The rental forecast for commercial spaces remains grim as city officials warn Manhattan’s abnormally high vacancy rate should persist well into 2026. As of August 2023, Manhattan is currently at 22.7% office vacancy with little hope of recovery anytime soon.

New York City commercial vacancy rates typically hover at a steady 11%, but as the pandemic continued into the early 2020s, those rates climbed to 15% and beyond. Currently, the national average for 2023’s first quarter is 18.6%, with cities like Denver and Seattle squarely at 20% vacant.

For many, these vacancies hit close to home- shuttered bodegas, struggling independent shops, and the loss of retail storefronts continues to alter the dynamic of neighborhoods throughout the city. Look closer, and empty offices bleed into transport as well; rush hour subways are only half full, a far departure from an overcrowded past.

Lower and midtown Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn have seen the highest turnover and climb in vacancy rate changes to speak of. Despite receiving the most COVID-19 grant and loan money, businesses and offices continue to empty out.

Manhattan’s Troubled Rental Landscape

Spikes in vacancy affect not only landlords and building owners but the city as well. One of New York’s most important revenue sources is property taxes. Nearly 20% of New York City’s total tax revenue comes from commercial property taxes, with 10% attributed straight to office building rentals. In the first quarter of 2023, 4.6 million square feet were leased in the city, while asking rents for offices in NYC were priced at $78.35 per square foot. In April 2023, the price was at an average of $75.13 per square foot, down 50 cents in a YoY comparison, according to a Colliers market report.

Officials estimate that over half of Manhattan’s 450 million square feet of office inventory is practically obsolete.

Manhattan isn’t an easy place to open a business. Especially for family-owned shops, the regulatory hoops, and hurdles of rising rent, taxes, and industry competition challenge even the most genuine intentions. Inflation has taken its toll and led to genuine change across the city landscape. Take a walk down Third Avenue in midtown and you can see for yourself. Empty storefronts and boarded windows have sucked the magic out of New York’s once-energizing presence.

How Much NYC Office Space Is Actually Being Used? How Much Is Under Construction?

A major contributing factor to vacancies is the underperformance of aged commercial spaces. The shift into remote working left many businesses reconsidering their needs and desires for office space. Pandemic downtime made room for major remodels and full or partial fit-outs as companies dreamed of an eventual return to normalcy. The demand for older buildings- many with poor energy performance and outdated design- began to plummet, leaving skyscrapers and roadside shops alike empty around the city.

Officials estimate that over half of Manhattan’s 450 million square feet of office inventory is practically obsolete. Newer buildings with energy-efficient systems are more desirable to renters than older buildings. With 14 million square feet of modern office space under construction, it’s anticipated tenants of older buildings will continue trickling into newer energy-efficient builds long past the vacancy crisis.

Remote Work Is a Major Contributor To the Decline In Commercial Building Values

Recent studies highlight remote work as a major factor in declining building values. Estimates blame the shift into remote work for cutting building values by half. What was once a temporary fix has become the norm. This trend is not unique to New York alone; nationwide, businesses and landlords struggle to find a solution to emptying spaces.

“We now estimate a more persistent work-from-home regime, which has more of an impairment of office values even in the long run,” Arpit Gupta, co-author of the study, “Work From Home and the Office Real Estate Apocalypse.” told The Real Deal.

Post-pandemic rates of office return have reached no higher than 50%, severely lower than anticipated and hoped for by employers and landlords alike. Because of this, official estimates that NYC office stock loss would be 28% have been updated to reflect a 44% loss in value. New York has been on track to recover by the second quarter, with 1 million jobs lost due to the pandemic shutdown, but this is not reflected in local rental markets.

A major decline in worker spending is another backlash stinging local business. Without workers traveling to their offices, who will buy coffee, lunch, and run errands nearby? Less commuting means less commuter-based revenue; workers have spent $12.4 billion less annually compared to pre-2019.

Landlords are defaulting on loan payments. With more than $16 billion in loans due this year, many landlords are in a bind for alternative cash flow as renters continue to dwindle. The Fed’s rising interest rates and tight lending standards jeopardize the ability for older office buildings to refinance, ultimately putting their ownership at stake. Nationally, this is a loss of $506.3 billion in value and has affected the state of local public finances.

Commercial East Village and Lower East Side Hardest Hit From Pandemic

The residential market has also experienced a major shift from the old norm. The residential vacancy rate is currently above 2%, where it has stood for nine consecutive months. The highest vacancies are concentrated within the East Village and Lower East Side with a rate of 3.25% compared to the lowest in the Upper East Side at 1.34%. That said, close to 3,704 new leases were signed in Manhattan by February 2023 compared to 1,000 in Brooklyn.

“In Manhattan, the vacancy rate ticked up from January to February as apartments took longer to find tenants and leasing activity slowed. These are all positive signs for apartment seekers,” says Chief Operating Officer Gary Malin of The Corcoran Group. “However, the median rent has remained unchanged since October 2022, which shows that owners still remain hesitant to reduce pricing.”

The median rent in Manhattan was $4,200 monthly as of February, unchanged since late 2022. Pricing is 12% higher than in February of 2022, making average rent higher than last year. In contrast, the median rent in Brooklyn was $3,500 a month in February 2023.
“Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, rents in February cooled just enough to encourage tenants to take action. In contrast to Manhattan, the number of signed leases in the borough increased monthly, hitting 1,000 for the first time since November.”

Sadly, areas with the highest concentration of low-income residents face higher vacancy rates than elsewhere as businesses and landlords struggle to maintain profit margins that are quickly falling out of reach.

What Is The Status of NYC’s Housing Affordability?

The 2021 Housing and Vacancy Survey, collected every 3 years, summarized the state of the rental landscape throughout the boroughs. The most recent report confronted increases in New York apartment vacancies since 2021. Rent regulation can be drastically affected by these numbers, and rates of 5% and higher constitute an official “housing emergency.”
These surveys help representatives defend low-income residents and their rights. Members of CHIP (Community Housing Improvement Program) have challenged the city’s rent stabilization laws in court. Low-cost apartments appear on the outs as the city lost 96,000 units at $1,500 or less since 2017.

But many are fighting. Vacancies in commercial space have advocates looking at new opportunities for affordable apartments and urban housing. Real estate groups, urbanists, and market experts wonder at the possibility of reinventing Manhattan and Brooklyn. Older buildings, in particular, seem nearly perfect for housing conversion.

“Landlords are being very creative trying to improve their buildings, amenitize their buildings, improve the air quality systems,” said Peter Riguardi, chair and president of real estate services firm JLL’s New York tri-state region. “But at this point, without any unforeseen change, there’s still going to be some empty [office] space when we cycle through this, and some of those buildings are going to be ripe for conversion to residential.”

Still, hurdles persist as Albany failed to pass legislation helping with the conversion of office buildings to residential use, stoking the anxiety of many. In some cases, banks may eventually gain ownership of the building should loans go unpaid. As affordable housing continues to slip away, many wonder at the persistent inflation present in rent prices but absent in wages.

In the last year, the city gained 107,000 units with rents of $2,300 and up, bringing the median asking rent of vacant apartments to $2,750 in 2022, up 46% from 2017. To afford this, a household would need to earn $110,000 or more. The 2021 survey found over 50% of renters paid upwards of 30% of their income toward rent. This severe rent burden signals an affordability crisis that is pinching the lowest earners in the city.

As buildings continue to empty and New York’s population continues to increase, pressure is mounting on the affordable housing market. As of July 2023, there are 8.948 million inhabitants, up 0.37% from last year.

The high vacancy rates are not present for low-income apartments but are found for the most expensive. Deregulation of apartments from pre-2019 rent laws and the focus on high-end apartment buildings are partially to blame. Despite all this, outsiders continue to move to New York City in droves, ensuring demand never falls too low.

The post City Predicts Building Vacancy Struggle To Persist Through 2026 appeared first on CitySignal.

The pre-war multi-family townhouse located at 313 East 6th Street has been listed for the first time since the 1970s. While all New York buildings have their stories to tell, this one has seen more than most. Home to multiple famous artists and a documentary director, 313 East 6th Street has survived both raging fire and FBI surveillance units. It now awaits its next chapter and next owners. 

East Village Greek Revival Mansions

Originally constructed in 1853, later renovations reformatted the single-family home into three apartments. In 1902 the residence was officially relabeled a multi-unit dwelling.

The entryway features an original double-wide formal entrance and brownstone stoop. The house contains traditional Greek Revival elements with complimentary Italianate details, similar to other houses on that street. Brick interior walls, tall windows, and original staircases add authentic charm.

A large 30-foot backyard offers a green respite for sun and lounging while high ceilings deliver both northern and southern light to the bedrooms. The home has 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms with a total square footage of 5,480 square feet

313 East 6th Street is currently vacant and gutted. The building will require a top-to-bottom build-out. Future owners will have the rare opportunity to design and build the home, or apartments, of their dreams. This and other row houses on 6th Street received landmark status in 2012 when added to the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. 

A 1948 Certificate of Occupancy states a “social club” was once located in the basement. Most recently, the bottom floor was kept as an art studio. A fire in 2022 partially damaged the upper quarters, but ensuing repairs verify the home is structurally safe and sound. Aside from architectural charm, the building was home to many famous voices of New York City’s past.

Mark Rothko’s Painting Stint in the 1930s

The late abstract artist Mark Rothko (born Markus Rothkowitz) and his first wife, Edith Sachar, occupied an apartment here in the late 1930s. During those years, Rothko was a part-time teacher at the Center Academy of the Brooklyn Jewish Center. He taught children from 1929 to 1952. Edith and he lived in many parts of the East Village until his wife’s pressure for him to become famous eventually drove them to separate.

A well-known painting of his titled “Thru the Window” was painted in this apartment. Both the artist’s signature and building address are written on the back of the painting.  

