We are excited to announce the release of the Manhattan Compass Q3 2019 Quarterly Market Insights Reports. This report highlight the prevailing trends shaping the market for each neighborhood, check it out below.
Over 200 FDNY Firehouses Will Welcome Open House Visitors This Weekend
If you–or your favorite fire truck-loving kid–would like a behind-the-scenes look at where New York’s bravest get to work, keep your calendar open this weekend: On Saturday, October 5th, and Sunday, October 6th, the FDNY will be hosting their fifth annual citywide open house. More than 200 firehouses and EMS stations will open their doors to the public from 11:00am to 1:00pm or 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Open House locations are listed on FDNY’s interactive map. Firefighters, EMTs and paramedics will be on hand to educate the public about fire and life safety. They’ll be conducting demonstrations, discussing careers in the department and offering tours of FDNY engines, ladder trucks and ambulances.
Uber Copter Launches $200 Helicopter Rides To JFK
As of today, New Yorkers who want to get to JFK Airport as quickly as possible can do so via a private helicopter ride. In an email sent out to customers today, Uber Technologies announced the full launch of Uber Copter, a helicopter that you can book via the app that will take you from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to JFK for $200-$225. The program opened on July 9th, but now any Uber member can book a chopper on weekday afternoons between 1pm and 6pm. Though you’ll need to get to/from the heliport in lower Manhattan and your terminal, the flight itself is only eight minutes.
The cost of the trip includes ground transportation on both ends. According to the company, “A single tap of a button can get you access to a ride with Uber from your pickup location to the heliport, a helicopter flight, and a ride from the heliport to your destination.” Riders going to the airport can book a chopper up to five days in advance. Returning riders are able to request an Uber Copter when their flight lands. The option will only appear in your app if you’re at JFK or if you’re within a designated zone that includes all of Manhattan south of Houston Street and certain areas with access to the West Side Highway.
Uber hopes to start offering the service in other cities, as well. They also are working on their Elevate program, a network of flying taxis that they hope will bring aerial ridesharing to Dallas, Los Angeles, and Melbourne (their first international market) by 2023. The small, electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircrafts would shuttle people between suburbs and cities, as well as within cities.
After a deadly helicopter crash in Midtown Manhattan in June, local lawmakers including Mayor de Blasio and State Senator Chuck Schumer called for stricter regulations on helicopter rides, with the Mayor even proposing that all rides over Manhattan be banned aside from those taken by emergency and first responders, uniform services, and news camera crews. To date, no official action has been taken.
Hyperloop Could Get You From NYC to DC in 30 Minutes
Over the past few months, Virgin Hyperloop One has been bringing its XP-1 test Pod on a cross-country roadshow, allowing residents in cities that may adopt the technology to learn more about the project and its progress. They made a stop at Rockefeller Plaza last Friday, as the New York Post reported, giving visitors a glimpse inside the 20-foot vessel that may one day get passengers from NYC to Washington DC in just 30 minutes.
“It’s propelled using electromagnetic propulsion; it actually lifts up on the tracks like it’s floating,” marketing director Ryan Kelly explained during the event, according to the Post. “Because it runs in a tube, where there’s almost zero aerodynamic drag, it allows us to go as fast as a plane.” Reps for the project said the vehicle can reach speeds of nearly 600 mph.
“New York is obviously a global city, we came here for the sustainability aspect of this,” Kelly added. “We see big value in connecting cities like metro stops…New York to Washington would be great.”
The concept for Hyperloop was first dreamt up by Elon Musk in 2012 and open-sourced for others to develop. On May 11, 2017, Virgin Hyperloop One’s XP-1 completed the world’s first full-system test—the company called it their “Kitty Hawk” moment. A press release explains that the recent roadshow has been a way of encouraging early adoption. Ten states are now exploring the technology, including Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Indiana, and Oregon, in addition to Nevada where the test site is located. The government created the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology Council to standardize Hyperloop technology and advance safety and regulatory certifications.
The technology appears to be on track for a 2029 debut in the US with NYC on the shortlist of launch cities.
The Post reported that the company may already have a deal in the works to install the Hyperloop system between Mumbai and Pune in India.
310 Lexington Avenue, Unit 10E
310 Lexington Avenue, Unit 10E
MURRAY HILL, MANHATTAN
1 Bed | 1 Bath | Co-op
Offered At $649,000
With windows in literally every room with views of the Chrysler Building, this high-floor one-bedroom co-op is a sunny escape with unbeatable storage in ultra-convenient Murray Hill.
