October 9, 2023

Metro-North ‘Leaf Peeper’ train service returns for fall foliage lovers

Take a train ride up through the Hudson Valley and witness the breathtaking beauty of New York State's fall foliage. The Metro-North Railroad last weekend kicked off its annual "Leaf Peeper" train service, boosting service on the Hudson River line, which provides scenic views of upstate's changing foliage and stops in charming autumnal towns like Peekskill, Cold Spring, and Beacon. Five extra trains on Saturdays and four trains on Sundays have been added from October 7 through November 5.
learn more about the leaf peeper rides
October 6, 2023

High-end Korean restaurant now open in the Herald Square subway station

Midtown's latest fine dining establishment has opened inside the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station. Located in what was a former barbershop and newsstand at the 32nd Street entrance of the station, Nōksu is a 13-seat Korean tasting counter with a carefully crafted 12-course tasting menu served in a sleek dining room. Nōksu is owned by Bobby Kwak and Joseph Ko and run by Chef Dae Kim.
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October 6, 2023

NYC ends credit checks for families with housing vouchers

New York City is making it easier for New Yorkers to get into affordable homes. Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development on Thursday announced households with CityFHEPS housing vouchers will no longer have to undergo credit checks when selected for affordable housing, speeding up the process of finding housing for more than 4,000 families a year. According to the city, vouchers guarantee a family can afford the rent, making credit checks unnecessary in the process.
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October 6, 2023

Step into the art of Marc Chagall at Tribeca’s Hall des Lumières

A new exhibition at the immersive art museum Hall des Lumières in Tribeca allows guests to step into the vibrant artwork of famous Russian painter Marc Chagall. Produced by Culturespaces, "Chagall, Paris - New York" showcases Chagall's art-- paintings, theater, costumes, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, mosaics, and collage--projected onto the ornate walls of the former Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. "Chagall, Paris - New York" is on view at the Hall des Lumières through 2024.
how to get ticktes
October 5, 2023

Intrepid Museum gets a branding makeover with updated name and logo

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has received a branding makeover for the modern era. The museum, which opened its doors in 1982 aboard the decommissioned U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier at Manhattan's Pier 86, has been officially renamed the Intrepid Museum. The new name is part of a rebranding with the goal of maintaining the museum's relevance for future generations of visitors. In addition to its new shortened name, the museum has also received a new logo and updated website.
Details this way
October 5, 2023

Red Hook’s most expensive condo on the market is this $3.15M penthouse

The evolution of Red Hook continues, as developers target the creative waterfront enclave for new high-end condo buildings and modern townhouses. At one building, The Conover at 199 Conover Street designed by FAB 314 architects, a new penthouse is asking $3,150,000, the priciest listing in the neighborhood. The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom condo unit boasts 1,990 square feet of living space and a spacious private rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the waterfront and Manhattan skyline.
see inside
October 5, 2023

Explore public art across the NYC subway system with this new digital guide

Some of New York City's best art can be found underground. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts & Design this week launched a new digital guide featuring more than 400 permanent artworks located across the subway system and commuter rails. Found on the Bloomberg Connects app, the guide allows travelers to explore the extensive collection, including permanent art, like Roy Lichtenstein's mural at Times Square, William Wegman‘s famous Weimaraners mosaic at 23rd Street, Yoko Ono-designed artwork at 72nd Street, and Yayoi Kusama's work in Grand Central Madison.
explore art, underground
October 5, 2023

Open House New York Weekend is here: Get behind-the-scenes tours of 350 NYC sites

It's Christmas in October for fans of architecture and design. In addition to the monthlong Archtober festival, Open House New York Weekend takes place this month. The annual five-borough event offers free behind-the-scenes tours of New York City spaces, unlocking sites that are often off-limits to the public. Hosted over three days from October 20 through October 22, this year's OHNY Weekend line-up is the largest ever, with nearly 350 insider tours of cultural spaces like the new Perelman Performing Arts Center, iconic institutions like the United Nations headquarters, historic homes of Greenwich Village, and so much more.
see the line-up
October 4, 2023

