Queens

New Residential Building To Rise Near the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria
November 18, 2014

New Residential Building To Rise Near the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria

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An aptly located residential building called the Marx is getting underway in Astoria. The seven-story building at 34-32 35th Street is a "stone’s throw away" from the Museum of the Moving Image and directly across from Kaufman Astoria Studios (think Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live). The building will replace two small houses and a parking lot and sits adjacent to a stalled construction site slated to give way to its own seven-story residential building. The Marx is designed by Fogarty Finger Architects, who also designed One Murray Park, and will contain 33 units, likely rentals. It will feature a dark grey brick façade of large, evenly gridded square windows (the latest rage in NYC architecture) whose angled metal panels and glazing variations will create an interesting play of light and shadow.
More on the project here
Dear Developers: City Proposes Swapping Air Rights for Permanent Affordable Housing
November 18, 2014

Dear Developers: City Proposes Swapping Air Rights for Permanent Affordable Housing

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In the ongoing battle to provide more affordable housing to New Yorkers, the city has drawn up a new proposal that might just get developers clamoring to build more below-market units. The Economic Development Corporation has issued a request for proposals from developers who would, in exchange for no-cost air rights, provide a permanently affordable housing program that maximizes the number of units available and their affordability.
Find out more here
Where I Work: Check out Chip Brian’s design empire (and coffee shop) in Long Island City
November 11, 2014

Where I Work: Check out Chip Brian’s design empire (and coffee shop) in Long Island City

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Chip Brian may look like he's all business, but he's a builder and a Californian with an inclination for all things sustainable. The founder of Design Development NYC (DD), Best & Co. and a new and experimental venture called Neue Atelier, Chip has managed to build a creative empire that, luckily for his busy clients, is a one-stop design/build shop that brings architecture, renovation and furnishings under one roof. We recently stopped by his Long Island City space where he gave us the grand tour of the studio.
Inside the studio here
November 11, 2014

POLL: Is Ridgewood, Queens the New Williamsburg, Brooklyn?

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You’ve probably heard of “Quooklyn” by now, the term recently coined by the New York Times to refer to the “next big thing” neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens, which has also been referred to as Ridgewick. Back in August, 6sqft profiled the ‘hood, noting that it’s “a smart alternative to its headline-stealing North Brooklyn neighbors, Bushwick and Williamsburg, for anyone looking […]

<b>Quooklyn: The Rise of Ridgewood and Why Your Friends Will be Moving There</b>

Photo © Cameron Baylock

November 10, 2014

Quooklyn: The Rise of Ridgewood and Why Your Friends Will be Moving There

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Among neighborhoods primed to be the next untapped frontier, Ridgewood isn’t a newcomer. This low-key community on the western border of Queens has seen a steady migration of L-train riders, including the young and restless fleeing Williamsburg and professionals looking for a safe, accessible, quiet ‘hood to call home. In New York City, where every square foot vies for “next big thing” status, Ridgewood is a smart alternative to its headline-stealing North Brooklyn neighbors, Bushwick and Williamsburg, for anyone looking to invest in an up-and-coming residential area.
More on the rise of Ridgewood this way
5Pointz Developer Wants to Use Iconic Name for New Residential Towers

A photo capturing the 5Pointz demolition via changsterdam via photopin

November 4, 2014

5Pointz Developer Wants to Use Iconic Name for New Residential Towers

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The whitewashing and subsequent demolition of Long Island City graffiti mecca 5Pointz was painful enough for the arts community, but now G&M Realty, the developer responsible for the loss, wants to trademark the 5Pointz name and use it for their new residential towers at the site. And artists are not happy, saying the developer is trying to bank off their name. G&M is planning two towers for the site, at 41 and 47 stories, that together will hold 1,000 rental units. The developer submitted an application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office in March to trademark "5Pointz," but it was initially rejected in June for being too similar to another registrant. G&M now has six months to respond to the decision.
More on the story here
Tour the Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead and Cemetery, Queens’ Oldest Private Residence
October 30, 2014

Tour the Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead and Cemetery, Queens’ Oldest Private Residence

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In a world where you can virtually tour real estate listings, it's nice to know that the good, old-fashioned house tour hasn't gone out of style. And this Saturday, one of the oldest homes in Queens is opening its doors for a tour of its refurbished interior, exceptional gardens, and historic cemetery. The Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead in East Elmhurst was built circa 1656 by Abraham Riker, an early settler of New Amsterdam. Its current owner Marion Duckworth Smith still lives in the home, which makes the property the oldest private residence in the borough. She and her late husband Michael Smith began restoring the home in 1980, and since then Smith has offered the occasional tour, giving guests a glimpse into the Riker burial ground, which holds the remains of 132 descendants, the interior living areas, and the picturesque gardens, which include a gazebo and workshop designed to look like a gingerbread house.
More on the house's history and the upcoming tour
<b>Lights, Camera, Annoyance: Why NYC Is the New Hollywood and Not Everyone’s Happy About It</b>
October 27, 2014

