The Monthly Update - June 2024

Cooperatives and Condominiums and Rentals, Oh My!

To say New York City has a real estate landscape unlike any other in the country is not an exaggeration. First of all, roughly 60% of the city’s housing units happen to be rentals. For comparison, the national average is the exact opposite, with nearly 65% of all U.S. homes owner-occupied. 

Other than condops (let’s not get into it) and townhouses (which generally start around $4 million), there are two primary types of purchased habitats in New York: the cooperative and the condominium.

Let’s start with the cooperative, or co-ops, for short. Before 1980, close to 90% of all buildings were rentals. In the early 1980s, the co-op conversion craze started when sponsors or developers would convert rental buildings to co-ops. At the time, the city’s economy was in shambles, mortgage rates frequently topped 15% and rental laws capped income for building owners. Co-op conversions were an easy way for building owners to cash out quickly.

Instead of owning the property, with a co-op property, you lease shares of a corporation for a 99-year period. This arrangement allowed shareholders to screen and approve other potential shareholders of their private corporation, which happened to be a residential apartment building, essentially skirting Fair Housing laws in the process. But that’s a story for another time. Today, the majority — about 65% — of purchased (non-rental) buildings in New York City are cooperatives. 

The co-op sales process starts just like any other property: You put it on the market, set a price, get offers, negotiate and accept an offer. However, unlike the rest of the country, here in New York City, the deal then goes to real estate attorneys who negotiate the contract before you sign. But here’s where it gets interesting: The buyers must also fill out a co-op board application — a minor thesis on their personal and financial wherewithal. The board package is submitted to the co-ops managing agent, who reviews it to make sure it’s filled out correctly, and then it goes to the board for their approval. If the board application passes muster, the buyer goes to a board interview. If the board denies the buyer at either stage, the deal is done. It’s over. The third-party board has killed the deal and ended what is often a two-month process! This makes Manhattan extremely unique from the rest of the country because the majority of the property that you can purchase here is subject to approval by a separate board based on your finances, generally. 

Meanwhile, the condominium process is a bit more straightforward. Roughly 35% of the purchase market consists of real property in the form of condominiums. In the condominium purchase process, there is no pass/fail. You own the four walls and have a separate tax lot for the property that you're purchasing. There is a board application, but it’s called a sales application, which is just as comprehensive as the co-op board application, but there is no pass or fail. It’s just a waiver right of first refusal that the condo board has to issue. If they don’t seem to like the buyer, the board has the right to purchase the property for the same price and terms that are on the contract of sale, and the prospective buyers are just out of luck! But, after 22 years of selling property in New York City, I’ve only seen this happen once. It rarely happens because condo buildings generally cannot afford the average sale price in New York City of $1.3 million for a one-bedroom.

If you’re looking to purchase in New York City, getting a strong real estate agent to help you navigate these different types of purchase structures is extremely important. Making sure that you can pass a co-op board even before you start looking at a property is absolutely critical. If you are looking to buy in New York City or have any questions about the buying or selling process, please reach out. We’d love to help.

---

Local Happenings

NYC Pride 2024

JUNE 1 - 30, 2024

New York City celebrates Pride every June by bringing millions together to celebrate and advocate for equality. Rainbow-clad activists and allies will take to the streets in support of this year's theme, “Reflect. Empower. Unite”. See below to learn more about this year's NYC Pride events.

Learn More

Tribeca Film Festival

JUNE 5 - 16, 2024

It's back and better than ever! Did someone say "De Niro Con"? Yes, that's right and there's even more! Explore a wide range of festivities at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. From exclusive galas, short film screenings, celebrity panels, participant voting, to exclusive music lounge dance parties, this is the experience for all the film buffs!

Learn More

---

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Design Choices Sellers Might Want to Rethink

Social media causes a lot of hype, but trends change frequently and could hurt resales. Sellers are wise to play it safe with timeless simplicity.

Courtesy of NAR

6 Spring 2024 Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers

The housing market is in a strange place this spring....

Courtesy of Forbes

---

Listing Spotlight

---

Stay Connected

How to Spend Memorial Day Weekend in NYC

While it marks the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day was created to honor the brave men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Fortunately, in New York City, there are plenty of ways to commemorate the holiday while also enjoying the long weekend, with activities including live music aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, a military history boat cruise in the New York Harbor, and the largest Memorial Day parade in the country.

Concerts

Image courtesy of the New York Philharmonic

New York Philharmonic Free Memorial Day Concert
May 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
1047 Amsterdam Avenue, The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
The New York Philharmonic is giving a free concert on Memorial Day inside Morningside Heights’ stunning Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Conducted by music director Jaap van Zweden, the 31st Annual Free Memorial Day Concert is presented as a gift to New Yorkers and a day of musical remembrance. The program will include Wagner’s “Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,” Copland’s “Quiet City,” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4.” Admission is free, but tickets are limited and available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Fleet Week Times Square Concerts
May 24, May 25, May 26
Times Square
As part of Fleet Week, enjoy three nights of band concerts in Times Square. On May 24, 25, and 26, listen to performances by the U.S. Navy Brass Band, U.S. Navy Rock Band, U.S. Marine Corps Band, and the U.S. Fleet Forces Rock Band.

Fleet Week 2018. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Hunter Medley via Flickr

Boat Tours & Cruises

Military History Tour of New York Harbor
May 27
Set sail on a fun and educational boat tour through New York Harbor this Memorial Day. During the 2.5-hour ride, you’ll enjoy views of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in town for Fleet Week, see military landmarks such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Brooklyn Army Terminal, and hear stories about the crucial role the city’s ports played during World War II. Tickets cost $116.

Memorial Day Dinner Cruise
May 24, 25, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m.
This Memorial Day weekend, enjoy a delicious dinner aboard a ship with the twinkling NYC skyline as your backdrop. The three-hour dinner cruise travels down the East and Hudson Rivers, passing under the Brooklyn Bridge and alongside the city skyline as you indulge in a gourmet meal. Admission grants you access to all levels of the ship, offering panoramic views of NYC, Jersey City, and Brooklyn. Tickets are priced at $159 for general admission and $199 for window seating.

Fleet Week ship tours
May 23 through 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Every Fleet Week, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard bring multiple ships (and thousands of service members) to New York. The week-long event offers New Yorkers the chance to tour naval ships docked at piers across the city, among other events and celebrations.

