155 East 34th Street, Unit 17DE

155 East 34th Street, Unit 17DE

MIDTOWN EAST, MANHATTAN

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Condo

 

Spectacular high floor two-bed, two-bath unit with panoramic views of the Midtown Manhattan skyline with views of iconic NYC landmarks from the corner window.

Newly renovated this open and bright apartment has been meticulously renovated. The new chefs kitchen with stainless steel appliances is open to the living space which lends itself to entertaining along with the wet bar with minifridge and wine cooler. The master suite features a large L-shaped walk-in-closet, and the new master bathroom has dual sinks and a large soaking tub. This split two-bed unit also has a private washer/dryer and is a must see.

The Warren House Condominium is a full-service building featuring a 24-hour doorman, full-time concierge, and porters. Amenities include; beautifully landscaped roof deck with sweeping city views, garage, cold storage, bicycle room, and private storage.

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After Cuomo Provides Health Personnel, 9/11 Tribute In Light is Back On

It takes nearly 40 stagehands and electricians more than a week to produce the annual Tribute in Light display that marks the 9/11 anniversary each year, according to the New York Times. And because they must work in close contact, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum decided last week to cancel this year’s memorial. Upon hearing the news, Governor Cuomo, however, stepped in and said he’d provide the medical personnel necessary to make the event happen safely.

In a statement, Governor Cuomo said:

This year it is especially important that we all appreciate and commemorate 9/11, the lives lost, and the heroism displayed as New Yorkers are once again called upon to face a common enemy. I understand the Museum’s concern for health and safety, and appreciate their reconsideration. The state will provide health personnel to supervise to make sure the event is held safely while at the same time properly honoring 9/11. We will never forget.

The first Tribute in Light was projected into the sky six months after September 11, 2001. It has then been projected every September 11 from dusk to dawn. The Museum has been managing it since 2012.

The public art installation was developed by the Municipal Art Society and Creative Time, who brought together six artists and designers and a lighting consultant. The projection takes place from the roof of the Battery Parking Garage, just south of the 9/11 Memorial, and is run on temporary generators. From two 48-foot squares, comprised of 88, 7,000-watt xenon lightbulbs, the twin beams shine up to four miles into the sky, “echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers,” according to the Museum.

Prior to the governor stepping in, the Museum had developed an alternative memorial, Tribute in Lights, in conjunction with NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism arm. This would have had iconic New York City buildings, including One World Trade Center, light their spires and facades in blue.

In a statement on their website, 9/11 Memorial & Museum President and CEO Alice M. Greenwald said:

In the last 24 hours we’ve had conversations with many interested parties and believe we will be able to stage the tribute in a safe and appropriate fashion… I want to particularly thank Mike Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo, and the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. for their assistance in offsetting the increased costs associated with the health and safety considerations around the tribute this year and the technical support of so many that will enable the tribute to be a continuing source of comfort to families and an inspiration to the world going forward.

Last month, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum announced that they would not have the traditional “reading of the names” at this year’s 9/11 ceremony. Usually, family members of some of the 3,000 who lost their lives gather on stage and read the names of the victims, often including personal messages. To adhere to social distancing guidelines this year, a recorded reading of the names that’s part of the Museum’s “In Memoriam” exhibition will be broadcast.

Family members will still be welcome on the plaza, and the rest of the ceremony will remain largely unchanged, save for social distancing and mask requirements. This year’s ceremony will begin at 8:30am with the first of six moments of silence beginning at 8:46am, at which time houses of worship will toll their bells. The moments of silence are observed at the exact times each World Trade Center tower was struck and fell, when the Pentagon was attacked, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93.

304 West 89th Street, Unit 8A

304 West 89th Street, Unit 8A

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

2 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-Op

Offered At $1,200,000

 

*304 West 89th Street:*
-Co-Op
-Live-in super
-Bike and private storage for rent
-Pied-a-terres are permitted with board approval
-Subletting allowed with board approval for up to two years
__________________________________________

Move right into this flawless, beautifully updated two-bedroom, one-bathroom home in a stunning Upper West Side cooperative less than a block from Riverside Park.

Spanning roughly 1,000 square feet, this home masterfully blends prewar details and contemporary updates. Enter the gracious foyer to discover an expansive living room, featuring Brazillian cherry hardwood floors, 9-foot-tall coved ceilings, handsome millwork and eastern windows. The open windowed chef's kitchen invites you to test your culinary skill with abundant cabinetry, granite counters, glass tile backsplashes and upscale stainless steel appliances, including a vented Bertazzoni range, Leibherr refrigerator, a panelled Miele dishwasher and a Marvel wine refrigerator. An over-sized pull out pantry adds extra convenience. Two spacious bedrooms feature custom 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 - 4 separate clothes racks and 3 deep drawers, multiple shelves, and 28 shoe compartments plus 2 pull out racks for belts/jewelry/ties and a pull out bar for dry cleaning. Concealed with NY Sliding Door Company custom built mirrored doors. The windowed bathroom is filled with charming tile and marble, and built-in cabinetry, an extra closet, and designer lighting add style and ease to this exceptional co-op residence.

Designed in 1922 by the acclaimed Rosario Candela, 304 West 89th Street is a handsome brick and limestone co-op where residents enjoy a live-in superintendent who receives packages, a laundry room, storage lockers and bike room. Board policies permit pets, 80 percent financing, parents buying for children, gifting, co-purchases and guarantors with approval.

