Thursday 30 June 2016

Intimate Astoria Apartment Seeks $369,000 Post-Renovation

The apartment’s been updated with bamboo wood floors and stainless steel appliances

Astoria is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to nice, affordable properties in New York City. As it’s a haven for renters looking for a reprieve from soul-crushing rents, its also a great place to scope out starter homes. Take for instance this two-bedroom condo, just two blocks from one of the the neighborhood’s main subway stops. Granted the apartment is pretty north of much of the action, in the Ditmars-Steinway area, the apartment has been recently renovated and is asking $369,000. The kitchen has been updated with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, and bamboo flooring’s been laid throughout the apartment. Maintenance runs $820/month.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12073252/astoria-apartment-for-sale-nyc

Construction on Hudson River's Controversial Floating Park Halted

An appellate court ruled for construction at Pier 55 to cease until the case is heard

Construction on the futuristic 2.4-acre floating park at Pier 55 has been halted thanks to an appellate court ordering for work to stop until the case brought against the project is heard in September, reports Crain’s.

The park's opponents, City Club of New York, filed a suit back in June 2015 alleging that the park that's being largely funded by media mogul Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg wasn’t launched through the proper channels and as a result didn't undergo a thorough environmental impact study. A Manhattan judge threw that case out, but today the state appellate court issued a preliminary injunction, setting a court date for September.

"This time-wasting and out-of-touch lawsuit is an insult not just to the local community board, which overwhelmingly supports this project, but to the New Yorkers from across the city who will enjoy this park for years to come," stated a spokesman for the Hudson River Park Trust, which is backing the development (obviously.)

The project seemed to be making headway, gaining the necessary approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers back in April. Now the park's benefactors and its endorsers must wait through the summer to learn of its fate.

The City Club of New York has two additional lawsuits underway against the proposed project.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12072936/construction-on-hudson-river-floating-park-halted

Big Reveal: $999K For a Sleek Prospect Heights Condo With a Private Courtyard

Did you guess correctly?

Among the 15 comments on this week's Pricespotter, only Views4Days guessed the correct asking price for the charming one-bedroom condo at 735 Bergen Street in Prospect Heights. Although board at work said it was "hard to guess," they also came pretty close with $995,000, just $4,000 shy of the listing price. That said, board at work's careful thought and reasoning was spot on: "The ‘bonus room’ is below grade so therefore a "cellar" and not legally available for sleeping. So you get like 400+ ft of living space and then a giant rec room of the same size, plus underground outdoor space, too. Maintenance is not cheap and neither are the taxes. I say $995,000 to avoid the millionaires tax." And lo: $999,000 is just shy of $1 million.

Given the location and all that the apartment offers (let’s not forget that spacious private courtyard), would you say the home is well worth the ask? Let us know in the comments.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12072466/prospect-heights-sleek-condo-for-sale

Wealthy Couple Pays $18M Over Ask For Co-op In 'Bungled' Bidding War

The buyer paid $53M for an Upper East Side apartment that was asking just $35M

What do you do when someone is about to outbid you for the home of your dreams? If you’re David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries, or wife Jennifer, you pay whatever it takes above the asking price—even if it ends up being $18 million more.

Millstone and his wife, who herself happens to be the daughter of the late corporate mogul Samuel Heyman, wanted the third-floor co-op at 960 Fifth Avenue so desperately that they ended up engaging in a "bungled" bidding war with another interested party, the Post reports. The Millstone's ended up paying $53 million for the co-op which was originally asking just $35 million.

An insider to the sale says the apartment could have fetched even more if it had been listed online. "They have four kids and needed the space," the insider said. Space comes in no short supply here. The full-floor co-op has a whopping 22 rooms including four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and eight maids rooms. The dining, living room, and library each have their own fireplace.

The home was once owned by the late Robert Ellsworth, a globally-recognized collector of Asian art.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12071710/fifth-avenue-nyc-apartment-bidding-war

See Brownsville's New SLCE-Designed Affordable and Supportive Housing

The Average Condo at Financial District Supertall 45 Broad Street Will Ask $2.7M

A new filing indicates that the average cost of a condo in the building will be $2.7 million

A new construction memo spotted by The Real Deal divulges new details about the Financial District's forthcoming supertall tower at 45 Broad Street. The office and condo development of Madison Equities and Pizarotti IBC is anticipating a condo sellout of $560 million, meaning the average cost of one of the 1,115-foot building's 206 apartments will be $2.7 million. The memo also states that the building will offer studio to four-bedroom apartments with units ranging in size from 601 to 3,066 square feet. The tower will allegedly target entry- to mid-level buyers with apartments that ask below $2,000 per square foot.

Although filings with the Department of Buildings mention a much shorter rise and number of units—66 stories opposed to 86, and 150 apartments instead of 245, the memo appears to offer a different set of numbers. According to TRD, the CetraRuddy-designed tower will rise to 84 stories.

Sales at 45 Broad Street are expected to launch in June 2017, and construction is anticipated to be complete by August 2019 (although—come on now—everyone knows that's a pipedream.)



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12063820/developers-of-45-broad-street-projecting-624m-sellout

Rental Residences in NoMad

High Floor Corner 1 Bed, 1.5 Bath w/ Dining Area | $8,303*
Private Park | Rooftop Lounge | Fitness Center*
160 Madison Ave| 212-839-0160 | Net Rent Advertised



from
http://onesixtymadison.com/?utm_source=Curbed&utm_medium=Quicklisting&utm_campaign=160_Mad_QL_6-30

Mapping the Rise of New Jersey's 26 Tallest Towers

New York may be known for its skyscrapers, but its humble neighbor to the west is slowly but surely catching up. While New Jersey won't be getting any supertall towers anytime soon—or at least we don't think—there are plenty of larger developments coming to the state. Included on that list is 99 Hudson Street in Jersey City, a planned 900-foot tower that will, upon completion, become the tallest building in the state.

There's also a pie-in-the-sky idea to resurrect the struggling gambling industry via a giant new casino and tower outside Atlantic City. So what better a time to look at the tallest towers rising in the Garden State? This list looks at both the tallest planned towers and some of the smaller ones, from 900 to 475 feet. (We had to stop somewhere.)

*This map was originally published in September 2015 and was updated in June 2016.