Every inch of this spacious corner apartment is beautifully arranged for entertaining, relaxing and effortless daily life. Three big closets are placed throughout for coats, linens and wardrobe, and great built-ins add even more convenient storage. At 30-feet-long, the main living space provides a generous footprint for living, dining and home office areas, and the sunny windowed kitchen features excellent cabinet space and stainless steel appliances. Through the dressing area, you'll find a large bedroom, and the adjacent windowed bathroom features floor-to-ceiling tile and a big tub/shower. Move right into this expansive home, or bring your contractor to create the upgraded Murray Hill home of your dreams.
310 Lexington is a postwar cooperative offering 24-hour doorman service, live-in superintendent, laundry, bike room, storage, a landscaped patio and roof deck. Board policies permit pieds-à-terre, co-purchasing and guarantors. Two pets per apartment are allowed with board approval, including dogs under 40 lbs.
Located in the heart of Murray Hill, near Midtown, Kips Bay and NoMad, this home offers fantastic access to shopping, dining and outdoor space, including the Kips Bay theater, Fairway Market, Grand Central Station and Bryant Park. Transportation is excellent with S, 4/5/6, 7, B/D/F/M and Metro-North trains plus the 34th Street Ferry Landing and Midtown Tunnel all within reach.
The Monthly Update - October 2019
Big Money Is On Pause: What Do They Know That We Don’t?
Summer can be slow for the upper end of the real estate market in Manhattan. But this year, it’s been especially — I mean really, really — slow for the past four months. Was it because all the big buyer deals closed before July 1 to avoid the new mansion tax escalation? That certainly is part of it. But still, it’s unusually and suspiciously quiet. So much so it’s causing buyers in other segments of the market pause or pull out altogether.
According to a weekly tracker of signed contracts over $4 million (considered the luxury market threshold), there has only been $1.3 billion in sales of luxury market product so far this year compared to $1.9 billion this time last year. We have also seen 13 consecutive weeks with fewer than 20 contracts signed over the $4 million threshold (20 contracts per week is considered a healthy benchmark, according to the report). Broken down by the number of units sold, the research goes on to note that, compared to this time last year, unit sales are down 57 deals.
Even Compass Chief Evangelist Leonard Steinberg, when asked where luxury market buyers are putting their money if not in Manhattan property, reported that the rich have been squirreling away savings, with those savings reportedly doubling over the past couple years. Leonard also noted that not only are the wealthy not buying, they are actively selling. They are selling second homes and investment properties, supposedly to free up cash and position themselves for a continued decline in real estate over the next month or even years.
Could a report from Smart Insider showing that insider stock sales have risen to a two-decade high in the U.S. be related? According to their data, corporate insiders — top executives and board members — sold a combined $19 billion of stock in their own companies through to mid-September. That puts them on track to hit about $26 billion for the year, which would mark the most active year since 2000.
All this stagnation at the top has not helped the middle and low end of the markets, either. Yes, it’s true that the middle- and lower-end buyers are much more affected by interest rates. Plus they typically buy and sell real estate more out of necessity than for investment, so they have no choice but to push ahead in all markets: buyer, seller or stagnant. The middle to lower end of the market looks to the luxury market as a barometer to both real estate and the overall economy. When the upper end slows or drops, it permeates throughout the rest of the market and has a deep impact on buyer psyche. And we’re seeing that today. Right now, buyers are taking longer to sign contracts and negotiate deals or they’re just dropping out of the market entirely. That’s largely because they look to the ultra-wealthy as bellwethers of what lies ahead in the global marketplace — and not a lot of it seems very good. Add to that market uncertainty around an impeachment process and upcoming presidential election year, and only time will tell.
Local October Events
New York City Wine & Food Festival
October 10-13th
New York City’s biggest wine and food festival is back for its 12th year! Enjoy events, wine tastings, intimate dinners, hands-on classes, demos from culinary personalities, and more. 100% of the net proceeds benefit Food Bank For New York City and the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America and in the five boroughs of NYC. Learn more here.
Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar
October 20th
Celebrate Dessert Month on October 20th and discover our city's best artisanal sweet-makers! You’ll find experimental donuts, handmade macaroons, creative peanut-butter cups, small-batch fudge, fresh cookies and cupcakes, and much more! Click here for more mouthwatering details.
