••• The architecture firm DXA Studio sent out a press release about three townhouse projects, including the rehabilitation of 17 Leonard. The text is interesting, but the rendering of a cross-section is fascinating. So many levels! It makes you want someone to design a single-family building with a glass wall on one side.

Former home to the Knickerbocker Ice Company, this 1855 three-story masonry loft building in the Tribeca East Historic District is being converted into a six level, six-bedroom luxury townhouse. Two additional stories that house living, dining and kitchen areas sit atop the original building, with large sliding glass doors opening onto over 2,000 SF of landscaped terrace area. A full floor master suite; a four-bedroom floor with a recreation room; two service quarters; a screening room and parking occupy the lower three floors. A swimming pool with a gym, sauna and steam room compose the below grade level.

The townhouse’s design focuses on maximizing the quality of natural light to spaces throughout the building. Two glazed atrium-like openings run from the roof to the lower stories, illuminating the central stairs and surrounding rooms. The material palette shifts incrementally from dark to light, floor to floor, starting with earthy stone finishes in the spa level below grade and culminating in lighter and more luminous materials in the penthouse levels.

••• As part of Open House New York, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer has finagled tours of the cupola at the Municipal Building on Oct. 15. You have to reserve a spot; reservations open at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday). If you get to go and I don’t, I’m going to be extremely upset.

••• M. M. De Voe of Pen Parentis tweeted a photo of Augustine at the Beekman hotel. Click on it to see it larger.

••• From Grand Banks: “Join oyster expert Lars Viola, head shucker for Grand Banks, and explore a selection of sustainable oysters from both coasts. Learn how to safely and cleanly shuck a variety of breeds, understand their provenance and peculiarities, and delight in their unique flavors as you taste the fruits of your labor. Sunday, October 9, at 12 p.m. This is event is free and open to the general public, with limited availability. RSVP required.”

••• Mikey asked whether Ward III might indeed reopen in early October. When I walked by yesterday, the door was open. I would guess that it won’t be reopening in the next week or two. I’ll wait till it’s in better shape to ask.

••• The storefront at 372 Broadway—as the back side of the new conversion called 6 Cortlandt Alley is known—has been revealed. The picture window looks sort of crooked, but it’s not. No clue what, if anything, is going in yet.

••• Lighting company Colorwire is opening at 373 Canal, next to Vin des Amis.