• 4 U.S. Naval Academy YPs from Annapolis, Maryland
  May 23 through May 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, Manhattan

• USCGC Sturgeon Bay from New Jersey
  May 23 through May 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, Manhattan

• USS MARINETTE from Mayport, Florida
  May 23 through May 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Homeport Pier, Staten Island

• USCGC Calhoun from Charleston, South Carolina
  May 23 through May 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Homeport Pier, Staten Island

• USCGC Katherine Walker from Bayonne, New Jersey
  May 23 through May 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Homeport Pier, Staten Island

• USS Bataan from Norfolk, Virginia
  May 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Pier 88 South, Manhattan

• FGS Baden-Württemberg from Germany
  May 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Pier 90 North, Manhattan

• FGS Frankfurt am Main from Germany
  May 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Pier 90 North, Manhattan

Image courtesy of the Intrepid Museum

Intrepid Museum
May 24, May 25, and May 27
Pier 86, West 46th Street, Intrepid Museum
Celebrate the country’s men and women in uniform with fun activities aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid. On May 24 at 7 p.m., enjoy a free screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” on the Intrepid’s Flight Deck. On May 25 and 27, experience a variety of live performances, activities, and demos from the U.S. Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Office of Naval Research, and more. The weekend festivities will conclude on May 27 at 10 a.m., with a Memorial Day ceremony. All activities on the pier are free to the public.

Recreation and Relaxation

Pickleball in Central Park
Central Park, Wollman Rink
Spend Memorial Day weekend at Central Park’s Wollman Rink, which has been transformed into a summer pickleball oasis. CityPickle is a 14-court pickleball installation offering lessons, open-play sessions, and tournaments. Courts can host up to eight players and are reservable from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; prices start at $10 per player during off-peak hours and $12.50 during peak hours.

Hit the beach
No surprise here, a great way to spend Memorial Day is at the beach. NYC beaches officially open for the season on Saturday, May 25. During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open through September, the city’s beaches are free and open to the public. Plan a trip to one of our favorite local beaches, from the Rockaways and Jacob Riis to Orchard Beach and Coney Island.

Seaport Summer Kickoff
May 25 to May 27
The Seaport, Manhattan
Start summer on a high note this Memorial Day weekend with three consecutive days of exciting events at the Seaport. Experience a six-hour daytime party with tropical dance vibes at Kokos at Pearl Alley, and indulge in a wide variety of delectable seafood and drinks available all day at the neighborhood’s restaurants and bars.

Live music lovers can enjoy outdoor performances by a brass band as they make their way from the outdoor bar at the Tin Building to Malibu Farm and onto the Lawn Club. There are plenty of other exciting ways to spend Memorial Day at the Seaport, including a 2.5-hour sunset sail, public ship tours, and more. Learn more about the offerings here.

Hester Street Fair
May 25 and 26
89 South Street, Manhattan
The Hester Street Fair is returning for its 15th season this Memorial Day weekend, showcasing an eclectic variety of local vendors in a vibrant outdoor marketplace. Taking place on May 25 and 26, the street fair features two days of fun, food, drinks, and shopping. More information about the fair can be found here.

Prospect Park Zoo
May 25
450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn
After being closed for nearly eight months due to flood damage, the Prospect Park Zoo will reopen during Memorial Day weekend. The Brooklyn zoo will open on Saturday, May 25 following $6.5 million in repairs needed after Tropical Storm Ophelia in September 2023. Visitors will find some new animals, including a pair of southern pudu, one of the world’s smallest species of deer, and a female Hamadryas baboon born during the zoo’s closure.

---

How to spend Memorial Day weekend in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

May 21, 2024

Cover photo: Sailors pose for I Heart NY photo ahead of Fleet Week in 2016. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Raymond Minami via Flickr

Colorful Union Square Mural Now Done

After five days, 100 volunteers, and 85 gallons of paint, a new mural on 14th Street is now complete. The Union Square Partnership this week unveiled “Flowing Together,” a colorful 7,500-square-foot mural on the pedestrian areas of the 14th Street Busway, between Broadway and University Place. Designed by Queens-based artist Talisa Almonte, the bold street art reflects Union Square as a spot to pass through and historically, a place rooted in social movements.

“Flowing Together” abstractly represents the flow of people in Union Square. The southern end of the mural features organic shapes painted in diverse colors. The northern portion shows the shapes joining together in a spiral, symbolizing the “unification of people for a specific cause,” according to a press release.

“Sharing my design with the Union Square community, along with international visitors and other New Yorkers alike, is an incredible opportunity,” Almonte said. “I’d like to thank Union Square Partnership, NYC DOT Art, neighborhood partners, and the volunteers for enlivening ‘Flowing Together.’”

“This artwork, now located within such a beloved neighborhood in the heart of NYC, is inspired by the history, the environment and the celebration of the people whose paths have crossed through the iconic Union Square.”

View fullsize

Photo credit: Carlos Chiossone

Presented in partnership with the city’s Department of Transportation Art program and the urban planning and design firm Street Plans, the mural was painted over five days, from May 13 through May 17, with roughly 100 volunteers pitching in to help complete it. Paint from Sherwin-Williams included the colors Nifty Turquoise, Obstinate Orange, Gusto Gold, Dishy Coral, Dynamic Blue, and Oceanside.

View fullsize

Photo credit: Carlos Chiossone

The Union Square Partnership selected Almonte’s work out of 27 mural submissions.

“Union Square Partnership is honored to work with Talisa Almonte to bring her inspiring artwork to 14th Street and utilize our public space to create a shared experience within the community,” Julie Stein, executive director of Union Square Partnership. said. “This unique street canvas presents an opportunity to infuse exquisite, original artwork into our urban neighborhood’s bustling environment, and ‘Flowing Together’ beautifully portrays Union Square’s rich history, local context, and diversity of experience.”

“Flowing Together” is the fourth mural installed on this stretch of 14th Street since 2021. Debuting in 2019, the 14th Street Busway allows only buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles on 14th Street between 3rd Avenue and 9th Avenue from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, allowing for faster commutes and increased ridership.

---

Colorful street mural depicts the vibrancy of Union Square

By Devin Gannon

May 21, 2024

Cover photo credit: Jane Kratochvil

After 8-Month Closure Prospect Park Zoo Is Reopen This Weekend

After being closed for nearly eight months due to flood damage, the Prospect Park Zoo will reopen this month. The Wildlife Conservation Society on Tuesday announced the Brooklyn zoo will open on Saturday, May 25 following $6.5 million in repairs needed after Tropical Storm Ophelia in September 2023. The storm dumped over 7 inches of rainfall on the zoo and caused major issues for its boilers, HVAC, electrical, and other systems.

While the zoo is now in working order, full repairs are not complete. The full restoration costs, including protections against future storm events, are expected to cost $20 million.

