Fifth Avenue To Transform Into A Car-Free Holiday Wonderland

Attention revelers: the streets of Midtown will soon be filled with fun, pedestrian-friendly cheer. As part of a special holiday open street, Fifth Avenue will close to cars and transform into a winter wonderland on three Sundays in December. The Fifth Avenue Association last Tuesday revealed the “Gift of Fifth” campaign that will turn the historic corridor from 49th Street to 59th Street into a holiday destination, with jolly decor, festive food and beverages, photo-ops, store giveaways, and more.

Photo by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash

Last week, Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to fully pedestrianize Fifth Avenue from 48th and 59th Streets, expanding the open street by three blocks to reach Central Park. Additionally, select streets around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall will be closed to cars every day throughout the holiday season, ensuring that the hundreds of thousands of people visiting the festive area have a safe experience.

The Fifth Avenue Open Street will run on December 3, 10, and 17 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be 11 blocks of curated programming, 19 food and beverage partners, eight performance areas, 15 participating retail brands, and about 500,000 visitors.

“Fifth Avenue is always iconic, but during this holiday season everything will be even more exceptional and beautiful,” Marie Boster, president of FAA, said. “The Gift of Fifth gives all New Yorkers and visitors more beauty, more music, more creative seasonal food, and for the first three Sundays in December, more space beyond the sidewalks to take it all in. We are grateful to our partners for sharing in our vision to transform our streetscape into a winter wonderland for everyone.”

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Courtesy of Fifth Avenue Association

Kicking things off today (November 20th), the upper portion of Fifth Avenue will become a winter wonderland. The corridor will feature all-new sidewalk decor, including an installation of 150 live Fraser and Noble firs twinkling with warm white lights sitting atop 50 custom silver platforms. Visitors will also be able to snap a photo under a double arch made of holiday greenery outside GM Plaza at 767 Fifth Avenue.

On December 17, the Doris Duke Foundation will feature Grammy Award-winning jazz singers to pay tribute to Fifth Avenue’s intricate role in jazz history. The avenue was better known as “Swing Street” during the early 20th century due to its hosting of legendary jazz musicians like Miles Davis and Billy Holiday.

Other performers will include Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, a jazz ensemble provided by Hire Juilliard Performers, the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Metropolitan Klezmer, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School.

Food lovers will be able to enjoy blackcurrant donuts and non-alcoholic eggnog from the Modern, a two Michelin-starred restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art, hot chocolate from the world-famous Longchamp’s pop-up cafe, and bao buns and bubble tea from local vendors Mao’s Bao and Tea and Milk.

A selection of Fifth Avenue brands, including Assouline, Bergdorf Goodman, Coach, DIOR, P448, The Plaza, Puma, Tag Heuer, and Victoria’s Secret, will create fun pop-up retail experiences.

In October, it was revealed that last year’s Open Streets program on Fifth Avenue drove an additional $3 million in spending at businesses on pedestrianized streets. According to a study conducted by Mastercard, merchants on pedestrianized streets saw an average of $90,000 in additional spending per day.

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Fifth Avenue to transform into car-free holiday wonderland

By Aaron Ginsburg

November 15, 2023

Cover photo courtesy of Fifth Avenue Association

2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: What You Need To Know

The 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is ready to kick off the holiday season. Taking place on Thursday, November 23, the parade this year will run an extra 30 minutes (with a start time of 8:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.) and include a performance by Cher (who will open for the real star of the show, Santa Claus). This year’s parade features 32 novelty and heritage inflatables, 16 giant character balloons, 26 floats, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, and eight performance groups, all made by possible thanks to roughly 5,000 volunteers.

“For nearly 100 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been synonymous with the beginning of the holiday season, celebration and togetherness,” Will Coss, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, said.

“Our talented team of Macy’s Studios artisans and production specialists work year-round to deliver the nation’s most beloved holiday event, live on Thanksgiving morning. We are proud to hold this responsibility and look forward to sharing our unbelievable designs, larger-than-life character balloons and first-class entertainment, all sure to create lifelong memories for Parade fans nationwide.”

An Uncle Sam balloon during the 1940s parade. Photo courtesy of Macy’s

History of the parade

The very first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was actually a Christmas Parade. Macy’s President Herbert Strauss announced a pre-Christmas celebration to draw customers to the store for holiday shopping. On November 27, 1924, the parade included a “retinue of clowns, freaks, animals and floats,” along with Macy’s employees, professional entertainers, and live animals from Central Park Zoo. The original march stretched six miles long, much longer than today’s route, starting in Harlem at 145th Street and ending in Hearald Square, where Macy’s unveiled its new holiday windows. In 1927, the live animals were replaced with balloons, with Felix the Cat as the first balloon animal featured in the parade. The parade was canceled in 1942, 1943, and 1944 because of the need for rubber and helium during World War I. During the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 parade was downsized and closed to the public. Today, the parade sees roughly 3.5 million in-person spectators and millions more watching from home.

The route

This year, the parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m., 30 minutes earlier than previous years. The route starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, moving down the 2.5-mile route to Columbus Circle, turning onto Central Park South, and then parading down 6th Avenue. Upon hitting 34th Street, the parade makes its final turn onto 7th Avenue and ends in front of Macy’s Herald Square.

Goku by Toei Animation. Photo courtesy of Macy’s.

Balloons

The parade will feature 32 heritage and novelty balloons and 16 signature character balloons, including seven making their debut: “Beagle Scout Snoopy” by Peanuts Worldwide, “Blue Cat & Chugs” by Cool Cats, “Kung Fu Panda’s Po” by Universal Pictures’ Dreamworks Animation, “Leo” by Netflix, “Monkey D. Luffy” by Toei Animation Inc., “Pillsbury Doughboy,” by Pillsbury, and “Uncle Dan” by Illumination.

Returning characters include “Bluey” by BBC Studios, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” by Abrams Books, “DINO and Baby DINO” by HF Sinclair, “Goku” by Toei Animation, “Chase from Paw Patrol” by Spin Master and Nickelodeon, “Pikachu and Eevee” by The Pokémon Company International, “Red Titan from ‘Ryan’s World’ by Sunlight Entertainment and pocket.watch, “Ronald McDonald” by McDonald’s, “SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary” by Nickelodeon, and “Stuart the Minion” by Illumination.

Expect to see “Smokey Bear” by the USDA Forest Service, “A Merry Moment” with candy cane and poinsettia balloons and dancing Christmas Trees from Universal Orlando Resort, and Macy’s own reindeer, “Tiptoe.”

Floats

The 97th parade will include 31 floats, conceived by an amazing team of carpenters, engineers, painters, sculptors, balloon technicians, designers, and metal fabricators. Four new floats will join this year’s lineup: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Palace of Sweets by Brach’s,” “Igniting Memories” by Solo Stove, and “The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka.”

The one and only Santa Claus and his reindeer will be making their famed finale appearance on the parade’s largest float (it’s 60 feet long and 3.5 stories tall).

Entertainment and performers

Big performers to watch during the parade include Cher, who will kick off the season with a new holiday song, Jon Batiste, Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James Decker, Ashley Park, Pentatonix, Paul Russell, Amanda Shaw and Alex Smith, and Manuel Turizo.

