New Sculptural Exhibit Coming to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is hosting a new sculptural exhibition in three of its most well-known garden spaces this summer. Created by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, “The Flowers of Hypnosis” consists of six separate flower-like sculptures inspired by Othoniel’s passion and observations of nature and work on a landscape scale. The sculpture series, Othoniel’s largest exhibition in the United States since 2012, will be on view at the BBG from July 18 through October 22, 2023.

Jean-Michel Othoniel, Gold Lotus for The Flowers of Hypnosis at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Claire Dorn, Perrotin. © Jean-Michel Othoniel / ADAGP, Paris & ARS, New York 2023.

Jean-Michel Othoniel, Mirror Lotus for The Flowers of Hypnosis at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2023. Photo by Claire Dorn, Perrotin. © Jean-Michel Othoniel / ADAGP, Paris & ARS, New York 2023.

Located in BBG’s Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the exhibition’s “Gold Lotus” series is meant to “link the spiritual to the sensory,” according to a press release. “Gold Lotus” includes three separate lotus flowers made of gold leaf and stainless steel that lie throughout BBG’s serene Japanese garden. The lotus flower is known to represent spirituality, rebirth, enlightenment, and all things sacred.

Situated throughout BBG’s Fragrance Garden, a space meant to stimulate both the senses of smell and touch, is Othoniel’s “Gold Rose.” In the sculpture, the rose takes on the form of a kinetic structure made up of a “great corolla” of golden pearls set on top of a black steel rod. The perfect shape of the rose has been a motif present throughout Othoniel’s body of work, including in some of his paintings presented in the Louvre in 2019.

Jean-Michel Othoniel, view of the exhibition Narcissus Theorem at Petit Palais-Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris (France), 2021. Photo by Othoniel Studio. © Jean-Michel Othoniel / ADAGP, Paris & ARS, New York 2023.

“Mirror Lotus,” two gigantic mirror bead sculptures, are located in BBG’s Lily Pool Terrace and sit on the surface of the lily pools, responding to each other and immersing the viewer in their reflections.

“Gardens leave a great deal of space for the irrational, the inexplicable, the extravagant; they are places of mystery, magic, and secrecy. The large sculptures in gold and mirrors installed on the water are there to hypnotize us, to make us forget the world’s harshness, and to lift us out of the disillusionment of modernity and boredom,” Othoniel said.

“The garden of golden flowers is in between dream and reality, offering up, while you stroll through, a moment of reenchantment. The Flowers of Hypnosis carry within them the spell of the imaginary.”

“Jean-Michel has a passion for gardens, flowers, and the natural world that reveals itself in his works for The Flowers of Hypnosis, which respond to and enhance their garden settings,” Adrian Benepe, president of the garden, said.

“This exhibition offers unexpected sights and encounters around BBG, making a visit to the Garden even more enchanting. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is honored to share its world-renowned landscapes and gardens with an artist of international standing who shares our love for plants and gardens.”

Entrance to Othoniel’s “Flowers of Hypnosis” is free with Garden admission.

BBG is also currently hosting “Power of Trees,” an exhibition and program series that helps visitors better understand the importance of trees through science and art exhibitions, tours, family programs, and special events. “Power of Trees” also includes “Branching Out,” six site-specific works created by local BIPOC artists. The exhibition is on view until October 22, 2023.

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Hypnotizing flower-themed sculptural exhibit coming to Brooklyn Botanic Garden

POSTED ON WED, JUNE 28, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG

The Monthly Update - July 2023

 When Opportunity Knocks

Now that the spring market is behind us – let’s review! 

In many ways, activity in Spring 2023 mirrored Spring 2019 numbers. We regularly saw 1,000 or more units going into contract each month, which is consistent with pre-COVID activity. However, this spring did have some head-scratching ups and downs. For example, one week would be extremely busy with tons of showings and offers. Then the next week would be completely dead. The spiky spring was evident with sellers and their new listings as well. One week would be consistent with historical norms of 500-600 apartments coming on the market in a single week, but seller listings would suddenly drop to 300 per week for no apparent reason.

This erratic behavior was seen in property values too. On the whole, property sale values skewed lower, giving buyers an advantage in negotiations. However, value also depended on when that seller released their property. Was it in a high week or a low week? Of course, results were swayed by the condition of the apartments. Fully renovated listings priced “right” according to buyers would often sell within 30 days and fetch the seller’s asking price or a little above. However, most sellers were finding out what that “right” price was while their property was on the market. That meant more days on the market and about a 10% discount from the original asking price.

So what does the summer hold? I think it holds opportunity! 

There are approximately 7,500 listings on the market as I’m writing this, and that number is starting to decline, which is normal for any summer. But sellers who are out on the market this summer are serious about moving their property. They could be the ones that “need to get out.” When I’m representing buyers right now (depending on the property), we’re getting some pretty nice opportunities. 

So, is this a good time to purchase? That all depends on you and your personal needs, but overall, yes! Sellers are ready to do deals. If they’re out there this summer, in this buyer’s market, they’re serious. They understand what’s happening and are choosing to stay on the market to cut a deal this summer.

If interest rates are holding you back, maybe it’s time to look beyond a typical 30-year fixed rate. A 15-year or even a 10-year interest-only product (if the co-op allows) will get you a lower rate for now, and you can always refinance your loan later when rates go down. Taking advantage of these much more fluid prices now, while opportunity is knocking, is the best way for you to stop wasting money on rent! Buyers who buy now will be very happy sellers in 5-7 years. 

If you’re looking to buy a Manhattan home, this summer could be very opportunistic! So between trips to the beach and Europe, take time to get pre-approved and buy your dream home!

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Local Happenings

4th of July Weekend

at Time Out Market

JUNE 30 - JULY 4

Celebrate America’s 247th birthday with Time Out Market New York, which will be providing live music, specialty cocktails, bottomless brunch and more all weekend long. The festivities begin on Friday, June 30th and continue through the 4th of July.

More Event Details

The Wedding: New York's Biggest Day

SATURDAY, JULY 8

Celebrate love at Lincoln Center with the 16-acre campus completely dedicated to a mass wedding celebration. For those getting married for the first time, renewing vows, or simply celebrating their love for the city—this wedding is for you! The celebration will bring people together for an inclusive multicultural ceremony with various faith leaders and live performances, followed by an iconic party.

Learn More

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Lifestyle Tips & News

The Hoffman Team Was Ranked the #15 Real Estate Team in New York!

Thank you to our valued clients for propelling us to this milestone. Your trust in our service encourages us to continually create an exceptional home buying and selling experience.

Four Location Factors to Consider For Real Estate Investments

When it comes to real estate investing, statistics can serve as a starting point - yet there's much more legwork to carry out when choosing the best spot.

Courtesy of Forbes

Wanted: More Housing!

Here are the 10 cities with the most - and the fewest - homes for sale right now.

Courtesy of Realtor.com

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179 Crown Street

179 Crown Street

crown heights, Brooklyn

$2,395,000

4 Bed  |  3 Bath | Townhouse

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Introducing 179 Crown Street, a historic four-bedroom, three-bathroom home meticulously reimagined for an elevated modern lifestyle with exceptional design and convenience, including a large backyard and private two-car parking. This Crown Heights showplace is perfect for lively entertaining and busy daily life just minutes from Prospect Park thanks to a spacious indoor-outdoor layout, gourmet kitchen, serene primary suite, and an English basement level with a rec room and home office.