18 Contract Signed Last Week $4+ Million
LUXURY MARKET REPORT 2019
Report on Contracts Signed
Manhattan Residential Properties
$4 Million and Above
September 23-29, 2019
18 Contracts Signed
Eighteen contracts were signed last week at $4 million and above. Condos outsold co-ops, 9 to 6, with 3 townhouses in the mix. Prices were reduced on average by 16% off the original asking price before a contract was signed. Properties spent an average of 564 days on the market.
Stat Geek Alert: Last week marked the best performance by co-ops since the week of June 24, when 6 co-ops were also sold.
The No.1 contract was 8A at 155 West 11th Street, asking $19.8 million--it sold in only 60 days. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom unit has 3,965 square feet and outdoor space totaling 1,264 square feet. It is owned by Tamara Mellon, fashion designer and co-founder of Jimmy Choo luxury shoes, who purchased the unit for $18,355,982 from the sponsor in September 2016. The condo is known as The Greenwich Lane, a 5-building complex comprised of 193 apartments and 5 townhouses. Amenities include a concierge, doorman, parking, fitness center, a 25-meter swimming pool, golf simulator, garden, residents’ lounge, and children’s playroom.
The No. 2 contract was a 6-story brick townhouse at 49 East 67th Street, asking $13.475 million, reduced from $24 million when it went on the market in October 2015. This 20-foot-wide house has 8,926 square feet including 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 2 powder rooms, The house also has a 50-foot swimming pool in the basement and an elevator. It was owned by pop star Billy Joel from 1981 to 1991.
You Can Now Take A Private Helicopter To Brunch At JFK’s TWA Hotel
It’ll cost you a pretty penny—$340 per person, to be exact—but you can now take a private helicopter to brunch at JFK’s buzzy new TWA Hotel. Helicopter service Blade and the Gerber Group have partnered on the limited-edition offering, which is open for reservations on Sundays only through November 3rd.
The ticket price includes pre-take-off drinks at the Blade lounge just off the West Side Highway, a five-minute chopper ride to the airport, brunch at the rooftop pool (each person will receive a $50 meal credit with their ticket), pool access, and a chopper ride back to the Blade hub in Manhattan. Check out more details or make a booking here.
If you snag a reservation for Sunday, October 20, you may want to stick around for a panel discussion at 4 p.m. featuring the designers, engineers, and other contractors who brought the iconic Eero Saarinen-designed building back to life. The afternoon will also include performances of four musical compositions inspired by the TWA Flight Center, commissioned by Open House New York and Access Contemporary Music to celebrate the building’s reopening.
Development Plans For Ex-Amazon Site In LIC Move Forward
Soon after Amazon canceled plans to build a new headquarters in Long Island City, the city began reviving earlier plans to bring a mix of residential and industrial spaces to the neighborhood. Developers and city officials are still in talks over how the 28-acre site—which includes land owned by both the city and plastics company Plaxall—will be used. As Politico recently reported, the vision is starting to come into sharper focus with property owners now engaging the neighborhood and community board to help determine the future of the waterfront site.
As 6sqft previously reported, the city first issued a request for proposals on two city-owned sites along 44th Drive in Long Island City’s waterfront area, known as Anable Basin, three years ago. In 2017, officials selected TF Cornerstone’s proposal, which included 1,000 units of housing (25 percent of which would be affordable), 100,000 square feet of industrial space, 400,000 square feet of commercial space, a new 600-seat school, retail space, and an acre of open space along the waterfront.
This proposal—which would require a rezoning—seems to be the basis going forward, but developers have learned a thing or two from the Amazon controversy. Noting that a disengaged process and protests from local residents and politicians ultimately doomed the Amazon deal, any plans for the site moving forward will go through the city’s public review process, Politico reported.
“We’ve learned a lot from the Amazon experience. I think what we’ve learned is that there’s a huge opportunity in Long Island City to attract innovation jobs, open up the waterfront,” Jeremy Shell, a principal at TF Cornerstone, told Politico. “We want to look at the plan comprehensively, and we need to put the community goals first.”
As part of the appeal to community concerns, developers said that any housing element would focus on affordability. “I don’t think we’re looking to build expensive, waterfront condos,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin of L&L MAG, a development partner on one of the sites. “This is not a condo play.”
