New York Habitat Blog

It is difficult to imagine–while shopping in SOHO–that Manhattan is an island of only 22.96 square miles. Millions of commuters come in and out of the city each day, each of them crossing a bridge or tunnel on thier way in. River crossings are an essential part of Manhattan’s efficiency, as much as any major city in the world. The bridges that connect Manhattan to the rest of the city via the East River and the state of New Jersey via the Hudson River are themselves worthy tourist destinations. While the bridges of Paris have a subtle aesthetic, New York’s river crossings are massive, utilitarian odes to modern architecture. While some lack the aesthetic of their Parisian counterparts, many of New York’s bridges are as essential to the city’s landscape as the rivers they cross. New York Habitat has plenty of apartments in Uptown Manhattan that place guests steps from New York’s most practical works of art.

Uptown Manhattan doesn’t have nearly as many recognizable bridges as the beauties Downtown. Downtown, bridges are framed by the towering New York skyline, principle actors in the city’s scenic canvas. Uptown the bridges are mostly gritty, industrial structures connecting the South Bronx to Harlem and Washington Heights. Uptown bridges are, for the most part, famous for snarling traffic rather than architectual genius. The one Uptown Manhattan exception is the hulking George Washington Bridge, spanning across the Hudson river from New York to New Jersey. Originally constructed in 1931, the exposed steel towers and suspension of the bridge act as an informal gateway into New York City. The George is one of the busiest bridges in the world offering 14 lanes accross the Hudson River. The George features pedestrian paths on both sides of the structure and offers some of Manhattan’s greatest Westside views. For views of the GWB itself visitors should take a visit to Fort Tryon Park near Washington Heights.

Within walking distance of the George Washington Bridge is this 2-bedroom townhouse accommodation in Harlem-Uptown (NY-12256). The apartment is near the C train, about 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. This modern 1-bedroom rental apartment in Harlem, Uptown (NY-12546) features exposed brick and an open layout. This alcove studio in Upper West Side (NY-12107) has some amazing views of the Hudson river and the George Washington Bridge in the distance.

Later we will be discussing Lower Manhattan’s iconic East River crossings…

Summer is fast approaching and that means vacations on the beach, spent lying in the sun, reading trashy novels, and sipping cocktails.  Instead of going to your normal vacation spot, why not try something new and different this year and spend some time on the shores of the Mediterranean in lovely Nice, France?  Recently, the town has been undergoing  improvements which make it an even nicer place to visit, especially if you stay in a vacation apartment rental or villa from New York Habitat.

Nice has long been known for its beautiful Mediterranean vistas, walks along the picturesque Promenade des Anglais, and the charming Vieux Nice neighborhood.  Now getting to all these places has just gotten easier.  After years of construction, the first of three lines on the new light-rail transportation system (Le Tramway) opened late last year, with the next two lines to open shortly.  The system connects the major transportation hubs and cultural sites of the city with affordable daily or weekly passes.  So if you’ve been hoofing it around Nice all day and need a little rest, hop on the tramway to reach your next destination.

While in Nice, at least one of your destinations should be the many first-rate art museums.  Both the Matisse and Chagall museums have completed recent renovations to provide even better spaces in which to display the works of these famous painting masters.  Of course, these are only 2 of the numerous art museums in Nice, all of which have wonderful collections for you to visit and see.

To complete you beach vacation in Nice, New York Habitat has a wide variety of apartment rentals from which to choose.  This 3 bedroom furnished rental in Nice, French Riviera (PR-708) is perfect for a family.  The pre-war building is located in Vieux Nice but is also minutes from the beach.  All the rooms retain their French charm in the architectural details while still offering modern amenities in the kitchen and bath.  This apartment will make you feel more like a resident of Nice, instead of a tourist.

If you’d like a more intimate place to stay, look at this 1 bedroom furnished rental accommodation in Nice, French Riviera (PR-244).  With more modern décor and an open kitchen, this apartment looks like it could be in New York but the views from your windows will tell you differently.  Located on the top floor of the building, every window of this apartment has spectacular views of Nice and nearby Place Masséna.  Nothing could be more relaxing that waking up and looking out your window to scenes like this every morning.