Set on a tree-lined street near the corner of West End Avenue, this home is at the center of the Riverside-West End Historic District and surrounded by delightful architecture on all sides. Sprawling Riverside Park, itself a scenic landmark, is just seconds from your front door, and Central Park sits less than a half-mile east. The renowned dining, nightlife and gourmet shopping of the Upper West Side is moments away, and access to transportation is excellent with 1/2/3 trains and abundant bus service nearby.
*Current assessment of $166.42 until 12/31/2023

130 West 16th Street, Unit 44

130 West 16th Street, Unit 44

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-Op

Offered At $850,000

 

Enjoy ample sunshine from south-facing windows located in every room of this charming one-bedroom co-op apartment in a sought-after prime Chelsea neighborhood. The quiet, nicely laid out apartment is perched in a gorgeous brick elevator building set in the middle of a tree-lined residential street.

Enter the generous foyer and arrive in the renovated, windowed kitchen, featuring stainless steel appliances and ample counter and cabinet space. To the left of the foyer, you'll find the spacious living room, and to the right, the bedroom. The sun-filled bedroom features ample storage space with a full wall of large closets. In the hallway you'll find the renovated, windowed marble bathroom outfitted with gleaming square tiles and fine fixtures. Nine-foot ceilings rise overhead, while hardwood floors run throughout the home adding to the airy feel of this property.

130 West 16th Street is a fabulous pre-war elevator building featuring a lovely rooftop garden (open April through October) with a wood deck and beautiful city views. The building includes a live-in super, central laundry room and voice intercom system. Set between Union Square and Chelsea Market, you'd be hard pressed to find a better neighborhood in New York. The fabulous High Line is three blocks west. Nearly every subway line A/C/E, 1/2/3, N/Q/R, 4/5/6, L and two PATH trains are located within blocks. Great West Village restaurants, quaint shops and stores and just around the corner from Westside Market and Whole Foods. Pets allowed with board approval. Sublets permitted after one year; no pied—terres permitted.

Lounge and Dine At The Rooftop ‘Lawn’ At South Street Seaport

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Social distancing guidelines have definitely gotten restaurants to be extra creative, like The Rooftop at Pier 17 which has just opened a new dining experience where guests can book one of 28 “mini-lawns.” Called The Greens, the experience has transformed the South Street Seaport rooftop venue into private cabana-style plots, each of which can accommodate eight guests.

Pier 17–a food/drink, retail, and entertainment complex designed by SHoP Architects–opened in 2018, with its 1.5-acre rooftop space serving as a restaurant and cocktail lounge. In addition to an annual summer concert series, in the winter months, the rooftop transforms into the city’s only open-air rooftop ice-skating rink.

The Greens is the rooftop’s newest incarnation. The mini-lawns measure 14′ x 14′ and come with lounge chairs, an umbrella, a beverage cooler, and USB ports for charging electronic devices. There will be proper cleaning procedures, hand sanitizer stations throughout, and contactless ordering done through guests’ individual phones.

Guests also have the option to reserve one of four gaming lawns, also available for groups of up to eight people. They each measure 12′ x 48′ and have available games to rent like bocce ball, cornhole, and giant Jenga. There will be a 32-foot-wide LED screen on the north side of the rooftop, where guests will be able to watch a game. They can also look forward to live music, DJs, and the return of Seaport Cinema.

When it comes to the menu, there are plenty of snacks like calamari, corn on the cob, and hummus. The rest of the food menu consists of seasonal items like a tomato strawberry salad, fish and chips, a lobster roll, and a burger. The cocktails are fun and summery and include a frozen jalapeno-watermelon margarita, a pineapple colada, and a mint tropic punch.

The Greens officially opened on August 1st and is open seven days a week from 11 am–11 pm, weather permitting. Online reservations for the mini lawns and gaming lawns are preferred and can be made in advance on the Pier 17 website.


Giant Gorilla Sculpture Is Coming to Hudson Yards

To raise awareness and funds for the critically endangered gorilla species, public artists Gillie and Marc Schattner have created a massive sculpture of the animal that will be unveiled later this month in Hudson Yards’ Bella Abzug Park. Titled King Nyani, Swahili for gorilla, it’s the world’s largest bronze gorilla sculpture and can fit two to three humans just in its hands.

Gillie and Marc have dedicated a large part of their career as artists to bringing attention to the world’s endangered species through their Love The Last project. Two years ago, they brought a 17-foot-tall sculpture of three rhinos to Astor Place and Downtown Brooklyn. As a protest of the sale of rhino horns, it depicted the last three Northern White Rhinos Najin, Fatu, and Sudan.

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And the artists get passionately involved in their projects. King Nyani is based on the head of a family of silverback mountain gorillas that Gille and Marc encountered on a trip to Uganda. They say they were moved to tears watching the gorilla exhibit empathy and kindness as opposed to the “scary” image so often portrayed.

“It was beautiful watching the silverback interacting with his family. He was so gentle and loving and clearly cared deeply for his family,” said Marc. Gillie added, “We knew we had to let the world know about this loving and gentle side of gorillas. They are often so misunderstood and thought of as scary and dangerous animals. But if they were able to see the silverback, maybe they wouldn’t be so scared.”

But due to illegal poaching, war and deforestation, there are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas and fewer than 3,800 eastern lowland gorillas left in the wild. “We couldn’t sit back and do nothing when these amazing creatures that are genetically so similar to us are in danger,” said Marc.

Inspired by the movie scene where King Kong grabs the woman in his hand, King Nyani’s hand is open for visitors to sit and interact with him. “We wanted to create a sculpture where the public could really get close to the silverback, both physically and emotionally. Being able to sit in his hand and look up to into his gentle face we hope they will fall in love and join the movement to save the gorillas,” explains Gillie.