Rothko was propelled to fame in the 1940s and cemented himself as both an abstract painter and surrealist. Rothko was contemporaries with other famed artists such as Max Weber, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Franz Kline. Famous for monolithic works of color study, a Rothko original titled “No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)” sold at Christie’s for $186 million in 2014, the 5th most expensive painting sale in history.

Abstract Expressionist Alfred Leslie at 313 East 6th

Painter and filmmaker Alfred Leslie, of the Bronx, also had a stint at 313 East 6th Street. As second artist in residence, Leslie utilized the garden level for his Manhattan studio.

Famous for macro-sized portraiture and an extensive series of watercolors, Leslie documented his road trips through original artworks.  Through his many iterations as an artist, Leslie was also a filmmaker; combining cartoons, home movies and old feature films. The 1959 film Pull My Daisy was directed by Alfred Leslie and narrated by Jack Kerouac. Other film collaborations included poet Frank O’Hara. He later got into sculptures made of found and everyday objects.

In the 1960s Leslie segued from abstract expressionism to realistic figurative pieces. Losing much of his work in a fire, Leslie later gained fame for his large-scale charcoal drawings. Alfred Leslie passed away from COVID-19 in 2023.

Documentary Maker’s Home

The last shift in ownership came in the 1970s when 313 East 6th Street was purchased by director Emile de Antonio and his wife. Still under ownership of the Antonio family, it was a surprise to some when this property was listed on the market.

Emile de Antonio, like Rothko and Leslie, also led a prolific creative and political career in New York City. Directing and producing documentary films on social, political and counterculture events, de Antonio has been called “the most important political filmmaker in the United States during the Cold War.” 

Amongst famous works including Painters Painting, released in 1972, de Antonio was in charge of distribution for Pull My Daisy, the film directed by Alfred Leslie. His film In the Year of the Pig was Oscar nominated in 1969. De Antonio is known to critique American culture and politics with an emphasis on political dissension. Because of this de Antonio was under constant surveillance by the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. A 10,000 page dossier compiled regarding De Antonio became subject of his autobiographical film, Mr. Hoover and I.

Then and Now

Of course, times have changed. Located smack in the middle of Ukrainian Village, 313 East 6th Street is now in a bustling part of East Village, close to Whole Foods and Tompkins Square Park. Still, how many who wander by know Rothko used to look out those windows?

The post Rothko’s Historical Former East Village Apartment For Sale appeared first on CitySignal.

What Is A 15-minute City?

What makes a city liveable? For many, it comes down to choice. We want to be surrounded by options without having to stray too far to reach any of them. Making choices accessible is the goal, but getting there is harder than just building a new megastore.

Developed in 2010, the 15-minute city has urban planners rethinking their technique. The basic premise is that all amenities should lie within a 15-minute walk or transit ride from home. This decentralized urban planning model ensures each local neighborhood meets the basic social functions for residents to live and thrive. 

This has yet to be tried in the Big Apple, but that’s about to change. Recently approved plans show New York City will begin constructing its own version in 2023. This has created a small stir amongst conspiracy theorists. 

The concept was first developed by Parisian urbanist and scientist Carlos Moreno. The premise is simple: everyday destinations should be close to home and easy to get to. By developing neighborhoods with schools, stores, and offices only a short walk, bike, or bus ride away, communities and individuals can experience a higher quality of life while saving time usually spent commuting to dedicate to what they actually want to be doing.

15-Minute Cities Around The World

Influenced by European cities like Paris, this method of city planning maximizes convenience and quality of life while minimizing pollution and traffic. The model echoes back to a hundred years ago when cities were established and expanded around a central area containing all needed amenities. In today’s version, we have the added advantage of being digitally connected. 

“A 15-minute city neighborhood offers convenience and quality of life, but not isolation,” describes the C40 website, “Physical and digital connectivity must be at the heart of any 15-minute city strategy, prioritizing equitable access to social and economic opportunities.”

Existing examples include Portland’s Complete Neighborhoods, Melbourne’s 20 Minute Neighborhoods, Bogota’s Barrios Vitales, and, of course, Paris’s original 15-Minute City. 

Some cities are going large in their transition. Portland specifically has committed to refashioning its land use so that 80% of residents will live in complete neighborhoods by 2035. As of now, less than half of Portlanders are in a complete neighborhood.

Calling Paris a 15-minute city feels tongue in cheek to some; Paris has always had greater accessibility to amenities than most cities. Many consider Paris a “5-minute city” with daily conveniences less than a five-minute walk for the average Parisian. One survey tallied 1,180 bakeries and 516 butcher shops within the 40 square miles of Paris’s 20 neighborhoods.  

Transitioning toward complete neighborhoods takes a lot of planning on behalf of local and government officials. While the idea was slow to take hold in 2010, the 2020 pandemic provided a major driving force for cities to take action. 

COVID-19 Impact on 15-Minute Cities

During the rise of Covid-19, an organization of globally networked mayors, called C40, united in action against climate change. This group of city leaders established the Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force. Active participants of C40 include nearly 100 major cities: Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Austin, Houston, New Orleans, Seattle, Los Angeles, and many others around the globe.

Amongst the actions these mayors committed to taking: Supporting essential workers, creating green jobs, providing fundamental public services, building with nature, and evolving to create 15-minute cities. 

“[We] committed to providing the swiftest and strongest possible rebound for their citizens and reaffirmed commitment to the principles of the Global Green New Deal,” says the C40 project website, “to protect our environment, strengthen economies and build a more equitable future – [we] reached out to other cities, youth, unions, business, and civil society to join in this effort.”

By reimagining streets and public spaces to best benefit local people of all abilities, backgrounds, and ages, the city offers itself in a more equitable and inclusive manner. Communities thrive when pedestrians “live locally” and are able to spend more time on foot, bike, or transit. 

15-minute Cities Reduction of Environmental Impact

Upsides to the 15-minute city were initially environmental. Reclaiming and reformatting space is a means to decrease car use, reducing carbon emissions. A decrease in traffic and car dependency equates to more free time for residents. Access to walking routes, parks and other outdoor conveniences mobilizes people to spend more time outdoors, boosting both physical and mental health.

“It puts people and the environment at the centre of urban planning,” said The Conversation, “Key elements are: the proximity of necessities; local participation and decision-making; community solidarity and connection; and green and sustainable urban living.”

A manifesto published in 2020 from Barcelona, backed by 300 architects and 160 academics, iterated four key elements to city organization: reorganization of mobility, renaturalization of the city, de-growth, and de-commodification of housing. So how would this translate in the hustle and bustle of New York City? 

Innovation QNS, NYC’s 15-Minute City

In 2022 the NYC Council approved a 15-minute city masterplan for the Queens’ Astoria neighborhood. The plan, called Innovation QNS, was brought forth by ODA Architecture and includes a number of major perks.

Built between 35th and 36th Avenues, the neighborhood will repurpose large surface parking lots, vacant spaces, and underutilized industrial and commercial buildings to shape an area that meets residents’ needs in a more concrete way.

“Innovation QNS will expand the adjacent Kaufman Arts District and build on Astoria’s rich cultural fabric including its existing cultural assets,” details the ODA Urban Plan website.

The 5-block plan will include over 2,800 units of mixed-income housing, of which 700 are permanently coded for affordable housing. Beyond that, 200,000 square feet will be dedicated to neighborhood retail and 250,000 square feet dedicated to creative industry and small business. Two acres have been set aside for intentional open space, community health and wellness facilities, arts and culture hubs, not to mention a multiplex cinema and grocery store.

Despite difficult negotiations, the project was finally approved in late 2022, with construction slated to begin in 2025. The $2 billion dollar development nearly came to a halt as the opposition called for even more affordable housing to be woven into the plan. Developers and housing officials finally agreed to double the affordable units to 45% of the project, equating to 1,400 units.

“This is exactly the kind of historic work we must do to tackle the housing shortage at the root of our affordable housing crisis,” said Democratic Mayor Eric Adams about regarding the negotiations.

Pressure continues to mount as officials fail to meet an urgently growing housing shortage crisis. Council members advocating on behalf of affordable housing were relieved the project has expanded to include more units.

“From Day 1, I have stood with my community in demanding deeper affordability from this development,” said Ms. Won of the Council’s progressive caucus, “There [were] more parking spots being offered than affordable units.”

 Supported by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, council members continue to pressure developers to meet the needs of local communities first and foremost. 

But while the common thread of 15-minute cities carry the sentiment of community-first principles, that hasn’t stopped conspiracy theorists from demonizing the concept, creating major backlash. 

Conspiracy Theories of 15-Minute Cities

Starting in 2023, Mr. Moreno’s 15-minute city began to attract the wrong kind of attention. QAnon conspiracy theorists and climate change deniers quickly labeled 15-minute cities as “Prison camps” and “Climate change lockdowns,” stoking fears that proximity was a form of entrapment. 

Misinterpretations of the concept ran rampant, and conservatives vilified the idea as a government takeover, accusing supporters of advocating repression and government surveillance. The oppositional narrative is dystopic at best. Opponents paint pictures of a fictional future where gated communities keep residents locked in, and limited access to vehicles prohibits people from moving freely. 

Mr. Moreno was attacked both digitally and physically. Harassment and threats through email and online forums mounted, with some calling Moreno a criminal and a dictator. Soon the death threats began to pour in, terrifying both him and his family. 

“I wasn’t a researcher anymore, I was Pol Pot, Stalin, Hitler,” Mr. Moreno told the New York Times, “I am not a politician, I am not a candidate for anything — as a researcher, my duty is to explore and deepen my ideas with scientific methodology. It is totally unbelievable that we could receive a death threat just for working as scientists.”

So far, none of this doomsday foreshadowing has proven true. In fact, local communities have flourished under newly completed neighborhoods, with small businesses gaining more traction than before. Advocates of 15-minute cities are quick to dismiss any rumors, ensuring the concept is not driven by any sort of restrictive mobility or monitoring.  

As New York constructs its own version of a complete neighborhood, we will soon experience firsthand what the model has to offer. Coming from the midst of both an economic and housing crisis, this movement toward the 15-minute city may help New York emerge from the pandemic even stronger than before.

