Search Results for: Brooklyn Heights

The New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 17 properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places today, sites that represent New York's rich history from Long Island through the Finger Lakes. In New York City, four nominees made the cut: the Alku and Alku Toinen buildings in Brooklyn, East Harlem Historic District, George Washington Hotel in Gramercy, and St. Luke's Hospital in Morningside Heights. Once the recommendations are approved by the state historic preservation officer, the properties are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed and, once approved, entered on the National Register.
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Greenpoint Avenue G station will get three elevators and full ADA-compliant features

Image via Wikimedia

March 14, 2019

Greenpoint Avenue G station will get three elevators and full ADA-compliant features

The MTA is moving into the next phase of construction on the elevator installation project at the Greenpoint Avenue G station, but there’s good news for roughly 9,400 regular weekday customers: the MTA is expecting “significantly reduced impact” to service. Work will also focus on updating station infrastructure including stairs, handrails, turnstiles, powered gates, and braille signage—bringing the station to full ADA compliance.
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Transit

Meet the women who founded New York City’s modern and contemporary art museums

“Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, half-length portrait, standing with statue of soldiers,” 1920, via, The Library of Congress

March 11, 2019

Meet the women who founded New York City’s modern and contemporary art museums

By Lucie Levine

When the first Armory Show came to New York City in 1913, it marked the dawn of Modernism in America, displaying work by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse, and Duchamp for the very first time. Not only did female art patrons provide 80 percent of the funding for the show, but since that time, women have continued to be the central champions of American modern and contemporary art. It was Abby Aldrich Rockefeller who founded MoMA; Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney the Whitney; Hilla von Rebay the Guggenheim; Aileen Osborn Webb the Museum of Art and Design; and Marcia Tucker the New Museum. Read on to meet the modern women who founded virtually all of New York City’s most prestigious modern and contemporary art museums.
More Modern Women

11 events to celebrate and commemorate Women’s History Month in NYC

Women from all over the world unite at the Apollo Theater, photo by Shahar Azran, courtesy of the Apollo Theater

March 8, 2019

11 events to celebrate and commemorate Women’s History Month in NYC

By Ben Kharakh

Women’s History Month comes but once a year in March, so until Women’s Day every day, we’ll have to make the most of what the city of New York has to offer. And that’s quite a lot considering all the art, culture, and history of the Big Apple. Here’s a list of what you can do to commemorate women’s indelible contributions to human flourishing, while also reflecting on how you can contribute to achieving equality, from art exhibits to comedy shows to seminars on female entrepreneurship.
Check out our 11 event picks

Events & Things To Do

Lottery opens for 41 middle-income apartments in the cultural hub of Williamsburg, from $1,231/month

Via Korye Logan on Flickr

March 7, 2019

Lottery opens for 41 middle-income apartments in the cultural hub of Williamsburg, from $1,231/month

A housing lottery launched on Thursday for 41 middle-income apartments in Williamsburg. Designed by Aufgang Architects, the brand new rental at 123 Hope Street opened last summer and features a modern design mixed with a factory feel. The rental sits near all of the neighborhood's hot-spots, including restaurants like Emmy Squared and Don Pancho Villa and bars like St. Mazie Bar & Super Club and Banter Bar. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 80 and 120 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from a $1,231/month studio to a $2,759/month two-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

De Blasio signs off on basement apartment conversion program for East New York

Via Flickr

March 5, 2019

De Blasio signs off on basement apartment conversion program for East New York

Certain basement apartments in East New York will be transformed into legal and affordable homes thanks to a new law signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday. The legislation creates a three-year pilot program that helps homeowners renovate cellar and basement units to meet the new code standards, which include minimum ceiling heights, window sizes, and proper safety requirements. "There are thousands of basement apartments in our City, but too many are illegal and unsafe," de Blasio said in a statement. "This program will help New Yorkers secure safe, affordable homes and give homeowners a new legal source of income."
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Why Ken Griffin’s $238M condo is taxed like it’s worth $9.4 million

220 Central Park South. Image via Vornado Realty Trust and Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

February 28, 2019

Why Ken Griffin’s $238M condo is taxed like it’s worth $9.4 million

We've heard it before, but it's always a shock to hear about how the city’s tax system undervalues big-ticket apartments in expensive neighborhoods. The Wall Street Journal reports that the effective tax rate on billionaire hedge funder Ken Griffin’s sky mansion at 220 Central Park South comes out to about 0.22 percent–compared with about one percent in the city's less affluent neighborhoods. The reasoning behind this is tied to a complicated city property tax system that assesses all co-ops and condos as if they were rental properties. Rental income at nearby buildings is assessed in order to estimate a condo's value.
What's going on here?

