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July 14, 2017

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

One of New York’s First Skyscrapers is Now Rentals, and Leases Come with 1 Month Free [link] Watermark LIC: More Long Island City Rentals to Begin Leasing this Summer, Register Now [link] Brand New Bed-Stuy Rentals from $2,000/Month; Duplexes Available [link] One Hudson Yards Readies for Summer Leasing; Rentals to Start from $5,095/Month [link] New […]

July 14, 2017

Rosie O’Donnell drops $8M on a swanky Midtown East penthouse

Nearly two years after selling her chic Greenwich Village penthouse, Rosie O'Donnell finally has a new NYC home (she spends the majority of her time at her other house in Nyack). According to city records, Rosie dropped $8 million on a triplex penthouse at Midtown East's 255 East 49th Street. The uber-modern residence is a sprawling 3,563 square feet and has swanky features like a black granite fireplace in the living room, a huge glass walled television in the master bathroom, a sculptural Guggenheim-inspired staircase, an indoor two-person Swedish sauna, and a giant rooftop terrace with views of the Empire and Chrysler Buildings and the East River.
Take a look around
July 14, 2017

The city added 24,293 affordable housing units this fiscal year, the most since 1989

Image via Pixbay After more than three years into Mayor de Blasio’s $41 billion, 10-year affordable housing initiative, the city announced on Thursday that 24,293 affordable apartments and homes were secured in Fiscal Year 2017. Out of those units, 40 percent were for families earning less than $43,000 a year, with more than 4,014 homes for families of three earning less than $26,000 a year. According to city officials, the mayor’s Housing New York initiative aims to help an estimated half of a million people afford to live in New York City. Despite these promising numbers, the plan still fails New Yorkers with extremely low-income, by making their affordability benchmarks too high.
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July 14, 2017

Lottery opens for 26 affordable units in the South Bronx’s new supportive housing building

A year and a half ago, the nonprofit Unique People Services broke ground on Lynn's Place, an affordable and supportive housing project in the South Bronx.The $25 million+ project was financed by the city and various organizations and will feature community space on the ground floor, a sunken courtyard, a landscaped back yard, and a seventh-floor green roof, in addition to on-site support services. Of its 69 units, 42 are set aside for individuals with a mental illness or those who were formerly homeless. The remaining apartments are reserved for those earning 50 or 60 percent of the area median income. Ranging from $710/month studios to $1,107/month two-bedrooms, they've come online through the city's affordable housing lottery as of today.
Get the details
July 13, 2017

The top 10 neighborhoods NYC artists are moving to

According to a new analysis by the Center for an Urban Future (CUF), the number of artists in New York City has grown in almost every discipline, borough and neighborhood between 2000 and 2015. Citywide, the number of artists has increased by an all-time high of 17.4 percent, to 56,268 as of 2015. Since 2000, the Bronx saw the number of visual and performing artists nearly double, to 2,920 from 1,524, while Manhattan saw a decline of 10 percent, from 28,454 artists to 25,650. On the other hand, Brooklyn grew 72 percent to 17,605, Queens grew at 35 percent to 8,726 and Staten Island experienced an 8 percent growth to total 1,367 in 2015.
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July 13, 2017

Meryl Streep’s daughter, actress Mamie Gummer, lists classy Chelsea apartment for $1.8M

When Meryl Streep is your mother it's hard not to get recognized, but actress Mamie Gummer has earned herself plenty of accolades in her own right, from starring in "Emily Owens, M.D." and having a title role in "The Good Wife" to winning a Drama Desk Award for her appearance in the play "Ugly Lies the Bone." True to her under-the-radar persona, Gummer's Chelsea apartment is simple yet classy, and according to LL NYC it's just hit the market for $1.8 million.
Check it out
July 12, 2017