We don’t have clear insights into how big a role residential development will play in the project, but it might end up being less than originally planned for. “We also have heard that we have quite a bit of housing and many people have expressed that they’d like to see more commercial uses and job opportunities,” Shell noted.
A consultant hired by the developers estimated that the project could yield 50,000 new jobs over a decade. That number doubles what Amazon promised the city in exchange for substantial tax breaks.
City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson echoed the call for a “vigorous, community-driven process,” per Van Bramer’s written statement. Both are seeking higher offices over the coming years and, as Politico noted, are aware that polling showed a majority of local residents supported the Amazon deal and the jobs it promised.
Sources told Politico that Plaxall, a family-owned company, has yet to participate in the discussions. The firm’s managing director, Paula Kirby, said they “remain committed to pursuing a vision that builds on LIC’s history as a center of innovation and creativity, and to working with our neighbors and the city on a plan to make Anable Basin an integral part of the future LIC waterfront.”
Meanwhile, Amazon has been pursuing a different expansion in NYC. Sources have said the online shopping giant has been eyeing sites in Maspeth and at or near Brooklyn’s Industry City for new logistics facilities, in addition to real estate shopping for office space in Manhattan. So far, no leases have been confirmed.
[Via Politico]
7 West 96th Street, Unit 9E
7 West 96th Street, Unit 9E
UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN
2 Bed | 2 Bath | Co-op
Offered At $1,195,000
Experience quintessential Upper West Side living in this bright two-bedroom, two-bathroom co-op on a tree-lined Central Park block.
Spanning approximately 1,100 square feet, this exceptional residence is filled with prewar details like gleaming hardwood floors, tall ceilings, fine millwork and a distinctive archway. Arrive in a welcoming gallery entry filled with closets while the large living/dining room awaits with peek-a-boo Central Park views. The spacious windowed kitchen is beautifully equipped with great cabinet space and granite countertops surrounding top-notch stainless steel appliances, including a gas range, dishwasher and built-in microwave. The corner king-size master suite features an enviable walk-in closet, a second closet and a windowed en suite bathroom. Direct across from the home's well-appointed guest bath, the nicely sized second bedroom features western exposures and a roomy closet.
7 West 96th Street is a handsome Art Deco cooperative offering a beautifully renovated lobby, 24-hour doorman service, state-of-the-art central laundry, bike room, basement storage and a lovely roof deck with Central Park and skyline views.
Located just inches from Central Park, this home makes world-famous outdoor space your backyard. Trader Joe's is nearby and The Shops at Columbus Square put Whole Foods, HomeGoods and Michael's at your immediate disposal while the fine dining, gourmet shops and nightlife of the Upper West Side surround you. Transportation options are abundant with B and C trains around the corner, 1/2/3 trains three blocks west, and crosstown bus service just outside your door.
The City Wants A Self-Filtering Floating Swimming Pool On The East River
Swimming in the East River may once again become a reality. The city’s Economic Development Corporation is seeking ideas for a floating pool that would filter the water of the East River to allow for safe swimming, according to a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) released Wednesday. A similar idea was first announced in 2010 by the nonprofit +POOL, which has been working with the city for years, as THE CITY first reported. The pool would likely be built between the north side of Brooklyn Bridge and the south side of Pier 35 on the Lower East Side, according to the request.
The project would not be the first floating pool to open in New York City. As the city became more crowded, and therefore more concerned with public health, officials opened pools to serve as public baths, with the earliest built on the Hudson and East Rivers beginning in 1870.
By 1890, the city was home to 15 floating pools. But increased pollution of NYC’s waters made the baths unusable, and all facilities were taken out of commission by the 1940s. Today, the only remaining floating pool in the city, and the entire country, is in the Bronx. Although this pool, dubbed the Floating Pool Lady and located at Barretto Point Park in Hunts Point, is chlorinated.
According to the city, a floating pool “will restore a lapsed tradition of river swimming dating back to the 1800s of the first floating bathing areas in the East River, and further the city’s goal of improving access to recreational waterfront space.” The pool would be one of the first urban river-sourced swim facilities in the U.S.
The team behind +POOL released its design for a self-filtering floating pool almost a decade ago. The complicated process has involved working with the city and local stakeholders, as well as conducting site feasibility studies at 11 spots and studying the city’s water quality.
