Search Results for: light through stained glass

January 23, 2020

Go behind the scenes at Morningside Heights’ Riverside Church and its 400-foot-tall bell tower

After nearly 20 years, the iconic bell tower of the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights has officially reopened. The impressive Gothic-style cathedral is home to the 74-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon, which includes a 40,000 pound Bourdon bell, the largest tuned bell in the world. The tower closed to the public almost two decades ago following 9/11 but reopened for public tours earlier this month. 6sqft recently took a tour of the stunning Riverside Church, known for its interdenominational services and dedication to social justice causes.
Take the tour
November 18, 2019

The top NYC holiday markets and pop-up shops of 2019

New York is a city of shoppers, and though the retail landscape may be undergoing a sea change, there’s still a lot to be said for perusing yards of beautiful baubles and quirky crafts you won't find online in the company of other shoppers and plenty of good cheer. There’s no shortage of holiday markets this season, with one in practically every corner of town; and each one is unique in its own way. The big Manhattan markets–at Union Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, and Columbus Circle–get points for sheer volume, but some of the best finds can be had at smaller, more intimate neighborhood affairs. And they all sparkle with winter wonderland delights from ice skating and music to drinks, food, workshops, tarot readings, nail art, and family fun to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where to get the goods
October 17, 2019

Publishing giants, radical literature, and women’s suffrage: More secrets of Union Square South

The area south of Union Square, on the border between Greenwich Village and the East Village, is changing. The approval of the new 14th Street Tech Hub south of Union Square combined with an explosion of tech-related development in the area has resulted in the demolition of mid-19th-century hotels and Beaux-Arts style tenements, with new office towers like 809 Broadway taking their place. Aside from being rich in 19th- and early-20th-century architecture, this area is overflowing with history connected to many of the great American artists, writers, musicians, publishers, activists, innovators and artisans of the last century and a half. As part of Village Preservation's work to document and bring to light some of that often forgotten history, we wrote this piece last year exploring the connections to Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, Alexander Graham Bell and Leroi Jones (among many others). Now, we've uncovered even more history-making people and events connected to this area and its buildings, from Hammacher Schlemmer (NYC's first hardware store) to a slew of influential publishing houses (including that which published the first U.S. edition of "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland") to the Women’s Suffrage League headquarters.
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October 3, 2019

12 historic Italian-American sites of the East Village

October, the month we mark Columbus Day, is also Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month. That combined with the recent celebrations around the 125th anniversary of beloved pastry shop Veniero’s inspires a closer look at the East Village’s own historic Little Italy, centered around First Avenue near the beloved pastry shop and cafe. While not nearly as famous or intact as similar districts around Mulberry Street or Bleecker and Carmine Street in the South Village, if you look closely vestiges of the East Village’s once-thriving Italian community are all around. In the second half of the 19th century, the East Village was a vibrant checkerboard of ethnic enclaves. Germans were by far the dominant group, until the turn of the century when Eastern European Jews took over the Second Avenue spine and much of what’s now Alphabet City, Hungarians congregated along Houston Street, and Slavs and Poles gravitated towards the blocks just west and north of Tompkins Square. But a linear Italian-American enclave formed along and near First Avenue, broadening at 14th Street. Vestiges of this community survived into the third quarter of the 20th century, with just a few establishments and structures connected to that era continuing to function today.
Get the full list
September 25, 2019

Famed Clinton Hill Pfizer Mansion with a rock-n-roll past and a $5M renovation lowers ask to $10M

Photo credit: Rayon Richards and Connie Zhou, courtesy The Corcoran Group In brownstone Brooklyn, there are dozens of grand homes that have historic significance and even more that are dazzling showcases of considered design. The unique 10,000-square-foot double mansion at 280 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill happens to be one of Brooklyn's finest examples of both. Known as the Pfizer Mansion–it was built in 1887 by Charles Erhart, co-founder of the Pfizer pharmaceutical company and brother-in-law to Charles Pfizer–the block-through property had a full slate of interesting inhabitants, from a library to industrial band rockers, before receiving an epic renovation from its current owner. That same owner, designer Jessica Warren, who purchased the property in 2007 for $3.2 million, spent many years and many millions restoring the house to a stunning degree that surpassed even its former glory. The home, which has been featured in numerous design publications, has most recently been a beloved B & B known as The Notorious B.N.B. The current owners put the house on the market in 2018 for $13.5 million. After a year and a broker switch, it's now asking $9.995 million–and it's worth every penny, from its graceful, curving windows to a working Otis elevator and private parking space.
Tour this colorful and beautiful Brooklyn home
September 20, 2019

