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2021 Downtown Holiday Lights and Events

South Street Seaport Tree Lighting
South Street Seaport Tree Lighting

Photo: J. Kratochvil.

Downtown NYC is filling up with the holiday spirit! We’ve included here a roundup of upcoming holiday lighting ceremonies and fun festivities.

*South Street Seaport’s Chanukah Family Fun Day, Nov. 28, 3pm-5pm

Photo: J. Kratochvil.

Festivities begin with the Grand Ice Carving of Menorah Show – 3:00pm – 3:30pm

  • Indoor and Outdoor Activities and Entertainment – 3:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Families can enjoy a variety of winter themed and Chanukah activities and projects including balloons, coloring books, and donut decorating. RSVP for Chanukah crafts here.
  • Grand Menorah Lighting – 4:30pm – 5:00pm
  • Celebrate the start of Chanukah with your loved ones as neighborhood figureheads light the first candle at sundown.

Brookfield Place Luminaries, Nov. 29-Jan. 2

Brookfield Place Luminaries
Brookfield Place Luminaries

This installation and holiday tradition features a canopy of colorful lights emanating from hundreds of suspended lanterns. Luminaries was created by the LAB at Rockwell Group for Brookfield Place, inspired by the season’s traditions of sharing, giving, and community.

Touchless wishing stations located on the ground allow visitors to send a motion-activated ‘wish’ into the canopy of lanterns above, prompting a magical display of lights and colors. For each wish made and each interaction with Luminaries, Brookfield Place will donate $1 up to $25,000 to City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization.

This year, Luminaries debuts Maestro, a new interactive experience that will enable guests to conduct their own symphony. Maestro leverages skeletal tracking technology which allows you to show off your creativity as your own unique light show is displayed in unison with holiday music. The kiosk is an organic form, inspired by an abstraction of global instruments from harps to guitars, and is manufactured by Timbur and made of CNC-milled plywood.

NYSE Tree Lighting, Dec. 1, 2pm-6pm

The NYSE’s Tree Lighting prepares for its 98th holiday season. Head over to Experience Plaza, on the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. The event will feature performances by the Harlem Globetrotters, The Salvation Army Band, Senri Oe, the Léman Manhattan Preparatory School Choir and the USMC Toys for Tots Kettle Bell Ringers; holiday-ready companies like Build-a-Bear, Barkbox and Coca-Cola will also be getting in on the festivities-Santa may also be stopping by! Refreshments will be served. The event will livestream beginning 4:15pm. nyse.com

The Seaport Christmas Tree Lighting Block Party, Dec. 2, 5pm-8pm

Ring in the holidays with live music, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, apple cider, and kids crafts the block party will have indoor and outdoor activities open to the public. Schedule breakdown:
Holiday crafts and live music – The Corner, 25 Fulton St. (RSVP here)
Kids’ coloring activities – McNally Jackson Books, 4 Fulton St.
Hot chocolate at Cobble & Co. and hot apple cider from Fulton Stall Market – Cobble & Co., 19 Fulton and St. Fulton Stall Market, Corner of Fulton St. and Water St.
Mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate – Garden Bar, 19 Fulton St.
Hester Street Pop-Up Marketing – 205 Front St. (5:00pm – 9:00pm)
Sip & shop at SJP – SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, 93 South St.
Christmas tree cookies – Funny Face Bakery, 6 Fulton St.
Upcoming Exhibit Previews – The South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St.
Live music performances – (5:30pm – 8:00pm)
Photobooth with Santa – 8 Fulton St.
Christmas Tree Lighting – 6:45pm
Watch the Howard Hughes Corporation and special music guests light the locally sourced tree and enjoy the Christmas magic.
The Ugly Sweater Party – 8:00pm – 12:00am
Unwind and celebrate the start of the holiday season with specialty cocktails and music from special guest DJ Mel Debarge at Pearl Alley. RSVP free for the Ugly Sweater Party here.

