Search Results for: Crown Heights

October 15, 2014

Bed-Stuy: From Harlem and Hip-Hop to Hipsters, Hassids and High Rents

Brooklyn is changing fast and at the forefront of this is Bedford-Stuyvesant—or as it's more commonly known, Bed-Stuy. Like most New York neighborhoods, Bed-Stuy has had its ups and downs, its most notable down being the 80s and 90s when crime and drugs were at a record high. But as hard as the times may have gotten, the neighborhood has maintained itself as one of the city's most culturally significant. Bed-Stuy has long been home to one of the largest concentrations of African-Americans in New York, it boasts beautiful well-preserved architecture spanning countless styles and centuries, and of course, there is the neighborhood's central role in the hip-hop movement.
More on the history and future of Bed-Stuy
October 10, 2014

Living on Hallowed Ground: NYC Religious Buildings Being Converted to Luxury Housing

New Yorkers know it often takes some divine intervention to land a great apartment. Luckily, with dozens of churches and synagogues now being partially or totally converted into luxury residential buildings, high-end apartment hunters can go straight to the source. As congregations grapple with changing demographics, shrinking memberships, and costly upkeep of historic buildings, many religious institutions are concluding that it makes better financial sense to sell off a portion of their development rights, relocate to a more affordable site, or even close their doors for good.
Here's a look at New York’s hottest and holiest developments
September 23, 2014

City Kids: Why Parents Pick City Living Over the Suburbs

The 'American Dream' may have dominated the last few decades, causing a mass exodus to the suburbs, but today's families are reversing the trend and turning their attention back to the city. The reasons are many: An appreciation for cultural offerings, the camaraderie and creative cross-pollination of networks of colleagues, friends and family, the convenience of being able to walk or bike to school, work or child care without a long commute—just to name a few. New York City has always been a haven for the forward-thinking, albeit a challenging one. And its newly-”discovered” outer boroughs as well as an unprecedentedly low crime rate have made the city a prime choice for family living. But what is it about those city kids—the ones with parents who planned from the start to raise their kids in a non-stop urban environment? We interrupted the busy schedules of five families currently raising school-age (or soon-to-be) children in New York City's many diverse and multifaceted neighborhoods to get some insight about why they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hear what five parents of city kids have to say
September 12, 2014

Real Estate Wire: A Portfolio of Parking Lots Worth $250M; Upgrades Planned for Grand Central Get Flack

The Brooklyn shtetls that have embraced Crown Heights’ new hipster neighbors. [Tablet] An Afro-Caribbean has raised $7.5M to turn a long-vacant East Harlem firehouse into a new cultural center. [NYDN] New York state’s Empire State Development Corporation is trying to seize seven properties for Atlantic Yards Project through eminent domain. A judge was asked to […]

September 9, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Mac Sillick and Sandy Hall of Black Tree, the LES ‘Farm to Sandwich’ Favorite

Plenty of new restaurants and bars have been popping up on the Lower East Side over the last few years, but one of the more recent standout eateries to appear is Black Tree. This Brooklyn transplant has only been around for a little more than a year, but their incredible menu has drawn in everyone from food critics at the Wall Street Journal and Zagat to Guy Fieri—who by the way can be seen dusting Black Tree sandwich crumbs from his goatee in an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We recently caught up with Mac Sillick and Sandy Hall, the owners and culinary creatives behind the delicious Downtown venture, to chat about their business. Find out about their "farm to sandwich" approach, why they only use locally sourced food, and why they moved their business from Crown Heights to the Lower East Side. **GIVEAWAY**: The fellas are also offering up one lucky reader 'drinks for two' at the Black Tree bar. Keep reading to find out how you can enjoy some organic cocktails on the house!
The interview and giveaway here
September 3, 2014

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

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.
July 15, 2014

Real Estate Wire: New York City’s Tallest Skyscrapers; The Scary Outdoor Spaces of Craigslist Apartments

New York City’s tallest skyscrapers [TRD] Rentals on North 10th Street in Williamsburg hit the market, starting at $2,385 a month [Brownstoner] A residential tower might rise on a controversial Park Place site [Curbed] Tour the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Clinton Hill [Brownstoner] The horrifying outdoor spaces of Craigslist apartments [Curbed] Medgar Evers […]

December 19, 2025

Vote for 6sqft’s 2025 Building of the Year!