$5.9M townhouse on Prospect Park comes fully loaded with a garage, gym, sauna, & so much more

Starting with a semi-private driveway and private garage, the attractive if unassuming neo-Federal townhouse at 31 Prospect Park West, built in 1919 by Brooklyn architect W. J. McCarthy, has just about every luxury you could imagine under its roof, and 600 square feet of irrigated, landscaped terrace on the actual rooftop. Recently given a truly spare-nothing renovation by local design duo Delson or Sherman Architects, this townhouse is already blessed with a prime Park Slope location across from Prospect Park. Asking $5.895 million, the home packs perks that include a fully-stocked gym and sauna to a wet bar and dual gas and wood-burning fireplace into its 2,800+ square feet of interior space. And that's without the fountain in the backyard.
Step inside this amazing townhouse
September 13, 2019

$18M Brooklyn Heights townhouse is the borough’s most expensive listing

Brooklyn Heights is an expensive neighborhood to be sure, but the five-story townhouse at 88 Remsen Street, asking $18 million, takes the top spot for the entire borough, where the most expensive sale to date was around $15.5 million (h/t Curbed). For that price, you're certainly getting your money's worth. The five-story home offers a separate apartment on the ground floor, with an owners' quadraplex above, complete with decks and harbor views. The historic home has lots of restored original details. But the most unique part of this pricey property is the carriage house that's included in the sale; across a quiet alley, this quaint structure is thoroughly renovated and includes a garage, a full kitchen, and a skylit recreation room.
Tour this Brooklyn Heights compound
August 5, 2019

This $2.3M Ditmas Park Victorian adds modern convenience to bygone-era charm

This seven-bedroom free-standing Ditmas Park townhouse at 777 Rugby Road, asking $2.275 million, has plenty of curb appeal, starting with a big, gracious front porch perfect for summer afternoons. On a leafy block lined with ornate Victorians, this home has been renovated to create plenty of space for modern living while keeping its bygone-era charm.
Step inside for a look
August 2, 2019

Pale timber, historic details and DIY done right define this $5,500/month Bed Stuy townhouse rental

Built in 1891, this three-story brick townhouse at 401A Monroe Street in Bed-Stuy uses each of its three floors to the best advantage of whomever's lucky enough to be in residence. The single-family home is available for rent for $5,500 per month beginning September 15. Within are four bedrooms, two baths, a finished basement and a private backyard.
Tour the triplex, consider the options
June 14, 2019

This $17.5M historic Tribeca townhouse has a jazz club in the basement

The Bogardus Mansion at 75 Murray Street is an original cast iron treasure. Perfectly configured for conversion to a single family home, the 25-foot-wide Tribeca building, asking $17.5 million, is a true piece of New York City history, with original details and plenty of possibilities, from the noted 75 Club jazz venue in the building's basement to the owner's penthouse with a conservatory, roof deck and stunning lower Manhattan views.
Five floors, a penthouse and a unique speakeasy
May 8, 2019

Living at the top of the world’s first Art Deco skyscraper just got $20M cheaper

According to the listing for The Penthouse at One Hundred Barclay, the Tribeca building, designed in 1927 by renowned architect of the era Ralph Walker, is the world's first Art Deco skyscraper. This 14,500-square-foot duplex penthouse is the crowning glory of its 21st century life. In addition to bragging rights to one of the largest living rooms in New York City at over 3,000 square feet, a mere $39.95 million–nearly $20 million less than the property's original asking price of $59 million–gets you unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty, Hudson River and New York City skyline.
Penthouse grand tour, right this way
April 15, 2019