Through a partnership with the Hudson Yards-Hell’s Kitchen Alliance, the sculpture will be on display in Bella Abzug Park as of August 24, 2020 and will remain on view for 11 months.

Rental: 25 Sutton Place South, Unit 3G

25 Sutton Place South, Unit 3G

SUTTON PLACE, MANHATTAN

3 Bed  |  3 Bath | Rental

Offered At $9,500

(No Fee)

 

Make breathtaking East River views your daily backdrop in this impeccable three-bedroom, three-bathroom cooperative in coveted Sutton Place.

Beautifully renovated throughout, this expansive waterfront home boasts wonderful custom closet space, premium finishes and picture-postcard views from nearly every room. A gracious foyer opens to the jaw-dropping great room where walls of windows to the east and south frame the river and 59th Street Bridge. Enjoy open, airy living and dining areas topped with recessed lighting and integrated speakers while gorgeous herringbone hardwood floors run underfoot. The kitchen is a masterwork in modern minimalism thanks to sleek blonde cabinetry, crisp white countertops and an army of stainless steel and integrated appliances, including a six-burner gas range, dishwasher, two wine refrigerators and a built-in microwave.

Wake up to tranquil water views in the master suite, designed with two California closets, custom built-ins and an en suite bathroom featuring radiant heat flooring and a walk-in rain shower with a bench and handheld sprayer. Secondary bedrooms offer roomy closets, world-class views and easy access to two well-appointed full baths with radiant heat. Smart home controls operate zoned HVAC, sound, lighting and window treatments in this superb Sutton Place haven.

Cannon Point North is an exceptional postwar co-op offering a live-in resident manager and full-time doorman and concierge service. Residents enjoy a fitness center, laundry, private storage, on-site garage, bike room, free Wi-Fi and a renovated private terrace overlooking the East River and bridge. Sorry, no dogs.

Nestled within the sought-after Sutton Place enclave, this home offers the perfect combination of Midtown accessibility and residential serenity. Here, you're just inches from the newly rebuilt Sutton Place Park and the East River Esplanade. Enjoy excellent local shopping and dining and easy access to transportation, including E, M, 4/5/6 and N/Q/R/W trains and the FDR.

The Monthly Update - August 2020

 As of Friday, July 31, we finished our fifth full week of being “open for business,” a process that began in New York City’s Phase 2. While the first two weeks were extremely slow, the last three weeks have seen a flurry of buyer activity. What we’re finding, over and over again, is that price is king! We don’t have firm numbers or percentages off asking price yet, but if sellers aren’t willing to negotiate, buyers have plenty of new and existing inventory to choose from. 

At the time of reopening, resale inventory sat at 5,063. We currently have over 7,500 resale listings on the market, with anywhere from 400 to 600 new listings coming onto the marketplace each week. Astounding numbers! Will it continue? I have to say yes. I believe our market listing inventory will exceed 8,000 in the next two weeks. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions. Buyers are out in force. Many people are breaking leases and leaving the city. There is a mass exodus of families leaving for the suburbs who are experiencing bidding wars galore. And yet activity, recently, has been through the roof. All of these things are happening at once while we’re still battling a pandemic and facing an extremely polarizing election just on the horizon. Incredible times we live in. 

That said, interest rates for conforming loans fell under 3 percent, and you can still get a jumbo mortgage for 3.28 percent, which is very good. With pricing adjusted to post-COVID numbers, and a little bit of negotiation to boot, buyers are getting some great deals. It really does feel like the nonexistent Spring 2020 market shifted to mid-July, and it just seems to be getting busier. I’ve never seen so many people who want to list apartments concurrent with a huge number of buyer appointments — it’s practically overwhelming. To deal with the rush, The Hoffman Team has hired a second showing agent. At the time of this newsletter, we had seven contracts signed for July and 11 accepted offers/contracts pending. Incredible numbers for a not quite post-pandemic market. 

Hats off to Compass Founder and CEO Robert Reffkin. He predicted that the 18 months after lockdown would be the busiest in Manhattan real estate history. If this pace keeps up, he’ll be right (as usual).  :-)

Q2 2020 Brooklyn Market Report

Q2 2020 Manhattan & Brooklyn Market Reports

As we continue to experience these unprecedented times, we are here to provide valuable insights into the real estate market so you can stay educated and informed.  We are pleased to share our Q2 2020 Manhattan Market Report and Q2 2020 Brooklyn Market Report, highlighting the prevailing trends shaping the market.

- FYI -

Visit the Zoo!

After months of closure due to the pandemic, the Bronx Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo have partially re-opened! The current experience will be outdoor exhibits and grounds only, and date-specific tickets must be reserved in advance. Learn more here!

36 of the Best Grilling Recipes 

Fire up the grill and try one of Better Homes and Gardens' favorite grilling recipes. Choose classic main dishes—grilled chicken, steak, burgers, salmon, ribs, and more—or a delicious side, like grilled corn or pineapple. Dessert is even covered—all fresh off the grill. 

36 of the Best Grilling Recipes 

Fire up the grill and try one of Better Homes and Gardens' favorite grilling recipes. Choose classic main dishes—grilled chicken, steak, burgers, salmon, ribs, and more—or a delicious side, like grilled corn or pineapple. Dessert is even covered—all fresh off the grill. 