No matter what the rest of the world looks like, interest in real estate in New York City remains one of the few constants in life. In 2025, the market remained resilient, with long-anticipated projects hitting major milestones, from the sales launch at the Flatiron Building to the reopening of the Waldorf Astoria. Downtown Manhattan dominated this year, with several buildings in the running for record-breaking sales, including the potential first nine-figure deal below 14th Street at 80 Clarkson Street. While the skyline is always evolving, the mark of Robert A.M. Stern, who died this year at 86, is ever-present, with two limestone-clad towers on this year's list that serve as tributes to classic New York. 6sqft has narrowed our picks down to 14 of the most notable residential projects of the year. Which do you think deserves to be crowned the 2025 Building of the Year? Polls for our 11th annual competition will remain open through 5 p.m. on Monday, December 29. A winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 30. Happy voting!
cast your vote
October 31, 2025

NYC Council approves Jamaica rezoning, paving the way for 12,000 new homes

Nearly 12,000 new homes are coming to Jamaica, Queens, following the City Council’s approval of the neighborhood’s transformative rezoning on Wednesday. The Jamaica Neighborhood Plan updates zoning rules across 230 blocks of the transit-rich area, paving the way for thousands of new homes—roughly 4,000 of which would be permanently affordable. The plan, which includes the largest mapping of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) in the city, will also add two million square feet of commercial space, create more than 7,000 jobs, and deliver $400 million in infrastructure upgrades.
Discover more
October 28, 2025

Lily Allen’s Brooklyn townhouse is for sale for $8M

The celebrity news cycle is abuzz with the drama surrounding the breakup of singer Lily Allen and actor David Harbour (Hopper on "Stranger Things") after four years of marriage. Her just-released album gives voice to the star-crossed pairing and its demise–the New York Post calls it a "revenge album"–with the Carroll Gardens home at 381 Union Street symbolizing the blissful early days of the couple's brief union. Asking $7,995,000, the 22-foot-wide brownstone got a top-to-toe renovation by architect Ben Bischoff of MADE–and a not-for-everyone makeover by AD100 designer Billy Cotton.
get a closer look
May 27, 2025

How to celebrate Pride Month in NYC

Every June, people around the world honor the vibrant contributions and lasting impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. In a year marked by mounting political attacks and harmful rhetoric, Pride is more vital than ever. And in the United States, nowhere celebrates Pride quite like New York City. From the iconic Pride March to high-energy parties, performances, and cultural events, here's your guide to celebrating Pride Month across the five boroughs.
Find ways to show your pride, ahead
March 14, 2025

NYC’s 10 best-selling residential buildings of 2024

A new report from CityRealty reveals New York City's best-selling residential buildings of 2024. Last year's total sales by dollar amount remained just under $22 billion, falling below the 10-year average of $26.9 billion, likely due to high interest rates and global uncertainties. But the luxury market remained strong, with the majority of best-selling buildings being all new developments, including One High Line and Aman New York Residences, which top the list. As CityRealty notes, the 30 top-selling buildings in Manhattan accounted for $4.4 billion in sales, 992 units sold, and 20 percent of the borough's total apartment sales by dollar volume.
see the list
December 24, 2024

24 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024 in NYC

As 2024 draws to a close, it's time to celebrate the great moments we've had and kiss goodbye to the ones we'd rather forget. Whether you're looking for a high-energy dance party or a delicious five-course meal by a Michelin-starred chef, New York City offers something for everyone to ring in the new year. Ahead, here are some of the best ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in NYC, from dazzling fireworks and ball drop views atop towering sky decks to extravagant celebrations at luxurious hotels and rooftops.
say hello to 2025!
December 13, 2024

Vote for 6sqft’s 2024 Building of the Year!