· More Curbed NY Maps [Curbed]



from
http://ny.curbed.com/maps/mapping-the-rise-of-new-jerseys-23-tallest-towers

Karim Rashid's Modular Washington Heights Rental Debuts New Look

The eight-story building will feature 47 apartments

Construction is now underway on a modular building designed by Karim Rashid that’s set to rise in Washington Heights. Located at 655 West 187th Street, the project is being developed by HAP Investment Developers, who recently unveiled a new rendering for the project, Buzz Buzz Home reports.

The eight-story building, which is known as HAP Four, will span 74,343 square feet and include 47 rentals varying in size from one-to-three bedroom apartments. The site was once part of a row of wooden houses that were demolished early last year to make way for this project.

While presenting to the local community board in April last year, the developers said that the building would be shipped in 97 modular units to the site from a factory in Pennsylvania, according to DNAinfo. Plans also call for some type of community facility on the ground floor — most likely a medical office, underground parking, communal space on the roof, a gym, and a playground. Pricing for the rentals is yet to be unveiled.

The quirky looking structure with its puzzle piece-like exterior facade isn’t the only modular building in the neighborhood — the other is The Stack, a 28-unit rental just up north in Inwood.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12069824/karim-rashid-washington-heights-modular-rental-rendering

See What the Sony Building's Condo Conversion Would Have Looked Like

Plans once called for its conversion into 96 apartments and a hotel

It’s now old news that the Sony Building’s conversion to high-end luxury condos and a hotel are a definite no go, but it sure is worth checking out what conversion might have looked like. The Real Deal has scored several interior renderings of the project that were released as part of "soft sales" marketing materials this past January to "friends and family" of the developers.

In his design, Robert A.M. Stern tried to pay homage to the current building’s architect Philip Johnson, according to TRD, with his use of marble and bronze. The marketing materials revealed that the apartments would have had heights anywhere between 11 to 16 feet, kitchens would have been equipped with rosewood cabinets and inlaid stone floors, and the master bathroom would have been fitted with Turkish onyx and Italian marble.

The renderings also reveal the building’s sprawling motor court, the three-story lobby, and a swimming pool. After struggling to obtain the requisite funds and amidst the slowing luxury market, developers Chetrit Group and Clipper Realty decided to sell the building in April this year. That sale was finalized earlier this month for $1.4 billion, and the new owner, Olayan America, plans to largely restore the building and offer it up as office space.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12067782/sony-building-condo-conversion-robert-stern-renderings

Two Senior Affordable Housing Developments Embrace LGBT-Friendly Programming

The developments in Brooklyn and the Bronx will offer specific programs for LGBT seniors

Two of New York City’s future affordable housing buildings, geared towards accommodating the low-income elderly, have announced plans to make the residences more friendly towards gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender seniors.

In partnership with national LGBT advocacy organization Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), developers of Fort Greene’s proposed 16-story senior housing, Ingersoll Senior Residences, and the 82-unit Bronx building Crotona Senior Residences, will offer LGBT-specific programs, reports the Wall Street Journal. Programs will include Pride Month celebrations and events that highlight notable LGBT writers and artists. Events will be free to both building residents and others living nearby.

The initiative is being launched to provide assistance to a community that continues to struggle with discrimination. "What we repeatedly hear from SAGE constituents is they are afraid to apply for any kind of senior services," stated the CEO of SAGE, Michael Adams, while emphasizing the necessity for such programs.

Both residences will offer housing to both LGBT and non-LGBT seniors age 62 and older. The Ingersoll project is being developed by BFC Partners while HELP USA is charged with developing the Crotona Senior Residences. Both buildings anticipate opening within the next three years.

SAGE, who will provide staff and help operate the centers, plans to discuss the residential programs in detail during a press conference being held today at their Midtown office.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12063492/nyc-affordable-housing-lgbt-programs-for-seniors

Grand 1 bed plus office at Hip Park Avenue Location

$1.349M, 1 BR/1.5 BA corner unit condo, 900 sq. ft.*
Open kitchen with Wolf & Sub-Zero appliances, High beamed ceilings, Stunning city views*
Pet friendly, Doorman, Storage, Pre-war *
77 Park Ave - Corcoran, 212.875.2987*



from
http://www.corcoran.com/nyc/Listings/Display/3650702?utm_medium=display&utm_source=Curbed%20ROS&utm_campaign=Property&utm_content=New%20York

Townhouse on crown jewel of Stuyvesant Heights

3-family home with 6 BR/4.5 BA in Brownstown asks 1.85M*
Extensively restored to the highest standards*
Convenient to the A, C, J, Z trains*
147 Stuyvesant Ave - Stribling



from
http://www.stribling.com/properties/14980748

Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo’s Spacious Soho Loft Sells

World Trade Center Performing Arts Center Receives $75M Gift From a Billionaire

Of course it will bear the name of its benefactor, Ronald Perelman

One of the last pieces of the puzzle is finally coming together at the World Trade Center site. Following a $75 million contribution from billionaire Ronald Perelman, the World Trade Center’s long-stalled Performing Arts Center will almost certainly move forward and will now be known as the Perelman center, the New York Times reports.

The architect for the project, the Brooklyn-based firm REX, was announced last November, and now some of the plans for the center have become clearer, though the renderings are yet to be made publicly available.

Plans call for the creation of three theaters of varying size at the center that will fit 499, 299, and 100 people respectively, but they will be designed flexibly so that all three can be combined as a single space to seat 1,200 people. The center will likely produce and host dance programs, theater, and opera. In addition, the center will also be home to the Tribeca Film Festival each April.

"I would hope it is the first venue of choice for the Bruce Springsteens and the Bon Jovis and the Yo-Yo Mas and the Lang Langs, and at the same time it’s a place where we could have produced a "Hamilton" project or where we could produce a new ballet," Perelman told the Times.

The plans have continued to evolve since Frank Gehry first conceptualized a design for the space several years ago. The most recent plan also called for combinable theaters, albeit just two, would have seated slightly fewer people overall, and would have likely had two other venues in the center that could have worked as rehearsal studios.

The budget for the project has also fluctuated back and forth, but at present it stands at about $240 million — $100 million of that was committed by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation through federal funds post 9/11, and now Perelman’s major contribution is finally moving the project forward.

The Times speculated whether the move had anything to do with Perelman severing ties with Carnegie Hall recently. But the paper of record also remarked that Perelman’s the latest in a string of billionaires who’ve been contributing money and attaching their names to major artistic and cultural projects be it Avery Fisher Hall being named for David Geffen or the New York Public Library’s Fifth Avenue branch being named for Stephen A. Schwarzman.