Enjoy music from 12 marching bands from around the country and performances from groups like the Big Apple Circus, Cornell Bhangra, Tiptoe’s Winter Guard, the Harlem Globetrotters, Maria Verdeja School of Arts dancers, St. John’s Dance, and the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees. A group of more than 1,200 dancers and performers from Spirit of America Dance and Spirit of America Cheer will also participate. Plus, the Radio City Rockettes will be there, a tradition since 1959.

How to watch at home

The parade will be shown on NBC and Telemundo from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., with streaming available on Peacock. Typically, 50 million people tune in.

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2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: What you need to know

By Devin Gannon

November 14, 2023

The Tom Turkey float is one of the most famous in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo courtesy of Macy’s.

Its Not Too Late - A List Of Places To Order A Takeout Thanksgiving Dinner In Manhattan

While Thanksgiving is meant to be a cheerful time full of expressing love for those closest to you, some who host the big dinner dread the hours of preparation that come along with it. Luckily, many New York City restaurants offer Thanksgiving meals for takeout or delivery, allowing New Yorkers to spend more time with friends and family instead of toiling away in the kitchen. Here are a few of the best Turkey Day meal packages, from a traditional Thanksgiving feast from Carmine’s and Citarella to smoky twists on turkey at barbecue joints Hill Country, Virgil’s, and Blue Smoke.

Manhattan:

Image courtesy of Bubby’s

Bubby’s
Bubby’s, a favorite among New Yorkers for their American comfort food and beloved Thanksgiving meals, is once again offering a meal package for this year’s holiday. The restaurant is offering take-out packages for pick-up that include starters like buttermilk biscuits, deviled eggs, salad, and pickled market vegetables, main courses like turkey, glazed ham, and vegetarian lasagna, and sides like mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and root vegetables. Every package also includes a slice from three pies: an apple whiskey crumble pie, a pumpkin pie, and a sour cherry pie. The take-out package costs $200, feeds two people, and comes with reheating instructions. All orders must be placed by the end of the day on November 16, and pickup is on Thanksgiving day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Citarella
Citarella is offering two Thanksgiving feast packages for parties of four and eight. Each package includes roasted free-range turkey, pumpkin bisque, autumn lasagna, sautéed Brussels sprouts, sautéed spring beans, cranberry conserve, chicken bone broth, turkey gravy, glazed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, wild rice stuffing, cornbread, and pumpkin pie. The dinner for eight also includes sausage stuffing and an apple pie. The packages cost $299 for four people and $499 for eight. Citarella also offers a wide selection of appetizers, desserts, and side dishes a la carte. Learn more about how to place an order here.

Carmine’s
Sit back and relax this Thanksgiving and let Carmine’s do the heavy lifting. Carmine’s Times Square and Upper West Side locations are offering a heaping Turkey Day package for $395. Available for take-out, delivery, catering, and dine-in, Carmine’s traditional Thanksgiving feast feeds six to eight and includes an 18-pound roast turkey, sausage and sage stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, caramelized Brussels sprouts with applewood smoked bacon, sautéed string beans with red peppers, baby carrots, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows and maple syrup, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Customers can add a pumpkin or apple pie to their package to complete their holiday feast for an extra $30. You can place an order online here.

Dickson’s Farmstand Meats
Chelsea Market butcher shop Dickson’s Farmstand Meats is selling all of the Thanksgiving feast items you could ever need, from roast turkeys and ham to gravy and cranberry sauce. The butcher is one of the only retailers in the United States to offer the KellyBronze Turkey, which is known to sell out extremely fast. Get it while you can! You can place an order online here.

Harry’s Table by Cipriani
Waterline Square’s new restaurant, Harry’s Table by Cipriani, has a Thanksgiving package that will run you $575 and serve up to 10 people. The feast includes starters like arugula with apples, toasted walnuts, and gorgonzola butternut squash soup, and main courses including a whole slow-roasted organic turkey and gravy, sides including Mediterranean herbs, focaccia stuffing, sweet mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and pancetta cranberry sauce. For dessert, your guests can enjoy a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie. Orders can be placed here.

The Tin Building
The Tin Building, the Seaport marketplace curated by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is offering a meal package perfect for any Thanksgiving table. For $568, the Thanksgiving dinner includes an organic herb-roasted turkey, turkey jus, chestnut stuffing, Brussels sprouts, Delicata squash, mashed potatoes, roasted mushroom, macaroni & cheese, cranberry compote, a pumpkin pie, and assorted dinner rolls. You can also add on an extra pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie for $58.

Aquavit
Michelin-star restaurant Aquavit is offering New Yorkers a to-go Thanksgiving dinner for four. For $595, customers get a fennel and caraway spiced turkey breast, smoked turkey leg, pumpkin soup, watercress salad, roasted squash and Brussels sprouts, sweet potato puree, green bean casserole, rye and brioche stuffing, milk bread, pumpkin pie, and chocolate truffles. You can place an order here.

Image courtesy of Wayan

Wayan
Chef Cédric Vongerichten, the son of Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is offering an Indonesian-inspired Thanksgiving package out of his Nolita restaurant Wayan. Wayan’s Thanksgiving feast features an organic roasted turkey breast and a variety of sides, including Brussels sprouts, perkedel stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted squash topped with ginger-coconut crust, spiced cranberry acar sauce, and long pepper gravy. Customers can choose between a feast that serves two to four guests for $228 or six to eight guests for $448. Optional add-ons include a homemade ube pie for $68 each and cocktail mixers. Orders must be placed by Saturday, November 18. Expect orders to be delivered between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on November 22; pick-up is from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on November 22 and 23. Place an order here.

Virgil’s Real Barbecue
Virgil’s Real Barbecue is putting a smoky, southern-inspired twist on Thanksgiving dinner. The $395 holiday feast comes with a 16 – 18 lb. smoked turkey, mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, cornbread, sausage stuffing, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows & maple syrup, homemade cranberry sauce, candied Brussels sprouts with applewood smoked bacon, green beans, and buttermilk biscuits. You can complete your holiday feast by adding a pumpkin or apple pie for an extra $30. The package feeds six to eight people. You can pre-order for take-out and delivery here.

Image courtesy of Lafayette

Lafayette
Lafayette’s Chef Andrew Carmellini is cooking up a special Thanksgiving takeaway feast. For $115 per person, the package includes butternut squash soup, coconut curry, coriander cream, beet salad, roasted turkey with maple chestnuts, turkey gravy, chipotle-scallion cornbread stuffing, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry-orange sauce. For dessert, customers can enjoy maple pumpkin pie and gingersnap cookies. The meal package is available for pick-up on November 22 and 23. Orders can be placed here.

Blue Smoke
Blue Smoke has been serving up delicious barbecue to New Yorkers for more than 20 years. The renowned BBQ joint is once again offering a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner for four. For $175, customers get two pounds of smoked turkey breast, one pint of turkey gravy, two pounds of green bean casserole, two pounds of cornbread stuffing, two pounds of mashed sweet potatoes with spiced pecans, and one point of cranberry sauce. The restaurant also offers apple crumb, bourbon pecan, and pumpkin pies for $34 each, as well as their sides a la carte. Pre-order by November 12 at 12 p.m. here. The meal packages are available for pick-up or delivery all day on November 22 and before noon on November 23.

Lafayette
Lafayette’s Chef Andrew Carmellini is cooking up a special Thanksgiving takeaway feast. For $115 per person, the package includes butternut squash soup, coconut curry, coriander cream, beet salad, roasted turkey with maple chestnuts, turkey gravy, chipotle-scallion cornbread stuffing, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry-orange sauce. For dessert, customers can enjoy maple pumpkin pie and gingersnap cookies. The meal package is available for pick-up on November 22 and 23. Orders can be placed here.

