261 West 25th Street, Unit 1B

261 West 25th Street, Unit 1B

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

$799,999

Studio  |  1 Bath | Condo

 

*Ideal starter home or perfect for investment.

Designer interiors and full-service, amenity-rich accommodations await in this stunning studio in the heart of vibrant Chelsea.

This sun-splashed abode welcomes you with a massive south-facing window, beautiful oak floors and sky-high ceilings dotted with recessed lighting. In the main living area, you'll find plenty of room for sleeping, seating and home office areas. Elevate your culinary skill in the gorgeous open kitchen where oak cabinetry features lacquer accents, leather-wrapped hardware, Calacatta Gold marble backsplashes and Caesarstone countertops. A suite of top-of-the-line appliances, including a Bertazzoni cooktop and oven, Bosch dishwasher and a Sub-Zero refrigerator, complete the space. The beautiful bathroom boasts floor-to-ceiling Thassos tile, plus a large tub shower and sleek vanity adorned with contemporary fixtures. A huge custom walk-in closet and an in-unit washer-dryer complete this impeccable, move-in ready Chelsea haven.

Built in 2015, The Seymour is a stunning contemporary condominium offering an enviable list of amenities and services, including a handsome lobby with 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a bright fitness center that opens to a beautiful central garden, a resident's lounge with a fireplace and pool table, media room, library, storage and a fantastic roof deck complete with panoramic views, multiple seating areas and an outdoor kitchen.

Set in prime Chelsea, this home is surrounded by an exciting array of dining, nightlife and art spaces, including Hudson Yards' world-class venues. Foodies will be happy to find Whole Foods, Fairway, Trader Joe's and Eataly nearby, while Madison Square Park, The High Line, Hudson River Park and Chelsea Piers provide outdoor space and recreation. Access to transportation is effortless with A/C/E, 1, F/M, R/W and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.

Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 NYC Marathon

The world’s premier marathon event is returning in full force to New York City on Sunday. On November 6, tens of thousands of runners from around the globe will flock to the city to partake in the 51st annual TCS New York City Marathon, a 26.2-mile race that takes participants through all five boroughs and finishes in Central Park. The marathon is returning at full capacity for the first time since 2019 with 50,000 fully-vaccinated runners racing in this year’s event.

History of the race
The marathon was first held in 1970 by New York Road Runners Club presidents Fred Lebow and Vincent Chiapetta. Lebow and Chiapetta led 127 participants on a few laps around the park. Entry to the race cost just $1, with the fastest runner winning $1,000.

The race grew significantly in 1976 when Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton expanded the route across all five boroughs in celebration of the marathon’s bicentennial. Intended as a one-time route expansion has turned into a permanent feature. The entry for that year’s race skyrocketed from its usual couple hundred to 2,096 runners.

The marathon’s popularity soared to new heights in 1978 when Norwegian Olympian Grete Waitz finished at 2:32:30, breaking the women’s world record. Waitz’s feat encouraged runners from all across the world to come and test their stamina, and soon marathon attendance ballooned to the tens of thousands of participants that now return to the city every year to compete.

Because of Covid, the New York Road Runners reduced the field size to 25,010 runners last year and in 2020, the group held a virtual event.

When it starts
The marathon will kick off on Sunday in different waves, with each group of contestants beginning at different times. The professional wheelchair division sets off at 8 a.m., followed by the handcycle category and select athletes with disabilities at 8:22 a.m.

Professional women start the race at 8:40 a.m., followed by professional men at 9:05 a.m. Then every 35 minutes a new wave of contestants set off, with the first wave of general participants starting at 9:10 a.m., followed by more waves at 9:45 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 10:55 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.

The route
The entire run spans 26.2 miles and takes participants through all five boroughs. The race kicks off in Staten Island, leading runners across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and up through Brooklyn neighborhoods Bay Ridge, Sunset Park Slope, Fort Greene, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Williamsburg.

Runners then cross the Pulaski Bridge into Long Island City, Queens before traveling across the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, running north up First Avenue into the Bronx over the Willis Avenue Bridge.

Race participants then circle back around and enter back into Manhattan over the Madison Avenue Bridge before traveling south, passing the east side of Central Park and finishing at its southern end.

Where to watch in person
Along the 26.2-mile course to watch runners, most of the route is jam-packed with spectators. Some of the most popular locations to cheer on runners are in Bay Ridge at mile three when most runners are still full of energy, in Fort Greene at mile eight where neighborhood residents pile onto their stoops to celebrate the passing runners and at the Pulaski Bridge at mile 13.

Other great locations to observe the race are on the Upper East Side along First Avenue as runners make the home stretch toward Central Park, and along Museum Mile on the park’s east side as runners approach the finish line.

Where to watch on TV
The marathon will be live on ESPN2 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST, on WABC-TV, Channel 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST, and on ESPN’s Spanish streaming service ESPN3 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST, according to the New York Times. It will be the first time a domestic Spanish-language broadcast of the TCS New York City Marathon will be produced and distributed by ESPN.

ESPN3 will also offer views of the finish line from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST to watch as runners finish the race. Other ways to watch the race can be found here.

Everything you need to know about the 2022 NYC Marathon

POSTED ON WED, NOVEMBER 2, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Image courtesy of Steven Pisano on Flickr

Nearly 100 NYC Streets Will Go Car-Free For Trick-or-Treating

For the first time, dozens of New York City’s “Open Streets” will expand operating hours on Halloween to make trick-or-treating safer for young New Yorkers. As part of the Department of Transportation’s “Trick-or-Streets,” nearly 100 streets, plazas, and other commercial corridors across the city will be closed to cars on October 31 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In addition to announcing the new expanded Open Street hours on Halloween, DOT on Monday cut the ribbon on the 34th Avenue Open Street redesign in Jackson Heights, which transformed the busy roadway into space for pedestrians and cyclists.