Holiday Lights at Battery Park, Dec. 2, 6pm

Celebrate the fifth night of Chanukah and see the annual tree lighting at Battery Park’s Holiday Lights event! Special appearances by Sing Harlem Choir, PS/IS 276 Advanced Chorus, and you-know-who! Free RSVP here. 

Washington Square Park Tree Lighting, Dec. 8, 6pm 

Washington Square Park Christmas Treet
Washington Square Park Tree Lighting Ceremony

NYC’s iconic park in the heart of Greenwich Village prepares for the holiday season. There will also be a Meta/Facebook live event, streaming The Rob Susman Brass Quarter along with singalong holiday songs. Santa may make an appearance. Also, there will be Christmas Eve caroling Dec. 24, at 5pm. washingtonnyc.org

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Education Entertainment Featured News NYC

A WHALE OF A TALE

A WHALE OF A TALE
photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale

by Catherine McVay Hughes, photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale

New York a feeding ground for whales, seabirds, seals, sharks, and dolphins.

 

THE EFFORTS OF REGULATORS, environmental groups, and New York scientists and citizens have greatly improved the conditions of the Hudson River and the waters in and around New York Harbor. With these improvements, the food chain has rebounded, the water is cleaner, and supports a diverse ecology, from oysters to whales.

This has only been documented since 2011 and each year the numbers of humpback whales have increased dramatically, according to Gotham Whale.

The waters of New York are now a feeding ground for seabirds, seals, sharks, dolphins, and whales. 2020 brought into focus our immediate surroundings as we became outdoor vacationers in New York City. A highlight has been increased sightings of whales, most recently in December in New York Harbor, and throughout last summer in the shallows of the Atlantic Ocean.

Menhaden, a feeder-fish species also known as bunker

A humpback whale stole the show as it frolicked up the Hudson River by the Statue of Liberty and points north. It grabbed our hearts and gave us hope that we can build a better world together. These visits owe a lot to the resurgence of a cornerstone species called Menhaden, a feeder-fish species also known as bunker.

Many different groups worked to protect these fish from overfishing because they are also critical to the survival of the Atlantic striped bass, bluefish, tarpon, and other sport and commercial fisheries.

THE FOOD CHAIN & OMEGA 3

Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter fish oil. A 2018 New England Journal of Medicine study found that Omega-3 fatty acid supplements “did not result in a lower incidence of major cardiovascular events or cancer than placebo.” A downtown resident and dad, Paul Greenberg, explains in his book,

The Omega Principle: Seafood and the Quest for a Long Life and a Healthier Planet, that most Omega-3 supplements come from the little fish such as the Menhaden that big fish (and whales) eat.

Consequently, when the reduction fishery targets smaller wild fish to make them into fish oil for vitamins or meals, a key portion of the food chain is significantly reduced.

A WHALE OF A TALE
photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale
SAVE THE WHALES, PROTECT THE FOOD – ADVOCACY TO SAVE ATLANTIC MENHADEN

At the New York State level, local fishermen and women, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), The Nature Conservancy, Gotham Whale, Menhaden Defenders, marine scientists, and others came together to educate others on the importance of sustainable management of a keystone species, the little known Menhaden.

Many worked at the state level with elected officials to pass legislation to stop the unregulated fishing of the species. In 2019, legislation was signed into law by Governor Cuomo that prevents the use of large purse seine nets to take menhaden from New York’s waters.

Built on the measures of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2012, this important action is critical to restoring the Menhaden population which had been overfished to just a small percentage of their former abundance.

As a result, they have been returning to New York’s coastal waters in historic numbers, which is good news to the striped bass fisheries on Long Island.

The replenished food source is bringing whales and dolphins back to New York’s coast, a boon to tourism.