JFK AirTrain will finally accept tap-and-go OMNY payments

It just got slightly more convenient to get to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport via public transportation. The JFK AirTrain will accept tap-and-go payments using OMNY starting Tuesday, October 10, nearly three years after the system was installed in every subway station. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday said only select gates in both the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations will have the contactless payment readers as part of the initial rollout.
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October 4, 2023

For $2.5M, this compact Harlem carriage house has a backyard, garage, and room to expand

Located on the bustling west side of Harlem near Columbia University and just a few blocks from Central Park, this two-story brick carriage house at 158 West 118th Street represents an opportunity for Manhattan living with perks like a garage, a leafy backyard, and room to grow. With 2,905 interior square feet, the 18-foot-wide home may not be a mansion, but it's a two-family property with over 6,000 square feet of unused Floor Area Ratio (FAR), adding flexibility to its value at $2,495,000. Historic details, a detached garage, and lots of outdoor space make this unique dwelling more than a condo alternative.
Take the tour
October 4, 2023

An ice skating rink is opening under the Brooklyn Bridge

New York City's newest ice skating rink will open under the Brooklyn Bridge. Located at the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Glide at Brooklyn Bridge will offer skating for guests of all ages, as well as rinkside food and beverages, with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. The ice rink, the first to ever open in the scenic waterfront park, debuts for the season on November 15 and will remain open through March 1, 2024.
learn more about the rink
October 4, 2023

Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is back on and bigger than before

Get back to designing those canine costumes, New Yorkers: this year's Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is back on. After being canceled last week, the 33rd annual dog parade will proceed with support from Mayor Eric Adams and financial backing from dog wellness company Get Joy. Taking place on October 21, this year's event is set to be the largest ever and will feature a formal parade procession instead of just a gathering inside the East Village park, according to the New York Times.
paw-some parade news, this way
October 4, 2023

Katz’s Deli and Magnolia Bakery team up on New York classics package

What's a better pairing than pudding and pastrami? New York City icons Katz's Delicatessen and Magnolia Bakery this week announced a collaboration on a meal package that includes beloved menu items from both institutions. Now available to ship nationwide for a limited time, the "New York Classics" bundle includes two pints of Magnolia's banana pudding and enough Katz's hand-carved pastrami, corned beef, and sandwich fixings for up to six people.
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October 3, 2023

Paul Rudolph’s modernist Modulightor Building may become NYC landmark

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to calendar an iconic building in Midtown East designed by renowned modernist architect Paul Rudolph. Located at 246 East 58th Street, the Modulightor Building was built between 1989 and 1993 to house the lighting company of the same name Rudolph founded with German physicist Ernst Wagner. Rudolph designed the duplex apartment on floors three and four, which is the only Rudolph-designed space regularly open to the public.
read more about the modulightor building
October 3, 2023

Work begins on 188-unit, mixed-income Chelsea building designed by COOKFOX

Work has begun on a 188-unit residential project in Chelsea. MAG Partners and affordable housing cooperative Penn South on Tuesday broke ground on a seven-story residential building at 335 Eighth Avenue. Developed under the Affordable NY Program, the building will set aside 30 percent of units for low- and middle-income New Yorkers. The development, situated on the corner of West 26th Street and 8th Avenue, will contain ground-floor commercial space, including a 23,000-square-foot Lidl grocery store.
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October 3, 2023

12 acres of Central Park’s Great Lawn closed until April after damage from Global Citizen Festival

A large section of Central Park's Great Lawn will be closed through at least April after damage caused by the Global Citizen Festival and heavy rain. As first reported by West Side Rag, the "combination of heavy rain, foot traffic, and machinery" during the September 23 event destroyed one-third of the grassy area, leading to its immediate closure and need for re-seeding.
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October 3, 2023

