Midtown

Fifth Avenue Blooms celebrates the corridor’s 200th anniversary with a custom rose variety and floral displays

Images courtesy of the Fifth Avenue Association

June 4, 2025

Fifth Avenue Blooms celebrates the corridor’s 200th anniversary with a custom rose variety and floral displays

By Aaron Ginsburg

Fifth Avenue will soon bloom with thousands of vibrant roses, including a unique new variety created to celebrate the iconic retail corridor’s 200th anniversary. On June 11, the Fifth Avenue Association will kick off Fifth Avenue Blooms, a month-long floral makeover of the avenue between 51st and 58th Streets, running through July 6. The display will feature 16 planters with 400 rose plants, totaling roughly 2,500 to 4,000 individual stems, including the one-of-a-kind variety created specifically for the avenue’s birthday, all beautifying the streetscape and providing a perfect backdrop for photos.
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Events & Things To Do

Times Square office tower to become 1,250 apartments

5 Times Square. Photo via WikiCommons

May 22, 2025

Times Square office tower to become 1,250 apartments

By Devin Gannon

A largely vacant office tower in Times Square is set to become a mixed-use development with 1,250 new homes. The Empire State Development (ESD) on Thursday voted to approve the conversion of 5 Times Square, a 38-story building on 7th Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets. About 313 apartments will be permanently affordable to New Yorkers earning up to 80 percent of the area median income in exchange for a tax exemption under a new office-to-housing incentive, 467-m.
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New Developments

The Chrysler Building is now on the market

Credit: Mitch Hodiono on Unsplash

May 21, 2025

The Chrysler Building is now on the market

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Chrysler Building is officially up for sale after a drawn-out legal battle between RFR Holding and Cooper Union. As first reported by The Promote, the leasehold for the iconic Art Deco skyscraper is on the market for the first time since 2019, after a judge terminated RFR’s lease in January and evicted the firm for falling more than $21 million behind on rent owed to Cooper Union, which owns the land beneath the tower. Cooper Union has since tapped real estate firm Savills to find a new operator to take over the lease.
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Real Estate Trends

Adams announces $250M more for Fifth Avenue redesign plan

Images by Field Operations, courtesy of City Hall

May 21, 2025

Adams announces $250M more for Fifth Avenue redesign plan

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City is investing another $250 million to transform Fifth Avenue into a pedestrian-centric corridor. Mayor Eric Adams announced the new funding on Wednesday, bringing the total investment in the project to $400 million, including $152 million the city had previously committed. Focused on the stretch between Central Park and Bryant Park, the Fifth Avenue redesign will reduce traffic lanes from five to three, nearly double the width of sidewalks, shorten crosswalks, and add more than 230 trees, as well as new seating and improved lighting.
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NYC unveils plan for dedicated busway on 34th Street

Images courtesy of NYC DOT

May 21, 2025

NYC unveils plan for dedicated busway on 34th Street

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City plans to transform a busy stretch of 34th Street in Manhattan into a busway to improve sluggish crosstown commutes. The Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled plans for a dedicated lane along 34th Street between Third and Ninth Avenues for buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles, which could boost speeds by up to 15 percent for the more than two dozen bus routes that use the corridor. Modeled after the successful 14th Street busway, the plan would still permit other vehicles to enter but require them to make the next available legal turn off the street.
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Before Chelsea, there was Midtown: The lost art galleries of 57th Street

All photos courtesy Municipal Archives, City of New York

May 20, 2025

Before Chelsea, there was Midtown: The lost art galleries of 57th Street

By Michelle Young

In the interwar years in New York City, the cultural epicenter of New York, particularly its art galleries, was centered around 57th Street. One block, in particular, between Fifth and Madison Avenues was the crème de la crème of addresses. Today, the short 450-foot stretch is populated by luxury brands like Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Dior, and Burberry. The cluster of art galleries is part of the subject of my new book "The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland," which covers the flight of Picasso’s art dealer, Paul Rosenberg, and his family to New York City during World War II.
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History

Macy’s Flower Show turns 50 with surrealist gardens and thousands of blooms in Herald Square

All photos courtesy of Macy’s, Inc.