 

A Whale of a Tale
photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale

 

A Whale of a Tale
photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale

 

DOWNTOWN PLACES TO ENJOY AND LEARN ABOUT NY’S HARBOR

Water surrounds Downtown on three sides and there has been investment in its waterfront over the past several decades. Along NYC’s west side of the Hudson River is the Hudson River Park, which has several downtown highlights including:

• Pier 40 Wetlab:
  • A native aquarium and marine biology field station that also serves as a learning laboratory for those interested in learning more about the Hudson River Estuary.
• Tribeca’s Pier 26
  • A 2.5-acre, ecologically-themed pier opened in September 2020 and incorporates indigenous plants as well as a short habitat walk through five native ecological zones: woodland forest, coastal grassland, maritime scrub, rocky tidal zone, and the Hudson River. At the tip of the Pier is the Tide Deck that is an engineered rocky salt marsh.
  • Downtown Boathouse is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with the mission of providing safe, free public access to the water through kayaking programs.

Just south, Battery Park City has an esplanade that takes you to views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. BPCA’s Marine Education programs include joining experienced anglers for catch and release fishing and learning about life in the nearby waters.

The Hudson River is home to over 150 species of fish, and BPCA welcomes the public to keep a “life list” of each species of fish and bird.

 

A Whale of a Tale
photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale

 

On the east side starting at the Brooklyn Bridge along the East River Esplanade, there is Manhattan’s only beach, called the Brooklyn Bridge Beach, where visitors can watch the tide go in and out. If you are lucky, there may be an event such as the City of Water Day. There are also plans to restore that area just north of Pier 17 while keeping the waterfront accessible.

At the tip of Manhattan is The Battery. Across the path from the SeaGlass Carousel will be the Playscape: a new 1.5-acre sustainable playground with elements inspired by climate, sea, and wind. Rain gardens will filter urban runoff. It is expected to open in Summer 2021.

In a city of islands surrounded by 520 miles of coastline, Governors Island is located at its core, just a 10-minute ferry ride away. Governors Island is a 172-acre island that serves as a hub of learning about how the harbor is changing through its existing community of tenants and partners like the Billion Oyster Project, the Harbor School, and the Climate Museum.

The island is poised to play an even greater role as a research and education hub, anchoring its continued growth by attracting a center for climate solutions.

 

A Whale of a Tale
photography by Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale

 

WHALE WATCHING, CITIZEN SCIENCE, AND THE FOOD CHAIN

If you are up for a special several-hour boat ride out of the NY Harbor into the Atlantic Ocean for close-up views of the bunker fish, Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, or humpback whales (if you’re lucky!), then Gotham Whale, in conjunction with American Princess Cruises, is your next stop.

They had a fantastic 2020 whale watching season. Gotham Whale is a not-for-profit corporation that is the only research group currently monitoring marine mammals around NYC.

Under the leadership of Paul Sieswerda, it combines citizen activism with science by collecting marine research data throughout the area. Their Citizen Science project records sightings of seals, dolphins, and whales in our area, and catalogs individual photographs of whales.

Gotham Whale’s observations have shown that the New York region is becoming a feeding ground. Menhaden, the prey species, have increased over past years.

Whales, as a top predator, are a dramatic indicator of the health of the underlying food chain, and the health of the waters in general. Their work shows evidence of improving conditions in the waters around New York City.

CONCLUSION

As we approach the 50-year anniversary of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act, the humpback whale populations decimated by whaling are still listed as endangered, even after decades of protection. However, we have seen that steps are taken, even at the state level, to give them a better chance.

The World Economic Forum says that although the economic and political consequences of COVID will be with us for years to come, they warn that the biggest global risks over the next 10 years are extreme weather, climate action failure, and human environmental damage.

We welcome the whales for their beauty and intelligence, and they are also unusually good at taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, which is important in tackling climate change. New York rose to greatness on its harbor, becoming a nexus of trade, industry, and finance.

We look again to the ocean and see hope confronting new challenges.

Categories
Business Featured Finance Living NYC

58 WAYS TO SUPPORT LOWER MANHATTAN BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

58 WAYS TO SUPPORT LOWER MANHATTAN BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
https://www.instagram.com/marzenka_/

Maybe this year is the year to accept that the 2020 Holiday season will be different.