Blue Smoke
Blue Smoke has been serving up delicious barbecue to New Yorkers for more than 20 years. The renowned BBQ joint is once again offering a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner for four. For $175, customers get two pounds of smoked turkey breast, one pint of turkey gravy, two pounds of green bean casserole, two pounds of cornbread stuffing, two pounds of mashed sweet potatoes with spiced pecans, and one point of cranberry sauce. The restaurant also offers apple crumb, bourbon pecan, and pumpkin pies for $34 each, as well as their sides a la carte. Pre-order by November 12 at 12 p.m. here. The meal packages are available for pick-up or delivery all day on November 22 and before noon on November 23.

Lafayette
Lafayette’s Chef Andrew Carmellini is cooking up a special Thanksgiving takeaway feast. For $115 per person, the package includes butternut squash soup, coconut curry, coriander cream, beet salad, roasted turkey with maple chestnuts, turkey gravy, chipotle-scallion cornbread stuffing, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry-orange sauce. For dessert, customers can enjoy maple pumpkin pie and gingersnap cookies. The meal package is available for pick-up on November 22 and 23. Orders can be placed here.

Blue Smoke
Blue Smoke has been serving up delicious barbecue to New Yorkers for more than 20 years. The renowned BBQ joint is once again offering a mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner for four. For $175, customers get two pounds of smoked turkey breast, one pint of turkey gravy, two pounds of green bean casserole, two pounds of cornbread stuffing, two pounds of mashed sweet potatoes with spiced pecans, and one point of cranberry sauce. The restaurant also offers apple crumb, bourbon pecan, and pumpkin pies for $34 each, as well as their sides a la carte. Pre-order by November 12 at 12 p.m. here. The meal packages are available for pick-up or delivery all day on November 22 and before noon on November 23.

Image courtesy of Isle of Us

Isle of Us
Yorkville’s Isle of Us is putting together a Thanksgiving feast for New Yorkers who would rather take it easy this holiday. For $180, customers can get a bountiful meal package that feeds four to six and includes a turkey breast with Isle of Us’s signature spice, gravy, almond stuffing, and two choices of sides. For those who would rather cook their own turkey but want to garnish it the Isle of Us way, the marketplace is offering its Chef’s All Purpose Spice and Casablanca Rise Seasoning for use in any Turkey Day recipes. Orders must be placed by November 17 at 5 p.m. for pick-up or delivery on the day before Thanksgiving (November 22). The restaurant will deliver within five miles of the store. You can order by emailing catering@isleof.us.

Image courtesy of BLACKBARN

BLACKBARN
For the first time, Nomad’s farm-to-table American restaurant BLACKBARN is offering Thanksgiving catering for pick-up and delivery. The package, which costs $485 plus tax and delivery fees, feeds four to seven people, and comes with a pre-prepared roast turkey & thigh giblet gravy, sausage & apple stuffing, maple glazed sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin cheesecake. You can submit a catering inquiry here.

The Bakery at Greywind
For this Thanksgiving, the Bakery at Greywind, an all-day bakery located right next to James Beard award-winning chef Dan Kluger’s Greywind restaurant, is offering turkey pot pies with apple cider gravy and thyme as an addition to your holiday table. The 9-inch pies cost $78 each and can serve six to eight people. The pies are available for pick-up only and can be pre-ordered by hello@greywindnyc.com. Pick-up dates are November 22 and 23.

Image courtesy of Hill Country

Hill Country
Hill Country is offering Texas-sized Thanksgiving meal packages. For $180, customers can get the Texas turkey box, which includes one turkey breast, 64 ounces of mac n’ cheese, 64 ounces of Texas toast stuffing, one load of cornbread with honey butter, and 16 ounces of cranberry sauce. This package can feed four to six people.

For $300, diners can get the hefty Thanksgiving feast, which includes a whole turkey, 64 ounces of mac n’ cheese, 64 ounces of Texas toast stuffing, 64 ounces of mashed potatoes, 64 ounces of green bean casserole, one load of cornbread with honey butter, 16 ounces of cranberry sauce, and a choice of one pie (apple, pumpkin, or pecan).

The sides are also available to order a la carte. You can place an order for pick-up or delivery here.

Chez Nick
Located on the Upper East Side, Chez Nick is offering Thanksgiving dinners to-go. The meal package, which costs $160, includes a fall salad, roasted winter squash, fresh herbs, roasted turkey breast, homemade stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, green beans, and more. Customers can also add an apple or pumpkin pie for $50. The meal package comes with reheating instructions. You can place an order here. Pick-up is on November 21 at 10 a.m.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is asking that New Yorkers leave the Thanksgiving cooking to them. Dinosaur’s largest package, the turkey deluxe, costs $260 and can feed eight to twelve diners. The sprawling dinner includes a pit-roasted turkey, homemade turkey gravy, cornbread stuffing, whipped sweet potatoes, and a choice of two homemade pies (pumpkin, key lime, chocolate icebox). The second largest package, flying solo, costs $170 and includes just the essentials: a pit-roasted turkey and homemade turkey gravy.

Available only at Dinosaur’s Harlem and Brooklyn locations is the half turkey deluxe, which for $135 gets you a pit-roasted turkey, homemade turkey gravy, cornbread stuffing, whipped sweet potatoes, and a choice of one homemade pie. This package serves three to five guests.

All orders must be placed by November 15 and pick-up is on November 21 and 22. You can submit an order request here.

Rigor Hill Market
Rigor Hill Market is offering a selection of pre-prepared Thanksgiving meals and desserts using local produce sourced from their farm in Hudson Valley, Rigor Hill. The market is offering Turkey Day classics like gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, cornbread, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, butternut squash, and pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies. The pies cost $45 each. You can pre-order here.

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25 places to order takeout Thanksgiving dinner in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

November 8, 2023

140 East 63rd Street, Unit 7DG

140 East 63rd Street, Unit 7DG

UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$4,275,000

3 Bed  |  3.5 Bath | Condo

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Move-in ready designer luxury awaits in this beautifully renovated three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom condominium featuring a sprawling sun-kissed layout and the perfect combination of pre-war grandeur and contemporary style, all located within a historic, white-glove landmarked Lenox Hill building.

Spanning 2,040 square feet, this seamlessly combined residence boasts soaring beamed ceilings, Bolivian rosewood floors, elegant millwork, and 18 windows on all four exposures that wrap the flexible floor plan in sunlight and historic city views. From a dramatic foyer flanked by a walk-in closet and a glamorous powder room, you're invited to relax in the spacious and sunny corner living room. French doors open to the 3rd bedroom which is currently being used as the dining room and has easy access to a full hall bathroom. Plan your next culinary achievement in the gourmet kitchen where rows of white cabinetry, granite countertops and custom tile backsplashes surround stainless steel appliances, including a gas cooktop, oven, cabinet-front refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and garbage disposal. Between the entry and kitchen, the separate formal dining room provides the perfect setting for everyday living or large gatherings.