Renderings of the group’s project from 2017 reveal a plus-shaped pool with four pools in one: a kiddie pool, a sports pool, a lap pool, and a lounge pool. The walls of +POOL would filter the water to remove bacteria and contaminants. Kara Meyer, the deputy director of Friends of +POOL, told THE CITY that they are “looking forward to responding,” to the city’s RFEI.
Responses to the request are due no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. Find more information about submission requirements here.
Robert de Niro-Funded Studio Taps Bjarke Ingels To Design $400M Astoria Studio
The star power involved with Robert de Niro’s planned production studio in Astoria continues to grow. The development group—which includes developer Wildflower Ltd, Raphael De Niro, and Jane Rosenthal—has just revealed a first look at the 650,000-square-foot facility designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. The $400 million project, called Wildflower Studios, will establish a hub for the creation of film, television, and other forms of entertainment, including augmented reality and virtual reality. The facility is expected to create more than 1,000 daily union jobs.
“It has been incredible to work with such an iconic cast of collaborators from all aspects of visual media to imagine the future of film production in New York City,” said Bjarke Ingels in a statement. “Due to the unique space conditions of working on an urban site, we were challenged by Wildflower to distill all the physical, logistical, technical and experiential aspects of film production into a one of a kind vertical village for film.”
The project will comprise a “strategically planned mix of interconnected spaces,” including various stages, production-support areas, open and private offices, and lounges. The design “aims to foster the best creative work possible by providing opportunities for human connection,” per the developers. In response to feedback from the community and local officials, the proposal also incorporates parking, public water access, and land conservation areas for the neighborhood to enjoy.
Located along Steinway Creek in Queens, the project is sited at 87 19th Avenue. The property was previously used as storage for finished pianos by manufacturer Steinway & Sons and sits within a larger parcel owned by the company.
The construction comes at a time when the film and television industry in New York is growing at a rapid pace. As 6sqft reported in April, Netflix plans on expanding its NYC footprint by building new production centers in Bushwick and Flatiron.
Plans are being filed with the New York City Council, which is expected to review the application for minor height amendments and community waterfront access. Construction could start as early as next year.
205 West End Avenue, Unit 25W
205 West End Avenue, Unit 25W
LINCOLN SQUARE, MANHATTAN
1 Bed | 1 Bath | Co-op
Offered At $685,000
Bask in glorious light and epic river views in this meticulously updated, high-floor one-bedroom in a spectacular Lincoln Square cooperative.
Positioned high on the 25th floor, this home drinks in remarkable southern light and open-sky views that skim over the surrounding parks to the sparkling Hudson River. Stunning designer updates greet you the moment you arrive in the gracious foyer. Pale hardwood paves the floors, fresh paint and chic wallcoverings run throughout, and handsome trim and designer light fixtures add elegance to bright living spaces. The vast living room provides a sun-drenched backdrop for gracious entertaining while the gorgeous galley kitchen marries sleek cabinetry and countertops with premium stainless steel appliances. A smart pocket door reveals a tranquil bedroom where two extra-large custom closets and a dressing area leading to a breathtaking spa bathroom with floor-to-ceiling, Spanish porcelain tile, Toto toilet and a walk-in, Grohe rain shower. An additional custom closet provides extra storage, and through-the-wall air conditioning ensures year-round comfort in this serene designer showplace in the sky.
Lincoln Towers is a postwar eight-building cooperative positioned on 20 acres of private playgrounds and recreation plus lovely gardens and parks. Residents of the complex enjoy 24-hour doorman and concierge service, live-in maintenance staff, gyms, children's playrooms, package rooms, private and common storage, bike rooms, laundry facilities, indoor parking garages and outdoor parking spaces, plus on-site dry cleaners, private security and managing agents. Liberal board policies allow pets with restrictions, pieds-à-terre, parents buying for children, co-purchasing, subletting after the first two years and 70% financing.
Located in vibrant Lincoln Square, this home offers the ideal mix of accessibility and outdoor space. Enjoy afternoons along the miles-long Hudson River Greenway or in nearby Riverside Park. Shop along Broadway or take in world-class entertainment at Lincoln Center or the Theater District. Transportation from this Upper West Side enclave is a breeze with 1/2/3 trains just minutes away, and B/C trains along Central Park West.