The post What Is A 15-Minute City and How It’s Coming to NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

Browsing through New York’s most expensive home listings, it is clear the range of lifestyles that can coexist within one area code. Super-prime and ultra-prime listings include homes worth over $10 million or $25 million; in 2022, New York had 244 super-prime and 43 ultra-prime sales.

For the ultra-wealthy, skyscraper penthouses and Michelin-starred restaurants for residents only are just a normal part of everyday life. The handful of homes and condos featured below are some of the most expensive listings in both New York City and the world. From Manhattan to upstate, many unsuspecting buildings open up to palaces inside. Let’s take a look at some of the best this city has to offer.

Most Expensive Apartment in New York City

Currently up for grabs is the Central Park Tower penthouse at 217 W 57th St., also known as the world’s highest apartment. Soaring 1,416 feet above Central Park and overlooking much of Manhattan, the penthouse is listed for a cool $250 million by Ryan Serhant, making it one of Manhattan’s most expensive listings.

The Central Park Tower penthouse occupies the top three floors with seven bedrooms spread across a staggering 17,545 square foot layout. It is said the tenants can see the curvature of the horizon while standing on the terrace. Other notable features include a 1,500-square-foot grand salon, media room, library, staff bedrooms, observatory, gaming lounge, private gym, catering kitchen, storage spaces, and private reception gallery.

“Its unrivaled pair of baronial rooms–a 1,500 square foot grand salon and a nearly 2,000 square foot private ballroom–are truly empyrean,” details the Serhant listing “featuring glass curtain walls with the entire City as a backdrop and soaring 27-ft ceilings.”

Located on Billionaire’s Row along the south end of Central Park, residents of this penthouse are only 38 feet below the Empire State Building. Central Park Tower has 131 floors and is 1,550 feet tall. Central Park Tower is the second tallest only to New York’s famed One World Trade Center. Billionaire’s Row is known as home to the rich and famous, a neighborhood with some of the most expensive residences in the world.  

One major perk of living in the Central Park Tower is access to the Central Park Club, a three-floor hotel-style service with a 60-foot-long swimming pool, private park, gym, screening room, and Grand Ballroom. This might be one of the few buildings in New York City that truly has it all.

Most Expensive Real Estate in New York City

220 Central Park South’s Extravagant Listings

One specific residence, 220 Central Park South, is home to a number of rich and extravagant properties. Located on Billionaire’s Row, the most expensive area in NYC, and designed by former Yale School of Architecture Dean and architect Robert A.M. Stern, the limestone pre-war building is 70 stories tall with an 18-story section called “the Villa” that overlooks Central Park. Of the 118 units, most are duplexes, with three penthouses at the top of the building.

“220 Central Park South boasts a motor court with a porte-cochere – where residents and their guests can leave their vehicles – a wine cellar, an 82-foot-long saltwater swimming pool,” details the RealtyHop building profile, “a basketball court, an athletic club, a juice bar, a library, a golf simulator, a children’s play area, private dining rooms, and a 54-seat restaurant at the second floor that serves only residents.” Not mentioned is the private Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant that operates for residents only.

A four-bedroom penthouse was purchased in 2019 for $93 million, bought by hedge fund founder and billionaire Daniel Och, then later sold in 2022 for a staggering $190 million. Other famous residents of the building include Sting and numerous other hedge fund billionaires.

In 2021, Brooklyn Nets owner and Ali Baba founder Joseph Tsai paid $157 million for two units in 220 Central Park South. Purchased anonymously at the time, the units are located on the 60th and 61st floors, along with an 18th-floor studio for staff quarters.

The Most Expensive Home Sale

On record for the most expensive home sale in America goes to buyer Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel and the “richest man in Illinois.” In 2019 Griffin paid $238 million for the top-floor penthouse of 220 Central Park South, now called the Griffin Unit. The residence is 24,000 square feet inside. As if that wasn’t enough, Griffin returned months later and bought another two units in the building for $3.95 million. Neighbors in the building include Sting and heiress Renata de Camargo Nascimento.

220 Central Park South is nearly 100% sold out and continues to deliver some of the wildest real estate deals in both the country and the world. Even during the height of the pandemic, in 2020, the building processed $1.52 billion in cumulative sales across 46 separate units. 

Ultra-Prime Residences of the Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton is another building known for its extremely lavish residences. A number of large real estate deals come from the Ritz Carlton building exclusively. Located at 50 Central Park South, this 14-unit condo building in midtown was originally conceived and built by architect Emery Roth in the 1970s. In 2002 the newly renovated Ritz Carlton Midtown West Residences were opened within the Ritz-Carlton, composed of eleven private residences occupying the top twelve floors.

50 Central Park S #PH23 for $34,000,000

This residence occupies the entire 23rd floor with 9,500 square feet in five bedrooms plus a 2,500 square foot primary suite. Other highlights include a formal dining room, park-facing library, media rooms, and multiple Central Park-facing terraces.

Residents enjoy access to the Ritz-Carlton Health Club, including a Movement Studio, La Prairie Spa, a Club Lounge, a Contour gastro lounge, and a hotel business center.

50 Central Park S #3031 for $90,000,000

Delisted in December of 2022, this three-bedroom and 10,875 square-foot condo, made up of the 30th and 31st floors of the building, has raised ceilings and a ballroom as its living room. With marble staircases, dressing rooms, massage rooms, and numerous ensuite baths, the residence is spacious and provided for.

The Sotheby’s listing detailed a “majestic room is lined with ten colossally-scaled arched windows, five of which overlook Central Park and the residence’s largest Terrace, which stretches almost 45 feet along the length of the façade.” 

Whether or not this unit will come back on the market is yet to be determined.

Mansions For Sale in New York

We’ve spent a lot of time looking within Manhattan’s luxury scene. What about the rest of New York? While much of New York’s wealth is concentrated around the Big Apple, there is still a lot to gawk over, Upstate and beyond. A home in Granite Springs listed for $100 million was quick to catch the eye of many.

At 142-203 Mahopac Ave in Westchester County is Stonewall Farm, a sprawling 8-bedroom mansion with 24,000 square feet on a 740-acre lot. Built in 2004, the residence includes a wine cellar, tasting room, game room, and pub, along with sprawling staircases, atriums, and horse stables. Beautiful features abound, giving the property a heavy rural charm. A wisteria colonnade connects the 60-foot heated pool to a 4,000-square-foot pavilion where residents can enjoy the fireplace, Jacuzzi, gym, sauna, and changing rooms. A private guesthouse is located behind the main house, near freshly trimmed hedges and walkways. 

At one time, this farm was known as the highest listing in New York at $100,000,000.

A beautiful home in Water Mill, New York, listed for $47 million dollars in 2022. Situated on a 2.6-acre oceanfront lot, the beach house at 381 Dune Road has a heated gunite pool, a separate guest house, and 250 feet of dune width. The guesthouse has a bonus loft, media room, and outdoor entertainment areas.

Houses near Scott Cameron and Dune Beach are highly sought after. The rolling ocean, warm sands, and multiple beaches to explore offer an enticing getaway for many city dwellers. This home was purchased in 2006 for $14 million, then listed in April 2022 for $47 million before being removed from the market in early June.

On the other hand, current active luxury listings in Water Mill look like 2040 Meadow Lane, priced at $24 million.

Luxury Sales Will Continue to Increase

While some of these listings have yet to sell, their existence speaks to the wealth and class embedded in New York City. Although interest rates have damped spending for some, the luxury market continues to soar as inflation pushes the dollar even higher.

“Despite rising economic headwinds and growing uncertainty, the world’s wealthy have been committing to luxury residential property,” said Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank, “with London and New York the standout cities in demand for ultra-prime sales.”

In Manhattan, real estate sales fell 38% in the first quarter, but luxury deals rose to a record high of over 11%. Wealthy buyers are there no matter what. Now if only they’d give an open house.

The post Luxury Listings: New York’s Most Expensive Homes appeared first on CitySignal.

Buildings are responsible for two-thirds of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions, pushing officials to scramble for sustainable solutions. Recent laws passed to curb emissions have created momentum for building green, and a looming 2024 retrofitting deadline has builders adjusting their plans to comply.  

Sustainability has become a popular topic, even in New York. At nearly sea level, in a region prone to hurricanes and storms, New York is more fragile than it would like to admit. Mayor Bill de Blasio, called the Climate Disaster Mayor, has enacted a number of laws to combat climate change, including the Climate Mobilization Act of 2019. While passing the act, De Blasio pledged to make New York City a carbon-neutral city by 2050 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. Sustainable building is the path to this reality. 

Is NYC a Sustainable City?

Sustainable Building As The End Goal

Compared to the rest of the United States, New York is not doing poorly. With less greenhouse gasses per capita than any other city, New York is one of the most energy-efficient places in America. New Yorkers travel mostly by foot or mass transit, leading to a minimal transportation footprint, while in the United States, the majority of greenhouse gasses come from transportation, mainly single-passenger vehicles. Even so, any gains made through mass transit are quickly lost through the high-energy use of buildings. 

Multifamily and office buildings use 87% of the energy benchmarked for buildings. Half is in the form of electricity, with space heating, mostly by natural gas, as the largest end use. The US would save $20 billion in energy costs through green-improved buildings. Environmentally friendly design techniques, eco-friendly materials, and advanced technologies all save on both energy and money.

Among the laws passed within the Climate Mobilization Act is Local Law 97. This law requires buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission requirements by 2024, followed by another set of more stringent requirements in 2030. Buildings that fail to comply will be issued steep fines.

Some folks were already prepared. A number of realtors and developers went green long ago. With “passive house” and LEED certification becoming selling points for the wealthy- this is likely a growing trend.

Sustainable Apartments and Homes in NYC

Sustainable apartments sound like a thing of the future. But people are seeking them out to reduce the overall carbon footprint. Real estate firms that list thousands of residences a month are seeing eco-friendly features on the rise- Douglas Elliman reports about 5% of listings include eco-friendly features. This number was zero in 2016.