A vacation on the beach is a vital part of summer but going to the same old spot year after year can get dull.  Why not change it up this year and be able to tell your friends that you will be vacationing on the French Riviera this summer.  And a vacation rental in Nice from New York Habitat will give you even more bragging rights.

For more on Nice, read Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera: #4. 

Do you have any other travel tips for Nice?  Please share with us in the comments section.

London, like New York and Paris, is made up of dozens of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own feel and personality. Every year, a new one comes in or goes out of fashion, and there are always a few up and coming areas waiting to be crowned the next “happening nabe.” But of all the amazing spots to stay in London, the one that never loses favor is the part of South Kensington near Cromwell Road that comprises the Museum Mile. Trust us on this—if you never venture more than twenty minutes in any direction, you’ll still see so much of what gives London its timeless character and charm.

Staying in a New York Habitat vacation rental apartment will let you feel like you’ve been part of this neighborhood for years, even if you’re only there on a two-week holiday. This is the section of London you will want to return to time and again. It’s the one that instantly feels like home.

Cromwell Road runs right in front of The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum—and it’s possible to make a day out of—and devote an article to—each of these. If prehistoric fossils, earth science and the environment are your interests, you need look no further than The Natural History Museum. In fact, you’ll want to rent one of our nearby accommodations so you can roll out of bed each morning and see which exhibits and daily programs the museum has in store for you, including once-in-a-lifetime experiences like getting to play the theremin (that space-age instrument used in every ’50s sci-fi film and at the end of The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”).

Even if you’re not so much into fossils and the like, The Natural History Museum itself is an absolutely gorgeous building, like a cathedral with sweeping staircases and high ceilings that just happens to have a reconstructed T. Rex in its lobby. It’s free, so venture in for a look—but be warned that you will probably not emerge again for a few hours since you are sure to find something of interest inside. Many of the museum’s changing exhibits are more art than archaeology, such as the current Shell’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year. If you’re traveling with kids, there is no better place in London, so plan on making a few repeat visits.

Since The Natural History Museum will most likely become one of your neighborhood hangouts, it’s a nice idea to fall into the habit of having your morning coffee there. When you leave your convenient New York Habitat apartment, stop by any of the local cafés (Patisserie Valerie is particularly recommended for its croissants), get a coffee to go and head to one of the museum’s many benches near its small but serene (and still relatively secret) outdoors nature walk, which simulates different ecosystems. It’s a relaxing, unrushed way to start a morning of sightseeing.

Get a full-on English breakfast at the small restaurant attached to South Kensington station or a take-away crepe at the shop nearby before you head off into the Underground. Otherwise, stay above ground and stroll down the shopping district, which starts where Cromwell Road turns into Brompton and leads you toward Knightsbridge and the haven that is Harrod’s. On the way, stop at the Oxfam thrift shop for some uniquely London souvenirs (proceeds go to charity) then hit the Laduree for its famed French macaroons—and a marble floor on which to rest all your shopping bags. For a more substantial meal, stop by your local, The Bunch of Grapes pub, for a ploughman and some soccer on the telly. 

When you return home in the evening, make sure to stop again outside The Natural History Museum, which is even more astonishing lit up for the night.  

If you want to get a feel for this perennially favorite neighborhood, we suggest staying in our:

• 1-bedroom furnished rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-450) on Queensgate between Cromwell Road and Kensington Ave. It has a well-equipped kitchen to accommodate stops at the local Sainsbury or Waitrose supermarkets (which have cut-price specials after 7 p.m.) and a bedroom with a wall-mounted flat screen TV. It’s a few steps from The Natural History Museum and a five-minute walk to Hyde Park. Our client testimonial states: “We thought that the apartment was decorated beautifully and in a very good location. Good value.”
• 2-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-77) on Cromwell Road. This apartment, with balcony, is located on the 7th floor of a modern high-rise that has a doorman and a health club/pool on the ground floor for guests’ use.
• 2-bedroom furnished duplex apartment in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-530) on Cromwell Road and Queen’s Gate Place. This apartment consists of the two upper floors of a mews house and has a laundry/dryer and a rooftop terrace with table and chairs. 