Map Predicts Perfect Fall Foliage In Your Area
It’s officially Fall, and whether you’re good and ready for sweater weather or you’re sorry to see summer go, there’s no avoiding the fact that cooler temps and shorter days are on the way. One way to savor the changing seasons is to enjoy the majestic hues of autumn foliage. If you’re hoping to catch the changing season at its peak, there’s no better tool to plan your leaf-peeping strategy than SmokyMountains.com‘s Fall Foliage Prediction Map. This interactive infographic will tell you when and where foliage is expected to appear, and when it will reach its peak, in your area. Here in NYC, expect peak foliage to hit around mid-October.
To create the map, a complex algorithm was developed that carefully analyzes several million data points and outputs approximately 50,000 predictive data pieces. This data then enables the program to forecast county-by-county the precise moment when “fall peak” will occur.
Some of the data points processed by the algorithm include National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) historical temperatures, precipitation, forecast temperatures, and forecast precipitation; historical leaf peak trends; and peak observation trends.
“The predictive fall leaf map helps potential travelers, photographers and leaf peepers determine the precise future date that the leaves will peak in each area of the continental United States. By utilizing the date selector at the bottom of the map, the user can visually understand how fall will progress over a region. We believe this interactive tool will enable travelers to take more meaningful fall vacations, capture beautiful fall photos and enjoy the natural beauty of autumn. Our nationwide fall foliage prediction map is unique – it is one of the only fall leaf tools that provides accurate predictions for the entire continental United States,” said data scientist and CTO Wes Melton.
The map can forecast county-by-county the precise moment when fall peak will occur and covers a 12-week period between September 7 and November 30. Check out the full map here >>
[Via SmokyMountains.com]
146 Amity Street, Unit 6
146 Amity Street, Unit 6
COBBLE HILL, BROOKLYN
1 Bed | 1.5 Bath | Co-op
Offered At $740,000
Bask in light-filled, luxury treehouse ambiance in this spectacular one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom co-op on a charming Cobble Hill block.
Rustic knotty hardwood floors, soaring double-height ceilings and a charming bay window make an inviting first impression the moment you enter this lovely home. Relax under treetop views in the large living room, or exercise your culinary skill in the pass-through kitchen, beautifully equipped with custom cabinetry, stone countertops and stainless steel appliances. A convenient powder room and coat closet complete the lower level. Upstairs, the full-height loft bedroom is nestled below a bright skylight, and a large dressing room area leads to the gleaming en suite bathroom with a large tub/shower, marble vanity and beautiful floor-to-ceiling subway tile.
146 Amity Street is a handsome 1983 red-brick building designed to fit seamlessly within its Cobble Hill Historic District surroundings. Residents of the pet-friendly building enjoy a huge common yard shared with the neighboring sister co-op at 238 Clinton plus storage, bike room and free laundry.
From this delightful tree-lined street, you'll enjoy easy access to the fantastic dining and boutique shopping along Court and Smith streets, or head to Atlantic Avenue for great national stores like Trader Joe's and Michael's. Massive Brooklyn Bridge Park and Cadman Plaza provide exceptional outdoor space and recreation nearby, and transportation is a breeze with F, G, R, 2/3, 4/5 and A/C trains all within reach.
How To Get Around NYC During The United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly already began on Sept. 17 but Midtown has yet to experience the traffic nightmare that will hit the neighborhood next week. With meetings taking place through Sept. 30, the city has designated weekdays between Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 as gridlock alert days. On top of UNGA, Climate Week events will add to the congestion. “Drivers should leave their cars at home next week if they can—and try walking, taking mass transit, or getting on a bicycle,” Polly Trottenberg, commissioner of the Department of Transportation, said in a statement. Here’s a handy guide to getting around the city during the busy week ahead, including street closures and traffic updates for those of you with nerves of steel.