Inside the 2,400-square-foot residence, ceilings trimmed with crown molding and designer lighting soar over refinished hardwood floors and new Andersen windows with custom remote-controlled shades. A gracious foyer invites you into a breathtaking living room wrapped in custom built-ins, extra-tall windows and an exquisite fireplace. Ahead, the formal dining room welcomes your next dinner party with coffered ceilings, a dramatic branched chandelier and a window seat. The newly opened and expanded kitchen wows with custom cabinetry and expansive counter space topped with chic black granite. Cooking and cleaning are a joy with a fleet of state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, including a vented Bertazzoni five-burner gas range, Liebherr refrigerator, Fischer & Paykel dishwasher drawers, and a Bertazzoni microwave drawer.

Private quarters are tucked upstairs for optimal peace and privacy. Discover a tranquil owner's suite with an enviable walk-in closet/dressing room and a new en suite bathroom featuring a frameless glass shower, Duravit commode, Hansgrohe fixtures and marble tile. Two spacious and bright secondary bedrooms share a magazine-worthy hall bathroom where floor-to-ceiling marble penny tile and stylish brass hardware surround a shower, Duravit commode and a floating double vanity featuring Delta fixtures. Stretch out and relax in the English basement, where the rec room is perfect as a playroom, media lounge or family room. Here, the large home office is the ideal work-from-home destination, while a bonus room would be perfect as a homework or music room. A full bathroom with a soaking tub, a laundry room with an LG washer-dryer, and multiple closets add excellent convenience.

Lovely outdoor spaces front and back make al fresco entertaining and lounging irresistible. Off the kitchen, a large Ipe wood deck with steel railings overlooks paver and gravel seating areas flanked by planters. Ahead, your wide driveway with remote entry provides parking for two vehicles. In front, relax under a remote-controlled retractable awning while taking in the mesmerizing streetscape. A handsome brick façade and restored terraced gardens add dazzling curb appeal. Extensive upgrades, including electronic key entry, Wi-Fi lighting, three-zone HVAC, a tankless water heater and new roof coating, complete this truly special Crown Heights haven.

Built around 1915, 179 Crown Street sits among a development of houses touted for their revolutionary conveniences for the period, including convenient attached garages, "easy housekeeping" layouts and fine architectural details. Today, residents enjoy a delightful way of life that seems unlike any other in the city. Annual Block Association dues of $75 cover maintenance of the rear alley driveway gates.

Located on a gorgeous tree-lined street in vibrant Crown Heights, this home is just two blocks from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Library and Museum, plus Prospect Park's spectacular recreation, events and greenmarkets. Outstanding shopping, dining and nightlife are within easy reach, and transportation is a breeze with 2/3, 4/5 and Brooklyn Shuttle subway lines, excellent bus service and CitiBikes all nearby.

20+ Ways To Celebrate Pride Month In NYC

Featured events from NYC Pride

Image courtesy of the National Parks Conservation Association on Flickr

2023 Pride March
Sunday, June 25th, 12 p.m.
The NYC Pride March will begin at noon on June 25th from 25th Street and 5th Avenue. The grand marshals of this year’s celebration are Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle, and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker. After crossing over 6th Avenue, the Pride March will continue on Christopher Street passing the Stonewall National Monument, then turn north on 7th Avenue, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial, before dispersing in Chelsea at 16th Street and 7th Avenue. The march is free to attend, but you can get VIP grandstand seating tickets here.

The official theme of this year’s Pride celebration is “Strength in Solidarity,” as NYC Pride highlights the power and resiliency of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies against a backdrop of increased challenges in the form of legislation and physical violence directed at trans and BIPOC individuals. Over 75 percent of groups participating in the massive march are non-profit organizations.

The NYC Pride March broadcast special, co-hosted by Angelica Ross, will return for its seventh consecutive year, featuring live performances and on-air interviews on ABC-7 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 as well as on ABC7NY.com, ABC News Live, and ABC7 New York’s Connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.

Youth Pride
Saturday, June 24 at 12 p.m., location TBA
NYC Pride is proud to host this celebration of and for LGBTQIA+ and ally teens. Dance the day away with DJs, musical performances, and special guests. The free event will also feature games, beverages, snacks, and more.

Bliss Days
Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m. at The DL Rooftop & Lounge
Formerly known as Femme Fatale, NYC Pride’s Annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ Womxn features a full slate of DJs, dancers, performances, and special guests. Tickets start at $31 with proceeds benefiting NYC Pride and its annual free events.

PrideFest
Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Greenwich Village
What’s a celebration without a street fair? In its 29th year, PrideFest brings exhibitors, entertainers, eats, activities, community leaders, and local business owners, to the streets and sidewalks of Greenwich Village, with talent from around the world performing at StageFest as a highlight.

Pride Island
Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m., Brooklyn Army Terminal
This year’s headliner is Christina Aguilera; in addition to a performance by the seven-time Grammy winner, this Pride Week wrap-up event promises dancing, lights, and music from DJs long into the night along with food and more at Brooklyn Army Terminal. Tickets start at $139.

Queer Liberation March
Sunday, June 25th, 2 p.m., Foley Square 
Reclaim Pride was formed to honor the spirit of the Stonewall rebellion “after years of seeing the annual NYC Pride March transformed into a 7, then 9, then 12-hour circus,” complete with police and barricades. The fifth annual Queer Liberation March will gather for a rally and march at Foley Square on Pride Sunday, June 25 at 2 p.m. This year’s theme is “Trans & Queer; Forever Here!”

Image courtesy of the New York Yankees

New York Yankees celebrate Pride
Wednesday, June 21, 7:05 p.m.
During select games in June, the Yankees will celebrate New York’s “Legacy of Pride,” with a portion of ticket sales benefiting The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. Each ticket includes a New York Yankees hat with the Progress Pride Flag colors, a regular-sized hot dog, and your first drink. The Yankees welcome the LGBTQIA+ community, their allies, friends, and families in support of Pride Month at the team’s Pride Night on June 21. A portion of tickets will benefit Heritage of Pride. An on-field ceremony prior to the Yankees-Mariners game will highlight the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative.

Gowanus Dredgers Pride Paddle,
Saturday, June 29th, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., 19th Street Bunker launch site
The famous Dredgers are planning a special voyage through Gowanus Bay and lower Canal for their fifth annual Pride Paddle. Bring your rainbow flags and colorful apparel to the 19th Street Bunker launch site (end of 19th Street off 3rd Avenue) at Gowanus Bay. Register for a reserved seat. Solo paddlers are welcome; they’ll be paired with other group members based on experience and comfort in a canoe.

NYC Dyke March
Saturday, June 24 at 5 p.m., starting at Bryant Park
Rather than a parade, this annual march considers itself a protest, free of permits or sponsors. In protest of discrimination, harassment, and violence, anyone who identifies as a dyke is welcome to march regardless of gender expression or identity, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, race, age, political affiliation, religious identity, ability, class, or immigration status. After the march, there will be a protest in Washington Square Park.