Features like closed foam insulation, low-emission windows, solar paneling, sealed attics, energy-efficient utilities and heat pumps, and complex framing techniques all work together to reduce costs and save on energy. Not to mention green homes have higher resale value than regular homes.

Sustainable buildings are denoted through the coveted LEED certification, a globally recognized symbol, and standard of sustainability achievement and leadership. Another green term, “Passive House,” is an energy-efficient building using 1/10th the energy of a regular house. Known for being both practical and comfortable, these buildings are well-insulated, airtight, and maximize heating and cooling efficiencies to keep energy use at a minimum 

A number of green residential properties already exist. Manhattan’s first passive house was Perch Harlem, located at 542 West 153rd Street in Hamilton Heights. The building uses waste heat from appliances to warm the building, leading to a 90% reduction in energy use. 

255 Columbia Street, located in Brooklyn, was the first residential building to earn passive house status in the boroughs at large. This 13-unit condominium features triple-paned windows, mechanical ventilation, advanced insulation, and innovative heating and cooling technologies.

Another green building is 160 Schermerhorn Street, an 11-story, 116-unit building housing low-income members of the community. This building optimizes energy through a high-efficiency boiler, recycled building materials, and a rooftop garden to help with air quality and insulation.

New York City’s most sustainable condominium, Charlotte at the Upper West Side, has been turning a lot of heads lately. Located at 470 Columbus Ave, this eight-story seven-unit building is Passive House Institute certified. Other attributes include triple-layered windows, extra insulation, non-toxic finishes, and energy-efficient appliances. All marble has been locally sourced, and air within community spaces is UV treated.  

Last to look at is a Brooklyn property called Toren. Located at 150 Myrtle Avenue, this LEED Gold-certified building won certification for its rain screen system, basement cogeneration plant, and fresh air initiatives.

Sustainable Buildings

“We were doing sustainable development before there was investor pressure, but now there is investor pressure,” Sara Neff, head of sustainability at Lendlease, told the NYTimes.

Investors are beginning to prefer high-performance green assets. The effect of natural disasters on real estate has many aware of climate change. Over 88% of large companies have had at least one physical asset impacted due to extreme weather.

Sustainable buildings seem a vision of the future, but really, they’re popping up all around us! With technology continuing to advance, tenant emissions can now be offset through 100 percent renewable energy. Increasingly, sustainability is a core feature of financing plans as investors begin to request sustainable components for their projects.  

Sustainable buildings are constructed to conserve water, materials and energy. The common features of a sustainable building are close proximity to public transportation, all-electric components, and solar paneling. Metrics tools are also important, allowing customers to monitor and analyze performance while calculating how much energy and money are saved. Feedback is used by developers to continue optimizing technology. 

“Carbon counting and the focus on carbon will define the decade ahead, without a doubt,” said Dan Winters, head of the Americas region for GRESB, a real estate sustainability benchmark used to analyze $5.3 trillion in assets globally.

You might be surprised by who is green and who isn’t. Some of the greenest buildings in New York City include iconic giants such as the Empire State Building, the Bank of America Tower, and One World Trade Center. If these buildings have secured sustainability status- why aren’t others making the move as well?

The Empire State Building is LEED Gold-certified, one of the few National Historic Landmarks with this title. Recycled carpets, green cleaning supplies, low off-gassing wall covers, and ultra-low-flow water fixtures helped earn this certification.

When One World Trade Center won the LEED Gold certification in 2016, it became the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere also LEED certified. The building is skinned with insulated spandrel, allowing natural light into 90% of office areas, reducing light and heat needs. The glass is designed with low-E glass coating, minimizing heat gain.

The Bank of America Tower is LEED Platinum-certified, with an emphasis on daylight, fresh air, and other natural inputs. Broadway’s first green theater, run by Stephen Sondheim, is included with an urban garden room.

Co-Op That Embraces Food Waste And Recycling

Some buildings are combating waste in other arenas through food waste and recycling. Every residential building in New York City has to recycle and have recycling containers, per law. Buildings face a fine of several thousand dollars for non-compliance. Some buildings are taking that even further with food waste.

Morningside Heights Housing Corporation, a New York cooperative building at various addresses, including 100 and 80 La Salle, was selected to participate in NYC’s Organic Food Waste Recycling Pilot Program. Designed to reduce post-consumer waste and landfill occupancy, the pilot was a major success. Convenient, on-site scrap collection reduced the building trash load by 35%.

Food scrap containers were made available to residents for free, allowing the Department of Sanitation to collect food waste and turn it into renewable energy and compost. Officials are looking at expanding this program throughout the city and teaching residents how to reduce their waste. 

The Downtown Alliance Compost Program, operating in Manhattan, features 10 public compost pins around the city. With 24/7 access to composting, residents can sign into an app to unlock the bin. Each food scrap donation moves us slightly closer to a sustainable future.

Ways You Can Help Improve Energy Efficiency

Not everyone has the resources to move into a sustainable building- some of them are quite expensive! If you’re a New Yorker looking to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to the cause- here are three ways you can reduce energy consumption within your home:

• Improve heating- through refurbishing or replacing steam heating systems.
• Reduce AC energy loss- Repair window and wall leaks surrounding AC units to reduce heating and cooling expenses.  
• Efficient Lighting- Investing in newer, energy-efficient light bulbs and light systems reduce can drastically reduce the amount of energy spent.

Every little bit helps. Any investment towards sustainability now will be money saved in the future. “Today, you don’t sacrifice returns for sustainability, you create returns with sustainability,” added Stephen Tross, CIO at Bouwinvest, a Dutch investment firm. Perhaps LEED and passive house status will become the benchmarks of the future.

Now, how do we get rid of plastic bags?

The post Sustainable Real Estate In NYC Makes Everyone Green appeared first on CitySignal.

We are living in the throes of a seller’s market, where affordable rent is hard to find and even harder to obtain. For those wanting in on the action, timing is everything. Real estate agents advise that some months are more fortuitous than others for finding an affordable home.

The Best Time of Year to Move to New York

According to most real estate agents, the best months to find an apartment are May through June and October through November. Late spring brings plenty of fresh options on the market, while fall has more discounts and deals.

Spring is buzzing in the New York market. More apartments hit the market during and after May than the rest of the year, giving renters plenty to choose from. The only caveat is that other people know this too, creating a competitive and challenging rental market. If you find a place you love- act fast. Apartments come and go quickly in the springtime, while the fall market is a little less intense. 

How Early To Begin Apartment Hunting in NYC

The earlier you look for the next place, the better. With low vacancy rates around 2.6%, there is much more demand than supply.

“Prospective renters should begin looking for their apartment 4-6 weeks before their anticipated move-in date,” explains Allyson Waddell, RentHop’s Success Manager, “Many landlords and management companies will not show an apartment unless they know they can profit from that potential deal within the month.”

More time may be needed if you are considering a condo or co-op, which includes board application approval. Experts recommend searching 2-3 months prior to the anticipatory move date, as board approval can take from 2-4 weeks.  If you are moving somewhere new, that could impact your timeline as well.

“Renters moving to an area with a market they’re unfamiliar with, should consider looking at online listings two months before they wish to move,” says Allyson Waddell, “Researching ahead of time can help paint a picture of rental prices and common amenities in the area. Additionally, renters may find a listing with an availability date that matches their desired move-in time.” 

Cheapest Month to Rent in NYC

Looking across ten major cities, including New York City, RentHop research found the cheapest months to rent between December and March. The most expensive months were May through October. The “peak-to-trough” difference, measuring the highest seasonal rent to the lowest, found dollar savings between $38 and $139 a month for a 1 bedroom and $47 to $176 for two bedrooms. One quick look at RentHop’s stats and trends page shows you just how much rent can differ in NYC over the year.

The pandemic has not been helpful to renters. A year-to-year comparison shows renters have struggled- median rent increased up to 32% across the five boroughs between March 2021 and March 2022. Current New York City rent prices are up 10% since before 2020, slightly lower than the 15% national average. 

Once you find a place that piques your interest, it’s important to jump on the application process. If there’s one thing about New Yorkers- they move fast. 

The Love and Hate Reality of New York Brokers 

Many out-of-state folks are not familiar with broker fees, but they’re a painful part of renting in New York City. As agents work on commission only, a broker fee is a fee paid to a licensed real estate agent or broker for representation during the transaction. Sometimes chosen by the landlord, their fee is covered by the renter.

Is It Worth It To Hire A Broker in NYC?

“I don’t think we would have gotten our current place in Brooklyn if we didn’t pay the broker fee,” says Tina Gray, a renter from Brooklyn “He did genuinely have our back through the process and was trusted by the current homeowner. With that being said, to pay a 13% fee of rent upfront as nearly a sunk cost was painful.”

In New York, broker fees apply to most apartment rentals. Plan to spend around 10-15% of the first year’s rent. Despite the sometimes enormous fee, better deals can be found through a broker or real estate agent, they also may help you get a lef up if you’re looking to move during a busier season. They can assist in more ways than one.

“Most of my work for clients is completed before the first phone call,” explains New York real estate agent Burton Frey Jr. “The primary service agents can provide their clients is guidance earned through experience. What neighborhoods or types of properties are conducive to an individual’s likes, dislikes, and needs? Which management companies or owners are responsive to service requests? A renter may not have the relationships and intel that an agent has with other agents, owners, and management companies.”

If you are ever worried you’re paying too much- just be glad it wasn’t $20,000. The state is currently investigating a $20,000 broker fee charged by Ari Wilford for a rent-stabilized one-bedroom apartment in the Upper West Side. 

What You’ll Need To Apply for an NYC Apartment

So, you’ve found the apartment of your dreams. What next? There are a number of steps between love-at-first-sight and the move-in date, and while they may differ from apartment to apartment, you’ll likely pass through the following steps.

