Mayor Bill de Blaisio at the announement even for the start of LinkNYC service on Third Avenue. Credit: Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Landmarks Holds Hearing on New Free Wi-Fi Kiosks, Called LinkNYC

Perhaps you’ve noticed or heard about the new public Wi-Fi kiosks being installed around the city, often replacing payphones? Well, they’re called Links (the operation is LinkNYC) and the plan is for many many more. Before they are installed in historic districts, the Landmarks Preservation Commission must rule, and a public hearing on the issue was held Tuesday.

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220 West 57th Street

Retail Renovation Planned at Four-Story, 21,800-Square-Foot Commercial Building, 220 West 57th Street, Midtown

Back in 2014, Thor Equities and General Growth Properties were in contract to acquire the four-story, 21,837-square-foot commercial-retail building at 220 West 57th Street, in Midtown. Now, the developers are expecting to close on the property – an individual landmark dubbed the Society House of the American Society of Civil Engineers – for $85 million in June, according to The Real Deal. Its existing tenant, Lee’s Art Shop, is in the process of moving out, probably in time for the sale, DNAinfo reports. The new owners plan to renovate the building into luxury retail space. Any exterior alterations to the building will have to be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The property comes with 104,160 square feet of air rights.

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24-30 West 39th Street

Developer Moves Forward on Commercial Site at 24-30 West 39th Street, Midtown South

Fortuna Realty Group has filed permits to demolish the four five-story commercial buildings spanning 24-30 West 39th Street, in Midtown South. The hotel developer acquired 24-28 West 39th Street for $18.3 million in 2014, DNAinfo reports, although it has not yet officially acquired 30 West 39th Street. Plans for the site have not been disclosed, but the assemblage could accommodate up to 86,620 square feet of commercial space. That means a hotel, office building, or a community-facility-based project could eventually be built. A few tenants must first vacate the premises before the building can be demolished.

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