Whitman in Love – Live Oak, with Moss and Other Poems
June 21-24, 7-8 p.m., Merchant’s House Museum
Celebrate Pride Month with the timeless poetry of Walt Whitman, presented by John Kevin Jones. Four performances only, in the Merchant’s House Museum’s 19th century “secret” garden. In Whitman in Love, Jones brings these poems to life as a tribute to Whitman’s courage, honoring his place in the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Parties and concerts
TEAZE
June 24, 2-10 p.m. at Club Lambda BK
This NYC Pride official 21+ queer party experience invites you to dance the day away with music from DJs and performers at one of the most inclusive party venues in Brooklyn, offering not one, but four, party experiences in a spot that provides BIPOC individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community a safe space all year ’round. Tickets start at $27; proceeds benefit NYC Pride and its annual free events.

Fever After Hours
Monday, June 26th, 4 a.m. at Polygon BK
Keep the party going with an LGBTQ+ after-hours event with an undersea theme, if you’re down to swim and dance with sexy sirens and mysterious deep sea creatures and DJs Las Bibas From Vizcaya, Alexis Tucci, Kurtis Jose, Danny Kim & Figge. The party happens Monday morning after events at the Brooklyn Mirage and Knockdown Center at New York’s only after-hours complex, Polygon.

Garden Party
Tuesday, June 20th, 6-9 p.m. at Pier 76
This year’s swank and sparkly Garden Party celebrates The Center’s 40th anniversary year of service, with an evening of extraordinary performances, music, special guests, and more. VIP and general admission tickets are available here.

Dreamland Pride in Central Park
Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m., Summerstage, Central Park at Fifth Avenue
This huge Pride outdoor music festival held at the iconic SummerStage is sure to be a hit, with special guests Paris Hilton, and Dan Slater.

Pride Weekend at Nowadays
Friday, June 23, 3 p.m. – 6 a.m., Nowadays, Bushwick
Bushwick venue Nowadays presents a veritable pride-a-thon to kick off the weekend: Queer|Art and Body Hack helm an extravaganza of indoor and outdoor festivities including a daytime queer vendor fair from 3 to 8 p.m. and an evening happy hour and dance party until 6 in the morning. The event will raise funding for three BIPOC trans-led organizations fighting to protect trans people in the states most impacted by anti-trans violence and new legislation.

Hot Rabbit Presents TRIPLE CROWN Daytime Rooftop PRIDE Party
Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m., Elsewhere
If you’re looking for a rooftop rager, look no further than Bushwick’s Elsewhere. The ticketed 21+ rooftop event is one of a month’s worth of Pride events at the cavernous Brooklyn club.

Kids pride party at Brooklyn Bowl
Sunday, June 25 at 12:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl
You don’t have to leave the kids at home for this family-friendly Pride celebration. The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays the music of Queen for this all-ages party at the popular BK venue.

LadyLand Festival
June 23, 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. under the Kosciuszko Bridge (The Arm at Van Dam Street and Meeker Avenue) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
This outdoor queer music festival-slash-Pride party happens in a unique public space beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge, with a lineup that includes famous performers like Peaches, Honey Dijon and Big Freedia, plus many, many more lesser-known luminaries.

Alegria Pride 2023 
Sunday, June 25, 5 p.m. at Brooklyn Mirage, 40 Stewart Avenue
This day and night Avant Gardner event from Cirque du Soleil touring production Alegria happens at The Brooklyn Mirage, a massive indoor 15,000-square-foot space with a 5,000-square-foot dance floor. The theme is Alegria in Wonderland: expect to be amazed.

Pride in Times Square
Friday, June 23 – Saturday, June 24, 7th Ave, 45th-48th Sts.
Times Square is celebrating Pride weekend with a full dance card, featuring celebrities of stage and screen, Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, Pride Piano sessions, live DJ sets, the return of last year’s Big Broadway Disco, and more.

Pride at the Seaport
From a Dream Drag Queen Brunch every Sunday in June to a Solid Pink Disco on the rooftop and Seaport Kids X Pride, the Seaport is coming up rainbows. Additional highlights include the Rainbows on the Hudson Pride Parade to cap off the Pride Month festivities by getting out on the water with the Seaport Museum, and the Hester Street Fair’s fourth annual Pride Market with over 50 LGBTQIA+ businesses, artists, cooks, DJs, and performers participating.

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30+ ways to celebrate Pride Month in NYC

POSTED ON WED, JUNE 7, 2023

BY MICHELLE COHEN

Image courtesy of the:

National Parks Conservation Association on Flickr

New York Yankees

Anthony Quintano on Flickr CC

Met Museum Will Open A Science and Art Play Space For Young Visitors

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced it will open the 81st Street Studio, a free science and art play space for the museum’s youngest visitors, on September 9. The newly-designed space will occupy a 3,500-square-foot area in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education at the Upper East Side museum; children aged 3 to 11 can enjoy interactive play to create new experiences and inspire exploration of the museum’s vast collection.

Designed by KOKO Architecture + Design, the 81st Street Studio is, according to the museum, an “interdisciplinary, multisensory drop-in discovery and play space that supports science learning in everyday life through art and materiality.”

Kids and their caregivers will be able to use digital and analog experiences that encourage making, investigation, critical thinking, and appreciation for the diverse attributes of various materials. Bluecadet, an experience design firm, served as a strategic digital design partner.

Drop-in, self-directed art and science will be offered during museum hours. A non-circulating children’s library will feature books on related subjects, and scheduled storytelling sessions will be led by Met staff.

Rendering of 81st Street Studio, designed by KOKO Architecture + Design. Image courtesy of Brick Visual

The studio will use seven interactive stations and the children’s library to feature a rotating selection of materials. The inaugural activities will be inspired by wood, for example, allowing kids to explore a variety of wood types and finishes and participate in woodblock carving and drum making, as well as digital tools to learn more.

Another highlight is a music station, designed by music and audio brand Yamaha, that will show young visitors how materials influence sound through a variety of instruments. Kids can also pick up a Met Field Guide which guides young explorers through the scientific aspects of The Met collection and Central Park while collecting stickers and badges.

81st Street Studio was conceived by Heidi Holder, The Met’s Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Chair of Education, in consultation with other museum departments.

“With its focus on interdisciplinary learning through the five senses, the 81st Street Studio is a further catalyst for how The Met engages with all visitors,” Holder said in a statement, “It positions the Museum as a place where visitors can make delightful discoveries, take risks, and ask questions, activities that are imperative to reimaging the future role of museums in our communities.”

The 81st Street Studio will open on September 9th with a children’s festival. This full-day event will offer science- and art-based activities, play, games, music, and more in addition to introducing the creative new space.

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Met Museum will open a 3,500-square-foot science and art play space for young visitors

POSTED ON TUE, JUNE 13, 2023

BY MICHELLE COHEN

Rendering of 81st Street Studio, designed by KOKO Architecture + Design. Image courtesy of Brick Visual

175 West 12th Street, Unit 11C

175 West 12th Street, Unit 11C

WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

$899,000

Alcove Studio  |  1 Bath | Condo

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Enjoy sun-splashed, high-floor living in the coveted West Village in this spectacular alcove studio featuring an expansive layout and excellent storage space in a full-service postwar condominium.

The moment you arrive in this nearly 500-square-foot studio, you'll be swept away by glorious natural light and wide-open views framed by a wall of south-facing windows. Positioned on the 11th floor in one of only two high-rise condominiums in this section of the Greenwich Village Historic District, the home enjoys exceptional, completely protected vistas over mid-rise buildings and leafy local parks. At 20 feet long, the main living space offers a generous footprint for seating, dining and home office areas surrounded by hardwood floors, soaring ceilings and custom under-window cabinetry. In the nicely arranged kitchen, you'll find ample counter and cabinet space surrounding a gas range, refrigerator and dishwasher. A separate 11-foot-wide sleeping alcove opens to a dressing area with two roomy closets. Ahead, the full bathroom is finished with a large tub/shower and pedestal sink. A large walk-in closet near the entry ensures storage will never be a concern in this wonderful West Village haven.