“It is thrilling to build on the triumph of our thriving Open Streets this Halloween by providing greater access to safer, shared community spaces,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “And as a bonus, we are celebrating Trick or Streets with all who have made the 34th Avenue Open Street possible.”

Here is a list of select locations across the city:

Bronx

  • Jenning Street, from Prospect Avenue to Chisholm Street. Hosted by the Caldwell Enrichment Program Inc.

  • Willis Avenue, from East 147th Street to East 148th Street. Hosted by the Third Avenue Business Improvement District.

  • Decatur Avenue, from East Fordham Road to East 193rd Street. Hosted by the 10th Annual Ms. Abbies Children’s Halloween Extravaganza.

Brooklyn

  • Berry Street, from Broadway to North 12th Street. Hosted by the North Brooklyn Open Streets Community Coalition.

  • Beverly Road, from East 2nd Street to Church Avenue. Hosted by NYC DOT.

  • Chauncey Street, from Howard Avenue to Saratoga Avenue. Hosted by the Chauncey Street Block & Tenant’s Association.

  • Hall Street, from Park Avenue to Myrtle Avenue. Hosted by the Hall Street Block Association.

  • Howard Avenue, from Macon Street to Halsey Street. Hosted by the Friends of Saratoga Park Bed-Stuy + LLTCRN.

  • Albemarle Road, from Argyle Road to Rugby Road. Hosted by the Prospect Park South Annual Halloween Celebration.

Manhattan

  • Avenue B, from East 6th Street to East 14th Street. Hosted by the Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition.

  • Avenue Of The Americas, from Spring Street to Dominick Street. Hosted by the Hudson Square Business Improvement District.

  • Bond Street, from Lafayette Street to Bowery. Hosted by il Buco.

  • Broadway, from West 25th Street to West 27th Street. Hosted by the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership.

  • Broome Street, from Allen Street to Ludlow Street. Hosted by the Lower East Side Partnership.

  • East 10th Street, from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue. Hosted by the Village Halloween Costume Ball.

Queens

  • 31 Avenue, from 33rd Street to 35th Street. Hosted by the 31st Avenue Open Street Collective.

  • 34th Avenue, from 69th Street to Junction Boulevard. Hosted by 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition.

  • Barton Avenue, from 149 Place to 150th Street. Hosted by the Asian American Federation.

  • Murdock Avenue, from 180th Street to Dead End. Hosted by the Addisleigh Park Civic Association.

  • Woodside Avenue, from 76th Street to 78th Street. Hosted by the Thai Community USA NYC.

  • Hollis Avenue, from 211th Street to 212th Street. Hosted by A Haunting in Hollis.

There are also a number of special Halloween events at select Open Streets locations:

  • Dumbo Arch Way, Pearl Street between Water Street and Anchorage Place in Brooklyn. At 4 p.m. the annual March to the Arch will commence. The parade marches through Dumbo and Brooklyn Bridge Park led by brass bands and puppets. From 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Dumboween Party will feature live music, arts and crafts, a photo booth, and a costume contest for both humans and pets.

  • 12th Street Plaza, 12th Street between 44th Avenue and 43rd Road in Queens. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. families are welcome to trick-or-treat at storefronts around the 12th Street Plaza. Guests will be able to partake in arts and crafts, eat candy, and more.

  • Myrtle Avenue Plaza, Myrtle Avenue from Grand Avenue to Emerson Place in Brooklyn. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the annual Myrtle Avenue Monster Mash dance party will welcome back guests with games, treats, dancing, a live DJ, and a special Thriller dance-off.

  • Quisqueya Plaza, Dyckman Street between Broadway and Seaman Avenue in Manhattan. A Halloween Parade will begin at 3 p.m., with appearances by Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa, and Assemblyman Manny De Los Santos.

A full list and interactive map with all Halloween Open Streets locations can be found on the NYC Department of Transportation’s website.

Nearly 100 NYC streets will go car-free for safe trick-or-treating this Halloween

POSTED TODAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo courtesy of Marco on Flickr

1199 Park Avenue, Unit 17D

1199 Park Avenue, Unit 17D

UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$1,395,000

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Co-op

 

Welcome home to this two-bedroom, two-bathroom co-op gem! Perched on a high floor, 17D is bathed in southern light all day. The generous foyer opens up to a large living room with custom built-ins and an excellent layout. A lovely terrace, with plenty of space for outdoor dining, provides 270-degree views, including the reservoir in Central Park and the East River.

The living room flows into the formal dining room, which can accommodate a 10-person table and side furniture easily. With its own windows, the dining room can be turned into a third bedroom or homeoffice if desired.

The galley kitchen is equipped with a suite of stainless steel KitchenAid and Electrolux appliances, and custom butcher block counters, providing ample space for all your cooking needs.

The split layout of the private spaces is perfect. The primary wing features a king-size bedroom, a full bathroom, custom closets (including a walk-in!) and is tucked away from the rest of the home. The second bedroom features custom built-ins and allows flexibility for a true second bedroom, an office, a home gym, or a den. Nearby is the second full bath and a wall of closets or pantry space. There is a ton of storage space throughout the home with three wardrobe closets with built-in bureaus, two coat closets in the foyer, one oversized linen closet and a pantry closet. All interior doors have been replaced with solid wood and new hardware. From light to space, and with its thoughtful layout, this home has it all.

