As of Monday, July 6, New York City is in Phase 3 of the reopening process. Hair salons reopened their doors in Phase 2, and now they will be accompanied by nail salons, tattoo parlors, and other personal-care services. Certain "low-risk” youth sports can resume with up to two spectators per child; those with fur babies will be happy to have dog runs back. Public beaches opened for swimming on July 1, and the city plans to reopen 15 public pools throughout the five boroughs on August 1. And starting Thursday, visitors can buy timed-entry passes to the High Line. It must be noted that social distancing and mask protocols are still in place, but those who may have left home without their PPE can buy masks, globes, and sanitizer from vending machines in some of the city’s busiest subway stations.
Moreover, having learned from other states’ upticks in cases, the city and state have indefinitely postponed indoor dining (with a hefty side of safety protocols), which was supposed to be included in Phase 3. Broadway will stay dark for the remainder of 2020. And while malls (Oculus and Brookfield Place among them) will not be part of the eventual Phase 4 reopening, Governor Cuomo has announced that the shopping centers will be required to install HEPA filters first.
Moreover, having learned from other states’ upticks in cases, the city and state have indefinitely postponed indoor dining (with a hefty side of safety protocols), which was supposed to be included in Phase 3. Broadway will stay dark for the remainder of 2020. And while malls (Oculus and Brookfield Place among them) will not be part of the eventual Phase 4 reopening, Governor Cuomo has announced that the shopping centers will be required to install HEPA filters first.
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New details revealed on the Queens Ribbon
All renderings via T.Y. Lin International
Between closed gyms and fear of public transportation at the height of the pandemic, more New Yorkers than ever have been walking, running, and cycling. New York City has thus far closed a total of 67 miles of citywide streets to car traffic. This is already the highest total of open streets in the country, and the ultimate goal is 100 miles of open streets. However, “Gridlock Sam” himself is thinking even bigger than that.
“The urban travel mode of the future won’t be flying cars, or robo-cars or even cars. It will be shoes and bikes.” - Sam Schwartz
Sam Schwartz, former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation and founder of an eponymous engineering firm, has proposed a car-free bridge to connect Midtown Manhattan and Long Island City. Known as the Queens Ribbon for its wispy shape, the suggested bridge would have one lane for cyclists and one lane for walkers. It would also have elevator access to Roosevelt Island and Cornell Tech.
Mr. Schwartz worked with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and T.Y. Lin International to unveil the design of the Queens Ribbon, which Untapped Cities notes was inspired by pedestrian bridges like the Millennium Bridge in London, the Passarelle Simon de Beauvoir Bridge in Paris, and the Helix Bridge in Singapore. The proposed bridge has a preliminary cost estimate of $100 million, but Mr. Schwartz has hinted that a public-private partnership could work for funding it.
If approved, the Queens Ribbon would be New York City’s first new bridge built to Manhattan’s Central Business District since 1909. Its team is also planning two pedestrian-bike bridges into Lower Manhattan. One would originate in Brooklyn, so as to alleviate traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge; and, in a first, the other would come from Hoboken or Jersey City.
First look at Innovation QNS, massive mixed-use development in Astoria
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Just before the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a proposal was unveiled for Innovation QNS, a massive new development spanning five city blocks in Astoria. The plan would bring 2,700 mixed-income housing units - 700 of which would be affordable, and some of which would be offered to seniors - 200,000 square feet of retail, 250,000 square feet of commercial space targeted at small businesses and start-ups, an arts and culture hub, enhanced streetscapes, two acres of open space, and a potential grammar school to a largely inactive area. While the existing UA Kaufman Astoria Cinemas would be demolished to make way for the project, a new multiplex would be part of the new development.
A joint venture between Silverstein Properties, Kaufman Astoria Studios, and BedRock Real Estate Partners is at the helm, and ODA Architecture is the designer of the master plan. The team has been in talks with community groups for years, and the blocks must be rezoned before the project can go forward. The developers hope to start the ULURP rezoning process in spring or fall of 2021, break ground in 2023, and complete the entire project within 10 years.
A joint venture between Silverstein Properties, Kaufman Astoria Studios, and BedRock Real Estate Partners is at the helm, and ODA Architecture is the designer of the master plan. The team has been in talks with community groups for years, and the blocks must be rezoned before the project can go forward. The developers hope to start the ULURP rezoning process in spring or fall of 2021, break ground in 2023, and complete the entire project within 10 years.
NYCHA closes $25 million air rights deal in Downtown Brooklyn
The Downtown Brooklyn building boom shows no signs of slowing down, and the latest example is centered at 202 Tillary Street: Frequent collaborators Joy Construction and Maddd Equities purchased roughly $25 million worth of land and air rights from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s Ingersoll Houses at 120 Navy Walk. The deal has been in the works for more than a year, and Crain’s New York Business reports that it closed yesterday.
Joy Construction and Maddd Equities were originally planning a 235,000-square-foot project in Downtown Brooklyn, and the purchase means the project could expand to as large as 400,000 square feet. The initial plans were for a residential development with 25% affordable units.
The sale of the land and air rights comes as a boon to Ingersoll Houses. The money will go toward repairs and include $750K for jobs and training. It will also cover the installation of streetlights and security cameras around the project.
The sale of the land and air rights comes as a boon to Ingersoll Houses. The money will go toward repairs and include $750K for jobs and training. It will also cover the installation of streetlights and security cameras around the project.