Head to the corner owner's suite to discover new hardwood floors, two roomy closets and a serene en suite bathroom with a double vanity and a sunny windowed rain shower. The second bedroom suite boasts its own walk-in closet and private bathroom, and both en suite bathrooms are finished with heated floors. Throughout the home, enjoy turnkey living with extensive upgrades, including custom paint and new wallpaper, all new door hardware, custom window treatments and blinds, Waterworks bathroom fixtures and updated lighting. A new washer-dryer, individually controlled HVAC in each room, integrated speakers, and a Control4 smart home system add comfort and convenience. This fine home also comes with a private storage unit. There is a current assessment of $3,455/month expected to run through 2024.

Built in 1927 as a residential hotel for women, the Barbizon was home to many famous names, including Grace Kelly, Liza Minnelli, Nancy Reagan, and Sylvia Path, who wrote about her experiences at the Barbizon in "The Bell Jar." The breathtaking brick, sandstone and terra cotta building was converted to luxury condominium residences in 2005 and offers today's residents attentive 24-hour white glove service and a well-equipped Club Salon, with a living room, a dining room with a catering kitchen, a library, a business/conference room and a 20-seat screening room. The landmarked Barbizon/63 is located above Equinox Gym, which features the original Barbizon Hotel swimming pool.

Nestled near the border of Midtown and the Upper East Side, this perfect Lenox Hill location is surrounded by world-class shopping, dining and nightlife. Explore Bloomingdale's and the luxury boutiques of 57th Street and Madison Avenue, or spend the day in Central Park or strolling the Museum Mile. Transportation is effortless with N/Q/R/W, 4/5/6 and F trains, excellent bus service, CitiBikes, the FDR and 59th Street Bridge all nearby.

A Roller Rink is Opening Inside The Oculus

A roller rink is opening inside the World Trade Center’s Oculus this month. “Winter Whirl” invites skaters of all ages to skate inside the Lower Manhattan shopping mall and underneath the architecturally stunning skylight designed by Santiago Calatrava. The rink will open for the season on Friday, November 24, and operate through late January.

All photos courtesy of the Oculus

Skaters will be able to snap photos, make lasting holiday memories, and enjoy a fun skating experience with the backdrop of live music.

“The Winter Whirl roller rink offers visitors a holiday experience like never before, paired with world-class shopping, dining and live music performances,” Diana Grasso, Vice President of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this skating experience and look forward to welcoming all New Yorkers and visitors from across the world to the Shops at the Oculus for festive skating and creating cherished memories this holiday season.”

Winter Whirl will be open from Wednesdays through Sundays from Friday, November 24 through late January from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the last admission at 9 p.m. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the rink will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last admission at 5 p.m.

Tickets for Winter Whirl start at $30 for adults and $25 for minors ages eight to 18. Admission includes 45 minutes of skating time and one pair of rental roller skates.

More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

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A festive roller rink is opening inside the Oculus

By Aaron Ginsburg

November 10, 2023

All photos courtesy of the Oculus

The Monthly Update - November 2023

October’s Tricky, Spooky, Scary Mystery Real Estate Market

Boo! I didn't mean to scare you. It was just October's scary Manhattan and Brooklyn real estate sales market!

This attempt at levity may not be all that funny to anyone actually trying to navigate current sale conditions. Everything is challenging, from pricing properties to negotiating deals for both the buyer side and the seller side.

The overall numbers suggest that inventory is down roughly 500 units from historical norms. We ended October with 7,323 listings when typically there are about 7,700 homes available. We also finished the month with just over 750 contracts signed, when historically, there are over 900 listings under contract at the end of October. Scary!

So, what could be contributing to all of this spooky behavior? Interest rates, for one. I have seen commitment letters over 8.5%! With interest rates like that, buyers are getting spooky with their offers, suggesting that sellers buy down their interest rate a point or two while also providing bids 10% under the asking price! These are truly gruesome numbers for most sellers.

While the rental market has been strong through most of this year, it's been relatively dead lately. The slight reductions that landlords are forced to offer bring renters back to the negotiating table, undermining the high interest rates and mortgage payments that would be expected for most purchases. In other words, rents are currently lower than mortgage and HOA fees. Now that's frightening!

But never fear! There are pockets of optimism in this market. Activity continues to pace well above the most severe NYC real estate market circumstances we've seen in recent years. Depending on where sellers decide to list their homes, zombie buyers are still hungry for fresh meat in the way of well-priced properties, and those zombies will go after that meat with everything they've got. Case in point: I had two bidding wars in Manhattan (the first one in nine months) because the sellers decided to price aggressively, and they ultimately ended up selling the home right where they wanted to list initially. A trick that leads to a treat! :-)

So, while it was a scary October, there were signs of life here and there. But mostly, it was an elusive, tricky, and mysterious market. Hopefully, one that won't be replicated in November!

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Local Happenings

Lightscape at

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 1

The after-dark exclusive event in Brooklyn's floral sanctuary is back for another illuminated season! Experience the magic of the garden's moonlit Lightscape with festive music, a range of special treats along with the exhibit of new works of art on display. This is a fun, all-ages event!

Learn More

New York

Comedy Festival

NOVEMBER 3 - 12

Get ready to fall over laughing at this year's New York Comedy Festival! The citywide, 10-day fun-filled extravaganza will be held at over 10 venues, hosting 100+ shows and over 200+ top tier comedians.

Learn More

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Ultimate Living Room Design Do's and Don'ts

Having a living room that can do it all doesn't have to be hard! Follow these design rules and yours will be in tip-top shape in no time.

Learn More

2024 Wellness-Enhancing Smart Home Trends for your Kitchen

Many of the amenities found in the latest kitchen trends are empowered with smart home technology...

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Featured Listings

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70 East 10th Street, Unit 16L

70 East 10th Street, Unit 16L

GREENWICH VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

$2,300,000

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Co-op

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This exquisitely renovated two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence ticks every wish list item with expansive designer interiors, extraordinary natural light, generous storage and an unbeatable location in a full-service Greenwich Village co-op.

Spanning approximately 1,500 square feet, this beautiful home greets you with tall ceilings, white oak floors, wide art walls, and oversized windows along the sunny southern and eastern exposures. A gracious foyer with a large coat closet opens to a sprawling great room featuring a generous footprint for relaxing and entertaining. Arrange multiple seating areas and a home office space in the nearly 37-foot-long living area, while the dining alcove invites you to plan your next dinner party surrounded by wide-open views and designer lighting. The updated open kitchen impresses with a waterfall peninsula and sleek cabinetry finished with crisp white counters and a marble tile backsplash. Chefs will love the stainless steel appliances, including a gas range with double ovens, French door refrigerator, dishwasher, and built-in microwave.

A long hallway lined with four roomy closets and a walk-in pantry leads to the home's luxurious bedrooms. Wake up with the sun in the bright east-facing primary suite, where you'll find a wide reach-in closet and a windowed en suite bathroom finished with a glass shower, floating vanity and wide medicine cabinet. The secondary bedroom includes a massive walk-in closet and easy access to the home's full guest bathroom, where you'll find a lovely tub/shower and contemporary fixtures.

The Stewart House is a classic white-brick postwar cooperative featuring lush grounds and a large circular driveway, one of the city's first. The full-service, pet-friendly building offers 24-hour white glove doorman and concierge service, a live-in superintendent, a fitness center, a children's playroom, storage, a package room, bike room, laundry room and an on-site parking garage with direct building access — all for low monthly maintenance charges.

