jersey Shore island

Photo by Runa Parvin, courtesy of Private Islands, Inc.

February 4, 2020

For just $200K, you can buy your own Jersey Shore island

Listings for private islands are already rare, but to find a property listed below $1 million is nearly inconceivable. Asking just $200,000, this 19-acre private island off the coast of a Jersey Shore resort town wants to make your archipelago-owning dreams come true. Christened "No Mans Island," the undeveloped property sits in the Grassy Sound near West Wildwood, located at the southern tip of the state, and is only accessible via boat.
Any takers?

Distinctive Homes

See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

Aerial rendering of Vanderbilt Plaza courtesy of SL Green

February 4, 2020

See the car-free pedestrian plaza opening outside of Grand Central and One Vanderbilt this summer

A car-free public space will open this summer between Grand Central Terminal and Midtown's newest, tallest office building, One Vanderbilt. Renderings released this week, which were first spotted by the New York Post, show a new plaza on a strip of Vanderbilt Avenue between East 42nd Street to East 43rd Street, situated at the southern end of the iconic terminal. The open space, dubbed "Vanderbilt Plaza," is part of SL Green's commitment to invest $220 million in transit improvements in exchange for zoning changes agreed to by the city in 2014.
See the plaza

New Developments

Luxury senior housing set to open in Brooklyn Heights’ former Leverich Towers Hotel

Photo courtesy of Watermark at Brooklyn Heights

February 4, 2020

Luxury senior housing set to open in Brooklyn Heights’ former Leverich Towers Hotel

A luxury senior housing community is coming to Brooklyn Heights at 21 Clark Street. Built in 1928 as the Leverich Towers Hotel (famous for hosting the Brooklyn Dodgers when they were in town for home games), the 16-story building was bought by the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1975 and used as a residence hall for about 1,000 local volunteers. The current project is being co-developed by Watermark Retirement Communities and Kayne Anderson Real Estate, who bought the building from the Witnesses for $200 million in 2017 and poured an additional $130 million into renovations across the 310,000 square-foot property. The revamped residences are on schedule to open in March with units starting at $10,000 a month, according to Commercial Observer.
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New Developments

Lenox Terrace rezoning in Harlem gets green light from City Planning

Photo: Lenox Terrace Aerial; Credit: Davis Brody Bond

February 4, 2020

Lenox Terrace rezoning in Harlem gets green light from City Planning

A plan to bring a mixed-use development with five buildings and 1,600 apartments to Central Harlem got a much-needed approval on Monday. The City Planning Commission voted in favor of an application from the Olnick Organization to rezone part of the neighborhood, clearing the way for five 28-story luxury towers to be constructed at the existing Lenox Terrace complex.
More here

Policy

A private sleeping nook makes this $400K Park Slope studio feel like a one-bedroom

Photo credit: Elizabeth Dooley for Lisa Garcia and Cindy Fazio, Compass

February 4, 2020

A private sleeping nook makes this $400K Park Slope studio feel like a one-bedroom

Along the hip "main drag" in the heart of Park Slope, this charming co-op at 285 Fifth Avenue is priced like a studio, asking $400,000, but a separate internal sleeping area keeps the one-room-living blues at bay. What's more, monthly maintenance is only $290, so your monthly outlay won't overwhelm, even in this pricey, though heavenly neighborhood.
See all the angles

Distinctive Homes

Live in the artsy section of Astoria, from $990/month

Part of the Welling Court Mural Project; via Wikimedia

February 3, 2020

Live in the artsy section of Astoria, from $990/month

Located just steps from the Welling Court Mural Project and Socrates Sculpture Park, a new rental building in Astoria has launched an affordable housing lottery. Fifteen newly constructed units are up for grabs at the Amana Astoria, located at 14-47 29th Avenue. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 70, 80, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from a $990/month studio to a $2,770/month two-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Fitzhugh Karol’s “Approach” sculpture, installed at the beginning of the bridge path in Rockland County; rendering courtesy of The New York State Thruway Authority

February 3, 2020

The Hudson Valley’s Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is getting an artsy makeover

Eight local artists have been selected to install artworks along the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge’s 3.6-mile bicycle/pedestrian path. The New York State Thruway Authority partnered with ArtsWestchester and the Arts Council of Rockland to commission the works, which include five sculptures, four bicycle racks, and one mural. They’ll be placed at both ends of the bridge, at the Rockland and Westchester Landings, and along the side path in South Nyack. All of the commissions are currently underway and will be installed in the Spring.
More details

Events & Things To Do

Photo of The Strand Rare Book Room (top left) by Aaron and Whitney Photography; all others cited below

