The Monthly Update - April 2024

New York City: Q1 Real Estate Roundup

Three Topics, One Quarter

Contract Signed Activity, Overall Inventory/Supply:

After interest rates came down at the end of 2023, the first two months of Q1 2024 saw a sizable pickup in buyers putting property under contract. With inventory tight because the spring inventory push was still on the horizon, January and February felt more in favor of sellers than buyers. However, as interest rates started to inch up, by the end of February, there was a noticeable pullback by purchasers. Contract signing activity was actually negative during the first two weeks in March. However, as we approach the official start of the spring market (today!), we’re seeing purchasers come back to the marketplace despite interest rates hovering just under 7%. The end of the first quarter of 2024 saw overall inventory reach roughly 6,500 total available listings, which is on par with most previous “normal” years. Historical data also hints at what we can expect going forward — about 7,600 listings by about the middle of June — giving buyers plenty of options and contributing to a more balanced market.

The NAR Settlement and Lawsuits:

Many have read about the changes to commission structures, pending the National Association of Realtors lawsuit settlement. New York City is not under NAR jurisdiction. Most city agents (if not all) are not part of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The Real Estate Board of New York is our local volunteer governing body, and all of the major firms and most smaller firms are part of REBNY, which has been active in getting ahead of these rulings. Most New York City brokerages have amended their listing agreements to lay out the commission structure so sellers can better understand how the commission structure is paid out and have more options on choosing how to pay out commissions, if they decide to pay them at all. As a New York City real estate agent for the past 22 years, I have to say that commissions have always been a negotiated item, like everything in real estate. Everything is negotiable! Price, commission, closing date, closing costs — you can even negotiate furniture in the apartment! So, the settlement may have far-reaching changes on a national level, but it will be interesting to see how it may or may not affect the New York City market, as the National Association of Realtors never had jurisdiction here.

Looking Ahead:

As the spring market gets underway, we are seeing an increase in overall listing supply and buyer activity, as we do every spring season. We’re not observing a record-setting pace this year so far, but we are seeing a normal flow and cadence, which is refreshing with all the changes that are happening around us. Real estate in Manhattan and Brooklyn has always been a reliable investment with no real swings and angulations up or down. It’s a steady ship that can give many homebuyers and homeowners a sense of stability. And with the presidential election on the horizon, it looks like we’ll see most of the activity in Q2 and the beginning of Q3, with a wildcard for the last four months of the year. Overall production for 2024 should be on par with most normal years once we close out the year in December. 

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COMPASS in the News

Compass is #1!

We are pleased to share that – for the third year in a row – as of the end of 2023, Compass remains the LARGEST brokerage in the United States in terms of closed sales volume (RealTrends 3/8/24).

Almost anywhere a buyer is considering moving, Compass has highly talented, high-integrity, well-respected and hardworking agent to refer you to.

We are proud to be a part of the largest brokerage in the U.S. – where we can best support YOU!

Powered by the Compass network and technology, we have access to the top agents nationwide to help you with all of your real estate needs.

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Local Happenings

The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage

NOW - SUNDAY, APRIL 23RD

Acclaimed artist Lily Kwong, the designer for The Orchid Show’s 20th year, presents a meditative and captivating design inspired by her ancestral connections to the natural world. Don’t miss this chance to be immersed in a mesmerizing array of orchids and to feel enwrapped in this one-of-a-kind experience at the New York Botanical Garden.

More Details

The Easter Bonnet Parade & Festival

SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH

The Easter Bonnet Parade & Festival is all about the hats—lavishly decorated, from the exquisite to the outlandish. Anyone is welcome to join, just show up near St. Patrick's Cathedral at 10am on Easter Sunday to watch or saunter with the group up Fifth Avenue.

More Details

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

30+ Best Kitchen Color Ideas

Grab your paintbrush and get ready to give a fresh new look to your kitchen walls and cabinets.

Courtesy of Country Living

Spring Cleaning Checklist

The Ultimate Guide to a Tidier Home. Spring cleaning will be easier with our checklist that covers your house from top to bottom.

Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

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Listing Spotlight

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Ask Us Anything

Cherry Blossom Tour in NYC

Thousands of cherry blossom trees across the five boroughs have begun to sprout their vibrant petals, marking the arrival of spring in NYC. One of the best ways to experience the breathtaking flora is by embarking on a tour through one of the city’s cherry blossom hot spots. Luckily, plenty of locations across the city offer tours of cherry blossoms and spring flowers, including Central Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Green-Wood Cemetery, and more.

While the city’s cherry blossoms are beginning to show signs of pink, the peak blooming season typically begins in mid-April. There are roughly 35,000 trees located throughout the five boroughs, the majority of which are Okame, Yoshino, or Kwanzan trees, according to the New York Times.

Cherry Hill in Central Park. Photo © Dana Schulz / 6sqft

To share the beauty of the park’s stunning Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry blossoms, the Central Park Conservancy is hosting 90-minute educational tours along the reservoir, touching on the backstory of how the trees came to the park and their maintenance. The tours start Friday, March 29, and run through April 13. Additional highlights include a stop at the famous cast-iron Gothic Bridge. Tickets cost $35 for adults and can be purchased here.

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The Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo courtesy of Allison Meier on Flickr

For a free self-guided tour, the Conservancy offers an interactive map that tracks blooming in real-time and helps visitors locate the trees within the park.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers tours highlighting its vibrant landscape in bloom. The Garden offers free seasonal highlights tours that showcase plants and trees in the early stages of blooming.

Later in April, the garden will host Hanami Nights, when the magical Cherry Esplanade will be illuminated to show off its peak bloom. The special evenings include live music, a pop-up bar with Japanese beer and sake, and food curated by local grocer Sunrise Mart.

Also in Brooklyn, Green-Wood Cemetery is hosting tours of its historic grounds as its scenic landscape begins to blossom with the colors of thousands of trees, including hundreds of cherry blossoms. The tours, led by the cemetery’s horticulture team, will highlight a few outstanding examples of the roughly 8,000 trees found throughout the grounds. The tours will be held on March 24 and April 14 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25.

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Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo courtesy of David Berkowitz on Flickr

In Queens, the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Park will host a Spring Cherry Blossoms Walk with the NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The tour sets off at the Unisphere, and along the way, the Rangers will teach guests about the iconic trees.

Staten Island’s Silver Lake Park invites visitors on a hike through their scenic paved trails along the reservoir, which is lined with stunning apple and cherry blossoms. The hike will take place on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register for the free event here.

More on the best spots in NYC to view cherry blossom trees can be found here.

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Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

March 21, 2024

Cover photo: Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo Credit: Amy Nieporent

221 East 50th Street, Unit 6D/7D

221 East 50th Street, Unit 6D/7D

MIDTOWN EAST, MANHATTAN

Asking $1,395,000

3 Bed  |  3 Bath | Co-op

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Welcome to a meticulously executed, sun-filled duplex in the heart of Midtown East/Turtle Bay.