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Neiman Marcus Closing Its Flagship Shop at Hudson Yards

Neiman Marcus is closing its massive flagship store at Hudson Yards just weeks after filing for bankruptcy in May and a little over a year after first opening at the development. The retailer will also permanently close three other locations, two stores in Florida and one in Washington, according to the Dallas Morning News. Hudson Yards developers Related Companies and Oxford Properties have already started marketing the 190,000-square-foot space as office space.

“We have carefully analyzed all of the changes that have occurred in the retail environment as a result of COVID-19,” Amber Seikaly, vice president of Neiman Marcus, told the Real Deal in a statement. “Customers are and will continue to shop differently than they did prior to the pandemic.”

“A physical location in Hudson Yards is no longer an ideal space for us given the preponderance of restaurants and future office space in that mall.”

As 6sqft previously reported, the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed by Neiman Marcus allows them to end the lease at the Hudson Yards mall without penalty. Related spent about $80 million on the nearly 200,000-square-foot space, which anchored the seven-story shopping mall.

WWD reported in June that Facebook is in talks to take over the vacated Neiman Marcus space, but no deal has been made public yet. Last year, Facebook leased 1.5 million square feet of office space across 30 Hudson Yards, 55 Hudson Yards, and 50 Hudson Yards. Most of the space, about 1.2 million square feet, is at 50 Hudson Yards, which is expected to open in 2022.

Related is marketing other retail spaces on the top floors of the mall as well, according to The Real Deal. This totals 380,000 square feet or roughly 40 percent of the entire shopping center.

“It is unfortunate that Neiman Marcus was unable to achieve the success that other retailers have found at Hudson Yards and we look forward to welcoming the designer brands who drove Neiman Marcus’ sales to their own stores in the retail center,” a Related spokesman told CNBC in a statement.

“This opens up a great opportunity to create incredibly attractive office space with the largest floor plates available in New York City, a private ground floor entrance, and 18 foot high ceilings at 20 Hudson Yards.”

Here’s How COVID-19 Will Shape The Mechanics Of Home Buying & Selling

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COVID-19 has already caused homebuyers, homesellers and real estate professionals to take a step back and reevaluate their normal operating procedures. Many of the changes that have become the new normal during these times — from online walkthroughs to virtual closings — have the potential to stick around long after the pandemic subsides.

If you’re wondering whether it’s even possible to buy or sell right now, the answer is a resounding “yes.” You might have to be prepared to think outside the box and ready for the process not to play out exactly as it normally would. The availability and wealth of online marketing and sales tools have allowed the housing market to remain active amid the challenges presented by COVID-19. 

Having a professional real estate agent on your side is as important as ever right now, even for experienced home buyers and sellers. An agent will be able to walk you through the new buying and selling procedures and challenges caused by COVID-19. There are great options for real estate agents in Austin, Texas, and it’s a good idea to meet a few to make sure the fit is right.

Some things to expect if you’re looking to buy or sell:

Open houses and virtual tours: Even before COVID-19, most people start their home search online. The process is likely to stay online a bit longer now as virtual showings replace open houses in many cases. Virtual showings use online videos to let sellers show off their space to buyers. Some buyers have even bought homes without ever setting foot in them because of these virtual showings. During in-person showings, sellers are often requesting that potential buyers wear protective equipment, including masks, gloves and shoe coverings. Sellers also can leave doors opened and lights on so that potential buyers don’t need to touch anything while touring the house.  

Appraisals and inspections: For situations where an appraisal is required to get a mortgage, lenders are allowing alternatives in certain circumstances so that appraisers don’t have to go inside the home. With desktop and drive-by appraisals, appraisers can use market data, photos and exterior views to assess a house’s value. When it’s time for an inspection, it is less common now for buyers and agents to attend the inspection to ask questions. Instead, inspectors are entering the homes by themselves and sharing their reports, along with pictures and videos, afterwards. Inspectors are following safety guidelines while inside homes, as well, including wearing shoe coverings and wiping fixtures with sanitizing wipes after handling them. 

Closings: There are a growing number of ways to close on a house that don’t include sitting in an enclosed space with several other people and signing an endless number of paper documents. Some states allow or are in the process of allowing virtual closings, where documents are signed with a virtual notary present. Curbside closings are also popular, where documents are shuttled back and forth to buyers who stay in their car. Additionally, some lenders will send out or personally deliver documents to be signed at buyer’s homes. Your real estate agent will be able to discuss the options available in your area. 


COVID-19’s impacts on buying and selling homes will last long into the future, but your real estate agent will be able to hold your hand through the experience and answer questions that come up along the way. If you are looking to buy or sell while the pandemic is still ongoing, these new and evolving processes are helping to keep the housing market running smoothly and efficiently.

356 West 23rd Street, Unit 3B

356 West 23rd Street, Unit 3B

CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

Studio  |  1 Bath | Co-op

Offered At $549,000

 

With a prime location just one avenue from the High Line and footsteps from the nearest subway station, this stylish, modern, and recently updated studio puts you at the heart of all the best that Chelsea has to offer.

Timeless architectural flourishes fill the space with personality, including an exposed brick wall lining one side of the apartment, painted a gleaming shade of white, that brings the room to life when illuminated by the natural light that pours in from the south-facing window at one end. Beautiful hardwood flooring runs throughout the gorgeous and sun-drenched living area, which is anchored by a large mantel.