February 3, 2020

The 10 best places in NYC to propose

By Rebecca Fishbein

Some people think Valentine’s Day is a good day for a proposal, but those people are wrong. Valentine’s Day is a holiday that belongs to Hallmark, but the day you propose is one that belongs to you, without any intrusion on the part of a greeting card company. Still, if you’re going to pop the question, you’re best off doing it before February 14, so the pressure’s off and no one’s sitting at dinner stressing out over whether or not they’re going to accidentally swallow a ring in their champagne. Luckily, this city’s full of romantic spots ripe for love and impending marriage. Here are a few of our favorites, from a bookstore and a movie theater to parks and restaurants.
Get the full list

Williamsburg park to be renamed after LGBTQ advocate Marsha P. Johnson

Photo of East River State Park by Harold Navarro on Flickr

February 3, 2020

Williamsburg park to be renamed after LGBTQ advocate Marsha P. Johnson

Brooklyn's East River State Park will be renamed after black transgender rights activist Marsha P. Johnson, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. The park, located on the waterfront in Williamsburg and known for hosting outdoor market Smorgasburg, will become the first state park that honors a member of the LGBTQ community. Johnson, who passed away in 1992, played a significant role in the Stonewall Uprising and helped found the advocacy group the Gay Liberation Front.
Find out more

Policy

Win a private dinner for two ‘under the stars’ of Grand Central Terminal this Valentine’s Day

Photo courtesy of Grand Central Terminal

February 3, 2020

Win a private dinner for two ‘under the stars’ of Grand Central Terminal this Valentine’s Day

One of the most unique Valentine's Day events in New York City is happening at one of the city's busiest transit hubs. Grand Central Terminal announced it will provide one couple a romantic, private evening under the stars of its iconic main hall as part of a new contest announced Monday. The winning couple, who will get the space to themselves on February 14 between 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., will enjoy a three-course dinner provided by Michelin-starred restaurant Agern and a live piano performance from a Steinway Artist, all under the terminal's constellation ceiling.
How to enter

Events & Things To Do

This $10M Hudson Valley equestrian estate is spread across 150 acres

Photo credit: Ren Nickson/Heather Croner Real Estate/Sotheby’s International Realty

February 3, 2020

This $10M Hudson Valley equestrian estate is spread across 150 acres

Grace Hill Farm, an equestrian estate in Millbrook, NY, in the Hudson Valley, is a horse-lover's fantasy world set on five combined parcels of land spread over 150 secluded acres. On this skillfully curated property, asking $9.95 million, are six ponds, a stream and miles of trails for walking and riding. Well-trimmed gardens surround a postcard-worthy three-bedroom English-style main house. What makes this property special, however, is its state-of-the-art equestrian facility.
Saddle up and check it out

Distinctive Homes

Shakespeare in the Park announces free 2020 performances

The Delacorte Theater. Photo credit: Joseph Moran.

February 3, 2020

Shakespeare in the Park announces free 2020 performances

Now in its 58th season, the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park has announced its 2020 season, which will feature two free performances-- "the rarely seen drama" Richard II, and a musical adaptation of As You Like It choreographed by Sonya Tayeh of Moulin Rouge! Watching an open-air production in Central Park's Delacorte Theater is a true New York City tradition, as is lining up for tickets (though these days, there is also a digital lottery option).
All the details

The Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE) from the south end of the Brooklyn Promenade. Photo by Joe Mabel via Wikimedia

January 31, 2020

BQE panel releases anticipated report, says the highway will be unsafe for drivers in five years

The Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE) from the south end of the Brooklyn Promenade. Photo by Joe Mabel via Wikimedia The 16-person panel that convened last April to assess reconstruction options for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway’s 1.5-mile triple cantilever stretch has released its report. Their recommendations call for repair work to begin immediately and outline “aggressive traffic reduction strategies” like eliminating one lane in each direction (six lanes would become four) and imposing weight limits on vehicles. The panel also rejected the controversial proposal to build a temporary highway at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade during the reconstruction and said the Promenade should remain open.
More details

All renderings courtesy of City Winery

January 31, 2020

City Winery reveals more looks for new location at Google’s Pier 57

How's a glass of wine with a view of the new Pier 55 offshore park sound? If the answer is "good," that's exactly what you'll get at City Winery's new location coming just up the street at Pier 57. Located at 15th Street in Hudson River Park, the venue is part of the pier's larger $380 million renovation that includes a new home for Google. City Winery will have a restaurant, tasting room with River views, a fully functioning winery/wine production facility, a 350-seat concert hall, and a 150-person loft event space. After 11 years, City Winery closed its long-time Tribeca location last summer.
Get a look inside

Food & Dining

Proposed property tax overhaul could lessen burden for low-income homeowners in NYC

Photo of Park Slope brownstones by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash

January 31, 2020

Proposed property tax overhaul could lessen burden for low-income homeowners in NYC

By Andrew Berman of Village Preservation

Owners of multi-million dollar co-ops and condos in New York City would have to pay property tax at full market value under a recently released proposal to overhaul the current system. The city's Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform on Thursday unveiled its long-awaited report detailing reforms of the complex system that would tax properties of similar values at equitable rates. Currently, homebuyers pay property tax based on assessed value, rather than the market rate, which puts a bigger tax burden on low- and middle-income homeowners.
Get the details