This stunning combination of two units has created an airy three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence that maximizes the units' space. Whitewash oak flooring invites you inside to take in a full-width southern exposure and views that skim over the rooftops of the adjacent buildings. Custom lighting enhance the open plan great room's sense of space and light, while the nearby windowed kitchen offers state-of-the-art appliances by Bosch, Bertazzoni and Fisher & Paykel. At the rear of this level, a large bedroom with an impressive walk-in closet stands next to a gleaming full bathroom.

Acting as both focal point and conveyance, the custom staircase unifies the two levels with blackened steel supports, white oak tread boards and chic vertical slats. Upstairs, the luxe master suite includes another walk-in closet, a spacious windowed master bathroom, and innovative full-height electrolytic glass panels that draw natural light into the hallway or provide complete privacy at the flip of a switch. The third bedroom is situated at the rear of the floor, and the home's third full bathroom includes an in-unit washer-dryer. Custom closets, recessed lighting, HVAC units enclosed in custom cabinetry, under cabinet lighting, high-end hardware and custom millwork illustrate the care and attention that's gone into this designer home's thoughtful reimagining.

221 East 50th Street is a well-maintained postwar co-op building offering a live-in superintendent, central laundry, and bike storage. Set on beautiful, tree-lined 50th Street near Third Avenue, this delightful home is in the heart of one of Manhattan's most convenient and enjoyable neighborhoods offering residential ambiance combined with incredible accessibility. Fantastic restaurants and transportation options are abundant with 6, E and M trains within three blocks and 4/5, S and 7 trains at Grand Central Terminal.

Small-Format Whole Foods Opening On The UES

Whole Foods is piloting a new, small-format convenience store on the Upper East Side this year. The supermarket chain on Monday announced plans to open a “Whole Foods Market Daily Shop” at 1175 Third Avenue as part of an ongoing effort to provide a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers in urban areas. The Upper East Side location, which will replace The Food Emporium that closed last April, marks the first step in a broader expansion project, with the grocer expecting to open multiple New York City locations and in other cities across the United States in the future.

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The compact “quick-shop” stores, ranging in size from 7,000 to 14,000 square feet, will offer the same high-quality products that are synonymous with the Whole Foods brand but in a space half the size.

The Daily Shops will prioritize convenience, offering a variety of grab-and-go meals and snacks, weekly essentials, and more. The smaller stores are meant to pave the way for the supermarket brand’s “expansion into dense, metropolitan areas,” according to a press release.

While smaller than standard-sized supermarkets, the shops will still offer a diverse selection of fresh produce, meat, seafood, bread, alcohol, supplements, and a rotating variety of handpicked local specialties, according to the company.

Additionally, the Upper East Side location will be the first Whole Foods store in Manhattan to feature “Juice & Java,” which offers coffee, tea, fresh pressed juices, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, and desserts.

“At our new store formats, we’re tailoring every square foot to the unique, fast-paced needs of urban lifestyles,” Christina Minardi, executive vice president of Growth & Development at Whole Foods Market & Amazon, said. “We’re excited to introduce a new way for our customers to quickly pick up their Whole Foods Market favorites – from grab-and-go meals to that last-minute dinner ingredient – making the early morning or after-work grocery trips more efficient and enjoyable.”

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“Expanding our footprint with Whole Foods Market Daily Shop is key to our growth, fostering deeper customer connections, and advancing our purpose to nourish people and the planet.”

The small-format stores will not replace the regular, full-sized Whole Foods supermarkets but will serve as an alternative way for customers to conveniently shop and enjoy the grocer’s beloved selection of products.

Whole Foods currently has 17 locations in New York City, with the latest at the brand new office-condo conversion One Wall Street.

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Whole Foods to open small-format shop on the Upper East Side this year

By Aaron Ginsburg

March 5, 2024

All rendering courtesy of Whole Foods

20+ Free Tree Giveaways Across NYC This Spring

It’s free tree season. The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) on Monday announced plans to dole out 3,500 trees across the city during its annual tree giveaway. Registration is now open to receive a free tree during 20+ events starting April 13 through May 12.

NYRP will be giving away 30 different native tree species, including American Persimmon, American Plum, Beach Plum, Black Cherry, Eastern Redbud, Elderberry, Fragrant Sumac, Pagoda Dogwood, Red Maple, Sweetbay Magnolia, and more. A full list of tree species can be found here.

NYRP began hosting tree giveaways in 2008 as part of MillionTreesNYC, an initiative led in partnership with the city’s Parks Department that concluded in 2015. Since then, NYRP has continued its giveaway program and will have distributed more than 75,000 trees in total at the end of this season.

The giveaways help contribute to NYC’s environmental resilience by expanding its canopy and providing shade, creating habitat for wildlife, reducing temperatures, improving air quality, and mitigating storm water run-off.

Partners and locations for the giveaway events are as follows:

• Jackson Heights Beautification Group & Council Member Shekar Krishnan — April 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• New York Public Library Morissania Branch — April 13, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Bissel Gardens & State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey — April 14, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden — April 14, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Wyckoff House Museum & Council Member Farah Louis — April 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Bronx River Alliance (1490 Sheridan Blvd., Bronx, NY 10459) — April 20, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Stewards of Ewen Park, Tibbetts Brook Beautification Association, & Kingsbridge Heights Community Center — April 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Discovery Community Gardens & New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams — April 21, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• RISE Rockaway, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, the New York Islanders, and National Grid — April 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Queens Botanical Garden & Assemblywoman Nily Rozic — April 27, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• The Green-Wood Cemetery — April 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Bronx Land Trust — April 28, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Red Hook Farms — May 4, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Brooklyn Public Library Brownsville Branch — May 4, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths & Westervelt Family and Community Garden — May 5, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Java Street Community Garden & Council Member Lincoln Restler — May 5, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Brooklyn Public Library Marcy Branch & Council Member Chi Ossé — May 11, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Citizens Fordham Road Branch — May 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Citizens Avenue U Branch — May 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• New York Public Library Westchester Square Branch — May 11, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• HELP USA — May 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Brotherhood Sister Sol, West Harlem Art Fund & Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine — May 12, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

“New York Restoration Project is thrilled to reach our 75,000th free tree milestone this season,” Lynn Bodnar Kelly, executive director of NYRP, said. “This beloved program continues to spread the undeniable benefits of our urban tree canopy to the neighborhoods that need them most. Our city must get more trees in the ground if we want to truly increase New York’s environmental resilience.”

Those interested in getting a free tree must register in advance here.

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20+ free tree giveaways to take place across NYC this spring

By Aaron Ginsburg

March 4, 2024

All images courtesy of New York Restoration Project

610 Warren Street, Unit 4B

610 Warren Street, Unit 4B

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Asking $1,875,000

2 Bed  |  2.5 Bath | Condo

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Exquisite designer interiors and two private outdoor spaces await in this breathtaking Boerum Hill two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom duplex located at the epicenter of Brooklyn's best residential enclaves and exciting amenities.