Built in 1960 and converted to condominium use in 1988, 175 West 12th Street is a well-maintained, pet-friendly enclave where residents enjoy 24-hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, maintenance staff, laundry and an on-site parking garage.

Positioned near the border of the West Village and Greenwich Village, this home delivers a quintessential Downtown lifestyle with easy access to Chelsea, Hudson Square, Union Square and the Flatiron District. Take in world-class art at the Whitney and the galleries of West Chelsea, and enjoy a near-endless roster of local nightlife and dining options. Waterfront recreation and outdoor space await at the High Line, Hudson River Park and Chelsea Piers. Transportation couldn't be easier with F/M, L, 1/2/3, A/C/E, 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.

30 East 37th Street, Unit 6G

30 East 37th Street, Unit 6G

Murray hill, MANHATTAN

$619,000

Studio  |  1 Bath | Condo

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This delightful studio apartment is situated within a charming condominium building just a stone's throw away from the historic Morgan Library. Nestled at 30 East 37th Street, this home is in the heart of the city, providing convenient access to nearby shops, restaurants, and transportation. Its proximity to Grand Central Station makes it even more desirable.

Upon entering this apartment to discover beamed ceilings exude a sense of character, while the updated kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances (including a dishwasher) and granite countertops, is a true gem. The beautiful marble bathroom, along with a separate dressing area, adds a touch of elegance. Perfectly maintained parquet hardwood floors and three spacious closets contribute to comfortable living. Additionally, the apartment offers a picturesque treetop view overlooking 37th Street, creating a serene atmosphere.

Constructed in the 1950s by Emory Roth & Sons, the building ensures a pleasant living experience with its 24-hour doorman, live-in superintendent, and common laundry room. This apartment truly embodies the essence of a perfect Murray Hill home.
*There is an assessment of $170.63/mo

The Monthly Update - June 2023

The Luxury and New Development Sectors are Thriving

This year's spring market has had more than its share of ups and downs for most NYC sellers. One surprising bright spot has been the luxury new development sector which has been relatively reliable this spring. Just last week, there were a total of 32 contracts signed in the luxury sector (homes priced at $4 million and up), which surpasses the 10-year average for the week leading up to the Memorial weekend holiday by six contracts. Also, the 40 contracts signed the week of May 8, 2023, was the highest one-week total in a year.

Overall, the luxury market has been more reliable this spring, and the condo segment, in particular, has driven much of the activity. More than 70% of the luxury contracts signed over the last four weeks have been for condominium homes. (That's significant, considering roughly 75% of NYC buildings are co-ops.) Some of May's notable new development condominium sales include a penthouse at Yorkville's new 360 East 89th Street, which was listed at $22.5 million and went into contract within a month of being listed. The Keller, a new luxury development in the West Village, also had numerous contract signings in May. 

The luxury and new development activity in May looks to be on par with the hottest months of the 2021 post-COVID rebound. Now, all the data is not in yet, so this info could be somewhat skewed, but it's definitely looking like it will be a strong month for these sectors. We're even seeing it right here at the Hoffman Team: One of our top-producing agents is currently working with a $40 million budget for a buyer expected to submit a backup offer on an ultra-luxury residence that's already received two other offers in just two weeks. At the $35 million level! 

So, why is this happening? Is the top one percent of the one percent looking to park money somewhere other than the volatile stock market? It's true that many people got extremely wealthy during the pandemic, but to invest in Manhattan real estate is somewhat surprising given the difficult ride most sellers are experiencing in today's market. That said, a recent report showed that real estate investments, in general, have supplied higher, more reliable returns during three recent downturns — the 1990s recession, the dot-com bubble and the 2008 financial crisis. During those periods, real estate generated a 5.9% annualized return versus a 3.8% annualized return for risk-free Treasury bonds.

New York City residents and homeowners love to hear this news! Moreover, if the rest of the market sees the positive luxury and new condo sales trends, it can help pull buyers off the sidelines. New York City real estate generally follows the way of the luxury sector. The trickle-down effect can take some time, but given all this happened over the past year with interest rates, politics, crime and homelessness, it's nice to see many still believe in New York City as the rest of us do — even if the ultra-rich are simply using real estate to shelter their money.

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Local Happenings

PRIDE MARCH

JUNE 25, 2023: New York City celebrates Pride every year by bringing millions together to celebrate and advocate for equality. This year, rainbow-clad activists and allies will take to the streets in support of global LGBTQ rights at the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 25. The first March was held in 1970 and now, it’s the largest it’s ever been with more than 700 groups and millions of spectators.

Click HERE for more details.

MUSEUM MILE FESTIVAL

JUNE 13, 2023: Billed by festival organizers as New York's biggest block party, the Museum Mile Festival in New York City is a mile-long celebration of art and culture. This year, the milestone 45th annual Museum Mile Festival will offer free admission to some of the world's finest art collections along 5th Avenue during extended evening hours.

Click HERE for more details.

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Living Room Improvements That Help Sell Your Home For More Money

The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the living room is the hub. It’s where everyone convenes to relax and enjoy quality time with each other (or with the TV).

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11 Home Organizing Products from Amazon that Professional Organizers Swear By

Having plenty of options is a good thing, but when it comes to shopping for organization products on Amazon, it can feel like overload. That’s why we tapped a panel of professional organizers to help narrow it down.

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MTA Proposal: Increase Fares To $2.90 By The End Of The Summer

New York City commuters will likely pay more for subway, bus, and commuter rail trips by the end of the summer. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday unveiled its proposal for fare increases across the system. The cost of a single subway and bus trip would increase by 5 percent from $2.75 to $2.90, the first base fare increase since 2015.

Under the proposal, the seven-day pass would increase by 3 percent from $33 to $34, and the 30-day unlimited pass by 4 percent from $127 to $132. The express bus base fare would jump from $6.75 to $7 and the seven-day pass from $62 to $64.

According to the MTA, the unlimited pass customers, particularly the seven-day pass users, are “generally more low- and middle-income,” which is why those fares will see the lowest percentage increase.

Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash

Fares on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North and tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels would also increase.

With a vote on the proposal expected sometime in July, the MTA said the new rates would take effect “no later than Labor Day.” The MTA will hold six public hearings before the final vote.

Prior to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget, the MTA faced a $600 million budget deficit. The final budget approved earlier this month included new revenues dedicated to the MTA to address its budget woes, including a payroll tax on the city’s largest businesses and a one-time payment of $300 million by the state. Later on, the MTA will also receive revenue from the three downstate casinos opening in the next few years.

The last fare hike came in 2019 when the price of a monthly subway and bus pass rose from $121 to $127 and a weekly pass from $32 to $33. The base fare last increased in 2015 when it went from $2.50 per trip to $2.75.

While the MTA has biennial fare hikes incorporated into its operating budgets, fares did not increase in 2021 because of the pandemic.