Once an early location of Manhattan's A.T. Stewart department store, The Stewart House occupies a full city block in the heart of Greenwich Village. Ideally located between Union Square and Washington Square, this outstanding neighborhood features fantastic shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment venues at every turn, including Wegmans, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Irving Plaza, Webster Hall and the Union Square greenmarket. NYU is inches away, and transportation is effortless with N/Q/R/W, 4/5/6, L and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes all within easy reach.

Union Square Sculpture Channels Old New York City Myth

A new sculpture in Union Square Park plays on the century-old myth that alligators live in New York City’s sewer system. Created by Swedish artist Alexander Klingspor in collaboration with Mollbrinks Gallery, “NYC Legend” is a bronze sculpture depicting a life-sized alligator sitting atop a manhole cover. The artwork is inspired by an urban legend that originated 100 years ago claiming New Yorkers set pet baby alligators loose in the sewers after they grew too large to handle. The installation is on display through June 2024.

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All photos courtesy of Jane Kratochvil

The sculpture blends the themes of ancient mythological symbolism and modern urban folklore, honoring NYC’s signature resilience and enduring nature, also qualities of alligators.

“Stories are the very backbone of human civilization giving shape to our shared consciousness through sculptures, paintings, and architecture,” Klingspor said. “This piece is a testament to our timeless drive to find icons in nature, and to the bridge that myth builds between the ancient and modern that still echoes today.”

While tales of large sewer alligators feeding on unsuspecting animals and sanitation workers are myths, there is some truth to the urban legend.

On February 9, 1935, later celebrated by some as “Alligators in the Sewers Day,” a group of teenagers reportedly caught and killed an eight-foot, 125-pound alligator through a manhole on East 123rd Street while shoveling snow on a winter day, according to the New York Times.

The next day, the newspapers were full of stories about the event, giving way to a widespread urban legend about scores of alligators infesting the sewer system. So much so that February 9, 1935, has become a sort of unofficial holiday among certain New Yorkers.

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All photos courtesy of Jane Kratochvil

There have been alligator sightings across the city in recent history. In 1995, a four-foot alligator was taken from Kissena Lake in Queens; in 2001, a two-foot caiman was caught in Central Park; and in 2003, an American alligator was seen in Alley Pond Park. This past February, a five-foot alligator was rescued in Prospect Park after being abandoned by their owner. It died a few weeks later despite extensive medical treatment at the Bronx Zoo.

A sewer alligator can also be found on the 14th Street/ Eighth Avenue subway platform, but this one poses no danger. The bronze underground gator is a sculpture created by Tom Otterness as just one piece of a series titled “Life Underground.”

“NYC Legend” is presented in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and Union Square Partnership, and funded by Mollbrinks Gallery. The sculpture was cast by Switzerland’s Perseo Foundry, which is highly regarded for its world-class materials and casting techniques.

“This sculpture is a beautiful representation of our enduring resilience as New Yorkers, and embodies one of the most famous urban legends about our city,” Anthony Perez, NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner, said.

“Public art installations like this are one of the many ways we use our public parks to celebrate the stories and spirit that make our city so unique. I’m so excited to see this sculpture take its place in iconic Union Square Park, where I’m sure it will surprise and delight both New Yorkers and visitors.”

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Sewer alligator sculpture in Union Square channels century-old New York City myth

By Aaron Ginsburg

October 18, 2023

All photos courtesy of Jane Kratochvil

76 Franklin Street, Unit 2

76 Franklin Street, Unit 2

TRIBECA, MANHATTAN

$2,250,000

2 Bed  |  3 Bath | Co-op

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY IN PRIME TRIBECA TO CREATE THE LOFT OF YOUR DREAMS.

*Unbelievable maintenance of only 1,000$ per month.
*Bring your architect.
*Create a stunning two to four bedroom, with plumbing for up to 5 bathrooms.
*14 foot ceiling height.
*Only 4 units in the Coop.

Inside a former Lingerie Warehouse sits this floor thru private grand loft which has remained relatively untouched by the original owners who turned the building Coop in the 1990's, save for an updated kitchen and the addition of Central AC. The possibilities for renovation are endless. The current layout has a large floor thru open space on the main level including kitchen with pantry, as well as 2 baths. The front portion is being used as an artist studio, while the back portion is being used for dining/living room. There is a mezzanine level which adds another 1,000 Sq ft. of space (not included in the square footage in the listing) which currently serves as 2 sizable bedrooms with large closets and bathrooms. The mezzanine was grandfathered in by the DOB as bedrooms and can remain, or be removed depending on your needs. The space is voluminous, with 14 foot ceiling heights and grand oversized windows.

The building features an elevator and intercom system that connects to your phone to provide remote access for guests or deliveries if you are not home. There is also a subbasement for storage that runs the length of the building and each owner has a quarter of the space which is quite big. The Ground floor is a high end furniture gallery which is only shown by appointment so very little traffic.

The block is quiet and tranquil and virtually every subway line is close by (the 1, 6, A, C, N, R, W, Q, J, Z, trains). The location cannot be beaten, with multiple gyms near by (Crunch is 1 block south), Aire Spa on the block, and some of the best restaurants in the city at your doorstep.

Metro-North ‘Leaf Peeper’ Tain Service Is Back!

Take a train ride up through the Hudson Valley and witness the breathtaking beauty of New York State’s fall foliage. The Metro-North Railroad last weekend kicked off its annual “Leaf Peeper” train service, boosting service on the Hudson River line, which provides scenic views of upstate’s changing foliage and stops in charming autumnal towns like Peekskill, Cold Spring, and Beacon. Five extra trains on Saturdays and four trains on Sundays have been added from October 7 through November 5.

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Views of Bannerman’s Castle from the Hudson Line on the Metro-North Railroad. Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

In addition to the extra “Leaf Peeper” train service, midday and afternoon half-hourly service to Poughkeepsie will resume on October 29, with six trains added on Saturdays and four trains added on Sundays, according to the MTA.

Metro-North will also be adding extra trains to service during the holidays, including the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve.

“Fall is the best season to experience all that the Hudson Valley has to offer,” Catherine Rinaldi, Metro-North Railroad President and LIRR Interim President said.

“If you are searching for weekend plans, Metro-North wants to make it easy for you to hop on a Hudson Line train, take in the beautiful fall foliage, or grab a bite at one of the Hudson Valley’s premier restaurants.”

Children aged five and under can ride for free, and children ages five through 11 can ride for $1 when accompanied by an adult.

Customers are encouraged to use the TrainTime app to purchase tickets for their leaf peeper rides.

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Metro-North ‘Leaf Peeper’ train service returns for fall foliage lovers

By Aaron Ginsburg

October 9, 2023

Cover photo: Views along the Hudson Line on Metro-North Railroad in Beacon. Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

57 Thompson Street, Unit 2B

57 Thompson Street, Unit 2B

SOHO, MANHATTAN

$789,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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The Best Location in Soho!

* Unlimited Subletting After 2 Years

Welcome to the epitome of downtown chic living! This remarkable one-bedroom apartment, nestled in the heart of Soho, offers an extraordinary New York City lifestyle that combines style, convenience, and comfort.

This one bedroom offers an open floor plan with high end finishes, new stainless steal kitchen appliances, recessed lighting with dimmers, a custom built in closet and new windows. The apartment is adorned with hardwood oak floors that not only add warmth but also make cleaning a breeze. Chic finishes and attention to detail throughout the space elevate the overall aesthetic.