NYC’s curbside compost program expands to Brooklyn

Brooklynites, it's time to get your compost on! On Monday, curbside compost collection began in New York City's most populous borough. Brooklyn is the second borough to join the city's universal composting program after Queens, which rolled out a permanent, year-round program in March after a successful pilot last year. Between Queens and Brooklyn, the program will serve nearly 5 million residents, making it the nation's largest composting program.
find out more
October 2, 2023

Manhattan’s first public ‘beach’ opens at Hudson River Park

Every borough in New York City now has a beach. Sort of. On Monday, the Gansevoort Peninsula officially opened at Little West 12th Street and 13th Avenue at Hudson River Park. The new 5.5-acre waterfront public park in the Meatpacking District includes a sandy beach with umbrellas, chairs, misting features, places to picnic, kayak access, and a rocky seating edge. But, unlike at other city beaches, swimming will not be allowed at Gansevoort Peninsula due to the Hudson River's polluted water. The green space is the largest standalone recreational space within the four-mile Hudson River Park.
get the details
October 2, 2023

Fall in NYC: The best of autumn in the Big Apple

As the summer's heat and humidity gradually give way to the cool breeze of autumn, New York City undergoes a stunning transformation. New Yorkers put away their shorts and t-shirts until next year, and pull on their cozy sweaters as they venture out underneath a breathtaking canopy of red, yellow, orange, and brown. Ahead, find our guide to the best of fall in NYC and beyond, from corn mazes and hay rides at farms across the tri-state to mug-holding competitions and oompah music at one of the city's many Oktoberfest celebrations.
the best of fall in nyc
October 2, 2023

How NYC public libraries are fighting censorship

Book bans continue to increase nationwide, with public libraries now a major target of challenges. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there were 695 attempts to censor library materials with challenges to 1,915 unique titles during the first eight months of 2023, an increase of 20 percent from the same period last year. Challenges to books in public libraries accounted for 49 percent of all challenges, compared to just 16 percent last year. In response, New York City libraries are launching anti-censorship campaigns directed at young people across the five boroughs and beyond, coinciding with Banned Books Week, which runs from October 1 through October 7.
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September 29, 2023

Major flooding disrupts NYC subway service as Hochul and Adams declare state of emergency

Nearly every subway line is experiencing service disruptions on Friday morning as extreme rainfall and flooding slam New York City. In a post on X, formerly called Twitter, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said "there is only extremely limited subway service," with several lines suspended or partially suspended due to water on the tracks. In response to the heavy rainfall and extreme flooding, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday declared a state of emergency for New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island.
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September 29, 2023

This $8.75M mansion designed by Robert A.M. Stern is the most expensive listing in the Bronx

This 11,135-square-foot four-story home at 421 West 250th Street in the Riverdale section of the Bronx has the distinction of being the borough's record-holding big-ticket residential listing, according to Mansion Global. Designed by prolific New York City firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects in 2005, the gingerbread-esque mansion sits on just over a half-acre in the private Villanova Heights subdivision. A pitched roof with a trio of whimsical dormers and delphinium blue window shutters provide a rustic air to its architectural simplicity. Within, an elevator makes travel between living, sleeping, and recreation floors convenient to all residents. Previously, the borough's highest-price listing was a $7 million neo-Georgian brick home in Fieldston.
Riverdale townhouse tour, this way
September 28, 2023

See the Meatpacking District’s new public plaza with street mural curated by the Whitney Museum

City officials on Thursday celebrated the opening of a new public plaza and street mural in the Meatpacking District. Located on Tenth Avenue between Gansevoort and Horatio Streets, Gansevoort Landing serves as a connection between the Meatpacking District and the highly-anticipated Gansevoort Peninsula, a soon-to-open public park within Hudson River Park. Gansevoort Landing includes a wider pedestrian plaza and crosswalk to ensure quicker and safer access to the park, as well as a stunning street mural commissioned by the Whitney Museum.
read more about gansevoort landing
September 28, 2023