May 1, 2025

Macy’s Flower Show turns 50 with surrealist gardens and thousands of blooms in Herald Square

By Aaron Ginsburg

The 50th annual Macy's Flower Show opened in Herald Square on Sunday, transforming the iconic department store into a breathtaking garden filled with thousands of lush plants and flowers. In honor of its semicentennial, this year’s event has been extended to three weeks of festivities, running through May 18. The show also features a partnership with YSL Beauty, offering an immersive experience that encourages guests to embrace freedom and celebrate the transformative power of nature.
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Events & Things To Do

432 Park owners sue again over alleged facade crack cover-up

Photo by Sebastiandoe5 via WikiCommons

April 30, 2025

432 Park owners sue again over alleged facade crack cover-up

By Aaron Ginsburg

Owners at the supertall condo 432 Park Avenue are suing the building's developers again. The Midtown East tower's condo board on Friday filed a lawsuit against developers Harry Macklowe and CIM Group, alleging they knowingly concealed widespread cracking in the building's concrete facade from buyers and inspectors as part of a "deliberate and far-reaching fraud," as first reported by Crain's. The board is seeking $165 million in damages, along with punitive damages and compensation for losses tied to declining property values caused by flooding and erosion from the cracks.
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Real Estate Trends

Abstract subway mosaic in Grand Central captures a spiritual journey through NYC

Credit: Etienne Frossard / MTA on Flickr

April 29, 2025

Abstract subway mosaic in Grand Central captures a spiritual journey through NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new glass mosaic in Grand Central offers a vibrant interpretation of New Yorkers' journeys through the city. Unveiled on Monday by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), "Abstract Futures" spans 600 square feet at the 42nd Street/3rd Avenue entrance to the 7 train. Created by artist duo Sharmistha Ray and Dannielle Tegeder, the glass mosaic explores themes of "portals" and "journeys," serving as a metaphor for the spiritual transformations many experience while navigating life in New York City.
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Transit

First look at the food hall opening at NYC’s Lord & Taylor building

Renderings courtesy of ICRAVE

April 28, 2025

First look at the food hall opening at NYC’s Lord & Taylor building

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's landmarked Lord & Taylor building will be publicly accessible for the first time since the flagship department store closed in 2019. A 35,000-square-foot food hall, dubbed Shaver Hall, will open later this year on the ground floor of the historic Fifth Avenue building. Amazon bought the property in 2020 and converted the space into offices in 2023. Newly released renderings are showing off the food hall's 11 curated stalls, wine and cheese bar, and "modern bodega."
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Food & Dining

NYC could landmark five Garment District skyscrapers ahead of Midtown South rezoning

On left: Lefcourt Clothing Center, photo by Eden, Janine, and Jim on Flickr; On right: Barbey Building and Fashion Tower, courtesy of Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 24, 2025

NYC could landmark five Garment District skyscrapers ahead of Midtown South rezoning

By Devin Gannon

Several notable skyscrapers in the Garment District are up for landmark status. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to calendar five buildings in Midtown that are architecturally notable, as well as significant to the history of the neighborhood. The potential landmarking comes as Mayor Eric Adams' plan to rezone Midtown South, which would allow for up to 10,000 new homes, enters public review.
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s corner apartment at the Plaza finds a buyer

Photo credit: The Charlie Attias Team / Compass

April 23, 2025

Frank Lloyd Wright’s corner apartment at the Plaza finds a buyer

By Devin Gannon

Frank Lloyd Wright's former apartment at the Plaza Hotel has found a buyer. Listed for $18,900,000 in February, the 4,000-square-foot home entered contract on Tuesday, as first spotted by the New York Post. The architect lived in the corner residence at 1 Central Park South from 1954 to 1959 while he was working on the Guggenheim Museum.
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Real Estate Trends

Three works by sculptor John Chamberlain make their U.S. debut at Rockefeller Center

All photos courtesy of Tishman Speyer

April 16, 2025

Three works by sculptor John Chamberlain make their U.S. debut at Rockefeller Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

Large-scale sculptures by the late American artist John Chamberlain are making their first United States appearance at Rockefeller Center. On view from April 16 through May 29, "Chamberlain Goes Outdoors at Rockefeller Center" showcases three sculptures by Chamberlain, who was best known for his distinctive works made of scrap metal and aluminium foil. Free and open to the public, the installation offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Chamberlain’s final bodies of work.
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Events & Things To Do