Classic features like those blend seamlessly with more modern details, such as the stainless steel appliances—including a dishwasher—in the sleek, spacious kitchen at the center of the apartment, with its wide countertops, elegant cabinetry, and bar-like seating area perfect for entertaining guests. A stainless steel fridge with a freezer drawer (plus ice maker!) sits directly across the way, surrounded by four large closets. Two more closets—which run the run all the way to the top of the apartment’s high ceilings—are located in the sleeping area, ensuring storage space won’t be a problem. No detail was spared in the bathroom, either, with its boutique, hotel-like air of minimalist sophistication.

This charming boutique co-op has a brand new virtual doorman/intercom system and a common laundry room. Perhaps the biggest draw, however, is the neighborhood: When you’re in need of an escape, many of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and shops are just minutes away.

Pied e terres and co-purchasers welcome.

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Indoor Dining and Museums Will Remain Closed When NYC Enters Phase 4 Next Week

In a press conference today, Governor Cuomo announced that NYC is, in fact, on track to enter the fourth and final phase of reopening on Monday, July 20. But just like with phase three, the city’s reopening will look a bit different than the rest of the state. No additional indoor venues like malls and cultural institutions can reopen yet, and there’s still no date for indoor dining. The governor also doubled down on bars and restaurants violating social distancing and face-covering rules in a new “Three Strikes and You’re Closed” initiative. Any establishment that receives three violations will be immediately shut down, and walk-up bar service is no longer permitted.

“It’s wrong. It’s dangerous. It’s selfish. It’s unacceptable,” said Governor Cuomo this morning about restaurants and bars in violation of social distancing protocols. “We’re also going to post the names of the establishments facing disciplinary charges,” he said, adding that a business could also be closed on their first violation if it’s especially egregious. For weeks, the governor has been making an example of New York City’s lack of enforcement when it comes to these issues.

In addition, the governor’s new regulations say that restaurants and bars statewide may only serve alcohol “to people who are ordering and eating food,” meaning that many of the city’s bars that are currently serving alcohol and seeing people congregate on the sidewalk and street must cease operating their walk-up bars. “All service at bar tops must only be for seated patrons who are socially distanced by six feet or separated by physical barriers,” the regulation continues.

His continued halt on indoor dining and the new announcement about other indoor venues, however, is due to the COVID surges we’re seeing around the country. Though there is currently a 14-day quarantine mandate for travelers coming from 22 states, it’s difficult to enforce, and the governor is concerned about a second wave. He also pointed to issues seen elsewhere in the nation related to indoor virus spread, especially in places without any air conditioning filtration systems.

The state’s general list of reopenings and rules for phase four are as follows:

  • Low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment, including zoos and botanical gardens, operating at 33-percent capacity

  • Low-risk indoor arts and entertainment, including museums and aquariums, operating at 25-percent capacity

  • Film and movie production

  • Higher education

  • Indoor religious gatherings, operating at 33-percent capacity

  • Social gatherings of up to 50 people

  • Professional sports without fans

For outdoor arts and entertainment, zoos and botanical gardens will still be permitted to reopen in New York City. All Wildlife Conservation Society zoos in NYC–the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo–previously announced that they’d reopen to members on Monday, July 20, and to the general public on Friday, July 24, with advanced reservations required. The New York Botanical Garden plans to reopen with an “Appreciation Week” from July 21-26 for garden members, Bronx neighbors, and Bronx health care heroes. They plan to open for public access on July 28; everyone must reserve timed-entry tickets in advance. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has not announced any reopening plans yet. This week, the High Line and Governors Island reopened with new advanced reservation systems.

Today’s news is an especial blow to museums. The New York City budget that was adopted on July 1 cut cultural affairs spending by nearly 11 percent. And in a report released this week by the Department of Cultural Affairs, the city’s arts organizations are seeing evenue losses and unanticipated expenses nearing $550 million. According to Crain’s, “more than a quarter of arts organizations reported reducing staff. That means 15,149 employees at city arts institutions out of work.”

But it seems as though many of the city’s museums foreshadowed a later start date. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (who has already laid off 81 employees) announced earlier today that it would reopen five days a week but not until August 29. When the New-York Historical Society reopens on August 14, it will be for an outdoor exhibit only; they plan to reopen indoors on September 11.

Others, however, were excited about what they thought next week would bring. The Museum of the City of New York (who has laid off 20 of their 100 full-time staffers) was planning to reopen on July 23. Luckily, part of their reopening included an outdoor exhibit about coronavirus in NYC.

Professional sports without fans are still moving ahead. Both the Yankees and the Mets resumed training at their home stadiums on July 1, and an opening day for July 23 and 24. At least four Yankees players, however, have already tested positive for the virus.

It’s unclear if social gatherings of up to 50 people will still be permitted in NYC’s phase four, as the city has already cancelled all large events, like the Feast of San Gennaro and the West Indian-American Day Carnival, through September.

Though the city is on track to enter phase four on Monday, the governor will make a final decision about it tomorrow.

220 Madison Avenue, Unit 4R

220 Madison Avenue, Unit 4R

MIDTOWN SOUTH, MANHATTAN

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

Offered At $710,000

This expansive one-bedroom, corner co-op features gorgeous updates, wonderful light and a perfect Murray Hill location.

Spanning approximately 850 square feet, the spacious and pin-drop quiet home greets you with an oversized foyer filled with three roomy closets. Ahead, the extra-large living room provides a generous footprint for seating, dining and home office areas paved in hardwood and topped by tall ceilings. The newly renovated kitchen and dining alcove welcome lively gatherings and quiet meals with wraparound windows, lovely cabinetry and open shelving, and upscale stainless steel appliances including a Bertazzoni range and Bosch dishwasher. Down the hallway, the updated bathroom features lovely tile, great storage and a glass shower over tub. Bathed in southern light and open-sky views, the king-size bedroom features an extra-large closet with custom shelves and multi-level clothing storage.