57 Thompson is the most well-maintained, elevator co-op in the neighborhood. Built in 1920, this pre-war gem has 32-units, allows pets, pied-a-terres, co-purchasing, and gifting. Unlimited subletting after 2 years!

Location, of course, is key, and this apartment doesn't disappoint. Soho is known for its trendy boutiques, world-class dining, and a vibrant arts scene, and all of this is at your doorstep. Stroll through cobblestone streets and discover an array of fashionable shops and cozy cafes. Plus, easy access to public transportation ensures that the entirety of New York City is within your reach. Just steps away from the Soho Trader Joes, the new Google offices and all the the up and coming Hudson Square has to offer.

This one-bedroom Soho gem presents an incredible opportunity to embrace city living at its finest. With its prime location, modern comforts, and stylish design, this apartment is not just a place to live; it's a place to thrive. Don't miss out on the chance to make it your own. Schedule a viewing today and experience the allure of Soho living firsthand!

Manhattan’s First Public ‘Beach’ Just Opened at Hudson River Park

Every borough in New York City now has a beach. Sort of. On Monday, the Gansevoort Peninsula officially opened at Little West 12th Street and 13th Avenue at Hudson River Park. The new 5.5-acre waterfront public park in the Meatpacking District includes a sandy beach with umbrellas, chairs, misting features, places to picnic, kayak access, and a rocky seating edge. But, unlike at other city beaches, swimming will not be allowed at Gansevoort Peninsula due to the Hudson River’s polluted water. The green space is the largest standalone recreational space within the four-mile Hudson River Park.

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Lawn and sandy bluff with a view of “Day’s End.” Photo credit: Hudson River Park Trust

“This is how we do things in New York. We see beauty and potential, we roll up our sleeves and we get to work,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “This collaboration between New York City and State will benefit everyone who visits here on the shore of the Hudson, and it checks a lot of boxes from climate change mitigation to competition on the ball fields, from a stroll with your pup to sitting on the beach.”

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Photo credit: Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

The site, located on the western end of Little West 12th Street and what remains of 13th Avenue, was once a parking lot used by the city’s Department of Sanitation. In 2019, the Hudson River Park Trust tapped Field Operations, the team behind the High Line and Domino Park, to lead the design of the park.

The $73 million project includes a sandy beach area with access for kayaks and small boats, a lawn, a seating area north of the waterfront, a sports field, two dog runs, lounge chairs, and a salt marsh with native grass and plantings. A boardwalk with a Pine grove connects the beach to the western esplanade where 13th Avenue was once located.

The salt marsh is found on the northern end of the park and includes a man-made underwater habitat with 20 million juvenile oysters, which will help create a healthy habitat for fish while also protecting the shoreline.

“Inspired by community input, Gansevoort Peninsula is a place for respite, relaxation, exploration, sports, and play,” Lisa Switkin, partner at Field Operations, said. “A defining characteristic is how the design embraces each side of the peninsula, offering new ways to engage with the Hudson River, with diverse and varied edges that elongate the transition from land to water.”

“Here, a combination of promenades, lookouts, tidal pools, ledges, sandy beach, salt marsh, and kayak access create an immersive and dynamic environment that changes with the tides, making for a truly unforgettable experience.”

The southern end of the park includes the art installation “Day’s End” by David Hammons. Gifted by the Whitney Museum of American Art, “Day’s End” serves as a “ghost monument” to a 1975 installation by Gordon Matta-Clark of the same name that was once located at Pier 52.

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Hudson River balcony. Photo credit: Barrett Doherty

With the opening of Gansevoort Peninsula and the upcoming openings of Pier 97 and the science playground at Pier 26, the public portions of Hudson River Park are 95 complete. According to the Trust, Pier 97 will open later this fall with a large playground, ball sports zone, an overlook, and the playground at Pier 26 will open in the next few months.

“Beyond adding 5.5 new acres of extraordinary park to New York’s open space network, Gansevoort also connects communities to their Hudson River, completing a gap in the Park’s four-mile footprint, and making it infinitely more pleasurable to travel between our surrounding west side neighborhoods,” Noreen Doyle, president of the Hudson River Park Trust, said.

“We thank every member of the extraordinary design and construction teams and our own staff whose artistry and know-how came together to create this special place.”

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Manhattan’s first public ‘beach’ opens at Hudson River Park

By Devin Gannon

October 2, 2023

Header photo: Gansevoort Peninsula at the southern edge with upland sandy bluff and “Day’s End.” Photo credit: Barrett Doherty

An Ice Skating Rink Is Opening Under the Brooklyn Bridge

New York City’s newest ice skating rink will open under the Brooklyn Bridge. Located at the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Glide at Brooklyn Bridge will offer skating for guests of all ages, as well as rinkside food and beverages, with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. The ice rink, the first to ever open in the scenic waterfront park, debuts for the season on November 15 and will remain open through March 1, 2024.

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Rendering courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

According to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, food and drink options from vendors at the nearby Time Out Market will be available at a rinkside cafe.

On sale starting October 6, tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for children during off-peak hours. The rink will offer special pricing for groups and can be rented for large events. Plus, a limited number of discounted tickets (starting at $9) will be available daily for NYC residents with proof of residency.

Last spring, the conservancy issued a request for proposals (RFP), looking for partners interested in creating and operating a seasonal ice-skating rink in Emily Warren Roebling Plaza.

Under the RFP guidelines, the Glide at Brooklyn Bridge will be responsible for assembling and operating the temporary rink from November through mid-March and disassembling it. The group will oversee ticketing, maintenance, renting skate equipment, and programming, according to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s website.

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s fall season programming concludes on October 21 with its annual Harvest Festival. The free event is designed with families in mind and will feature arts and crafts, live music and entertainment, storytelling, lawn games, a mini pumpkin patch, and more.

The festival will also include tabling by a wide variety of partners and other special activities, with more to be announced in the near future.

A full schedule of the park’s fall programming can be found here.

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An ice skating rink is opening under the Brooklyn Bridge

By Aaron Ginsburg

October 4, 2023

Rendering courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

The Monthly Update - October 2023

 Quadruple Tug-of-War

The state of the market in New York City and interest rates has been a topic on many people's minds lately. The way I see it, there are four major factors at play right now, all pulling in opposite directions. 

1) Sellers:

New York City has a new unique seller type. They've invested at least 20% down in their property, if not more (some co-ops even require 50% down payments). As a result, most sellers are heavily invested in their real estate. Also, a lot of sellers in New York City don’t “need” to sell.  They would “like to sell“ as a matter of lifestyle change or for convenience, but, as you know, Manhattan's purchase and sale markets are made up of extremely wealthy people.  To be frank, they can afford to hold their places, even as prices have meandered their way down approximately 5% (10% in some cases) since the highs of the post-pandemic buying boom. Sellers are holding the line with regards to prices.

2) Buyers:

Buyers want to purchase.  Even in this market.  However, many feel that prices need to adjust for the current economic conditions, and they aren't willing to pay (in most cases) top dollar for property at this point. They want adjustments in pricing that reflect today's realities. They want their purchase to be more fiscally responsible, less emotional and are reluctant to just give what sellers demand. Many deals today, even after a meeting of the minds on price, are renegotiated with credits and contract price adjustments in the 11th hour of contract negotiations. 