Policy

Why American buyers are replacing foreigners in the luxury market

Photo via Pixabay

February 19, 2019

Why American buyers are replacing foreigners in the luxury market

By Cait Etherington

Over the past decade, there has been no shortage of headlines about the impact of foreign buyers on the New York City real estate market. At one time, the headlines about Russian oligarchs and Chinese business tycoons buying up luxury properties in New York City were true, but as of 2019, the real estate market in New York City and across the country is shifting. New restrictions on foreign buyers combined with a perception that the United States is no longer a friendly market for foreign buyers has slowed foreign sales. In fact, over the past twelve months, the highest closes in New York City have all been to U.S. buyers.
What's the deal?

Real Estate Trends

10 things you might not know about Riverside Park

Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. (1887 – 1964). Parks – Riverside Park – West 122nd Street; Via NYPL Digital Collections

February 12, 2019

10 things you might not know about Riverside Park

By Lucie Levine

Riverside Park is the place to be whether you want to bask in the sun at the 79th Street Boat Basin, pay respects at Grant's Tomb, or do your best T. Rex at Dinosaur Playground. Did you know that the park's history is as varied as its charms? From yachts to goats to cowboys, check out 10 things you might not know about Riverside Park!
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History

February 11, 2019

NYPL maps your favorite New York City love stories

New York City is the endlessly romantic backdrop for more literary love stories than we could possibly count. In honor of Valentine’s Day, the NYPL asked their book experts for their favorite tales of love and the city; then they put them on a map for our exploration–and reading–pleasure.
Amore, this way

Events & Things To Do

Subway riders could save up to 9 days a year under the MTA’s Fast Forward plan

Photo via Dan Phiffer on Flickr

February 7, 2019

Subway riders could save up to 9 days a year under the MTA’s Fast Forward plan

Last May, 6sqft reported on the release of the MTA's ambitious 10-year "Fast Forward" plan to modernize New York City's transit system featuring a state-of-the-art signal system, more accessibility, a new fare payment system and thousands of new subway cars and buses. Perhaps the most ambitious part of the plan is that work previously estimated to take nearly 50 years would be completed within the next decade. But just how much would these marvelous changes improve our daily commute? Transit advocacy organization Transit Center breaks it down for a few of the city's more sluggish examples to show us how much time we might get back to do better stuff than sit on the subway.
More time to wait in line for coffee

The 15 best places in NYC to ring in the Lunar New Year

Via Wikimedia

February 1, 2019

The 15 best places in NYC to ring in the Lunar New Year

One of New York City's most spirited events kicks off next Tuesday: the Lunar New Year. With multiple Chinatowns and Asian communities across the five boroughs, there is no shortage of events to celebrate the nearly two-week-long holiday, which is said to have originated more than 4,000 years ago. While the most well-known festivity is the colorful parade in Lower Manhattan's Chinatown, other Lunar New Year events in Flushing, Sunset Park, and Staten Island should not be overlooked. Embrace the Year of the Pig, the 12th zodiac animal said to signal good fortune, with lantern decorating events, dumpling and noodle-making classes, traditional dance and song, and sparkling firecracker ceremonies.
See the full list

Events & Things To Do

New report says Bushwick tops the list for heat violations

Photo courtesy of Roman Kruglov’s Flickr

January 31, 2019

New report says Bushwick tops the list for heat violations

As frigid temperatures descend on NYC once again, real estate database provider Localize.City has produced a report showing which (non-NYCHA) buildings and neighborhoods have racked up the most heat violations in recent years. Bushwick, Brooklyn tops the list, followed by Van Nest in the Bronx. Read on to find out if your neighborhood–or building–made the list–and find out what you can do if your building has no–or not enough–heat.
Find out more

City Living

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): One Flatbush, 420 Kent, 33 Bond Street, and The Mosaic.

January 26, 2019

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Ondel Hylton

One Flatbush: New Rentals in the Heart of Downtown Brooklyn from $2,336/Month [LINK] 33 Bond Street: Downtown Brooklyn Luxury Rentals with Balconies and Incredible Views from $2,530/Month [LINK] The Mosaic: Bushwick Rentals Debut at 23 Menahan Street, No Fee 1 Bedrooms from $2,200/Month [LINK] 420 Kent Avenue: Take a Look Inside Williamsburg Waterfront Rentals, Now […]

Real Estate Trends

Thousands of NYCHA residents had no heat or hot water on dangerously cold day

Over 2,800 residents at the Bushwick Houses in Brooklyn lost heat and/or hot water on Monday; via Flickr

