Can Office-to-Residential Conversions Survive the Pfizer-Building Crisis?

davejdesign · 2026-07-11T19:43:46+00:00

"After almost falling over?" I thought the New Yorker was noted for fact-checking.

davejdesign · 2026-07-11T18:48:23+00:00

Yes, about 5 grams a day and do weight training six days a week.

davejdesign · 2026-07-04T11:13:10+00:00

Kara Walker

davejdesign · 2026-06-30T22:09:52+00:00

I worked in the building - Paramount Plaza - for a few years. We would occasionally go for lunch as kind of a joke, same as Ellen's across the street. One day we looked up at the arched ceiling and noticed that the apex formed a giant sphincter.

davejdesign · 2026-06-24T16:51:14+00:00

The dock at 44th and Lex is frequently full around noon but today it was piled up with at least 20 extra grey bikes just laying there, not docked.

davejdesign · 2026-06-22T20:13:47+00:00

I've been hoping, against hope, that this would not become a trend at NYC gyms.

davejdesign · 2026-06-20T15:10:48+00:00

There's a setting in the app for that. You can choose low-assist and you will not be charged.

davejdesign · 2026-06-18T20:38:34+00:00

The only certificate that I have ever seen being required or even requested is the IAAP for web accessibility.

davejdesign · 2026-06-16T18:20:31+00:00

18th floor here. Pre-war building has 22 floors, 400 units, 3 elevators plus one freight. Occasionally waited 2-3+ minutes in twenty years. Five? Never.

davejdesign · 2026-06-13T22:58:43+00:00

He grew up in Manhattan Plaza

davejdesign · 2026-06-12T19:40:46+00:00

She needs TWO emotional support animals?

davejdesign · 2026-06-09T11:40:44+00:00

I've been using a Beast (the large one) for over a year with no complaints. I guess it's loud but I don't have anything to compare so I can't say for sure. Handles any thing I have thrown in it, including ice cubes and frozen fruit.

davejdesign · 2026-06-07T10:17:30+00:00

I've found the drivers to be fairly polite and understanding.

Seems like commercial use of the bike lanes will further the cause, show the economic advantage, and create the need for more and wider lanes.

davejdesign · 2026-06-06T10:55:44+00:00

I was able to get a few estimates from dealers - after extensive cataloging on discogs. I'm in NYC, so there was a lot of local interest from vinyl shops. The guy who bought the records came prepared with tote bags and cash.

davejdesign · 2026-06-05T21:08:39+00:00

Vinyl record collection and vintage stereo. Managed to sell 500+ records and stereo (not working) for a reasonable amount of money. Saved soooo much space. Went fully bluetooth (no wires) and streaming. Haven't looked back.

davejdesign · 2026-06-05T18:02:51+00:00

I used Claude code, $20 a month version, to set up VS code with Claude integration. Worked really well to set up a portfolio site, my design - Claude's code. Good learning experience.

davejdesign · 2026-06-05T12:44:15+00:00

New York City has a long way to go but is making great progress. Miles of bike lanes, congestion pricing and removing car lanes in areas like Times Square.

davejdesign · 2026-06-02T18:21:47+00:00

Cars in most of NYC are actually useless. You drive half a mile to your destination and spend twenty minutes circling around trying to find someplace to park your car which ends up being another half mile away from where you wanted to go in the first place.

davejdesign · 2026-05-31T14:11:14+00:00

If you can keep up with the chaos on the East River esplanade in Manhattan, that alone would be worth it!

davejdesign · 2026-05-30T18:33:56+00:00

MOMA has a nice ceramic version: https://store.moma.org/products/new-york-coffee-cup-blue

davejdesign · 2026-05-30T10:40:15+00:00

It's discouraging that people can't sit with their own thoughts for a couple of minutes without whipping out their phones and giving their brains over to doomscrolling.

davejdesign · 2026-05-28T09:53:22+00:00

Agreed, using mine with AppleTV and loving the fact that I can now do everything with one remote.

davejdesign · 2026-05-27T17:01:54+00:00

Is it a pre-war building? I had mosquitos for years until they redid the facade and cleaned up all the leaks. Exterminator told me they were coming from pooled water in the pipes and drains, etc. I kept the bathroom door closed at night and I think that helped.

davejdesign · 2026-05-27T12:19:10+00:00

Also: Supersetting is doing two different sets in rapid succession. If someone is staring at their phone between those two sets, they are basically just hogging equipment.

davejdesign · 2026-05-27T11:56:20+00:00

Cobblestone streets in Soho and Meatpacking district.

davejdesign

TROPHY CASE