During the application process, you will fill out an application, usually including a background and credit check. In some cases, the landlord will want to meet you.

To help with income verification, the landlord may ask for bank statements. If you do not make the required amount- generally 2.5x the monthly rent, then you will need a guarantor to sign for you. Once credit and income have been verified, it’s time to set the walkthrough and move-in dates. The walkthrough process is very important and is not to be missed. 

Background checks may soon be a thing of the past as the New York City Council debates a law to ban criminal background checks by landlords. Background checks can potentially allow landlords to use criminal history against potential tenants, which is grounds for discrimination. Most landlords remain firmly against the bill, worried it will affect tenant quality. 

Worries about crime remain one of the biggest detractors from moving to New York. Counter to these trends, the demographics of New York depict a different reality- a city in a slow and quiet decline.

The Shifting Demographics of New York City

From the very beginning of the news, residents began moving from the city in droves. Migration panic slowly set in, shifting demographics in real-time. New York City was hit harder than any other city in the United States. 

Starting in 2020, over 160,000 households relocated out of New York, with Manhattan losing the most people at the highest rate.  Outbound migration peaked directly following the start of the pandemic, and the overall population is in decline. Much of Manhattan relocated to suburban enclaves like Rockland County, Westchester County, and Suffolk County. 

New York has processed a number of changes since 2020. Adjustments in office dynamics and the availability of remote working led to low office returns, endangering many local businesses. Working from home has also changed living preferences. Remote workers are often looking for larger square footage so they have space for an office. The National Bureau of Economic Research recently found that US housing costs rose about 15% as a direct result of remote working.

“New York City had one of the largest declines in the first stage of the pandemic and one of the fastest rebounds,” said Rob Warnock, a senior researcher at the rental search platform Apartment List.

While housing prices soared throughout the United States, Manhattan real estate was at first an outlier, experiencing plunging home values as people left in mass exodus. 

“In the past decade, most of the counties [in New York City] have been experiencing out-migration,” Crystal Delbé, a statistician in the population division of the US Census Bureau, told Bloomberg. “And in 2020, which is the first year of the pandemic, we saw that same trend kind of persist.

Of course, this was not permanent. Beginning the second year of the pandemic, the situation reversed as outbound migration slowed and inbound migration increased. As housing expenses and real estate increased throughout the rest of the United States, folks began slowly returning to the big apple. 

Other factors contribute to New York’s population decline. The pandemic brought higher death rates, lower birth rates, and limited international travel and migration; all of which reflect as a loss in population. 

As you might discover in your new neighborhood- New York today is different than the New York of the past. But then again, it always has been. 

The post When Is the Best Time to Rent an Apartment in NYC? appeared first on CitySignal.

Take a wander down Emerald Street or any of the other gems in the area –Ruby, Amber, or Sapphire Street – and eventually, you’ll encounter it. Deep and wide, the waters are not clean. Some keep kayaks or rafts parked nearby to help cross if needed, while others just avoid it entirely. It’s called The Hole.

The Hole: Located Between Brooklyn and Queens

 A strange fate sits at the end of the sparkly titled Jewel Streets, where normal pavement breaks down toward a deep, dark anomaly. The Hole is an enormous sinkhole that has come to dominate and shape the culture and livelihood of the small five-block neighborhood sitting on the Brooklyn Queens crossover. Aptly called “the closest thing New York has to a border town,” few willingly move to this area, and most who live there cannot afford to move out.  

Don’t Forget Your Kayak

Residents have learned to adopt a lifestyle most never dream of. Frequent flooding of the area keeps the ambiance murky and mucky. The five-block radius of The Hole sits 30 feet below average land grade, and without any drainage system to run into, rainfall and other groundwater trickle and collect into the streets of The Hole, filling a pit with no drainage point. Bad rains can cause septic tanks in the area to join the overflow, creating a toxic and putrid waste zone.

Residents have used kayaks and rafts to navigate the expansive pools taking up their neighborhood blocks. Constantly flooded and increasingly run-down from lack of access, this Wild West scenario has been called a “lost” neighborhood. But was it always that way?

Spring Creek Pond to Sinkhole

The area forming The Hole was first officially owned by Jonathan Forbell and the Krats family, when a small pond occupied the northern part of the property connecting through stream Spring Creek of the south. The water in the pools comes from a mixture of rain and groundwater. The water table is situated so close to the surface that water is unable to drain, causing streets to remain flooded. While flooding was historically always an issue for this area, it became significantly worse once the city paved all the streets, restricting water drainage even further. 

The homes of this neighborhood are not connected to New York City’s sewage system, mainly because the water table is too close to the ground level for gravity to allow the pipes to work properly. Residents living around The Hole use septic tanks and cesspools for their waste management, often to bad ends. This low-income neighborhood has little city support and many tanks have ruptured or leaked over the years, seeping into the ground below.  

For decades there has been talk of change. Proposals for sewer systems and lifting streets have been addressed various times over the years, with no success. Eventually, the neighborhood fell further into disrepair than few could fathom.

The Federation of Black Cowboys 

As if this Wild West tale isn’t wild enough, The Hole is also stomping grounds for both cowboys and horses. The Federation of Black Cowboys was formed in 1994 to “create greater understanding of African American culture and heritage” and does so through teaching and advocacy centered on Black involvement in American horse riding and ranching. The group formerly held residence in The Hole, where their horses were stabled in the area. Black Cowboys of New York City had a heyday in the 1980s, back when New York was home to the Black World Championship Rodeo, where cowboys gather to buck horses and catch steers. 

“We still exist, we still go to schools and educate the youth on the legacy,” said Kesha Morse, the federation president, who added that the organization still keeps four horses stabled privately in Queens. “The mission was not to just have horses and ride horses; it was to educate.”

The group received scrutiny around 2013 when several horses died at a stable managed by the organization. The Federation had been in charge of and kept horses at Cedar Lane Stables in Howard Beach since 1998 but nearly lost access after 5 horses died in a relatively short period of time. It was later determined many of the deaths were caused by private owner negligence and were not to the fault of the federation. They have since gone back to normal operations. From sinkhole to mob graveyard to horses, what doesn’t exist here?

Chronicles of the Lost Neighborhood

There is no doubt just as much lore as there is reality. The isolation of The Hole gives good cover for those wanting to perform illegal activities or evade the law.

“There was a lot of wars down here. There a lot of places to hide. People did what they wanted to do,” said local Mr. Earle during an interview with the New York Times.

By sitting in between two police jurisdictions- the 106th Precinct in Queens and the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn- but with no passable through streets, the area is complicated for law enforcement to patrol or protect, and much goes unnoticed.

“Most people are here because they were born here or they can’t afford to live anywhere else,” said Ms. Watt, president of Jewel Streets Civic Association said. “I’d love to move, but I can’t afford to, so for now, I’m stuck in The Hole.”

The Bodies Began to Appear

Eventually, the pool started to shed its own secrets. Starting in the early 1980s, bodies began to emerge. Some were found by playing children, others by their scent, victims of mob crimes were slowly uncovered through The Hole.

A number of victims related to the crimes of mob boss John Gotti were discovered in the area. In 1981 children discovered a severed hand, eventually linked to the Bonnano crime family and Alphonse “Sonny Red” Indeilicato. Another two bodies were later found through an anonymous tipoff- this time belonging to Philip “Philly Lucky” Giaccone and Dominick “Big Trin” Trinchera.

One reason The Hole remains a high crime point is due to its jurisdiction and lack of access. Waterlogged roadways give no real pass-through for residents or police, making the area difficult to patrol and easy to hide in. These are not the only bodies to have been found, leaving many residents to feel their neighborhood is not safe. Luckily, nowadays, there are cowboys nearby to call upon.

Back in 2011, The Hole reached silver screen fame through two local filmmakers, Courtney Fathom Sell and Billy Feldman, who created a short 9-minute documentary called The Hole. Winning best documentary at the Red Hook International Film Festival, the video can be streamed online and gives voice to this strange and mythical land.

THE HOLE from Billy Feldman on Vimeo.

The Jewel Street Project

Yet with all the strife here, there are people who believe good can come of The Hole. A proposed 2024 building project estimated at around $37 million would raise the neighborhood grade, repave a number of roads and install a new storm drainage system that would reconnect the neighborhood to the city’s main sewer network.

“We’re all trying to work together to come up with a master plan for this whole neighborhood, and that’s been very complicated and very expensive,” Vincent Sapienza, the chief operations officer at the Department of Environmental Protection, told the Gothamist, “Maybe if we can try to peel off a block here and a block there and get those solved in a shorter period of time, that’s the path forward.” 

The plan would include not only the flooded area but also just south, where drainage remains a major issue. 

“Engineers are currently advancing other long-term solutions – exploring both grey and green infrastructure options – which would be less costly and disruptive to the community,” said Edward Timbers, spokesperson for DEP, “We hope to have more information to share with the community in the coming months.” 

Contaminated soil has remained an issue and previously led to blocks against real estate and land development in the area. “Cobblestone Estates,” a major project that would have been promising for the area, was interrupted mid-development when property developers failed to secure proper permitting for handling contaminated soil.

Residents Call For Help

Many hope The Hole is facing a brighter future, but most remain skeptical. After years of water pumps, moats, and standstill wastewater, the humidity and air quality remain a constant health issue. 

While the surfacing of bodies is now a thing of the past, The Hole continues to be a dumping ground for other unwanted objects; residents often find dumped cars, trucks, and garbage.

Groups of residents have organized in protest, one offshoot sends letters to city agencies calling for attention to neighborhood issues, including heightened enforcement of illegal dumping. Other residents hope the vacant land nearby will be turned into a swamp or pond to trap stormwater, helping to offset the voracious flooding. And a few in a nearby neighborhood of Queens have dreams that the city will buy them out of their homes, freeing them from a flooded prison.

“I’m fed up,” said a resident named Rodriguez, “So why not buy me out? I’ll leave.”

The post The Hole, NYC: New York’s Soggiest Neighborhood? appeared first on CitySignal.