January 22, 2019

Thousands of NYCHA residents had no heat or hot water on dangerously cold day

In what has become an all-too-familiar story, thousands of public housing residents in New York City were without heat and hot water on Monday, when temperatures dropped to single digits. On the coldest day of the year, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) reported nearly 12,000 residents were experiencing heat and hot-water outages. A similar service disruption occurred roughly one year ago; during two weeks of brutal cold and a major snowstorm, the city had received 22,000 heat and hot water complaints, with a majority of those from NYCHA developments.
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Images (L to R): The Heritage, Level, Landing at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Arverne View

January 19, 2019

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Annie Doge

Images (L to R): The Heritage, Level, Landing at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Arverne View 1247 Atlantic Avenue: Brooklyn Rental with Swimming Pool Launches Leasing from $1,875/Month [LINK] Arverne View: Beachfront Apartments in the Rockaways from $1,374/Month [LINK] The Pierrepont: Floor Plans and Interiors Revealed for March 1st Launch [LINK] LEVEL: Williamsburg Waterfront Rental Offers […]

Real Estate Trends

January 15, 2019

Williamsburg townhouse offers a unique live/work solution for $4.5M

Located in a prime Williamsburg location one block away from the water, this townhouse at 64 East 4th Street is a catch with an asking price of $4,495,000. The four-floor home was gut renovated a few years ago and boasts a slew of modern amenities: a top-of-the-line kitchen, a home gym, and a beautiful garden. Best of all, the entire top floor is a ready-to-go office, making this an exciting opportunity for those seeking a live/work solution.
Have a look for yourself

Distinctive Homes

Images (L to R): 321 Wythe Avenue, EVE, Summit, and 535 Carlton Avenue

January 12, 2019

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Annie Doge

321 Wythe in Williamsburg Debuts Luxury Rentals with All-Star Amenities + Skyline Views [LINK] The Hamilton, 1735 York Avenue: Yorkville Rental Leasing 1- to 3-Bed Rentals with 1 Month Free [LINK] OTTO, 211 McGuinness Boulevard: Upscale Greenpoint Rentals from $2,317/Month [LINK] Summit, 222 East 44th Street: Ultra Luxury Midtown East Rental Launches Leasing [LINK] 535 […]

Real Estate Trends

Council Speaker Corey Johnson kicks off five-day, five-borough tour of NYC subway stations

Via City Council Speaker Corey Johnson

January 7, 2019

Council Speaker Corey Johnson kicks off five-day, five-borough tour of NYC subway stations

On Monday, Corey Johnson, the speaker of the New York City Council and Acting Public Advocate, kicked off a five-day tour of the city's subway system. Johnson, who will hold both posts until the public advocate special election on Feb.26, plans on traveling to stations in all five boroughs to get feedback from real New Yorkers all over the city. "New York City deserves a world-class transportation system, but unfortunately, due to years of neglect and mismanagement, we don't have one," Johnson wrote on the City Council's website.
Take the survey

Transit

January 4, 2019

This $799K Bed-Stuy condo ‘shakes’ things up with a clawfoot tub, wood stove, and roof deck

A condo full of Shaker woodwork detail in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood has hit the market for $799,000. The two-bedroom, two bath home at 464 Hancock Street boasts 10-foot-high ceilings, a functioning wood stove, and an envy-inducing windowed clawfoot tub. The sunlight-drenched home also features Shaker woodwork peg racks in most of the rooms and along the hallways, making for a unique storage addition.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Greenpoint’s new ‘community-forward rental’ launches lottery for 60 affordable units

Image via Otto Greenpoint

January 2, 2019

Greenpoint’s new ‘community-forward rental’ launches lottery for 60 affordable units

By Dana Schulz

Ranging from $1,045/month studios to $2,795/month three-bedrooms, 60 low- and middle-income units at Greenpoint's new rental Otto have come online through the city's affordable housing lottery. The block-long, 197-unit building boasts that it is "community-forward," with amenities like a lounge, old-school game room, gym, and a large rooftop with a pool, hot tub, barbecues, and incredible Manhattan views. For comparison, market-rate apartments are renting from $2,279/month for studios to $4,704/month for three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Celebrate the winter solstice in NYC with one of these musical parades

Via Flickr

December 19, 2018

Celebrate the winter solstice in NYC with one of these musical parades

On December 21st, the longest night of the year, neighborhoods throughout New York City will be transformed by the festivities of Make Music Winter, a series of free participatory parades focused on music and representing a range of cultures and traditions. With more than 18 separate events taking place throughout the boroughs, there will be something for music lovers of all stripes this Friday.
Follow the music

Events & Things To Do

December 18, 2018

Historic Clinton Hill carriage house with 4,500-square-foot garden asks 3.4M