It’s not that long ago that we made it through the toughest two seasons to spend quarantined, spring, and summer. Is this not the time of the year, that most of us long for? Shedding our heavy winter clothes, and shaking off those dreary blues, not to mention those few extra pounds we put on over the long winter months, snuggled up with cookies, hot cocoa, and scrumptious Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding?

Wait… that was me I was talking about.

Personally, I think we need to be a little less worried about jumping on a plane to see Grandma and Grandpa, or jetting off to that island paradise just so you can jump in the beautiful piercing blue ocean in that new bikini, or parasail your way over the long white sandy beaches. It’s so overrated!

What’s not overrated is staying the course, thinking about others, do your part, from populating your travel miles with or picking up on your travels the worst virus in our lifetime.

Downtown Alliance compiled 58 Ways to Not Leave Lower Manhattan.

Shopping

Holidays are a little different this year, with many people forgoing big family celebrations in favor of smaller, home-based events. All the more reason, then, to make your homebound holiday even more special.

If you’re sticking around Lower Manhattan, we’ve rounded up some great spots in the neighborhood for seasonal cheer. Here, we’ve included some tasty eateries, eclectic shops, and other local highlights. Note that most of these establishments have been hit hard during the pandemic and could use some extra help these days, so you’ll be giving back as much as you’re getting. Happy holidays!

1. Thai Farm Kitchen

This South Street Seaport staple serves contemporary Thai cuisine from thom kha kai to Panang curry. A tall glass of Sapporo makes for a great addition to the meal. (21 Peck Slip)

2. Adrienne’s Pizza Bar

Pizza maker Nick Angelis’s menu features gourmet Italian cuisine — make sure to try their house specialty, the grandma-style pizza. (54 Stone St.)

3. Babesta

Babesta is an excellent resource for new and seasoned parents alike for the best clothing, learning toys and equipment to raise your bundle of joy. (56 Warren St., Brookfield Place)

4. Black Fox

Kick back with a great cuppa caffeine and an afternoon cookie (trust us) from 70 Pine’s resident coffeeshop. (70 Pine St.)

5. Blue Park Kitchen

This delicious walk-up establishment offers the rare combination of fast-casual convenience and locally-sourced produce, grains and proteins. (70 Pine St.)

6. Luke’s Lobster

Classic lobster rolls, crab rolls, shrimp rolls, and cole slaw are all on offer at the Financial District location of Luke’s Lobster (26 South William Street). The seafood shack is also dishing up lobster bisque and New England clam chowder for colder days, as well as DIY lobster roll kits for those who’d prefer to cook (or look like they’ve cooked, via Instagram) at home.

7. Taim

Taim offers satisfying servings of falafel sandwiches, cauliflower shawarma, sabich, tasty fries and more. (75 Maiden Lane)

8. Wattle Cafe

A lovely independent cafe boasting excellent superfood waffles, organic bites and excellent coffee blends for all flavor profiles. (19 Rector St.)

9. Bowne & Co.

Learn about the origins of letterpress printing in Lower manhattan, take a workshop or purchase unique gift items. (211 Water St.)

10. Brookfield

Brookfield Place covers all of your shopping needs with more than 40 shops ranging from Gucci to Rite Aid. (230 Vesey St.)

11. The Rink at Brookfield Place

The Rink at Brookfield Place is available for corporate outings, private lessons, birthday parties and special events. (230 Vesey St.)

12. Pearl Diner

Paging omelet lovers: Pearl Diner, the 48-year-old Downtown institution at 212 Pearl Street, is now available for in-person service as well as delivery via apps like GrubHub and Seamless.

13. City Acres

City Acres Market is an all-in-one grocery store, caterer and restaurant specializing in the highest quality products, and its beer selection is first-rate. (70 Pine St.)

14. City Blossoms

Whether purchase to-go bouquets or designing an exquisite floral centerpiece, this mother/daughter-run operation will ensure a beautiful arrangement. (62 Trinity Pl.)

15. Crown Shy

The former chef of 11 Madison Park and the Nomad features a menu of plates like Red Snapper Crudo, Grilled Quail and Roasted Short Ribs. (70 Pine St.)