Street closures and traffic updates
The city has just released a detailed, day-by-day plan of anticipated traffic delays, which you can view here. In general, the following streets may be closed at the discretion of the NYPD from now through Sept. 30:
FDR Drive between Whitehall Street and Willis Avenue Bridge/RFK Bridge
Area bounded by 60th to 34th streets, and First to Third avenues
Area bounded by 54th to 48th streets, and First to Madison avenues
6th Avenue between 50th Street and 59th Street
Grand Army Plaza between 58th Street and 60th Street
5th Avenue between 56th Street and 63rd Street
Madison Avenue between 42nd Street and 58th Street
76th and 77th streets
Park Avenue between 76th and 77th streets
FDR Drive Service Road between 48th and 49th streets
76th and 77th streets between Madison and Park avenues
61st Street between Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue
59th Street between Seventh Avenue and Fifth Avenue
58th Street between Broadway and Madison Avenue
57th Street between Seventh Avenue and FDR Drive
56th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
54th and 55th streets between Seventh Avenue and Madison Avenue
53rd Street between Seventh Avenue and FDR Drive
52nd Street between Seventh Avenue and Madison Avenue
50th Street between Seventh Avenue and FDR Drive
51st Street between Seventh Avenue and First Avenue
48th and 49th streets between First Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
42nd Street between Seventh Avenue and FDR Drive
34th Street between Seventh Avenue and FDR Drive
Rideshare incentives
As a way of celebrating Climate Week, rideshare app Via is partnering with climate technology company ClimaCell to offer a 15 percent discount on shared rides to any of ten “clean air gems” they’ve identified throughout New York City, listed in the map above. To make use of the offer riders can simply apply the code “VIAGREEN19” in the Via app. The code will be valid from Sept. 20 to 27.
Bike Lanes
This year the DOT is keeping protected bike lanes on First and Second avenues open for the first time during UNGA. There will be a temporary northbound lane on First Avenue between 40th and 49th Streets and a southbound lane on Second Avenue between 57th and 41st Streets.
The First Avenue lane will be open 24 hours a day while the Second Avenue lane will only be available until 9 p.m. The DOT notes that “cyclists on both routes will be subject to security checkpoints and occasional, unannounced traffic freezes.” In addition, CitiBike will be offering a 50% discount on 3-day passes from September 23 to 30.
Governors Island Gets Its First Year-Round Home For The Arts
A permanent arts center opened on Governors Island last week, becoming the 172-acre site’s first year-round tenant dedicated to arts and culture. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has transformed a 19th-century warehouse into a 40,000-square-foot space for arts and educational programming. LMCC partnered with the Trust for Governors Island on the $12 million renovation, with designs from PEI Cobb Freed & Partners and Adamson Associates Architects. Historic details of the building were retained while enabling space for galleries, studios, rehearsal space, and an indoor cafe.
LMCC’s Arts Center features an artist residency program, giving 17 artists year-round studio space. The center’s inaugural season will include programs associated with sustainability and ecology, including exhibitions by Yto Barrada with guest artist Bettina, Michael Wang, and the Take Care Series.
“As the island’s first permanent cultural tenant, LMCC will provide a vibrant space for art creation and enjoyment for Governors Island visitors,” Vicki Been, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development, said in a press release. “Moreover, the center will have an outsized role in giving artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to participate in the City’s thriving arts scene.”
The arts center will be open Thursday through Saturday to the public seasonally until Oct 31., keeping with Governors Island’s public season. Artists in the residency program will be able to use the space year-round.
The arts center’s opening is a step forward in the city’s decade-long plan to turn Governors Island into a 24-7 community. Last August, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration began the public review process for rezoning 33 acres on the southern half of the Island, aimed at spurring development. While residential development is prohibited because of a federal deed restriction, student housing and hotels are permitted.
Currently, the only year-round tenants on Governors Island are LMCC and New York Harbor School. A year-round destination spa, QC Terme, is expected to open in 2021.
160 Central Park South, Unit 2307
160 Central Park South, Unit 2307
MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN
1 Bed | 1 Bath | Condo
Offered At $2,945,000
Make glorious Central Park views your daily backdrop in this impeccable one-bedroom home at the prestigious Essex House.
Perched high above the city on the 23rd floor, this refined, renovated apartment offers a turnkey home for discerning residents. You'll find jaw dropping, direct Central Park views in the oversized great room, thanks to large windows that wrap the space to the north and west. Relax in the well-appointed living area or host elegant dinners in the large dining alcove while millwork, beamed ceilings and hardwood floors create a sophisticated atmosphere throughout. The efficient kitchen offers top-notch appliances and the serene bedroom includes a large en suite bathroom. Three oversized closets easily attend to wardrobe and storage.