Designed by Paris Forino, this 1,244-square-foot residence greets you on the sun-splashed main level with 7.5-inch white oak floors and tall ceilings featuring recessed and designer lighting. Relax and entertain in the spacious living/dining room, or head out to the adjacent terrace for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The open chef's kitchen impresses with stunning black and white cabinetry trimmed with brass fixtures, white subway tile, and chic Brazilian Arabescato honed quartzite countertops. Upscale appliances by Gaggenau include a gas cooktop, oven, integrated refrigerator, and microwave drawer, and a Bosch dishwasher and garbage disposal round out the kitchen. A convenient powder room completes this level.

Bedrooms are placed on the upper level for optimal peace and privacy. The owner's suite boasts a king-size layout, a massive walk-in closet and a private balcony perfect for morning coffee. A pocket door reveals an en suite spa bathroom filled with marble tile, white oak vanity and a relaxing walk-in shower with frameless glass doors and a slatted wood floor. The secondary bedroom offers a roomy closet and easy access to a second full bathroom with a soaking tub and handsome tilework. A laundry closet with a Whirlpool washer-dryer completes this beautiful Brooklyn home.

Built in 2016, 610 Warren Street is an amenity-rich condominium featuring a captivating brick and brass façade. Residents enjoy part-time doorman service, a virtual doorman system, package room, resident lounge, fitness center, children's playroom, pet spa room, bike storage, onsite parking, storage and a glorious landscaped roof deck with grills and magnificent skyline views. A 15-year tax abatement is in effect until 2034.

This outstanding location near the intersection of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill, Downtown and Fort Greene puts the best of Brooklyn living is right outside your door. BAM and Barclays Center provides world-class entertainment, and Prospect Park and Fort Greene Park are minutes away. Atlantic Terminal Mall, City Point BKLYN, artisanal cafés, world-class restaurants, eclectic nightlife venues and vintage boutiques line the adjacent blocks. The rest of the city is within easy reach thanks to B/D, N/Q/R/W, 2/3 and 4/5 subway lines, excellent bus service, LIRR trains and CitiBike stations all nearby.

First Public E-Bike Charging Station Now Open in the East Village

New York City’s first public, outdoor e-bike battery charging station opened last week as part of a six-month pilot program to test safer technologies for delivery workers and provide an alternative to charging bikes inside. The first of five to open in the coming weeks, the new station is located at Cooper Square in the East Village. The infrastructure includes a battery-swapping cabinet to swap out dead batteries for fully charged ones and a secure charging rack where workers can lock up their bikes and charge them while parked. The city said 100 delivery workers will initially participate in the pilot program and provide feedback on the charging hubs.

“We count on delivery workers for so much, and they should be able to count on us, too — whether that means fighting for fair pay or making their jobs and livelihoods safer,” Mayor Eric Adams said.

“This pilot program we’re kicking off today will give delivery workers the ability to access safe, accessible, outdoor battery-charging that will undoubtedly save lives, and we’re eager to expand this pilot even further. We know the incredible potential of e-bikes in our city and it’s on us to make e-bike use even safer.”

More charging stations will open in the coming weeks, including at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, Essex Market on the Lower East Side, Plaza de las Americas in Washington Heights, and Willoughby and Jay Streets in Downtown Brooklyn.

Tech companies Swobbee and Popwheels are providing the swappable battery cabinets and Swiftmile will provide the charging rack. All of the station’s charging features include fire safety measures like automatic shutoff if a battery is overheating.

The FDNY, a partner in the pilot, will inspect each new pilot location during installation and throughout the length of the program.

According to the New York Times, the program will cost the city roughly $950,000. Feedback gathered from participants will help inform the future of e-bike charging technology across the five boroughs.

The city first announced the pilot in December following an uptick in the number of deaths caused by faulty lithium-ion batteries. So far in 2024, there have been 31 fires caused by lithium batteries in the city, including one in Harlem last month that killed one person and injured 17 others. In 2023, battery fires killed 18 people.

Delivery workers interested in participating in the program can fill out an expression of interest here, or attend an onboarding event. The next onboarding events will be held at Cooper Square on March 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on March 8 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Los Deliveristas Unidos supports this initiative led and implemented by the Department of Transportation,” Alejandro Grajales, representative of Los Deliveristas Unidos, a group advocating on behalf of delivery workers, said.

“Building e-bike micro mobility infrastructure like e-bike charging has been a priority for Los Deliveristas Unidos. This type of infrastructure is critical to enhancing safety for not just the delivery workforce but the entire community at large.”

The pilot program falls under the mayor’s “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” plan, which aims to prevent fires caused by defective lithium-ion batteries and make e-vehicles safer for delivery workers and New Yorkers.

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First public e-bike charging station opens in the East Village

By Aaron Ginsburg

March 4, 2024

All photos courtesy of NYC DOT

The Monthly Update - March 2024

Renting vs. Buying (Post-COVID Edition)

It’s been debated many times before, but now that the New York City real estate market has seemingly turned a corner with a resurgence of buyers back into the real estate marketplace, it brings up the classic debate: What’s better, renting or buying?

The historical data indeed shows a clear trend of real estate appreciation over time, despite occasional downturns, such as the financial crisis of 2007/2008. During another flashpoint, the COVID crisis, the overall market chopped roughly 10% from prices and is still clawing its way back despite sky-high transaction rates during the initial stages of the pandemic. And the current strong buyer push hasn’t really moved the needle for pricing. That said, the correlation between inflation and real estate appreciation is often evident, as real estate tends to be a hedge against inflation due to its tangible nature and value as an asset.

It's understandable that some buyers may hesitate or attempt to time the market, especially in environments with tight inventory like today's landscape. But despite tight inventory, the long-term play to purchase real estate always seems to pay off if you treat real estate like long-term stocks. And waiting rarely pays off. Real estate has consistently appreciated over time, and trying to "get a deal" by waiting for prices to drop significantly can often result in missed opportunities.
Today is that day when prices are still diminished and recovering from COVID, and interest rates have finally dipped into more “normal” and affordable numbers. In short, it’s a great time to buy New York City real estate. Particularly when compared to the cost of a spring rental market, when fair market rates will probably jump anywhere from 5 to 20%. If you can lock in your purchase in the next four to six weeks, you’ll be a very happy seller in five to seven years :-).

In active markets, like today, with tight inventory, it's crucial for buyers to engage effective real estate professionals who understand the business and can help navigate conditions that are changing almost daily. Taking advantage of a market that's at the bottom of its basin is always a good thing, and today is that day!

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Local Happenings

NYC Saint Patrick's

Day Parade

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Head anywhere on 5th Avenue to watch the world's oldest annual St Patrick's Day parade, which has a turnout of over two million spectators every year, with over 150,000 participants marching. This festive event is one you won't want to miss!