Several projects have been moving forward at the World Trade Center site recently. The Silverstein Properties-developed office supertall 3 WTC recently topped out, and Liberty Park finally opened to the public this week.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/30/12065348/world-trade-center-performing-arts-center-ronald-perelman

Despite Opposition, de Blasio Signs Bill That Will 'Gut' Landmarks Law

Full Service Luxury Rental Studios | Ready for Move-ins

Furnished and Unfurnished Studios Available*
Fitness Center | Roof Terrace | Resident Lounge*
Address: 335 East 27th Street | www.carmel-place.com | 212-213-3533*



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http://www.carmel-place.com/?utm_source=Curbed.com&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Quicklisting

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Lower East Side's Fabled Troll Museum Shutters As Proprietor Is Evicted

Another vestige of the Lower East Side’s eclectic underground culture fades away

New York City’s only Troll Museum is no more—at least as of now. The museum, run by downtown performance artist Reverend Jen Miller out of her home of two decades, was a beloved unofficial landmark that was a remaining vestige of the Lower East Side’s eclectic underground culture.

Rev. Jen, known by some as "The Elf" and to others as the local motherly figure, was blindsided last Thursday when she was presented with an eviction notice from her home of two decades. Miller told Gothamist that though she had admittedly fallen behind on rent due to several stints in the hospital over the past year, she had received no prior warnings and was instead confronted by her landlord, Misrahi Realty, via a City Marshal who carried a request to immediately vacate the premises.

After the three minutes she was allotted to leave, Miller was officially out of her sixth-floor Orchard Street walk-up. She was only able to return once more to collect her many belongings, from movies to handmade (or fanmade?) signs and of course, her vast collection of trolls. But packing up an apartment one’s lived in for two decades in just six hours is no easy task, especially for a collector like Reverend Jen.

Miller’s collection is vast and features trolls beyond comprehension: Elvis trolls, punk trolls, cutsie trolls, "sexy" trolls, even haunted trolls. Too many trolls to count. But sidled with the unexpected eviction, Miller’s adoration of her collection has calcified into anger, "I have no fucking idea where all this is going to go," she told Gothamist, "I guess I should get online and tell people they can come by and buy it off me. Or just take it. I don't fucking care."

When Miller moved into her walk-up at 122 Orchard Street in 1995, the building was largely rent stabilized. Now, the apartment she vacated is just one of three remaining rent-stabilized units in the building. Miller was paying $1,590 a month.

Miller blamed her eviction on the apartment’s rent-stabilized status, "Rent stabilization just makes owners more greedy, and they'll go to any lengths to get people out so they can raise the price," she said. (Misrahi Realty has not commented about whether they intend to raise the rent.)



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12061242/lower-east-side-troll-museum-eviction-nyc

Williamsburg Venue Booted By Vice Reemerges In Bushwick as 'Elsewhere'

The owners of Glasslands are back and ready to reclaim Brooklyn

The owners of former Williamsburg performance and arts space Glasslands have announced plans to open a new venue in Bushwick called Elsewhere. After shutting its doors at 289 Kent Avenue on New Year’s Day in 2015, the music venue now resurfaces under a fresh moniker at 599 Johnson Avenue in nearby Bushwick, also conveniently off the L train. The beloved DIY venue was allegedly booted from its home of nearly a decade amid neighbor Vice Media's office expansion.

In partnership with PopGun Presents, Elsewhere founders Dhruv Chopra, Rami Haykal, and Jake Rosenthal have announced plans for the new $3 million music and arts space located in a 24,000-square-foot repurposed warehouse. The venue will offer up an open rooftop, loft bar, and art gallery in addition to its five main spaces, each designed for varying objectives that include live music and dance, hosted parties, film nights, and more.

Slated to open this fall, Elsewhere will showcase both local and international artists from across a multitude of musical genres.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12056608/bushwick-music-venue-coming-soon

Coney Island's New 5,000-Seat Amphitheater Finally Opens to the Public

After a relentless process, the theater is finally complete

The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk has finally been unveiled after years of delayed and stalled construction. Mayor Bill de Blasio was on site to celebrate the opening event and do the honorary ribbon cutting, Crain’s reports.

"The opening of this world-class amphitheater is just the latest milestone in our ongoing commitment to a thriving Coney Island, with new affordable housing, open space, and even more good jobs on the way" stated Mayor de Blasio.

The $60 million venue, developed by iStar, can seat 5,000 patrons and will be the new home of Coney Island’s Seaside Summer Concert Series. The amphitheater will be operated by LiveNation and will host musical performances along with family shows, sports, and comedy events. Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, the company that oversees the Barclays Center’s business operations, will assist with programming and branding of the theater.

The theater will also provide over 240 living-wage jobs, as de Blasio referenced in his remarks. The amphitheater was developed alongside a new 40,000-square-foot landscaped public green space that will open sometime next year.

The theater already has a series of events lined up for the summer. You can check the line-up out here.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12061642/coneys-island-amphitheater-unveiled

Sprawling Tribeca Triplex With In Situ Keith Haring Mural Asks $14M

How Much For A Sleek Prospect Heights Condo With A Private Courtyard?

Can you guess the asking price?

Pricespotter is Curbed's pricing guessing game. How much do you think this place is asking? Drop your guess in the comments, and remember, no cheating!

What/Where: 1BR/1.5BA condo in Prospect Heights

Square Footage: 1,184

Taxes: $518

Common Charges: $852

One of the most charming features of this condo in Prospect Heights is the outdoor space, located on the lower level of this one-bedroom apartment, that’s just a short walk away from Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park. There are fancy appliances and fittings galore in this apartment. The kitchen is fitted with Viscon white granite countertops, comes with a sleek breakfast bar, a Bosch dishwasher, and custom wood cabinetry with brass hardware. The bathroom has a deep soaking tub, and radiant heated flooring. And it doesn’t end there. The apartment comes with nine-foot ceilings, a heating and cooling system with personal climate control, floor-to-ceiling windows, and solid white oak herringbone hardwood floors. So keeping all of those things in mind, how much do you think this condo costs?



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12061348/nyc-pricespotter-prospect-heights-condo-for-sale

See Photos of World Trade Center's Liberty Park On Its Long-Awaited Opening Day

Underused Stretch of Long Island City Envisioned as Rich Urban Wilderness

4 Bed / 3.5 Bath in New Luxury Building on UWS

Spacious layout with high ceilings and large windows*
Coveted location • Near parks, schools, & transportation*
$19,390/mo with 1 Month Free! *
393 West End Ave • 212.799.9393 • info@393WestEndAve.com



from
http://393westendave.com/?utm_source=Curbed&utm_medium=QL&utm_campaign=Curbed

$17M Flatiron Penthouse Marks Neighborhood's Third Priciest Sale Ever

Call for Submissions: See Your Home Featured On Curbed!