10 places to find mooncakes in New York City

This year, the first day of the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 29. Also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, the Asian holiday celebrates what is considered the brightest and fullest moon of the year, as well as the fall harvest. In China, where perhaps the holiday is most popular, it's similar to Thanksgiving, with families gathering for a meal, accompanied by lantern lighting. Symbolizing the harvest moon, the round-shaped mooncakes are another important component of the holiday. The pastries are traditionally filled with red bean or lotus seed paste and wrapped around a salted duck egg. They're then pressed into a mold to emboss the top of the pastry in detailed designs, which all have different meanings. Ahead, find a few of the best places in New York City to find all varieties of mooncakes, along with a few options for ordering online.
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September 28, 2023

This year’s Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade has been canceled

Dog lovers, we have some ruff news. The Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade has been canceled indefinitely. The event's website homepage reads, "Parade has been canceled for the foreseeable future" in bold. The dog parade, which would have been returning for its 33rd year, was canceled due to overwhelming complications with permits and logistics, parade organizers told Gothamist.
ruff news
September 28, 2023

$3.75M Prospect Heights townhouse has laid-back charm, three big apartments, and extra-long backyard

The feature that will undoubtedly impress visitors the most about this four-story brownstone at 307 Park Place in pretty Prospect Heights is its seemingly endless backyard. It's one of a fortunate handful of homes in the neighborhood to be blessed with a 131-foot lot. Within, the three-family 1910 townhouse may come up short on original architectural details, but there's still plenty of warmth and charm within its brick-accented walls. Asking $3,750,000, the property offers flexibility in the form of three large apartments that can be combined–or left as-is to maximize rental income.
tour every level
September 27, 2023

60 useful gifts for college students

It can be challenging to find the best gifts for college students. Admittedly, it helps to know their preferences and favorites. However, some gifts are automatically a good idea because they’re practical and functional. Other gifts are a no-brainer because everyone loves them. We’ve included a variety of functional, practical, and fun gifts to help you find something that your college student will love.
gift ideas this way
September 27, 2023

Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica coming to Queens park

A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display in Queens in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. "The Wall That Heals," a traveling three-quarter-scale version of the memorial in Washington D.C., arrives in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on Thursday, a way for New Yorkers to remember the lives lost during the conflict. The memorial is free and open to the public from September 28 through October 1.
read more about the memorial
September 27, 2023

New York seeks proposals transforming Chelsea prison into affordable housing

New York State is moving forward with a plan to transform a former prison in Chelsea into affordable housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced a request for proposals (RFP) to redevelop the Bayview Correctional Facility at 550 West 20th Street into a residential development with affordable and supportive housing. The proposals for the 100,000-square-foot site near the High Line must have a minimum of 60 supportive housing units and 15 short-term transitional residences, according to the RFP.
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September 27, 2023

The Refinery at Domino unveils office space and grand glass atrium at historic Williamsburg sugar factory

The Refinery at Domino, a 460,000-square-foot all-electric office building, is now open at the former Domino Sugar Factory plant on the Williamsburg, Brooklyn waterfront. As the latest addition by Domino Park developer Two Trees Management, the new adaptive reuse project saw the conversion of the former 19th-century factory site of what was once the largest sugar producer in the world into a net zero carbon office space. The Refinery is the newest building to open in the 11-acre, mixed-use development north of the Williamsburg Bridge.
Find out more
September 26, 2023

NYPL photo exhibition captures quirkiness of NYC subway in the 1970s

A new photo exhibition at the New York Public Library captures the everyday interactions of New Yorkers taking the subway in the late 1970s. Located in the Print Gallery of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, "New York Subways 1977: Alen MacWeeney" features 42 diptychs created by Irish-American photographer Alen MacWeeney that show New Yorkers on crowded and graffiti-filled subway cars. The free exhibition is on display now through January 7, 2024.
learn more about the photo exhibition
September 26, 2023