Situated in a landmarked Art Deco masterpiece at the center of Central Park South, The JW Marriott Essex House is known as the city's very first condominium hotel. Residents enjoy five-star hotel amenities including access to the superb fitness center and spa, housekeeping, and premier white glove services, such as a bell staff and concierge. Additional hotel services and amenities available on request include 24-hour room service and business and conference centers. Here, you're at the literal heart of Manhattan surrounded by the world-class dining, nightlife and shopping of Midtown, plus the exciting 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 all nearby.
Bette Midler Lists Her 14-Room UES Penthouse For $50M
The 14-room penthouse occupying the top three floors of one of Fifth Avenue’s finest prewar co-op buildings is simply divine. This should come as no surprise–the 7,000-square-foot triplex with 3,000 square feet of landscaped terrace and Central Park and skyline views at 1125 Fifth Avenue belongs to Bette Midler. As the New York Times reports, the over-the-top entertainer and her husband, performance artist Martin von Haselberg, are selling the Upper East Side family home they purchased in 1996, asking a diva-worthy $50 million.
A private elevator landing brings you to a large, light-filled gallery that opens onto a vast 70-foot-long entertaining space. The double living room has high ceilings, pre-war details, and a fireplace.
Adjacent is a large open dining room and an enviably stylish eat-in-kitchen. For the chef (and guests) there’s custom wood cabinetry, marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances including a six-burner Garland stove with grill, SubZero refrigerator, and Miele dishwasher.
Surrounding the entire entertaining floor are brilliantly landscaped terraces with breathtaking views of Central Park, the Reservoir, and the Manhattan skyline. The terraces can be accessed from the living room, dining room, and library. A private study/home office and guest bathroom complete this floor.
The entire top floor of this fabulous sky-mansion is devoted to a library with 13-foot ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, floor-to-ceiling bookcases, and more of those Central Park and Reservoir views. The library opens onto yet another magnificently landscaped rooftop garden oasis with views in every direction.
The home’s private bedroom floor offers the flexibility of a six- or seven-bedroom layout. Currently, two enormous bedrooms face the park and offer an abundance of closet space, oversized bathrooms, and generous dressing areas. A corner master bedroom suite includes an adjacent study/dressing room with a wood-burning fireplace.
A wing of this floor holds a large family room with open city views and three additional bedrooms. Also on this level are a laundry and pressing room: As any diva knows, those fabulous outfits need plenty of TLC. Built in 1925, the Emery Roth-designed full-service building offers a full-time doorman, a brand-new fitness room, and additional storage in addition to the highest level of service, privacy, and security.
11-35 45th Avenue, Unit 6D
11-35 45th Avenue, Unit 6D
LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS
1 Bed | 1 Bath | Private Terrace
Offered At $998,000
Enjoy breathtaking light and views from every room of this exceptional one-bedroom, one-bathroom home with private outdoor space in a boutique Long Island City condominium.
Stunning vistas of the 59th Street Bridge and city skyline greet you the moment you enter in this heart 800 square-foot contemporary top floor apartment. The expansive living room features gorgeous northern floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors and soaring ceilings, making it the perfect spot for gracious entertaining and relaxing. Or head out to the private terrace (173 square-feet) for dining amidst unobstructed views that stretch across Manhattan and Queens. The open kitchen is a chef's haven filled with premium stone, sleek cabinetry and state-of-the-art appliances, including a Liebherr refrigerator, a vented Bertazzoni gas range and built-in microwave, and a Bosch dishwasher. The serene bedroom features a wall of windows overlooking the terrace, and the spa-like bathroom is filled with radiant heat floors and Grohe and Kohler fixtures. Ample storage space, an in-unit washer-dryer, tinted windows, and energy-efficient Mitsubishi split heat and air conditioning units provide a comfortable and convenient quality of life in this fantastic Long Island City abode.
LIV@Murray Park North is a modern boutique condominium building where residents enjoy a high-tech virtual doorman/video intercom system with package room, well-appointed lounge, a roof deck with panoramic views of Manhattan, a state-of-the-art rooftop fitness center and onsite parking.
Located in vibrant Long Island City, this home is surrounded by world-class dining, nightlife and outdoor space. Michelin-rated Casa Enrique and its French bistro cousin Café Henri are nearby, and the LIC Flea & Food delivers a great selection of food and crafts. Enjoy delightful Murray Park just across the street or head to Gantry Plaza State Park for breathtaking waterfront recreation and skyline views. Transportation from this wonderful enclave is a breeze with G, E, M and 7 trains and the Long Island City Ferry Stop just minutes away.