JDS's 77-Story Lower East Side Tower May Reach Supertall Status

Renderings submitted to City Planning reveal a taller tower

The planned 77-story tower set to rise next to Extell’s already large One Manhattan Square project, may actually have supertall ambitions, Bowery Boogie reports. Plans submitted to the City Planning Commission reveal that the roof reaches 983 feet, and Bowery Boogie says that factoring in the parapet will likely increase the height further.

When plans were first announced for the JDS-developed building back in April, the 77-story number led most locals to believe that the project would be slightly smaller than the neighborhood Extell tower. Neighbors weren’t thrilled by the prospect even back then, but this latest reveal will likely anger them even more.

Plans currently call for 600 apartments, of which 150 will be permanently affordable. A community center at 247 Cherry Street will be demolished to make way for the tower, and a portion of it will cantilever above the existing senior housing building at the site. The SHoP Architects-designed building will also have a 4,600 square foot community facility.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12058960/jds-lower-east-side-shop-tower-supertall

Sunset Park Deemed One of America’s ‘Coolest’ Neighborhoods

Rent Spike Forces KelSo Beer Co. to Leave Clinton Hill

NYC's 55 Outdoor Public Pools Open For Summer Today

Today marks opening day for the city’s 55 outdoor public pools

New York City’s 55 outdoor public pools open for the summer season today. This year, water-lovers can rejoice over the extended hours being offered across the various pool sites, reports DNAinfo.

In addition to the opening of the pools, Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver has announced that eight of the city’s parks in the Parks Without Borders capital program will receive $5 million toward renovations to their entrances, making them more accessible to the public from streets and sidewalks.

Silver also highlighted Mayor de Blasio’s plan to allocate $50 million towards bringing Staten Island its first indoor public pool. "We realized that Staten Island is the only borough the does not have an indoor pool...The mayor thought that was an injustice so he dedicated $50 million to find and build a site for an indoor pool," stated Silver.

Public pools will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with free activities such as swimming lessons for children, adults, and seniors on offer.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/29/12055778/nyc-public-pools-open-summer-2016

New Townhouse Construction in Red Hook

4.5 BR/4.5 BA, 3,200 sq. ft., $2.9M*
Garage, Terrace, Garden, Roof deck*
Walking distance to Fairway, Ikea, Pioneer Works and local schools*
180 Richards - Corcoran, 917.880.6840



from
http://www.corcoran.com/nyc/Listings/Display/3578531?utm_medium=display&utm_source=Curbed%20ROS&utm_campaign=Property&utm_content=New%20York

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Cozy East Village Two-Bedroom with Exposed Brick Asks $675K

This East Village apartment is an oasis in the party-hard neighborhood

Welcome back to The Six Digit Club, in which we take a look at a newish-to-market listing priced under $1 million, because nice things sometimes come in small packages. Send nominations to the tipline.

The East Village is known as many things, including NYC's drunkest neighborhood (it once held the title for the most bars and it may still), and its noisiest, but despite, something about the neighborhood just keeps drawing people in. For someone out there, this new listing might be just one more reason to head on over to the party.

Located on East 12th Street between First and Second avenues, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op offers a cozy yet charming space for one who doesn’t mind the hike up to the building's top floor. Nested on the fifth floor of a walk-up, the apartment’s details include exposed brick walls, a decent-sized living room, modest kitchen, and a roomy master bedroom. Sure, the place isn't oozing with fancy amenities but for an asking price of $695,000, the home is quite alright.

Building amenities include bike and private storage, and a live-in superintendent.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12054894/east-village-two-bedroom-for-sale-nyc

Handel Architects’s Curvy Murray Hill Rental Gets Its Glass Facade

The 36-story rental tower will have 372 apartments when complete

Construction has been moving along swiftly this year on the Handel Architects-designed curvy building at 225 East 39th Street in Murray Hill, and new photos by Tectonic reveal that the building is now being fitted with its glassy facade, YIMBY reports.

When we last checked in with the project this past February, the 36-story building had reached about half its planned height. The Fisher Brothers-developed building has since topped out, and the project will likely be ready for occupancy sometime next year.

The tower features a total of 372 apartments out of which 72 will be offered as affordable units. Planned amenities for the building include a landscaped courtyard, a recreational area on the 35th floor, a fitness center, and a children’s playroom.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12054690/handel-architects-murray-hill-curvy-rental-construction

Track the Progress of High Line Condo The Getty Through the Evolution of the Site's Art

Landmarks Moves to Clear Backlog With Seven New Designations

Includes four sites on Staten Island and three in Manhattan

The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) moved forward on its resolve to designate backlogged items on its agenda by creating eight new landmarks on Tuesday (one of the eight was not part of the backlog). Just some of the sites that were landmarked include Prince’s Bay Lighthouse on Staten Island — one of the oldest surviving lighthouse complexes on the island, and St. Joseph of the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, in Manhattan, which is the oldest church building in continuous use north of 44th Street.

In February this year, the LPC decided to prioritize the landmarking of 30 backlogged items out of a total 95 by the year’s end. In April, the Commission created eight new landmarks including the Pepsi-Cola sign in Queens, and parts of the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, as part of that effort. The designations today mean that the commission has now acted on half of the prioritized properties.

Apart from the two mentioned above, the other five properties landmarked as part of the backlog initiative include the George William and Anna Curtis House on Staten Island, an Italianate style country house built in 1859 and once home to reformist George William Curtis; St. John’s Rectory, also on the island and a good example of an early, stand alone Queen Anne style home; and a Greek Revival style house at 92 Harrison Street, also on Staten Island.

In Manhattan, a palazzo style building at 315 Broadway was designated, as was the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in East Harlem. The eighth property landmarked on Tuesday, that was not part of the backlog, was the The Former Firehouse, Engine Company 29, one of the city’s earliest surviving police stations, located at 160 Chambers Street.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12053444/nyc-landmarks-backlog-items-designation-staten-island-manhattan

Prospect-Lefferts Gardens’s 23-Story Rental Reveals Sky-High Pricing

What $3,600 Rents in NYC Right Now

See what $3,600 rents in NYC neighborhoods like Chelsea, Williamsburg, and the Upper West Side

Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a column that explores what one can rent for a set dollar amount in various NYC neighborhoods. Is one man's studio another man's townhouse? Let's find out! Today we're looking at units around NYC renting for around $3,600/month.