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NYC subway, bus fare to increase to $2.90 by end of summer, under MTA proposal

POSTED ON TUE, MAY 23, 2023

BY DEVIN GANNON

Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash

MTA Unveils New NYC Subway Turnstile

To deter the roughly 400,000 subway riders who don’t pay the fare every day, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to redesign the turnstiles for the first time in modern history. The agency on Wednesday unveiled a potential design of a new subway fare gate that includes glass doors that slide open, replacing the rotating turnstiles that have been part of the system since its inception. The new gates would remove the need for emergency exit doors, which the MTA said accounts for more than half of all fare evasion.

The reveal of the turnstile prototype follows the release of a report by the MTA’s Blue-Ribbon Panel on Fare Evasion. The report found the MTA lost $690 million in unpaid fares and tolls across the system last year, with subway fare evasion costing the transit agency roughly $285 million in 2022. Approximately 400,000 daily riders, or 10 to 15 percent of riders, did not pay a fare last year.

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Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

In 2022, fare evasion on NYC buses cost the transit agency more than on the subway system, with the MTA losing an estimated $310 million in revenue. Approximately 700,000 bus riders failed to pay the fair, making up 37 percent of all bus riders on an average weekday. The panel recommended an expansion of NYC Transit’s Eagle Team, civil agents who work on Select Bus Service routes and enforce fare payment. The MTA plans to hire an additional 100 agents and deploy them on bus routes that experience the highest rates of fare evasion.

“Fare and toll evasion isn’t just an economics problem: it tears at the social contract that supports mass transit in New York City. New Yorkers are sick of feeling like suckers seeing their neighbors beat the fare or cheat the toll while they pony up their fair share,” Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO said.

“The report findings address this emerging crisis with a comprehensive plan across all MTA services, while also acknowledging that enforcement alone will not solve this problem. The MTA will look to implement some of the Panel’s key recommendations, and we thank them for their tremendous work.”

While the installation of these new modernized gates is a long-term project, the MTA is exploring immediate solutions to make the system better equipped to combat evasion.

The agency has coordinated with the NYPD to carry out “precision enforcement” in the subway system for fare evaders. Over the past year, the number of summonses for fare evaders has risen nearly 60 percent. The panel has called for the use of emerging technology and data sources to focus on fare evasion hotspots and to align itself with local organizations that will help promote fare payment.

An additional recommendation by the panel includes doubling the eligibility threshold for Fair Fares to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which will allow 500,000 more New Yorkers to pay half-priced fares for public transit.

Transit officials have stated they will also work to educate New Yorkers on top of enforcing the payment of fares. Part of the reason the panel was formed was to address the concerns of advocacy groups who spoke about the historically disproportionate fare evasion enforcement of people of color.

NYPD data revealed that 93 percent of people arrested for fare evasion in the subway system in the last three months of 2022 were Black or Hispanic, and 66 percent of those issued summonses for fare evasion were Black and Hispanic, according to Gothamist. Lieber has said that the MTA is planning on working with the NYPD to ensure that their crackdown on fare evasion doesn’t target people of color.

As amNY reported, four companies presented prototype turnstiles this week and will be subject to a competitive procurement process.

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MTA unveils redesign of NYC subway turnstile as fare evasion solution

POSTED TODAY, MAY 18, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

201 East 21st Street, Unit 9E

201 East 21st Street, Unit 9E

GRAMERCY PARK, MANHATTAN

$699,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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Create your one-bedroom, one-bathroom Gramercy dream home at Quaker Ridge, one of the area's most desired cooperatives.

Offered in original condition, this spacious and bright home enjoys a wonderfully oversized layout with excellent storage and plenty of room for a home office area. An ideal corner position within the building grants the home with northern and western views, while hardwood floors accentuate the bright and airy ambiance. A gracious foyer opens to an expansive dining area flanked by a wide closet. Ahead, the 20-foot-long living room accommodates a comfortable seating area alongside wide art walls and big windows. In the windowed kitchen, discover great cabinet space with limitless possibilities to make it your own. Sleep soundly in the king-size bedroom, where you can easily incorporate a large dresser, plus a seating, desk or fitness area. Two closets here and one leading to the adjacent windowed bathroom ensure storage will never be a concern.

There's plenty to love about Quaker Ridge, a revered postwar co-op known for its excellent financials and prime Gramercy location. Residents enjoy full-time doorman service and live-in superintendent, modern laundry facilities, private storage, 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-terres. Please note, there is a monthly energy charge of $124 already included in the maintenance, which adjusts quarterly. There is currently a monthly assessment of $338.

Here in the heart of Gramercy — just minutes from Union Square, the Flatiron District and NoMad — you're at the epicenter of exciting Manhattan living with abundant shops, restaurants, services and outdoor space at every turn. Union Square and Madison Square Park put a dog park, greenmarkets and year-round events mere 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.

300-Foot Timber Bridge Now Connects The High Line and Moynihan Train Hall

The elevated pathway that will connect the High Line to the new Moynihan Train Hall hit a major milestone this week. The 260-foot-long timber bridge has been craned into place and is currently suspended 25 feet over Dyer Avenue. The new footbridge connects Manhattan West’s public plaza Magnolia Court to a pedestrian pathway at West 31st Street, providing an easier way of accessing the Moynihan Train Hall without having to cross multiple streets. The timber bridge will link to the so-called Woodlands Bridge, which will extend east from the existing northern terminus of the High Line. The new linear park, dubbed the High Line-Moynihan Train Hall Connector, is expected to open in late June.

Photos © 6sqft

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with landscape architects at James Field Corner Operations, the 260-foot bridge is made of 163 beams of Alaskan yellow cedar wood from British Columbia, according to W42ST. Work on the bridge began at the street level in April.

Paired with the timber bridge is the woodland bridge, a 340-foot-long path that runs along 30th Street. The bridge is made of concrete panels and supported by steel and features deep soil beds and a design that allows for rainwater to drip down to water plantings, creating a perfect space for lush greenery to grow.

Upon exiting Moynhian, visitors and commuters can cross 9th Avenue and enter Manhattan West’s public plaza on the south end of West 31st Street. From here, visitors will take the timber bridge along Dyer Avenue, turn 90 degrees onto the woodland bridge on 30th Street, and arrive at the Spur of the High Line.

The High Line Moynihan Connector is being constructed through a public-private partnership made up of Empire State Development, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Brookfield Properties Group, and Friends of the High Line.

Rendering © SOM, JCFO | Miysis

The $50 million project will connect Chelsea with other West Side destinations like Hudson Yards, Penn Station, and the Javits Center.

Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled designs for the footbridge in September 2021. Plans for a footbridge were first proposed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January 2021 as part of his vision of redeveloping Midtown West.

The next phase of the High Line’s extension will connect it to Hell’s Kitchen by creating a pathway from West 34th Street and the Western Rail Yard up 12th Avenue and across the West Side Highway to end at Pier 76.

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300-foot timber bridge connecting the High Line and Moynihan Train Hall has been installed

POSTED ON THU, MAY 11, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG

313 West 82nd Street, Unit C

313 West 82nd Street, Unit C

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$849,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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

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

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

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

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$700M Climate Research Campus Coming to Governors Island

New York City has revealed its vision for a first-in-the-nation climate research hub on Governors Island. Led by Stony Brook University, the New York Climate Exchange will be a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate research and solutions and serve as a center for climate education and green job training. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the 400,000-square-foot campus includes classrooms, laboratories, new open space, student and faculty housing, university hotel rooms, and more. Construction on the $700 million project is expected to begin in 2025, with the first phase slated for completion in 2028.

