JESSICA LAPPIN President of Alliance for Downtown New York, which manages the country’s largest Business Improvement District. Instituted a solar-powered recycling program, created Lower Manhattan HQ, an innovation hub and collaboration center, and secured $100 million in resiliency funding for Lower Manhattan.
President Jessica Lappin; Brookfiled Place; Jessica Lappin headshot
1. Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why.
The women who inspire me are: my mom for breaking down doors on Wall Street and starting her own successful business in a field where women were practically nonexistent; RBG because she’s a badass and expanded legal rights for all women; And, my sister-in-law who’s a single mom of three and works her butt off to be an awesome mom.
2. What has been the secret to your success?
Hard work, organization, and preparation; and a loving and supportive family, especially my husband.
3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be?
Don’t let the haters get to you. You’ve got to set your sights on a goal, make a plan, and keep pushing until you get there. Setbacks will happen, that’s part of the process, but you’ve got to keep pushing forward even through tough times.
4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention?
Equal pay for equal work and an Equal Rights Amendment to our constitution.
5. What are you most proud of in your career?
I have been blessed with a career that’s consistently fulfilled my need to give back to this great city, and I’m proud of the work I have done on the ground to improve the lives of every day New Yorkers.
6. Where do you get your confidence?
My parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and I believed them. I try to instill that same confidence in my children.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 29: Atmosphere at MvVO ART Special Preview Of The AD ART SHOW 2019 At The Oculus at 3 World Trade Center 15th Floor at GroupM on April 29, 2019 in New York. (Photo by Aurora Rose/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Atmosphere
NYCxDESIGN is officially coming to Lower Manhattan from May 10-22 with the launch of a new Downtown Design District supported by The Alliance for Downtown New York. The District made its debut on April 29 as host to the NYCxDESIGN’s 2019 opening event at 3 World Trade Center for AD ART Show, a collection of contemporary works from members of the advertising community that will be displayed digitally in the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center throughout May.
Revered public art is prolific in Lower Manhattan. In the walkable square mile south of Chambers Street there are dozens of notable pieces — including Noguchi’s Red Cube and Dubuffet’s Group of Four Trees to Jeff Koons’ Balloon Flower — making it a grand, open-air museum. This year however marks the first time Lower Manhattan welcomes NYCxDesign to celebrate design and further the conversation of how it impacts our everyday lives.
Photo Courtesy of MvVO Art
There are currently over 100 architecture, design and engineering firms located in Lower Manhattan – nearly half of which have relocated to the neighborhood over the past decade – including SOM, Rafael Vinoly, Beyer Blinder Belle, SHoP Architects, Adjaye Associates, and Studio Libeskind. The neighborhood is also home to more than 30 advertising agencies including three of the top four largest firms in the world: GroupM, Momentum, and Omnicom.
“Lower Manhattan is a growing haven for cultural and artistic expression,” said Jessica Lappin, President, Alliance for Downtown New York. “From our long-standing iconic sculptures to the new World Trade Center murals and forthcoming Perelman Performing Arts Center, there’s a momentum building in Lower Manhattan and we’re happy to announce the the Downtown Design District designation to make sure the growth continues.”
Events going on in the Downtown Design District this month span public showings, tours and talks as well as two industry award ceremonies. Details below.
Art Shows
MVVO ART – AD ART SHOW 2019 At The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center(April 29-May 31) – AD ART SHOW 2019 brings a curated selection of work from artists working in advertising and design to the oversized digital screens at the Oculus. All art displayed will also be available for purchase. FREE
Zaha Hadid Design Pop-Up(10 Corso Como, May 10-22) – Zaha Hadid Design, in conjunction with concept store 10 Corso Como New York, will unveil a bespoke installation to showcase the ZHD collection of design objects. Referencing the fluid lines of ZHD’s homeware pieces, the 3-meter-tall installation reinterprets 10 Corso Como’s logo through ZHD’s distinctive language. Located adjacent to the store’s main entrance, the installation features CNC milled surfaces and is enhanced by sinuous floor and wall graphics that coherently unify the ensemble. FREE
Talks
The Woolworth Building – Designing for the Next Generation (Woolworth Building, May 13 @ 6p) – An informal discussion about the adaptive reuse of a true architectural icon by Alex Saltzman of Alchemy Properties, the developer responsible for the condominium conversion of the The Woolworth Building and Clayton Whitman of the design team responsible for the transformation the 16th floor into a collaborative work place followed by a guided office tour. FREE
Fueling Change Through Design (Woolworth Building, May 14 @ 4p) – A hands-on workshop to envision an innovative product launch in New York. Small groups will develop an organizing idea, imagine local activations, draw upon visual inspiration and define touchpoints to engage New Yorkers. This creative sprint will give an inside look at our process and engage people to be pioneers of change through design. FREE
Brands Bringing It – Dissecting Phygital Retail Experiences (Woolworth Building, May 14 @ 6p) – A discussion with creative minds from SoulCycle, Nike SNKRS, and InStyle Magazine to chat about how brands are responding to the constantly evolving phygital consumer behaviors, and what trends they see in the future. FREET
Tours
9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center: Architecture, Urban Planning and History w/ AIANY (WTC Campus, May 11 @ 10a) – Experience the 9/11 Memorial and the World Trade Center site, including the site’s master plan, design and development of each of the main structures–including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, office towers and transportation hub. The tour ends with a cocktail at DRINKSxDESIGN participant, Eataly’s Osteria della Pace. $25
Renovating Fidi: Skyscrapers, Plazas And The Impact Of Zoning W/ AIANY(TBA, May 12 @ 10:30a) – The tour focuses on Lower Manhattan’s significant spires of the 1930s, plus the reuse of older structures. Highlights include buildings by SOM, Pei Cobb Freed, Kevin Roche, Philip Johnson, Davis Brody, Tsao & McKown, and Frederic Schwartz, plus a final stop at DRINKSxDESIGN participant, The Beekman Hotel. $30
Architectural Tour of the Oculus at Westfield WTC(Oculus, May 15 @ 5p) – A brief walking tour led by Isolde Brielmaier, PhD – Executive Director & Curator, Arts, Culture & Community, that explores the space and architecture of the Oculus and surrounding area of Westfield World Trade Center. Meet at 4:50pm at the Concierge desk. First come, first serve basis with a 15 person capacity. FREE.
