Four Bold New Designs for New York City's Ubiquitous Sidewalk Sheds - Curbed NY

[All photos via New York Building Congress]

Could the city's current design for construction sidewalk sheds become a thing of the past? That's what the New York Building Congress is hoping for: Over the summer, the organization launched a competition asking architects and designers to submit proposals for more "aesthetically pleasing" sidewalk sheds. Today, the four winners of the contest were revealed, along with renderings for their proposed designs.

First up is the design above (↑), called SCAFFOLDWING, byGannett Fleming Engineers and Architects. It hinges on a translucent polycarbonate "wing" that would extend over the sidewalk, but be pitched at such an angle to allow light to soar in, and rainwater to drain off properly.

↑ Francis Cauffman came up with the Side+Ways+Shed, which barely looks like a sidewalk shed at all; the traditional posts are replaced with ones that are set back on the sidewalk and lit with LEDs. The idea is to "enliven the streetscape and provide visual cues to pedestrians."

↑ Gensler's design, the G-Shed, doesn't look too different from the typical sidewalk shed—though it's definitely not as ugly—but it's different in one key way. The posts would be modular, which, according to the architects, would "allow for seamless adaptation with existing systems, eliminating complicated bracing while creating an inviting arcade" which would help both pedestrians and businesses affected by the shed's placement.

↑ The final design is called UrbanArbor, from PBDW Architects and Anastos Engineering Associates. As the name suggests, it's meant to "evoke the experience of walking down a tree-lined boulevard," with diagonal braces offering both structural support and the feeling of wandering under a thicket of tree branches. It would also use translucent polycarbonate parapets to allow natural light to flow through to the sidewalk.

Even if the Department of Buildings gets on board with these designs, there's another hurdle to clear before you'd see these on the streets: the developers. A previous competition held by the DOB in 2010 brought forth the Urban Umbrella, but developershaven't used the steel-and-plastic contraption because it's more expensive to implement than traditional sidewalk sheds. The NYBC's contest sought "practical, cost-effective off-the-shelf designs," according to a statement, but when developers are involved, who knows what cost-effective really means. Still, the designs are nice to think about—who wouldn't want the city's streets to look just a bit prettier?

Robert A.M. Stern To Design 'Opulent' Sony Building Condos - Curbed NY

The long-awaited conversion of Philip Johnson's Sony Building at 550 Madison Avenue is finally making some progress. The project—called, somewhat blandly, 550 Madison—launched a teaser site last night, which has few details beyond some architectural information and the team behind it (which includes Chetrit Group, which bought the building for $1.1 billion in 2013), but we've got the scoop on plans for the iconic Midtown building—which includes an assist from Robert A.M. Stern. As previously reported, the conversion of Johnson's building will include pricey condos—but the current plan differs from what we previously knew about the building. Instead of 96 units, the residential portion of the building will have 113 condos designed by none other than Robert A.M. Stern Architects. They'll occupy floors 21 through 43 of the building. (A spokesperson has yet to confirm if the pricing and floorplans that were previously revealed for the building are still accurate, but we'll update with that info when we can.) There will also be a hotel portion, which will be operated by Oetker Collection, the hospitality group responsible for Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in France; the "New York masterpiece" (that's the tagline for the hotel, not the official name) will be a 170-key hotel will have 60 fancy suites, along with predictably over-the-top amenities like a 25-meter pool, a spa, and an upscale restaurant. Those amenities will also be available to the ultra-wealthy residents of the building's condos. And finally, there will be luxury retail on the ground floor. So there you have it: Midtown is getting another pricey hotel-condo hybrid, in the vein of buildings like One57 (which has a Park Hyatt hotel on its lower floors). Though construction has yet to begin on 550 Madison, it's expected to open in early 2018. Source: Robert A.M. Stern To Design 'Opulent' Sony Building Condos - Coming Attractions - Curbed NY