10 sites in New York City connected to the Titanic

When you hear “Titanic” you may think of icebergs, tragedy, Jack, Rose, and a two-hour fight between life and death in the North Atlantic some 375 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. You may not necessarily think of New York City. But the ship, which left Southampton, England on April 10, 1912, was bound for New York and due at Pier 59 on April 17th. After sinking during the early hours of April 15th, the Titanic would never dock in New York, but survivors of the tragedy sailed into the city aboard the Carpathia on April 20th and disembarked at Pier 54. Ultimately, New York’s connection to that fateful voyage goes well beyond its waterfront. In fact, you’ll find sites associated with the Titanic and its passengers throughout the city.
10 NYC sites associated with the Titanic
April 9, 2019

$3.2M historic Bed-Stuy home keeps the details and gets the designer treatment

The landmarked 1894 row house at 386 Stuyvesant Avenue, among the elegant Beaux-Arts limestones of Brooklyn's Stuyvesant Heights neighborhood, has the impressive layout and scale of a trophy brownstone and the interiors of a designer show house. Brought back to life by designer duo Dahill Bunce, the two-family home is asking $3.195 million. Rich in original detail, the 19' x 48' home has a few surprises that set it apart, like a convenient "summer kitchen" leading to an enviable back garden.
Take the tour
January 17, 2019

For $825K, this Hell’s Kitchen duplex is as efficient as it is charming

On a tree-lined block in Hell’s Kitchen, this two-bedroom co-op just hit the market for a cool $825,000. The cozy 800-square-foot duplex at 455 West 43rd Street offers a loft vibe filled with beautiful details—dramatic high ceilings, wood floors, exposed brick, a spiral staircase, and a fireplace—along with all the modern amenities you need to live in true comfort.
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December 13, 2018

This $5.2K/month furnished Stuyvesant Heights townhouse is a mix of sophistication and charm

Available from January through August of 2019 at $5,250 per month, this freshly-renovated brownstone triplex at 458 Hancock Street in Bed-Stuy's coveted Stuyvesant Heights historic district presents a great opportunity to get to know the city and the neighborhood. Interiors are bright and spacious, and you don't need to bring anything but your family or friends, and your toothbrush. The four-bedroom home with lots of space to spare plus a private deck and yard comes ready for living, complete with cool furniture and plants.
Take the townhouse tour
November 2, 2018

Upper East Side townhouse once home to Michael Jackson and Marc Chagall sells for $32M

The six-story Beaux-Arts mansion at 4 East 74th Street on the Upper East Side has been home to several prominent occupants throughout history from President Grover Cleveland’s law partner to artist Marc Chagall; Michael Jackson rented the house the '90s, and it served as the exterior of Nate Archibald’s residence in “Gossip Girl.” According to The New York Times and property records, the 16-room mansion sold in October for nearly $32 million.
Have a last look
October 16, 2018

This $8.8M Park Slope limestone beauty was in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and ‘The Age of Innocence’

Even in a neighborhood of grand and spectacular homes, 108 8th Avenue is a standout. The Park Slope townhouse has the scale and level of stunning historic detail that is, as the listing boasts, rarely found in a private home. It is also quietly possessed of  21st-century luxuries like central air and meticulously tended outdoor spaces, making it an even rarer gem that's now on the market for the first time in decades, asking $$8.8 million. Built in 1900, this limestone-clad mansion has a wealth of historic details like filigreed mahogany woodwork, original wood floors, delicately carved mantels and stained glass from world-renowned artists. Martin Scorcese's "The Age of Innocence" and HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" have made use of this opulent home to capture the essence of gracious living from a bygone era.
Take the grand tour
October 11, 2018

Open House New York in Greenwich Village: The history of three unique sites

Among the many delights included in this weekend’s Open House New York will be three iconic Greenwich Village buildings--a Gothic Revival church with many architectural firsts, a library that was originally a courthouse which heard the "Trial of the Century," and a groundbreaking artists' housing complex that was formerly home to Bell Telephone Labs and the site where color television was invented. These extraordinary landmarks span three centuries of American history, reflecting the evolution of our city’s spiritual, artistic, industrial, scientific, and civic life.
Learn more about their unique histories
October 1, 2018

