Viewing NYC

[VIDEO] $21 vs. $68 Pizza! Adam Richman Eats NYC's Best Old School & New School Slices

2026-08-02T12:00:00-04:00

Join food enthusiast and host Adam Richman on a culinary journey through New York City as he explores the age-old debate of classic vs. contemporary pizza. First, Adam visits Krispy Pizza in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where owner Freddy Palazzolo shares how his family has upheld traditional pizza-making for over 50 years. Then, Adam ventures to Manhattan to experience Ceres Pizza, a modern pizzeria founded by Eleven Madison Park alums Jacob Serebnick and Julian Geldmacher, who apply high-end culinary techniques to craft their celebrated (and pricey) pies.

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[WATCH] NYC's Office Buildings Are Becoming Apartments, Here's How

2026-08-01T12:00:00-04:00

New York City is addressing its severe housing shortage, with a mere 1.4% vacancy rate and a need for over 500,000 new units, by transforming underutilized office buildings into apartments. This initiative comes as office occupancy in Manhattan stands at just 57% due to the rise of hybrid work. The video offers an exclusive look inside three of Manhattan's most significant office-to-residential conversions: Soma at 25 Water Street, currently the largest such project in U.S. history, along with Pearl House at 160 Water Street and 55 Broad Street. Developers like Nathan Berman of Metro Loft, Joey Chilelli of Vanbarton Group, and Brian Steinwurtzel of GFP Real Estate explain the complex architectural and engineering challenges involved, from carving light wells into massive floor plates to adding new floors and installing cutting-edge electrical and mechanical systems. These extensive renovations cost an average of $325-$340 per square foot, yielding luxury studios and multi-bedroom units with high ceilings and amenities like rooftop pools, co-working lounges, and fitness centers. Supported by recent policy changes such as the 467-M tax incentive and the "City of Yes" zoning reforms, which make more buildings eligible for conversion and encourage affordable housing, the pipeline for similar projects is growing, including the former Pfizer headquarters. Beyond increasing housing supply, these conversions also offer environmental benefits by reusing existing structures and revitalizing neighborhoods like the Financial District, demonstrated by the emergence of new businesses such as McNally Jackson Books and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. While the current wave of conversions will only add about 30,000 units, a small fraction of the city's overall housing needs, they represent a significant step towards creating vibrant, mixed-use urban communities and could inspire similar policy changes nationwide.

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[VIDEO] How an Architect Filled a 340-Sq-Ft NYC Studio With Hidden Storage

2026-07-31T12:00:00-04:00

The video showcases how homeowner Ben Riskin and architect Andrew Magnes creatively transformed a 340-square-foot studio apartment in Manhattan's Tudor City into a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing space. The renovation prioritized maximizing every inch with custom millwork, multifunctional furniture, and clever storage solutions. Highlights include a transforming Murphy bed, a compact kitchen inspired by houseboats and tiny homes, and an office built into a former closet. The design emphasizes function first, ensuring the space accommodates diverse activities from cooking to working, reflecting the homeowner's lifestyle and personal touch. The couch was chosen from Room & Board.

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[WATCH] The Ocky Way: How one NYC deli took over the internet

2026-07-30T12:00:00-04:00

This video features Rahim Mohamed, better known as "General Ock," the owner of The Ocky Way Gourmet Deli in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He shares his inspiring journey from a challenging youth to becoming a successful deli owner who has captivated millions online. Rahim recounts how he transformed his life through hard work and dedication, choosing business over the streets. The video offers a tour of his vibrant deli, showcasing its unique offerings like custom sandwiches, fresh juices, and delicious cakes. He also reveals the original, smaller space of his deli, which is now being converted into a podcast studio. Rahim discusses how his creative, over-the-top sandwich creations and engaging personality, particularly through a viral video of a bacon, egg, and cheese on a honey bun, propelled his deli into global internet fame, attracting celebrities like Ed Sheeran and Kai Cenat. He emphasizes the importance of positivity, belief in God, and spreading good messages through his platform, making a name for himself "The Ocky Way."

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[VIDEO] This $400M NYC Skyscraper Can't Be Fixed and Can't Be Torn Down

2026-07-29T12:00:00-04:00

The One Seaport tower at 161 Maiden Lane in Manhattan's Financial District, a $400 million luxury residential skyscraper, remains uninhabitable due to a complex web of structural failures and legal disputes. Developers, led by Fortis Property Group, opted for a cheaper foundation method called jet grouting instead of driving piles to bedrock, despite geotechnical reports warning of differential settlement. This decision led to the building sinking unevenly and leaning by three inches, earning it the nickname "The Banana Tower." Further complications include a fatal construction accident in 2017 involving worker Juan Chonillo, causing project delays and legal action against the concrete subcontractor. The structural issues prevent the installation of exterior glass panels and functional internal systems, and without a certificate of occupancy, no residents can legally move in. As various parties involved—including contractors, lenders like Bank Leumi, and individual condo buyers—sue each other, the building continues to deteriorate, accumulating millions in carrying costs and legal fees, with no clear path to completion or demolition.