The John Murray House is a revered prewar cooperative where residents enjoy full-time doorman service, a live-in superintendent, an on-site parking garage, a glorious landscaped roof deck with up-close Empire State Building views, updated elevators and common areas, supplemental basement storage, central laundry and a bike room.

Surrounded by historic landmarks and storied institutions, this Murray Hill location offers fantastic access to Kips Bay, NoMad, Gramercy, Chelsea and all of Midtown. The new Amazon offices slated for the former Lord & Taylor building will be just less than three blocks away, and Grand Central Station, Penn Station and Bryant Park are within easy reach. Access to transportation is excellent with S, 4/5/6, 7, B/D/F/M, N/Q/R/W and Metro-North trains plus the 34th Street Ferry Landing and Midtown Tunnel all nearby.

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111 East 75th Street, Unit 8A

111 East 75th Street, Unit 8A

UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN

2 Bed  |  1.5 Bath | Co-op

Offered At $1,095,000

 

Welcome home to this quiet and stylish 2 bedroom on tree lined 75th street. Currently configured as a giant 1 bedroom loft like space with an open living room and formal dining room which are divided by french doors.


Enter through the foyer with coat closet to a luxurious dining room featuring crown moldings and a working wood burning fireplace. Oversized new windows are angled north and east. The sun-filled living room faces south onto 75th street and has ample closets and light. The kitchen features a Thermador stove with four burners and a grill, a vented hood, and quartz countertops. There is plenty of cabinet space for storage, and a pantry (the pantry can be easily converted back to a half bath if you prefer). The bedroom features a large closet, and faces south as well with plenty of bright light streaming in during the day. The hallway features a storage closet and linen closet, and leads to a clean bright white windowed bathroom.
Please see the alternative floor plan for the original 2 bedroom layout.

Built in 1925, this boutique elevator building has a live in super, laundry room, and storage. Located on a great UES tree lined block. Easy access to the subway at 77th st., great shopping and restaurants, and minutes to Central Park. There is also a convenient parking garage next door. The building requires 35 percent down at purchase.

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The Monthly Update - July 2020

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A New Chapter in Manhattan Real Estate

As the New York City market tries to normalize, buyers and sellers are wondering what real estate will look like in the coming months. There’s no question that buyers will be looking for discounts — steep discounts — and sellers will want to return to pre-COVID pricing. But what lies ahead in the summer months is truly anyone’s guess. 

Will sellers bow to buyer demands? Will competition between buyers create a frenzy in the marketplace? Or will nervous energy rule the roost and create a stalemate with no activity whatsoever? If anything is certain right now, it’s the uncertainty. 

Yet in uncertainty, lies opportunity. 

Fact: Over 2,500 listings came off the market during the New York City PAUSE period. Now, we are in the midst of many of those properties coming back to life. 

Fact: We completely missed the spring market, when typically more than 5,000 units come online. Those listings never materialized this spring.

Approximately 600 listings went into contract during the COVID crisis, but at what prices did they go into contrat for?  Now that we’re open again and property floods the market, there should be lots of inventory to choose from in the coming months. Supply outweighs demand. If buyers want COVID crisis deals, sellers might hold off until next spring when things cool off and settle down. Then maybe demand would outweigh the supply. 

It’s a market of many “ifs” but few certainties.

If buyers move forward aggressively with purchases ...

If sellers adjust pricing to new market realities ...

If mortgage rates hold ...

If COVID returns ... 

If office buildings never reopen and working from home becomes the standard ... 

Then what?

In many ways, this uncharted territory for the New York City marketplace. Currently, there are strong sellers’ markets surrounding Manhattan, as people reevaluate their shelter-in-place housing needs. The suburbs of New Jersey are seeing bidding wars. In Westchester and even up north into Columbia County, there are strong sellers’ markets. Long Island and the Hamptons — all strong sellers’ markets. Southern Connecticut, Greenwich, Stamford, etc.  Sellers’ markets. The Manhattan flight has taken hold and could be with us for a while.

We’ve seen this all before, haven’t we? After 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis, the markets were weak for six to 12 months following those catastrophes. So why should this be any different?

It is different.

Which direction the market will go is up to the players involved. Sellers will need to adjust. Buyers will need to adjust. Banks will need to loosen up. Brokers will need to work extra-hard. 

But it will come back. It’s New York City! 

The Hoffman Team put 11 apartments in the contract in June — not bad! But there is an uncertainty in the air, like the market is holding its breath and waiting for the next shoe to drop, But where there is uncertainty lies opportunity. 

Happenings & News

Top Ranked Team

Once again The Hoffman Team has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal and Real Trends as not only one of the top teams in New York State but also as one of the top 1,000 teams in the nation by transactions closed and volume sold! This marks our 10th consecutive year making this prestigious list and we are greatly appreciative. We would like to thank COMPASS and most importantly all of our clients and customers who put their trust in us to represent them when selling, buying, or leasing their properties throughout NYC.

15 Ways to Enjoy Summer 2020

Although so many New York City summer staples have been closed and postponed, there are still plenty of ways to take advantage of the warm weather and blue skies in the city. Peruse this list of 15 ways individuals and families can enjoy summer 2020 in New York City.

Summer on the Hudson 

Summer on the Hudson is NYC Parks' annual outdoor arts and culture festival, which will take place virtually this year! Take advantage of free classes including yoga, pilates, dance, and more. Explore this entirely virtual initiative and learn more here. 

