Search Results for: green

July 14, 2020

The 15 best air-purifying plants for your home

Toxins from carpet, paint, upholstery, and cleaning products are just a handful of modern-day, airborne pollutants that can degrade indoor air quality, and studies have shown too much exposure to these manmade elements can cause lung and respiratory issues over the long run. Luckily, there are a number of houseplants that moonlight as efficient purifiers. Ahead you'll find 15 of the best air-purifying plants suited for apartment living, according to Dr. B.C. Wolverton, a scientist who worked with NASA to develop a breathable environment for long-term lunar habitation.
15 plants to help keep indoor air its purest
July 13, 2020

INTERVIEW: Architect John Cetra on the Upper West Side’s Dahlia and the changing concept of home

Designed by CetraRuddy and RKTB Architects, Dahlia at 212 West 95th Street celebrates the Upper West Side's classic residential blocks of pre-war architecture while adding innovative design elements. The condo’s 38 homes and common areas are designed to be more spacious than the average Manhattan apartment, and perks unheard of in New York City include a huge 5,100-square-foot private elevated park, a fitness center with a yoga room, and a private parking garage. Plus, each apartment is situated on a corner of the building, so there’s no shortage of views and natural light. 6sqft recently offered a peek at the 20-story building's interiors, and we've now chatted with architect John Cetra about this new addition to the Upper West Side, the neighborhood, and how apartment building design must be sensitive to changing times and the idea of home in the city.
An interview with John Cetra of CetraRuddy, this way
July 13, 2020

This $2.25M condo has Lower East Side views galore through its giant windows

Oftentimes when we gush about views, we're talking about those overlooking the skyline or water. But there's something to be said for these clear-as-day views of the Lower East Side street life. At this two-bedroom loft at 115 Allen Street, massive floor-to-ceiling windows look east along Delancey Street and south down Allen Street, capturing all the neighborhood's vibrancy. In addition, the 1,800-square-foot home has huge swaths of exposed brick walls and a super charming outdoor terrace.
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July 10, 2020

Here’s what a car-free, pedestrian-friendly NYC could look like

In a city that currently has the most streets closed to cars in the country, with plans in store to add more designated busways and charge vehicles entering its busiest streets, is New York ready to be car-free? Architect Vishaan Chakrabarti and his firm Practice for Architecture and Urbanism think so. The New York Times took a look at PAU's plan, "N.Y.C. (Not Your Car)," which calls for a ban of private motor vehicles in Manhattan and an expansion of sidewalks and pedestrian-only space.
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July 10, 2020

This gorgeous $1.1M Upper East Side co-op was once the office of Marilyn Monroe’s psychiatrist

Marilyn Monroe may not have been very open at the time about her mental health struggles, but they've since been documented through diary entries and letters she'd written. As Vanity Fair noted, in the mid-1950s, Monroe saw a psychiatrist, Dr. Margaret Hohenberg, on the recommendation of her acting coach Lee Strasburg. Dr. Hohenberg, whom she visited up to five times a week, operated out of a first-floor office at 155 East 93rd Street. This exact Carnegie Hill apartment, now a residential co-op unit, has just hit the market for $1,125,000. It has lovely pre-war details, lots of closet space, and a nicely modernized kitchen.
Look around
July 9, 2020

See the design proposals that would make the Brooklyn Bridge a pedestrian oasis

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of public space, especially in a city like New York, where residents lack private backyards and most common spaces are too narrow for proper social distancing. A design contest launched earlier this year looking for ideas on how to improve the overcrowded pedestrian promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge, where thousands of walkers and cyclists fight for space daily. The Van Alen Institute and the New York City Council on Thursday announced the six finalists for the "Reimagining Brooklyn Bridge" design contest, with selected proposals calling for less space for cars and more for people.
See the designs
July 9, 2020

The 14 best apartments near the High Line

In the decade since the High Line opened, the surrounding area of West Chelsea has exploded into one of Manhattan’s most desirable areas for developers building luxury real estate. (It didn't hurt that the opening of the now-famous elevated park coincided with a neighborhood rezoning.) These days, any walk along the park reveals a variety of development in different stages of construction right alongside buildings that have welcomed new, typically wealthy residents over the past several years. 6sqft has rounded up the 14 defining buildings now open around the High Line. There are the early trailblazers, like the energy-efficient condo HL23, as well as the starchitect standouts, like Zaha Hadid's 520 West 28th, and of course, the new kids on the block, including Bjarke Ingels' twisting towers, The XI, and Thomas Heatherwick's bubbled Lantern House condo.
See the full list here
July 9, 2020