Located in the heart of Carnegie Hill, 1199 Park Avenue is a luxury full-service cooperative with a 24-hour doorman, live-in super, and a beautifully landscaped common roof deck. Additionally, there is a laundry room on every floor, a third-party garage, and bike storage along with a common storage room. Conveniently located just minutes from Central Park, Whole Foods, countless top restaurants, as well as the subway and cross-town bus.

Two-Way Bike Lane Opens In Downtown Brooklyn’s Schermerhorn Street

One of Brooklyn’s busiest and most dangerous streets became safer this week. The city’s Department of Transportation on Wednesday unveiled the Schermerhorn Street redesign, which includes a two-way protected bike lane, one-way vehicle traffic, and new pedestrian space. The street is an essential east-west route that connects cyclists to and from the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

Before

After

The new design complements Downtown Brooklyn’s Shared Streets network and prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety. On a typical weekday, more than 1,000 cyclists travel along Schermerhorn Street.

The redesign implements a “one-way conversion” for vehicle traffic on Schermerhorn Street between Smith Street and Flatbush Avenue to create space for a 10-foot two-way bike lane on the street’s south side.

The new Schermerhorn Street bike lane aims to work seamlessly with the nearby protected bike lane network, including the recently completed Brooklyn Bridge bike lane.

“Schermerhorn Street had been the worst bike lane in Brooklyn for years,” Council Member Lincoln Restler said. “Now, we finally have the two-way protected bike lane that our community has demanded and that will allow New Yorkers to cycle through Downtown Brooklyn safely and efficiently.”

Data shows that protected bike lanes reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by 18 percent, according to the city. Pedestrian islands have also been shown to decrease serious injuries and deaths by 35.5 percent.

The Schermerhorn Street bike lane redesign is part of the DOT’s broader Shared Streets plan in Downtown Brooklyn. The plan aims to support a “pedestrian-centric business district” by naturally slowing traffic and prioritizing the travels of pedestrians and cyclists while still allowing vehicles to do pick-ups and drop-offs.

Other streets that are in the process of being revamped include Hoyt and Fulton Streets, Elm Place and Livingston Street, and Bridge Street. Proposed streets to undergo a redesign include Willoughby Avenue, Pearl Street, Lawrence Street, Fleet Street, and Bond Street.

The bike lane’s redesign comes as the DOT celebrates Biketober, a month-long series of open-street events that focus on bike programming, education, rides, and resources. Events will teach participants about riding, bike repair, bike law education, and more.

“As our administration continues to add and protect bike lanes, we are not simply isolating one type of infrastructure — we are looking holistically at our streets and implementing comprehensive plans to make them safer,” Mayor Eric Adams said.

Adams continued: “This Biketober, the cycling community can feel confident that this administration is prioritizing their safety and taking action with tools proven to keep cyclists, pedestrians, and all road users safer. We look forward to continuing to work with the community to identify opportunities for these kinds of redesigns.”

Two-way bike lane opens on Downtown Brooklyn’s chaotic Schermerhorn Street

POSTED TODAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photos © NYC DOT

Your Q3 2022 Manhattan Market Report is Here!

We are excited to announce the release of the Compass Q3 2022 Manhattan Market Insights Report. This report highlights the prevailing trends shaping the market.

Have questions about how Q3 2022 wrapped up, market forecasts, or anything else real estate? We’d love to connect! Don't hesitate to reach out below and we will get back to you.

Statue of Liberty’s Crown Reopens After Over Two years

Photo by Noconatom on Wikimedia

The Statue of Liberty’s crown on Tuesday reopened to the public for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The crown closed in March 2020 when Covid-19 first hit New York City due to concerns about spreading the virus in the statue’s enclosed spaces. Visitors should be prepared to climb the 162 steps to the top as there is no elevator service.

Liberty Island’s grounds opened to the public in July 2020, and the Statue of Liberty’s observation deck reopened at 50 percent capacity on July 1, according to the National Park Service.

Statue City Cruises is the only authorized ferry service for trips to and from both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, according to the parks service. Third-party solicitors should be avoided.

Tickets, which cost $24.30 for adults, $18.30 for seniors, and $12.30 for kids ages 4-12, must be purchased in advance, with boat rides to the statue departing from Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

A maximum of four tickets can be purchased per order, and only one reservation per person is permitted during any six-month period.

Purses, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, tripods, keys, writing instruments, umbrellas, shopping bags, food and drink, and any other item that might be an obstacle on the staircase must be put in the nearby lockers before guests climb the steps.

Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens for the first time in over two years

POSTED TODAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo by Noconatom on Wikimedia and via WikiCommons

201 West 70th Street, Unit 34G

201 West 70th Street, Unit 34G

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$1,200,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

Fall in love with this spacious one bedroom, one bathroom home with a private balcony, spectacular Central Park views and breathtaking sunrises in the heart of the Upper West Side. Located on the 34th floor, this stunning home welcomes you in through an entry foyer to an expansive sun-filled dining and living area with iconic Eastern Central Park and skyline views. The living room leads to an outdoor private balcony to soak in fresh air and the Manhattan skyline while you relax or entertain. This immaculate home includes beautiful herringbone hardwood floors, crown molding and four large closets with home office options. The kitchen is beautifully arranged with cherry wood cabinets, stone countertops, and Bosch stainless steel appliances. The large bedroom can accommodate a King-size bed, room for a sitting area or a desk, with more picturesque views of Central Park and the East facing skyline. The sleek bathroom includes hand-made Italian tile and mirrors. Call today for your private visit of this (approx.) 725 square foot Upper West Side sanctuary or for additional information.