Behold, the Interiors of Extell's 80-Story Lower East Side Condo - Curbed NY

Extell's Lower East Side tower dubbed One Manhattan Square, now on the rise alongside the base of the Manhattan Bridge, hasn't made many friends in the neighborhood. Maybe that's why the developer chose to launch sales of the $1-$3 million condos abroad before availing them to the states. Whatever the case may be, The Low Down got its hands on some of the overseas marketing materials which now bring a first, very comprehensive look inside the 850-foot building. In addition to first renderings of the 80-story tower's apartments, which will be designed by Meyer Davis, the materials also show off the building's surrounding gardens and the remainder of its 100,000 square feet of amenities, which are as over-the-top as they promised to be.

The master bathrooms will be finished in ocean blue travertine stone slab and mosaic tiles.

Buyers will be able to choose between two finish packages designed by Meyer Davis. The "dark" choice, pictured here, includes custom stained oak, Caesarstone countertops, Mountain White Striato stone bartop, and five-inch wide dark stained oak flooring.

The "light" package, pictured here, includes custom-painted oak cabinetry, Caesarstone countertops, a polished statuary stone bar top, and five-inch wide light stained oak flooring.

Landscape architecture firm West 8 designed an outdoor space that includes gardens, a treehouse, fire pits, and courtyards.

The building will also have an outdoor kitchen and dining areas for grilling and entertaining.

A very idyllic look at the building's fire pits.

Per the development's promotional pamphlet, "The gardens at One Manhattan Square incorporate influences from around the world and offer peaceful enclaves for closeness and serenity."

An overhead look at the building's landscaped outdoor space.

An entrance on Cherry Street will lead the building's private motor court.

The building will have a 24-hour doorman and concierge.

A view of the lobby.

The "culinary lounge" will have a demonstration kitchen.

Of course One Manhattan Square has a fully-stocked cellar bar designed by Meyer Davis Studio Inc.

A 70-seat movie and performance theater will be rentable for private events, performances, and viewings.

The building's amenities are "designed for the whole day and the whole family," the pamphlet reads. So of course there will be pool.

And bowling.

The children's playroom is somehow the least flashy of the building's amenities.

The building will have a multi-level gym that will include a cardio room (pictured), golf simulator, swimming pools, and squash courts.

Not to mention a basketball court.

The multi-level gym will also have a relaxation area.

Here's a look at how apartments on some of the building's lower floors will break down.

A full look at the pamphlet via The Low Down, this way.

Source: Behold, the Interiors of Extell's 80-Story Lower East Side Condo - Rendering Reveals - Curbed NY

NYC Tiny Apartments Are HERE! - Curbed NY

Floor plans for the city's first micro-unit development, Carmel Place have been unveiled, Buzz Buzz Home reports, along with a series of new images of the interiors of the micro dwellings.

The floor plans of eight units have been listed so far and range in price from$2,650 per month for a 265 square foot studio to $3,150 per month for a 355 square foot studio. Residents will start moving in as early as February 2016.

The development features a total of 55 apartments. Almost 40 percent of those are affordable. Eight apartments have been set aside for veterans. The project, located at 335 East 27th Street is being developed by Monadnock Developmentand has been designed by nArchitects. The building also comes equipped with a ton of cushy services.

Source: See the Tiny Floorplans For Carmel Place's Micro-Units - Microdwellings - Curbed NY

Most Expensive Condo Buildings In NYC - Curbed NY

New York’s most expensive new condominium buildings get plenty of attention, but it’s nonetheless easy to forget just how expensive they, as a group, are (at least in the eyes of their developers). Just 12 buildings are projected to sell out for a total of $20 billion dollars, 44 percent of the total projected sellout of all 200 condo projects currently being built in Manhattan, according to a chart produced by CityRealty. (The analysis included planned and completed new condos where less than 50 percent of the units have closed, which is why One57 didn’t make the cut.) The heaviest hitters are also among the most famous: CIM Group and Macklowe Properties’ 432 Park Avenue, which projects a total sellout of $3.1 billion; Vornado Realty Trust’s 220 Central Park South, with a total projected sellout of $3 billion; and Hines’ 53 West 53rd Street, the MoMA Expansion Tower, with a total projected sellout of $2.2 billion. Though, buildings often fall short of the projected total sellout. It’s a good thing developers think they’ll hit such high revenues, because their costs are reportedly sky high as well. Earlier this month, The Real Deal reported that Vornado was spending $5,000 per foot to build the Robert A.M. Stern-designed 220 CPS. [CityRealty] – Ariel Stulberg Source: Most Expensive Condo Building NYC | Condo Development NYC