16. CUT by Wolfgang Puck

Residents and visitors alike fancy this chic, award-winning steakhouse with a killer martini bar. Specialties include the popular Japanese Wagyu beef. (99 Church St.)

17. Da Claudio

This longtime neighborhood standby is perfect for a relaxing weeknight meal (p.s. the Bucatini Arrabbiata is awesome). (21 Ann Street)

18. Sant Ambroeus

Beloved Italian restaurant and coffee shop Sant Ambroeus has expanded its New York City presence with a new location in Brookfield Place (200 Vesey Street) — offering up the usual cappuccinos, gelato and homemade pastries, but will also feature some of Sant Ambroeus’ more robust restaurant options including salads, pasta and even a few elegantly prepared seafood and steak options.

19. Eataly NYC Downtown

Eataly’s Italian specialty grocery has you covered with handmade cheeses, fresh pasta, espresso beans, and the finest quality seafood. (101 Liberty St.)

20. fellow barber

fellow barber is not only the ideal spot for a stylish, affordable haircut; it’s also where you’ll find expertly crafted, US-made grooming products. (18 Fulton St.)

21. Fields Good Chicken

Winner, winner chicken dinner (or lunch!) at this fast-casual restaurant dedicated to amazing poultry dishes. (101 Maiden Lane)

22. Fresh Salt

This neighborhood watering hole has been serving up seasonal cocktails and top-notch grub since 2004, back when the Fulton Fish Market was still swinging in the Seaport District. (146 Beekman St.)

23. Gnoccheria

Come hungry, leave extremely satisfied by the pillowy Italian potato classic as well as Neapolitan pizza offerings. (100 Broad Street)

24. Greenwich St. Jewelers

Give yourself extra time to peruse the gorgeous, carefully curated collections of precious metals and gemstones at this family-owned jewelry store. (64 Trinity Pl.)

25. Bombay’s

Though Bombay’s Indian Cuisine has a small menu, owner Sonal Vyas and staff work hard to ensure that all its offerings are delicious and made with lots of love — from crispy samosas to tender pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices — and it’s also reasonably priced for the neighborhood.

26. Suited

When business partners Andrew Fazio and Wilson Johnson teamed up to create Suited, Lower Manhattan’s newest cafe, it was with the understanding that you can find good sandwiches or a good cup of coffee all over New York City, but not always at the same place. That dilemma has now been solved. (45 John Street)

27. La Parisienne

A lovely French cafe tucked away on Maiden Lane offers excellent dishes for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and weekend brunch. (9 Maiden Lane)

28. Le District

Le District has all of your grocery needs, from daily essentials to French-inspired fare. (225 Liberty St.)

29. Leo’s Bagels

“Leo’s” stands for the classic bagel breakfast “Lox, eggs & onions” — recommend trying their specialty as well as other bagel, cream cheese spreads and smoked fish offerings. (3 Hanover Square)

30. Mad Dog & Beans

Located in a landmark building, Mad Dog serves up traditional Mexican cooking that includes fresh guacamole and potent margaritas. (83 Pearl St.)

31. Brooklyn Beef ‘N Cheese

Ironically, Brooklyn Beef ‘N Cheese isn’t in Brooklyn, but what it sells is a classic Brooklyn roast beef sandwich, the likes of which you’d generally have to go all the way to Coney Island to get. (upstairs at City Acres Market, 70 Pine Street)

32. magic mix juicery

Nutritious breakfast bowls, filling lunches, snacks and — yes — fresh-to-order juices to keep your body happy and healthy. (102 Fulton St.)

33. Salon DeLouie

Salon DeLouie has been operating in the neighborhood for seven years, offering up cuts and colors to the busy workers of Lower Manhattan through good times and bad. And even through the COVID era, the salon is sticking to its most popular classics like coloring, highlights and cuts for all genders.

34. Martin Busch Jewelers

Longtime independent jewelry shop offers excellent options for all price ranges, original designs and watch repairs. (85 John St.)