A stay in any of these vacation accommodations is a good way to welcome yourself to the neighborhood.

Soon, we’ll continue our tour of Cromwell Road with even more fantastic New York Habitat rentals and a visit to the V&A museum.

 Have you been to The Natural History Museum? Please leave your comments below.

You would think that a small, preserved colonial-era island, 800 yards off Manhattan’s southern shore would be a world-renowned tourist attraction. One would think that the New York site that famously hosted the 1988 summit with President Reagan and USSR leader Gorbachev would have a more recognizable name. And one would surely be forgiven for doubting that an island complete with a preserved castle, fort, pre Civil War fortifications and homes even existed so close to New York’s shore. Governors Island does, indeed, exist and it boasts the most dramatic southern Manhattan views in the entire city. New York Habitat has known about Govenors Island for quite some time and we have several accommodations a short ferry ride away.

Designated as a national monument, Governors Island has flown under the public radar for much of its recent history. In reality, the island in New York Harbor has played an important role in just about every American military engagement since the Revolutionary War. The island’s two most important landmarks are Fort Jay and Castle Williams, both fortifications dating back to the early 19th century. The island is home to dozens of historically marked and preserved buildings and former private estates. Today Governors Island has a park-like atmosphere, an oasis from the cars and noise inescapable even in the center of Manhattan’s most serene parks. Governors Island is open only during the summer and now features a long lineup of outdoor concerts. New York’s southern skyline is inescapable on the island. Financial District skyscrapers cast their looming shadows on the island from what seems like a world away. The views from the island are spectacular–a landscape that includes southern Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. Visitors can reach the island on the Governors Island Ferry, departing from the Battery Maritime Building adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan.

Unfortunately, visitors cannot stay on Governors Island proper, an accommodation in Lower Manhattan is as close as you can get. Guests should take a look at this 1-bedroom apartment rental in the Financial District (NY-12523), located between Wall and William streets, this apartment is literally steps from the Gov. Island Ferry. Groups with more guests should try this 2-bedroom vacation rental accommodation in Tribeca (NY-7388). This studio vacation rental in Battery Park (NY-11925) makes up for its smallish size with rooftop views of New York Harbor, the Financial District, Statue of Liberty and, what else, Governors Island.

If you have missed the past tow entries in the top 5 views of Manhattan, New York; take a look at:

#5: Liberty State Park, Jersey City New Jersey

#4: Empire - Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn

What other New York Harbor/East River Islands are worth a visit? Comment Below

New York City’s landscape can be so overwhelming that the only way to take it all in is to cross the East River to Brooklyn. Brooklynites have long known the pleasure of enjoying Manhattan from a safe distance, away from the perpetually honking horns and human traffic of Downtown. While many Brooklyn natives claim that Sunset Park, the Brooklyn Bridge or their kitchen window has the best Manhattan view, we at New York Habitat crown the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park as the best place in Brooklyn to gaze at the Manhattan skyline. New York Habitat has accommodations that will put you in close proximity to the park, perhaps in an apartment with a city view of its own.

The Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park is a nine-acre green space on the East River that is devoted to the appreciation of its surroundings. That is to say that the park’s greatest asset is its environment–tucked between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, and staring directly at the mass of Downtown Manhattan, it is impossible to visit this park without ones eyes darting around like a bumper car. This park is meant to be a place for spectators, like the seats in a Roman theater. Photographers love this park but often find their lens to be insufficiently wide and their photos unjust. Anyone visiting here is sure to be reminded of the countless music videos and photo shoots that have taken place in the park. Also on the park grounds are the Empire Stores building and the Tobacco Warehouse, two late 19^th century buildings from the heyday of Brooklyn’s shipping past.
Staying in Brooklyn is a great idea if you plan on visiting the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park a few times. New York Habitat’s Brooklyn rentals have skyrocketed as the borough becomes more and more of a tourist attraction. This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn(NY-11601) features exposed brick and hardwood floors. For more space guests can take a look at this 4-bedroom apartment rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445). This 3-bedroom apartment rental in Prospect Height, Brooklyn (NY-12296) is just a few blocks from Prospect Park and the shopping/nightlife of Park Slope.