↑ This charming two-bedroom apartment in Clinton Hill is priced at $3,600 per month, and comes with a terrace, oak flooring throughout the apartment, and black granite countertops in the kitchen. The apartment is also equipped with a stainless steel Bosch appliance package and custom millwork cabinetry. The building it’s located in features a fitness center, and bike storage.

↑ Located in a five-story townhouse in Chelsea, this one-bedroom apartment is renting for $3,550 per month and boasts high ceilings, and an original brick wall. Located on West 14th Street, an advantage to living here would be the short walk to Union Square and the High Line. The building also features laundry on site.

↑ This two-bedroom apartment on Monitor Street in Williamsburg is just a short walk away from McCarren Park, and costs $3,650 per month to rent. Though it’s not all that close to a subway, the building does boast great views of the Manhattan skyline from its roof. And it comes with amenities like a gym, laundry room, and an entertainment room. The building is pet-friendly as well.

↑ Nestled right in the heart of DUMBO, this one-bedroom pad spans 700 square feet and is asking $3,650 per month. The brokerbabble boasts high ceilings, hardwood floors, and a dishwasher in the apartment. Amenities in this Washington Street building include a laundry room, bike room, and a gym, Oh, and this one’s pet-friendly too.

↑ This quirky studio in the Flatiron District comes with "four distinct living spaces," and is priced at $3,650 per month. Located in a carriage house, this apartment has a private entrance, and comes with access to a rather charming and green backyard. Some of the other standout features in this apartment include barn plank flooring, exposed beams, and two decorative fireplaces.

↑ Located on the Upper West Side, this one-bedroom apartment comes fitted with energy-efficient appliances and is asking $3,550 per month. Other nice features in the apartment include a breakfast bar, a balcony, and a marble-fitted bathroom. There’s laundry in the building, and it’s located close to a Whole Foods, according to the brokerbabble.

<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/9457407/" mce_href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/9457407/">Which NYC apartment would you choose for $3,600</a>

from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12052278/new-york-city-rent-comparison-chelsea-williamsburg

Sprawling Chelsea Townhouse With Bigger Is Better Vibe Asks $16.5M

The 7,200-square-foot townhouse is back and seeking big bucks

More is definitely more when it comes to this Chelsea townhouse of note, which offers 7,200 square feet of space, almost twice as many bathrooms as bedrooms, and a top-floor solarium with a view of the Empire State Building for $16.495 million.

Originally built in 1901, the townhouse at 233 West 20th Street last sold in August 2004 for $1.45 million and has since undergone a gut renovation to let the light in: In addition to that solarium, there are also oversized windows in each of the six bedrooms, not to mention a modern, sunken living room with an entire wall of windows, all the better to appreciate the townhouse’s private garden.

On the garden level, there’s also an open chef’s kitchen with brand new appliances, plus a staff room with an en suite bath, should the buyers choose to live that Downton Abbey (or Upper East Side) lifestyle, with staff. The house certainly has the space: Count six full bathrooms (two off the master bedroom, because why share?) and four half baths, plus a second kitchen on the fifth level. Of course, there’s also a dressing room, formal dining room, sitting room, an elevator, and that rooftop solarium flanked with terraces and outfitted with an elegant skylight.

Back in 2011, CORE and HSBC threw a party to celebrate developer Dan Kingsford renovation, and invited Detroit-based graffiti artist Malt to spray paint some original artwork all over the space. While we’re not seeing any evidence of Malt’s vibrant bird-themed pieces in StreetEasy’s current slideshow of photos, a buyer could always invite him back, along with some of Brooklyn’s finest taggers, to really make this place their own.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12051794/chelsea-townhouse-for-sale-nyc

The Baccarat's Extravagant Penthouse Sold For $17M Less Than Its Original Ask

The five-bedroom, duplex penthouse spans 7,400 square feet

Just a few weeks after news emerged that the massive penthouse of the Baccarat Hotel & Residences had sold, the price of that sale has now been revealed. An unnamed buyer scooped up the five-bedroom, crystal-studded apartment for $42.55 million, the Observer reports — that’s just over $10 million less than its most recent ask of $54 million, and close to $20 million less than its original ask of $60 million back in February 2013.

Some of the factors that probably contributed to this sale include the 360 degree views of the city the duplex apartment provides, a 1,150-square foot master bedroom with an adjoining bathroom that has a marble bath, and a 600-square foot loggia. And it certainly doesn’t hurt to live atop the Baccarat Hotel what with amenities like a marble-clad swimming pool with cabanas, and access to the Baccarat Bar and Shea Gallante’s Le Chevalier restaurant.

The sale took its own sweet time however — just over three years, and it points to a new trend in the luxury market — that apartments are sitting on the market for an average of nine months, according to The Real Deal. And it’s gotten worse compared to last year as well.

Apartments priced at over $4 million sat on the market for 277 days on average for the first six months of the year, which is up from 232 days during the same time last year. They even had a higher discount rate — seven percent compared to four percent last year.



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http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12051324/baccarat-penthouse-sold-price-luxury-market

More Than Half of NYC’s Airbnb Listings In 2015 Were Illegal, Report Finds

New York City’s crusade to bring down illegal Airbnb apartment shares continues

As Governor Cuomo mulls over signing into law another ban on full-apartment Airbnb rentals for less than 30 days, new statistics that show how rampant the room share website’s abuse is in New York City have been revealed. Stats pulled by MFY Legal Service and Housing Conservation Coordinators (who, judging by their names, most certainly don’t have an interest in kicking Airbnb to the curb, right?) say that over half of the Airbnb listings in NYC last year were illegal, the Post reports.

According to the report, 28,765 of the site’s 51,397 listings in NYC in 2015 offered to book an entire apartment for less than 30 days—which is already illegal under current laws. The same report found that 8,058 of those were "impact listings" that virtually served as hotels, and are the kind of listing that the new legislation against Airbnb is aimed at bringing down.

The report claims that 30-percent of the listings are controlled by operators who are essentially using the listings as hotels. These hosts, who rent more than one unit ( places they do not live) for at least three months a year or had a single listing up for more than six months a year (places they probably don’t call their primary residence), netted $317.5 million in revenue in 2015.

A spokesman for Airbnb accused the city’s hotel industry, which has been widely affected by Airbnb, of sponsoring a "misleading study" that "[protects] the interests of the well-connected hotel industry."