This year, New York City's residential market started heating up, particularly at the top. For the first time in two years, the city recorded sales exceeding $100 million, including a $135 million penthouse at the Aman New York and a $115 million penthouse at Central Park Tower. In addition to the nine-figure deals, new luxury developments sparked interest beyond Billionaires' Row, including a pink-wrapped condo in Fort Greene and an "urban-style resort" on the Williamsburg waterfront. Historic hotels and iconic office buildings entered new chapters, while long-anticipated projects, and some repeat Building of the Year candidates, either marked their completion or are finally nearing the finish line. 6sqft has narrowed our picks down to 16 of the most notable residential projects of the year. Which do you think deserves to be crowned the 2024 Building of the Year? Polls for our 10th annual competition will remain open through 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20. A winner will be announced on Monday, December 23. Happy voting!
cast your vote
September 26, 2024

15 of New York City’s most atmospheric outdoor dining spots

New York City's outdoor dining scene is once again about to change: Restaurants that did not apply for the city’s new outdoor dining program by the August 3 deadline will need to remove the by-now-familiar "dining sheds" that have occupied city streets and sidewalks since 2020. Largely as a result of recently approved new program guidelines and regulations, only about 15 percent of the 13,000 or so establishments with outdoor dining structures have applied to keep them, as 6sqft previously reported. Though many sidewalk sheds may soon be gone, there will be no shortage of enchanting al fresco dining opportunities. Keep reading for a short list of some of the city's loveliest outdoor dining establishments with no plans to disappear.
find out more
August 21, 2024

From rental income to solar panels, this $3.5M Bed-Stuy brownstone checks all the boxes

Brooklyn brownstone dreams often involve transforming historic properties into 21st-century dream homes. Adding sustainable features and luxurious amenities means lots of work and a big investment. The classic 20-foot-wide townhouse at 508 Madison Street in Bed-Stuy, asking $3,495,000, offers the end result, complete with solar panels for sustainable energy, a garden apartment for rental income, and lots of outdoor space, in a move-in-ready package. Built in 1931, the 4,000-square-foot home even has a finished basement, for five stories of living space.
take the townhouse tour
August 7, 2024

This $2.2M Bed-Stuy townhouse is a 19th-century beauty seeking a 21st-century life

Unspoiled 19th-century brownstones with intact period details are becoming rare in the 21st century, as sweeping renovations render many of the city's historic homes luxurious and livable–often at the expense of vintage character. Built in 1893, this elegant white-painted townhouse at 102 Decatur Street on a landmarked Bed-Stuy block is a treasure trove of architectural details on each of its four floors, ready for restoration or transformation. Asking $2,200,000, the home has an equally storied cultural pedigree: Former tenants include Brooklyn Dodgers baseball legend Joe Black; notable neighbors and visitors gathered here during its years as an artistic, musical, and intellectual salon.
take the townhouse tour
July 3, 2024

For $1.4M, this full-floor Park Slope co-op comes with a private rooftop oasis

Asking $1,375,000, this two-bedroom co-op at 144 Park Place at the border between Park Slope and Prospect Heights is a sunny top-floor home with a fresh renovation, clean lines, and inspiring city views. But the full-floor walk-up shows its best advantage in summertime: Just upstairs, a full private roof deck offers space for dining, gardening, and entertaining in enviable Brooklyn style.
Take the tour
June 25, 2024

Two blocks of brownstones in Bed-Stuy now an NYC historic district

New York City's newest historic district is a two-block stretch of homes in Bed-Stuy. The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to designate the Willoughby-Hart Historic District, which includes two streets of intact 19th-century rowhouses between Marcy and Nostrand Avenues. Built primarily in the Neo-Grec style between the 1870s and 1890s, the 150-year-old homes are architecturally cohesive and reflect a period of Brooklyn's transformation from farmland to residential, according to the commission.
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June 11, 2024

15 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC

Juneteenth commemorates the day President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, effectively ending slavery in the United States. Although it only became a nationally recognized holiday in 2021, Black Americans in New York City and across the country have long celebrated the holiday, an opportunity to uplift communities and share Black culture. Ahead, find Juneteenth events happening in NYC this year, from live gospel performances and celebrations of Black music to food festivals and 5K runs.
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May 22, 2024

Whitney Museum’s new project pairs art from 1932 with present-day scenes of NYC

The Whitney Museum on Wednesday launched "Putting Artists On The Map," a new project celebrating the museum's landmark Biennial exhibition that has been held regularly since 1932. The interactive digital map pairs paintings depicting New York City from the very first Biennial with photos of the same scenes in the present day. The map also provides a snapshot of Whitney Biennial moments across the city, including the locations where artists from past exhibitions had studios and the subway stations where works by Biennial artists were installed.
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