More Infomation

Japan Fes

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Explore a culinary journey of Japan without leaving NYC at this year's first outdoor Japan Fes event! If you're a foodie, you need to check out this awesome series!

More Information

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Here's how to 'Tomato Girl' Your Home in Any Season

One of the most talked about interior design and fashion trends this year was the "Tomato Girl" aesthetic. There's a good reason for this - it's polished yet whimsical, with a touch of grand millennial mixed with a dash of quiet luxury.

Courtesy of Forbes

Kitchen + Dining Room From HGTV Dream Home 2024

Beautiful blue cabinetry provides tons of storage in this open kitchen with stunning water views. A lighter aqua-colored island gives family and friends a spot to gather around in this delightful space with layers of blues...

Courtesy of HGTV

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Featured Listings

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10 Bleecker Street, Unit 1B

10 Bleecker Street, Unit 1B

Noho, MANHATTAN

Asking $2,825,000

3 Bed  |  2 Bath | Co-op

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Beautifully planned and designed, this stunning three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex offers maisonette privacy and co-op amenities in the perfect NoHo location.

Impeccably gut renovated to maximize its historic character, while adding modern conveniences and high style, this expansive loft residence offers airy living spaces under soaring 13-foot ceilings. Arrive on the upper level via your own private entrance — and take in industrial-chic concrete floors and sleek white art walls highlighted by an original column and beam. The great room provides a spacious and sunny space for living and dining, while the gleaming white-on-white kitchen offers top-notch appliances and a massive marble waterfall island. A rustic barn door reveals a luxurious master suite on this level lined with sumptuous wall coverings and clerestory windows. A huge, fitted walk-in closet attends to the wardrobe, and the en suite bathroom boasts floor-to-ceiling marble, with an oversized walk-in shower and a distinctive trough basin.

Downstairs, flawless wide-plank hardwood leads you to the expansive den/playroom. More columns, clerestory windows and barn doors provide architectural appeal, and bedrooms on this level feature large windows and stunning exposed brick. The full bathroom here dazzles with designer stone and an enormous clawfoot soaking tub. There's a massive storage room with in-unit washer-dryer and utility sink, and air conditioning units provide year-round comfort.

Set within the NoHo East Historic District, 10 Bleecker Street is a handsome Renaissance Revival structure built for commercial use in 1893. Its earliest occupants were garment businesses, novelty companies and tool-and-die firms. Converted to cooperative use in 1986, today's residents enjoy newly updated common areas, video intercom and virtual doorman technology, private storage lockers and bike room, laundry, and a large furnished roof deck with barbecue grills.

Located at where Elizabeth Street meets Bleecker, this building is at the intersection of Downtown Manhattan's best neighborhoods: NoHo, SoHo, The Bowery, Greenwich Village, the East Village and the Lower East Side. Famed Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park and Roosevelt Park provide ample green space; NYU is a stone's throw away; and the exciting Essex Crossing development is within easy reach. Transportation from this accessible neighborhood is a breeze with 6, B/D/F/M and N/R/W all nearby.

Temporary Outdoor Event Space at Site of Demolished Hotel Pennsylvania Coming Soon?

Vornado Realty Trust may bring an outdoor event space to the site of the former Hotel Pennsylvania as it delays constructing a 56-story office tower there. As first reported by Crain’s, the developer has floated the idea of “Penn Platform,” an 80,000-square-foot space for U.S. Open tennis matches, New York Fashion Week shows, concerts, soccer matches, and other events, in addition to giant billboards, as seen in conceptual renderings published in a marketing brochure. Located on 7th Avenue between 32nd and 33rd Streets, the site sits across from Penn Station and was once home to a 100-year-old hotel, which was demolished last year.

The outdoor space takes roughly half of the block between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, and West 32nd and West 33rd Streets. According to the brochure, Penn Platform “offers brands a unique opportunity for activation space on New York City’s newest stage.”

“The Platform’s open layout and advertising/signage opportunities makes it ideal for a wide range of events, while the bustling energy of the city ensures maximum exposure and engagement to make a lasting impression.”

Renderings show the event space being used for New York Fashion Week and U.S. Open tennis matches, with four tennis courts fitting into the nearly two-acre space.

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Looking south on 7th Avenue at the site of the former Hotel Pennsylvania (on left). Photo © Ondel Hylton

Penn Platform’s most prominent feature would be a towering digital billboard measuring 150 feet high by 197 feet wide. While there are already large billboards located around the intersection, the size of the proposed digital billboard is unprecedented for the area, according to Crain’s. The signage would span the entire distance from West 32nd to West 33rd Streets and cover the entire back side of 100 West 33rd Street.

The site is slated to become Penn 15, a long-in-the-works massive office tower, now on hold because of current market conditions. A temporary space like Penn Platform would be able to generate profit for the company in the meantime.

A spokesperson for Vornado told 6sqft in a statement: “We are currently considering a number of potential interim options for the Hotel Pennsylvania site. The renderings in the presentation are for conceptual purposes.”

Plans to redevelop the broader area around Penn Station were put on hold last February following the pandemic’s effect on in-person work and the increasing vacancy in office buildings across the city. Steven Roth, CEO of Vornado, said at the time new construction was “almost impossible” because of the market.

“It’s a great site in the center of the city,” Michael J. Franco, president and CFO of Vornado, said during the company’s Q3 earnings call in October, referring to the Penn Platform space. “And whether it’s fashion shows or other temporary uses, we think there will be opportunities to generate some cash flow until the site is ready for development.”

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Vornado floats temporary outdoor event space at site of demolished Hotel Pennsylvania

By Aaron Ginsburg

February 16, 2024

Cover photo and all renderings are conceptual. Courtesy of Vornado

160 East 27th Street, Unit 11A

160 East 27th Street, Unit 11A

KIPS BAY, MANHATTAN

Asking $715,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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Investor-friendly co-op; sublet from day one. There is currently a tenant in place. For lease details, please inquire.

This updated, large and sunny one-bedroom is a quiet retreat on the 11th floor of a 12-story building. As you enter the sun-drenched apartment, you find a foyer with a proper coat closet. You continue into a renovated kitchen with Caesar stone countertop, island/breakfast bar, a pantry, and stainless-steel appliances. The bedroom, with two large closets, is large enough to accommodate a king-size bed.

Benefit from a recently renovated lobby, live-in super, video intercom and new laundry room in the building. 160 East 27th Street is a well-run co-op conveniently located in prime Kips Bay, just blocks from the six train.

10 Great Spots to Watch the Super Bowl in NYC

On February 11, the San Francisco 49ers will face the defending champs the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. In New York City, there is no shortage of exciting ways to enjoy the big game with many of the city’s bars and restaurants hosting watch parties with food and drink specials. Ahead, here are some of the best spots to watch Super Bowl LVIII in NYC, from taking a ping-pong break between downs at SPIN to cheering from a heated cabana at Williamsburg’s BK Backyard Bar.