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday, joined by the president of the Trust for Governors Island, Clare Newman, announced the selection of Stony Brook’s proposal as the anchor institution of the Center for Climate Solutions initiative, following a two-year bidding process. The initiative is expected to create thousands of permanent jobs as well as roughly $1 billion in economic impact for the city, according to the mayor.

View from the academic center across new open spaces toward the student housing in the restored historic Liggett Hall. © SOM | Miysis

“Today, here in the heart of New York Harbor, we are taking a giant leap toward a cleaner, greener, more prosperous future for every New Yorker with the ‘New York Climate Exchange,’” Adams said.

“This first-of-its-kind project will make New York City a global leader in developing solutions for climate change while creating thousands of good-paying green jobs for New Yorkers and infusing $1 billion into our city’s economy. Where some people see challenges, New Yorkers see opportunities, and this team and this project are leading the charge.”

Renovated Yankee Pier leading toward a new public plaza and new mass timber academic and research buildings at the Exchange. © SOM | Brick Visual

The campus will also include two newly constructed classrooms and research buildings across three acres of the island’s eastern development zone. More than 170,000 square feet of space within historic buildings like Liggett Hall and the Fort Jay Theater will be restored.

As part of the project, the Exchange will create 4.5 acres of new open space as part of Phase 1 of its construction plan, adding to Governors Island’s existing 120 acres of public space. Additionally, the construction of the campus will be designed to better connect its preexisting 43-acre park.

Once the campus opens to the public, the Exchange is expected to serve roughly 600 postsecondary students, 4,500 K-12 students, 6,000 workforce trainees, and 250 faculty and researchers each year while supporting up to 30 businesses through its incubator program.

Research and education at the Exchange will be centered around the themes of environmental justice and inclusion, the impacts of the use of food, water, and energy on climate change, and sustainable and resilient cities.

The Exchange will host comprehensive workforce development and training programs that will provide New Yorkers with the skills and knowledge to make a career in the city’s growing climate sector. The center’s partners include the Georgia Institute of Technology, Pace University, Pratt Institute, University of Washington, Boston Consulting Group, Good Old Lower East Side, and IBM.

Public walkway and landscape between the new mass timber academic and research buildings. © SOM | Brick Visual

The total costs of construction are estimated to be roughly $700 million in total, with $150 million in previously allocated city capital funding, $100 million from the Simons Foundation, and $50 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The remaining funding for development and operational costs will be raised by the Exchange.

Maurie McInnis, president of Stony Brook University, said the new institution will make New York the world leader on climate change.

View across a new public space along Division Road, looking toward the renovated historic theater. © SOM | Miysis

“Up until now, the development of climate solutions has been siloed, with world leaders separate from expert scientists separate from the on-the-ground green workforce,” McInnis said. “As an international leader on climate and as the leading public research institution in New York, Stony Brook University will bring stakeholders together from the academic, government, and business communities to make the Climate Exchange the center of research, innovation, education, and collaboration to address this global crisis.”

Conceived by SOM in collaboration with MNLA, Buro Happold, and Langan Engineering, the design of the Exchange features “energy positive” elements, including mass timber construction and solar power generation. According to the architects, the buildings on the campus will be among the first in the country to achieve True Zero Waste certification, meet 100 percent of its non-potable water demand with rainwater and treated wastewater, and run totally on electricity generated on-site.

The architects created a design that complements the natural landscape of Governors Island and the urban landscape of New York City, weaving a “living laboratory” into the beloved parkland.

“Our design for this new campus embodies the stewardship necessary to solve the climate crisis by weaving sinuous mass timber pavilions through the rolling landscape of the park and reusing the historic building fabric of Governors Island,” SOM Design Partner Colin Koop said.

“Together, these spaces will cultivate advances in climate research and pilot new technologies that can be deployed across the city, and eventually the world.”

Public design lab to engage the community along the restored central arch of historic Liggett Hall. © SOM | Miysis

First used by the Lenape Tribe of Manhattan for camping and fishing, Governors Island was later settled by the Dutch in 1624 and used for several centuries by the military. In 2003, the federal government sold the remaining 150 acres of Governors Island to the people of New York, with a deed ensuring much of it be used for public benefit. The island officially opened to the public in 2005 and a master plan in 2010 resulted in a park, ball fields, cultural institutions, food vendors, and public programs.

In October 2019, the city began seeking proposals for a “major center for climate adaptation research, commercialization, conversation, and policymaking” to be built on Governors Island, as 6sqft previously reported.

The Trust revealed its initial proposal for the climate research center in September 2020. The monumental project required a rezoning of Governors Island’s southern end, approved by the City Council in 2021, which allows for 4 million square feet of development.

The Exchange will serve as the anchor institution for the Cen­ter for Cli­mate Solu­tions on Gov­er­nors Island, part of Adams’ ​”Rebuild, Renew, Rein­vent: A Blue­print for NYC’s Eco­nom­ic Recov­ery” plan.

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$700M climate research campus designed by SOM headed to Governors Island

POSTED ON MON, APRIL 24, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG
All photos: © SOM

304 West 89th Street, Unit 8A

304 West 89th Street, Unit 8A

upper west side, MANHATTAN

$1,095,000

2 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

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This is a stunning Upper West Side cooperative that features a beautifully updated two-bedroom, one-bathroom home that spans approximately 1,000 square feet. The home seamlessly blends prewar details and contemporary updates, offering an expansive living room with Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, 9-foot-tall coved ceilings, handsome millwork, and eastern windows newly fitted with custom blinds.

The open windowed chef's kitchen boasts abundant cabinetry, granite counters, glass tile backsplashes, and upscale stainless steel appliances, including a vented Bertazzoni range, Liebherr refrigerator, a panelled Miele dishwasher, and a Marvel wine refrigerator. The home features two spacious bedrooms with custom cellular shades, Closet Factory closets, and extraordinary northern, open-sky views that stretch across the Upper West Side's historic rooftops. The main bedroom features a 10-foot wide custom closet with lots of bells and whistles, including multiple shelves, 28 shoe compartments, and pull-out racks for belts/jewelry/ties and a pull-out bar for dry cleaning.

The windowed bathroom is filled with charming tile and marble and built-in cabinetry, an extra closet, and designer lighting. The co-op offers residents a live-in superintendent who receives packages, a laundry room, storage lockers, and a bike room. Pets are allowed, and board policies permit 80 percent financing, parents buying for children, gifting, co-purchases, and guarantors with approval.

Located on a tree-lined street near the corner of West End Avenue, the home is at the center of the Riverside-West End Historic District, surrounded by delightful architecture on all sides. Residents enjoy quick and easy access to transportation with 1/2/3 trains and abundant bus service nearby. The home is just seconds from Riverside Park and less than a half-mile from Central Park, with renowned dining, nightlife, shopping, and a new grocery store (coming soon) all within reach.

A Suspended Spherical Concert Hall Will Hang in The Shed at Hudson Yards

A 65-foot-tall spherical concert hall will hang suspended inside The Shed in Hudson Yards. Created by avante-garde architects Ed Cooke, Merijn Royaards, and Nicholas Christie, the Sonic Sphere offers concertgoers a truly unique experience with immersive 3-D sound and light explorations of music that redefine the idea of a concert hall. Performances in the sphere will run from June 9 through July 7.