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Lifestyle Tips & Tricks

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9 Summer Color Trends to Inspire you this Season 

With warmer weather finally here, we’re focusing on the summer color trends that are defining the design industry this season. Elle Decor has compiled the full list. 

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23 of the Most Beautiful U.S. National Parks 

You don’t have to leave the country for sights that will take your breath away. In the United States, we are surrounded by so many majestic and awe-inspiring natural wonders. Read Elle Decor's list of top national parks you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

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Create an Indoor Oasis 

As things heat up this summer, it’s hard not to be inspired by the gorgeous greenery that surrounds us in parks, courtyards, and charming community gardens. Bring some of that outdoor magic inside, and create your own indoor oasis! Conde Nast Traveler has outlined the best plants and accessories to green-up your space. 

NYC Reveals Outdoor Dining Plan Ahead Of Monday’s Phase 2 Reopening

New York City is officially entering phase two of reopening on Monday. The news has led to questioning of the de Blasio administration as to their plan for outdoor dining, with Borough President Gale Brewer and others rallying for immediate action yesterday. In his press conference this morning, the mayor obliged and laid out details of the city’s Open Restaurants program that will allow restaurants to set up sidewalk seating and curb lane seating, convert adjacent parking spots into seating, utilize plaza seating through Business Improvement Districts, and, come July, add seating areas on streets currently closed to cars.

Mayor de Blasio said the city’s Open Restaurants program will help an estimated 5,000 restaurants and save roughly 45,000 jobs in the “greatest restaurant city in the world.” Acknowledging that the pandemic has hit the industry hard, he said the city’s main goal is to “make this a simple, fast, easy process.”

For restaurants and any bars/cafes that serve food, there are five outdoor seating options:

  • Curb lane seating (pilot through Labor Day): These are the adjacent parking spots to a restaurant’s curb

  • Sidewalk seating (through October)

  • Backyard and patio seating

  • Open streets seating (nights and weekends beginning in July): More details will be released in the coming days

  • Plaza seating through Business Improvement Districts: The BID would need to reach out to the city and apply

NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg joined Mayor de Blasio to lay out the rules for outdoor dining:

  • Sidewalk seating: Must maintain a clear path free from obstructions between the seating and the curb.

  • Curb lane seating: Roadway seating will not exceed length of business frontage, and be separated from the travel lane with a barrier (planters, barricades). “No standing anytime” curbs, bus stops, and curbs within 15 feet of a fire hydrant are not eligible.

  • Open streets: DOT will work with community groups and partner agencies to identify additional seating within full street closures in July.

The application for the Open Restaurants program is streamlined through a singular online portal. Moreover, restaurants will not need to do a separate application with the State Liquor Authority.

According to state guidelines, outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, staff must wear face coverings, and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated.

Indoor dining is permitted under phase three. Currently, seven of the state’s 10 regions–the North Country, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Western New York, and the Capital Region–are in phase three. The Mid-Hudson Valley and Long Island are on track to enter phase three next week.

NYC Makes 14th Street Busway Permanent - Adds 5 More Car-Free Routes

The busway on 14th Street in Manhattan will be made permanent, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday. The car-free strip of the street, which runs between 3rd and 9th Avenues, launched as part of a pilot program last October. The mayor called the busway, which has proven popular with riders, a “success by every measure.” De Blasio also announced the phased-in addition of five new busways and 16.5 miles of bus lanes, which are meant to alleviate crowding for commuters as the city begins the reopening process.

Since the 14th Street M14 busway pilot launched last year, the city has reported faster crosstown commutes and a dramatic increase in ridership. Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., only buses and trucks have been allowed to make trips between 9th and 3rd Avenues, with all other vehicles limited to local trips.

On Monday, de Blasio said the city’s 20 new miles of bus lanes and busways will serve nearly 750,000 daily riders total. The five new busways, totaling 3.5 miles, will launch on “an urgent basis” between June and October. “We need the help now, given the crisis we’re in. We have to make it easier for people to get around,” the mayor said.


Starting this month, a busway will open on sections of Main Street in Queens, followed by Jamacia Avenue in Queens and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in July, Jay Street in Brooklyn sometime in August, and 181st Street in Manhattan in October. Each of the new busways will operate as a one-year trial program and will become permanent if successful.

Designated bus lanes will also be rolled out in phases, with East 14th Street in Manhattan and 149th Street in the Bronx getting the first lanes this month. Additional lanes will be added to Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island and Merrick Boulevard in Queens in July and August, respectively.

The 20 miles of bus lanes and busways falls short of the 60 miles requested by the MTA last week for phase one of the city’s reopening plan. It also doesn’t meet the request by four borough presidents, who asked de Blasio to fast-track the creation of 40 miles of new bus lanes across the city.

Transit advocates said the announcement is still a step in the right direction for improved bus service across the city.

“The 14th Street Busway has been a resounding success. We are pleased to see it made permanent, and that more busways will soon be coming online,” Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, said in a statement.

“New Yorkers deserve a bus commute without being stuck in endless car traffic. Our streets must be a tool toward the city’s recovery, and we look forward to working with the Department of Transportation to bring more bus-only corridors across the five boroughs.”

13 Virtual Pride Events In NYC This Month

Pride Plays
Through June 26; Free
Every Friday in June, Playbill will “present a live-streamed theatrical event from the LGBTQIA+ theatrical canon on its website, as well as features, interviews, and more with the artists.” On Pride Sunday, June 28, the event will culminate in a Pride Spectacular Concert, “featuring community performers sharing messages of pride and singing songs old and new.”