Food Network darling Katie Lee selling decked-out Hamptons estate for $5.5M

In a recent Instagram post, Food Network's Katie Lee revealed how she's able to feast on lobster rolls and fried chicken seemingly every day--with daily two-hour workouts in her Water Mill home's custom Tracy Anderson gym. In addition to the studio, "The Kitchen" co-host, cookbook author, and ex-wife of Billy Joel, decked out her Hamptons estate with a full outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven, climate-controlled wine cellar, home theater with stadium seating, and 42-foot-long heated pool. Lee first tried to unload the home two summers ago for $6.5 million, but now that she's become a much more recognizable lifestyle influencer and has her own Cooking Channel show, "Beach Bites," she seems more eager to move on, re-listing the property and reducing the price to $5.5 million (h/t NYP).
Take the full tour
July 12, 2017

Rent the lavish parlor floor of this 1900s Soho townhouse for $6,500/month

Not every Soho apartment is a former warehouse loft--and here's proof. This one-bedroom unit takes up the parlor floor of the 20-foot-wide 1900s townhouse located at 200 6th Avenue, one block south of Houston Street. Stretching over 1,300 square feet, the interior is loaded with drool-worthy prewar details that include herringbone hardwood floors, two working fireplaces, crown molding, antique chandeliers and wall-mounted candelabras. For good measure, there's a nice display of exposed brick in the bedroom--a typical feature of the traditional Soho loft. The condo is up for rent for either six months or a year, asking $6,500 per month.
Go inside
July 12, 2017

Construction of Columbia’s Manhattanville campus to create $6.3 billion in local investment

More than ten years after it was first proposed, the expansion of Columbia University into Manhattanville is finally coming together, with its first building opening on Harlem’s west side. While some residents worried the expansion would infringe on the Harlem community, the president of the university, Lee Bollinger, said the ongoing construction will result in roughly $6.3 billion in local investment. As the Daily News reported, the school paid $578 million to minority-, women-, and locally owned firms for construction work in the last five years. The project also created more than 1,500 construction jobs each year.
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July 11, 2017

My 415sqft: Go inside a mini Union Square penthouse filled with Moroccan rugs and collectibles

When Leonard Shaver moved into his studio penthouse 20 years ago, he never thought he'd be there two decades later. But thanks to a 320-square-foot terrace that not only makes the space feel twice its size but offers sweeping views of the skyline and Empire State Building, resurgence of the Union Square area, and the way his system of "organized chaos" has suited him, he now couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Admittedly a bit of a "hoarder," Leonard has an impressive set of Moroccan rugs, along with collections of Limoges Mona Lisa plates, Baccarat crystal, and shoes (yes, he even keeps them in the oven a la "Sex and the City"). 6sqft recently paid Leonard a visit to check out his home and learn about how he makes the small space work for himself and his two dogs Hunter and JJ.
Take the tour of Leonard's mini penthouse
July 10, 2017

From NoLiTa to SoHa: The practice and controversy of rebranding NYC neighborhoods

New York is home to dozens of distinct neighborhoods with their own names, identities, and histories. Some of these neighborhoods acquired their names by misfortune (Hell’s Kitchen gained its moniker due to its tough reputation), others by function (the Battery was once home to a series of artillery batteries), and some were coined by local artists playing with abbreviated combinations (SoHo is likely the most well-known example). However, at least some New York City neighborhoods, including the East Village and NoLita, were created by real estate agents in an attempt to “rebrand” areas that historically had a reputation for being either undesirable or simply boring places to live. Increasingly, this now well-established practice is coming under attack and if one local state senator is successful, the practice may even soon be illegal.
read more here
July 9, 2017

Rent this five-bedroom West Village dream townhouse for $25K a month

If you dream of living in a West Village townhouse with lofty, renovated rooms and charm-filled outdoor spaces, this 1845 beauty at 13 Gay Street could be your summer find. At $25,000 a month, that's $5,000 per bedroom, though it's not the sort of spot where you'd expect to find a bargain. At 19 feet wide with four stories of living space, the quintessential historic home has both original details and dreamy modern conveniences.
Take the four-story tour
July 7, 2017