The Shed at Hudson Yards. Photo by Iwan Baan, courtesy of The Shed

Located within the art center’s iconic 115-foot-tall McCourt space, the sphere can hold up to 250 audience members who will be surrounded by more than 100 speakers that move sound “above, below, through, and around” the audience’s bodies, according to a press release. Dynamic lighting on the sphere’s surface adds to the multisensory, immersive musical journey.

The event includes 45-minute live and recorded performances held every day, including live performances by electronic music artist Madame Gandhi on June 9, singer-songwriter yunè pinku on June 14 and 16, and world-renowned pianist Igor Levit on June 30 and July 1. The performers have been carefully selected by Alex Poots, the artistic director of The Shed.

“In a visually orientated age, Sonic Sphere centers the wonder of sound and music in an interdisciplinary experience,” Poots said in a statement. “The creative invention and sheer ambition of Sonic Sphere offers such a range of possibilities to explore for years to come.”

Additional performances include listening sessions of the xx’s self-titled debut album which was released in 2009 but remastered for the Sonic Sphere, and composer Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians.

Composer Karlheinz Stockhausen first conceived of an idea for a spherical concert hall, with the first rendition of the idea taking form as the Kugelauditorium at the 1970 World Expo in Japan, according to the New York Times. While hundreds of thousands of visitors experienced the sphere over the course of the exhibition, the concept never gained widespread support.

“As a teenager I had read in an obscure book of Stockhausen’s Kugelauditorium, which appeared at the 1970 World Expo Osaka fair, alongside the first mobile phone. It was obviously a ridiculously cool idea, far more interesting and important than the phone,” Ed Cooke, co-founder of Sonic Sphere, said. “In the decades that followed, I became increasingly confused that since 1970 our society had created 15 billion mobile phones but no further spherical concert halls.”

“The Sonic Sphere project aims to re-prioritize shared real-world experience and to make the outer horizons of consciousness accessible to all, in the name of new modes of perception and action for a world that requires them.”

The sphere, which will be installed at The Shed next month, is the 11th and largest iteration of the design yet. Previous versions of varying size and technological sophistication have appeared in London, Mexico, and Miami, Florida.

“We are excited to bring this architectural, experiential statement to the middle of the most vibrant city in the world. This spherical concert hall asks questions about the type of architecture that best serves our cities and communities. How can it adapt to our changing societal needs, bringing us together at a time when technology is driving us apart,” the team behind the Sonic Sphere said.

Tickets for the Sonic Sphere go on sale on May 5, with a presale beginning on May 3 for The Shed members.

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A suspended spherical concert hall will hang in The Shed at Hudson Yards

POSTED ON WED, MAY 3, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG

Top Photo: A rendering of Sonic Sphere in The Shed’s 115-foot-tall McCourt space, 2023. Courtesy The Shed.

Article Photo: The Shed at Hudson Yards. Photo by Iwan Baan, courtesy of The Shed

155 Duane Street

155 Duane Street

Tribeca, MANHATTAN

$7,900,000

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Perfectly positioned in the heart of Tribeca, this mixed-use townhouse is an unprecedented opportunity in a historic building that's housed everyone from Civil War soap makers to 70s punk rockers and modern-day Hollywood A-listers. Featuring two floors of commercial/retail/office space on the ground and cellar levels, plus four floors of residential space topped by a magnificent rooftop terrace, the possibilities are endless at 155 Duane Street.

A separate entrance opens to the commercial space, featuring a light and bright 662-square-foot main level filled with painted brick, a wall-of south-facing windows, 10.5-foot-tall ceilings and a handsome kitchenette/coffee bar complete with a sink, two mini fridges and a dishwasher. An open stair leads to the 1,013-square-foot cellar with storage rooms, a half-bath and additional workspace. The two-level commercial unit is ideal for a boutique, gallery, office, café or any other Group 6 establishments.

Above, discover four floors of updated townhouse living combining beautiful contemporary style with coveted industrial chic details. The first floor of the 2,604-square-foot residential space is currently configured as a flexible bedroom with a built-in Murphy bed and a gorgeous full bathroom featuring designer tile, a marble vanity and walk-in shower. The 24.5-foot-wide building's signature blackened steel staircase invites you upstairs to a level currently used as a formal dining/meeting room with retractable glass walls, a built-in mini bar, closet and powder room. The third floor is the heart of the home — a stunning full-floor eat-in kitchen with painted black-and-white checkerboard floors. Crisp new cabinetry trimmed with marble counters and herringbone tile surround upscale appliances, while a long row of banquette seating invites you to enjoy casual meals alongside southern exposures. The top floor acts as a dramatic living room lounge complete with a powder room, a glamorous bar and the home's historic hoist. A classic spiral staircase leads to the crowning glory — a 650-square-foot roof deck wrapped in iconic views that stretch from historic mid-rises and City Center spires to the Woolworth Building and One World Trade.

Dating back to the early 1800s, this beautiful building boasts swaths of exposed brick, oak floors, notched pine beams and a mechanical hoist used to carry materials between floors well before electricity was commonplace in the city. Once a home to soapmaking and dry goods companies in the 19th century, the building also housed a restaurant in the 1940s. In the 1970s, the notorious dive bar Barnabas Rex occupied the lower floors. Well known for its pool table, jukebox and volleyball net strung across Duane Street on warm summer days, Barnabas Rex attracted an eclectic crowd, including local construction workers and bikers to artists and punks. The building was later used as an attorney's live/work residence, and it once welcomed renter Channing Tatum for a summer.

This unbeatable Tribeca location is surrounded by the best of downtown living. Phenomenal shopping, dining and nightlife venues line the nearby blocks, including The Odeon, Sushi of Gari, Frenchette and Locanda Verde. The Tribeca Whole Foods, Target, Brookfield Place and Westfield World Trade are all close by, and you'll never lack outdoor space or recreation with Duane Park, Washington Market Park and massive Hudson River Park blocks away. Access to transportation is effortless with A/C/E, 1/2/3, R/W and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes all nearby.

The Monthly Update - May 2023

Macro-Markets (The Rental Market)

in Manhattan (and Brooklyn)

The Manhattan real estate market is one of the most competitive, dynamic markets in the world, and last month underscored that fact. With 1,911 apartments coming on the market and close to 1,200 going into contract, Manhattan once again defied macroeconomic conditions and marched to its own drum. That said, there were a few bumps in the road last month. Specifically, there was a one-week period when new listings and apartments going under contract both dropped by approximately 50%, according to UrbanDigs.com. However, the Manhattan market recovered significantly the following week with double-digit gains in both categories. Whew! But what’s the outlook for May?

With the Fed meeting this week, both Reuters and Forbes predict a 0.25% jump in interest rates but expect this to be the final one of the year. Short term, this might give buyers the jitters at the beginning of the month. However, many think those buyers will settle into the new normal of 5% to 6% interest rates — just like they did towards the end of 2022. If those predictions hold, homebuyers will feel more determined and focused on purchasing Manhattan and Brooklyn real estate, especially as the year progresses. So, May could start slow, but the combination of a tight rental market with expected rent price increases and buyers settling for the new interest rates, buyers could come screaming back into the sales market by mid-to-late May. 

