Search Results for: waterfront

January 16, 2015

Daily Link Fix: Eloise Moves from the Plaza to a Williamsburg Hotel; New Wind Turbine Is Powering Up Sunset Park

A new book called Ella reimagines the classic Eloise tale with the main character as a hipster living in a Williamsburg hotel. [Gothamist] To mark the 50th anniversary of the NYC landmarks law, here’s a list of the city’s first 38 landmarks. [Curbed] Do you have a weird affinity for the smell of cut grass? Or […]

Policy

A Madcap Engineer Wanted to Pave Over the East River to Create a “Mega-Manhattan”

Part of the proposal, “A Really Greater New York”, that shows the East River infill and southern Manhattan peninsula

January 14, 2015

A Madcap Engineer Wanted to Pave Over the East River to Create a “Mega-Manhattan”

By Dana Schulz

The East River may not be the most beautiful body of water we've ever witnessed, but that certainly doesn't mean we'd like to see it paved over. That's exactly what T. Kennard Thomson, an engineer and planner, proposed in 1911, hoping to create a mega-Manhattan. Plus, he wanted to add a long hunk of infill at the southern tip of Manhattan, creating a new peninsula bolstered by Governor's Island, add more new land in the Hudson between Bayonne and Manhattan, and relocated the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Let's take a closer look at this ambitious, but never realized, plan

Making the Cut: Is NYC Still the World’s Fashion Capital?

Via j-No via photopin cc

January 13, 2015

Making the Cut: Is NYC Still the World’s Fashion Capital?

By Michelle Cohen

Will 21st century New York City be able to retain its fashion capital status? How does an aspiring fashionista build a brilliant career? The answers come from a winning combination of education, innovation and inspiration, plus financial and media support. Though styles come and go with dizzying speed and designers fall in and out of favor, New York City has held the title of global fashion capital since the mid 20th century, when it rose to prominence with the unprecedented idea of developing sportswear as fashion. Today’s NYC is home to some of the world's top fashion schools whose famous graduates add to the city’s fashion culture and networks. Foreign designers choose to live and work here because of this status and creative energy, adding even more to the fabric. We may share this pedestal with quirky London–and trés chic Paris, the brainy Belgians, the stylish Scandinavians and the ascendant Aussies make things more interesting–but NYC is known as the place where style ideas and trends are born and exchanged.
But is NYC still the world's fashion capital?

Architecture And Design

January 9, 2015

Real Estate Wire: Nearly a Quarter of NYC Apartments Aren’t Primary Residences; How Expensive Is Your Neighborhood?

By Diane Pham

Nearly one quarter of the apartments in New York City are not used as primary residences. Instead they serve as either as pieds-à-terre or investment properties that are rented out to tenants. [NYT] How pricey is your neighborhood? This map will give you an idea of how things stack up. [TRD] Jared Kushner’s Kushner Companies […]

Real Estate Trends

January 9, 2015

Community Board Likes Pier55 Floating Park Overall, but Wants More Transparency

By Dana Schulz

It's been relatively quiet over the past six weeks or so as far as news about the proposed offshore park and performance space in the Hudson River known as Pier55. But this week, Community Board 2's Parks and Waterfront Committee reviewed the project, and though they liked Thomas Heatherwick's design overall, they cited their main concern as transparency. The board's issue stems from the fact that billionaire media mogul Barry Diller, who committed $130 million to the 2.7-acre park, and the Hudson River Park Trust had been working secretively for two years on the plans. According to Curbed, committee member Arthur Schwartz said, "Probably the main public critique of this project has been the way that so much of the design was developed in infinite detail before it even became a matter of public knowledge."
More on the outcome of the public meeting

January 8, 2015

The Lena Dunham Real Estate Effect: Looking at the Homes of the Stars of ‘Girls’

By Dana Schulz

One of the reasons Girls became such an instant hit is because it was lauded as the anti-Sex & the City. Its characters live in Greenpoint, not the Upper West Side; they wear Converse instead of Manolos; they struggle to pay the rent rather than living in completely unrealistic apartments. But when it comes to their real lives in New York City, the cast of the HBO show is definitely not struggling to make ends meet, as is evidenced by their impressive collection of real estate. So, in anticipation for this Sunday's season four premier, let's take a look at how Lena Dunham and her posse actually live in the city, as compared with their characters' fictional digs.
See where the stars of 'Girls' live on and off the screen

January 2, 2015

New Yorker Spotlight: Dominatrix Turned Restaurateur Erin Norris on Her Red Hook Restaurant, Grindhaus