The d'Orsay Will Bring 21 Luxury Condos To West 14th Street - Curbed NY

Developer Adellco has finally revealed its plans for the West 14th Street site it purchased for $27.65 million in April 2014. It should come as no surprise that the site between Seventh and Eighth avenues will give rise to condos, but what is surprising is that the developer has tapped notable French architect and interior designer Jacques Garcia, whose work includes the Nomad Hotel and the Decorative Arts Galleries at The Louvre, to design the building's interiors. The project will be Garcia's first multifamily residential building in the city. Goldstein Hill & West is designing the 11-story building, which will go by the name The d'Orsay. The d'Orsay will have 21 one- to four-bedroom residences starting from $1.675 million, as per the building's newly-launched teaser site. Building amenities will include a drawing room, gym, spa with a plunge pool, rooftop garden, full-time concierge, as well as bicycle storage and private storage rooms available for purchase. Although only one official render for the project is out there to-date (↑), a fencepost rendering of the building surfaced in September. It hints that some of the building's condos will also come with private outdoor space. Sales will launch in January 2016 with Mary Ellen Cashman of Stribling Marketing Associates. Closings are anticipated at the end of 2016. Construction at the site is ongoing. Source: The d'Orsay Will Bring 21 Luxury Condos To West 14th Street - Development Watch - Curbed NY

St. John's Terminal Redevelopment Gets First Renderings - Curbed NY

The redevelopment of the St. John's Terminal site could bring over 1,500residential units, many of them affordable, to the West Village, and the first images of what that project could look like are finally out, The Villager reports. Local residents aren't too thrilled about the proposed development, which entails razing the existing 1 million-square-foot St. John's Terminal building and erecting a 1.7 million-square-foot multi-building project, despite the benefits the developers say it would offer the community. For the time being, the plan is conceptual; it still needs to pass through a uniform land use review procedure (ULURP) before getting the go-ahead.

In a community meeting held this month, project architect COOKFOX presented designs for the Atlas Capital Group- and Westbrook Partners-developed project. The development's highlights include 500 units of affordable housing, of which 175 units are just for seniors. A little number crunching turns back that, at that rate, one-third of the projects apartments will be affordable, which is well above what's par for the course.

Here's how the plan breaks down: The tallest residential building proposed for the site, at 430 feet tall, will be fully market rate and sit at the northern end of the development. The 175-unit senior housing building will also be in this area, as will 40,000 square feet of retail—the developers suggest bringing in a Trader Joe's. There's also an additional 105,000 square feet of basement space for a big box-type store, as per the developer's suggestions. The middle section of development will include a smaller residential building with almost equal market rate and affordable apartments spread throughout, and a small garden adjacent to this building would connect it to the another fully market-rate residential building. The southern portion of the development will hold a set of mews and a350-room hotel.

The plan also includes publicly accessible park space. When St. John's Terminal was still in use, platforms connected it to the elevated railway track that now makes up the High Line. Under COOKFOX's plan, those platforms will be converted into mini elevated park space, much like the High Line.

If the plan moves forward, the developers will pay $100 million to the city to purchase Pier 40's air rights for the redevelopment of the terminal. In turn, those funds can be pumped back into the crumbling pier, which is in urgent need of repair.

Neighborhood residents are so up-in-arms because they believe the development does not address the burden it will add to the limited amount ofschools in the area, the fact that they need more medical facilities, and how the flood protection mechanism for this development might endanger the homes of other residents in the area.