Monarch Rooftop

71 West 35th Street, Midtown
February 11 from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Enjoy the big game 18 floors up on one of the city’s favorite rooftop destinations. Monarch Rooftop boasts five big-screen TVs and five projectors, so there will be no shortage of ways to watch the game. Admission comes with access to a one-hour open bar from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as drink and food specials all night. Tickets start at $40 per person and can be purchased here.

Time Out Market

55 Water Street, Dumbo
February 11 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cheer on your favorite team alongside delicious food and drinks at Dumbo’s Time Out Market. The event kicks off with a pre-game party from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with music from Brooklyn-based DJ Mike Nasty. The game will be presented on screens located throughout the market, as well as on a projector on the 5th floor. There are also prize giveaways taking place throughout the day. Admission is free.

5th & Mad

7 East 36th Street, Midtown East
Located two blocks away from the Empire State Building, 5th & Mad is inviting guests to enjoy the Super Bowl in its vibrant two-level space. The event space is the perfect destination to watch the game, with a large number of TVs and a towering 11-foot-tall projection screen so you can catch the action no matter where you are in the venue. The watch party features food and drink specials throughout the game. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.

The Playwright Irish Pub

27 West 35th Street, Midtown
Whether you’re a football fan or not, Midtown’s Playwright Irish Pub is sure to provide a memorable Super Bowl screening experience. The bar creates the perfect setting to watch the game where both fans and non-fans can come together to enjoy the spectacle and mingle with one another in a fun, inviting atmosphere. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.

La Vibra NYC

37 West 26th Street, Flatiron
Travel to Flatiron’s La Vibra NYC for an unforgettable Super Bowl experience. The lounge space boasts a stunning 30-foot marble bar, a sleek design, and creative cocktails and food. Patrons can enjoy a three-hour open bar, two hours of appetizers, and the ability to watch the big game on three different projectors located across the venue. Tickets start at $45 for standing open bar admission and can be purchased here.

Image courtesy of Elsie Rooftop

Elsie Rooftop

1412 Broadway, Midtown
Spend Super Bowl LVIII perched atop Elsie’s covered outdoor roof deck. Located in Midtown, the rooftop space boasts a 100-inch projector screen as well as many other HD TVs located throughout the venue, ensuring no shortage of ways to enjoy the big game. Booking a table for two gets you access to a two-hour open bar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and a shared appetizer platter. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased here.

Photo courtesy of SPIN

SPIN Midtown

1626 Broadway, Midtown
What could be better than watching the Super Bowl while playing ping pong? SPIN is inviting guests to watch the big game at their Midtown location while playing ping pong at their communal tables and watching the Super Bowl on numerous large TV screens. Tickets include access to an open bar from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., open play on SPIN’s communal ping pong tables, tailgate food served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and large format communal games like Connect 4, Jenga, Cornhole, and UNO. Tickets cost $89.15 and can be purchased here.

Fifty Four NYC

226 East 54th Street, Midtown East
Experience the Super Bowl like never before at Fifty Four NYC, a dual-level lounge and luxury event venue in Midtown East. For game day, the venue is offering several food and drink specials, including a one-hour open bar. Tickets start at $19.44 and can be purchased here.

Image courtesy of Treadwell Park

Treadwell Park

Upper East Side and Battery Park City
Treadwell Park offers a fun and inviting atmosphere with interactive games and an expansive beverage menu featuring 20 rotating craft beers, ciders, and hand-crafted cocktails. Both Treadwell Park’s Upper East Side and Battery Park City locations will be screening the game on 20 flat-screen TVs and offering two types of admission:

For $49, general admission gets you access to an hour-and-a-half-long open bar with party favors and swag. VIP tables range in price from $440 to $1,304 and are available for parties of four to 12 and include a two-hour open bar, a selection of appetizers, and decorations for the big game. More information on the watch parties can be found here.

Image courtesy of Noah Fecks

Romeo’s

118 St. Marks Place, East Village
Located in the East Village, Romeo’s is a retro-style neon-lit cocktail bar inspired by the 1990s and characters from popular romance films. For the Super Bowl, Romeo’s is partnering with Teramana Tequila and offering signature drinks, and game-day bites like beef, chicken, mushroom tacos, buffalo corn ribs, and a seven-layer dip. The Super Bowl will be projected on two walls.

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20 best spots to watch the Super Bowl in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

February 5, 2024

Cover photo courtesy of Bk Backyard Bar in Williamsburg.

303 West 66th Street, Unit 12JE

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303 West 66th Street, Unit 12JE

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

Asking $995,000

2 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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Enjoy river and city views and open living space in this high-floor two-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op situated in an outstanding full-service postwar co-op in the heart of Lincoln Square.

Inside this spacious and bright corner residence, you'll be swept away by exceptional natural light and stunning vistas spanning from west-facing and city views stretching north up West End Avenue. A welcoming foyer flanked by a coat closet opens to a generous layout filled with wood floors, tall ceilings and wide art walls. Relax in the large living room, entertain in the dining alcove, and take advantage of a grandfathered enclosed balcony perfect as a reading nook, playroom, or fitness space. Accessible from the foyer and dining area, the long galley kitchen offers abundant cabinet and counter space and full-size appliances, including a gas range, dishwasher, and French door refrigerator. The serene accommodations include a king-size primary bedroom with a wall of closets and double exposures and a secondary bedroom with northern outlooks. A full bathroom with a large tub/shower, a handsome vanity cabinet and an adjacent linen closet complete this wonderful Upper West Side sanctuary.

Lincoln Guild is a desirable luxury cooperative where residents enjoy 24-hour doorman/concierge service, on-site management, an updated lobby, a new fitness center, a party room with a catering kitchen, two modern laundry rooms, a convenient circular driveway, plus a bike room and parking (subject to availability). This building offers excellent financials with no underlying mortgage and low maintenance charges, including electricity, gas and taxes. Pieds-à-terre, co-purchasing and parents buying for children are permitted. Sorry, no dogs.

Located in vibrant Lincoln Square, this home embraces the Upper West Side's coveted urban accessibility and remarkable outdoor space. Enjoy afternoons along the miles-long Hudson River Greenway, Riverside Park or Central Park. Shop along Broadway or at the Shops at Columbus Circle, and take in world-class entertainment at Lincoln Center, the Beacon Theatre or the Theater District. Transportation from this Upper West Side enclave is a breeze with 1/2/3 trains just minutes away and B/C trains along Central Park West, plus excellent bus service, CitiBikes, and the Henry Hudson Parkway all nearby.

Play With Giant Light-Up Dominos In The Financial District

A new interactive public art installation in the Financial District is injecting vibrant color and sound into New York City’s dreary winter. Created by Montreal-based design studio Ingrid Ingrid, “Domino Effect” features 120 giant dominos scattered across 12 tables in Fosun Plaza, with each domino giving off a unique sound and color. Presented by the Downtown Alliance in partnership with Quartier des Spectacles International, the installation is on view at Fosun Plaza in front of 28 Liberty Street through March 6.

