The once-popular Triple Crown Diner, which has been closed for years, has now become a makeshift residence for a group of squatters. The iconic eatery, once known for its round-the-clock service and bustling crowds, now presents a stark contrast with shattered glass doors and an overwhelming stench indicating long-term habitation. Photo by Czarinna Andres Recently, local residents have reported the deterioration of the building located at the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Commonwealth Boulevard, with there being clear signs of squatters and forced entry. The diner’s glass doors appear to have ..read more

An affordable housing lottery has opened in Manhattan, this time with 135 newly constructed units in Hudson Yards. Located at 451 10th Ave, the new units will be affordable to households earning between 40 and 120 percent of the area median income. Of the 135 units, 64 are studios ranging in price from $848 to $2,716 a month; 60 1-bedrooms ranging from $903 to $3,905 a month; and 11 2-bedrooms ranging from $1,671 to $3,473 a month. Photo via NYC Housing Connect The pet-friendly units include new high-end finishes and appliances, including in-unit dishwashers and washers and dryers, and air con ..read more

The excavation process of the property at 41-08 Crescent St. in Astoria is underway. Photo by Michael Young/New York YIMBY Apr. 10, 2024 By Ethan Marshall The excavation process for the property at 41-08 Crescent St. in Astoria is set to begin, marking the first step towards the construction of a 17-story residential tower, according to New York YIMBY. The 30,102-square-foot-long lot has already been surrounded by construction fencing. Machines for the construction work are expected to arrive on site within the coming weeks. Photo by Michael Young/New York YIMBY The 189-foot-tall structure exp ..read more

Buying a home anywhere is a challenge right now, but that’s especially true in NYC, where the process can feel as unattainable as a work of fine art. StreetEasy’s newest brand campaign, “Let The Journey Begin,” mixes Renaissance flair and classic art to capture the conflicted feelings experienced throughout the journey of purchasing a home in New York City.  StreetEasy decided to take a new approach this year, creating a full 360 degree campaign with visually arresting pieces of artwork. From subway cars to taxi tops and even a takeover of the Broadway-Lafayette station, the eye-catching ..read more

Taller residences, less parking, and more infill buildings will be allowed in New York City if the mayor’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning changes go ahead as planned. The draft text for the proposal was released today by the NYC Department of City Planning, the final installment in the sweeping City of Yes zoning proposals that supporters say will increase climate-friendly infrastructure, small business growth, and housing affordability. The rule changes would let developers build 20 percent bigger buildings if the extra density remains affordable to households earning up to 60 per ..read more

Willets Point’s long-awaited transformation from industrial wasteland to Queens’ newest neighborhood got the green light from the City Council Thursday. The legislature approved on April 11 a massive redevelopment that includes a brand new soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club (NYCFC), which has played home games at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field since its inception, and a 100% 2,500-unit affordable housing project that is the city’s largest in four decades. Mayor Eric Adams called the plan “the goal of the decade” that will generate billions of dollars in new economic activity, and ..read more

Queens accounted for the most foreclosures among the New York City boroughs in the first quarter of 2024, with 191, according to a report by the real estate agency PropertyShark. These 191 foreclosures accounted for 45% of the 424 cases that occurred in New York City this quarter. Its volume was equivalent to the amount of first-time filings in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island combined. This amount of foreclosures also marked the most in Queens since there were 294 in the first quarter of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Photo courtesy of PropertyShark The 11377 zip code, which cov ..read more

Before the shovels hit the ground on New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposed $8 billion casino and entertainment complex in Corona, he would need new legislation allowing construction atop the public parkland where Shea Stadium once stood. State Senator Jessica Ramos who represents the district, is still undecided as to whether she will carry that bill in Albany. Recent polling commissioned by both sides gauging support from area residents for the billionaire’s Metropolitan Park project elicited results that are diametrically opposed. Cohen and Hard Rock International showed their cards las ..read more

Whether you are single or raising a family, you better have a pretty big paycheck if you want to live on Easy Street in New York City, new research shows.  A study released last month from SmartAsset, a consumer-focused financial company, shows that on average, a family of four needs to make at least $318,406 in order to live comfortably in the Big Apple.  That’s more than three times the city’s median household income of $76,607, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.   But single New Yorkers arguably have it worse. In fact, NYC ranked #1 for the city with the highest salary ..read more

The MTA is seeking a master vendor to manage retail at Grand Central Madison — hoping to turn the new East Side Long Island Rail Road terminal into a destination shopping hub for Midtown residents and workers. Grand Central Madison opened for full LIRR service last year, but those strolling through the terminal are sure to notice the conspicuous lack of retail spaces, especially as compared to Grand Central’s Metro-North space upstairs. Now, the MTA is seeking a “master lessor” to manage 25,000 square feet of retail space across 32 units in the terminal 17 stories below Manhattan. “We really w ..read more