“While this reopening of Prospect Park Zoo is a major milestone, we have a long way to go before the zoo is fully restored. We continue to work with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and other city, state, and federal agencies on full restoration and mitigation to prevent flooding from future storm events,” Craig Piper, vice president and director of city zoos for the Wildlife Conservation Society, said.

“Throughout our temporary closure, many New Yorkers shared how important this beloved zoo is to the Brooklyn community and to all throughout the city. We look forward to welcoming guests again to Prospect Park Zoo.”

California Sea Lions. Credit: WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo

On September 29, 2023, the city experienced as much as 8.65 inches of rainfall during a 24-hour period due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. The state and city declared a state of emergency, and subway lines were shut down, streets flooded, and homes damaged.

None of the zoo’s more than 400 animals were harmed during September’s storm and no staff was laid off. During the temporary closure, workers continued to care for the zoo’s inhabitants and the facility, with help from WCS staff from the Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium.

According to WCS, the Prospect Park Zoo’s basements flooded with 25 feet of water as sewer systems reached capacity, damaging its electrical, HVAC, and boiler systems. The zoo is currently running on a temporary boiler system for heating while a location for the new boilers is determined.

Infant Hamadryas baboon and mother. Credit: WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo

When it reopens, visitors will be delighted to find some new animals, including a pair of southern pudu, one of the world’s smallest species of deer, and a female Hamadryas baboon born during the zoo’s closure on October 18.

The zoo will open for a special preview, exclusively for Wildlife Conservation Society members, on Friday, May 24, and fully reopen to the public on Saturday, May 25. Admission costs $9.95 for adults, $6.95 for children, and $7.95 for seniors. Reserve a spot here.

“I am incredibly excited for the reopening of the Prospect Park Zoo, just eight months after the devastating flooding last September,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said. “The restoration taking place here is incredible to see, and we commend the Prospect Park Zoo for their inspiring effort and investment in long-term solutions to keep this historic attraction open to the public in the face of such a challenge. “

“This Brooklyn landmark has served as a bastion of conservation and education, while providing enjoyment to visitors for many decades. We can’t wait to see children and adults back in the Zoo, enjoying one of New York City’s true treasures.”

---

Prospect Park Zoo to reopen Memorial Day weekend after 8-month closure

By Aaron Ginsburg

May 16, 2024

Photos courtesy of WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo

Bryant Park To Host 30+ Free Yoga Classes This Summer

Free yoga classes are returning to the lawn at Bryant Park this summer. Presented by performance apparel brand Calia, the classes kick off on May 29, with sessions hosted on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. on the park’s upper terrace and on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. on the lawn. Running through September 25, the classes will be led by some of the city’s most sought-after yoga instructors and open to participants of all experience levels.

This year’s lineup of instructors includes Kirra Michel and Kristin McGree, as well as a variety of other acclaimed experts, who will offer participants a wide variety of yoga styles to try throughout the summer.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Bryant Park to help bring New York City’s most popular outdoor yoga series to life,” Tracey Fetherson, senior brand manager at CALIA, said. “At each session we hope to empower participants to find strength, confidence, and beauty in the burn.”

Yogis should bring mats and water and arrive early to reserve a spot. Book a spot here.

For those who can’t make the in-person sessions, Bryant Park will stream the classes on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. via Instagram @bryantparknyc.

Bryant Park will also again be a hotspot for free outdoor music this summer with its annual Picnic Performances. From May 31 through September 31, the event series will feature 25 free live music, dance, and theater performances. Audiences can enjoy world-class acts from institutions like Carnegie Hall, the New York City Opera, and the Harlem Stage.

---

Bryant Park to host 30+ free yoga classes this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

May 15, 2024

Photos courtesy of Angelito Jusay

Congestion Pricing Program Start June 30th

New York City’s congestion pricing program finally has an official start date. In an interview with ABC 7 on Friday, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced the first-in-the-nation program will go into effect on Sunday, June 30 at 12 a.m. The MTA has also opened an online application portal for those qualified to apply for the program’s discounts and exemptions. The plan still faces legal challenges from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and several other opponents, which must be resolved before the program can go into effect.

“I am thrilled, its a beautiful spring day in New York, I’m surrounded by tourists and people who came to Lower Manhattan, they took mass transit,” Leiber told ABC. “Ninety percent-plus of the people come to the congestion zone, the central business district, walking, biking and most of all taking mass transit. We are a mass transit city and we are going to make it even better to be in New York.”

The program, also known as the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBD), gained final approval in March. The plan is designed to reduce traffic, encourage the use of public transportation, and reduce pollution by moving vehicles out of Manhattan’s busiest areas.

As part of the CBD, peak hours will apply from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Toll rates will be 75 percent cheaper overnight, at $3.75.

Passenger vehicles with commercial license plates will be charged a $15 toll once a day while entering the CBD during peak hours and $3.75 overnight.

Trucks and buses will be charged a $24 or $36 toll while entering the CBD during peak hours, depending on their size and function. Overnight tolls will be $6 and $8. Motorcycles will be charged $7.50 during peak hours and $1.75 overnight.

Passengers in taxis, green cabs, and for-hire vehicles will be charged an additional $1.25 per trip, while riders using services like Uber and Lyft will be charged an additional $2.50 per trip.

Authorized emergency vehicles, vehicles transporting a person with disabilities, specialized government vehicles, and transit and commuter buses will be exempt from paying the toll.

Drivers earning less than $50,000 a year can register with the MTA to receive a 50 percent discount on peak hour tolls, starting on the 11th trip taken during a calendar month. Additionally, residents of the CBD area who earn less than $60,000 a year can apply for a tax credit.

Drivers entering the CBD through the Lincoln, Holland, Hugh L. Carey, and Queens-Midtown tunnels will receive a crossing credit that can be used to discount the daytime toll. The credit will be $5 round-trip for passenger vehicles, $12 for small trucks and intercity and charter buses, $20 for large trucks and tour buses, and $2.50 for motorcycles according to the New York Times. There will be no credits offered at night.

---

NYC’s congestion pricing program to start June 30

By Aaron Ginsburg

April 26, 2024

Cover photo: Image courtesy of Kyler Boone on Unsplash

The Met’s Rooftop Installation Features Sculptures Inspired By Children’s Doodles

A sprawling series of sculptures inspired by the doodles and drawings of school children have been installed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s rooftop, as part of the annual Roof Garden commission. Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj this week unveiled his work “Abetare,” an exhibition of three-dimensional metal sculptures depicting drawings he found on classroom desks at his former school in Kosovo, as well as in Albania and countries from the former Yugoslavia. While appearing whimsical, the sculptures provide a look at the imagination of children whose lives were upended by war. The installation is on view at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden through October 27.