3) Interest Rates:

Along with buyers' frustration about pricing, interest rates are the obvious reason buyers don't want to pay top dollar. Today, 7% to  7.5% interest rates are the norm with higher rates to come possibly(?)!. These high rates are causing buyers to rethink their entire purchase and their personal needs/obligations to purchase a property in New York City. I have an opposing thought on this: While interest rates are high, prices have come down, and for the reasons I’ve outlined above, buyers should take advantage of lower prices and refi when rates dip! I tell all of my buyers, if you can afford to buy now, you should.  You can purchase at a discount and refinance if (when) rates adjust. When interest rates drop even little, the pressure of pent-up buyer demand is real and palpable and will drive prices back up. If that happens, buyers have lost the opportunity to purchase in a “down“ market. If you can afford that higher rate for a little while- take the discount.  

4) Rental Market:

The rental market is currently very strong compared to past years. However, Interest rates and higher HOA fees have made most purchases much higher on a monthly basis than they would be to rent the same property!  So prospective buyers are asking themselves “why”. Why drop a 20% to 25% down payment on a property when I can have that money grow in a simple high-interest account and earn returns faster than it would appreciate in my real estate purchase? Even if they offset the gains with the rental expenses, leasing still has a strong upside potential. My antithesis to this is that your real estate investment is not a short-term investment strategy; it's a place where you live and have your money grow over time. If you purchase and hold, enjoy the property and then sell at the appropriate time, you'll make back your “rental fees“ and probably make a sizable return on the real estate. 

In conclusion: These four factors have driven the New York City market into a nearly frozen state. While all these four factors are pulling, in the middle of the tug-of-war are listings that aren't moving as fast as they once were, even just last year or the year before! Overall, transaction rates are down about 10% to 15% for September. Interesting stuff, but I do feel that “buyer pent-up demand“ will rule the day in the not too distant future. The market just needs a little push from the Fed in the way of lower interest rates. Just a tad

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Local Happenings

New York City Wine & Food Festival

OCTOBER 12 - 15, 2023

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by CapitalOne is back and better than ever! Explore over 80-plus exclusive events hosted by more than 500 of the world's best chefs. From classes, dinners, tastings, late-night parties, to drag brunches and live celebrity demonstrations, the NYCWFF is a foodie's paradise!

Learn More

Annual Village Halloween Parade

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2023

Head to the Village on Halloween night to experience the city's most spooky parade to catch a glimpse of the more than 50,000 ghouls, goblins, zombies, monsters, and witches that roam the streets of lower Manhattan. It's gonna be a hoot!

Learn More

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Best Housewarming Gifts

The Best Items for a Weekend Getaway - at first glance, the best items for a weekend getaway might seem like an odd fit for our best housewarming gifts series, compared to gifts for the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom.

Courtesy of Forbes

10 Ways to Maximize Square Footage in a Small Bedroom

The secret to living large in a tiny bedroom is in the details.

Courtesy of US News

Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023/24

To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.

Courtesy of US News

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360 Clinton Avenue, Unit 3D

360 Clinton Avenue, Unit 3D

CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN

$795,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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This incredible newly renovated coop features one bedroom and one bathroom, and it is ideally situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Clinton Hill. With convenient access to public transportation and close proximity to the city, this location offers the best of both worlds.

Upon entering, you are greeted by a spacious and inviting foyer that can serve as a functional dining area. From there, you'll find a generously-sized open-concept living room, providing ample space for entertaining guests and creating memorable moments.

The bedroom is impressively spacious, with oversized windows that flood the room with natural light. It also boasts an abundance of closets, ensuring plenty of storage space. The large, windowed kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring granite countertops, new stainless steel appliances, a dishwasher, subway tile backsplash, and an abundance of cabinet space for all your culinary essentials.

360 Clinton Ave is a meticulously maintained pre-war elevator coop building, offering a grand lobby, a part-time doorman, a full-time superintendent and porter, a laundry room, and basement storage facilities. The building also boasts a video intercom system for added security and a beautifully landscaped courtyard garden for residents to enjoy. The location is perfect, with close proximity to playgrounds, Fort Greene Park, the Farmer's market, BAM, Barclays Center, and Pratt Institute. Pets are welcome!

Illuminated Steel Whale Installation on Broadway

A massive, illuminated steel whale has arrived on the streets of the Garment District. Located on the Broadway pedestrian plazas between 38th and 39th Streets, “Echoes – A Voice from Unchartered Waters” is a 55-foot-long interactive art and sound installation meant to inspire deeper thought about the ways our daily routines affect the environment. Created by artist, designer, and researcher Mathias Gmachl, “Echoes” is free and open to the public through November 13. The installation is the latest public artwork sponsored by the Garment District Alliance.

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Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

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Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

When interacting with the installation, visitors are met with a melodic soundscape that references the serene underwater world of the whale. The tranquil sounds are meant to represent the “harmonious” existence that is possible if humans were to respect the environment.

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Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

Upon taking a step closer to the structure, the installation will reveal a layer of noise pollution, which is meant to represent the effects of the industrialized world on Earth’s ecosystems. This drastic contrast between the serene sounds of the sea and harsh noise pollution is designed to encourage dialogue about the planet’s future and influence viewers to think about the effects of human activity on the natural environment.

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Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

“With its serene ambiance, ‘Echoes – A Voice from Unchartered Waters’ is a magnificent installation that will captivate passersby with its beauty while sparking important conversations about the future of our planet,” Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance, said.

“We are thrilled to showcase Mathias Gmachl’s incredible work, and we invite the public to marvel at this display in the Garment District this fall.”

Gmachl’s “Echoes” is a co-production with Canada’s Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Austria’s MuseumsQuartier Wien, and Switzerland’s LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura. The project’s distributor is QDSinternational.

“With ‘Echoes – A Voice from Uncharted Waters,’ I want to provide an open space – a platform – for the public to have conversations about the future of our planet. Not just about whales, but of all life that exists,” Gmachl said.

“The need to create room to learn, and dream, of a better future feels more pressing than ever. The installation is my small contribution towards a larger shift in the narratives and actions needed.”

“Echoes – A Voice from Uncharted Waters” is made possible by Garment District Art on the Plazas, a year-round public art program led by the Garment District Alliance and the New York City Department of Transportation. The two groups work together to enhance public spaces with fun, creative public art installations that welcome New Yorkers and visitors.

Recently, the alliance unveiled a redesign of the Garment District’s iconic button & needle sculpture. The new sculpture was permanently installed in February. Designed by Local Projects and UAP Company, the sculpture measures 28 feet tall and has a 15-foot diameter aluminum button with a bright yellow automotive finish and a 32-foot brushed stainless steel needle, paying homage to the area’s rich history in the world of fashion.

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An illuminated steel whale has surfaced on Broadway

By Aaron Ginsburg

September 18, 2023

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

313 West 82nd Street, Unit C

313 West 82nd Street, Unit C

upper west side, MANHATTAN

$750,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

Experience verdant garden surroundings on a park-side block in this stunning one-bedroom plus home office, one-bathroom co-op featuring updated designer interiors and a lush private yard just inches from Riverside Park.

Step inside this garden retreat to discover hardwood floors, soaring ceilings and gorgeous millwork, including tall baseboards, high wainscoting and crown molding. The gracious foyer boasts a wide closet, while the beautiful living room provides a generous footprint for seating and dining areas alongside charming garden views. Elevate your culinary experience in the renovated gourmet kitchen featuring custom cabinetry, quartz counters and marble backsplashes and high-end stainless steel appliances, including a Bertazzoni range, Fisher & Paykel refrigerator and built-in microwave. Dazzling encaustic-style floor tiles carry from the kitchen into the updated full bathroom, where you'll find a tub/shower with glass doors, a contemporary open vanity with matching shelving, and built-in floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets.