One Sherman Square is a commanding postwar cooperative featuring a welcoming circular driveway and gardens. Residents of the pet-friendly building enjoy a contemporary lobby, 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a live-in superintendent, fitness center, laundry, an onsite parking garage and a glorious landscaped roof deck with spectacular views. Subletting, pieds-à-terre, co-purchasing and gifting are permitted with board approval. Located in prime Lincoln Square, this home is at the epicenter of Upper West Side excitement surrounded by lush outdoor space at Central Park, Riverside Park and the Hudson River waterfront. Foodies will love the easy access to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Zabars, Citarella, the original Fairway Market and renowned Café Luxembourg. Enjoy fantastic shopping along Broadway, or take in world-class entertainment at Lincoln Center or the Beacon Theater. The 1, B and C trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes put the rest of the city within easy reach.

New York’s 2022 Fall Foliage Map Is Here!

New York State has begun its colorful transformation into fall. The first signs of autumn can already be seen in the Adirondacks, with the rest of the state to soon follow suit. To help New Yorkers follow the cycle of foliage, the state released this week its annual Fall Foliage Report. The interactive map is updated weekly using observations and reports from a state-wide group of volunteers known as “leaf peepers,” as 6sqft previously reported.

It takes approximately two weeks for fall foliage to complete its cycle, changing from the vibrant greens of the summer to the darker hues of the fall. Historically, the cycle begins in the Adirondack and Catskill mountains in early September, gradually spreading out across the state.

Peak foliage in New York City and on Long Island takes place in mid-November, with peak brilliance typically lasting three to four days in any given spot.

“From colorful foliage and unparalleled natural landscapes to breathtaking historical sites and one-of-a-kind state parks, there’s nothing like New York in the fall,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement announcing the start of this year’s fall foliage season.

“During this season, we invite travelers from New York and out-of-state to plan a perfect autumn adventure – whether it’s climbing an Adirondack peak, visiting a Long Island winery, or walking along Buffalo’s waterfront – and see what our great state has to offer.”

The state encourages New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the state’s natural landscape amid the changing leaves. Whether it be in the Catskills, Finger Lakes, or Long Island, there is no shortage of destinations to enjoy the fall foliage.

The state’s tourism website, I LOVE NY, recommends hiking as the best way to take in the autumn foliage. For more experienced hikers, Mount Haystack in the Adirondacks is a great option. Haystack is the third-highest peak in the entire state and gives an incredible vantage point to take in the surrounding fall scenery.

For New Yorkers who don’t want to venture far from the city, there are plenty of great spots to observe the foliage within the five boroughs and on Long Island.

While New York City may not be filled with the same amount of greenery as the Catskills and Adirondacks, there is still plenty of beauty to be found in its public parks. Central Park’s autumn leaves can be viewed from within the park or from some of the city’s observation decks, including Top of the Rock.

Forest Park in Queens and Prospect Park in Brooklyn are two other great options to stroll through and enjoy the breathtaking fall leaves. Long Island offers grand views of the fall both along its coasts and on Fire Island and Montauk Point.

New York’s 2022 fall foliage map has arrived

POSTED ON THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG via 6sqft.com

Image courtesy of I LOVE NY

The Monthly Update - October 2022

During Macroeconomic Headwinds,

Manhattan is Holding its Own! 

While many predict housing prices will drop 20% to 30% nationwide, Manhattan and the surrounding New York City markets are holding their own. That’s mainly because, during the COVID rebound year – while the rest of that country was seeing increases in prices almost month over month – Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs, particularly prime areas of Brooklyn, were seeing high transaction rates, but pricing really didn’t go much higher than 2018/2019 levels. This could prove to be a lifesaver as the housing market unfolds and the overall real estate markets come down to more realistic pricing levels. 

Manhattan and Brooklyn were in the throes of the COVID rebound in 2021 and half of 2022. Just like the rest of the industry, it all came to a screeching halt in June of this year, due largely to rising interest rates and a downturn in the stock market. Things have somewhat recovered and adjusted since then, and the market continues to be strong when put against prior “normal“ real estate years. For instance, 163 apartments were put into contract the third week in September. That’s pretty much on par with the same week in September 2019. The saving grace for Manhattan and Brooklyn is that sellers weren’t really able to push pricing up in 2021-2022, even though transactions were at a record pace. This means the downturn or recovery months to follow should be relatively easy on prices. Yes, there will be some adjustments, but not the 20% to 30% many pundits are expecting throughout the country. 

Of course, time will tell, but Manhattan and prime Brooklyn have the advantage of a very wealthy clientele, buyers and sellers alike. There are many more cash buyers in New York City: roughly 30% to 40% of all transactions are cash in any given price range and above 50% in prime Manhattan markets. If there is even a slight price adjustment, buyers generally come out of the woodwork to take advantage of that discount. Plus, the real estate market in New York City has a backstop called the rental market. For the most part, these two markets swing back and forth from one another. When the rental market gets too hot, renters tend to return to the sales market and vice versa. Right now, rental prices are 30% higher than pre-COVID levels, which means we are seeing additional buyers in the sales marketplace. These are people who were initially interested in renting but decided that, now that rents have exceeded mortgage plus HOA fees, they’ll dip back into the sales market despite higher interest rates.

Of course, no one has a crystal ball or knows exactly what the three, six or nine months will bring. But Manhattan has been able to weather most major housing market drops in the past. This time should be no different.