35. McNally Jackson

Get lost in the vast selection of McNally’s beloved Seaport location. (4 Fulton St.)

36. Mysterious Bookshop

Explore the thrilling titles at this longtime niche bookstore dedicated to noir and the art of mysterious happenings. (58 Warren St.)

37. Neapolitan Express

Neapolitan Express is the perfect spot for organic, authentic pizza that’s good for you and the environment. (40 Wall St.)

38. The Greens at Pier 17

A reservation for The Greens’ seasonal rooftop dining concept nets you your own 10-person-max rooftop cabin, replete with banquette seating, a virtual fireplace, electric heating and delicious seasonally-themed dishes like mushroom risotto, hot smoked toddies, mulled cider and chipotle beef stew.

39. Casa Taqueria

When you need some flavorful takeout, this spicy standby at 40 Gold Street will never let you down.

40. Only Nails

Only Nails offers a selection of 300+ colors for their special dipping powder gel manicure and more than 400 colors for a gel manicure/pedicure. (86 Nassau St.)

41. One World Observatory

Gain a new perspective of our beautiful city from the top of One World Trade Center. (285 Fulton St.)

42. Petropolis

Spoil your four-legged BFF with organic snacks, adorable toys and grooming services at this doge palace. (91 Washington St.)

43. Poster Museum

Philip Williams’s gargantuan in-store collection boasts colorful prints, vintage posters and unique typographical art. You could spend days in here. (122 Chambers St.)

44. primp

Glow up each day with blowouts, makeup, massages and curated products at this Seaport District salon. (142 Beekman St.)

45. Proof

PROOF Coffee Roasters not only makes their coffee from ethically-sourced, locally-roasted beans. They also deliver! (65 Nassau St.)

46. Pure Liquid Wine & Spirits

A knowledgeable staff will help you pair the perfect spirit to any event at this inviting wine shop located in Westfield World Trade Center. (Westfield, South Concourse, Balcony Level)

47. Sauce & Barrel

Sauce & Barrel takes its name from the bar’s barrel aged cocktail program and has a menu that offers more than 15 pizzas. (97 Washington St.)

48. Schilling

Schilling’s menu is a blend of Mediterranean and Austrian dishes that features wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, braised lamb and more. For dessert, the strudel can’t be beat. (109 Washington St.)

49. Spa services at The Four Seasons New York Downtown

New Yorkers in need of rest and relaxation after months of lockdown can unwind at the Four Seasons New York Downtown, as the hotel’s menu of services from manicures to immune-boosting treatments are all be available.

50. Springbone Kitchen

Stay healthy all year with Springbone’s nutrient-rich bone broth, as well as other organic dishes. (74 Pearl St.)

51. Stone Street Tavern

Stone Street Tavern attracts diners looking for hearty American fare and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. (52 Stone St.)

52. Temple Court

Tom Colicchio’s excellent farm-to-table, American-style restaurant is set within the beautiful atrium and cozy corners of The Beekman Hotel. (5 Beekman St.)

53. Caravan Uyghur Cuisine

Caravan serves Chinese homestyle dishes in a cozy space, and believe us when we tell you that the Laghman noodles are so satisfying. (200 Pearl St.)

54. Stout NYC

If this 90 John Street staple isn’t tempting enough to frequent for their generous pours, consider their signature Stout Steak Sandwich to soak up all that sud.

55. The Tuck Room

The Tuck Room serves up exceptional contemporary plates for lunch and dinner, as well as early bird and late-night specials. (11 Fulton St.)

56. Cowgirl Seahorse

Don’t forget cocktails to-go when you order delivery from Cowgirl SeaHorse: In addition to its reliably reliable bloody marys during brunch, the Seaport District darling offers frozen margaritas in a sanitized mason jar inside a frozen food bag — so they’ll be delivered just as icy old as they come if you’d get ‘em straight from the bar. (259 Front Street)

57. Westfield World Trade Center

Westfield World Trade Center is home to all the stores and art installations you could ever imagine. (185 Greenwich St.)