This $2.8M Upper West Side co-op was designed to be a timeless home

On a classic Upper West Side block surrounded by historic townhouses and pre-war apartment buildings, this gracious eight-room co-op at 801 West End Avenue has plenty of living space and Riverside Park for a backyard. Asking $2,795,000, this family-sized home is configured for flexibility, with four bedrooms and room for more. Edwardian-era architectural details and renovated interiors add up to timeless style.
Home on the upper west side, this way
September 26, 2023

Veselka opens new outpost in Grand Central Terminal

The East Village's legendary Veselka restaurant is now serving up its signature Ukrainian delicacies in Grand Central Terminal. Located in the dining concourse in the historic terminal, the kiosk offers Veselka classics to-go, like borscht, cabbage rolls, and, of course, pierogi. Perfect for the commuter crowd, the outpost also sells coffee and breakfast items, including bacon, egg, and cheese pierogi, a fried egg sandwich on a challah knot, bagels, and muffins.
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September 26, 2023

Real estate industry leads on return-to-office in Manhattan

Real estate employees are in the office more often than any other office workers in Manhattan, according to the results of a new survey. The Partnership for New York City found that 75 percent of workers in the real estate industry are in their Manhattan workplace daily, compared to 58 percent of office workers in the borough across all fields. However, across the board, the survey found the extent of remote work far less than previously assumed with an estimate of 59 percent as the "new normal" for workers at their desks on an average weekday.
get the details
September 25, 2023

Lottery opens for 230 luxury apartments at huge Greenpoint rental, from $848/month

A two-tower rental development on the Greenpoint waterfront opened a lottery this week for 230 luxury apartments. Designed by CetraRuddy, Tower 77 sits on a former industrial area facing Newton Creek at the northern tip of the Brooklyn neighborhood. New Yorkers earning between 40 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $848/month for studios to $4,173/month for three bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
September 25, 2023

NYPD ‘robocop’ now patrols Times Square subway station

Late-night commuters fear not! A 420-pound, 5-foot-2-inch-tall robot is now patrolling the Times Square subway station overnight. During a press conference held at the 42nd Street subway station last Friday, Mayor Eric Adams announced a two-month pilot program to test the robocop, officially known as the Knightscope K5 Autonomous Security Robot. The robot will patrol the 42nd Street station from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., recording video to be viewed in case of an emergency or crime, according to the mayor.
READ MORe on the ROBOCOP
September 22, 2023

NYC dedicates 220-year-old tombstone of Irish immigrant in Washington Square Park

A 220-year-old tombstone uncovered in Washington Square Park over a decade ago will now be honored and put on display. The New York City Parks Department on Friday dedicated the headstone of James Jackson, an Irish immigrant who died in 1799 and was buried in Washington Square Park, a potter's field from 1797 to 1825. The headstone was discovered during a renovation project at the park's Sullivan Street entrance in 2009. The relic is now being presented in one of the windows of the Park House close to where it was discovered, accompanied by an informative sign where visitors can learn more.
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September 22, 2023

Archtober 2023: 10 best architecture tours to check out

Archtober, the annual festival dedicated to architecture and design in New York City, is just around the corner and it's time to start planning the events, exhibitions, and talks you want to attend. The very popular "Building of the Day" series is back with 31 architect-led behind-the-scenes tours of projects across the city every day in October. Ahead, find 10 public spaces, parks, and museums that made our must-see list for this year, from the eco-friendly pier at Hudson River Park to the newly opened Louis Armstrong Center in Corona, Queens. All of the tours on this list are free or cost $10 to attend and require advanced registration.
our picks here
September 21, 2023

Mayor Adams unveils sweeping plan to create 100K new housing units across NYC

Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday unveiled major reforms to New York City's zoning code to make it easier to build more housing across every neighborhood. The "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" plan could create 100,000 new apartments over the next 15 years by updating restrictive zoning rules. This could mean allowing new homes above commercial businesses and on campuses, accessory dwelling units, office-to-residential conversions, and other proposals to create "a little more housing in every neighborhood."
find out more
September 21, 2023