By Diane Pham

A former construction manager, music publicist, Bergdorf's window dresser, dominatrix and dungeon owner, Erin Norris has lived enough lives to make all of us feel like a bunch of old fogies. The founder of one of Red Hook's newest eateries, Grindhaus, the sassy blonde is the embodiment of the resilience, edginess and charm that defines New York City. Back in 2008, Erin set out with the goal of bringing a sausage parlor and beer hall to Red Hook, but as was the case for many in her 'hood, Hurricane Sandy had other plans. After a long (and expensive) rebuilding effort, Erin finally opened the doors to Grindhaus in 2013. Things may not have gone as planned, but even so, she managed to create something that went far beyond her dreams. Today, Grindhaus is one of the city's best restaurants, luring in the most discerning of food critics, from the palates over at Zagat to New York Times restaurant critic Peter Wells (who, by the way, even had her dish him seconds). But beyond food, Erin is all about her waterfront neighborhood and the colorful characters that make it one of the most inimitable places in all of NYC. We recently caught up with Erin to get an insider's look.
Read our interview with Erin here

December 15, 2014

Daily Link Fix: A History of the Rockettes; Journalists and Researchers Have Different Ideas of Gentrification

By Dana Schulz

Did you know the Rockettes were originally the Missouri Rockets? Read this full history of the leggy holiday dancers. [Bowery Boys] A neighborhood guide to the Latino and Chinese cultures of Sunset Park. [Brooklyn Based] There seems to be a disparity between what journalists report as gentrification and what research actually finds. [City Lab] This […]

Uncategorized

December 12, 2014

How Bike-Friendly Architecture Can Transform Cities for the Better

By Steven Fleming

NYC is well on its way to becoming a bike-friendly city. With Citi Bike expanding and designs for bikes of all shapes and sizes growing in popularity, it's only a matter of time before we start seeing architecture built specifically for cyclists' use. In his article, “10 Points of a Bicycling Architecture”, originally published on ArchDaily, Steven Fleming explores ten ways major cities, like New York, can make this happen. A revolution is occurring in street design. New York, arguably the world’s bellwether city, has let everyday citizens cycle for transport. They have done that by designating one lane on most avenues to bicyclists only, with barriers to protect them from traffic. Now hundreds of cities are rejiggering to be bicycle-friendly, while in New York there is a sense that more change is afoot. Many New Yorkers would prefer if their city were more like Copenhagen where 40% of all trips are by bike. But then Copenhagen wants more as well. Where does this stop? If you consider that we are talking about a mode of transport that whips our hearts into shape, funnels many more people down streets than can be funneled in cars, has no pollution, and costs governments and individuals an absolute pittance, you won't ask where it stops, but how close to 100% the bike modal share can possibly go and what we must do to achieve that.
It's a beautiful day for a bike ride

December 5, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Drag Queen Coco Peru Reminisces About Her Hometown of City Island in the Bronx

By Stephanie Hoina

Dating back to 1685, the quaint nautical community of City Island has fought hard to retain much of the charm that makes it an anomaly in the heart of the bustling Bronx. So perhaps it is fitting that one of the island’s most colorful natives—and once a bit of an anomaly herself—shares her memories of growing up in New York City’s sleepy little fishing village. Larger-than-life personality and drag queen extraordinaire Coco Peru’s life today couldn’t be much further from her years spent as a child on the quiet streets of City Island. Based in LA and traveling the world to bring her often irreverent but hysterically funny brand of storytelling to the masses, Coco’s tales from her youth often steal the show. But it’s probably safe to say the majority of Coco Puffs (her beloved fans) have never even heard of this small island in the Bronx—and that most New Yorkers haven’t made the trip over the 113-year old soon-to-be-replaced bridge that represents the only point of access by car or foot. Which is why we are quite excited to bring you this exclusive peek into two of the city’s most unique treasures: City Island and Miss Coco Peru.
Read the interview with Miss Coco here

REVEALED: New Renderings for Christian de Portzamparc’s Riverside Center

L to R: Building 1, Building 2 (21 West End Avenue), Building 3, Building 4, Building 5 (1 West End Avenue)

December 5, 2014

REVEALED: New Renderings for Christian de Portzamparc’s Riverside Center

By Ondel Hylton

The final appearance of Christian de Portzamparc’s Riverside Center master plan is coming into full view. A bevy of images depicting three never-before-seen crystalline towers have been released by Goldstein Hill & West Architects, giving us a more complete look at what the two-block site will ultimately look like circa 2018. The city-approved plan will ultimately hold three acres of open space and five mixed-use buildings containing approximately 2,500 condo and rental units, a public school, a hotel, a movie theater and an auto showroom.
More details ahead