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12050662/airbnb-illegal-nyc-study

You are invited to an exclusive open house in Chelsea

433 West 21st Street, Apt. 10A | Thurs, July 7th | 5-7:30PM*
Newly Renovated Ultra Luxury 3BR Rental | $14,995/mo*
Washer/Dryer, Fireplaces & More! Click to RSVP & View Floorplan*
[THE BRODSKY ORGANIZATION]



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http://brodsky.com/rentals/chelsea/433-west-21st-street/apartment-10a?utm_source=Curbed&utm_medium=QL&utm_content=433OH&utm_campaign=CurbedQL

Duplex Corner Loft-like Unit in Park Slope

3 BR/2 BA condo, 1,550 sq ft, Private deck, $1.699M*
Office, Living room with double height ceiling, Pet friendly building*
Open House: Sat, July 2 & Sun, July 3, 12pm-1pm*
195 15th St. Apt. C1 - Corcoran, 347.262.2766



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http://www.corcoran.com/nyc/Listings/Display/3672751?utm_medium=display&utm_source=Curbed%20ROS&utm_campaign=Property&utm_content=New%20York

NYC Marble Cemetery Will Open to Visitors More Often This Summer

The small East Village cemetery will open twice a month through September

The New York City Marble Cemetery, not to be confused with the tucked-away New York Marble Cemetery just down the street, will fling open its gates more often than usual this summer, giving New Yorkers more opportunities to view the historic green space on East Second Street between First and Second avenues. According to EV Grieve, the New York City Marble Cemetery is typically closed to the public but will now be open twice a month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September.

Here are the remaining dates when you can catch the cemetery open:

Sunday July 10th

Saturday July 30th

Saturday August 13th

Sunday August 28th

Sunday September 11th

Saturday September 24th



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http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12047816/nyc-marble-cemetery-hours-open

Adjmi's Ladies' Mile Condo Should Have Affordable Housing, Critics Say

Critics are calling for enforcement of Mayor de Blasio’s new affordable housing rule

Community advocates are putting pressure on the city to require the developers of a mixed-use building in Chelsea’s Ladies’ Mile Historic District to add affordable housing into its plan, reports DNAinfo.

Acuity Capital Partners, the developers behind the Morris Adjmi-designed condo coming to 38-42 West 18th Street, had already received approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to bring 40 residential units, commercial space, and a parking garage to the site. The firm is now seeking a special permit that would allow for 26 additional market-rate apartments.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Community Board 5, and the Municipal Arts Society of New York have spoken up to insist that the developer be required to comply with the city's new zoning rules. Because the developer received a special permit to add significant residential floor space, it must abide by Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) rules and incorporate a specified amount of affordable housing units within the new development. However, a spokeswoman for the Department of City Planning charged that the rule doesn’t apply to this development since the appeal only changes the shape of the building and not square footage that was already allowed.

Nevertheless, critics are not pleased with this excuse, countering that the additional 26 units should qualify as "a significant increase in residential floor area" meaning the developer should have to adhere to MIH rules.

Department of City Planning believes that forcing developers into adhering to the zoning law when square footage is not being increased would discourage them from building residential units and result in more commercial space.

The project will be up for discussion at a public review session scheduled to take place in the beginning of August.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12047980/morris-adjmi-chelsea-affordable-housing-nyc

Rent Freeze Approved For Second Consecutive Year In Historic Vote

The Rent Guidelines Board voted for a zero percent increase on one-year leases, and a two percent increase on two-year leases

Amid loud chants of "rent go back," and "together, united we’ll never be defeated," the city’s Rent Guidelines Board approved a rent freeze on one-year leases for rent-stabilized apartments — tenants wanted more, but it was a historic verdict nonetheless, marking a second consecutive freeze following the one last year.

The nine-member board voted 7-0, with two abstentions (from the members representing the interests of landlords) to approve a zero percent increase on one-year leases, and a two-percent increase on two-year leases — the same decision as last year.

A report released by the Board in April this year indicated that operational costs for landlords had likely gone down due to a drop in fuel costs. That prompted tenants and advocates to ask for a roll back on rents, but the board wasn’t quite ready to oblige.

The board is comprised of two tenant representatives, two landlord representatives, and five members of the public, all appointed by the mayor. So how did the proceedings work exactly? The landlord representatives first had a chance to make a motion, followed by the tenant reps, and finally the chairperson of the board.

The landlord reps wanted a three percent increase on one-year leases, and a five percent increase on two-year leases, but that was voted down. Tenant reps wanted a four percent decrease on one-year leases, and a two percent decrease on two-year leases, but that too was rejected by the overall board. The chairperson’s motion however did pass muster, and even the tenant reps were on board, telling the packed auditorium at Cooper Union, at last night’s meeting that a freeze wasn’t enough, but it was still a big step in the right direction.

Members of the landlord community were obviously miffed by the decision.

"The freeze damages housing," Patrick Siconolfi, the executive director of Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), an organization representing 3,500 apartment-building owners, said in a statement. "With municipal taxes making up the largest percentage of a building’s operating costs, the City needs to look instead at lowering the high property tax rates levied upon multi-family building owners rather than unilaterally freezing rent for an additional year."

Now, tenants living in rent-stabilized units, whose leases expire between Oct. 1, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2017 can renew at the same rate for one-year, and tenants with two-year leases will be able to do so with a two percent increase.

Since Bill de Blasio has been in office, one-year leases have only seen a one percent increase in the past three years — and that was in his first year in office, according to the Wall Street Journal. That too was a historic decision as it was the lowest increase since the board was created in 1969.

This consecutive rent freeze had been hinted for months, and last month, in a preliminary vote, the board has also approved the freeze, but in a narrower vote. The decision last night was preceded by several public meetings over the past few months.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/28/12050336/rent-freeze-approved-second-consecutive-year-historic-vote

Monday 27 June 2016

New Bill Moves to Protect Mom-and-Pop Shops In NYC From Predatory Landlords

Mayor de Blasio is expected to sign the higly anticipated legislation tomorrow

Mayor Bill de Blasio will finally sign legislation that will offer protection against the harassment of commercial tenants, reports DNAinfo. The bill, which is expected to be signed tomorrow, will offer some solace to small businesses, giving them rights in the commercial leasing renewal process and a minimum 10-year lease with renewal rights. This will help prevent small businesses from being forced out due to excessive rent hikes and various forms of harassment. The legislation also incorporates the option for an arbiter when the landlord and business can’t come to terms on renewal agreements. The bill has been delayed since 2014.