Petrit Halilaj. Photo by Eileen Travell, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Halilaj was born in the town of Runik in Kosovo in 1986 and was forced to relocate to an Albanian refugee camp called Kukes II during the occupation by Serbia in the 1990s. As the New York Times reported, Halilaj was encouraged by a psychologist at the camp to draw pictures of his experiences and the trauma he faced during the war, which eventually put his career as an artist in motion.

Halilaj is known for creating immersive installations that redefine individual and shared histories, creating “complex artistic worlds” that embody themes of freedom, intimacy, and identity.

Petrit Halilaj (born Kosovo, 1986) Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Petrit Halilaj, Abetare, 2024 Courtesy of the artist: Chert Lüdde, Berlin; kurimanzutto, Mexico City / New York; Mennour, Paris. Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo by Hyla Skopitz

For the Met’s commission, Halilaj transformed scribbles from children’s desks into three-dimensional sculptures, with each keeping a trace of the original doodle. The sculptures illustrate the collective memory and imaginations of generations of students impacted by violent conflicts and division.

During the 1990s, the last of a series of wars in the Balkans resulted in many children being denied education based on ideological grounds. The installation’s title, “Abetare,” is borrowed from a book the artist and his classmates used to learn the alphabet in school.

Petrit Halilaj (born Kosovo, 1986) Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Petrit Halilaj, Abetare, 2024 Courtesy of the artist: Chert Lüdde, Berlin; kurimanzutto, Mexico City / New York; Mennour, Paris. Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo by Hyla Skopitz

“The casual scribbles of schoolchildren done on their desks in moments of boredom or distraction reveal the fantasies and dreams of their minds,” Halilaj said. “I started to explore this in my practice in 2015, and it was important for me then to extend the dreams of my school in Kosovo to Europe, a part of the world from which my country was still isolated.”

Halilaj continued: “Now, in 2024, numerous desks and scribbles from schools across the Balkans are showcased in a new context and on a new continent. My work here at The Met is dedicated to all the children whose lives have been interrupted and deeply scarred by wars around the globe. I hope their dreams will fly us to a better future.”

The installation shares many of the same conceptual themes as Halilaj’s previous work, his 2015 “Abetare” project, which focused solely on his research in Kosovo. This project expands beyond his own experiences to regions across the Balkans to weave nations through symbols and language, according to the museum.

“The Met is thrilled to unveil Petrit Halilaj’s intervention for the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden and share the deeply meaningful conversation it invites between the artist’s work, the Museum, the Manhattan skyline, and beyond,” Max Hollein, Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Met, said.

“Petrit Halilaj’s inspiring and multi layered work—which is both deeply rooted in the artist’s history and homeland and forward thinking and international in scope—powerfully reframes the complex role of the childhood imagination in history’s retelling of events.”

The installation is the 11th in the Rooftop Garden Commission series, created by the museum’s Department of Modern and Contemporary Art in 2013. Last year’s installation, created by artist Lauren Halsey, blended the history of South Central Los Angeles with ancient Egyptian architecture.

---

The Met’s rooftop installation features sculptures inspired by children’s desktop doodles

By Aaron Ginsburg

April 30, 2024

Cover photo: Petrit Halilaj (born Kosovo, 1986) Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Petrit Halilaj, Abetare, 2024 Courtesy of the artist: Chert Lüdde, Berlin; kurimanzutto, Mexico City / New York; Mennour, Paris. Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo by Hyla Skopitz

241 Fifth Avenue, Unit 12E

241 Fifth Avenue, Unit 12E

noMad, MANHATTAN

Asking $1,295,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Condo

---

 

Discover the luxury of Apartment 12C at 241 Fifth Avenue, an exceptional condominium nestled in the vibrant NoMad neighborhood, just moments away from Madison Square Park.

This impeccably designed one-bedroom residence boasts floor-to-ceiling windows offering sun-drenched eastern views of the iconic New York Life Building. The spacious layout features ample living space, generous closets, and elegant solid oak white flooring. The open kitchen is fully equipped with top-of-the-line Miele stainless steel appliances, glass cabinetry, basaltina stone counters, and a porcelain backsplash, creating the perfect setting for preparing meals at home. Additionally, a stacked Bosch Axxis washer/dryer and individual heating/cooling units in each room provide ultimate convenience. The bathroom is a luxurious retreat, complete with a deep soaking tub, deluxe fixtures, and heated stone floors.

Residents of 241 Fifth Avenue enjoy the full suite of amenities offered by this boutique condominium, including a 24-hour doorman, concierge services, a rooftop terrace, a fitness center, a yoga room, a resident lounge, and a beauty/massage treatment room.

This prime location puts you in close proximity to an array of entertainment options, renowned dining establishments, stylish bars, boutique shopping, and easy access to transportation.

A ‘Portal’ to Dublin Opens in New York City

The cultural bond between Ireland and New York got a little stronger this week. A new public art installation “The Portal” debuted in Dublin and Manhattan on Wednesday, with a 24/7 live stream connecting the two cities. The sculpture, on view in New York City’s Flatiron District and on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, allows residents and visitors of both places to interact in real-time, bringing together people on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, The Portal was revealed in 2021 in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland. At the time, Gylys described the project as a “bridge that unifies” and “an invitation to rise above prejudices and disagreements that belong to the past,” as The Verge reported.

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership is presenting the sculpture in collaboration with the Department of Transportation’s Art Program (NYC DOT Art) and the Simons Foundation. In New York, The Portal can be found on the Flatiron South Public Plaza, at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, with the iconic Flatiron Building as a backdrop.

View fullsize

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste turning on the “portal” to New York.

View fullsize

In Dublin, the Portal faces O’Connell Street and offers a view of the General Post Office building and the Spire of Dublin. As 6sqft reported, the Dublin City Council delivered the sculpture as part of its designation as the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024.

Wednesday’s unveiling included performances by PMT House of Dance and The Liberties Majorettes.

“Two amazing global cities, connected in real time and space. That is something you do not see every day!” Ya-Ting Liu, the city’s Chief Public Realm Officer Officer, said. “We are so excited to have The Portal as a public interactive art installation, showcasing the vibrancy of our city streets and providing a new point for human connection between New Yorkers and Dubliners.”

The Portal link between Dublin and New York will run through the fall. Programming and performances will run throughout its run, kicking off this month to coincide with New York City Design Week.