For $645,000, this Soho one-bedroom is modern and move-in ready

It's not easy to find an affordable one-bedroom in Soho, but this apartment at 101 Thompson Street is priced just right at $645,000. Though the bedroom is more of an alcove, the place feels open and bright, and the location is ideal, right next to Vesuvio Playground, two blocks from the C and E trains at Spring Street, and in the middle of all the best shops and restaurants (like Dominique Ansel Bakery just around the corner!).
See more of this stylish pad
July 8, 2020

$1.45M Carroll Gardens condo has Civil War-era details and a sunny patio

The Mill at 376 President Street in Carroll Gardens is a Civil War-era jute warehouse that's been transformed into a 55-unit condo building, and many of the loft-like units feature architectural details from this time. This two-bedroom apartment, listed for $1,450,000, features many of these elements, including original red oak beams, wood hewn ceilings, and exposed brick. On top of all that charm, it has a sunny outdoor patio.
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July 8, 2020

NYC’s oldest gay bar launches crowdfunding campaign to stay afloat

On the corner of West 10th Street and Waverly Place, Julius' Bar stands as the oldest gay bar in New York City. It's also known for the "Sip-In" that took place here in 1966, which ultimately led to legal LGBT bars and was one of the most significant instances of LGBT activism prior to Stonewall. Julius' was forced to close its doors in mid-March amidst the COVID crisis, and they've since been unable to reopen. Therefore, they've launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000 that will keep them and their employees afloat until indoor dining is permitted.
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July 7, 2020

Brooklyn locals call for Barclays Center to be renamed for Jackie Robinson

The Barclays Center has made many headlines recently, as it's served as a hub for the city's Black Lives Matter protests. And some locals hope to keep this momentum going and are pushing for the arena to be renamed for Brooklyn Dodgers player Jackie Robinson, the first African American Major League Baseball player. Arthur Piccolo of Park Slope actually began the effort back in 2006, but recently revived it, telling the Brooklyn Paper, "You’re seeing certain individuals being criticized and their statutes rightly removed, and here’s the opportunity to do something symbolic."
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July 1, 2020

Stonewall Inn gets $250K lifeline to avoid COVID-19 closure

New York City's iconic Stonewall Inn got a much-needed lifeline this week after receiving a $250,000 donation from the Gill Foundation. The Greenwich Village bar, considered the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement, has been closed since March because of the coronavirus pandemic and has struggled to keep up with bills, including its $40,000/month rent. But thanks to the donation, and more than $300,000 raised as part of an online fundraiser, the national historic landmark will able to survive a little longer.
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July 1, 2020

In Ridgewood, Queens, 40 middle-income units up for grabs, from $1,797/month

In Ridgewood--the Queens neighborhood that's right on the border of Bushwick, has lots going on, but is still somewhat under-the-radar--a middle-income housing lottery has just come online for those earning 130 percent of the area median income. The brand-new building, designed by Aufgang Architects and known as The Strand, offers tons of fun amenities (do note additional fees may apply) like onsite parking, a laundry room, bike storage, fitness center, outdoor terraces, co-working lounge, and a media/gaming lounge. The 40 apartments up for grabs range from $1,797/month studios to $3,508/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
June 29, 2020

Apply for 96 mixed-income apartments, half set aside for seniors, in Hunts Point, from $211/month

Applications are now being accepted for 96 income-restricted apartments in the South Bronx, with half of those units set aside for seniors. Located at 700 Manida Street, the Hunts Point rental contains eight stories and 108 total units. To apply for the senior housing, New Yorkers must have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older and earns $40, 960 or less, annually. Eligible applicants will pay 20, 30, or 40 percent of the area median income (AMI) for units that range from a $211/month studio to a $667/month one-bedroom. For the remaining 48 units, New Yorkers earning 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the AMI can apply for apartments, ranging in price from an $810/month two-bedroom to $1,960/month three-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify
June 26, 2020

NYC will legalize e-bikes and e-scooters

The New York City Council voted on Thursday to legalize electric bikes and scooters citywide and create a pilot program that would bring a shared e-scooter program to neighborhoods underserved by public transit. State lawmakers approved the legalization of e-bikes and e-scooters statewide in April, leaving the decision to local officials on how to regulate the vehicles.
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June 25, 2020

$5.2M Cobble Hill home was built in 1859 as a carriage house and stable

For the first time since 1977, this one-of-a-kind Cobble Hill home is up for sale. Located at 16 Verandah Place, it's the widest home on the block at 28 feet, and it was constructed in 1859 as a carriage house and stable. Now listed for $5.2 million, the four-bedroom home is full of original details, including the original stable floor, exposed brick, and beamed ceilings. An added fun fact--it was used as a green room for the movie The Intern.
Have a look around
June 24, 2020

NYC beaches will open for swimming July 1

Swimming will be allowed at New York City beaches starting July 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. Although Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the green light for state beaches to reopen last month in time for Memorial Day Weekend, the mayor had said the city was "just not ready" to handle the crowds of beachgoers, particularly on public transit. But with the city now in phase two of reopening, the ocean is no longer off-limits, as the Wall Street Journal first reported.
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June 24, 2020

NYC will now have 67 miles of open streets, the most in the U.S.