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CW Realty plans luxury rental for embattled Vinegar Hill site
Rendering of 251 Front Street via Input Creative Studio
Described as "DUMBO's quaint, quirky cousin" by Brooklyn Eagle, Vinegar Hill is not perceived as hot a spot as its nearest neighbor. However, developer Cheskie Weisz clearly hopes to change that, having just paid $20 million for 251 Front Street, the largest undeveloped sited in the neighborhood. Real Estate Weekly notes that a R6B zoning designation makes the site ideal for a boutique condominium (rendering above), but The Real Deal reports that Mr. Weisz has plans for a five-story, 59-unit luxury rental.
Whatever rises on the site will breathe new life into the parking lot left in the wake of the demolition of St. Ann's Church, a Gothic-style church dating back to 1860 and demolished by Tocci Brothers in 1992. The resulting community backlash was instrumental in Vinegar Hill's designation as a historic district in 1997. Twenty-five years later, Tocci Brothers' plans to rezone the area for a 72-unit rental building with 18 affordable units fell through.
Whatever rises on the site will breathe new life into the parking lot left in the wake of the demolition of St. Ann's Church, a Gothic-style church dating back to 1860 and demolished by Tocci Brothers in 1992. The resulting community backlash was instrumental in Vinegar Hill's designation as a historic district in 1997. Twenty-five years later, Tocci Brothers' plans to rezone the area for a 72-unit rental building with 18 affordable units fell through.
550 Metropolitan Avenue nears full height in Williamsburg
(l-r) Rendering via Arch Companies; photo circa July 2020 via AB Architekten Instagram
After sitting stalled for a while, work is well underway at 550 Metropolitan Avenue in the heart of Williamsburg. Demolition permits for the prewar townhouse previously on-site were filed in October 2015, and Arch Companies acquired the project in October 2019. More recently, an Instagram post from AB Architekten shows a new building on the rise. According to permits, the six-story building will have 539 square feet of retail space, two full-floor residences, and two duplexes. There will be a bike room for residents.
Affluent renters play "musical apartments" in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis
Pre-pandemic, many New Yorkers were happy to settle for small apartments because their city life kept them too busy to stay home for long. However, months of having to work, exercise, and relax from home, especially with a partner on a different schedule, can make apartments with already limited square footage feel positively minuscule.
Moving is challenging at any time, but the pandemic added extra stress to the process. Traditional real estate showings were suspended, forcing apartment hunters to make decisions based on video and virtual tours, if not sight unseen. And while moving was designated an official service, new restrictions and protocols were implemented for safety’s sake. But some New Yorkers with the financial wherewithal have gotten around this by trading up to larger apartments in the same building. The New York Times describes this as a win-win situation: Tenants are getting more space in a building they already know and love, and don’t need to hire movers. As for landlords and management, they’re not likely to complain about someone paying a higher rent.
Moving is challenging at any time, but the pandemic added extra stress to the process. Traditional real estate showings were suspended, forcing apartment hunters to make decisions based on video and virtual tours, if not sight unseen. And while moving was designated an official service, new restrictions and protocols were implemented for safety’s sake. But some New Yorkers with the financial wherewithal have gotten around this by trading up to larger apartments in the same building. The New York Times describes this as a win-win situation: Tenants are getting more space in a building they already know and love, and don’t need to hire movers. As for landlords and management, they’re not likely to complain about someone paying a higher rent.
The trend comes at a time when rental listings are up all over New York. CityRealty listings report a total of 16,220 apartments for rent throughout Manhattan, northern Brooklyn, and western Queens. Interestingly enough, a closer look shows a significantly larger number of studios through two-beds on the market than three-beds and up. See all listings here.
Featured Listing: Spacious co-op in a converted Village church lists for $2.25M
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A few blocks west of Union Square, a church dating back to the early 20th century has been converted to a beautiful boutique cooperative rich in original details like soaring ceilings and exposed beams. Its West 13th Street address puts it in the heart of Greenwich Village and in excellent proximity to Chelsea and the Flatiron District as well as Union Square. A two-bedroom home has recently listed for $2.25 million, and further details can be found here.
From the listing:
Light and serenity abound in this exceptional sun-flooded loft in the heart of Greenwich Village. An utterly pristine renovation of an historic church building with dramatic original wooden beams, soaring sky-lit ceilings, blond wood floors, enormous high-end kitchen and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. Two bedrooms, two gracious baths and an abundance of closets and storage space offer family living at its best. Situated on the top floor in a well-established co-op on one of the prettiest streets in the Village, this peaceful and uplifting space is a truly extraordinary home.
Light and serenity abound in this exceptional sun-flooded loft in the heart of Greenwich Village. An utterly pristine renovation of an historic church building with dramatic original wooden beams, soaring sky-lit ceilings, blond wood floors, enormous high-end kitchen and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. Two bedrooms, two gracious baths and an abundance of closets and storage space offer family living at its best. Situated on the top floor in a well-established co-op on one of the prettiest streets in the Village, this peaceful and uplifting space is a truly extraordinary home.
New 116th Precinct Station House cut in latest New York City budget
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“A good compromise is when both parties are dissatisfied.” That quote was originally attributed to Larry David, but it could apparently apply to the recently approved city budget deal. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has not been defunded in response to recent protests, but $1 billion in funding was cut in a move that enraged the NYPD.
The cuts include the scrapping of a new 116th Precinct Station House in Rockaway designed with the intention of serving as a bridge between law enforcement and the public. Renderings by Dattner Architects showed a new public plaza and a community room anchoring the corner of the building. It would have been well situated near the Rosedale LIRR station. The budget for this building will be shifted in part to local youth groups and social services.
The cuts include the scrapping of a new 116th Precinct Station House in Rockaway designed with the intention of serving as a bridge between law enforcement and the public. Renderings by Dattner Architects showed a new public plaza and a community room anchoring the corner of the building. It would have been well situated near the Rosedale LIRR station. The budget for this building will be shifted in part to local youth groups and social services.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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