Lights, Camera, Annoyance: Why NYC Is the New Hollywood and Not Everyone’s Happy About It

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Film crews on your block: Yet another thing New Yorkers love to hate, whether it’s a case of grumble-brag or a genuine inconvenience. Some people love the opportunity to watch their favorite shows being made (and maybe get a peek at their favorite stars) and argue that it boosts the local economy. Others give the whole gig a big two thumbs down.
Find out who’s filming, where and when–and how you can make the most of it.
O’Neill Rose Architects’ Choy House in Flushing, Queens Is Three Homes in One
October 17, 2014

O’Neill Rose Architects’ Choy House in Flushing, Queens Is Three Homes in One

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When O'Neill Rose Architects was hired to build a family home in Flushing, Queens there was one small challenge--to "design three homes under one roof, in a neighborhood of Queens which is defined by single family homes." The resulting Choy House is made of three disparate dwellings, connected and overlapping to reflect the relationships of the extended family--a husband (the client), wife, and two small children; the husband's younger brother and his wife; and the brothers' mother.
Details of the project ahead
October 15, 2014

POLL: Will the QueensWay be the Next High Line?

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A study released yesterday revealed that the QueensWay– the High Line-esque linear park and cultural greenway proposed for a 3.5-mile stretch of abandoned railway in central Queens– will cost $120 million, give a boost to the local economy, and provide nearby residents with a safer place to walk and bike. But opponents of the project say central Queens already has […]

Study Says QueensWay Will Cost $120 Million and Help Local Economy
October 14, 2014

Study Says QueensWay Will Cost $120 Million and Help Local Economy

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A new feasibility study, which is set to be released today by the Trust for Public Land, maps out the plan for the QueensWay--the High Line-esque linear park and cultural greenway proposed for a 3.5-mile stretch of abandoned railway in central Queens. The study points to the likely $120 million price tag and the park's benefit to the local economy. Through new renderings it also shows access points, exercise stations, food concessions, outdoor nature classrooms, bike paths, and an "adventure park," among other amenities.
More on the study here
Following Demo of 5Pointz, New Group DEFACED Seeks to Preserve Artistic Relics
October 3, 2014

Following Demo of 5Pointz, New Group DEFACED Seeks to Preserve Artistic Relics

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We were pretty bummed over the summer when we heard that Long Island City graffiti mecca 5Pointz was being torn down and replaced with condos. But now that the site has officially been razed, a group of architects are taking this crime against architecture and using it to fuel their mission of preserving the city's unofficial artistic and cultural landmarks. Arianna Armelli, Ishaan Kumar, David Sepulveda, and Wagdy Moussa created DEFACED as a group that "values artistic freedom and expression, protecting the cultural relics of New York City refusing to witness the complete disregard for the history of New York." As their first order of business, they've created a proposal to buy back the 5Pointz site from developers and build a creative oasis that includes an urban rooftop with rainwater collection system, artist gallery, and recycling center.
More on DEFACED and its proposal
<b>REVEALED: East River Skyway Will Bring Brooklyn Commuters to Manhattan in Under Four Minutes</b>
September 16, 2014

REVEALED: East River Skyway Will Bring Brooklyn Commuters to Manhattan in Under Four Minutes

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There's no stopping the Brooklyn development boom, but getting to and from the borough from Manhattan will increasingly become a nightmare with thousands of new residential units hitting the market in the coming years. If you've commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan (and vice versa) you know that the subway system is already taxed. But as more and more homes are added throughout the borough, it's surprising that no plans have been made to alleviate the transportation stress that will soon come with it. Until now. Today, Dan Levy, the president and CEO of CityRealty*, will present his proposal for the 'East River Skyway', an aerial gondola system that would run along the Brooklyn waterfront and into Manhattan, bringing commuters over the river in just 3.5 minutes.
Find out more about the proposed project
Coffee Culture: Are Neighborhood Cafes the First Sign of Gentrification?

Photo: Cafe Grumpy in Greenpoint by Premshree Pillai cc

September 3, 2014

Coffee Culture: Are Neighborhood Cafes the First Sign of Gentrification?

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From “coffices” to lab-like minimalist gourmet coffee meccas to cozy neighborhood hangouts, neighborhood cafes are a fine example of the essential “third place” mentioned in discussions of community dynamics: that place, neither work nor home, where regulars gather and everyone’s welcome. Along with yoga studios, art galleries, community gardens, vintage clothing shops, restaurants with pedigreed owners and adventurous menus and, some say, a change in the offerings on local grocery shelves, cafes are often the earliest sign of neighborhood change. The neighborhood cafe serves as a testing ground for community cohesiveness while adventurous entrepreneurs test the still-unfamiliar waters around them. Beyond the literal gesture of offering sustenance, cafes provide a place where you can actually see who your neighbors are and appreciate the fact that at least some of them are willing to make an investment locally.
Get a fleeting glimpse of old New York City cafe culture in the West Village, meet the future of coffee distribution in Red Hook.
Daily Link Fix: ‘Dream, Girl’ Wants To Change The Image of A Boss; Upcycled Bicycle Seats Transformed Into Mini Green Spaces
August 14, 2014