Most and Least Affordable Cities to Live In

The 2022 Singles Index, recently published by RentHop, examines the rising costs of renting a studio apartment compared with local incomes to help determine if living alone is affordable in major cities throughout the United States.

“Many young professionals are now faced with high rent prices as a single income earner,” quotes the study “But are certain cities more affordable than others for singles?”

Indeed they are. The least affordable places to live single include the obvious suspects; New York placed an easy first with a median studio cost of $3,016 and rent eating a hefty 43% of local income. “After placing second last year, NYC experienced a meteoric rise in rent prices in 2022,” detailed the RentHop study “which led to it overtaking Miami for our top spot.” The median rent increased over 23% last year.

The second most expensive city to dwell single is Miami. The median rent for a studio is $2,070, costing 37% of annual income. Following Miami in the index are New Orleans, Raleigh and finally Boston.

For contrast, America’s most affordable city for singles is the one and only Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a low median studio rent of $700 a month, residents only spend 15% of their income on rent. Second place is Wichita, Kansas where studios run $595 per month, amounting to only 16% of income. Last but not least are Minneapolis, Seattle, and Colorado Springs.

Cities that became more affordable according to income are Fresno, Fort Worth, Albuquerque, Milwaukee, and El Paso. Cities that became less affordable are Columbus, San Jose, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis, and New York. There were many surprises on the list, including the 35% year-over-year rent increase for Columbus, Ohio. And it was no surprise that New York was most expensive.

“When I moved to New York from Seattle in 2018 I experienced sticker shock at the extreme cost of rent,” says Dave B, a software engineer in East Brooklyn, “I sublet a small room in a two-bedroom Williamsburg walkup for $1100 a month, which at the time was the most I’d ever paid for rent. Since then, I’ve lived in two other apartments, and rents have continued to rise. This past year my rent rose 16%.”

In another report by Business Insider, a number of cities were shown to have nearly identical costs for one and two-bedroom apartments. Apartment hunting in Cleveland, New York, and Detroit, you’ll find there is less than a $100 difference between the cost of a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom apartment. All these metrics illuminate just how difficult the rental market has become for one of the largest demographics in America. But people like Dave are finding ways to make it work.

“Has this stressed me out per se? No, but I’m lucky to have a good paying job, live a minimalist lifestyle, and choose to live with roommates which reduces the cost burden imposed by the high rents,” explains Dave B, “While financially I could live alone in Brooklyn, this would dramatically impact my ability to enjoy the city and save for the future. This is common amongst single people in New York. Living alone in a 1 bedroom or studio apartment is expensive, and there is a noticeable lack of such units as you get further from the city anyway, so you choose to live with roommates to cut costs.”  

The Singles Tax

Why is it so hard to live affordably while single? In America, we suffer the singles tax. Singles are economically penalized in a country that financially incentivizes marriage and family. Tax codes favor marriage, and so do many employers.

Examples of the singles tax can be found in more than just rent prices. Even hotels and cruise lines charge a “single supplement” when only one person will be using their services.

Younger generations are taking longer to get married and have kids, if they choose to do either at all. US census data showed 35% of adults between ages 25 and 50 are unmarried. In 1970 this figure measured a mere 9%. Millennials are not interested in marrying right away as earlier generations had, and many prioritize education, career and travel before marriage.

Research by Pew found that married adults have higher average earnings than single adults, making them financially better off. This is known as a “wage premium.” Employment demographics also change according to marital status. These numbers are especially noticeable amongst men.

For instance, 91% of partnered men are employed versus 73% of unpartnered men. Unpartnered men earn a median income of $35,600 in 2019, compared to earnings of $57,000 for the partnered. For contrast, partnered women earn a median of $40,000 compared to unpartnered women with median earnings of  $32,000.

Last but not least, taxes also reflect these trends. Couples with one partner earning the majority of dual-income can benefit from a “marriage bonus” that allows the higher earner’s bracket to be dropped in joint filing. Partners who file together, in general, pay less in taxes per capita. Healthcare, social security, and retirement echo these sentiments; spouses can receive up to 50% of their partner’s Social Security benefits. IRA and Roth IRA income limits are also higher for married couples, allowing them to put more money away in savings.

Save $30k by Splitting Rent As a Couple

Couples who live together save the most money. The average 1-bedroom apartment in New York costs a staggering $3,900, up 14.5% from 2021. This is a rude awakening after pandemic pricing when many renters were able to upgrade their leases and capitalize on high vacancy rent deals. Over the past year, a major reversal played out as rents not only climbed back but shot well past pre-pandemic numbers. As low and affordable pre-pandemic leases begin to expire, they are being replaced with more expensive alternatives.

For a single person to pay $3,900 a month is a lot- couples who live together can drastically expand their options in real estate and can afford nicer apartments.

A 2022 study by StreetEasy found that a typical New York City couple saves nearly $30k by cohabitating with one another. Using calculations based on Q4 2021 rent metrics- couples living in Manhattan save on average $19,500 per person per year. The savings are similar but slightly less in other boroughs where rent is already typically cheaper. Savings equated to around $11,700 in Queens and $13,200 in Brooklyn. 

Moving in together is an easy way to save without sacrificing space, size, location, or amenities. It’s also nicer to live with one person than a slew of roommates.

The savings that can be gotten from splitting rent quickly pile into enough to cover student loans or even the down payment on a house. Looking at these figures, a couple could save nearly enough for the down payment of a home in less than ten years.

Being a Single Woman is the Most Expensive

Single people not only pay more in expenses, but also are paid less. But going even further, single women pay the absolute most. 

Studies find that American women have less money saved for retirement and spend about $15,000 more on healthcare during retirement than men do on average. Women also live longer, an upside that plays out as a financial downside. Living longer requires more retirement savings and money to get by.

Even if today’s women aren’t ready to marry in their 20s, that doesn’t mean they want to stay living at home with their parents. Most women, about 65%, would rather not wait until marriage to purchase a home. Unfortunately for many women, this becomes increasingly unaffordable between the market, wages, and a 40-year high inflation rate. The economy of today is a hard landscape for this bracket.

Money Can’t Buy Happiness

Of course, as we all know: money can’t buy happiness. Many people prefer being single, even if it is more costly, and ultimately whatever leads to happiness and sustainability is the most important decision. While it’s easy to yearn for a partner, New York City provides many avenues for singles to flourish through a large population, plentiful transportation, and a never-ending calendar of events to attend.

“Studies show that a woman who lives alone is more likely to have an active social life and maintain family bonds,” says Kate Bolick in her book Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own, “not because she has extra time on her hands, but because these are the bonds that sustain her.”

The post Is It More Expensive To Be Single? The Economic Disadvantage of Living Single appeared first on CitySignal.

Still, some places are just a little more special than others. These historical homes and structures in Brooklyn are worth knowing. Through the cumulative visions of influential designers, developers and architects, Brooklyn is home to numerous buildings and features exclusive to its borough.

Historical Development of Brooklyn Architecture

It was the late 1800’s and the United States expansion was well underway. Growing numbers of people were moving to Brooklyn, especially between 1880 and 1930. Drawn by opportunity and affordability, the newcomers created massive housing demand. Single-family homes just weren’t cutting it anymore. Architects and developers began exploring designs for multi-unit housing developments. It was during this time that Kinko houses first appeared.

The Two-Family Kinko Duplex House

One of the biggest takeaways we have from this era are Kinko houses, a popular housing design that gained popularity straight from inception in 1905. Kinko houses are residential, two-family duplex homes with separate private entrances for each unit such as evident at 362 Parkside Ave. To have separate entrances was an uncommon feature at the time. The name “Kinko” is an abbreviation of their first builder, Kings & Westchester Land Company. Newspapers and magazines quickly sung praise; Westwood Realty reported Kinko homes as “The most perfect houses ever built for two families.”

1 of 2

Giving each duplex its own front door, stairway, porch, cellar, and house number was a break from tradition that kept both units at nearly equal value and maintained privacy between tenants. For example, homes like 1156 Sterling Place in the same neighborhood of Crown Heights had the same street address and looked like one unit. 

Houses varied stylistically but contained the same features as one another: living room, dining room, kitchen, and staircase to the second floor with four bedrooms and a bathroom. Style concepts include English Terrace, Colonial Revival and Florentine.

Brooklyn’s row homes and Kinko houses first appeared around Crown Heights North, St Johns and Brooklyn Avenues, Sterling and Hampton Places and around St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Most of the homes sold immediately.  

The Future Melrose Parkside Historic District

In Flatbush, the prominent Brooklyn architects Benjamin Driesler and Axel Hedman created a number of historical rowhouse developments. One specific grouping of homes is under consideration for historical status. To be marked historical would protect the building from demolition or major alterations, preserving both its history and original design.  

The potential Melrose Parkside Historic District would be composed of 38 single and two-family row houses situated between Flatbush and Bedford avenues in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Of the 38 houses, 20 are Kinko houses. The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to consider the Flatbush row houses as a historic district. In next steps, a public hearing will be set and conducted before a final vote by the Commission determines the outcome.

The Arts and Crafts Duplex Houses in Crown Heights

In another part of Brooklyn, one Kinko home in particular has received much attention. Located at 1040 Sterling Place, this building was constructed in 1905 through designs by Kings & Westchester Land Company. Listed in 2020 for an asking price of $1.625 million, 1040 Sterling Place is revered for gorgeous interior and exterior details. 

The popular Arts and Crafts style home includes red brick exterior, gabled façade, oriel windows, iron balcony and dark brick exterior detailing. Each unit has separate entrances and an identical layout including hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves, china cabinets, wall moldings, wood mantels, brick fireplaces and a Juliet balcony. The lower unit has garden access, while the upper unit enjoys roof deck access.

But Brooklyn isn’t all Kinko homes. There are many famous non-residential buildings throughout Brooklyn. Amongst them are the interesting backstories of Brooklyn’s Old Stone House, the Prospect Park Boathouse, and Brooklyn Borough Hall. And, of course- the Haunted Mansion of Melrose Park.