"It’s the first time any real meaningful reforms and protections have been created to protect small businesses who don’t own their property," says Lena Afridi, a policy coordinator from city advocate group the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development. "It’s the first time tenants, who’ve experienced harassment, will be allowed to litigate against their landlords" Afridi added. Each month, hundreds of businesses shutter as a result of sneaky tactics used by landlords.

The bill also gives small business owners who feel they’ve fallen victim to harassment the ability to seek attorney fees, damages amounting to one month’s rent or $1,000 (whichever is greater), and even recover possession of property.

While the new bill is definitely a step forward, the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development believes that the legislation still needs more power behind it. They would like to see the government enforce anti-harassment measures as well as aid offered for small businesses who need legal assistance when going up against their landlords. Additionally, the bill only applies to tenants with leases, making it unfruitful to many immigrant-owned businesses that don’t have a lease.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12046694/new-bill-to-protect-nyc-small-businesses-to-be-signed

Friends Seminary Expansion Tarnished By Corroboration of False Letters of Support

In Midtown, $849K Buys a Charming Duplex With a Large Terrace

Chances to land this unique apartment don't come around too often

Welcome back to The Six Digit Club, in which we take a look at a newish-to-market listing priced under $1 million, because nice things sometimes come in small packages. Send nominations to the tipline.

Everything about this apartment—from its location to its generous outdoor spaces with breathtaking views—makes this Murray Hill co-op’s price slightly surreal. The unique one-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex, located on the top floor of a townhouse at 26 East 38th Street, delivers practically many of the covetable amenities that one could asks for in a Manhattan home.

Featuring hardwood floors, high ceilings, and exposed brick walls in the living room, it’s no surprise that this unit rarely hits the market. The last recorded sale was back in 2010. Additionally, the home delivers a spacious living room, modern kitchen, large terrace, and a pretty cool private roof deck that offers views of the city.

With all of this, one might expect this place to easily be asking a seven-figure digit but this home is asking just $849,000. One more plus: the co-op is pet-friendly and pied-a-terres are allowed.



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http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12046138/untitled

Neighbors of New Nomad Tower Cry Foul Over Its Height-Boosting Building Antics

The 760-foot tower would ruin the views for the 55-story condo across from it, residents of the latter say

The residents of a high rise condo in Nomad are feuding with the developers of a planned tower next door over their pricey views, Crain’s reports. Developers JD Carlisle and the Fosun Group are planning a 760-foot tower at 126 Madison Avenue, but the building’s apartments won’t start until 155-feet above ground. This has angered residents at the Sky House condo at 11 East 29th Street. They argue that the developers are using a building trick to essentially place their tower on stilts and thereby block Sky House’s views.

In this battle of the rich vs. rich, residents at Sky House have hired planner George Janes and law firm, Marcus Rosenberg & Diamond to represent their interests. Oddly enough, Janes was also the man who noted that the developer DDG was flouting zoning regulations for its tower on the Upper East Side.

The tower developed by Carlisle and Fosun features a 23-foot base, followed by three-stories of ventilation and other equipment for the building. These floors will have an average ceiling height of 44-feet, according to Crain’s, which opponents to the project say is excessive. Janes has written to the city’s Department of Buildings to highlight this use of space. Using large mechanical floors to boost the views of apartments above is a practice that has also been adopted at Robert A.M Stern’s 220 Central Park South, and 520 Park Avenue.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12045190/nomad-condo-height-stilts-feud-nyc

Brand New Mural By Kenny Scharf Snatched From East River Esplanade

Sprawling Tribeca Loft at One Hundred Barclay

Loft 22A, 2,975 SF, 3BR/4BA, $6,650,000*
Additional Spaces: Den, Home Office*
Loft Proportions, Hudson River Views, Unrivaled Amenities*
100 Barclay Street*



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http://ralphwalkertribeca.com/?utm_source=Curbed&utm_medium=Quicklisting4BR&utm_campaign=CurbedQL4BR

First Look Inside New Upper East Side Condo, The Clare

At Clinton Hill Condo Waverly Brooklyn, Robot Parking and Skyline Views From $595K

Sales have officially launched for 48 condo units at Clinton Hill's boutique condo Waverly Brooklyn

Name: Waverly Brooklyn

Address: 500 Waverly Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Developer: Orange Management

Architect: GKV Architects

Size: 48 apartments

Prices: from about $595K to $2.4 million

Sales and Marketing: MNS

After a few years of construction, the boutique condo at 500 Waverly Avenue is ready to show off new interior renderings and reveal its pricing. Sales have officially launched for the building’s 48 units—located near the border of Clinton Hill and Fort Greene—which include studios through four-bedrooms with prices starting at approximately $595,000 and going up to $2.4 million.

Renderings show open, lofty living areas. Some condos include private outdoor patios, while many of the upper-floor apartments come with views of the skyline. As for amenities, Waverly Brooklyn will be a full-service building—a fairly unusual finding in Clinton Hill. On top of the attended lobby, there will be a lounge with an adjoining second-floor terrace, a landscaped roof deck with lounge chairs and patio furniture, a gym, bicycle storage, private storage, and the creme de la creme, fully automated on-site parking.

A rendering released back in 2014 showed a curved, glassy facade. The finished product is less curvy and more boxy, with glass and brick details as well as floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor. Views from the landscaped roof terrace extend to Manhattan.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12042842/waverly-clinton-hill-brooklyn-nyc-apartments

Live In a Cushy, Converted Williamsburg Firehouse For $15,000/Month

It comes with the artsy amenities of a recording studio and a dark room.

It isn’t every day that the opportunity to live in one of NYC’s many firehouses without putting oneself in harm’s way comes about, but a converted firehouse in Williamsburg is now offering just that. The historic firehouse at 246 Frost Street near Woodpoint Road is a now renting for $15,000 per month.

The property is zoned for residential and commercial use, and has for the past several years under its current occupant functioned as performance and event venue The Firehouse Space. A new tenant could choose to continue carrying that torch (no pun intended), or use the space for their private artistic enterprise. The firehouse comes with a recording studio and a fully-functioning dark room, as well as a rooftop Jacuzzi.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12040802/williamsburg-interesting-apartment-for-rent-firehouse-nyc

New York Is More Expensive Than San Francisco In at Least One Way

Rental Residences in NoMad

High Floor 1 Bed w/ Downtown Views| $4,412*
Private Park | Rooftop Lounge | Fitness Center*
160 Madison Ave| 212-839-0160 | Net Rent Advertised



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http://onesixtymadison.com/?utm_source=Curbed&utm_medium=Quicklisting&utm_campaign=160_Mad_QL_6-27

Gramercy Park’s Medieval Lair Returns With a Larger Floorplan Asking Less

The co-op on Gramercy Park North is now up for grabs as a combo pad asking $6.35M

Gramercy Park’s very own medieval-esque lair has been struggling to sell for the past several years, despite its resplendent architecture, 88-foot frontage along Gramercy Park North, and distinction as an "architectural masterpiece," per New York Magazine.

