manhattan

Champs-Elysees Is Most Expensive Street For Retail Rents

Farewell Fifth Avenue. The most recent report from Colliers International has Manhattan's luxury shopping destination falling to second place in the ranks of pricey streets for retail rent. In first place now is the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris with a two percent increase to $1,256 a square foot. Fifth Avenue fell 10.7 perent from last year and is now at a still hefty $1,250 per square foot. Third was Hong Kong's Russell Street with $1,205 followed by London's Bond Street with $1,174 per square foot. Via Monte Napoleone in Milan declined 1.3 percent to $929 and rents on New York's Madison Avenue fell 21 percent to $590. The real deals can be found in Canada. The cost of retail rentals on Montreal's Rue Ste-Catherine and Toronto's Bloor Street rank 32nd and 33rd on Colliers' list of the most 50 expensive locations.

Tags: champs-elysees, Fifth Avenue, manhattan, paris, retail renting

The Plaza Hotel's Palm Court Opens for Afternoon Tea Service

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Plaza Hotel recently reopened the newly renovated Palm Court.

As part of the Plaza Hotel's $450 million, three year restoration, the Palm Court has reopened and its newly launched afternoon tea service is not to be missed.

Known as the heart and soul of The Plaza, the Palm Court is a vast landmark space bordered by mirrored doors, fleur-de-peche marble columns and crowned with a domed yellow-and-green skylight. A recently completed restoration returned the room to its original design not seen for over fifty years. The $6.5 million restoration included the re-creation of the original 1,800 square foot stained-glass lay light that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. It was covered up in the 1950s and not exposed until the renovation brought it back to life. The Palm Court's renovation also introduced new lighting and furnishings. The airy, romantic space within the legendary hotel is nothing short of breathtaking.

Tags: Afternoon Tea, awards-main, luxist-awards, Manhattan, New York City, Palm Court, Plaza Hotel, Tea

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Cigar History: The Evolution of Drew Estate

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Have you ever wondered how the Acid and Liga Privada cigars came to be? I had the opportunity to sit with Marvin Samel a few weeks ago, and he explained how a company that started as a pushcart in the World Trade Center mall became one of the largest in the cigar industry.

What started with outsourcing to La Rosa, a small rolling shop in Manhattan, and single-stick sales underground downtown has grown into an international force, with large factory (and small tourist) operation in Esteli, Nicaragua, cigars in humidors across the country and committed customers eager for anything from coffee infusion to the more traditional Liga cigars. It's been a wild ride, according to Marvin, but the future definitely looks bright.

Drew Estate will be in New York on June 24, 2010 for a cigar dinner. Smoke a "Dirty Rat" cigar, and learn more about this unique Nicaraguan-and-America success story.

Gallery: Drew Estate Cigar Factory

Cigar Safari: the resort section of Drew Estate

Disclosure: I was invited to cover this event for Cigar Reader by De La Concha, and wasn't charged anything. It was free for all invited. Each guest received a Dirty Rat cigar, a few slices of pizza (or more, depending on hunger)and some cognac.

Tags: cigar, cigars, drew estate, esteli, manhattan, new york, new york city, nicaragua, NicaraguanCigars

Industrial Design: Reconsidering Former-Factory Chic

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books, Real Estate Developments, By Design

We on Luxist love it when former industrial space is transformed into something luxuriously wonderful, whether it's a hat factory transformed into condos in Connecticut, a jam factory that became a super-cool hotel in Tasmania, or a textile mill that became a unique art and design center in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Recycling space that's just lying fallow makes good sense, but it's easy to forget that this gentrification is part of a larger economic story -- in fact, it's often the epilogue.