---

A ‘portal’ to Dublin opens in New York City

By Devin Gannon

May 9, 2024

Cover photo: All photos courtesy of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership

160 Central Park South, Unit 2307

160 Central Park South, Unit 2307

Central Park South, MANHATTAN

Asking $2,225,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Condo

---

 

Central Park unfolds at your feet in this exceptional one-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium featuring a spacious layout and breathtaking park views at the Essex House, one of New York City's most well-known buildings.

Inside this nearly 900-square-foot residence perched high on the 23rd floor, beamed ceilings rise above regal millwork, hardwood floors and oversized windows on the northern and western exposures. A gracious foyer ushers you into the sprawling living room where jaw-dropping vistas span the entirety of Central Park and the Upper East and Upper West sides. Enjoy an expansive footprint for seating, dining and home office areas in this phenomenal backdrop, or retreat to the carpeted bedroom featuring a king-size layout, roomy closet and en suite bathroom. The efficient kitchenette is finished with a cooktop and full-size refrigerator, while two extra-large closets add generous storage to this remarkable Central Park South sanctuary.

Built in 1929, 160 Central Park South is an impressive art deco tower boasting a grand entry marquee and an iconic, six-story-tall roof sign. Converted to a condominium and hotel arrangement in 1974, The JW Marriott Essex House spoils today's residents with access to upscale hotel amenities, including doorman, concierge, bell staff, in-room dining and housekeeping service. Enjoy a private condominium reception area, a fitness center, spa, meeting rooms, catering facilities, the on-site Southgate bar & restaurant, valet parking and the ability to enjoy JW Marriott benefits around the world. Pets, pieds-à-terre and investors are welcome.

From this unrivaled location in the heart of Manhattan, you're surrounded by world-class shopping, dining and nightlife, including The Shops at Columbus Circle and famous Fifth Avenue and 57th Street luxury retailers. Make 843-acre Central Park your personal playground and explore the thrilling entertainment venues of the Theater District and Lincoln Center. Transportation from this centrally located neighborhood is unbeatable with N/Q/R/W, A/C/E, B/D/F and 1 trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes all nearby.

The Monthly Update - May 2024

Pockets of Interest, Areas of Hesitation 

The Manhattan real estate market is acting funny. While pockets of strong buyer interest are definitely driving multiple bids on some properties, other listings are languishing. Spring 2024 is being called a sideways market by many at this point.

Spring inventory this year is similar to years past. There are currently about 7,100 listings on the market in Manhattan. In a typical spring, we’ll see approximately 7,500 listings by mid-June.   So, there’s no issue with supply. The problem seems to be with demand. But what makes this market so intriguing is the evidence of strong buyer interest. Depending on the property, the location, and, above all,  the price, some listings are getting into contract in 30 days or less with multiple bids. However, buyers are still generally moving through bidding wars with their hands guarding their wallets. Yes, we’ve seen some multiple-bid scenarios, but not many over-asking prices. Listings drawing the most attention have that special “something,” including an attractive price. Even those homes seeing a massive response are taking 45-60 days for the seller and a buyer to settle on price when it would only take a week in a typical spring market!  

In-contract listing activity is forming a zig-zagging line, with one week hot and the next week not. Typically, we’d observe close to 400 units going into contract every week during spring. But this year, that figure has been generally hovering around 200 to 230 listings per week. That could be an issue come this summer.

Many blame the Fed and the talk of little or no interest rate reductions. Some say it’s the elections that are ramping up. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that it’s shaping up to be a listing-heavy market, which will put a strain on sellers and pricing. However, New York City sellers have been resistant in the past to lower prices as many don’t actually need to sell. They would like to sell, if they get their bid, but many have the wherewithal to stay in place until the market improves, which can create a gridlock or standoff between sellers and buyers.

I think things will open up later this spring, and buyers will still come to the sales table as the rental market ramps up and rents increase. If buyers are not at the closing table, they’re signing leases. And when they sign leases in great numbers, it could make for a reverse flow back to the sales market, particularly if interest rates start to inch down later this spring/summer. As this situation unfolds, there are a lot of good opportunities for buyers to hit bids today if they are so inclined.

---

Local Happenings

Whitney Biennial 2024

MAY 1 - AUGUST 11, 2024

Yes, it's that time again! The two-year wait is over. Head to the Meatpacking District to experience the 81st edition and longest running contemporary art exhibition in the United States, showcasing some of the newest, coolest and most provocative art in the world. For all you art lovers, this event is one you don't want to miss!

Learn More

Japan Parade 2024

MAY 11, 2024

This year marks the third annual Japan Parade in New York City! Catch a glimpse of the action starting from 81st Street down Central Park West to 67th Street. Spectators can also experience the lively Street Fair portion of the event on West 72nd Street off of Central Park West. It's going to be a blast!

Learn More

---

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

80% of Households are Spring Cleaning

Eighty percent of U.S. households are engaging in spring cleaning this year, according to the American Cleaning Institute...

Courtesy of Forbes

Architectural Digest Releases 2024 Outdoor Forecast

The pandemic single-handedly impacted how we live in our homes both indoors and outdoors. While outdoor spaces were hardly an afterthought at the time—in recent years, homeowners have been more focused on how to elevate...

Courtesy of Forbes

---

Listing Spotlight

---

Have a Question?

Best Realtors™ in New York | Photos & Reviews

354 West 23rd Street, Unit 4A

354 West 23rd Street, Unit 4A

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Asking $739,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

---

 

Newly renovated prewar charm and contemporary designer updates combine to create the perfect sun-drenched city retreat in this top-floor Chelsea one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op.

Inside this beautifully renovated residence, vaulted ceilings, skylights with external venting fan soar above refinished hardwood floors and walls of exposed and painted brick. Imagine lively entertaining or peaceful relaxation alongside treetop views and a wood-burning fireplace in the expansive open-plan living/dining room. In the gorgeous new kitchen, shelving, pale blue cabinetry and quartz countertops surround brand-new stainless steel appliances, including a vented range, refrigerator and dishwasher.

Sleep soundly in the serene king-sized bedroom featuring a roomy closet and plenty of room for a home office area. In the bathroom, lovely tile and contemporary fixtures surround a large tub/shower. Unit 4A is self-enclosed with its own boiler, venting skylight fan, and additional closet space completing this wonderful walk-up Chelsea dream home.

354 West 23rd Street is a boutique prewar cooperative featuring intercom entry and laundry facilities. Pets, pieds-à-terre, gifting, co-purchasing and parents buying for children are permitted with approval.

In this exciting Chelsea location, innumerable restaurants and nightlife venues line the nearby streets. Foodies will enjoy the proximity to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Eataly and Fairway. Outstanding entertainment venues, galleries and theaters surround the home, and recreation and outdoor space are abundant thanks to Madison Square Park, The High Line, Hudson River Park and Chelsea Piers, all minutes away. Nearby A/C/E, 1 and L subway lines, PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations put the rest of the city within easy reach.