Ten secrets of the Eldridge Street Synagogue

As a media sponsor of Archtober–NYC’s annual month-long architecture and design festival of tours, lectures, films, and exhibitions–6sqft has teamed up with the Center for Architecture to explore some of their 70+ partner organizations. With stunning stained glass windows and a striking mix of Moorish, Gothic, and Romanesque features, the Eldridge Street Synagogue cuts an imposing figure on the Lower East Side. The Synagogue opened in 1887 as the first and finest Orthodox house of worship built by Eastern European Jews in America and served as a spiritual headquarters for millions of immigrants as they made new homes in New York. By the turn of the 20th century, over 4,000 congregants supported three daily services, and holiday crowds overwhelmed the building. But, by the 1940s, the congregation dwindled, and the doors of the great sanctuary were sealed; not to be reopened until the 1970s. When preservationists rallied to save the building on its 100th anniversary, they rediscovered the splendor of the sacred structure and spent 20 years restoring it. Following a meticulous restoration, the Synagogue reopened in 2007 as the Museum at Eldridge Street. Today, the museum welcomes visitors from around the world, and preserves city’s immigrant history as well as the structure’s sacred secrets.
Learn about these 10 secrets of the synagogue
July 26, 2018

15 must-see attractions and adventures on Staten Island

With major developments underway, Staten Island is slowly losing its nickname as the "forgotten borough." While projects like Empire Outlets, the Bay Street Corridor rezoning, and the expansion of the former Stapleton homeport hope to revitalize the borough with new residential and commercial space, Staten Island already offers visitors a ton of unique attractions to explore. Just take the free Staten Island Ferry to discover the miles of coastline and 12,300-acres of parkland in the city's greenest and least populated borough. For the best spots in the borough, follow 6sqft's list ahead of the 15 most unforgettable attractions on Staten Island.
Find out more
July 26, 2018

Test out townhouse life at this newly restored Harlem mansion for $13,000/month

This renovated, turn-key townhouse at 133 West 122 Street in Harlem combines 4,745 square feet of gorgeous historic details with the space and convenience of a modern mansion in one low-commitment rental opportunity for $12,950 a month. This uptown stunner was built in the 1880s by architect Francis Kimball; a recent renovation by David Mann brings contemporary chic and 21st-century comfort to the home's five bedrooms and five stories of living space, all while highlighting historic details like stained glass transoms, inlaid floors, and a whopping seven decorative fireplaces.
Tour this stunning Harlem mansion
June 27, 2018

Park Slope brownstone with fretwork, backyard pond and waterfall asks $4M

Just two blocks from Prospect Park, this four-story brownstone is rich with original details as well as recent additions. The home is right at the edge of the Park Slope Historic District and, according to the designation report, is a neo-Italian Renaissance brownstone built circa 1895 by one Walter M. Coats. The home has had the same owners for decades and is currently configured as an owner's triplex over a garden rental with private entrance, and it's asking just under $4 million.
Take a peek inside
May 14, 2018

INTERVIEW: New York legend Jay Maisel dishes on 190 Bowery and his new photo archive

Jay Maisel is best known for the incredibly expressive stories he tells through his beautiful photography. But in recent years, he's become perhaps just as well known for his New York City real estate story where he made the deal of the century when he sold his home, the Germania Bank Building at 190 Bowery. What he's not at all known for, though, are the stories he tells through the hundreds of thousands of memories that fill his home and studio. Maisel, who may appear gruff on the exterior (at 87 years-old, he still likes to shock), is actually incredibly kind and sentimental. He misses his home and all his toys that once filled the 35,000-square-foot building. Although he was initially intimidated by the size and upkeep costs of 190 Bowery, Maisel grew to love the home and raise his family there for 50 years. In 2015, he sold the building for $55 million and purchased a stately townhouse on Pacific Street in Cobble Hill for $15.5 million. (At the time, it was the most expensive townhouse sale in Brooklyn.) 6sqft sat down with Maisel and discussed his real estate coup, his move to Brooklyn (which is not “the city” in his view) and his most recent New York City photography series, entitled “Jaywalking.”
Hear from Jay and get an inside look at his life and work