"The tallest building in this plan is equal to the Trump Soho," Andrew Berman, the director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, told The Villager. "The overall project is equal to six Trump Sohos."

If the proposed development does not pass the ULURP process, the developers may move ahead with an as-of-right development, which wouldn't allow for the residential buildings the developer is looking to add.

At the community meeting, the developers assured that this will be the first of several discussions with the community in terms of designs and proposals before the project moves forward.

Source: St. John's Terminal Redevelopment Gets First Renderings - Hudson River Park Watch - Curbed NY

Condo Takes Shape On Central Park's Last Undeveloped Corner - Curbed NY

[All photos via 6sqft]

Circa Central Park is quickly taking shape at the corner of Central Park West and 110th Street, where Harlem meets the Upper West Side. Images taken by6sqft reveal that almost half the 11-story, 51-condo building now stands at the site. The forthcoming semi-circular glass structure, which sits on the northwest corner of Central Park, is designed by FXFOWLE. Developer Artimus Construction have remained pretty mum on the project, even as it nears its sales launch and passes milestones like the unveiling of its teaser site. When complete, the building will have one-to five-bedroom apartments which will start at just under $1 million.

Construction work at the site was delayed by a long remediation process owing to the site's former life as a gas station, according to 6sqft. Artimus purchased the property in 2013 for $25 million after going through a selection process for a designer with the state's Economic Development Corporation . The developers will create space for local dance group Millenium Dance Company on the ground floor; 20 percent of the building's 51 apartments are earmarked as affordable. · Construction Update: FXFowle's Circle-Hugging Harlem Condominium Rises Over Central Park [6sqft]

Source: Condo Takes Shape On Central Park's Last Undeveloped Corner - Construction Watch - Curbed NY

220 Central Park South Costing $5,000/SqFt to Build - Curbed NY

Vornado Realty Trust is spending an extraordinary $5,000 per square foot to develop 220 Central Park South, the real estate investment trust disclosed Tuesday. That price tag includes $1,500 per foot for the land and $3,500 per foot in hard, soft and financial costs, according to Vornado CEO Steven Roth. “The building has the largest loss factor of any building of its type intentionally, so the amenity packages” – including multiple lobbies, a motor court, garage and swimming pools “are extraordinary and are catering to this marketplace,” he said. Roth also revealed that more than half of the building’s 118 units are in contract. Fourteen of the units went for north of $50 million, some with record-breaking price points, Roth added during the company’s third-quarter earnings call.  “Our margins are superb and are holding with each sale,” he said. The total sellout for the luxury condominium project is nearly $3 billion, according to the Attorney General’s office. The Robert A.M. Stern-designed building has seven penthouses, including five units with price tags north of $50 million. Penthouse 73, a 9,500-square-foot condo asking $100 million, is reportedly in contract for more than $10,500 per foot. Two other penthouses, Penthouses 75 and 76, don’t have price tags, fueling speculation that they could be combined into a single, 14,000-square-foot mega-unit. Although buyers haven’t been disclosed, hedge funder Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, is reportedly looking to combine multiple penthouses into a $200 million-plus pad. Previously, The Real Deal reported that a Qatari buyer was eyeing a $250 million spread. During the earnings call, Roth said domestic buyers comprise the majority of those scooping up units at 220 CPS. He said 45 percent of buyers are New Yorkers purchasing a primary residence and 30 percent are Americans living in other cities. In the third quarter, Vornado increased its construction budget at 220 CPS by $300 million to a total of $1.3 billion. “A lot of it is catching up the budget, which we should have done three months ago,” said Roth. “A lot of it is expansion of the program, adding cost, delivering more product, better finishes.” But Roth also said construction costs in New York are inflated because of the “enormous number of cranes” in the sky. “There are a handful of contractors who are experts in each trade [and] those guys are running out of capacity,” he said. “There is a bidding premium to get timely delivery of products and services.” Construction at 220 CPS is currently at the ninth floor and is expected to be completed in 2018. Earlier this week, Vornado secured a $750 million term loan for its luxury condo development. That financing came just two months after the REIT upsized its loan from Bank of China, receiving an additional $350 million for a total of $950 million. Tags: 220 central park south, Billionaires Row, luxury condos, Steven Roth, vornado realty trust Source: 220 Central Park South Sales | Vornado Realty Trust