New York City will add 23 new miles of open streets, bringing the total to roughly 67 miles of streets closed to cars citywide, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. When the mayor first announced the program, he committed to opening 100 miles of streets throughout the pandemic. "This is going to be great for people looking for a break this summer with all the things going on, a place for kids to exercise and run around," the mayor said during a press conference. "It's growing, and we're going to keep adding to it."
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June 24, 2020

‘Real Housewife’ Luann de Lesseps lists her Catskills round house for $1.15M

When "Real Housewives of New York" star (Countess) Luann de Lesseps bought this mid-century-modern home upstate in 2018, she said she was drawn to it when she learned that round houses are good Feng Shui. But as the Post first reported, the Countess has just listed the three-bedroom home for $1,150,000 since she's been spending most of her time in the Hamptons instead. Located in the Ulster County town of Port Ewen, the three-bedroom home sits on nearly a full acre right on the Hudson River. It has 200 feet of private river frontage, a private dock, and mooring for a boat.
See the whole place
June 22, 2020

Landscape architects West 8 created NYC’s largest private outdoor garden at One Manhattan Square

The coronavirus pandemic--which forced New Yorkers to shelter in place and adhere to social distancing rules--has many apartment dwellers longing for private outdoor space. While a lot of us would be content with a balcony or rooftop access, Extell, the developer behind One Manhattan Square, has taken the idea of residential outdoor space to the next level. At the Lower East Side condo tower, residents have access to 45,000 square feet of green space designed by landscape architecture firm West 8. Considered to be one of the largest private gardens in the city, the East River-facing green space is uniquely located on an incline and contains several distinct areas designed for active and passive use. Ahead, hear from the team at West 8 on creating an urban oasis in one of the city's busiest neighborhoods as well as the many perks of the space, including an adult treehouse, tea pavilion, star-gazing observatory, and more.
Hear from the architects
June 19, 2020

29 affordable senior and supportive housing units available near Prospect Park, from $411/month

A lottery opened this week for 29 affordable apartments designated for seniors and formerly homeless women and families at a new rental in Flatbush. The nine-story building at 1921 Cortelyou Road replaced the nearly century-old Baptist Church of the Redeemer in 2018 but incorporates a new sanctuary in its design. To apply for the apartments, New Yorkers must have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older and earns $73, 680 or less, annually. Eligible applicants will pay 30, 40, or 60 percent of the area median income for units ranging from a $411/month one-bedroom to a $1,148/month two-bedroom.
Do you qualify?
June 19, 2020

11 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC

Juneteenth has been observed by African Americans nationwide for more than 150 years as a celebration of the day enslaved Black people were liberated in the United States. This year, as Black Lives Matter demonstrations continue across New York City, the holiday takes on special significance as a day of action, reflection, and education. New York officials are recognizing the weight of the anniversary by making Juneteenth an official state holiday and a city holiday, set to be observed by public schools next year. Although the festivals and cookouts of the past are on hold this year in light of the coronavirus, there are many virtual and socially distanced events happening across the city, from a digital day of dance to a cyclist-led Freedom Ride.
See the list
June 18, 2020

Plan for mini beach and waterfront esplanade at Bushwick Inlet Park moves forward

The city's plan to bring a waterfront park and small beach to Greenpoint is moving forward. The Parks and Waterfront Committee of Brooklyn's Community Board 1 earlier this month approved a revised design from New York City Parks and architect firm Abel Bainnson Butz for a 1.9-acre passive park at Bushwick Inlet Park. The nearly $10 million project redevelops and remediates a section of land known a the Motiva parcel, which is bounded by Kent Avenue and Quay Street and North 14th Streets.
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June 18, 2020

16 books about New York City by Black authors

The Black Lives Matter movement has strong roots in New York City, and with this in mind, 6sqft has put together a list of books about or related to New York City, all by Black authors. Including fiction and nonfiction, our list includes classics like Paule Marshall's Brown Girl, Brownstones and James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time to contemporary works like Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age and Elaine Welteroth's More Than Enough.
Check out the full list
June 16, 2020

Lottery opens for 500 affordable apartments at La Central complex in the Bronx, from $395/month

A housing lottery launched on Monday for 494 affordable apartments at a sprawling development in the South Bronx. Two buildings of the five-building complex La Central are now accepting applications for the units, which range from $395/month studios to $2,689/month four-bedrooms. The rentals, located at 556 and 600 Bergen Avenue, contain a 50,000-square-foot YMCA, GrowNYC-operated rooftop gardens, and ground-floor retail. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 60, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments.
Find out if you qualify