58. Yoga carE

YogaCare was created to facilitate this transformation in becoming the best version of yourself – permanently — with several online programs that complement the mind, body, and soul in our journey towards each other.

Downtown Alliance 

Lead photo of Stone Street by Marzena Manganaro 

Categories
Architecture Featured Lifestyle Living NYC Real Estate

Sky Origami Sky-High Oasis Sky High Retreat

Sky Origami Sky-High Oasis Sky High Retreat

DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN

 

is a testament to human connection, and 77 Greenwich, one of the newest luxury residential towers rising into the NYC skyline, offers the ultimate perch from which to behold the bustling streets and beautiful vistas that surround it. Standing at the intersection of Battery Park City, Tribeca, and the Financial District, the building will seamlessly incorporate retail, educational, and residential uses, thanks to the unparalleled vision of two design luminaries: FXCollaborative and Deborah Berke Partners.

Together, the two firms have created a soaring, 500-foot, 42-story, environmentally sustainable haven with a stepped-glass curtain wall façade that offers each of its 90 condominiums stunning views of New York Harbor or the Hudson River. The distinctive shape, irregular against the NY street grid, is elongated to expand the view from each condo, while giving the appearance that the building has been stretched thin.

The ground-floor lobby is designed with dark granite floors and bleached mahogany walls and ceiling baffles, while the residential floors are filled with natural light. Every hallway and the heart of each condo is lit by large windows that reveal the sky and let sunlight in. “As you come up into the building,” says Stephen Brockman, Partner, and LEED AP at Deborah Berke Partners, “you start to ascend into the sky.”

The residences,

which range from one to four bedrooms, were designed by Deborah Berke Partners with clean lines and light colors, to highlight the open living areas and panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows. 77 Greenwich is meant to act as a refuge, a serene respite from the busy day-to-day of the city far below.

 

Sky Origami Sky-High Oasis Sky High Retreat
77 Greenwich Living Room

 

The tower

was also designed to encourage a sense of community. Each floor has only a few condos, allowing residents to get to know their neighbors. Shared amenity spaces on the 41st and 42nd floors feature a catering kitchen, a private dining area, and a children’s activity room. There is also a 3,600-ft rooftop garden, a “meditation deck,” and a double-height fitness center, as well as a built-in dog park which is located on a lower floor. Even the apartment interiors were devised for families and gatherings: The living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all in one open space. “It really is this communal, active environment,” says Brockman.

 

Sky Origami Sky-High Oasis Sky High Retreat
77 Greenwich Roofdeck

 

The 8-story cast-stone base of the building –

which incorporates an-1810 landmarked rowhouse, the Robert and Anne Dickey House— will also house a new public elementary school, a promising sign for the neighborhood. “I think it’s a telling story,” says Stephan Dallendorfer, partner at FXCollaborative, “that SCA (New York City School Construction Authority) sees that there’s a demand for schools down in the area, gravitating to a family-oriented neighborhood.” The retail spaces will also be located on the building’s ground level and lower floors.

 

Sky Origami Sky-High Oasis Sky High Retreat
77 Greenwich

 

Jacqueline Urgo, president of The Marketing Directors –

the exclusive sales and marketing agency for the residential portion of the tower believes that the residences will be “exceptionally well-received” in the marketplace. “Our targeted clientele is singles and professional couples, with a big walk-to-work aspect,” she says. “But we’re also targeting young families based on how downtown is growing as a residential destination—and by virtue of the size of our apartments.”

Work on 77 Greenwich should be completed sometime in 2020, but condo sales have already begun. “It feels ready to occupied,” says Brockman. “We spent a lot of time and effort to design something that feels special.”

Categories
Featured Lifestyle Living NYC

“Lights of Hope”

"Lights of Hope"

Long gone are the days when Downtown was dominated by the financial industry and the sidewalks were rolled up at 5:00 p.m., after the final call of the day. New businesses like Condé Nast, Seaport, Group M, Spotify, 10 Corso Como, Uber, Zola, have brought a vibrant, young and family-focused workforce with them.