Daily Link Fix: ‘Dream, Girl’ Wants To Change The Image of A Boss; Upcycled Bicycle Seats Transformed Into Mini Green Spaces

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Channel Your Inner Beach Bum: If you’re thinking, “Where am I supposed to learn how to surf in the NYC area that doesn’t require me to go to Long Island?” That’s where Rockaway Beach and Locals Surf School come in. Cool Hunting features the year-round school founded by two former competitive surfers Support Girls’ Dreams […]

Real Estate Wire: What Lies Behind the Pepsi Sign; NYC Construction Spending Jumps 50%
August 13, 2014

Real Estate Wire: What Lies Behind the Pepsi Sign; NYC Construction Spending Jumps 50%

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Tour the new Long Island City residential building that sits behind the Pepsi sign. [Curbed] Extell is bringing a 52-story, 710,907-square-foot residential building to 41st Street and 5th Avenue. The company spent $16.46M on the development and to acquire the air rights from nearby St. Raphael’s Church. [CO] Spending on NYC residential construction has jumped […]

Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects Wrap a Pristine White Studio with a Beautifully Aged Wood Skin
August 4, 2014

Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects Wrap a Pristine White Studio with a Beautifully Aged Wood Skin

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We recently featured how Ryall Porter Sheridan renovated a 1970s house into a beautiful green retreat using Passive House standards. In a similar vein, the Manhattan-based architects have created a small artist's shelter with comparable aesthetic, employing many of the same sustainable strategies throughout. Called 'Orient Artist Studio', this project on the north-fork of Long Island is clad in a beautifully aged timber envelope that protects its pristine white interiors.
Learn more about this Passive artist studio here
Summer Sculptures: Where to See Larger Than Life Art in the Parks
August 4, 2014

Summer Sculptures: Where to See Larger Than Life Art in the Parks

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The NYC parks system gives artists a public canvas for their sculpture and design work, and there are so many great artworks on display this summer. From abstract sculptures to innovative park design, here are just a few of the interesting sculptures and design exhibits you can see in New York City parks this last month of summer.
Find the best public sculptures here
New Renderings of What Will Replace Graffiti Art Mecca 5Pointz Emerge
July 31, 2014

New Renderings of What Will Replace Graffiti Art Mecca 5Pointz Emerge

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If you loved 5Pointz, grab a box of tissues because you aren't going to be happy with what's planned for the soon to be demolished building. NY YIMBY has gotten his hands on new renderings of what will replace the former art mecca, and unsurprisingly, the towers are as ho hum residential as they come. The new design is the work of New York-based HTO Architect, and once complete, will hold 1,000 apartments within two towers of 41 and 47 stories each.
More images this way
See the Winners of the “QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm” Design Competition
July 16, 2014

See the Winners of the “QueensWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm” Design Competition

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Earlier this year, AIA New York's ENYA (Emerging New York Architects) Committee held its biennial design ideas competition, focusing on the elevated viaduct portion of the QueensWay, a community-led project that seeks to transform a blighted, 3.5 mile stretch of abandoned railway in Central Queens into a linear park and cultural greenway. The winners of Queensway Connection: Elevating the Public Realm were announced in February, and are now going public tomorrow, July 17th, with an exhibition at AIANY's Center for Architecture. There were 120 entries from 28 countries for Queensway Connection, from which four winning entries and an Honorable Mention were selected. The jury included architecture, landscape architecture, public space, and transportation infrastructure professionals who reviewed the designs based on how well they created an effective and welcoming transition between the street and greenway. Other factors included community involvement, preservation of the existing infrastructure, and use of ecologically sustainable elements.
Your sneak peek before tomorrow's event
A Glittering Tower Built from Mushrooms Rises in the MoMA PS1 Courtyard
June 28, 2014

A Glittering Tower Built from Mushrooms Rises in the MoMA PS1 Courtyard

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There's a new tower in town, and for once it's not made of steel and glass... After a month of construction, David Benjamin and his firm, The Living, have completed the world's first large-scale structure made of mushroom bricks. Better known as ‘Hy-Fi‘, the tower is the winning design of this year's MoMA Young Architects Program, and like the works that preceded it, it's an idea that asks us to rethink what we know about materials, fabrication and architecture in an urban context.
More photos of the fungtastic tower this way
Philip Johnson’s “Tent of Tomorrow” Receives $5.8M for Its Restoration
June 27, 2014

Philip Johnson’s “Tent of Tomorrow” Receives $5.8M for Its Restoration

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Philip Johnson lovers rejoice! It was just announced that the city will put aside $5.8 million to restore the dilapidated crown jewel of the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Funding for the restoration of the "Tent of Tomorrow" came via Mayor Bill de Blasio, who contributed $4.2 million to the project, while the rest was provided by the City Council and Borough President Melinda Katz. Katz has been a champion for restoring the iconic structure, even forming a task force of civic leaders to save the work. Efforts to restore the project will begin soon, but a bumpy road lies ahead...
More on the restoration efforts here
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