From 5Pointz to the solar eclipse, the top stories of 2017

These were the stories that had the most impact on Curbed readers this year

By Amy Plitt@plitter Dec 29, 2017, 11:42am EST

Solar Eclipse Visible Across Swath Of U.S.

It's time to make up a bunch of awards and hand them out to the most deserving people, places and things in the real estate, architecture and neighborhood universes of New York City! Yep, it's time for the 14th Annual Curbed Awards! Up now: the year’s 10 biggest real estate stories.

What did Curbed's readers love in 2017? If the biggest stories of the year are anything to go by, then events—especially around the time of the presidential inauguration and the summer’s solar eclipse—ruled. Readers also flocked to stories about 5 Pointz, celebrity real estate, and a 750-mile trail. Here now, the 10 most read stories of 2017.

The lobby of a residential building. There is a sign above the desk that reads: 5 Pointz.

10. Long Island City's 5 Pointz-replacing rental towers reveal interiors

Chalk this one up to a hate read: Readers generally were aghast at the renderings for the two rental towers that are rising from the ashes of graffiti mecca 5 Pointz, with one commenter saying “This should be an Onion article. What a total disgrace to New York City, to artists, to residents and to the spirit of humanity. Shame and disgust is all I can feel.”

9. 5 Pointz developer broke law by whitewashing buildings, says jury

5 Pointz was once again in the news in November, when a jury ruled that 5 Pointz developer Jerry Wolkoff violated the law when he whitewashed that buildings without warning, erasing graffiti from dozens of artists. (In this case, commenters were slightly less sympathetic to the artists who brought the suit to trial.)

Macy’s Department Store in New York City during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There is a large sign on the street in front that reads: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There are fences along the street. People are standing behind the fences.

8. How to watch the 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the comfort of home

Because watching the parade is fun and all, but it’s even better when you don’t have to brave the crowds to do so.

7. Greta Garbo's Midtown East apartment is for sale, asking $5.95M

It’s not surprising that readers went gaga for Greta Garbo’s Sutton Place apartment: The famously reclusive star lived in the home for decades, and it was remarkably well-preserved when it hit the market in March. That helped it find a buyer, who ended up paying $8.5 million for the place, just one month later.

6. NYC museums offering free admission on Inauguration Day

Many of the city's museums took the extraordinary step of waiving admission fees on Inauguration Day, arguing that instead of closing to the public, they should serve as a reminder that art in America is diverse, tolerant, and available to all. And it struck a chord with readers—this list of participating museums became one of our most popular pieces of the year.

5. Women’s March on NYC route and street closures

Speaking of Inauguration Day, around 400,000 people attended the Women’s March on NYC, which was held the day after President Donald Trump took office. Presumably, some of those were checking out this piece, which provided details on the route for the massive event.

4. New York City’s best places to cry in public, mapped

Because sometimes life comes at you fast.

Eclipse Glasses, Season's Must Have For Upcoming Eclipse Viewing

3. Solar eclipse 2017: Where to find eclipse glasses in NYC

Even though this summer’s solar eclipse wasn’t exactly strong in the five boroughs, that didn’t stop New Yorkers from taking in the spectacle—and through sight-preserving, approved eclipse glasses, no less.

2. Governor Cuomo announces 750-mile Empire State Trail across New York state

In January, Governor Cuomo announced the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile path for anything but driving that will stretch from Manhattan to northern New York, across to Albany and Buffalo. And trail fans—many of whom shared this on Facebook and Twitter—went wild.

1. Solar eclipse 2017: Where to see it in New York City

In August, New York got a partial eclipse, with the moon covering about 70 percent of the sun—so still pretty cool, if not as impressive as full totality. Naturally, people wanted to know where to view the natural spectacle; this piece, which listed a few of those places in New York City, ended up becoming our most popular article of the year. People really love eclipses, apparently.