Brooklyn is an iconic American landscape built on the foundation of a staggeringly diverse population, rows of century-old brownstones and a glorious industrial past. While Brooklyn’s reputation has undoubtedly changed over the last 20 years, images of the borough have virtually remained the same—ethnic neighborhoods, artist enclaves and really good cheesecake. Though home to an excellent botanic garden, Americans rarely associate the borough with tranquil Japanese gardens, coy ponds and thousands of plant species. Since 1952 the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been a secret known only to Brooklynites and horticulturalists. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is truly a New York must see, and New York Habitat’s Brooklyn accommodations keep guests a mere sniff away from the closest roses.

Set on 52 acres smack dab in the center of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the premier public outdoor spaces in all of New York City. The garden features more than 10,000 different kinds of plants from around the globe and each month thousands of new plants are in full bloom. A visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is quite the New York experience, the fragrance and dramatic colors of the wildly abundant plant life come to life like the streets of Manhattan during rush hour. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is another one of those places where visitors have a hard time believing they are in New York City. The Garden is located adjacent to the fields of Prospect Park and the roundabout of Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn’s own version of the Chapms Elysees.
Guests looking to wake up near Brooklyn’s urban oasis should have a look at these available accommodations:

• This 2-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Brooklyn Heights (NY-12661) is a short subway ride from the island of Manhattan and has great Brooklyn-rooftop views.
• Just a few blocks from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is this spacious 1 bedroom rental accommodation in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn(NY-12480).
• This studio accommodation in a Williamsburg, Brooklyn (NY-12610) brownstone features exposed brick and easy access to lower Manhattan.

New York Habitat may have made its name with Manhattan rentals, but we nevertheless encourage visitors to stay in Brooklyn for the culture, restaurants and blooming flowers.

Famous for its cultural institutions, such as the Studio Museum and the Apollo Theater, its shopping district and for its multicultural community, 125th street in Harlem is going to be rezoned if it is up to the New York City Department of City Planning. New York Habitat is keen to share with you what is happening in the neighborhood so you can find the perfect apartment.

To support the ongoing renewal of this main street in Harlem, 24 Blocks along the 125th Street are going to change, with the two of the main goals to strengthen the continuity and maintain the unique character of this street.

At this moment, the neighborhood consists of many townhouses with few highrises in the area. The plans keep the townhouses intact however, the plan will change the character and the street scene of the neighborhood drastically and has already caused a lot of commotion and discussion among current residents.

Plans are to increase the number of people (residents and businessmen) in certain areas, residential use will be more strongly encouraged, and visitors and nightlife in this area will be encouraged to grow. Highrises will be constructed and about 1.8 million square feet of new commercial retail space will be developed. As a consequence, real estate values will likely increase, possibly causing some small businesses to disappear because they can no longer afford the higher rents.

Despite this fact, an increased number of businesses in the area is desired, preferably with a mix of businesses from different industries (including art and entertainment). Rezoning 125th street should create career opportunities for residents of Harlem as well.

At New York Habitat, we believe that change – a lot of times – is a good thing. The fact that New York City is always changing causes a lot of mixed feelings, but makes it a great and exciting city to live in! As long as improvement and development are key objectives, change should be present anywhere, anytime.

So, what if you want to live in this great changing city? You can check out our apartments in Manhattan. For example check out this beautiful 2 Bedroom unfurnished apartment rental in Harlem, Uptown (NY-12481) or this Garden Studio apartment in Harlem, near 125th street NY-7607 with an on site exercise room.

A more detailed description of the rezoning project of 125th street can be found on the website of New York City’s Harlem Redevelopment project.

We would like to know what your feelings are about the rezoning plan of 125th street. Give us your opinions and write a comment in the Blog below!