From the living room, step up to the serene king-sized bedroom featuring two roomy closets and a lovely ceiling fan. This sunny bedchamber provides plenty of room for dressers or a desk/vanity area, while the spacious home office area could easily serve as a formal dining room if desired. Outside, your private garden oasis awaits with an oversized deck, tall fencing and a stone wall. Towering trees rise from expansive flower beds ideal for urban gardening. Wood cladding flows from the fencing across the façade, creating a chic backdrop for al fresco dining and entertaining. Mini-split HVAC and a large storage unit add wonderful convenience to this exquisite Upper West Side sanctuary.

Built in 1887 in the bold Romanesque Revival style, 313 West 82nd Street sits among a row of four brownstone and Roman brick buildings with lovely gardens, L-shaped stoops and gas lamps. Originally used as single-family homes, the buildings were used as a boarding house for women in the 1930s and converted to apartments beginning in the 1950s. Today, residents of the beautifully maintained boutique cooperative enjoy a secure key code entry, laundry and storage. Pets, guarantors and pieds-à-terre permitted with board approval.

Robert Indiana’s ‘LOVE’ Sculpture Installed at Rockefeller Center

Photo © 6sqft

Robert Indiana’s iconic “Love” sculpture has returned to New York City with a fresh paint job. Starting Wednesday, the 12-foot-high sculpture with its distinct slanted “O” will sit at the head of the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center for six weeks. The sculpture is one part of a larger installation featuring Indiana’s work now on view, including his “One Through Zero” sculpture series on Center Plaza and images from his Peace Painting series on the 193 flags surrounding the Rink. The works will be on display through October 23.

Located on the corner of the Avenue of the Americas and West 55th Street for decades, the sculpture was removed for conservation in 2019. Many years of visitors touching and scaling “Love” left the sculpture in poor condition and the Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative decided to refurbish it.

The sculpture was meant to return to its original location but sat in storage for months after restoration was completed during the pandemic. It was ultimately decided that the sculpture would instead be installed at Rockefeller Center due to Indiana’s high regard for the place, Simon Salama-Caro of the Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative told the New York Times.

Indiana’s first conception of Love came from a print he created for MoMa’s 1965 holiday card. He depicted it as a sculpture for the first time in 1970 and a version appeared in Central Park in 1971. The Love sculpture has since been created in Hebrew, Chinese, Italian, and Spanish, and has been on display in major cities across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Another major part of the installation is selections from Indiana’s “One Through Zero” series, which was created from 1980 through 2001. Each sculpture measures eight feet and is made of Cor-ten steel and is meant to represent the cycle of human life from birth to death, according to Rockefeller Center. The numbers are located in Center Plaza.

As part of the installation, the 193 flags surrounding the Rink at Rockefeller Center will feature images from Indiana’s “Peace Paintings” series, which was created by the artist after witnessing the 9/11 terror attacks.

The Initiative is unsure of where the sculpture will end up after being removed from Rockefeller Center in October, likely to make way for the Center’s world-famous Christmas Tree.

“We are thrilled to be the destination for the return of Robert Indiana’s instantly recognizable LOVE sculpture, and to host a campus-wide exhibition of the late, great artist’s work. We expect this to be a huge draw for fans, both new and old, and we thank the Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative for being such great partners,” EB Kelly, head of Rockefeller Center, said in a statement this summer announcing the installation.

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Robert Indiana’s ‘LOVE’ sculpture installed at Rockefeller Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

September 13, 2023

As Seen On 6sqft.com

355 East 19th Street, Unit TH

355 East 19th Street, Unit TH

GRAMERCY PARK, MANHATTAN

$4,000,000

3+ Bed  |  2.5 Bath | 2,663 SqFt | Condo

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Spectacular townhouse living meets condominium convenience in this impressive three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom with a flexible fourth bedroom/in-law room. Featuring breathtaking designer interiors and a one-of-a-kind two-level outdoor space in the heart of Gramercy, one of the world's most sought-after neighborhoods.

Spanning 2,663 square feet across two beautifully planned levels — plus 1,521 square feet of private outdoor space — this indoor-outdoor duplex creates a dramatic first impression with wide-plank European oak and large-format tile floors, tall ceilings dotted with recessed lighting, and walls of windows with custom coverings that frame mesmerizing terrace and garden views. The open-plan loft floor plan on the lower level and a smart bedroom layout on the upper floor are perfect for lavish entertaining and peaceful relaxation alike. Elevator access to both floors, a private lower lobby and stylish interior stairs provide easy accessibility throughout the home.

A gracious foyer lined by a coat closet and chic powder room welcomes you on the lower floor, where you'll find a generous footprint for expansive seating and dining areas alongside a wall of built-in bookshelves and a modern peninsula fireplace. Chefs will love the designer kitchen's sleek Italian cabinetry featuring state-of-the-art storage and gleaming natural stone Luca De Luna countertops. The fleet of high-end Miele and Sub-Zero appliances includes a gas cooktop, oven, dishwasher, extra-large refrigerator with a bottom freezer drawer, and wine refrigerator. Enjoy casual meals and conversation at the wide waterfall island, or head out to the delightful lower terrace for al fresco dining surrounded by raised flowerbeds, handmade brick and custom lighting. A laundry area with plenty of storage and a secluded home office nook complete the level.

Ascend the floating staircase to discover three peaceful bedrooms that each open to the enchanting upper yard, a spectacular destination for lounging and play flanked by handsome fencing and vine-covered walls. A large, tiled patio flows past seven-foot potted hydrangeas to an easy-care AstroTurf lawn and stairs to the lower terrace. A timed irrigation system serves both levels for maximum enjoyment with minimal effort. Head to the enormous owner's suite to discover a king-size layout and two closets, including a custom walk-in. The en suite spa bathroom soothes with a frameless glass wet room containing a multi-head waterfall shower and soaking tub, a floating double vanity and a two-stage commode, all surrounded by imported Nublado marble tile. Two secondary bedrooms enjoy large closets and access to an oversized secondary bathroom with a double vanity. A pocket door reveals an expansive bonus room with a large closet and a full kitchenette that can easily serve as a family room, playroom, private office, fitness room or a fourth bedroom/guest area. A separate storage room, high-efficiency central HVAC, and an expandable smart home system complete this extraordinary Gramercy sanctuary.

Built in 2014, 355 East 19th Street is a boutique luxury condominium where residents enjoy low common charges, a ButterflyMX virtual doorman system, a beautifully designed lobby, a chic façade constructed from handmade Danish Kolumba brick, and a glorious shared roof deck where panoramic views reach to the Empire State Building and Macy's Fourth of July fireworks over the East River.

This desirable neighborhood combines the residential splendor Gramercy Park is known for with a wealth of spectacular amenities. Enjoy easy access to the year-round Union Square greenmarket, the city's largest, and exceptional local shopping, including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Fairway and Target, all within a 10-block radius. The streets are lined with fantastic restaurants and nightlife destinations, while playgrounds, Stuyvesant Square Park and the East River Greenway provide outstanding outdoor space. Transportation is effortless with L, 4/5/6 and N/Q/R/W subway lines, excellent bus service, CitiBike stations and the Stuyvesant Cove Ferry Terminal all nearby.