The Old Stone House of Brooklyn

Despite appearances, this house is a famous war relic. The Vechte-Cortelyou House, a Dutch stone farmhouse, was the location of the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War, the 1776 Battle of Long Island. While the original house was destroyed in 1897, the Old Stone House of Brooklyn is an exact replica, built with unearthed original materials.

 

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 Famous in pop culture as well, the Old Stone House was also a clubhouse to the Brooklyn Superbas, who eventually became the Brooklyn Dodgers. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation purchased the land in the 1920s before reconstructing in 1934.

The Old Stone House was finally listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. It now operates as the Old Stone House Historic Interpretive Center, a museum that gives educational tours to school children on local and regional history. Check their calendar for upcoming exhibitions and events. 

The Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse

Erected in 1905, the Prospect Park Boathouse is a stunning piece of Brooklyn Beaux Arts architecture. Designed by locally famous architects Frank Helmle and Ulrich Huberty, the building was based on Jacopo Sansovino’s design for St. Mark’s Library in Venice. The major feature would be white terra cotta, creating an elegant backdrop to Lullwater and Lullwater Bridge.

The Prospect Park Boathouse, although beautiful, eventually became abandoned. Many saw the building as useless, prompting a number of movements through the years, particularly the 1930s, hoping to raze or demolish the building. With boats located elsewhere, the structure had fallen into disrepair.

In 1964, with demolition just a few days away, local poet Marianne Moore rallied with other preservationists and urged officials to save the boathouse. At 48 hours before demolition, they won. The Boathouse was declared a historic landmark in 1968, and a $5 million dollar restoration project in 1999 replaced the terra-cotta façade while creating the Audubon Nature Center. The boathouse was one of the first buildings to be declared a historic landmark in Brooklyn.

Currently, the Prospect Park Boathouse can be rented for daytime and evening events, accommodating up to 225 guests and featuring catering from Purslane.

Brooklyn Borough Hall

Built of Tuckahoe marble, this 1848 construction is the oldest public building still standing in Brooklyn. Designed by architects Calvin Pollard and Gamaliel King, Borough Hall was the original City Hall of Brooklyn. Typical of 19th-century city halls, it contained the Mayoral offices, City Council offices, a courtroom, and a jail. It served as City Hall for almost fifty years and is now considered the soul of Brooklyn civics. 

It is considered one of the best examples of Greek Revival in the city. With massive columns and a monumental staircase, the entrance is flanked by six fluted Ionic columns. The cast-iron cupola is a replacement as the original burned in an 1895 fire. The courtroom contains a coffered domed ceiling, fluted Ionic columns, carved wood paneling, and detailed plasterwork.

A restoration project in the 1980s helped restore the exterior to its original beauty. The restoration work included stone restoration, copper shingles replacement, stainless steel cladding, and clock and tower repair. Virtue, the bronze statue on the roof, was created after construction through drawings and documents.

Borough Hall received landmark status in 1966, where it was declared “a dignified civic structure of impressive scale.”

The Ghost of the Mansion in Melrose Park

Let’s end with a little ghost story. Melrose Hall was constructed in the 1740s at Bedford Ave and Winthrop Street in Flatbush. Seated along an avenue of pines, the hall was an important community centerpiece for the area. The pre-Revolutionary War estate is also said to be haunted by former inhabitants and POWs.

A number of hidden passageways, hallways, and rooms were discovered over the years. Above the banquet hall was a chamber. A secret staircase was found leading to this small room where a girl, Isabella, was rumored to die of starvation.

People claimed Melrose Hall was haunted by this woman, the mistress of its previous owner. Others saw the ghosts of soldiers around and beneath the building.

In the 1880s, the residence was dramatically altered to make room for a bustling Bedford Avenue; the wings, ballroom, and outbuildings were torn down, and main house moved 400 feet back to accommodate a growing Bedford Avenue. During alteration, secret cellars with chains coming from the walls were discovered.

In the 1880s parts of the estate were sold off as developers began planning the Melrose Park neighborhood, which would center around Melrose Hall. The hall was eventually torn down in 1909 to make room for row houses.

While much has been forgotten, some still claim to feel an ominous presence when in the area. Luckily, the rest of Brooklyn has done a good job at preserving historical buildings and homes, with few ghosts to watch out for.

The post The Kinko Homes and Other Historic Buildings of Brooklyn appeared first on CitySignal.

Welcome To City Island

While visiting City Island, you might get asked by a curious resident, “Are you a Clamdigger or a Cusselsucker?” This nautical-themed neighborhood is famous for yachts and lobster, capturing the ambiance of a resort town with lasting success. But to island-born residents (called “Clamdiggers”) and non-native residents (Musselsuckers), it’s just home. Tucked into the northeastern corner of the Bronx and a bridge away from the worries of Manhattan, City Island welcomes tourists and residents alike with old-world style and small-town approachability. If you want a New England seaside experience without leaving New York City- this is the place for you. Come for a day trip, and don’t forget your appetite- City Island is famous for its seafood.

History

It’s easy to miss out on City Island. Heck, lots of New Yorkers barely even know it exists. Dangling off the backside of the Bronx and connected to Manhattan only by a bridge through Pelham Bay Park, it’s easy to feel like City Island is its own little world away from the rest.   

Few know that the island- a relatively small island of just 1.5 miles long- was at one point intended to be the commercial rival of Manhattan. Benjamin Palmer purchased the island in the 1700s but fell short of his dream of dominating the 13.4-mile-long, 2.3-mile-wide economy of Manhattan. While it did not become the powerhouse he envisioned, it did become a maritime cornerstone of New York.

Geographically located at the end of Long Island Sound, the island is south of Pelham Bay and east of Eastchester Bay. City Island is technically part of New York City and specifically the Bronx borough. It is also one of the Pelham Islands. These islands belonged to Thomas Pell in the 17th century and include The Blazes, Chimney Sweep Islands, Davids Island, Goose Island, and six others. Much of this land was later incorporated into New Rochelle.

City Island, the largest of the Pelham Islands, has 235 acres and is well situated for boating and maritime, given its easy ocean access. City Island has a quaint population of 4,387 people and 1,874 households, according to the most recent census. The median age of residents is 43 years old. According to population statistics, 84% of the City Island population is made up of white-collar workers, with 157 residents working as entrepreneurs and 420 at government institutions. Under 22% of households have children.

Of rich and dense history, the land of City Island changed hands a number of times over the years. These lands were the original home of the Siwanoy band of Lenape Indians. Their homes and lives would eventually be scattered by European settlers around 1614. First claimed by the Dutch, the Siwanoy people were forced off their lands.

In the mid-1600s, Englishman Thomas Pell purchased the land from the Siwanoy, refusing Dutch requests for departure. The Pell family stewarded the land until the mid-1700s when Benjamin Palmer purchased the island with the intention to revive it into a commercial rival of Manhattan. First called New City Island, the incoming population of shipbuilders and oyster fishermen began to refer to it as City Island. The island voted to become part of New York City in 1895, then was consolidated into the Bronx in 1898.

The shipyard dream of years before was eventually realized as City Island evolved into a shipbuilding outpost. During the World Wars, City Island contributed to United States war efforts through the construction of minesweepers, tugboats, and landing crafts. Following the war, the island continued to expand into a healthy yacht-building community. Over time, seven of the America’s Cup-winning yachts have come from City Island, making it a boat makers’ paradise.

The economy is composed of restaurants, yacht clubs, and marinas. You can find yacht clubs, sailing schools, marinas, sailmakers, lobster and fishing boats, and marine supply and repair shops all within walking distance on this modest but bustling island.

City Island remains a favorite day-tripping destination for visitors and a quiet and peaceful home for residents. There is little residential development on the island, and the population has been stable for a long time. A 43-unit condo complex built in 2015 was the first major residential building project since the year 2000.

City Island’s Maritime History 

Due to its location on Long Island Sound, City Island has always had a relationship with the sea. In the 1800s, oysters were an important food staple and protein source amongst locals. Around the 1850s, over 100 City Island families earned their living harvesting oysters in the bay. That would not last forever, and in 1862 the island’s first major boat builder appeared: David Carll Shipyard. Slowly but surely, the island turned from oysters to boat building, including rebuilding commercial, racing, and luxury yachts and boats. Of the 20 12-meter yachts built in the US between 1935 and 1980, 12 of those were constructed on City Island. 

“Virtually the yachting center of New York. No yachtsman in this vicinity will dispute the fact that the Sound has superior advantages over any other place in New York City for yachting,” said Rudder magazine in 1891, “Which alone proves that someday City Island will be the great building place of these waters. Already three or four more or less prominent builders have located here….” 

Wealthy New Yorkers began to keep their yachts moored on City Island. Hell Gate pilots from City Island would escort ships down the East River and back. City Island remained the convenient and obvious choice for boat servicing due to its location between north and south New York. 

While boats are no longer built on City Island, boating remains a cherished pastime. Numerous yacht and boating clubs dot the island: City Island Yacht Club, Morris Yacht and Beach Club, Harlem Yacht Club, Touring Kayak Club, North Minneford Yacht Club, and South Minneford Yacht Club. There are also sail lofts and boatyards. 

Manhattan’s Columbia University docks a fleet of dinghies at City Island Yacht Club. City Island is home to their sailing team, who travel from Manhattan four times a week to practice. Other local teams include Fordham University’s sailing team. 

Fishing excursions are available along Long Island Sound, and smaller boats can be rented for the day. A number of head boats will take passengers out fishing.

The America’s Cup and City Island’s Golden Touch

City Island’s true yachting fame lies within its role in the America’s Cups. The oldest recorded competition still being held in any sport, the America’s Cups are yacht sailing races held between the current trophy holders and any challenger. Prestige surrounding the America’s Cup has long attracted internationally famous sailors, yacht designers, and sponsors. Informally known as the Auld Mug, the America’s Cup is a trophy awarded in sailing. Teams often spend over $100 million per competition. Races generally occur every 3 to 4 years, the most recent being in March 2021. 

