Fulton Transit Station (Finally) Set To Open Monday, 11/10 at 5PM.

After more than a decade of planning, the 10-line, 300,000+ daily passenger station is set to open its doors.  The station is set to open just days after One World Trade welcomed its first 175 Conde Nast employees this past Monday.

Things are really starting to take shape in the forever developing Financial District.  I cannot wait to see the neighborhood change over the next year.  Finally, long delayed projects will begin pumping new and creative life into the suit and tie dominated area.  The creative rebirth of Lower Manhattan is upon us!

(Photos via Curbed)

 

 

PHOTO: Supertall & Super-Luxurious – 57th Street’s Development Boom

Million Dollar Marble For Billionaire Developer Gary Barnett

Take a quick look inside the Italian quarry where One57’s marble originated from. Super high standards for New York’s newest super-tall skyscraper.

“Harlem To Become America’s Largest Free Wi-Fi Hotspot” via @Gothamist

Harlem will soon become the United States’ largest free wireless zone.  The now five-year-old plan being rolled out in three phases, eventually giving over 80,000 Harlem residents (13,000 public housing residents) access to the internet.  

I feel that this is nothing short of incredible.  WiFi or access to the internet is something so many of us take for granted today.  Granted it isn’t fun paying the $50/month, but I would not have it any other way.  Simply put, we are living in a world where you must have internet access.  For better or for worse, we have reached a point where internet has become a basic human right.  So much so that this WiFi hotspot is actually just compliance with U.N. law.  Whether it’s our phones, pcs, tablets, watches, clocks, TVs, lights, or basically any other 21st century product, internet access has an important part to play.  

Hopefully this pilot program can be expanded to cover the entire city.  In a world where cities are in fierce competition for attracting young, smart, and talented citizens, the right to internet access would certainly build a competitive edge.  Not only will individuals be attracted to a WiFi city, the very residents themselves would be guaranteed access to a tool used in every form of business, education, etc. today.

For the entire Gothamist article, click the link here.

Gentrification Complete – Williamsburg Finally Gets A Starbucks

Believe it or not, Starbucks still does not have a location in Williamsburg.  After years and years of gentrification, it appears that the tipping point has finally been reached.  The coffee shop will soon call 405-409 Union Avenue home (a few steps away from the Metropolitan subway stop).

For more info on the story, check out EaterNY’s article.

 

Four 1000+ Ft. Buildings Are Changing New York’s 57th Street Skyline

A year ago today, the world watched as a crane dangled hundreds of feet above 57th Street. Today, the nearly complete One57 stands as a testament of luxury construction. Three more buildings are planned for the street. These buildings will not only change the real estate market, but they will change the skyline too. Take a look at this graphic for a more detailed look at the buildings.

New York Times: The History of the High-Rise

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/high-rise/?smid=fb-nytimes&WT.z_sma=OT_ASH_20131008

This Times Op-Doc section has created an amazing (and visually stunning) rundown on the history of the skyscraper. The series looks more so how construction has changed from a social and cultural standpoint rather than an architectural one. This prove to be particarlly effective in showing the changes taking place in the out of control New York real estate market. In an age when a condo is going to set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars, there has to be a humane answer facing the quickly vanishing urban middle class.

New 1,300 Foot Skyscraper Coming To 57th Street

The development in New York is starting to get out of hand (in a good way!).  Yesterday, JDS Development’s proposal passed a final hurdle for city approval.  The New York City Landmarks Commission approved the 1,350 ft. building yesterday.  The super-tall super-skinny structure will be on the same block as Gary Barnett’s billionaire tower, 157 West 57th Street.  Here are some pictures taken from the Curbed article.

 

On a side note…I truly am beginning to think we are entering a golden age of development here.  Between the World Trade Center, The Ghery Building, 432 Park Avenue, One57, and now this project, this list of 1,000+ Ft. tall buildings in New York City is really going to be reshaping our skyline, into a skyline of the future.  Soon, the most famous skyline in the world, will be transformed into a sci-fi version of reality.  Hopefully this development is sustainable rather than a bubble ready to pop.

 

New York Rush Hour(s) Seen Through Foursquare Check-Ins

This incredible video not only shows where New Yorkers are checking-in, but also shows what type of businesses, establishments, restaurants, etc. users are checking into.

The social networking site allows users to “check-in,” and share tips and pictures with fellow users and friends alike. Foursquare was started by Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai in 2009. The startup experienced exponential growth and continues to grow well past 30 million users.

32 NYC Parks Getting Free Wifi

It was recently announced that Time Warner Cable and Cablevision will be partnering in a joint venture to bring free wireless Internet access to 32 New York City Parks.  The service will be available free in 10-minute intervals up to three times a day for non-subscribers, and is free (with no time limits) for all Cablevision and Time Warner subscribers.

The service will be particularly effective for the over 52 million tourists who visit the city each year.  International data charges are astronomically priced.  This free service will enable tourists and  New Yorkers alike to access the Internet, make Skype calls, send iMessages, and stay connected to their digital world.

Expect to see this service popping up in the next couple of months.  The deal is signed through 2020, but I expect the service to last indefinitely.  

Click here to access the full article.