NYC Reveals Design For New Esplanade and Pier

Plans to rehabilitate a 20-block section of bike and pedestrian paths and reconstruct a decrepit pier in East Harlem are moving forward. In a presentation to Manhattan Community Board 11 this month, the city unveiled its preliminary design to rebuild and rehabilitate the East River Esplanade between East 94th and East 107th Streets and East 117th and East 124th Streets, as well as construct a new pier at 107th Street, as Streetsblog first reported. Construction is expected to begin on the $294 million project in the later part of next year and wrap up in 2027.

NYCEDC presentation to Community Board 11, April 2024.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Funding for the project comes mainly from former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who allocated $284 million in 2021 to make repairs along the East River Esplanade, according to amNY. The project is being managed by the city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

Much of the East Harlem waterfront has deteriorated over the years, with the walkway full of potholes and many areas off-limits to the public.

The proposed esplanade will feature separate corridors for cyclists and pedestrians when there is enough room and a shared corridor where the path narrows. City officials also plan to raise the esplanade between two and three feet to account for sea level rise.

The project also calls for landscaped overlooks at 101st Street and 119th Street.

As part of the revitalization, EDC will demolish the crumbling 107th Street Pier and rebuild it into a new “forked jetty.”

Designed by Marvel, the new pier integrates with the esplanade with two access points and various zones, including a “picnic bridge,” with shaded dining opportunities, stepped seating in the center, and an overlook at the tip of the pier with suspended beach seats and sun loungers.

A shade structure inspired by the natural forms of wind and water will be at the center of the pier, with seating oriented to the river for the most scenic views.

The pier will feature “Water Table” by area architect and artist Jerome Haferd, an art piece inspired by the Harlem Creek. The steel and precast concrete piece is designed to “activate a crescent-shaped micro plaza” for people to gather. The artwork will feature etched contributions by cultural and community actors from East Harlem, according to the artist.

Other improvements include an outdoor fitness area on 104th Street and a garden at the northern end of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. The pathway will eventually connect to another greenway project that will lead north to Inwood, which the city is expected to break ground on in June.

The proposed redesign will be presented to the Public Design Commission on April 15 and another update will be provided to CB 11 this fall.

In 2021, De Blasio announced a $723 million investment in closing the gaps of the 32.5-mile greenway loop around Manhattan, which included portions in Midtown, along the Harlem River, in Inwood, and on the Lower East Side.

The NYCEDC in December unveiled the East Midtown Greenway, delivering nearly three acres of public open space, a new pedestrian walkway, a pedestrian bridge, landscaping, and a separate bike lane stretching from East 53rd Street to East 60th Street along the Harlem River. The $197 million investment fills a significant gap in the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway.

Expanding beyond Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams in October announced plans to fill in the gaps in the existing greenway network with 40 miles of new greenways. The project, which would feature protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, would bring the citywide total of greenway corridors to 60 miles.

---

NYC reveals design for esplanade and new 107th Street pier in East Harlem

By Aaron Ginsburg

April 16, 2024

Cover photo: Aerial rendering of proposed 107th Street Pier. Courtesy of NYCEDC

18 West 48th Street, Unit 12E

18 West 48th Street, Unit 12E

MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN

Asking $1,295,000

1 Bed  |  1.5 Bath | Condo

---

 

Direct iconic views of Rockefeller Plaza from one of the largest one-bedroom lines at The Centria Condominium. Make your home in the heart of the city in this expansive one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom showplace featuring chic contemporary interiors and dramatic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree views in a full-service, amenity-rich Midtown condominium.

Inside this sun-splashed 918-square-foot residence, tall ceilings and hardwood floors are illuminated by walls of north- and south-facing windows. An inviting foyer with an oversized storage closet ushers you into the dramatic 23-foot-long great room. Here, you'll find a generous footprint for living and entertaining alongside show-stopping city views, including a direct line of sight to the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! Folding doors reveal a well-appointed Pullman kitchen featuring glossy cabinetry, a stainless steel counter, a refrigerator, a cooktop and an oven. Sleep soundly in the sunny, south-facing bedroom offering king-size proportions, room for a home office area and a wall of reach-in closets. The en suite marble bathroom impresses with a soaking tub, glass shower, floating double vanity and wide medicine cabinet. A convenient powder room with an in-unit washer-dryer completes this magnificent Midtown home.

Built in 2007, The Centria is a sleek glass condominium tower offering residents an outstanding luxury lifestyle with 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a live-in resident manager, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a residents' lounge, a lounge with a professional catering kitchen and bar, a business center with two conference rooms, and adjoining landscaped courtyards. This pet-friendly enclave is ideal for full-time residents, investors and pieds-à-terre alike.

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, this home defines exciting urban life with direct access to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, MoMa, Bryant Park and the exciting theater district. World-class dining, designer shopping and vibrant nightlife venues line every nearby block, and transportation is effortless with B/D/F/M, E, N/R/W, 1/2/3, 4/5/6, 7 and S subway lines, Metro-North trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes all nearby.

Vessel at Hudson Yards to Reopen

The climbable structure at the center of Hudson Yards will reopen later this year. Vessel, an interactive public artwork, first opened in 2019 along with the mega-development but closed in 2021 after several people died by suicide there. Three years later, the structure will reopen to the public but with new barriers in place, as CBS New York first reported.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, Vessel is a bronzed steel-and-concrete sculpture with 154 interconnected flights of stairs and 2,500 individual steps. When it opened in 2019, visitors could climb the honeycomb-shaped structure for free, with a reservation.

The first suicide at Vessel was reported in February 2020 when a 19-year-old from New Jersey jumped from the structure. Following two more deaths, developer Related Companies temporarily closed the structure and consulted psychiatrists and suicide-prevention experts to develop a plan to prevent any future tragedies.

Instead of installing barriers, Related introduced new protocols when it opened again, including prohibiting solo visitors, adding more staff, and charging $10. After a fourth death in July 2021, the structure and the surrounding plaza closed again.

When it reopens this year, Vessel will feature a floor-to-ceiling steel mesh barrier on several levels.

According to CBS New York, “half of the structure will have barriers placed on four of Vessel’s stairwells and adjoining platforms” and the first two levels will be fully open. The very top will remain closed as the mesh cannot be installed on this level.

“Through a closely coordinated effort with Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio, we have developed a plan to install floor-to-ceiling steel mesh on Vessel while also preserving the unique experience that has drawn millions of visitors from around the globe,” a spokesperson for Hudson Yards told CBS.