Here's Why Buying in Manhattan Won't Get Easier Anytime Soon - Curbed NY

Despite the proliferation of new buildings and luxury condos throughout Manhattan, a new report by Crain's reveals that the number of rental units on the island is astronomically higher than the number of units for sale. That's not hyperbole: According to Crain's, in Q1 of 2015, there were 850,000 apartments in Manhattan, but only 5,200—or 0.6 percent—were for sale; plus, 75 percent of the borough's apartments are rental units. The piece breaks down why this is happening, and—spoiler!—the plethora of ultra-pricey apartments is playing a part in why inventory is so low, and prices are so high. Because so few apartments are for sale at any given time, developers and landlords can charge a pretty penny for them—it's that old rule of demand outpacing supply. The median sale price for a Manhattan apartment is close to topping $1 million, and it's unlikely that it'll go down anytime soon. But part of the problem is that it's so expensive to build in Manhattan—from securing air rights to getting the materials to hiring construction crews—that it's become difficult for developers to turn a profit. ("In 2014, the average cost of building an apartment was $585,370, three times what it was just seven years prior," according to Crain's.) That's how the firms behind buildings like One57, 432 Park Avenue, or Central Park Tower are able to command such high prices—and they have the ultra-rich buyers who will shell out up to $100 million for an apartment. But where does that leave those New Yorkers whose budgets are more modest? Sadly, they're pretty much screwed: Even with Mayor de Blasio's affordable housing push—which includes both sale and rental units—the number of cheaper apartments on the market isn't likely to change anytime soon. And "the days of landlords converting waves of rental units into co-ops or condos have long passed," according to Crain's. Better start looking in the outer boroughs if you hope to buy in the city anytime soon—or stick with renting. (Not that it's so simple to do that, especially when rental prices in Manhattan are rising faster than ever before.) Source: Here's Why Buying in Manhattan Won't Get Easier Anytime Soon - That's Rather Depressing - Curbed NY

NYC Marathon Street Closures Happening This Sunday - Curbed NY

This weekend, thousands of New Yorkers will take to the streets in ridiculous outfits for one of the city's biggest events—and no, we're not talking about theVillage Halloween Parade. The TCS New York City Marathon happens this Sunday, and with it comes a bevy of street closures that can make commuting more of a nightmare than normal. If you want to know which streets to avoid this weekend, read on—the full list of closures, per the DOT, is below. They'll be closed from 8am to 4pm, but keep in mind that during peak times, there are going to be more runners chugging along, and it may be all but impossible to get around. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Staten Island

· Bay Street between Richmond Terrace and School Road · School Road between Bay Street and Staten Island Expressway

Brooklyn

· Dahlgren Place between Verrazano Bridge and 92nd Street (North Bound) · 92nd Street between Dahlgren Place and 4th Avenue · 4th Avenue between 92nd Street and Flatbush Avenue · Flatbush Avenue between 4th Avenue and Lafayette Avenue · Lafayette Avenue between Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue · Brooklyn Queens Expressway (South-bound) between Verrazano Bridge and 79th Street · 7th Avenue between 79th Street and 75th Street/Bay Ridge Parkway · 7th Avenue between 74th and 75th Street/Bay Ridge Parkway · 74th Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue · 6th Avenue between 74th and 75th Street/Bay Ridge Parkway · Bay Ridge Parkway between 7th Avenue and 4th Avenue · 92nd Street between Gatling Place and Fort Hamilton Parkway · Fort Hamilton Parkway between 92nd Street and 94th Street · 94th Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and 4th Avenue (North-bound) · 4th Avenue between 94th Street and Flatbush Avenue (South-bound) · Bedford Avenue between Lafayette Avenue and Nassau Avenue · Nassau Avenue between Bedford Avenue/Lorimer Street and Manhattan Avenue · Manhattan Avenue between Nassau Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue · Greenpoint Avenue between Manhattan Avenue and McGuiness Boulevard · McGuiness Boulevard between Greenpoint Avenue and 48th Avenue · Pulaski Bridge (South-bound)