THT Listing Spotlight:

Lifestyle Tips & Tricks

NYC Wine & Food Festival

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival celebrates its 15th Anniversary on October 13-16, 2022. With more than 80 events, the NYCWFF is the largest food and wine festival in NYC and is widely recognized for its walk-around tasting events that celebrate America’s favorite foods, intimate dinners with world-renowned chefs, late night parties, hands-on classes, brunches and more. Click HERE to purchase tickets!

Halloween on the Harlem Meer: Pumpkin Flotilla

Thursday, October 28th come dressed in your Halloween costume and watch the Harlem Meer get spooky! Drop off your very own carved pumpkin and find a spot along the edge of the Harlem Meer to watch as the jack-o’-lanterns float by in New York’s largest pumpkin flotilla. Click HERE for more information!

What You Should Be Planting in the Fall

This may be a little known fact, but fall is the key planting time for a beautiful garden. It's also the key time to give your plants one last manicure before winter sets in. Now that summer's heat is cooling off, it's time for you to switch out your summer annuals for fall appropriate annuals and plant spring bulbs before the first frost. Courtesy of Southern Living

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S.

It's time for sweater weather, hot apple cider, and best of all, seeing the leaves change from the lush greens of summer to the bright golds, oranges, and reds of autumn. Check out the 21 best places to see fall foliage. Courtesy of Travel + Leisure

25 Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Carve your own funny, scary, or beautiful pumpkin carvings this Halloween. Your whole family will find plenty to love about these easy pumpkin carving ideas—from a classic smile to a flame.
Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

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Lincoln Center Announces October 8th Opening For David Geffen Hall

David Geffen Hall, the new home of the New York Philharmonic, is set to open to the public on October 8. To celebrate the opening, the hall is hosting a series of events throughout October, beginning with the world premiere of San Juan Hill: A New York Story by composer Etienne Charles. After two celebratory galas, an open house weekend will take place on October 29 and 30, featuring hundreds of artists who will be “animating the hall with performances, participatory activities, and family events,” according to a press release.

Photo courtesy of Michael Moran

In 2004, plans to rebuild the Philharmonic’s hall were announced. After numerous construction delays and trouble with keeping an architect, entertainment mogul David Geffen donated $100 million to revitalize the project.

In March, it was announced that the hall had been completed two years ahead of schedule and on budget, despite logistical constraints created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the $550 million state-of-the-art concert hall seats approximately 500 guests and improves upon the sound quality and accessibility issues found in the previous hall.

Photos courtesy of Chris Lee

The new hall “represents a statement of faith in New York and its artistic community,” delivering 6,000 jobs for New Yorkers and supporting $600 million in ongoing economic development, according to a press release.

“A huge community came together around the idea of a bright future at a dark time for our city. Now, we are able to celebrate an economic engine, a vibrant creative hub, and a cultural home for both the New York Philharmonic and all New Yorkers,” Katherine Farley, chair of the board of directors at Lincoln Center, said.

“We are so grateful to the many people who helped bring us to this moment—chief among them David Geffen for his original generous and catalytic gift and Clara Wu Tsai for her gift that enabled the acceleration of the project by two years.”

San Juan Hill: A New York Story was commissioned by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the New York Philharmonic. It will be performed by Etienne Charles and Creole Soul accompanied by the orchestra and conducted by music director Jaap van Zweden.

Choose-what-you-pay tickets for San Juan Hill: A New York Story are now on sale. There will be a limited number of free tickets available on October 8 at the hall’s welcome center at 10 a.m.

Lincoln Center announces October 8 opening for David Geffen Hall

POSTED ON TUE, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo courtesy of Chris Lee and also Michael Moran

2 Charlton Street, Unit 15H

2 Charlton Street, Unit 15H

DOWNTOWN, MANHATTAN

$1,200,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

Wake up to huge views that skim across the historic SoHo rooftops in this spacious, convertible two-bedroom, one-bathroom home in a full-service Hudson Square cooperative.

This high-floor residence welcomes you with expansive living spaces featuring hardwood floors, tall ceilings and wide-open eastern views. Stretching nearly 27 feet long, the living room offers a generous footprint for living and dining areas bordered by delightful views. The adjacent dining alcove is ideal for entertaining or conversion to an additional bedroom or home office space. Inside the galley kitchen, enjoy excellent cabinet space and full-size appliances.

Wake up with the morning sun in the extra-large bedroom, where you'll find plenty of room for a king-size bed and additional furniture, a fitness area or desk space. An extra-large walk-in closet here, plus three more closets throughout the home, means storage will never be a concern. The home's full bathroom is finished with a large tub/shower and contemporary vanity, and through-the-wall air-conditioning ensures year-round comfort. Move right into this Hudson Square haven or put your personal stamp on this fantastic sun-splashed Downtown residence.

Welcome to Charlton House, a stunning postwar brick cooperative where residents enjoy 24-hour doorman and live-in superintendent service, laundry, a common garden and a parking garage accessible from the elevator. Pets, co-purchasing, parents buying for employed children, gifting and 75 percent financing are permitted with board approval. Subletting, pieds-à-terre, guarantors, LLCs and diplomats/HB1 visa holders are not allowed.

This wonderful Hudson Square location offers direct access to the city's media and tech hub, with Tribeca, SoHo and Greenwich Village minutes away. Enjoy outstanding shopping, dining, nightlife, galleries and museums, including Trader Joe's, the Film Forum and Children's Museum of the Arts. Hudson River Park offers 500 acres of waterfront outdoor space and recreation, and The High Line, Whitney and Little Island are all within reach. Transportation from this central district is a breeze with 1, A/C/E, B/D/F/M and R/W trains, excellent bus service, CitiBikes and the Holland Tunnel nearby.