Check out The Atlantic Monthly's latest issue for a terrific article on Manhattan's urban landscape, Benjamin Schwarz's "Gentrification and its Discontents". It's mostly a consideration of two newer books, Twenty Minutes in Manhattan by architect Michael Sorkin, and Naked City, by urban sociologist Sharon Zukin, in the light of Jane Jacobs' classic book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities -- but my favorite part is when Schwarz points out that the late, great era of creative foment in lower Manhattan that these authors (and a great many others) lament now that it's been replaced by either hugely expensive housing or international brands, was a product of economic and industrial decline:

For instance, in railing against the passing of SoHo's exhilarating, creative days-characterized by "the mix of artists, crafts-people, small manufacturers, researchers [!], as well as of commerce oriented to their needs" (a few funky bars for the artists; places like the collectively run restaurant Food)-Sorkin joins in the lamentation for "the rapid decline of the city's industrial economy." He doesn't recognize that the SoHo he yearns for was precisely the product of that rapid industrial decline, which made economically available to artists and their hangers-on all those cool industrial spaces that in more industrially vibrant times would have been used by, well, industry.

He also points out that those former days of industrial productivity, now steeped in sepia nostalgia, weren't exactly halcyon. (Triangle Factory fire, anyone?) For example, The Henry Jones Art Hotel's pleasant atrium, pictured above, was a former jam factory floor. The original ceiling, though, was the height of that lower cross-beam -- in its original incarnation, it was hardly the light and pleasant space it is today.

Tags: architecture, factories, gentrification, manhattan, manhattan real estate, soho, urbanism

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Fashionista Zac Posen Designs Model Apartment at 16w21 in Manhattan

by Jeffrey Slonim (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Real Estate Developments, Celebrity Design

Everyone's dream apartment just got dreamier as wunderkind fashion designer Zac Posen unveiled his model apartment for architect Morris Adjmi's sleek tower at 16 West 21st Street in Manhattan on Tuesday, May 11. Posen was previously best known for dressing Hollywood stars like Claire Danes and for his breathtaking fashion shows that have been known to end with a billowing parachute cape.

Floors 10 and 11 of the as-yet unfinished building known simply as 16w21 are a generous duplex for sale with elegant contents installed by Posen over the last seven months. "My own apartment came with history and age," says Posen. "Here it was about creating warmth, something that had a sense of glamour to it . . . a lifestyle."

The two floors are connected by stairs with a velvet railing. "Like a box at the Metropolitan Opera," says Posen, cautious not to tread on the train of night-life guru Amy Sacco, just steps ahead. The coffered modernist paneling of the central hallway on 10 is painted robin's egg blue. In a bedroom to the left, pink fabric button-tufts a rococo carved bed frame. Red velvet drapes line the walls. Across the hall, the kitchen has been finished in dark teal. "That was the most fun to design," says Posen. "I had visited the Menil home in Houston, and I loved the Philip Johnson design. So I created surfaces that look as if they would wipe right off."

Tags: 16w21, manhattan, new york city, zac posen

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Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Returns to NYC

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events, Charity, Sports

Famed French champagne house Veuve Clicquot will stage its third annual Polo Classic in New York City on June 27. The event will once again take place on Governors Island, where the tradition of playing polo was revived after a 70-year lull. At last year's match the UK's Prince Harry led his team to victory over the Ralph Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team to cheers from a VIP crowd that included Madonna, Kate Hudson, Marc Jacobs, Chloe Sevigny and Donna Karan. Spectators can attend for free but exclusive lawn picnic tickets to the event for $250 apiece will go on sale beginning May 17th at www.vcseason.com. Ticket holders get ringside seats, unlimited Veuve Clicquot, a custom Polo picnic blanket and a gourmet picnic lunch created by Michael Romano of Union Square Café. Ralph Lauren model and Black Watch player Nacho Figueras is co-chairing this year's event, and Veuve Clicquot will once again donate proceeds to American Friends of Sentebale, a charity supporting at-risk children in Lesotho, Africa, founded by Prince Harry and Lesotho's Prince Seeiso.

Tags: champagne, equestrian, Madonna, Manhattan, Marc Jacobs, Nacho Figueras, New York, New York City, Polo, Prince Harry, Ralph Lauren, Union Square Café, Veuve Clicquot

Davidoff Launches First New Cigar Line in a Decade

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The best things come to those who wait, it seems. For the first time in 10 years, Davidoff has introduced new line of cigars. The creation, the Puro d'Oro line is the first "puro" by Davidoff and has been a labor of love for the company's master blender, Henke Kelner, who worked diligently to find the right conditions in a remote corner of the Dominican Republic.

