All posts tagged: NYC

The Vanderbilts’ NYC mansions worth nearly billion — and why the glorious Gilded Age homes were ruthlessly destroyed

The Vanderbilts’ NYC mansions worth nearly $1billion — and why the glorious Gilded Age homes were ruthlessly destroyed

Published by Daniella Wilson

Two hundred years after his ancestor, Dutch farmer Jan Aertson immigrated to New York City, Cornelius “The Commodore” Vanderbilt kickstarted the iconic family’s extensive, and exorbitant, property portfolio in the 1830s. The sprawling real estate empire of grand mansions would reach its peak some 50 years later.  After the Commodore’s steamship and railroad businesses made him the richest person in the world, a mansion on Staten Island was the first of a long list of Vanderbilt homes built across the country. Later constructions also included the sweeping Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, which remains today the largest privately owned house in the United States, and close to an incredible 30 residences across New York.  © New York Public LibraryThe Vanderbilts started their property portfolio on Staten Island The Vanderbilts’ Staten Island roots  The first notable residence the Vanderbilt family built was a mansion for the Commodore on Staten Island, built in 1839 between Stapleton and Tompkinsville, on the northeast corner of his father’s farm. Though its architect is unknown, the 40-foot-tall residence cost $27,000 …

Socialist Mamdani Concedes NYC Can’t Arrest Netanyahu, Breaking Another Campaign Promise

Socialist Mamdani Concedes NYC Can’t Arrest Netanyahu, Breaking Another Campaign Promise

Published by Jenni Sidey

With New York City rents at record highs, bus fares still in place, and the rise of the far left spooking taxpayers and businesses, Mayor Zohran Mamdani appears increasingly focused on playing world policeman instead of properly addressing the city’s affordability crisis. On Tuesday night, the socialist mayor was forced to concede that he cannot execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, exposing yet another campaign promise he cannot fulfill. “It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant,” Mamdani said in a video posted on X. “The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” he added. Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. pic.twitter.com/YRezmW6YVx — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 22, 2026 Mamdani said his administration reviewed every available legal option but maintained that Netanyahu is “not welcome” in NYC. President Trump said Monday that Netanyahu would not be arrested anywhere in the U.S., while Israel’s U.N. ambassador accused the socialist, …

Man with airsoft guns lit fireworks by NYC immigration court: MS NOW

Man with airsoft guns lit fireworks by NYC immigration court: MS NOW

Published by Sam Flores

Members of the FBI Evidence Response Team and other federal agents investigate the scene where an incendiary device was detonated outside of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, New York, United States on July 20, 2026. Kyle Mazza | Anadolu | Getty Images A man described as an anti-ICE activist was taken into custody after setting off fireworks and wielding two airsoft rifles outside an immigration court building in lower Manhattan on Monday morning, five law enforcement sources told MS NOW. Two people were injured and treated on the scene, and another person is being checked, the sources told MS NOW. The fireworks were in a shopping cart, which the man doused with an accelerant and lit on fire, according to those sources. He also “menaced” nearby pedestrians with the airsoft rifles, which are a form of pellet gun that typically use springs or compressed air to shoot plastic spheres, MS NOW reported. The FBI told CNBC in a statement that an individual set off “an incendiary device” outside of 26 Federal Plaza, which contains a …

Victoria Beckham pictured in NYC as she’s forced to miss bandmate Mel C’s wedding

Victoria Beckham pictured in NYC as she’s forced to miss bandmate Mel C’s wedding

Published by Daniella Wilson

While the Spice Girls reunited to celebrate their bandmate Mel C’s wedding over the weekend in Cumbria, Victoria Beckham was across the pond in New York City.   The fashion mogul, who is currently abroad with her family in the United States, was pictured out in the Big Apple with her family recently as she was forced to skip her former bandmate’s nuptials in the UK on Saturday. Victoria was supported by her husband David Beckham and three of their children – Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14 – at a special pop-up event for her Victoria Beauty perfume, Portofino ‘97, at Caffe Paradiso in Manhattan’s Nolita neighbourhood.  The Victoria Beckham Beauty founder and entrepreneur was effortlessly elegant as always in a flattering navy midi dress with her highlighted tresses worn out in waves. She complemented her look for the day with a pair of brown cutout heels.  © InstagramVictoria Beckham was pictured in New York with her husband David and three of their children Victoria first launched her eponymous beauty brand’s signature perfume, …

Family of woman who died after falling into scalding, uncovered NYC manhole files lawsuit

Family of woman who died after falling into scalding, uncovered NYC manhole files lawsuit

Published by Sam Flores

The family of a woman who died after falling into an uncovered 10-foot-deep manhole in Manhattan filed a lawsuit against New York City’s largest utility, saying she experienced “unfathomable” pain. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Con Edison’s “careless, grossly negligent, reckless, wanton and willful” disregard for safety caused the death of Donike “Donna” Gocaj, her family said in the lawsuit filed Thursday. Gocaj, 56, had parked her car in midtown Manhattan on May 18 and was headed to her job as an overnight cleaner when she stepped out of her vehicle and into the uncovered manhole near East 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue, police said. ConEd was responsible for keeping that opening covered and safe from anyone possibly falling into it, according to a lawsuit filed by Gocaj’s estate. The manhole was “open, uncovered, unguarded, unbarricaded and unprotected, without any warning, barrier, cone, light, signage or other safeguard of any kind,” said the New York County civil complaint. The utility company said surveillance footage suggested …