Bryant Park’s Winter Village Returns For Its 21st Season

Bryant Park’s famous Bank of America Winter Village is set to return for its 21st season, offering New Yorkers the city’s only free admission ice-skating rink, a renowned open-air holiday market, and the cozy rinkside Lodge with its seasonal cocktails and food. The Winter Village will be open daily starting October 28 through March 5.

At the center of the village is the 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink, which is open daily throughout the holiday season. Skate rental tickets can be reserved online.

The Lodge provides a “rinkside, après skate escape” where visitors can enjoy festive cocktails and food, and watch as ice skaters round the rink.

Urbanspace’s European-inspired holiday market will open to the public through January 2. The open-air market will feature over 170 new and returning vendors. Four NYC minority-owned businesses with yearly revenues of $1 million or less will be given a rent-free booth, as part of Bank of America’s “Small Business Spotlight.”

Over the coming days, the Village will announce a more detailed list of holiday market merchants, dining options, and seasonal programming.

Bryant Park’s Winter Village returns for 21st season next month

POSTED TODAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo courtesy of Colin Miller

201 East 17th Street, Unit 20A

201 East 17th Street, Unit 20A

GRAMERCY PARK, MANHATTAN

$925,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

Limitless open-sky views and sleek modern interiors await in this stunning one-bedroom, one-bathroom showplace nestled within a contemporary Gramercy Park co-op.

From the moment you arrive in this 656-square-foot high-floor home, you'll be swept away by magnificent light and unimpeded views to the south and east. A long entry gallery with a convenient coat closet opens to a spacious living room that stretches more than 23 feet long. Enjoy a generous footprint for seating, dining and home office areas featuring wide-plank hardwood floors and massive corner windows finished with Roman shades. Here, postcard vistas of Stuyvesant Square Park and the Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges come into focus, while chic interior glass doors allow natural light to roam throughout. In the chef's kitchen, custom cabinetry and soapstone countertops surround upscale stainless steel appliances, including a six-burner Viking range, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawers. Head to the beautiful bedroom to discover a wall of closets and sleek built-in cabinetry. The adjacent oversized full bathroom completes this move-in ready home with handsome tile, a beautiful vanity and a large frameless glass tub/rain shower with a handheld sprayer.

Park Towers is a high-rise cooperative where residents enjoy full-time doorman service, a live-in superintendent, updated common areas, a fitness center, laundry, storage, bike room, an on-site parking garage and a glorious roof deck with simply breathtaking skyline views. Pets, pieds-à-terre, co-purchases, guarantors, and parents buying for children are permitted with board approval.

Bordering the Stuyvesant Square Historic District, this neighborhood encapsulates the best of New York City's past and present. Enjoy immediate access to the city's buzziest neighborhoods, including Union Square, the Flatiron District and the East Village. Iconic parks surround the area, and fantastic restaurants, greenmarkets, entertainment venues and shops, including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, fill the local streets. Nearby N/Q/R/W, 4/5/6 and L trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations put the rest of the city within easy reach.

MTA To rRemove All MetroCard Vending Machines For OMNY By 2023

After 23 years of service, the New York City subway system’s iconic MetroCard vending machines will be replaced. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will start swapping out the classic machines for OMNY (“One Metro New York”) vending machines during the first half of 2023 after finalizing hardware and software testing, as NY1 reported. The entire MetroCard system is expected to be replaced by the end of 2023.

The city began the gradual replacement of the MetroCard with OMNY in 2019, launching a pilot program of the contactless payment system that allowed riders to tap their credit cards, debit cards, and smartphones to pay fares.

Both OMNY and the MetroCard will remain usable until the entire MetroCard system is officially put to rest. Customers are now able to purchase an OMNY card in preparation for the system’s replacement of the MetroCard at 2,000 locations throughout the city.

Photo by Arun D on Flickr

Riders can tap and pay through a digital wallet on smartphones or watches, with a credit or debit card with microchips, and the reloadable OMNY card. The contactless payment system has been stalled at every subway station and bus.

The MetroCard machine as we know it was first developed in 1996 by industrial designers Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger who were tasked with revamping a vending machine the MTA had already purchased for their new ticketing system.

Designed by Cubic, the same manufactures as the OMNY system, the machines purchased by the MTA ended up being hated by the majority of users due to their confusing interface, according to Curbed. Udagawa, Moeslinger, and a team of interaction designers worked together to revitalize the machine and give it its iconic appearance that all New Yorkers are familiar with today.

The designers implemented a unique coloring system that divided each function of the machine into a distinct color, giving it what Curbed calls a “splashy aesthetic.” They also made the user’s experience as straightforward as possible, displaying one simple question or action per screen in large, easily-readable text.

MTA to replace all MetroCard vending machines with OMNY by end of next year

POSTED ON TUE, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo by Arun D on Flickr & courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

201 West 70th Street, Unit 6G

201 West 70th Street, Unit 6G

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$985,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

Fall in love with this impeccably renovated one-bedroom, one-bathroom home with private outdoor space overlooking beautiful Sherman Square in the heart of the Upper West Side.

This 725-square-foot home boasts hardwood floors, excellent closet space, custom doors, trim and molding throughout. The entry foyer has two large hall closets and leads to a spacious, open living area and a dining nook featuring custom built-in bench seating with storage. The living room is surrounded by custom HVAC enclosures with storage and added overhead lighting. A double-paned picture window and glass door lets in beautiful morning light and opens to the 71.5-square-foot, east-facing tiled balcony, the perfect spot for morning coffee in the sun or after-dinner drinks overlooking Sherman Square.