City Island contributed heavily to the winning side. In 1870, the first America’s Cup challenge took place in New York Harbor. The race was won by Magic, an American Yacht from Philadelphia. This marked the beginning of a 132-year winning streak; the United States won 23 more times until finally losing in 1983 to Australia. The majority of the ships participating over the years: Vigilant, Defender, Columbia, Shamrock I, Shamrock II, Defiance, Vanity, Shamrock III, and Shamrock IV were stored and serviced on City Island. All the Cup defenders until 1958 had City Island-local Ratsey & Lapthorn sails. This was a great source of pride and joy to the local community, who worked hard to support the racing teams. 

Where to shop

Businesses are staggered around the island’s City Island Avenue. Stores along the avenue include a gas station, pharmacy, supermarket, bank, and hardware store. Small shops include A Taste of Italy, Amadiz Cigars, and Dressed by Jess and Jill’s Cottage.

Tourists mainly venture to City Island for incomparable seafood. Famous for lobster, ocean bakes, and fried delicacies- there are countless delicious options to choose from amongst the seafood restaurants along the avenue or further south at Belden Point. 

The second most popular is shopping for antiques. There are a number of adorable antique shops along the drag while on the quest for turn-of-the-century antiquities and pre-colonial treasures. We listed a few local favorites here. And if that isn’t enough- jump to the end for a fun independent movie theater experience.

Early Ruth Antiques– Specializes in art and antiques. Open only on the weekends; call for an appointment.

Kaleidoscope Gallery Inc.- Open daily until 7pm this gallery specializes in jewelry, custom-designed jewelry, and repairs, as well as kids’ toys, art, and souvenirs. A great place to find a gift for someone.

Lollipop Antiques, Collectibles, and More- This business features antiques, collectibles, glassware, and jewelry. They claim ‘a bit of everything from the 1800s to the 1950s’.

239 Play!- A vintage toy shop and memorabilia store- find collectibles, rarities, and curios. Many dazzling old-school toys to play with.

Focal Point Gallery – Run by proprietor Ronald Terner, this art gallery and salesroom does much to support the local community and arts scene. Operating since the mid-1970s, the Focal Point gallery regularly puts calls out for local artists to submit work. The gallery work of all mediums.

Cinema on the Sound– Opened by a Bronx filmmaker, the 50-seat cinema brings moviegoers a unique opportunity to get close to the film. Owner Jerry Landi organizes to bring filmmakers, as often as possible, to watch and speak with the audience afterward. This theater space can also be rented.

Museums

Currently closed until May 2023, The City Island Nautical Museum is located in the corner of old schoolhouse PS 17 and is rumored to be built on an Indian burial ground. They have an interesting collection of artifacts, photos, and information on famous residents. Photographs and records detail how the island’s workers and industry supported the US efforts during WWII. The museum also contains exhibits such as the History of Oystering in New York and the Boat Building History of City Island. The museum is run by volunteers and asks for a $5 donation upon entry.

The City Island Pelham Masonic Historical Society is a local organization working to study and preserve island history. The Historical Society researches notable Bronx County families and businesses, presenting public exhibits on their findings. For information on genealogy research or public historical records, contact the center.

Where To Eat

It is truly all about seafood here. A popular specialty on the island, there are 30 different eateries to choose from. Some restaurants operate seasonally, but most are open year-round. A number of coffee shops include Clipper Coffee, Hip Hop Café, and Dunkin Donuts if you need to get a buzz!

City Island Diner: A longstanding favorite by tourists and locals alike, City Island Diner has all the greasy spoon options your heart desires. The breakfast menu includes omelets and pancakes, along with lunch favorites, burgers, paninis, and sandwiches. This old-fashioned diner features countertop seating and a seasonally rotating menu with specials. Take out and delivery upon request.

Johnny’s Reef: Slinging clams and slaw for over 60 years, this restaurant is a part of local culture. At the very end of the drag, get a good look at City Island while in line for some grub. With fun sides like fried frog legs or fried chicken livers, don’t forget to try the house favorite piña colada. On busy nights Johnny’s will have a separate line just for cocktails. Includes indoor and outdoor seating.

The Black Whale: What this restaurant lacks in water view, it makes up with history. Coming into its second lifetime now- The Black Whale first appeared in the 1960s as an antique shop that served coffee. This led to desserts, poetry readings, plays, and even a speech from a member of the Communist Party. Owner exhausted, the building eventually closed in 1998. Luckily a new owner came along to revitalize the community centerpiece. The Sunday brunch is a favorite amongst locals. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, weather permitting. The regular menu includes seafood, pastas, sandwiches, steaks, and salads.

Sammy’s Shrimp Box: One family- two restaurants, for your choosing. On one side of the street is Sammy’s Fish Box, and across the street is Sammy’s Shrimp Box. For those of you who like sidewalk seating and reservations- this is your place. An old-school Italian seafood restaurant, you will leave with a load of leftovers. Specials include combos and shared platters.

Once seated, you are welcomed with a plate of antipasti, including cornbread and Italian bread. Sides include tostones, fries, or linguine. Open until midnight every night, Sammy’s offers dishes like Super Fried Seafood Combo Platter- with shrimp, fillet, scallops, and calamari, or the Clam Bake Special with corn on the cob. Also, a fine menu of steaks and pastas, including “Pot of Succulent Rope Mussels,” that sounds like poetry.

City Island Lobster House: Serving all varieties of lobster at far cheaper than standard New York prices, the Lobster House is where you’ll satisfy that lobster craving. Choose from lobster rolls, lobster bisque, lobster pasta, lobster paella, lobster tail surf and turf, and whole lobsters steamed or broiled. The list goes on, but luckily your hunger won’t.

Lickety Split: Eventually, you’ll get your fill of seafood. Lickety Split will be here when you do. The old-school dessert staple of City Island, some visit just for the fantastical cottage vibe. Like an ice cream parlor straight out of the 1950s, the handwritten menu features ice cream, soft serve, and gelato. Pull up a chair and enjoy a waffle cone, banana split, piece of pie, float, or shake! Seating includes an outdoor patio area to enjoy the sunset. With dozens of flavors of Breyers to choose from, take a break from seafood and enjoy something sweet. 

Where to live

If one is thinking of moving to City Island, there are so many gorgeous locations to live in with stunning views of the Sound and other scenic panoramas. Here are a few developments that are great places to get started in your search.

On The Sound

As recent as of 2016, On The Sound contains 43 units of waterfront development located on 5 acres of land. This private, gated community offers amenities like a clubhouse with a fitness center and lounge, playground, and a heated pool. Individual units built with luxurious detailing; maple wood cabinets, Caesarstone countertops, double sink master bathrooms, gas fireplaces, hardwood flooring, garage, and private laundry facilities. Some current availabilities include 28 Island Point, 46 Island Point, and 26 Island Point.

The Sailmaker at City Island Condos

The Sailmaker is a three-story, 34-unit “Boatel” converted from the former Ratsey & Lapthorn sailmaking loft. Converted in 1990, this building is prime waterfront property. Featuring post-war construction, the building includes a pool and an elevator. Individual units feature studio and one-bedrooms with fireplaces, large closets, and whirlpool baths. Originally pitched by developers as a “resort condominium” or “weekend retreat” the building kept original high ceilings, between 12 and 14 feet. Residents can purchase boat slips.

Parks and Outdoor Areas At City Island

There are a number of memorable parks to explore on City Island. Hawkins Park and City Island Park are the most popular.

Hawkins Park

Smack dab in the middle of City Island is Hawkins Park. The park is built in celebration of US Navy Seaman Second Class and City Island native Leonard Hilson Hawkins, who died in World War I. The park features a sizable granite monument honoring Hawkins and other City Island inhabitants who served in the war. Situated as a triangle-shaped plaza, this is a nice place to visit during your time on City Island.

City Island Park

City Island Park is on the waterfront between City Island Avenue and Bridge Street. There is a network of walking paths to enjoy. A favorite path leads to the green area along the water, overlooking Eastchester Bay. Benches are included for rest and leisure, and lampposts provide lighting in the evening.   

The only disappointment in visiting City Island is that there are no public beaches on the island itself. The closest beach to enjoy is the nearby Orchard Beach. Across the bridge on the edge of the Bronx, locals and residents love Orchard Beach for catching sun and playing with the family. Online calendars highlight local performances and summer concerts. Around the beach are hiking trails with a plethora of bird watching. Bird watchers are very satisfied with this area, reporting a number of sought-after species to marvel. 

How To Travel To City Island

At one point in time, you could only reach City Island by ferry. In the 1760s, this was a rope ferry, making travel difficult and time-consuming. The first bridge to the island was constructed in 1873, later replaced by a three-lane steel bridge built in 1901. This survived until the New City Island Causeway Bridge took its place in 2017. Nowadays, weekend roamers can easily drive or bus over to see what it’s all about.

While on the island, there are limited methods for transportation. Two bus routes through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) run to and from City Island. The MTA Regional Bus Bx29 route operates from the Pelham Bay Park Station, while the BxM8 express route runs to Manhattan. Otherwise, take the 6 to the end of the line, then catch a bus. City Island itself is only 1.5 miles long, making it perfectly walkable for visitors.

Day Trip Itinerary To City Island

If you’re itching to give City Island a go but only have a limited amount of time, here’s the perfect day trip itinerary just for you: Take the bus to the end of City Island. Start at Johnny’s Reef, explore some fried seafood favorites on the patio, and enjoy a beverage or two. Wander up City Island Ave until you hit The Snug. This old-timer pub is laid back and charming. Meet some locals and enjoy a pint or two. For closing out, check out Lickety Split, situated right across the street. Grab a nice ice cream cone and, walk the island again, wander the bridge over to Pelham Bay Park. Add in Orchard Beach either before or after for some quality sun R&R and bird watching.

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