Criminal Queerness Festival
Through Monday, June 29; Free, but some events require reservations
The National Queer Theater and Dixon Place have teamed up with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and NYC Pride to provide “a platform for artists facing censorship, shining a light on critical stories from across the globe.” Bringing together renowned queer playwrights from around the world, the multi-week festival will include readings, panels, workshops, and more.

We’re Still Here: The All-Day Queer Event Celebration
Friday, June 12; Free
Since LGBTQIA+ organizations all over the country have had to cancel their Pride events, this all-day celebration in solidarity will feature “creators from around the world honoring the roots of Pride and the current fight for civil rights.” Events include a queer Latin dance jam, queer trivia, a drag happy hour show, and a living room party from the UK’s Queer House.

ZAP!: A Virtual Tour of Post-Stonewall Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) Actions
Tuesday, June 16, 6:30pm-7:30pm; free
In the immediate aftermath of Stonewall, GAA employed a special “zap” tactic, “a direct, public confrontation with a political figure, institution, or business regarding LGBT liberation, equality, and rights, designed to gain media attention.” The NYC LGBT Sites Project is hosting a virtual tour of these Zap sites, including the April 1970 confrontation of Mayor Lindsay at the Metropolitan Museum and the 1971 engagement party at the New York City Marriage Bureau.

Black Queer Town Hall
Friday, June 19-Sunday, June 21; Free
In partnership with GLAAD, NYC Pride is hosting a three-day virtual event to raise funds for black, queer organizations and LGBTQIA+ performers. The event is replacing Pride 2020 Drag Fest and shifting to center on Black queer voices and focus on “pathways to dismantle racism and white supremacy, and demand an end to police brutality.”

Garden Party
Monday, June 22; 6pm; free, but registration is requested
NYC Pride and the LGBT Community Center of New York City are hosting a virtual garden party to kick off Pride Week. There will be performances, stories, and special guests, and the event page will be updated with everything you need for the at-home party like a curated food and cocktail/mocktail menu and a suggested playlist.

Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring
Monday, June 22, 6pm; Free but reservations are required
Village Preservation welcomes professor and author Matthew Burgess, who will discuss his new bok “Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring.” The illustrated book looks at Keith Haring’s devotion to public art and how his work “transformed the New York City underground in the 1980s as an artist and gay activist.”

NYC Pride’s Human Rights Conference
Thursday, June 25, 9:30am-6pm; Free
This one-day conference will bring together activists, artists, educators, journalists, policymakers, students, and others engaged in LGBTQIA+ human rights to participate in panel discussions and workshops focused on mental health, religion/faith, voting rights, youth-driven conversations, and much more. This year’s participants will be announced soon.

50 YEARS of PRIDE: Celebrating New York City’s First Pride March
Thursday, June 25, 6:30pm-7:30pm; free, but advanced registration is required
As the NYC LGBT Sites Project tells us, “On June 28, 1970, to mark the one-year anniversary of Stonewall, thousands joined the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, now known as the Pride March. At the time, it was the largest gathering of LGBT people in one place for a common purpose and greatly contributed to solidifying the significance of Stonewall in LGBT history.” This presentation and Q&A will look back at the planning of this event, as well as those whose behind-the-scenes efforts made it a reality.

NYC Pride virtual rally
Friday, June 26, 5pm-8pm; Free, register here“LGBTQIA+ rights and human rights are under attack by the current political environment,” reads the event page, and therefore, NYC Pride is hosting a virtual rally “at a time when conversation, education, and activism is needed most.” It will be hosted by Ashlee Marie Preston (the first trans woman to become Editor in Chief of a national publication and the first openly trans person to run for state office in California) and trans actor and LGBTQIA+ advocate Brian Michael Smith. Speakers include Ceyenne Doroshow, Annie Segarra, Edafe Okporo, and Leandro E. Rodriguez Ramos, and performances will be by Michael Blume and more. The event will stream live on Facebook and YouTube.

Runstreet Virtual Pride 5K Art Run
Saturday, June 20-Sunday, June 29; $10
Runstreet Art Runs are curated runs that take place all over the country and bring participants on paths to see the best murals and street art. This year’s virtual Pride 5K asks people to run solo in their best rainbow gear and share their experiences on social media. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Callen-Lorde LGBTQ Community Center.

NYC Pride Special Broadcast Event
Sunday, June 28, 12pm-2pm; Free
In partnership with ABC7, NYC Pride is bringing its annual Pride March online. This year is the March’s very special 50th-anniversary celebration, and as NYC Pride says, “though it will be a very different type of celebration, the tradition of commemorating the LGBTQIA+ movement will continue.” In addition to saluting frontline workers, this event will honor several leaders in the community as Grand Marshals: Dan Levy, The Ali Forney Center, Yanzi Peng, and Victoria Cruz. It will feature performaces by Janelle Monáe, Deborah Cox, Billy Porter, Luísa Sonza and appearances by Wilson Cruz, Miss Richfield 1981, Margaret Cho, and more.

Literary Pub Crawl: Pride Edition
Monday, June 29, 6:00pm; Free, but reservations are required 
This event from Village Preservation will host the GV Literary Pub Crawl for a virtual tour of prominent LGBTQ writers, poets, and artists of Greenwich Village’s history, including James Baldwin, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Hart Crane, Walt Whitman, Allan Ginsberg, Willa Cather, and many more.

Your new home awaits.