January 31, 2020

The history of how the New York Public Library got its start Downtown

This year, the New York Public Library is celebrating its 125th anniversary. With 53 million items and 92 locations across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the NYPL is the largest municipal library in the world. It’s also the steward of some of New York’s greatest landmarks, reflecting a century and a quarter of Gotham’s history, and in some cases even more. The roots of this library system can be found in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho. The main antecedents of the NYPL which formed the foundation of today’s system— the Astor Library, the Lenox Library, and the New York Free Circulating Library – all began in these neighborhoods just below 14th Street. As a result, this is where New York’s oldest public library buildings and the oldest building housing an NYPL branch are located -- the latter ironically having been where great works of literature were banned and censored before it became a library.
Get the full story

History

January 31, 2020

16 places to celebrate Black History Month in NYC

February marks Black History Month, a nationwide celebration of African American culture and history. New Yorkers will have plenty of opportunities to honor the contributions made by the black community, with live performances, guided tours, comedy shows, art installations, and more events happening across the city. From the Apollo Theater's open house celebration to spoken word performances at Brooklyn barbershops, pay tribute to the achievements of black Americans this February, as well as all year round.
The full list, ahead

Events & Things To Do

Times Square Arts’ 2020 Valentine’s Day heart comes with a hidden surprise

Photos by Ian Douglas

January 31, 2020

Times Square Arts’ 2020 Valentine’s Day heart comes with a hidden surprise

Times Square Arts debuted the 2020 Times Square Valentine Heart yesterday, a tradition that started in 2009. This year's installation, Heart Squared, was selected by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and designed by MODU and Eric Forman Studio. The sculpture is composed of a 10-foot-tall cubic steel lattice structure that approximates the form of an anatomical heart and 125 mirrors that are suspended within and tilted at various angles to create a kaleidoscopic collage of the urban environment. The arrangement of the mirrors might seem random at first but they're precisely calibrated to form an anamorphic projection—meaning that the mirror array creates a surprise image when viewed from a specific vantage point, which is marked on the ground with white paint.
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Events & Things To Do

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
3 beds starting at $2,475,000

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Photo credit: H5 Property, courtesy of Compass.

January 31, 2020

This Upper West Side brownstone co-op gives you three levels to love for $725K

Tucked into one of the elegant brownstones that, along with stately apartment buildings, line an enviable Upper West Side block, this one-bedroom home at 169 West 73rd Street has pre-war charm–with a twist. On the second floor of a brownstone co-op building, the space has a main living area, a step-down kitchen and dining area, a lower bedroom, and a lofted home office/bonus room, fitting more rooms into what would be a more limited space if it were on just one level.
Look up, look down

Distinctive Homes

This $2.5M Gramercy co-op comes with a key to the park and an opportunity to buy the place next door

Photo credit: DDReps, courtesy of Compass.

January 30, 2020

This $2.5M Gramercy co-op comes with a key to the park and an opportunity to buy the place next door

First things first: If you should happen to move into this elegant pre-war residence at 34 Gramercy Park East, we hope you like Jimmy Fallon. Because he owns five apartments in the building (Richard Gere also owns a unit here). Built in 1883, it's also NYC’s oldest co-op, known for its Aesthetic Movement architecture and stunning lobby with a Tiffany glass ceiling. The $2.495 million asking price for this two-bedroom co-op also gets you Gramercy Park views, and, of course, that mythical key to New York City's only private park.
Get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

An Italian-style food hall is coming to Canal Street’s historic First National City Bank building

Rendering courtesy of Mercato Fabbrica

January 30, 2020

An Italian-style food hall is coming to Canal Street’s historic First National City Bank building

Plans to bring an Italian market to the First National City Bank building at 415 Broadway (or 296 Canal Street) have just been announced. The narrow block between Lispenard and Canal Streets once housed the largest commercial bank in the world and is known for its Art Moderne facade. The 35,000-square-foot interior will be transformed into Mercato Fabbrica, a "culinary destination inspired by the great markets, department stores and social clubs around the world." The idea has been in the works since 2018 and is slated to open later this year.
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Food & Dining

The best Valentine’s Day gifts for modern design lovers

Image courtesy of The Sill.

January 30, 2020

The best Valentine’s Day gifts for modern design lovers

Long after the day of chocolate boxes and candy hearts is over, these gifts will still be as cool as the person who gave them. Because if you're going to wear your heart on your sleeve, it had better look good! Ahead, we've rounded up 15 great gift ideas, from chic pottery and lamps to heart-shaped succulents to a hot sauce kit to spice things up.
Great Valentine gift ideas, this way

Restaurant with outdoor patio space proposed for Williamsburg’s McCarren Park

Proposed outdoor seating facing the park; Rendering by Inca Architecture, courtesy of NYC Parks

January 30, 2020

Restaurant with outdoor patio space proposed for Williamsburg’s McCarren Park