---

Vessel at Hudson Yards to reopen this year

By Devin Gannon

April 12, 2024

Cover Photo: by Michael Giugliano via Pexels

161 West 15th Street, Unit PHA

161 West 15th Street, Unit PHA

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Asking $3,399,000

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Co-op

---

 

Perfect in every detail, this meticulously remodeled indoor-outdoor penthouse impresses with magazine-worthy modern interiors, a palatial roof terrace and iconic views from Midtown to Lower Manhattan. Located in the heart of Chelsea, the home's wonderfully flexible floor plan includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, luxurious entertaining space and a lovely fireplace.

Inside this sun-kissed sprawling showplace property, discover the highest level of craftsmanship and attention to detail imaginable. Barrel-vaulted ceilings soar up to 12 feet tall over hardwood floors, Venetian plaster walls and custom carpentry, including bespoke silent-close, 10-foot-tall planked white oak doors with gunmetal buckle inset handles. Beautifully designed for serene relaxation and upscale entertaining alike, the open-plan layout begins with an inviting living room where an oversized northern window with a solar shade frames unimpeded views of the Empire State Building. The custom-integrated bar makes gracious hosting effortless while adding abundant storage and an elegant divider between the handsome banquette dining area.

Elevate your culinary experience in the work-of-art open kitchen, where walls of sleek high-gloss lacquer cabinetry are trimmed with Italian soapstone countertops. Chefs will love the state-of-the-art appliances package, including a vented induction cooktop, oven, microwave, and dishwasher by Miele, as well as a Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine refrigerator. Retreat to the skylit second bedroom with a wood-burning fireplace surrounded by custom cabinetry, including a built-in home office area, nods to the abundant concealed storage throughout the home.

Sleep soundly in the luxurious owner's suite alongside epic skyline views, solar and blackout shades, and a chic Boffi ceiling fan. A wall of custom-built wardrobes flanks the gorgeous Calacatta marble double vanity, while a freestanding soaking tub leads to the marble wet room with an oversized walk-in shower featuring dual shower heads, a hand sprayer and a bench. A well-appointed second ensuite bathroom with Bianco Dolomiti marble and herringbone floor tile completes the thoughtful main level.

Ascend the breathtaking nautilus-like staircase to discover the home's crowning glory, a magnificent penthouse lounge perfect as a den/media room or dazzling home office. Two sets of NanaWall folding doors facing north and south open the space entirely to over 750 square-feet of landscaped rooftop terrace featuring large pavers, verdant planters, mature trees, irrigation system and a storage shed. From this spectacular perch, views stretch from the Midtown high-rises all the way to One World Trade.

This home's extensive upgrades include a Miele washer-dryer, zoned central air-conditioning and dedicated bathroom venting fans. Smart home features provide Control4 access to lighting, window coverings, Nest thermostats, and audio/video systems, including integrated speakers throughout.

161 West 15th Street is a gorgeous prewar brick building where residents enjoy live-in superintendent service, full-time porter, two upgraded elevators, solar panels and a bike room. The beautifully maintained, financially sound co-op allows pets, pieds-à-terre and subletting with approval.

From this spectacular location in the heart of Chelsea, you're surrounded by the city's best shopping, dining, nightlife, galleries and entertainment, with Greenwich Village, the Flatiron District and Midtown all within easy reach. Just a few blocks west, The High Line and 500-acre Hudson River Park provide glorious outdoor space and recreation, including dazzling Little Island. Enjoy easy access to Trader Joe's, Citarella, Whole Foods and the year-round Union Square greenmarket. Transportation options are abundant thanks to 1/2/3, L, F/M, A/C/E, 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.

View fullsize

50+ Streets in NYC To Go Car-Free For Earth Day

New York City’s car-free Earth Day event is back and better than ever. On Saturday, April 20, 53 streets and plazas across the five boroughs will be closed to cars and open for pedestrians and cyclists, nearly doubling the number of locations from last year. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the annual Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day includes seven signature event locations and 46 partner-produced open street locations, featuring public art, community programming, live performances, and more.

Courtesy of DOT

“‘Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day’ encourages New Yorkers to leave their vehicles at home and appreciate our streets as shared open spaces for all,” NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said.

“As part of the city’s largest-ever Car-Free Earth Day celebration, will be hosting programming, music, and other activities at dozens of car-free streets around New York City. And new, temporary public art will help us remember: We only have one planet — and we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and respect our environment.”

Car-free Earth Day 2023 on St. Nicholas Avenue. Photo by NYC DOT on Flickr.

DOT selected four artists to create temporary, environmentally-focused art along certain open streets. Natalia Wood will present “EcoHarmony,” which repurposes furniture and transforms it into organic structures through live plants, showing nature’s potential to reclaim the built environment. Wood will also give out 1,000 plants for free.

“Kelp Parade,” a collaborative artwork by Amanda Thackray and Wendel Jeffrey, will bring a kelp forest to life through 24 flags made of up-cycled plastic bags activated by movement and sound.

Lyubava Kroll will design “Keep NYC Green,” a series of graphics for the aluminum signage installed on streetlights throughout the five boroughs that envisions a sustainable future for the city.

The DOT-sponsored signature events are below:

Manhattan

Broadway
East 17th Street to West 46th Street

Dyckman Street
Broadway to La Marina

St. Nicholas Avenue
181st Street to 190th Street

Brooklyn

5th Avenue
40th Street to 45th Street

Queens

Woodside Avenue
75th Street to 78th Street

The Bronx

East 188th Street
East Fordham Road to Grand Concourse

Creston Avenue
East 188th Street to East Fordham Road

Staten Island

Port Richmond Avenue
Post Avenue to Castleton Avenue

Learn more about the partner-produced locations here.

With support from Lyft, Citi Bike is offering eliminated 30-minute rides for 24 hours. Riders can take advantage of the offer by entering the promo code CARFREE24 in the Citi Bike app.

“‘Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day’ is the most aspirational day of the year when we see how much safer, cleaner, and more vibrant the city can be when our streets are reclaimed for people,” Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York, a non-profit organization that promotes cycling, said.

“This day is a glimpse into what we hope the city’s future will look more like and we can’t thank Commissioner Rodriguez enough for taking this great New York tradition, which he founded in 2016, and once again expanding it so that more New Yorkers can enjoy the fun and excitement of car-free streets.”

