Author: Addison Franz

Categories
Beauty

Natura Brasil Celebrates 50th Anniversary at NY Botanical Garden

By Addison Franz, with featured photo from Natura’s Official Facebook page.

Natura Brasil is one of- if not the only- true all-natural skincare brands out there. This year, the organic company is celebrating its 50 years of transparent business in Brazil as well as celebrating their second year of business in America.

The mission of Natura is to use business as a force for good and “help build a better world through their commitment to transparency, sustainability and well-being.” By allowing consumers to easily view their lists of active ingredients, they are doing just that.

Natura invited Downtown to attend their Sustainable Beauty Event at the New York Botanical Garden and listen to professional environmentalists discuss the brand and its products. Their panel consisted of journalist Sophia Lee, Self Magazine’s Sarah Jacoby, FIT’s Stephan Kanlian and Vice President of Innovation Andrea Alvarez. Each panel member reaffirmed the importance of Natura’s goals and agreed that no other company does exactly what Natura is doing- providing open and honest connectivity with all of its customers while also providing high-end natural products.

Photo by Anna Solodky

We left the event with a gift bag filled with Natura products, which have become a part of our daily routine. The bag included castanha body butter, patauá hair tonic, cumaru body, maracujá exfoliating soap and açaí body scrub. All of these products can be found and purchased here.

Downtown fully supports Natura’s transparency movement and the use of the brand’s naturally-derived products. Help change the world and support a brand that cares.

Categories
Dining Featured

A Must-Try for Coffee Lovers

By Addison Franz

If you haven’t already heard, For Five Coffee opened up their newest location at 1 Liberty Plaza on Thursday, June 6th in place of what used to be a Starbucks. Beautiful decor and a relaxed atmosphere are the only fitting complements for such rich, flavorful coffee.

Our Downtown team tried both the Gotham Mocha and the Iced Matcha with lavender. Our tastebuds were dazzled by the smoothness of the Mocha and equally refreshed by the sweet mixture of the matcha and lavender.

To make things sweeter, the barristers are as great of conversationalists as they are masters of getting your drink of choice brewed to perfection.

Cofounders Tom Tsiplakos and Stefanos Vouvoudakis joined us as we enjoyed our luxury coffee experience. The two childhood best friends started as suppliers for restaurants and other coffee franchises but eventually opened their first cafe in 2016 in the middle of Times Square. Since the two are both New Yorkers, it is only fitting that their micro-roasting facility is located nearby in Queens.

For Five Coffee aims to make each of their cafes a staple in its community. Each specialty cafe is intended to represent its founders’ “New York background, their love for quality coffee, and their understanding that it’s not just the coffee, but where you drink it that matters.”

Check out the new 1 Liberty Plaza location today!

Categories
Lifestyle Living

One Wall Street Breathes Life Into Red Room

By Addison Franz

Lower Manhattan is constantly changing and developing. Along the way, some buildings lose all traces of their original beauty, but One Wall Street continues to hold onto its historic architecture as it undergoes its transition from an office building to a residential condominium.

Photos provided by OWS.

Under the ownership of Harry Macklowe, One Wall Street’s preservation and development has been a 16-month process. Since it was originally designed by Art Deco icon Ralph Walker in 1932, the purpose of the building has changed from serving time as the Bank of New York to becoming a repurposed residential hub.

The final challenge in the revamping of One Wall Street is the iconic “Red Room”, which is known for its meticulous, detail-filled composition.

The Red Room was designed by Hildreth Meière in 1931 as a multi-colored glass tile mosaic. Although it was originally the building’s banking hall, this testament of time will be rejuvenated as a retail space with doors expected to open in 2021.

As for the rest of the building, occupancy is expected to begin as early as 2020. There are nearly 600 multi-million-dollar condos each with engineered hardwood floors, breathtaking views, washer/dryer sets, and Miele appliances included.

Categories
Architecture Design Lifestyle Living

5 River Park has the BEST Views of Brooklyn and Manhattan

Written and Photographed by Addison Franz

Where Cobble Hill meets Brooklyn Heights, River Park emerges as Brooklyn’s newest luxury neighborhood, encompassing an area of nearly 1-million-square-feet.

River Park will eventually be a collection of seven new residential properties: Polhemus Residences, Polhemus Townhouses, and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 River Park. Polhemus Residences and Polhemus Townhouses are completed and expecting residents soon. 5 River Park is celebrating its recent construction topping out. 1 and 2 River Park are the next to rise, and 3 and 4 River Park will be in the last phase of the development.

I had the opportunity to visit 5 River Park, a beautifully-designed building by architect Douglas Romines. This coveted condominium is being developed by Fortis Property Group and will be comprised of 25 larger-than-life residences. Each floor is different, and the building offers one- to four-bedroom living spaces along with three levels of amenity spaces. This will include dual-level garden promenades, a resort pool, an outdoor kitchen, a private playground, steam and sauna rooms, and more.

With its enticing location, the building is a photographer’s paradise; it is the perfect median between land and sea. From the top of the 16-story building, you have a spectacular view of Manhattan on one side and of Brooklyn on the other. On the ground, it’s conveniently located near a Trader Joe’s, several coffee shops, a few parks, and anything else that you could want. Not to mention, the building is less than ten minutes away from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the rest of the waterfront.

In an attempt to capture the feeling of a townhouse, the upper floors will be exclusively accessible by key. As soon as you exit the elevator, you are greeted by your own hallway leading to your lavish living space.

If you have any interest in making 5 River Park your new home, it is located at 347 Henry St and apartments are currently on the market from $1.15M to $4.4M.

Categories
Featured Lifestyle Living

See the Statue of Liberty on a Classic Harbor Line Voyage

CLASSIC HARBOR LINE ANNOUNCES FALL & HOLIDAY LINE-UP

Written and Photographed by Addison Franz

Set sail this summer with Classic Harbor Line and see the beauty of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and more aboard one of their many breathtaking boats.

Barclay enjoying a luxury seat right next to Capt. Chris

I joined Downtown Pawblisher Barclay Hudson on a 3:30 pm cruise on the deck of the 80-foot-long Adirondack, which was manned by Captain Chris and his crew. Although dogs are not typically allowed on CHL trips, they make an exception for him whenever he wants to go out on the water.

During our relaxing two-hour getaway, we had a perfect sea breeze and were provided three complimentary beverages. We were up close and personal with Lady Liberty, accompanied by calming waves.

Midway through our trip, the crew put up a rainbow-patterned flag to mark the beginning of Pride Week, as CHL is in full support of the LGBT community.

Whether you’re a New York local or just visiting, don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to see some classic sights.

Classic Harbor Line offers cruises at 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm aboard the Adirondack with a base price of $52 and voyages on other boats for varying prices.