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“Domino Effect will be a bright and playful addition to the neighborhood and will provide some inspiration to spend a little more time outdoors during the long winter season,” Jessica Lappin, president of the Downtown Alliance, said.

Each set of dominos features a different instrument profile, including vocals, percussion, marimba, balafon, or flute, and every individual domino has a distinct sound. The installation provides a fun and engaging way for Lower Manhattan workers, residents, and visitors to create music as a team.

“We’re thrilled to present the dazzling installation ‘Domino Effect’ by Ingrid Ingrid in downtown New York. Until early March, enjoy toppling dominoes in cascades of light and sound with friends and family,” Guillaume Aniorté, executive director of QDSi, said.

“We hope this experience will bring joy and beautiful moments of collaboration to everyone visiting Lower Manhattan in the coming weeks.”

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Play with giant light-up dominos in the Financial District

By Aaron Ginsburg

February 1, 2024

All photos courtesy of Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Alliance for Downtown New York

The Monthly Update - February 2024

Riding the Interest Rate Waves...

Manhattan and Brooklyn Market Trends: The current trajectory in market activity continues its upward trend. Buyers are gaining confidence as they anticipate further drops in mortgage rates throughout the year. They are also recognizing that the combination of lower rates and limited inventory will intensify competition, potentially leading to higher prices.

Mortgage Rates: Although rates experienced a slight uptick of approximately 0.25% this month, they remain approximately 2.0% lower than the peak observed in October. Projections indicate a mid-5% rate for 30-year fixed mortgages by the end of the year. Additionally, ARM rates are expected to revert to their historical average, approximately 0.75% lower than 30-year fixed rates, by year-end. This shift is particularly significant for our market and clientele, who show greater receptivity to these products compared to the national average.

Inflation: The Federal Reserve reports a current inflation rate of 3.4%, a decrease from 6.45% at this time last year, with their target set at 2.0%. Some argue that Truflation, considered by many as a more accurate measure, already indicates a rate of 1.87%.

The Fed and the Media: The media often portrays statements from "The Fed" without providing a comprehensive view. It's crucial to remember that the Federal Reserve consists of 12 members, and media outlets may highlight the most sensational quote from one member, often with an opinion differing from the group's average, for the sake of generating clicks.

Lending Landscape: The lending landscape is evolving rapidly with the emergence of niche mortgage products. Some lenders are actively seeking to expand and capture market share, such as in the case of second homes in the Hamptons. Conversely, major banks are scaling back their involvement. It is now more important than ever to collaborate with a lender offering a diverse range of products, rates, and investor connections to address the unique needs of each deal or client.

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Local Happenings

Color Factory‘s

“Colors in Bloom”

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Take a family trip to the all-ages and one of a kind colorful experiences, 'Colors in Bloom', the latest exhibition at SoHo's Color Factory.

Click HERE to learn more!

Lunar New Year Parade

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Head to Chinatown to celebrate the year of the dragon! In the heart of Chinatown on Bayard Street between Mott and Mulberry, you will find dancing, festival booths, martial art performers, stunning outfits, firecrackers and more! This is an NYC tradition you don't want to miss!

Click HERE to learn more!

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Foolproof Paint Colors that will Sell your Home

Selling a home with an electric, lime-green living room is going to be more difficult than you originally anticipated...

Courtesy of HGTV

20 Most Affordable Places to Live in the US

With the cost of living on the rise, many Americans are on the hunt for the cheapest places to live in the U.S. that still offer a high quality of life...

Courtesy of Forbes

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Featured Listings

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The Hoffman Team has you covered! With trusted colleagues in over 71 markets nationwide and team members on both coasts, we are here to help - no matter where your move takes you.

Below are some listings from our fellow team member Renato Besabe who works in both NYC and Hawaii.

Featured Hawaiian ListingS:

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Stay Connected

110 Riverside Drive, Unit 15C

110 Riverside Drive, Unit 15C

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

Asking $2,695,000

3 Bed  |  2 Bath | Co-op

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Uptown Classic Six grandeur awaits in this stunning three-bedroom, two-bathroom co-op featuring an expansive, flexible layout and chic designer finishes in a historic, full-service Upper West Side building.
A semi-private landing invites you inside this approximately 1,900-square-foot residence, where nearly 9-foot-tall beamed ceilings rise above deep-stained hardwood floors, crisp white art walls, and oversized windows on the northern, southern, and eastern exposures. Two large closets flank the entry, while a wide gallery provides plenty of room for mudroom-style bench seating or a grand foyer table under a classic pendant light. To the left, the sprawling living room stretches nearly 23 feet long, delivering a generous footprint for seating and dining areas. Across the hall, the spacious den is ideal as a separate formal dining room, family room, media lounge or whatever your needs require. Chefs will flock to the windowed kitchen, which features easy access to the service entrance, entry gallery, and den. Snow-white custom cabinetry topped with marble counters surrounds elite appliances, including a showstopping La Cornue range, cabinet-front refrigerator, dishwasher and wine refrigerator.
The home's luxurious accommodations begin with a serene owner's suite featuring a king-size bedroom, a windowed dressing area, and two custom closets. The windowed en suite bathroom is perfectly arranged with a soaking tub, separate shower and console vanity wrapped in marble tile and basketweave floors. An extra-large secondary bedroom boasts two closets of its own and easy access to the home's second full bathroom and linen closet. Off the kitchen, the former maid's room is perfect as a third bedroom or private home office.
110-118 Riverside Drive is an established, well-respected cooperative composed of two handsome brick, terra cotta and cast-stone apartment buildings constructed in 1928 by Gronenberg & Leuchtag. Residents of the pet-friendly enclave enjoy full-time doorman and live-in superintendent service, an elegant stained-glass lobby, a fitness center, a children's playroom, laundry, storage and a bike room. Sorry, no pieds-à-terre permitted. A 2% flip tax is payable by the buyer.
Situated on a gorgeous, tree-lined block within the Riverside West End Historic District, this home offers the perfect combination of residential serenity and city accessibility. Stunning Riverside Park is just inches away, and Central Park is a half-mile east. Amazing gourmet food shops, boutiques, restaurants and nightlife destinations line the nearby streets, and access to transportation is effortless with 1/2/3, B and C trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all within reach.

Central Park Tower Penthouse Finds Buyer at $115 Million!

Only two weeks into 2024 and New York City is already seeing record real estate deals. A 12,557-square-foot penthouse in Central Park Tower at 217 West 57th Street has entered contract, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The duplex condo at the Billionaires’ Row tower, considered the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere, was first listed in March for $175 million and most recently asked $149.5 million, according to CityRealty. The final deal turned out to be closer to $115 million, according to the Journal. The buyer has not been named.