The Puro de Oro is a medium-bodied cigar and is packed with flavor. But, if you're expecting a traditional Davidoff smoke, you'll be surprised. It has a taste all its own, due in large part to the effort that has gone into production, and the unique soil and weather conditions on which Kelner relied to make this cigar possible.

[Thanks to John Biggs of Cigar Reader for filming the interview]

Disclosure: I attended the launch and interviewed Henke Kelner at a media event hosted by Davidoff at its Madison Avenue store in Manhattan. Free cigars were available at the event and were given to all in attendance. Would I have covered the story anyway? Well, for the chance to interview Henke Kelner, definitely.

Tags: cigar, davidoff, davidoff madison, DavidoffMadison, dominican, dominican republic, dominican-republic, dominicano, madison ave, Madison Avenue, manhattan, new york, new york city

Cigar Interview: Padron Discusses Coming Limited Edition

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

The name Jorge Padron is known to even occasional cigar smokers, and the anniversary lines – such as the 1926 and 1964 – are certain to make the connoisseur salivate. I had the chance to catch up with Jorge a few weeks ago, when he came to Manhattan to attend a cigar dinner in his honor. The company has a new limited edition cigar coming out this year, which I, frankly, can't wait to cut and light. Watch the video to see what Padron has to say about the quality of his cigars – past, present and future.

Gallery: Jorge Padron Cigar Dinner

To keep the FTC happy: I did not pay to attend the Padron cigar dinner at De La Concha. I was hosted by Ron Melendi, the store's general manager. That said, do you think I would have paid for the dinner, just to have the chance to interview Jorge Padron? Of course. Also, I would have shown up just to interview him and participate in the event if I hadn't been invited by Melendi.

Tags: cigar, cigar lounge, cigars, CigarShop, jorge padron, manhattan, new york, new york city

H.Bloom Launches Weekly Flower Service in Manhattan

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Services, Art

In search of the perfect gift to celebrate a birthday, Mother's Day or another special occasion? Look no further than H.BLOOM, an online floral company based in Manhattan which offers a weekly subscription service.

"We heard over and over from people who love flowers, that they can't afford expensive arrangements on a regular basis," says Bryan Burkhart, the 35-year-old co-founder of H.Bloom. "It is also a great gift because it is the gift that keeps on giving."

Gallery: More from H. Bloom

Burkhart and co-founder Sonu Panda, who met as undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania, launched the business after noticing there was a need for a premium floral product available online. "We saw that there was no 'Barney's of flowers' online---there was only K-Mart," says Burkhart. Their business model is much like that of Netflix, as there is no long term commitment. It is easy to pause the service or direct the delivery to someone else.

Tags: Florist, Flowers, H.Bloom, Manhattan, New York, OnlineShopping, orchids

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The Waldorf-Astoria's New Sex and the City Package

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I would rather gouge my eyes out with the heel of a mold-encrusted Manolo than see Sex and the City 2 , set to be unleashed in theaters on May 27th.

(For the record, I liked the HBO series, but was appalled by the first movie, which apparently makes me a lonely heretic, since it did very well in the box office.)

Still, I cannot ignore the buzz that's building around the sequel, and Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria's The Waldorf Towers is offering a Sex and The City Movie package, which is actually a pretty good deal. Stay for two nights at $300, double occupancy, eat cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, drink two Cosmos at the hotel's Bull & Bear restaurant, get two 60-minute spa treatments (one per person), and... two tickets to see the blessed movie itself. You can also take the Sex and the City NYC tour.

Nota bene, these activities probably won't have anything to do with the new movie, which centers around a trip to Abu Dhabi (filmed in Morocco). And it has to be said that these Manhattan-based activities are starting to feel a little retro, since let's face it, it's been 12 years since the series started airing and six years since it stopped -- but hey, nothing's wrong with a little nostalgia. Other hotels in the city are also offering similar packages.