Chefs will love the enlarged gourmet kitchen featuring an extended counter, custom glass-front cabinets and soft-close drawers finished with granite countertops and backsplashes. The upscale stainless steel appliances include a Bertazzoni range and microwave, a Samsung French door refrigerator with ice maker and a Bosch quiet dishwasher.

The large bedroom, which can accommodate a King-size bed, features double-paned windows, a roomy walk-in closet and a custom built-in workstation with cabinet storage, shelves, extra electrical outlets, a marble counter, overhead lighting and open views of Broadway. The marble bathroom features a walk-in shower, a custom vanity, Porcelanosa fixtures and double mirrored medicine cabinets.

One Sherman Square is a commanding postwar cooperative featuring a welcoming circular driveway and gardens. Residents of the pet-friendly building enjoy a contemporary lobby, 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a live-in resident manager, fitness center, laundry, an onsite parking garage and a glorious landscaped roof deck with spectacular views. Subletting, pieds-à-terre, co-purchasing and gifting are permitted with board approval.

Located in prime Lincoln Square, this home is at the epicenter of Upper West Side excitement surrounded by lush outdoor space at Central Park, Riverside Park and the Hudson River waterfront. Foodies will love the easy access to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Zabar's, Citarella, the original Fairway Market and renowned Café Luxembourg. Enjoy fantastic shopping along Broadway, or take in world-class entertainment at Lincoln Center or the Beacon Theater. The 1, B and C trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes put the rest of the city within easy reach.

Ride On Vintage NYC Subway Trains This Month

Here’s a rare opportunity to ride on some of New York City’s oldest subway trains spanning over a century of the city’s transportation history. The New York Transit Museum’s Parade of Trains returns this month, offering transit buffs a chance to travel on four historic trains from the museum’s collection of vintage fleets. The rides will run continuously from Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach B and Q express train platforms from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 17 and September 18. Admission is free with subway fare.

Photo courtesy of Ron Yee

Riders will get to experience what it was like to ride the subway a century ago, witnessing firsthand the drastic differences between the modernized trains of today and those of the past.

“The New York Transit Museum is delighted to announce the return of the Parade of Trains! We are extremely fortunate to have some of the oldest rolling stock in the U.S. that still rolls and what better way to ensure that remains the case than to bring our beloved vintage fleet to the rails in Brighton Beach,” a spokesperson for the museum said in a press release.

“The Parade of Trains, one of our favorite events, is such a special opportunity for people from every generation to travel back in time by traveling on one of the museum trains, and all for a swipe of your MetroCard or an OMNY tap!”

The museum’s vintage cars have no air conditioning, bright lighting, or automated voice announcements. Riders will be able to hold onto the vintage straps and handles and read advertisements from a bygone age.

Roundtrip rides will run continuously from Brighton Beach to Kings Highway and back, with each ride taking around 20 minutes and an expected wait time of no more than 15 minutes. Passengers will only be able to board and get off of the trains at the Brighton Beach station.

The Parade of Trains is part of the Nostalgia Train rides, which the Transit Museum has run since 1976. The program launched again this summer after a two-year break because of Covid.

Travel back in time on vintage NYC subway trains this month

POSTED TODAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo courtesy of Ron Yee

175 West 73rd Street, Unit 6F

175 West 73rd Street, Unit 6F

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$899,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

You'll want to move right into this spacious one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence featuring an updated gourmet kitchen, glorious natural light and prewar charm in a desirable Lincoln Square cooperative.


This bright and airy home makes a wonderful first impression with gorgeous herringbone hardwood floors, tall beamed ceilings, picture-frame molding and sunny southern and eastern exposures. From the gracious foyer, you're invited into a large living room with views over 73rd Street. The adjacent open kitchen impresses with abundant floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, crisp white countertops and tile backsplashes. Elevate your culinary experience with stainless steel appliances, including a gas range, French door refrigerator, drawer microwave and dishwasher. Sleep soundly in the corner king-size bedroom and enjoy a spacious windowed bathroom. Excellent closet space completes this elegant Upper West Side haven.


The Verdi is a handsome 1925 cooperative built in the Neo-Renaissance style and situated within the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District. Residents enjoy 24-hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, updated common areas, laundry, storage, bike room and a lovely landscaped roof deck. Pets, pieds-à-terre, parents buying for children and guarantors are permitted.


This prime Lincoln Square neighborhood is surrounded by the Upper West Side's best amenities and lush outdoor space at Central Park, Riverside Park and the Hudson River waterfront. Foodies will love the easy access to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Zabar's, Citarella and the original Fairway Market, while Lincoln Center and the Beacon Theater will satisfy those with a thirst for world-class entertainment. Transportation is effortless with 1, B and C trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes all nearby.

The Monthly Update - September 2022

Snap Back! 

I just returned from an annual Real Estate Summit meeting hosted by TomFerry, held in Dallas and attended by over 5,800 of my fellow agents and Realtors from all over the United States. It was an incredible three days filled with discussions about how to serve our clients better! New platforms, apps and tools to help deliver super guidance! Mindset, knowledge and local real estate data analysis so that we can combat the hyped newsreel “data” from MSNBC and FOX News. In short, we are ready to offer better, trusted service and a renewed sense of purpose. 

But we also talked about the state of real estate right now. I was astounded to see many agents were experiencing the same trends that our Manhattan/Brooklyn market is. And what they all reported was not a dead, crashing or apocalyptic situation but a snapback to what was quite normal just a few years ago. That blew my mind because that’s usually not the case at all! New York City generally goes it alone. We tend to march to our own rhythm and report drastically different numbers than the rest of the good ol’ USA, most of the time. 