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[VIDEO] Why Amtrak’s Most Important Tunnels Are Doomed

2026-07-27T12:00:00-04:00

The vital North River Tunnels, connecting Manhattan's Penn Station to Secaucus, NJ, are the most heavily trafficked rail tunnels in North America. Built in the early 1900s, these tunnels were severely damaged by saltwater flooding during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The saltwater left behind corrosive chlorides and sulfates, which are causing the concrete to crack and expand, and the internal rebar to rust and disintegrate. This ongoing degradation leads to frequent disruptions, including concrete falling on tracks, electrical failures, and false signals, necessitating nightly inspections and emergency repairs. The proposed solution is the $16 billion Gateway Program, which involves constructing entirely new tunnels—the Hudson Tunnel Project—to double track capacity and allow for extensive, long-overdue repairs on the existing North River Tunnels. This new infrastructure is projected to be completed by 2035, narrowly avoiding the predicted complete failure of the old tunnels.

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[WATCH] The Greatest Debate in Design History | The NYC Subway Map

2026-07-26T12:00:00-04:00

This video explores the rich and contentious history of the New York City subway map, highlighting a fundamental tension in design between clarity and accuracy. From the system's fragmented beginnings in 1904, where multiple private companies operated with separate maps, to the city's eventual unification of the transit lines, the challenge of creating a coherent map was immense. In 1957, designer George Salomon proposed a unified approach to signage and wayfinding, inspired by Harry Beck's London Underground map, which introduced the idea of a diagram over a geographically accurate map. This paved the way for Italian designer Massimo Vignelli, who, in 1972, unveiled a radical, colorful, and abstract diagrammatic map. While hailed as a modernist masterpiece by designers, many New Yorkers found Vignelli's map confusing due to its distorted geography, shrinking Central Park into a square and abstracting street details. The public's backlash led to the map's replacement in 1979 by a more geographically accurate design by Michael Hertz, who later updated it in 1998. The debate resurfaced with digital maps like The Weekender and the Live Subway Map, which blended both approaches, showcasing how technology can offer flexible information systems. In April 2025, the MTA formally adopted a new physical map, designed in-house, that pays homage to Vignelli's bold, geometric style while incorporating geographic clarity and commuter rail connections. The video concludes that modern navigation tools like Google Maps and Apple Maps have freed the subway map from needing to serve as a street guide, allowing it to focus on its primary purpose: guiding riders through the system itself, a realization of what Vignelli had originally envisioned.

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[VIDEO] NYC’s New Hit Sandwich Is an Indian-ish Sensation

2026-07-25T12:00:00-04:00

On a tucked-away side street in the West Village is Fonty's Deli + Dukaan, a new spot that has drawn lines down the block for its unique “Indian-ish” sandwiches. Co-owners Viraj Borkar, Varsha Harlalka, and Arjun Gupta blend cultures and flavors into creations like the popular Naanini, a panini-style sandwich pressed between freshly baked naan and filled with chicken tikka, Kerala beef, or chana masala. The deli also serves classic Bombay sandwiches and a unique South Indian filter coffee. The owners view their sandwiches as a point of connection, reflecting the American immigrant experience through familiar and beloved food forms, creating a tapestry of experiences for New Yorkers.

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[WATCH] Why is the United Nations in New York?

2026-07-24T12:00:00-04:00

After World War II, the establishment of the United Nations sparked a high-profile competition among American cities to host its permanent headquarters. New York City, already a global hub, ultimately won this distinction, thanks to the vision of figures like US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman, and the strategic efforts of NYC Mayor William O'Dwyer and the Rockefeller family, who donated the land on Manhattan's East Side for the iconic complex. Before its permanent home was built, the United Nations temporarily convened in various locations, including the gymnasium of Hunter College in The Bronx, which was rapidly transformed for the first Security Council meeting in March 1946. A crucial aspect of establishing the UN in New York was addressing the housing needs of its diverse international staff in a highly segregated city; this led to the creation of Parkway Village in Queens, a residential community designed to accommodate delegates and their families. This film showcases rare archival footage and historical photography, tracing the early years of the UN in New York from 1945 to 1952, and highlights the profound political, cultural, and economic connections that shaped both the global organization and its host city, transforming New York into the political global capital of the world.

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[VIDEO] Can You Live on a Boat in New York?

2026-07-23T12:00:00-04:00

Living aboard a boat in New York State is a complex lifestyle choice governed by marina policies, municipal regulations, and environmental laws. Unlike some coastal states, New York primarily treats boats as recreational vehicles, meaning the feasibility of living aboard is largely determined by local marinas and municipalities. Many areas have seasonal restrictions, with services like water and electricity shut off in winter. Additionally, most of New York's coastal and inland waters are designated "no discharge zones" under state and federal law, requiring boats to have holding tanks and access to pump-out stations. The financial realities are also significant, with annual dockage fees ranging from $8,000 to $12,000 for a 35-foot sailboat in the New York region, excluding utilities, winterization, insurance, and maintenance. Popular areas like the 79th Street Boat Basin (currently under reconstruction) in Manhattan and private marinas like Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City offer options, but often with high demand, long waiting lists, and strict rules. Winter presents additional challenges, including the need for proper insulation and heating to prevent condensation and mold, and ice management to protect the hull and dock infrastructure. Furthermore, marina slips do not offer the same tenant protections as apartments, and policies can change with little notice. While living aboard can be a rewarding way to live close to the water in New York's vibrant maritime regions, it is not an easy loophole to the expensive housing market and requires careful planning and a deep understanding of boating life first.

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