Brooklyn Artists Plan a Dance Party Funeral for Williamsburg

Funeral invitation via CHERYL

December 3, 2014

Brooklyn Artists Plan a Dance Party Funeral for Williamsburg

By Dana Schulz

We've all been talking and writing about the "death" of Williamsburg for years now, and every time a new neighborhood is compared to it (i.e. Quooklyn) we begin the debate anew. But now the Brooklyn-based artists' collective CHERYL is taking matters into their own hands, hosting a dance party funeral in memoriam of the hip 'hood that once was. As the Daily News states, they're "dancing on Williamsburg's grave." The cause of death? "The cancer of mass gentrification and the proliferation of the luxury condo."
READ MORE

Events & Things To Do

December 1, 2014

Real Estate Wire: A Scathing Review of One WTC by the Times; Nearly 100 Sites to Be Removed from Landmarks Consideration

By Diane Pham

New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman reviews the design of One World Trade Center. Kimmelman does not mince words. [NYT] 95 historic city sites will be removed from Landmarks consideration without any public consideration or input. [GVSHP] Construction on 56 Leonard is well underway and the building already looks as crazy as the rendering. [Field Condition] Sales begin at Tribeca’s […]

Real Estate Trends

November 25, 2014

Westchester County’s First Certified Passive House is a Modern Renovation with Harbor Views

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

Andreas M. Benzing, LEED-certified vice president of the New York Passive House, was the architect in charge of Westchester County's first-ever passive home. Located in a close-knit community in Mamaroneck Harbor, this ultra energy-efficient split-level is actually a re-do of a gutted 1960s home. A modern temple of natural wood and glass, the dwelling features bright modern interiors and takes passive energy from the sun.
Learn more about this stunning Passive Home

Study Says Brooklyn Bridge Park Towers Will Have Insignificant Environmental Impact

Rendering of the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront via Brooklyn Bridge Park

November 21, 2014

Study Says Brooklyn Bridge Park Towers Will Have Insignificant Environmental Impact

By Dana Schulz

Critics of the two new residential towers planned for Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park have made complaints that the structures' environmental impact needed further analysis, but a new study, completed by environmental engineering firm AKRF and set to be released today by the city-controlled Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation asserts that the towers' environmental impact will be insignificant. In a statement, Brooklyn Bridge Park said: “After evaluating the potential impacts on 19 distinct environmental categories—including schools, flood resiliency, traffic and open space—and incorporating any relevant updated changes to the project, the environmental regulations and background conditions, the technical memorandum concludes that the Pier 6 uplands project would not have any additional significant impacts.”
More on the planned towers here

November 21, 2014

REVEALED: SHoP’s Scaled-Back South Street Seaport Tower

By Dana Schulz

This week, the Howard Hughes Corporation gave a presentation to the South Street Seaport community about their residential tower planned for the waterfront beside Pier 17. The original design by SHoP Architects was 52 stories and 650 feet, but to satisfy concerns by neighborhood residents and elected officials about the tower's appropriateness, the firm scaled back the design to 42 stories and agreed to also build a middle school and waterfront esplanade. But even this revised plan was met with much criticism at the community meeting; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Council member Margaret Chin both expressed that they would not support the tower and likened it to plopping a high-rise in the middle of Colonial Williamsburg. The luxury residential tower is part of Howard Hughes's overall $305 million plan for the Seaport, which, if approved, would include a restoration of the historic Tin Building and a new home for the Seaport Museum.
More details on the project and revised design

November 18, 2014

Accidental Placemakers: Grand Architecture That’s Given Way to Micro-Enclaves of Culture

By Diane Pham

Lots of clout is given to the grand scheme design of buildings and parks, and for good reason; but every so often a singular design element or function can unexpectedly emerge from a work to create something even more extraordinary. Destinations in their own right, these "accidental placemakers" turn run-of-the-mill architectural features into dynamic public spaces that create memorable connections to their immediate sites and improve the quality of everyday life. Here we take a look at five examples found in New York City showing how great architecture, in the details, can give way to something more impactful than just a pretty building.
See some of the city's unexpected placemakers