And with that, the rental sector becomes the one market within the entire New York City real estate landscape that can be the savior and difference maker, even while there’s so much uncertainty on the global stage. Because our city is so transient, people come and go at all times of the year, particularly during spring. If the rental market is too hot, renters become buyers. We’ve already seen some of that, but some are predicting even more buyers will emerge from the rental market, as rental prices are on pace to get hotter — just like the weather — putting pressure on the sales market, in a good way! 

As we all know, macroeconomic conditions can impact real estate markets. Manhattan can be particularly vulnerable to downturns on Wall Street. So then, if the rental market can be considered the savior, Wall Street can be viewed as the kryptonite for Manhattan, and even Brooklyn. That said, Manhattan and Brooklyn can also act very independently, particularly in response to national economic concerns. Even though New York City is thought of as very international, the real estate market here tends to react uniquely compared to most national and global geopolitical events and issues that can wreak havoc in other locales. New York City has already been weathering bank closures and mass layoffs all spring long. I expect it to endure future storms as we stay on course for a healthy spring – all things considered. 

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Local Happenings

NYCxDESIGN: The Festival

MAY 18-25, 2023

The NYCxDESIGN Festival returns on May 18-25, 2023! Be part of the design week that attracts thousands of visitors to New York City to celebrate global creative accomplishments, share new ideas, and inspire through design.
Click HERE for events and registration.

Kickoff to Summer

MAY 27, 2023

The end of the month brings everyone’s favorite kickoff to summer: the opening of the City’s beaches! Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of beach season in the City. Head to Brighton Beach and Coney Island to people-watch, Rockaway Beach to surf and Orchard Beach to observe a range of wildlife.
Click HERE for more information.

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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

25 Top Interior Design Trends for 2023

If you've been searching for the right opportunity to add more style, vigor and comfort to your space, you'll appreciate this list.

Courtesy of Good Housekeeping

Ready to Remodel? Here Are The Home Projects That Will Get You The Best Return On Your Investment

Even when they don’t buy a fixer-upper, most people will end up doing some amount of repairs on a new home. About 95% of homeowners said they plan to take on a major home improvement project in the next five years, according to a recent report by Real Estate Witch. However, only 50% said they can afford it at the moment.

Courtesy of CNBC

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Listing Spotlight

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10 Bleecker St. Unit 1B

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55 West 17th St. Unit 405

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245 West 74th St. Unit 1B

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215 West 105th St. Unit 3ED

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221 East 50th St. Unit 6D/7D

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305 West 55th St. Unit 2A

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80+ Free Performances In Times Square This Summer

New York City’s annual celebration of its diverse creative community returns to Times Square this May. Hosted by the Times Square Alliance, TSQ Live will offer over 80 free, open-air performances at plazas throughout the neighborhood, allowing performers to show their craft on one of the world’s most public stages. Running through September, TSQ Live features a variety of events, including live DJ sets, concerts, and dance performances from NYC institutions like Carnegie Hall, Pioneer Works, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Every summer, the Times Square Alliance honors the five borough’s creative community with a series of free, easily-accessible events. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors in Times Square are invited to enjoy the medley of music, dance, and performance art. The program is the largest free performance series in NYC.

“This summer we have the chance to turn over Times Square to the artists, musicians, and performers that make New York City such an incredible place,” Jean Cooney, Times Square Art Director, said.

“In turn, the plazas of Times Square become a stage for over 80 free events – from punk shows to classical music; West African dance workshops to voguing classes – all timed to reach the millions in Times Square this summer heading home from work, to a show, or visiting for the very first time.”

Presented by Rash Bar, Soul Summit, and Elsewhere, the live DJ sets will be hosted every Tuesday for the duration of the festival from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Broadway and 43rd Street.

Live jazz music, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center, will be hosted on Thursdays at 5 p.m. at Broadway and 46th Street. Featured musicians include Christopher McBride, the Mariel Bildsten Septet, and the Roxy Coss Quartet.

Carnegie Hall will be presenting musical performances on June 9 and June 16 at 5 p.m. at Broadway and 46th Street. Performers include singer, songwriter, and accordionist Gregoria Uribe, and Trio Fadolin, a string ensemble consisting of Sabina Torosjan on violin, Valeriya Sholokhova on cello, and Ljova on the fadolin.

Dance workshops, presented by Ailey Extension, will take place on May 5, 12, 26, and June 2, and 30 at 5 p.m. at Broadway and 46th Street. In celebration of hip hop’s 50th anniversary, a special dance workshop will be held on August 10. Workshops will offer instruction on a wide variety of dance styles, including Broadway jazz, hip-hop, and West-African dance.

Every Friday night, Times Square will host concerts highlighting up-and-coming talent from NYC and beyond. Highlights include a punk rock show by arts organization NEW INC, singer and songwriters Madison Watkins and Brooke Alexx, and NYC native Julia Wolf.

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80+ free outdoor performances happening in Times Square this summer

POSTED ON APRIL 20, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG

Images courtesy of the Times Square Alliance

Eataly's Flatiron Rooftop Restaurant Is Inspired By The Italian Countryside

Eataly Flatiron’s seasonal rooftop restaurant has undergone a floral transformation for spring. Located on the 14th-floor rooftop of the esteemed Italian food and beverage marketplace, Serra by Birreria opened for the season on Thursday. The restaurant’s lush, intricate design was created and installed by Less Than 3 Studio and is inspired by Southern Italy’s countryside. Over the course of these warmer months, Serra will host a jam-packed schedule of programming and events, including live DJ sets, and the restaurant’s first-ever zodiac night.

When designing Serra’s new interior, Less Than 3 Studio tried to encapsulate a “chic countryside ambiance” inspired by Southern Italy, with wide use of foliage, citrus, and rustic elements throughout the restaurant. Highlights of the interior design include distressed walls, rough linen sails, vintage furniture, modern chandeliers, and lemon streets that span from the floor to the ceiling.

Serra’s updated menu features a fresh take on traditional Italian cuisine with a focus on vegetable-based dishes and a broader selection of piattini, or small plates. This wider selection of small plates promotes a more fun and collaborative approach to the dining experience.

Piattini options include Zucchine, made with marinated zucchini, white balsamic vinegar, basil, and mint, and Fritto Misto, made with calamari, shrimp, seasonal vegetables, and fresh herbs. Other options include Gamberi, grilled prawns with garlic pesto, and Piselli, sugar snap peas with pecorino romano cheese, and mint.

Many of the most decadent, “showstopper” dishes can be found on Serra’s new dessert menu, with options like Vasio di Cioccolato and Vaso di Trutta, two flavors of cookies, cream, and cake served in a flower pot and topped with edible floral decor.

The menu also includes a revamped drink selection, with new additions featuring fresh, floral ingredients to match the restaurant’s lush decor. Drink highlights include Effetto Farfalla, made with gin, Galliano, butterfly pea syrup, lemon, club soda, and blackberries, and Spritz Riff, made with orange and bergamot ‘cello, tonic, and prosecco.

This season, Serra will host a variety of special events, including the restaurant’s first-ever zodiac night. As part of the event, the restaurant will serve a special zodiac sign-themed cocktail menu every other Thursday night featuring carefully-crafted cocktails mixed and poured tableside.

Serra is available for group dining and private events where the newly added menu items can be enjoyed family-style for both big and small gatherings.

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Eataly Flatiron unveils rooftop restaurant inspired by the Italian countryside

POSTED ON APRIL 21, 2023

BY AARON GINSBURG

All photos courtesy of Eataly