Live in Joe DiMaggio’s former Upper West Side penthouse for $4.5M

If the Yankees' recent spate of bad luck has gotten you down, here's one way to re-live the Bronx Bombers' glory days--though it'll cost you $4.5 million. LL NYC noticed that Joe DiMaggio's former Upper West Side penthouse has hit the market. Joltin' Joe lived in the classic six pad at 400 West End Avenue from 1939-1942, during his brief marriage to actress Dorothy Arnold, as well as his record-breaking 56-game winning streak. In addition to the celebrity pedigree, the most spectacular part of the home is its 1,300-square-foot, wrap-around terrace with three exposures offering views of the iconic Apthorp, Hudson River and New Jersey, and George Washington Bridge.
See the whole place
July 5, 2017

City seeks to revoke access to office rooftops made for employee mingling

Update 7/31/17: The Post reports that the DOB recently sent landlords a draft memo clarifying that, aside from minor details, terraces are allowed "as open passive recreation space."  To give workers a comfortable and conducive work space, some companies have outfitted their offices with amenities like on-site fitness centers, free coffee and outdoor space. However, the city’s Department of Buildings has launched a campaign to stop or delay these rooftop terraces on office towers, claiming the spaces can only be used for plants, not people. As the New York Post reported, DOB may not approve office terrace plans and may even rescind already approved plans.
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July 3, 2017

New photos of Long Island City’s 1 QPS Tower show off NYC’s highest rooftop pool

Just in time for the height of the summer season, developer Property Markets Group has released a set of new photos of their 500-foot Long Island City rental 1 QPS Tower, which has the highest rooftop pool in the city, complete with panoramic skyline views, plenty of lounge chairs, and a stylish bar area (h/t CityRealty). The new images also show off the SLCE-designed skyscraper's other amenities, including a garden terrace, library, triple-height gym with rock climbing wall, and conference/lounge areas.
Check out all the photos
July 3, 2017

Escape to a Bali retreat that’s no further than the Hudson Valley

If you're looking to get out of town but you're uninspired by the usual country inns, historic schoolhouses, and rustic log cabins, this unusual Hudson Valley vacation property could be just the tranquil escape for you (and up to nine of your closest friends). The Hudson Valley Bali House Retreat in Rosendale, New York combines a country setting with details that were inspired by vacations in Bali and Thailand. Built using materials imported from Indonesia, this exotic compound makes visitors forget they're only about 90 minutes from Midtown.
More this way
July 2, 2017

VIDEO: Drone footage takes this love letter to New York City to a new level

From the concrete canyons of Midtown to verdant outcroppings deep in Central Park and everything in between, NYC unfolds in a suitably epic series of moments in this live-action love letter created by Wasatch aerial drone photography specialists. A drone camera sails above it all on metal wings, capturing the city, its architecture and its creatures large and small at rest, work and play.
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June 30, 2017

Just one ‘CityTree’ unit purifies air at the same rate as 275 trees

Nearly 90 percent of residents in cities around the world breathe polluted air, which is the single largest environmental health risk, according to the World Health Organization. To address this global problem, Green City Solutions created a mobile installation of specific moss culture that has large surface leaf areas and that can remove pollutants from the air. As Curbed NY reported, this new mossy air filter has been installed in Oslo, Paris, Brussels and Hong Kong. According to the team, CityTree has the same effect as up to 275 trees but requires 99 percent less space and just five percent of the cost.
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June 30, 2017

Jimmy Choo co-founder Tamara Mellon finally sells UES penthouse at a $14M discount

You'll be hard pressed to find a pair of discounted Jimmy Choos, but the iconic shoe brand's co-founder Tamara Mellon didn't fare as well when it came to her Upper East Side penthouse, which sits atop the historic Carhart Mansion at 3 East 95th Street. Mellon bought the Carnegie Hill apartment from Seagram heir Charles Bronfman Jr. and first listed it for sale in 2014 for $34 million. After several price chops and an attempt as a $85,000/month rental, it's finally found a buyer reports LL NYC. Contemporary artist George Condo paid $19.8 million for the condo (no pun intended), much less than the most recent ask of $25 million.
Get a look around (you don't want to miss the shoe closet!)
June 30, 2017