As 6sqft previously reported, the penthouse takes up the 107th and 108th floors and is wrapped on all sides by windows, which offer spectacular views of Central Park, the city, and beyond. The home has seven bedrooms, eight full baths, two half-baths, and a private elevator to move between the two floors.

On the first level, there is a grand salon with a 27-foot double-height ceiling, chevron-patterned hardwood floors, and terrace access, and a kitchen equipped with high-end professional appliances. Other spaces include a family room, a conservatory, a library, an office, a media room with a second terrace, a guest suite, a playroom, and a staff room.

Up a floating spiral staircase to the upper level, there are five bedrooms, including a primary suite that boasts a bedroom, private sitting room, and his-and-hers dressing rooms and bathrooms.

Table: OndelSource: CityRealty Created with Datawrapper

The $100 million-plus deal marks just the sixth nine-figure deal on record, according to CityRealty. Since 2003, there have been a total of 146 apartment sales of over $40 million in Manhattan.

In late 2021, billionaire Daniel Och sold his penthouse at 220 Central Park South for $188 million, double what he paid in 2019. Ken Griffin’s $238 million purchase at 220 Central Park South remains the most expensive apartment sale in the city (and in the country).

Developed by Extell and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the 1,550-foot-tall Central Park Tower offers a private amenity club with 50,000 square feet of perks across three floors. The 100th-floor club offers a private restaurant, a ballroom, a wine bar, and a cigar lounge. There’s also an outdoor pool, a sun deck, and cabanas on the terrace, as well as a fitness and wellness center, a squash court, a private movie theater, and a business center.

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Photo: Cody Boone for SERHANT.

In September 2022, the building made news again when its top penthouse was listed for $250 million, which would become the most expensive sale in the country if it fetched the asking price. That record is on hold for now as the price dropped to a much more reasonable $195 million last year.

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Central Park Tower penthouse last listed for $149.5M finds buyer

By Devin Gannon

January 18, 2024

Cover image courtesy of Extell

210 Central Park South, Unit 10D

210 Central Park South, Unit 10D

CENTRAL PARK SOUTH, MANHATTAN

$13,995/Mo.

2 Bed  |  2.5 Bath | Co-op

Central Park becomes your daily backdrop and personal playground in this breathtaking two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom Central Park South residence beautifully reimagined by Stuart Parr Design.

A gracious entry gallery lined with custom-built Boffi closets invites you into this designer showplace to discover gleaming chevron hardwood floors and ceilings dotted with recessed lighting. Ahead, you'll arrive in the expansive living room where the beauty of Central Park unfolds at your feet. Enjoy a generous footprint for seating areas, or step onto the 26.5-foot-wide terrace for al fresco meals alongside treetop outlooks. Chefs will adore the sleek Boffi kitchen's fleet of Gaggenau appliances, including a cooktop, wall oven, dishwasher, microwave drawer and wine refrigerator. The adjacent dining room welcomes lavish entertaining and intimate dinners with equal ease.

Head to the owner's suite, where every day begins with park vistas and coffee on the terrace. A custom-designed bed and night tables add chic designer style, and four custom Boffi closets attend to wardrobe needs. In the en suite bathroom, you'll find swaths of Italian slab marble, radiant heat floors, a double vanity and gorgeous contemporary fixtures. The south-facing secondary bedroom features excellent closet space and custom built-ins of its own, plus another en suite marble bath. An in-unit washer-dryer and zoned HVAC add comfort and convenience. Enjoy an outstanding media experience with a home theater speaker system in the living room, plus built-in speakers in the living room, dining room, and the primary bed and bath. A Savant smart home system controls lights, shades, air conditioning and A/V equipment from your phone, tablet or remote.

210 Central Park South is an illustrious postwar co-op where residents enjoy 24-hour white glove doorman and elevator service, a live-in superintendent, an on-site attended parking garage and a new rooftop deck with an outdoor kitchen.

From this commanding Central Park South location, you're just inches from 840 acres of iconic outdoor space and Midtown accessibility. Enjoy front-row access to world-class shopping, five-star dining and spectacular Theater District and Lincoln Center entertainment. Transportation is effortless thanks to F, N/Q/R/W, A/C, B/D, 1 and E, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.

Lunar New Year 2024: Where To Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Manhattan

Lunar New Year, the two-week-long festival that ushers in spring and new beginnings, starts on February 10 and runs until February 24. This year marks the Year of the Dragon, which is the fifth animal in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiacs and is said to possess the sharpest sense of self among all other zodiac signs. Ahead, find many ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York City, from taking craft lessons from master artisans at the Chinese Institute in America’s family festival to attending Chinatown’s annual parade and firecracker celebration.

Image courtesy of The Shops at Hudson Yards

Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards
The Shops at Hudson Yards, 20 Hudson Yards
January 22 through February 12
Hudson Yards is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with free lion dances and ribbon-twirling performances, traditional decor, and lots of special deals and discounts at its stores and restaurants. Customers who spend $188 or more on one day inside Hudson Yards will receive a complimentary gift. You can get validated by showing your same-day receipts to the concierge desk on level one.

Visitors can catch the lion dances and ribbon-twirling performances, presented by the New York Chinese Cultural Center, every Saturday (1/27, 2/3, and 2/10), at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.

Image courtesy of Tsingtao

Toast to the Year of the Dragon with Tsingtao
January 30 through February 12
Tsingtao is collaborating with four critically acclaimed Chinese restaurants in NYC to create Tsingtao-infused culinary specials. From January 30 through February 12, sit down for a meal at Hutong, MáLà Project, Milu, and Hunan Slurp and enjoy beer-infused flavors and innovative dishes.

Take a look below at the limited-edition meals:

Hutong:

• “Xingréng Pijiu” ($20): A creative beer cocktail combining Tsingtao with tomato juice, Maggi seasoning, and a blend of spices, served with a Tajin and ground Sichuan red peppercorn rim, garnished with a red chili pepper and dehydrated yuzu wheel.

• “Qingfu Pijiu” ($18): A refreshing beer cocktail featuring Tsingtao with passion fruit purée, honey, yuzu, and a hint of Sichuan red peppercorn spice, garnished with a banana leaf and orchid flower.

• Beef Tenderloin with Leeks ($48): A flavorful dish of pan-seared beef tenderloin and leeks, cooked with Tsingtao, ginger, scallions, and seasoning, finished with potato starch water and sesame oil.

• Mala Beer Prawns ($42): Shrimp boiled with Tsingtao and tossed with ginger, scallions, peppers, Chinese celery, and Sichuan peppercorns, creating a bold and spicy flavor.

MáLà Project (all four locations):

• White Jade ($18): A mix of Tsingtao Beer Syrup, white rum, spiced ginger tea, and lemon. 

• Chino Barrio ($18): A bold concoction of Tsingtao Beer, bourbon, bird-eye chili pepper, grenadine, pineapple, and lime. 

• Dragon Dance ($18): A celebration in a glass with Tsingtao Beer, rosemary Aperol, grapefruit, and honey. 