$2.6M Cobble Hill condo is on three flexible floors of a converted 19th-century church

This unique Cobble Hill home will instantly get the attention of history buffs. Built within a converted Romanesque Revival church constructed in the 1880s, this three-bedroom home at The Landmark at 58 Strong Place was designed by top local architecture firm Baxt Ingui Architects. Asking $2,600,000, the 1,855-square-foot triplex takes full advantage of the building's unusual layout, creating loft-like spaces for privacy and ease of living.
interior blessings, this way
September 21, 2023

Tenement Museum reopens historic building after $7M restoration

A 160-year-old tenement on the Lower East Side that was home to thousands of immigrants from 1863 to 1935 will reopen to the public following a major restoration. After a year-long renovation project, the Tenement Museum on Thursday will unveil work done on 97 Orchard Street, one of two historic tenements owned by the museum that offers an immersive look at the lives of immigrants during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The comprehensive renovation project reinforced and protected original features and finishes, preparing it for future generations of visitors.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RESTORATION PROJECT
September 20, 2023

This $3.5M Village co-op has a designer pedigree and the biggest terrace in the building

Located in The John Adams co-op at 101 West 12th Street, this two-bedroom (convertible to three) home happens to possess one of the largest wrap-around terraces in Greenwich Village. With interiors designed by the former owner, the late Tony-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner, this enviable downtown Manhattan space boasts a private terrace of 1,000 square feet with four-direction views.
more Outdoor living, village style
September 20, 2023

High Line-style pedestrian bridge to link Newark Penn Station and Prudential Center

Work began this week on a High Line-esque pedestrian bridge in Newark a decade in the making. Gov. Phil Murphy and Mayor J. Baraka on Tuesday broke ground on the Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge, a walkable pathway above McCarter Highway that will link Newark Penn Station and the Prudential Center. The bridge is the second phase of the Mulberry Commons development, a 22-acre project aimed at revitalizing the area between downtown Newark and the Ironbound neighborhood, with Mulberry Commons Park at the center. Officials say the bridge will support economic growth, make Newark more walkable, and enhance the pedestrian experience in and around Newark Penn Station.
see it here
September 20, 2023

How to start an art collection in NYC

In a city where you’re surrounded by art — from the classics at the Met to Chelsea’s contemporary art gallery scene to performers on the subway — day-to-day life is an immersive art experience. "The art community is extremely dynamic and diversified (in New York City),” said Ashkan Baghestani, Head of Contemporary Day Sale at Sotheby's. "People are interested in art and … sophisticated New Yorkers are people who spend time appreciating art. That does not mean they always buy it." So when it comes to bringing that art into your home, where do you start? And is it even possible on a budget?
tips and tricks this way
September 19, 2023

Famous Bay Ridge Gingerbread House is on the market again, asking $8.75M

This one-of-a-kind dwelling at 8200 Narrows Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is anything but cookie-cutter basic. Known as the Gingerbread House, this cute-enough-to-eat Hobbit-esque home is an American Arts and Crafts-style design by architect James Sarsfield Kennedy. Built for shipping mogul Howard Jones in 1918, the home was described as "the most magnificent residence in all of New York City." According to Brownstoner, the home was last listed in 2017 for $9 million. It's currently asking $8,750,000.
take a look inside
September 19, 2023

Major South Bronx development Bankside opens lottery for 132 apartments, from $2,525/month

The sprawling South Bronx mixed-use development Bankside released another housing lottery this week. Applications are now being accepted for 132 middle-income apartments at Lincoln at Bankside, a four-tower development with 921 apartments and a new public waterfront park. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $86,572 for a single person annually and $198,250 for a household of five, can apply for the units, priced from $2,525/month studios to $3,400/month two bedrooms.
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