$3,250/month Williamsburg apartment comes furnished with chic, tropical decor

This Williamsburg condo at 259 Ainslie Street isn't massive at 652 square feet, but it's furnished and full of chic, creative decor--from the sunny bedroom to a living room packed with patterned pillows, rugs and greenery. There's a little outdoor space, too, with a private balcony off the living room. If you're digging the zen, tropical aesthetic, this is up for rent at $3,250 a month.
Tour the space
June 30, 2017

Four architecture teams envision NYC’s driverless transit future

With NYC residents owning fewer personal vehicles than any other city in the U.S., it’s no surprise that it may soon become a major hub for autonomous transportation. To ensure the future efficiency of driverless vehicles in such a densely populated area, Blank Space and the City of New York created a Driverless Future Challenge to solicit visions for the future of autonomous transit. According to Archinect, participants from over 25 countries sent proposals, which have now been narrowed down to four finalists. Their ideas include a plug-and-play public square, curbside pickup system, a rideshare platform for the outer boroughs, and a local food delivery service.
Find our more about each proposal and watch the project videos
June 29, 2017

Historic Gramercy townhouse from Bob Dylan album cover sells for $23M

An 1846 townhouse, once owned by former New York City mayor and publisher James Harper, has sold for $23.09 million in an off-market deal. The historic Greek Revival home located along Gramercy Park features sun-filled rooms, high ceilings, and elaborate crown molding, and it comes with a coveted key to the park. But the biggest bragging rights, as the New York Post learned, are that Bob Dylan sat on the stoop of the red-brick house for the cover of his album "Highway 61 Revisited."
See inside
June 29, 2017

Art Nerd NY’s top art, architecture, and design event picks – 6/29-7/5

Art Nerd New York founder Lori Zimmer shares her top art, design and architecture event picks for 6sqft readers! If you’re staying in town for the Fourth weekend, be sure to flex your cultural muscle! Check out a mix of fine art and architecture twice this week- first catch a slice of the Vatican at Santiago Calatrava’s Oculus, then head to the Park Armory for a project by Ai Weiwei and Herzog & deMeuron. Spend some time in City Hall Park with Katja Novitskova’s new series of sculptures, then relax in the rarely-opened New York Marble Cemetery for a group show by Ugo Rondinone. Party it up on the cobblestone streets of Wooster for their annual block party, then grab a blanket and catch Brigitte Bardot on the big screen under the stars. Finally, experience Paris’ Urban Arts Fair at Spring Street Studios- and check out a book signing with me on Friday!
Details on these events and more this way
June 28, 2017

INTERVIEW: The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project talks gay history and advocacy in NYC

"Where did lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) history happen in New York City? In what buildings did influential LGBT activists and artists live and work, and on what streets did groups demonstrate for their equal rights?" These are the questions that the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is answering through a first-of-its-kind initiative to document historic and cultural sites associated with the LGBT community in the five boroughs. Through a map-based online archive, based on 25 years of research of advocacy, the group hopes to make "invisible history visible" by exploring sites related to everything from theater and art to social activism and health. To mark Pride Month, 6sqft recently talked with the Historic Sites Project's directors--architectural historian and preservation professor at Columbia Andrew S. Dolkart; historic preservation consultant Ken Lustbader; and former senior historian at the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Jay Shockley--along with their project manager, preservationist Amanda Davis, about the roots of the initiative, LGBT history in NYC, and the future of gay advocacy.
Read the interview here
June 28, 2017

17-stop outer borough light rail proposed as a NYC subway alternative

While pols and officials twiddle their thumbs and shift blame for the subway system's current state of chaos, the Regional Planning Association (RPA) and Rockefeller Foundation are actively looking for long-term solutions to help ease the city's transportation woes. As first shared by DNA Info, earlier this year the two organizations put out a design competition asking participants to develop proposals that could transform various areas of the New York metropolitan region. Four ideas were awarded $45,000 by the RPA and Rockefeller, one of which included a transportation alternative that would exclusively serve the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.
more details here