We all remember March 2020 and the direction of the real estate market — straight down — followed by the subsequent rebound, which was straight up. And presently, the snapback. Just like a rubber band when you snap it. First, a low, then a high, and now back to the straight line. Many agents from all over the country are reporting the same rebound to a normal market. The type of market we regularly saw back in 2019 and before. A market that just feels slow compared to the high transactional rates we saw a few months ago. 

I reviewed the past four years of closed sales data from The Hoffman Team, from January 1 to September 1. I found that in 2019, we had 51 closed sales. In 2020, the number was 58. In 2021, during the same period, there were 118 closed sales. This year, there were 82. And, I would argue that 20-30 of those closings were actually left over from ultra-hot 2021. 


It’s funny that interest rates in September 2019 were hovering at about 4%. Today, we’re just over 5%. But just a few weeks ago, it was 4.7%. So that’s a bit of a snapback, as well. Yes, the market has changed. Yes, you’re not going to see the increased numbers (both prices and transactions) that we saw nationally or in Manhattan/Brooklyn, but there are buyers out there. Buyers are putting property into contract/escrow at a more normal level. And we welcome that. We welcome the normal. At The Hoffman Team, we’re excited to bring you the new normal! :-)

Local Happenings:

2022 U.S. Open

The U.S. Open—New York’s exhilarating summer sports event—is one of the most exciting things to do each year and finally, it’s back. The 2022 U.S. Open will take place from Monday, August 29 through Sunday, September 11. Tickets are now available to the general public for purchase! 

Click HERE to purchase tickets and learn more about the 2022 U.S. Open.

The Feasts of all Feasts!

The Feast of San Gennaro is back and will be running in Little Italy, NYC from Thursday September 15 through Sunday September 25! The annual event includes the best spots in Little Italy - eat at some of the best Italian restaurants in the city, watch colorful parades, catch free concerts and of course, see the world-famous cannoli eating competition. 

Click HERE to learn more!

Listing Spotlight:

Lifestyle Tips & Tricks:

Redefining Luxury Through Countertops

While one might be well advised not to go chasing waterfalls, the design world is all over it; because nothing captures our marble-loving hearts like waterfall countertops. With an edge that cascades seamlessly to the floor, this expanse of stone can be a decadent focal point that links floor design with cabinetry. Courtesy of Elle Decor

30 No-Cook Appetizers for Super-Easy Entertaining

On really warm days spent cooking over a hot grill, it's nice to have a few fuss-free options that skip the heat but keep the flavor. Enter these no-cook appetizers.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart Magazine

Valspar Unveils Its 2023 Colors of the Year

The right paint color brushed on the wall doesn't just change how a room looks, but also how it feels. This year, for its 2023 Colors of the Year, Valspar is tapping into color psychology.

Courtesy of Real Simple

U.S. News Ranks the Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2022-2023

U.S. News & World Report revealed the 2022-2023 Best Places to Live in the U.S. rankings, which compares the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. based on affordability, quality of life, desirability, job market and net migration.

Courtesy of U.S. News

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NYC’s Narrowest House Is Now On The Market For Just Over $4M

Listing photos by Rich Caplan

The townhouse at 75 1/2 Bedford Street has long been known as the narrowest home in all of New York City. The Greenwich Village house is just 9-feet-6-inches wide, and though some accounts say there are actually a couple skinnier buildings, this is the one that’s become famous. It’s also in part because Edna St. Vincent Millay lived here in the 1920s. Now, this truly unique home, which was built in 1873 in the Dutch style, has hit the market for $4,190,000. And despite its slender frame, it offers three bedrooms, two balconies, a rear patio, and a finished basement.

Millay lived at several different Greenwich Village addresses starting in 1917. Though she only lived at 75 1/2 Bedford Street from 1923 to 1924 (along with her husband Eugen Jan Boissevain), it’s the location most closely associated with her, and there’s even a plaque on the facade. Prior to that, the home was leased by a group of actors from the nearby Cherry Lane Theater (of which Millay was a co-founder), which included Cary Grant and John Barrymore. Local history tells us that Margaret Mead and cartoonist William Steig also spent some time here.

According to Village Preservation, the site “was originally an alley where delivery carts and the like passed through often.” In 1873, it “was constructed for Horatio Gomez, trustee of the Hettie Hendricks-Gomez Estate,” which included the 1799 house next door at 77 Bedford Street. The Dutch architectural style is unique for the neighborhood and includes an asymmetrical stepped gable and large casement windows.

Reports have said the interior of the house measures just about eight feet wide, and city records note the total square footage at 999. The first floor has a street-facing living room and a rear kitchen with custom millwork and Italian marble countertops that opens through French doors to the shared backyard.

The second floor is entirely devoted to the primary suite. The bedroom is in the front and has a fireplace and built-in closets. The en-suite bathroom opens to a rear terrace. On the upper two levels, the original ceiling beams are a beautiful addition.

There are two more bedrooms on the third floor, both with fireplaces and built-ins and one that opens to the second rear terrace. A skylight adds extra light to the top level. Not pictured is the finished basement, which has a bathroom and laundry room.

In 2013, the home was purchased for $3.25 million by real estate investor George Gund IV. In a profile in the Wall Street Journal at the time, he said he was intrigued by the house’s history and also noted that his bed took up almost the entire width of the bedroom.

Listing photos by Rich Caplan

NYC’s famous skinny house hits the market for $5M in Greenwich Village

POSTED ON THU, AUGUST 26, 2021BY DANA SCHULZ

Listing photos by Rich Caplan

Your new home awaits.