Saks Fifth Avenue drops casino proposal

Image courtesy of Warren LeMay on Flickr

April 11, 2025

Saks Fifth Avenue drops casino proposal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Saks Fifth Avenue has folded its bid for a gaming license, ending the company's plan of adding a casino atop its Midtown flagship store. As first reported by Crain's, the department store withdrew its bid for one of three coveted downstate gaming licenses expected to be awarded by the end of the year, with a Saks spokesperson saying the company is now "focused on other strategic priorities." In recent months, minimal communication between Saks’ parent company, Saks Global, and those involved in the casino process had suggested that the retailer was abandoning its proposal.
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Policy

Bryant Park Grill sues to stop Jean-Georges takeover

Bryant Park Grill. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

April 1, 2025

Bryant Park Grill sues to stop Jean-Georges takeover

By Aaron Ginsburg

The owner of Bryant Park Grill is taking legal action to stop the 30-year-old restaurant from being replaced by a new Jean-Georges Vongerichten venture. Michael Weinstein's Ark Restaurants Corp on Monday filed a lawsuit against Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), alleging the bidding process was neither publicly advertised nor transparent and was "unfairly steered" toward the Seaport Entertainment Group, the winning bid. The lawsuit also claims BPC ignored the grill's "right of first lease" and rejected its bid of $1 million more in annual rent than offered by Seaport.
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Food & Dining

Signs of spring in NYC: Bryant Park’s famed lawn is installed

Photo by Jean-Christophe BENOIST on Wikimedia

March 26, 2025

Signs of spring in NYC: Bryant Park’s famed lawn is installed

By Devin Gannon

Bryant Park's seasonal transformation has begun. Last weekend, the landscaping team of the Midtown Manhattan park spent nine hours laying the grass sod of the central lawn, turning the ice skating rink at the Bank of America Winter Village into a green oasis for spring. While not quite ready for use, the lawn will soon be home to move nights, live performances, yoga, and other activities that make New York City so special during the warmer months.
spring is here

Events & Things To Do

Billionaires’ Row condo sells for $82.5M, NYC’s priciest deal of the year

Photo by Jakub Hałun on Wikimedia

March 11, 2025

Billionaires’ Row condo sells for $82.5M, NYC’s priciest deal of the year

By Devin Gannon

Media executive Byron Allen has sold his condo on Billionaires' Row for $82.5 million, marking New York City's priciest deal of the year so far. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Allen paid $75 million in 2023 for the five-bedroom pad at 220 Central Park South, a limestone-clad tower designed by Robert A.M. Stern that is considered one of the most expensive condo buildings in the country.
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Real Estate Trends

NYC proposes wider bike lanes along 12 blocks of Sixth Avenue

A new, wider-bike lane segment installed in 2024 along Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue. Credit: DOT

March 5, 2025

NYC proposes wider bike lanes along 12 blocks of Sixth Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

With vehicle traffic down since the start of congestion pricing, New York City is moving forward with plans to widen bike lanes along a roughly 12-block stretch of Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. During a presentation to Manhattan Community Board 5's transportation committee last week, the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled plans to upgrade the protected bike lane along Sixth Avenue from 14th Street to 35th Street. The proposal includes removing one lane of traffic to make space for a 10-foot-wide cycling lane, building on a project from last summer that widened the bike lanes from West 9th Street to West 13th Street.
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A first look inside the full-floor boutique offices at 520 Fifth Avenue

Credit: Binyan Studios

February 26, 2025

A first look inside the full-floor boutique offices at 520 Fifth Avenue

By Aaron Ginsburg

New renderings offer a sneak peek at the 25 full floors of boutique office space at 520 Fifth Avenue, the tallest mixed-use tower on the iconic street. Situated on floors nine through 34 below the condo units, the offices, designed by AD100 designer Vicky Charles of Charles & Co., feature terraces and loggias, soaring ceiling heights, and 10-by-10-foot operable windows. Above the offices are 100 luxury condos, which launched sales last April.
Get a glimpse inside

NYC’s only revolving restaurant reopens in Times Square

Photo by Jason Varney, courtesy of Rockwell Group

February 13, 2025

NYC’s only revolving restaurant reopens in Times Square

By Devin Gannon

New York City's only revolving restaurant is spinning again. The View, on the 47th and 48th floors of the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square, reopened this week following a revamp by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) and David Rockwell's Rockwell Group. Formerly host to an all-you-can-eat buffet, the two-story restaurant has been reimagined as an upscale dining destination inspired by "American supper clubs and chop houses of earlier eras."
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s palatial former Plaza suite asks $18.9M