Once again, Downtowners have banded together to send a message to the world. We have been publishing for 11 years now, and the changes we have witnessed and been a part of are epic. It’s difficult to report on the tragic news but, with tragedy, there is always triumph. Here in Lower Manhattan, like the rest of New York, we bounce back.

“Lights of Hope” Buildings in Lower Manhattan to Shine in Red, White, and Blue

 

Lights of Hope
Photo by Kirit Prajapati

 

One World Trade Center, Pier 17 at the Seaport District, Brookfield Place, 111 and 115 Broadway, 55 Water Street and 20 Exchange Place will be lighting up in red, white, and blue to show hope and solidarity, while other Downtown buildings are working to join them over the next several days. Buildings throughout the entire city are encouraged to follow suit and add their own “lights of hope.”

“This is a moment to band together, show pride in a tough time, and light up the Lower Manhattan skyline with hope,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “Whether it’s red, white and blue or with a single white beacon, buildings across Lower Manhattan will light themselves in honor of our determination to endure and recover.”

One of the initiating property owners offered this:

“In this time of need, we as New Yorkers and Americans are looking for symbols of hope – both in our communities and across the country,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We Wanted to unite our community and light up the buildings of Lower Manhattan together to show our solidarity, our resiliency, and our persistent hope for the future.”

We as a city and world have gone through a lot in the past 20 years, the greatest trait is that we always come out on the other side stronger and better than before. Thank you to our leaders mentioned in this piece, and thank you to all who believe in hope!

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Categories
Fitness Health Nutrition Wellness

Walking Into Health: New Years Resolution

Walking Into Health
Photo Credit: Aida M. Toro

By: Adam Que, a fitness trainer, practitioner, former MMA fighter, and writer

Waking up late in the morning has its consequences. You can either skip your whole hygiene routine, devour anything in sight because you know it would provide you with energy, or throw on clothes that you know should be in the dirty laundry bag. Following by barging out of your apartment to be on a shoulder to shoulder status with other New Yorkers on the street or at the subway station.

I’m sure most of you have experienced all of the above. Of course, walking was most likely a big part of the problem since folks are taking Ubers, Lyfts, and cabs to their destinations nowadays. With this rush of stress and the bumps people are facing in life, how could anyone find walking beneficial? Well, it’s no coincidence Walking and Wellness both start with W.

Here are some key benefits of walking:

Prevents Diseases:

According to a review on the C3 Collaborating for Health, walking is an effective way to prevent or reduce the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Photo credit: Daniel Reche via Pexels.com

Helps With Living Longer and Weight Loss:

Walking is also important for the longevity of life. In the same review, there was a case study on the Global Corporate Challenge that recorded 54% of participants who had high blood pressure showed low risk by the end of a 12-week walking challenge. As well as an increase of energy by 71% and a drop of 10% body fat on average for those who had body fat loss. Another case study recorded that 94% of the walkers part of the Heart Foundation Walking group (HFW), the largest free community-based walking group in Australia said, “HFW was essential for their physical well-being.”

Photo credit: Noelle Otto via pexels.com

Mental Health:

Besides the physical benefits of walking, I mainly believe it is amazing for mental health. Dr. Lars Madsen of The MindShift Foundation said, “It increases relaxation and can be equivalent to a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia.” Walking also reduces stress, anxiety, improves cognitive function and can lift one’s spirit instantly, especially when doing it with friends or loved ones.

photo credit: Pixabay via pexels.com

So besides that gruelly commute, try to incorporate 15 to 30-minute walks throughout your week. Whether you missed a workout, your routine is discombobulated or you feel you’ve been out of whack due to the holidays kicking your butt, get to walking. If you find yourself walking in Downtown Manhattan locations like the Jerry Driscoll Walk, SoHo’s side streets, along The Highline or through Battery Park, take the time to envision a positive perspective and enjoy yourself.

Get to stepping strongly into 2020 to start that first quarter on a healthy foot.

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