Now, the co-op is back on the market, and being offered two ways: in its original form as a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom apartment asking $5.5 million, or as a combo pad with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms asking $6.25 million. Either way, the co-op is now asking less than it did when it last appeared on the market in May 2015 asking $6.35 million.

The apartment, owned for nearly the past half-a-century by a maker and restorer of picture frames whose handiwork appears in The Met (go figure), first hit the market in 2014 asking $7 million. The apartment at 44 Gramercy Park North is in the Tudor Revival style and includes handmade stained glass windows; a selection of carved statues, moldings, and vignettes; and a large terrace.

For the privilege of living along Gramercy Park, buyers will pay: maintenance for the uncombined apartment runs $5,146 per month with the combined apartment’s maintenance coming in at $6,233 per month.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12040060/gramercy-park-north-co-op-sor-sale-nyc

Cuomo Moves to Erect Memorial For Orlando Victims In New York City

The governor has appointed a 10-person panel to find a site and build the memorial

Governor Andrew Cuomo has set plans in motion to create a monument in New York City to honor the victims of the attack on the Orlando nightclub, Pulse, the New York Post reports. Cuomo made the announcement right before the Pride march on Sunday and said he had signed an executive order to create a 10-member panel to find a place and build the memorial.

The areas under consideration include Christopher Park, across from Stonewall Inn, Battery Park City, or Hudson River Park. The final choice will be determined by the Cuomo-appointed panel. That panel includes former City Council speaker Christine Quinn, and Kelsey Louie, the executive director of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, among others.

Cuomo’s executive order also made the Stonewall Inn a state historic site. It followed President Obama’s announcement last week that Stonewall is now officially a national landmark.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12039716/orlando-nyc-memorial-cuomo-pride

Embattled Conversion of P.S. 64 Into Dorm Back On With Major Loan

The conversion of the East Village’s landmarked school is back on—for now

The embattled redevelopment of the East Village’s P.S. 64 into a dorm seems to have gotten a boost. Per the Commercial Observer (h/t EV Grieve), developer Gregg Singer has secured a $44 million construction loan from Madison Realty Capital to convert the long-empty school on East 9th street between avenues B and C into a 225-room dormitory with accommodations for 535 students.

The property hasn’t been used by the city as a school since the 1970s, and has been vacant since before Singer acquired it at auction in 1998. The conversion of the landmarked property has been a long, uphill battle for Singer. In December, word broke that a group of financial backers were suing Singer for allegedly pocketing funds from the conversion.

The community has been adamant that the school, a 152,000-square-foot building last valued at $78 million, be converted into a community facility, as its deed mandates. It’s a controversial time in the city to be muffing with deed restrictions, but last summer it was reported that the much-in-need Joffrey Ballet School signed on as a tenant just a month before the Department of Buildings issued a Stop Work Order at the site. Whether the Stop Work Order was a result of the deed restriction, or because Singer was moving ahead with work without a tenant and lenders tired of his antics is unclear.

In any case, the conversion continues to plod along. Commercial Observer reports that the loan will allow Singer to "retire the existing indebtedness." It will also supply funds for pre-development.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12039336/nyc-ps-64-east-village-conversion-loan

Waldorf Astoria's Condo Conversion Could Shutter Hotel For 3 Years

About 1,100 of the hotel’s rooms will be converted into condos

New details have emerged on Anbang’s renovation and conversion of the storied Waldorf Astoria hotel. Following news just over a week ago that about 1,000 of the hotel’s rooms would be converted into condos, the Wall Street Journal now puts that figure at 1,100 rooms of a total 1,413.

What’s more, the $1 billion conversion project is expected to shutter the hotel for up to three years. Once that is complete, the renovated building will have anywhere between 300 to 500 rooms. That massive reduction in hotel rooms will also impact the hotel’s 1,500 employees. A severance agreement has been reached with hundreds of workers for about $100 million, according to WSJ.

Anbang purchased the property for $1.95 billion in October 2014. The previous owner, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will continue to manage the property after the renovation, as part of a 100-year deal.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12039496/waldorf-astoria-condo-conversion-hotel-closure-3-years

Where to Watch NYC's July 4th Fireworks

Want a view of the 4th of July fireworks? Here's where to go

Just like last year, Macy's 4th of July fireworks show will take place on the East River—but this year celebrates Macy's 40th fireworks show, meaning it'll probably be an extra good year for the 25-minute spectacular. As with 2015, fireworks will blast from two barges set up just south of the Brooklyn Bridge and from four barges positioned between East 23rd and East 42nd streets, offering prime views to north Brooklyn, Long Island City, and Midtown East. The official viewing locations in lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts are sure to get a little crowded, so if you're looking for something a little more exclusive, the list below includes plenty of alternatives that vary from more offbeat parks and piers to rooftop viewing locations dishing up food, drink, and merriment (at a price.) If something on this map strikes your fancy, make plans quickly——tickets for this beloved NYC occasion tend to run out fast.



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http://ny.curbed.com/maps/4th-of-july-fireworks-new-york-city-where-to-watch

Williamsburg's Whole Foods Finally Gets an Opening Date

The Bedford Avenue store has been in the works for years now

It’s been talked about for years now, and come July 26th this year, Williamsburg’s Whole Foods will finally open its glassy doors to the public, Gothamist reports. The pricey grocer’s space at 238 Bedford Avenue is spread out over two levels, and spans 51,000 square feet. The lower level will house the produce and deli section, while the ground floor level will have the cafe, coffee bar, and prepared foods.

Gothamist notes that the store isn’t quite as big as the one on Bowery, but it’s certainly bigger than the ones in Chelsea and Midtown. The building that it’s located in is also home to WeWork and Levi’s, and was recently the subject of a lawsuit, from the owners of the nearby Foodtown of Williamsburg.

But for now, Whole Foods is marching ahead to its opening unfazed.



from
http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/27/12039194/williamsburg-whole-foods-opening-july