---

50+ streets in NYC to go car-free for Earth Day

By Aaron Ginsburg

April 3, 2024

Cover photo: courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

7 Spots To Watch The Solar Eclipse in Manhattan Next Week

On April 8, New York will experience its first total solar eclipse in almost a century. Five regions across the northern part of the state lie in the path of totality and will witness the moon passing between the sun and earth, blocking the face of the sun for up to four minutes. While only a partial eclipse will be visible in New York City, the event marks the last solar eclipse in the five boroughs until 2044. In anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime event, the state is offering plenty of ways to witness the spectacle. Ahead, find the best ways to experience the solar eclipse across the state, from aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid and atop the city’s highest outdoor observation deck to the banks of the Hudson River in Bear Mountain State Park and a Long Island beach.

It’s important to be prepared with proper eye protection before April 8, as looking at the eclipse without special solar eclipse glasses can lead to permanent eye damage. New Yorkers can pick up glasses at the MTA’s Long Island Rail Road ticket windows in Moynihan Train Hall, open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. There will also be glasses available for free at Brooklyn Public Library branches.

For those traveling upstate or to Long Island to witness the event, the state will distribute limited-edition I LOVE NY eclipse glasses at 30 locations across the state. Those interested in purchasing additional viewing devices can find more information here.

Image courtesy of Edge

Manhattan

Edge
30 Hudson Yards
Edge, the highest observation deck in the Western hemisphere, offers an unparalleled way to experience the solar eclipse. At 1,131 feet in the air, you can’t get any closer to the eclipse than at Edge. The solar eclipse will pass over the five boroughs from 2:10 p.m. to 4:36 p.m., with maximum coverage expected to hit at 3:25 p.m. Guests will be given solar eclipse glasses to ensure safe viewing and there will be a special eclipse cocktail available for purchase. You can purchase tickets to Edge here.

Intrepid Museum
Pier 86, West 46th Street
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Experience the solar spectacle from the flight deck of the iconic aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid. While aboard, guests can learn more about the science behind the rare cosmic event from museum educators. Eclipse-viewing glasses will be provided for free. Admission to the flight deck for viewing will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The viewing event is free with museum admission. Tickets can be purchased here.

Top of the Rock
45 Rockefeller Plaza
April 8 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy the solar eclipse from one of Manhattan’s most iconic observation decks, 30 Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock. Visitors will enjoy complimentary eclipse viewing glasses from Warby Parker, themed treats from the Weather Room, and eclipse-inspired music, all while experiencing sweeping 360-degree views of NYC. To attend the event, purchase a timed ticket to the Top of the Rock between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 8 here.

One World Observatory
117 West Street
Witness the eclipse from the highest vantage point in NYC, One World Observatory. Admission includes one pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses, one complimentary beverage of your choice, a commemorative One World Observatory pint glass, a souvenir photo, and a 10 percent discount at the observatory’s retail store. Tickets cost $94 for adults and can be purchased here.

Flatiron District
Flatiron North Plaza, Broadway & 23rd Street
April 8 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Join the Flatiron NoMad Partnership and the Simons Foundation at Flatiron North Plaza for a special partial solar eclipse viewing party. The event includes free ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last), solar viewing telescopes set up by scientists and staff from the Simons Foundation, a “galactic photo booth,” and a slew of family-friendly activities. The event will also feature state-of-the-art LightSound devices that convert the “variation of light intensity” during an eclipse into sound, enhancing the eclipse experience not only for the visually impaired but for all viewers.

Solar Eclipse Viewing Cruise
Pier 62, West 22nd Street
Enjoy the eclipse while taking in views of iconic NYC landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, World One, and Ellis Island on this 2.5-hour NY Harbor cruise. NYC will experience 71 percent totality, with the maximum coverage occurring at 3:25 p.m. Solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. Admission costs $86-$96 per person and includes one complimentary drink of beer, wine, Champagne, soda, or bottled water. Tickets can be purchased here.

American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
April 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join staff at the American Museum of Natural History for fun, family-friendly educational activities before the eclipse fills the sky above NY. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided while supplies last. The event is free with museum admission.

---

25 spots to watch the solar eclipse in NYC and beyond

By Aaron Ginsburg

March 26, 2024

Cover photo - 2017 solar eclipse at the Top of the Rock. Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer

380 Riverside Drive, Unit 2M

380 Riverside Drive, Unit 2M

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

Asking $2,750,000

4 Bed  |  2.5 Bath | Co-op

---

 

Equally suitable for lavish entertaining and cozy Sunday mornings, this beautifully combined four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom co-op is the ideal Morningside Heights haven in a landmarked full-service building.

Inside the sprawling 2,400-square-foot residence, beautiful hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, and handsome millwork nod to the home's historic grandeur, while central air conditioning and designer updates appeal to today's discerning New Yorker. From the gracious entry, you're welcomed into a bright and airy open layout, beginning with a large living room wrapped in custom built-ins, large windows and an inviting fireplace. Plan your next dinner party in the spacious dining area and enjoy an oversized open gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry trimmed with quartz countertops and subway tile backsplashes. Cooking and cleaning are a breeze thanks to a fleet of upscale stainless steel appliances, including a vented Viking range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, dishwasher and wine refrigerator. A media room accessible from the living room and kitchen is perfect for movie nights. A powder room and coat closet add convenience to the thoughtful living spaces.

Luxurious accommodations begin in the northern wing's stunning owner's retreat. Here, a large corner den boasts a custom desk and magnificent arched windows framing park views. Double doors open to the serene king-size bedroom flanked by two massive closets and an en suite bathroom featuring a walk-in rain shower and wide double vanity. In the separate southern wing, three spacious and bright secondary bedrooms feature built-in desks, roomy closets and custom wallcoverings. A walk-in storage room, laundry closet, and a large windowed bathroom with a tub/shower and double vanity complete this exquisite turnkey sanctuary.

A monthly assessment of $220.18.

Built in 1906, 380 Riverside Drive is an ornate Italian Renaissance Revival building with a stunning Roman brick, limestone and terra cotta facade topped by a commanding belvedere and parapets. Known as The Hendrik Hudson for its original owner, the handsome pet-friendly cooperative offers 24-hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, laundry, storage, a bike room and a rare on-site parking garage (currently waitlisted).

From this exceptional Morningside Heights Historic District location, you're surrounded by spectacular outdoor space, including Riverside Park's lush gardens, recreation and river views. Enjoy an array of fantastic cafés, restaurants and nightlife venues, including iconic Tom's Restaurant, on the nearby blocks. Westside Market, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are within a mile, while Columbia University and the City College of New York complete the vibrant neighborhood. Excellent transportation options — including 1, B and C trains, numerous bus lines, CitiBikes, and the Henry Hudson Parkway — provide easy access to the rest of the city and beyond.