NYC Council Grapples With Debate Over Bill To Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

NYC Council Grapples With Debate Over Bill To Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

Published by Jenni Sidey

Authored by Nicholas Zifcak via The Epoch Times, The family of Romanch Mahajan delivered emotional testimony over video link and in person on July 15, during a New York City Council hearing about a law that would phase out carriage horse rides in Central Park. Tearful aunts and uncles of the deceased 18-year-old urged city council to outlaw the horse-drawn carriage rides and spare other families the grief they are still struggling to cope with. The law, renamed in honor of the teen from India who died on June 17, would stop the city from issuing new licenses and over two years phase out the horse-drawn carriage rides through Central Park by June 1, 2028. Majahan was thrown from a carriage after the horse spooked and bolted during a ride with his family on June 17 during their visit to New York. At the time the carriage driver had stepped down to take a photo of the Mahajan family in the carriage. City law requires carriage drivers to hold the reins of horses at all …

Guggenheim Museum Among NYC Buildings That Tested Positive for Legionnaires’ Amid Disease Outbreak

Guggenheim Museum Among NYC Buildings That Tested Positive for Legionnaires’ Amid Disease Outbreak

Published by Sam Flores

New York City’s famed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was among a number of Manhattan buildings that recently tested positive for the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease amid the city’s latest outbreak. The city health department on Friday released a list of 31 buildings on the Upper East Side that have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling towers as the city deals with the latest outbreak of the disease, which is a serious form of pneumonia. The distinctive, cylindrical-shaped art museum was among 19 that have already completed the remediation, according to the department’s list. The rest were expected to complete the work by Saturday. City officials stressed the positive test results do not confirm any of the buildings as the source of outbreak as the tests conducted could not distinguish between live and dead bacteria. The museum was also not shuttered at any point because of the positive test or remediation work, they said. “The city has confirmed that there is no additional action needed at this time, and this poses no risk …

This is how much Taylor Swift paid back NYC for wedding security

This is how much Taylor Swift paid back NYC for wedding security

Published by Sam Flores

Singer Taylor Swift has paid back New York City for security and other costs tied to her lavish days-long Madison Square Garden wedding festivities the week of July 4, the city’s mayor said. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Zohran Mamdani said in a news conference Friday that Swift has already shelled out more than $160,000 to cover public resources spent by the city. 01:22 Everything we know about the Swift-Kelce wedding 00:0000:00 “Taylor Swift … has paid already the cost of the permit that was lodged, which was over $160,000 for that event and for the response to that event,” Mamdani said, referencing her star-studded wedding. “That was a permit that was finalized, I think, in just the days before the event itself.” Neither the NYPD nor Swift immediately responded to request for comment. Mamdani’s comments come after criticisms around Swift and partner Travis Kelce’s use of taxpayer funds for their wedding. NBC News had confirmed that a permit was filed in the city for …

Guggenheim Cooling Tower Tests Positive for Legionella Amid NYC Outbreak

Guggenheim Cooling Tower Tests Positive for Legionella Amid NYC Outbreak

Published by Jenni Sidey

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease has been detected in a cooling tower at New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, though museum officials say the building remains safe for visitors and staff.  The discovery comes as city health officials investigate an outbreak of the potentially serious form of pneumonia across Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Legionnaires’ disease is spread by inhaling tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It cannot be passed from person to person. Related Articles According to an internal email obtained by the Art Newspaper, routine testing earlier this week found Legionella in the museum’s cooling tower. The Guggenheim said it immediately carried out the remediation required by the city and stressed that the tower poses no risk to the public because it is accessible only to facilities staff.  In a statement, a museum spokesperson said the Guggenheim complies with all New York City regulations governing cooling towers and has been advised that no further action is needed. Facilities employees who work near the tower have been notified and are taking appropriate precautions.  The museum also briefed UAW …

Salma Hayek gathers Hollywood’s biggest names for star-studded NYC event

Salma Hayek gathers Hollywood’s biggest names for star-studded NYC event

Published by Daniella Wilson

Salma Hayek is set to host a glittering, star-studded dinner in New York City in September with the Kering Foundation, alongside A-listers like Pamela Anderson and Dakota Johnson. The 59-year-old beauty will head the fifth annual Caring for Women Dinner at The Pool in NYC on September 10, in an effort to raise money to end gender-based violence.  Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson, Olympian Simone Biles, Oscar-winner Benicio Del Toro, Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras, Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson and artist Lorna Simpson will all join Salma in co-hosting the event.  The dinner will feature a live auction of luxury items from brands under the Kering umbrella, like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, McQueen and Bottega Veneta. The 2025 dinner managed to raise more than $4.5 million for the cause. © Getty ImagesSalma and François-Henri co-founded the Kering Foundation In 2026, the funds raised will go towards four charities: Activating Change, Fondo Semillas, JBWS and The New York Women’s Foundation.  “Salma and I created the Caring for Women Dinner to raise essential funds for organizations working to …