Discover the Water Street Corridor w/ AIANY (Water Street, May 19 @ 10:30a) – This tour focuses on modern aspects of the historic Financial District, including a final stop at 10 Corso Como, a DRINKSxDESIGN participant in the Seaport. Highlights include buildings by Pei Cobb Freed, SOM, Norman Jaffe, Emery Roth & Sons, Frederic Schwartz, SHOP, and Hanrahan Meyers. $25.
Award Ceremonies
The One Show(Cipriani’s, May 10 @ 6p) – The One Show is one of the most prestigious awards competitions in advertising, design, interactive and branded entertainment. Judged every year by top industry professionals, a Gold Pencil is the ultimate symbol of creative excellence. $500
Annual NYCxDESIGN Awards and ICFF Party(Pier 17, May 20) – Presented by Interior Design Magazine and ICFF, the 4th annual NYCxDESIGN Awards and ICFF Party will take place May 20th at Pier 17 in the revitalized Seaport District, NYC. The ICFF Party immediately follows the NYCxDESIGN Awards and is presented by ICFF and Interior Design Magazine. The Gala Party features open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. $100
J. Crew inked the largest relocation deal of 2018 with its commitment to Brookfield Place and, along with McKinsey & Company, led the pack of 26 new Lower Manhattan tenants relocating to Lower Manhattan and taking 25,000+ sq. ft. of space. These tenants represented eight industries and showed a dramatic diversification over the previous year where large relocations were dominated by three industries (see illustration). The diversification of Lower Manhattan’s largest tenants has been a growing trend and closely mirrors the overall market transformation.
“It was an incredible year in Lower Manhattan,” said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. “We saw a number of new high profile companies like McKinsey, Casper, and Nike choosing to relocate to Lower Manhattan and many more current tenants like Omnicom and BMI choosing to stay. It’s clear that this neighborhood has arrived as a place where companies across all industries want to be located.”
While the opening of 3 World Trade Center introduced significant availability to the Lower Manhattan market in 2018, the neighborhood continued to see high demand – resulting in the largest quarterly drop in the vacancy rate since the second quarter of 2014 as the market tightened to 10.8 percent at year’s end.
Retail in Lower Manhattan also continued to grow in 2018 with a total of 95 new stores and restaurants. Nearly 60 full-service dining restaurants, casual eateries and nightlife spots across a variety of cuisines and price points opened this year, including Sola Lab, Brooklyn Chop House, and Don Wagyu. Lower Manhattan also welcomed new and unique hotel brands to the market, including two concepts that are entirely new to New York City. The neighborhood’s inventory is now home to 7,700 rooms, representing an incredible breadth of options for both the business and leisure traveler.
• Retail – Over 200 stores and restaurants opened across Lower Manhattan, including the 100 new stores and restaurants at Westfield World Trade Center.
• Hotel – Hotel offerings expanded and diversified. Among the seven hotels to open, two premier luxury hotels debuted, The Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown and The Beekman Hotel, pushing Lower Manhattan’s hotel room count above 6,500.
• Residential – More than 1,200 residential units were completed in the past year, including at 70 Pine Street and 100 Barclay. An additional 1,500 units are scheduled for completion in 2017.
• World Trade Center – The World Trade Center Transportation Hub was unveiled in March, giving pedestrians underground access to Fulton Center, PATH, WTC office complex and Brookfield Place. Additionally, designs were revealed for the Ronald O. Perelman Center for Performing Arts.
Today, June 20, marks World Wi-Fi Day, and in celebration of the occasion, the Downtown Alliance has unveiled the latest expansion of its free wi-fi network. This expansion completes coverage across the Broadway corridor, with a full coverage area now exceeding 4.5 million square feet. Free wi-fi access can be picked up via the network #DwtwnAllianceFreeWiFi.
“When we launched our free wi-fi network in 2003, it was the most extensive program of its kind,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Downtown Alliance. “Today, our coverage has grown immensely and the program continues to illustrate what is possible in New York City and for other cities around the world. We feel that open access to the internet, and the information it unlocks, is paramount and we’re proud to be on the cutting edge to provide it across our neighborhood.”
Use of Lower Manhattan’s wi-fi service has grown steadily since it was first initiated in 2003. In 2010, 100,000 devices had connected to the network. This grew to 235,000 devices in 2012 and well over 500,000 devices last year. So far in 2016, usage of the network has grown 25 percent over the same time period last year, with the brand new Broadway Corridor already accounting for approximately 40 percent of all connections on the network.
This expansion was made possible in large part thanks to the Downtown Alliance’s partnership with Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale), a leading international law firm with a New York office in Lower Manhattan. In 2012, WilmerHale became an official sponsor of the Downtown Alliance and a co-presenting sponsor of the Alliance’s free wi-fi network. It was the first major law firm to move from Midtown to Lower Manhattan following 9/11.
“We are proud to be a continued sponsor and supporter of the Downtown Alliance’s free wi-fi network,” said Charles Platt, partner-in-charge of WilmerHale’s New York office. “Free internet access is just one of the many forward thinking programs found in our neighborhood that are enticing companies, residents and visitors to come to Lower Manhattan every year.”