Queens

· Pulaski Bridge (South-bound) · 48th Avenue between 11th Street and Vernon Boulevard · Vernon Boulevard between 48th Avenue and 10th Street · 10th Street between Vernon Boulevard and 44th Drive · 44th Drive between 10th Street and Hunter Street · Hunter Street between 44th Drive and Crescent Street · Crescent Street between Hunter Street and Queens Plaza South · Queens Plaza South between Crescent Street and 23rd Street · 23rd Street between Queens Plaza South and Queens Plaza North · Queensboro Bridge (East-bound)

Manhattan

· Queensboro Bridge (Vehicle Entrance Ramp East-bound) · East 59th Street between 59th Street Bridge and 1st Avenue · 1st Avenue between East 59th Street and Willis Avenue Bridge · Madison Avenue Bridge · 5th Avenue between 138th Street and 124th Street · 124th Street between Madison Avenue and Mount Morris Park West · Mount Morris Park West between 124th Street between 120th Street · 120th Street between Mount Morris Park West and 5th Avenue · 5th Avenue between 120th Street and 90th Street · 90th Street between 5th Avenue and East Drive (Central Park South-bound) · East Drive between 90th Street and Grand Army Plaza · Grand Army Plaza between East Drive and Central Park South · Central Park South btw 5th Avenue and Columbus Circle/8th Avenue/Central Park West · Central Park Driveway/8th Avenue Approach to West Drive · West Drive between 8th Avenue Approach and 96th Street Approach to West Drive · 96th Street Approach to West Drive · 67th Street Approach to West Drive

Bronx

· Willis Avenue Bridge/Willis Avenue · East 135th Street between Willis Avenue and Alexander Avenue · Alexander Avenue between East 135th Street and East 138th Street · East 138th Street between Alexander Avenue and Morris Avenue · Morris Avenue between East 138th Street and East 140th Street · East 140th Street between Morris Avenue and Rider Avenue · Rider Avenue between East 140th Street and East 138th Street · East 138th Street between Rider Avenue and Madison Avenue Bridge · Madison Avenue Bridge

· TCS NYC Marathon [Official]

Source: NYC Marathon Street Closures Happening This Sunday - Runner's Delight - Curbed NY

Looking For Something To Do This Weekend? 6 Pumpkin Patches Near NYC - Curbed NY

Tuesday, October 20, 2015, by Emily Nonko

There's something deeply satisfying about visiting a pumpkin patch come October, whatever your age. And just because you're without a car doesn't mean you can't plan this fall excursion. These are the six best pumpkin patches to visit throughout New York State—with a few right here in the city—that you can get to via public transportation.

[Queens County Farm Museum via Facebook]

↑ The easiest trip in search of pumpkins is the one to the Queens County Farm Museum, in Little Neck, Queens. This 47-acre farm—New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland—is open weekends in October with a variety of fall activities. There is no admission fee to walk through the pumpkin patch (although the pumpkins will cost you), and you can also pick up Hudson Valley apples, fresh cider, and locally-made treats. Other autumnal activities include a three-acre corn maze, a haunted house, and a kiddie festival on Sunday, October 25.

How to get there: Take the E or F train to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike Station, then transfer to Q46 Bus (running eastbound on Union Turnpike) to the Little Neck Parkway stop. Cross Union Turnpike and walk north on Little Neck Parkway three blocks to the museum entrance.