Milu:

• Tsingtao Marinated Chicken ($26): Half chicken marinated in Tsingtao, served with sesame garlic sweet potatoes, and rice. Available for dinner only. 

• Umeshandy ($8): A refreshing blend of Tsingtao beer with umeshu, sherry, and lime, rimmed with salted Sichuan pepper. Available for dinner only. 

Hunan Slurp:

• Beer Duck ($33): Duck braised in a rich sauce of chili pepper, ginger, and Tsingtao beer.

Platform by James Beard Foundation

Lunar New Year Dinner & Social
Pier 57, 25 11th Avenue, Chelsea
February 2 at 7 p.m.
On February 2, Zhan Chen, executive chef of Potluck Club, and Helen Nguyen, chef and owner of Saigon Social, are hosting an exclusive dinner at Platform by James Beard Foundation, a state-of-the-art show kitchen in Pier 57. Patrons will enjoy some of the chef’s favorite Lunar New Year meals, including coconut juice-braised pork belly, duck confit rice rolls, and more. You can learn more about the dinner here.

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon at the Met
The Met, 1000 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
February 3 through January 2025.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is throwing an exciting family-friendly festival to honor the Year of the Dragon. The world-renowned museum is hosting live performances, interactive activities, artist-led workshops, and more. Highlights of the festival include a kick-off celebration by the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute, a performance by the Sesame Street Muppeteers featuring Alan Muraoka, and a poetry reading by Yu and Me Books. All activities are free with museum admission, and no advanced registration is required. A full schedule of events can be found here.

The festival coincides with the opening of a new exhibition at the museum called “Celebrating the Year of the Dragon,” a curated selection of art that honors the most beloved animal in Chinese culture. The exhibition features a selection of more than 20 works from the museum’s permanent collection that depict the mythical creature in a variety of media, including ceramic, jade, lacquer, metalwork, and textiles.

The featured works illustrate the important role that the dragon has played as a symbol of imperial authority, a force that dispels evil, and a “benevolent deity that brings auspicious rain to all life on earth.” Highlights of the exhibition include a third-century BCE jade pendant of a spirited dragon with a sinuous body, a seventh-century bronze mirror with symbols of the four cardinal directions, and a giant 16th-century blue and white porcelain jar with dragons weaving through clouds and waves.

China Institute in America’s Lunar New Year Family Festival
China Institute in America, 40 Rector Street, Financial District
February 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
For their action-packed festival, the China Institute in America is flying out master artists from the Zhejiang province of China to provide an authentic, engaging, cultural experience for visitors.

The celebration will begin with a traditional lion dance, followed by a famous Taishun string puppet performance. Chinese artisans will lead Lunar New Year-themed stations and interactive workshops for participants of all ages, including Taizhou embroidery, rice dough sculpturing, Song-dynasty tea whisking and tasting, Nan-Song dynasty pottery sculpting, 3D sugar painting, New Year woodblock printing, and more.

The themed stations and workshops are available for visitors on a first-come-first-served basis. General admission for adults starts at $15 and can be purchased here.

Lunar New Year Book ‘Tasting’ at the Library
Harry Belafonte Library, 203 West 115th Street, Harlem
February 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Come and sample books at the New York Public Library’s Harry Belafonte Branch in Harlem, including cookbooks, history, arts & crafts, fiction, and more, celebrating the Lunar New Year around the world.

Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival
Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Chrystie Street and Forsyth Street, Chinatown
February 10 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival is returning to Chinatown’s Sara D. Roosevelt Park for its 26th year. During the festival, thousands of firecrackers are set ablaze to ward off evil spirits and welcome in the Year of the Dragon. The event will also feature live dance performances, food & drink vendors, giveaways, and more.

Lunar New Year at the Seaport
February 17
South Street Seaport, Manhattan
The Seaport is partnering with the New York Chinese Cultural Center and the South Street Seaport Museum for a day full of fun Lunar New Year festivities. Activities will take place throughout the day and include live lion dance performances, calligraphy, arts & crafts, and more to be announced.

MOCA Family Festival
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, Chinatown
February 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Museum of Chinese in America is hosting an action-packed festival with attractions for the entire family. The festival kicks off with spring festival dances by the famous Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, who will dazzle the crowds with an innovative, hip-hop-infused lion dance, and a plethora of other activities.

Throughout the event, guests can try bite-sized Lunar Year treats, attend a meet & greet with authors Michele Wong McSween and Ms. Pauline, watch live demonstrations of noodle pulling and candy making, create arts & crafts, and more.

Tickets cost $5 and kids under two are free.

Photo courtesy of Explore Chinatown on Wikimedia

Chinese New Year Parade
Chinatown
February 25 at 1 p.m.
Chinatown’s annual Lunar Year Parade is returning to Lower Manhattan on February 25. Hosted by Better Chinatown, 2024’s parade celebrates the Year of the Dragon and features traditional dragon dancing, striking outfits, martial arts performers, food and drink vendors, and much more. The procession kicks off at the corner of Mott and Hester Streets before traveling down to Chatham Square. The parade then sets off across East Broadway and up Forsyth Street before ending at Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

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Lunar New Year 2024: How to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

January 23, 2024

Cover photo by Dan Nguyen on Flickr

201 East 21st Street, Unit 16J

201 East 21st Street, Unit 16J

GRAMERCY, MANHATTAN

$549,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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Experience exciting Gramercy Park living in this junior one-bedroom, one-bathroom home featuring a quiet high-floor location and spacious layout at The Quaker Ridge — one of Downtown's most sought-after full-service cooperatives.

Inside you'll find new floors, fresh paint and wide windows facing north and east. The oversized alcove studio layout has already been converted for your convenience, with double glass doors opening to an inviting sleeping area. The dining foyer and long living room provide plenty of room for lounging, entertainment and working from home, while two extra-large closets deliver exceptional storage. Put your personal stamp on the bathroom and convenient kitchen layout that can easily be expanded and opened up to add an island. Two HVAC units ensure year-round comfort in both the living area and bedroom.

Fall in love with Quaker Ridge, a revered postwar co-op known for its strong financials and low maintenance. Residents enjoy full-time doorman service, a live-in superintendent, laundry, bike storage and a residents-only parking garage with direct access to the building. Quaker Ridge allows co-purchasing and pets but does not permit guarantors or pieds-à-terre. Please note, there is a monthly energy charge of $88 already included in the maintenance, which adjusts quarterly. There is currently a monthly assessment of $255 through December 2024.

Located just minutes from Union Square, the Flatiron District, and NoMad, this Gramercy Park home is at the epicenter of Manhattan's coveted shopping, dining, nightlife, and outdoor space. Union Square and Madison Square Park put year-round greenmarkets and events just blocks away, and foodies will love the proximity to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Eataly and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. Access to transportation is fantastic with 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, and L trains, excellent bus service, and CitiBikes nearby.