November 14, 2014

Dream House Combo at Duane Street Lofts Reduces Price to $9 Million

By Aisha Carter

Two duplex penthouses at 110 Duane Street Lofts are still sitting on the market nearly six months after they were first listed. A $1 million drop puts the new asking price at $8.999 million. The potential ultimate “trophy residence” promises 4,550 square feet of combined interior space, along with over 2,300 square feet of landscaped outdoor space in the form of two private roof terraces. The updated listing also includes a proposed combination floor plan (subject to board and city approval) to spark the imagination of prospective buyers. So come with architect and interior designer in tow for a stream of endless possibilities.
More photos inside

Distinctive Homes

November 13, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Paris Hilton Buys Noho Penthouse; $51M Tribeca Condo Could Set Downtown Sales Record

By Dana Schulz

Paris Hilton buys a $5 million Noho penthouse at 738 Broadway. [TRD] A crazy waterfront compound in Brooklyn’s Mill Basin drops its price from $30 million to $17 million. [Curbed] Developers are offering to build a high-tech elementary school at Sunset Park’s forthcoming mega complex. [Brooklyn Paper] Bed Stuy is getting two Karl Fischer-designed apartment buildings. […]

Real Estate Trends

Neighborhood Revival: Brooklyn’s Columbia Street on a Comeback

Image: rutlo cc

November 8, 2014

Neighborhood Revival: Brooklyn’s Columbia Street on a Comeback

By Bonnie Clark

It’s not a shocker that some Brooklyn neighborhoods are outselling their Manhattan counterparts. What’s a bit of a surprise is that the Columbia Street Waterfront District, a quirky 22-block enclave wedged between Red Hook and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is one of them. Until recently, Columbia Street was known as a far-flung and largely forgotten strip that fell victim to Robert Moses’s highway expansion project—the BQE—which, when built on a below-ground slice of Hicks Street in 1957, severed the area from the rest of Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, breaking up what was then “South Brooklyn” into distinct neighborhoods.
More on Columbia Street's Comeback

November 6, 2014

New York City’s Residential Skyscraper Boom: Living in the Sky Part II

By Ondel Hylton

You've probably realized that New York is in the midst of a skyscraper boom, but if the ubiquitous scaffolding and sidewalk detours haven't given it away, we bring you further proof — with part two of our series detailing the tallest residential towers set to rise high above the city, forever changing New York's skyline. Compared to the previous 26 projects — the tallest of the tall that included ultra-luxury and super-tall towers such as 432 Park Avenue and 125 Greenwich Street — this second batch is composed of smaller buildings ranging from 500 to 700 feet tall and features greater geographical diversity and lots more rentals. With developers scouring the city for less expensive areas to assemble properties, these often-controversial projects are slated to rise in some of our more human-scaled 'hoods such as East Harlem, South Street Seaport, and Williamsburg.
Will they all get built? Unlikely, but in any case here's our list

November 4, 2014

Real Estate Wire: Pearl Paint Building on Canal Sells to Vornado; Tips for Cohabiting Couples

By Diane Pham

Vornado has purchased the Pearl Paint building on Canal Street for $16.4M. [TRD] Tips for couples cohabiting for the first time. [Brick Underground] The Brooklyn Public Library is pondering knocking down its one-story Sunset Park branch library and replacing it with an eight-story building boasting a bigger library topped with affordable rental apartments. [DNA Info] Checking in on the […]

Real Estate Trends

November 4, 2014

Bates Masi’s Northwest Harbor Residence Rises on 16 Piles above a Floodplain Terrain

By Ana Lisa Alperovich

In a post-Sandy world, waterfront residents are faced with the choice of whether or not to raise their homes. Some may worry about the esthetics of this type of renovation, but Bates Masi + Architects' Northwest Harbor residence shows that raised homes can be strikingly beautiful. The green-minded firm works with the environment and not against it. Instead of modifying this East Hampton terrain, they allowed the natural landscape to take the lead. The stunning result is supported by 16 sturdy stilts that raise this wooden dwelling right above an unsettling floodplain terrain while improving the overall environmental quality of the unique wooden home.
Learn more about this stunning high up home

Animated GIFs Remembering the Post-Sandy Devastation

Before-and-after views of Staten Island

October 31, 2014

Animated GIFs Remembering the Post-Sandy Devastation

By Rebecca Paul

This week marks the two-year anniversary since Hurricane Sandy devastated New York City and the surrounding coast lines. In its wake, the storm forever altered our coastal areas. These before-and-after satellite images from the Huffington Post taken via Google Earth, show just how dramatic the damage was—and they ask us to consider the progress we've made recovering from the destruction over the last two years. Our rebuilding efforts in the post-sandy aftermath have been significant, however our work is far from over.
More details here

City Living

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