Photo credit: The Charlie Attias Team / Compass

February 13, 2025

Frank Lloyd Wright’s palatial former Plaza suite asks $18.9M

By Michelle Cohen

Once known as the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite–the architect lived in the corner apartment at the Plaza Hotel while he was working on the Guggenheim Museum from 1954 to 1959–this impressive condominium residence at 1 Central Park South occupies the rare level of Manhattan homes that just may justify its towering price tag. Asking $18,900,000, the 4,000-square-foot home adds up to a living space as dazzling as the park and city views it offers. Featured in Architectural Digest in 2014 as a media power pair's pied-a-terre, this extraordinary apartment offers the five-star hotel amenities of the iconic Plaza along with those views.
the tour starts here

Distinctive Homes

Macy’s Herald Square debuts pop-up spring market

All photos courtesy of Macy’s Herald Square

February 11, 2025

Macy’s Herald Square debuts pop-up spring market

By Aaron Ginsburg

Macy's Herald Square has unveiled a new seasonal pop-up celebrating love and the arrival of spring. Open just in time for Valentine's Day, the Shops at the Square offer customers a curated assortment of unique gifts, tasty treats, and other items. Find the shops on the mezzanine level of Macy's Herald Square through April 6.
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Events & Things To Do

Fifth Ave’s highest condo fetches $11.5M

Photo Credit: Alden Studios

February 6, 2025

Fifth Ave’s highest condo fetches $11.5M

By Devin Gannon

The highest condo on Fifth Avenue has found a buyer. As first spotted by CityRealty, Penthouse 80 at 520 Fifth Avenue sits 880 feet in the air, surrounded by iconic views in every direction. The trophy residence first hit the market two months ago for $11,500,000; the deal will likely close by the end of the year when the building wraps up construction.
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Planet Hollywood returns to NYC with 360-degree video screens instead of movie memorabilia

All photos courtesy of Planet Hollywood

February 3, 2025

Planet Hollywood returns to NYC with 360-degree video screens instead of movie memorabilia

By Aaron Ginsburg

Planet Hollywood, the iconic movie-themed restaurant chain that launched in the 1990s and closed during the pandemic, reopened in Times Square following a $20 million transformation. The new iteration of the restaurant won't be a total 90s throwback, with the walls and ceilings covered in high-definition screens that will transport diners to "thematic worlds" to make "every meal an epic journey." The reopening marks a fresh chapter for Planet Hollywood and the restaurant will replace its signature movie memorabilia-filled interior with over 692 video tiles showing interactive videos.
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Food & Dining

Bryant Park Grill closing this spring, will be replaced by a Jean-Georges restaurant

Credit: John Wisniewski on Flickr

January 28, 2025

Bryant Park Grill closing this spring, will be replaced by a Jean-Georges restaurant

By Aaron Ginsburg

After 30 years in business, the Bryant Park Grill is set to close and be replaced by a new Jean-Georges Vongerichten venture. As first reported by Crain's New York, the iconic 1,000-seat restaurant, which sits behind the New York Public Library and generates nearly $30 million in sales annually, will not have its lease renewed by the Bryant Park Corporation when it expires in May. Bryant Park officials said the restaurant had become "tired" and that it was time for a fresh start with a new operator.
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Food & Dining

Midtown South rezoning plan to build 10,000 new homes begins public review

Garment District. Photo © Ondel Hylton

January 22, 2025

Midtown South rezoning plan to build 10,000 new homes begins public review

By Aaron Ginsburg

The plan to transform Midtown South into dynamic mixed-use neighborhoods with thousands of new homes is moving forward. Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of City Planning (DCP) on Tuesday announced the start of the public review process for the Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan, a proposal to rezone 42 blocks of the neighborhood to allow for roughly 9,700 new homes in areas where housing was largely prohibited under old zoning rules. The rezoning is part of the mayor's "Manhattan Plan" introduced in his State of the City address last week to add 100,000 new homes to the borough over the next decade.
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Policy

Plans filed to transform Times Square office building into 942 apartments

Exterior of 5 Times Square. Image via WikiCommons

January 2, 2025

Plans filed to transform Times Square office building into 942 apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

A coalition of prominent New York City real estate figures has filed plans to transform a 38-story office building in Times Square into more than 900 new homes. As reported by The Real Deal, Apollo Global Management, in partnership with RXR and SL Green, aims to convert 5 Times Square into a mixed-use building with 942 apartments. This office-to-residential conversion would be one of the largest in the city to date, and the first in the heart of Times Square.
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