[Decker Farm via Historic Richmond Town]

↑ Decker Farm is another pumpkin-picking spot that's NYC-based, albeit on Staten Island at Historic Richmond Town. The 1810-era farm, which includes 11 structures on 11 acres of land, hosts pumpkin pickers every weekend through November 1. On top of the pumpkin patch, you can join a hayride, tour the farmhouse, or navigate a corn maze.

How to get there: From the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George, take the S74 bus to Richmond Road and St. Patrick's Place.

[Harvest Moon Farm via Facebook]

If you'd rather go pumpkin picking upstate, there are plenty of options. Both Outhouse Orchards and Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard (↑) in North Salem are accessible from the MetroNorth. Despite its less-than-pleasant name, Outhouse is a scenic family-owned and operated apple orchard that hosts pumpkin picking in the fall. There's also a corn maze, hay ride, and a farmstand selling apples, produce from the farm, local honey, and maple syrup.

Right across the street from Outhouse is Harvest Moon Farm, which hosts a fall festival every weekend through October. For a $5 admission, there's a pumpkin patch, live music, a kid's bounce house, hay rides, pony rides, face painting, and BBQ. For the adults, a hard cider tasting room also opens up on weekends.

How to get there: Take the Metro North from Grand Central to the Croton Falls station. On weekends, cabs are usually waiting to take patrons three miles to either farm.

[Dee's Nursery via the website]

↑ From the Long Island Railroad, Dee's Nursery is the most accessible fall destination from any train stop. This family-owned nursery and garden center hosts a festival every weekend in October with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and kid's crafts. The only caveat: you won't get the farm backdrop.

How to get there: Take the Long Island Railroad toward Long Beach and exit at theEast Rockaway stop. From there, it's about a 15 minute walk east to the nursery.

[Masker Orchards by tciriello via Flickr Creative Commons]

↑ Masker Orchards, located upstate in Warwick, has been home to apple orchards in the Hudson Valley for more than 100 years. It's open five days a week with a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, an Apple Maze, and a haunted house through Halloween. Other events, offered on weekends, include face painting, pony rides and live music. Be sure to stop by the county store to pick up apple butter, fresh jam, or honey before you leave.

How to get there: Take the New Jersey Transit bus #196 or #197 from Port Authority to the Willowbrook Station in Warwick. Masker Orchard is a half mile walk from the station.

Source: 6 Pumpkin Patches Near NYC You Can Reach By Public Transit - Get Outta Town - Curbed NY

Could a Pedestrian Bridge Connect Jersey to Lower Manhattan??? - Curbed NY

New Jersey can sometimes feel like it's a world away from New York City, but in reality, it's only a few miles from Jersey City to Manhattan—the Hudson River crossing itself is only about a mile. And one Jersey City resident wants to breach that divide in a unique way: with a pedestrian bridge. ( Jersey Digs) Kevin Shane, who came up with the idea, worked with Jersey-based Jeff Jordan Architects to conceptualize plans for a Hudson River crossing called the Liberty Bridge that would begin in JC, cross the Hudson River, and end in Battery Park City. His reasoning: "With the increase in commuter traffic from Jersey City and Hoboken and the unbearable, often delayed mass transit options that are getting worse over time, the bridge could provide a new access point to Manhattan for the hundreds of thousands that go into NYC each day." The renderings, which you can check out below, show a High Line-esque walkway (with various ADA-compliant access points) with benches, plants, and artwork. The bridge would also, according to the site, "provid[e] a 200+ foot view over the Hudson unlike any experience before." Of course, this is all just a proposal—Shane admits the challenges to getting it done are "monstrous"—but it's certainly interesting to consider.

[All renderings via Jeff Jordan Architects]

· Liberty Bridge [Official] · The Highline has Nothing on Jersey City's New Pedestrian Bridge [Jersey Digs]

Source: Could a Pedestrian Bridge Connect Jersey to Lower Manhattan? - Pie in the Sky Ideas - Curbed NY