The package runs May 1st to August 30th, but movie tickets are only available when the movie is in theaters. And if history's any indication, given the track-record of these sort of sequels, the run could be short -- so if this package intrigues, book earlier rather than later.

Tags: abu dhabi, hotel deals, hotels, manhattan, movies, SexAndTheCity, WaldorfAstoria

Artist Michael Varley at 25CPW

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

I snuck a peak into 25CPW over the weekend while taking my son for walk down Central Park West. Having been jammed for the past few weeks, I'd lost track of what's been passing through the unique gallery space on the Upper West Side. So, it was nice to have a chance to catch even a glimpse of the latest collection.

The action inside the art gallery caught my eye. New pieces were hanging, and gallery executive director Bess Greenberg was moving through the pace with a purpose, and a man I hadn't seen before wielded a paint roller at the end of a long handle. Not wanting to give up the perfect day, I pushed the stroller forward and back toward Central Park, but the curiosity stayed with me.

It turns out the new show contains selected works by Michael Varley and is on display until May 5, 2010. It can be viewed only by appointment, and the work is certainly interesting. Don't worry, there are more events coming.

Tags: art galleries, Art Gallery, artist, Artists, central park, central park west, manhattan, new york, new york city, Upper West Side

Flatiron Lounge: A Culinary Approach to Cocktails

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The Flatiron Lounge in Manhattan is nominated for a Luxist Award for best cocktail lounge.

A visit to the The Flatiron Lounge is like taking a step back in time with a modern twist. While it is designed to resemble a 1920's-ear speakeasy with art deco decor, the Manhattan-based cocktail lounge has a modern approach to cocktails that resembles the ideology followed by a three-star Michelin Restaurant. The Flatiron Lounge, which is like no other cocktail lounge in Manhattan, is nominated for a Luxist Awards Readers' Choice Award for Best Cocktail Lounge.

The Flatiron Lounge was founded back in 2003 by a team of partners, all of whom had extensive experience in managing and opening bars. Partners include Alex and Kristina Kossi (of the famed New York haunt Zinc Bar), Susan Fedroff, Kevin Kossi, Michelle Connolly (of The Red Room in San Francisco) and celebrated cocktail stylist, Julie Reiner. Together, this dream team created a true high-end and high style cocktail lounge. At the time of its opening, the Flatiron Lounge was one of the few bars in the country, if not the world, to offer high end cocktails.

Gallery: Flatiron Lounge

The Flatiron Lounge boasts a menu of original and unique cocktail concoctions created by Julie Reiner and the exceptional bar staff, as well as classic drinks from a bygone era. Reiner developed a menu of cocktails with precise measurements using such ingredients as fresh squeezed juices, fresh fruits and herbs and homemade syrups from raspberry to jalapeno. "We take a culinary approach to cocktails," says Reiner.

Tags: awards-main, best bars, best cocktail lounge, best cocktail lounges, cocktails, flatiron lounge, luxist-awards, manhattan, new york city, nightlife

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Roosevelt Hotel Opens Vander Bar

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine

Banking of the success of its popular Mad46 rooftop bar (set to reopen for the season this week), Manhattan's grand Roosevelt Hotel has recently unveiled Vander Bar. Taking its name from the Lilliputian avenue that runs parallel to Grand Central Terminal-along the Roosevelt's backside-Vander Bar makes a serious play for the mid-town clientele who frequent both of these New York City institutions. Whereas Mad46 is meant to compete with stylish downtown al fresco drinking options like those found at the Hudson or Thompson hotels, Vander Bar aims more for the local happy hour crowd, where Hermès ties become loosened before the Metro-North train ride back to Westchester. Offering a fully stocked bar, along with beers on-tap, the property's small-plates menu of contemporary favorites, such as burger sliders, lobster rolls, and mac and cheese, should provide ample ways to spoil dinner. Of course these days a bar is only as good as its signature drinks, and Vander Bar gives a knowing wink to the neighborhood with a Belvedere black raspberry vodka and lime juice concoction, known as "The BlackBerry."

Tags: bars, beer, drinking, manhattan, new york city, NewYorkCity, roosevelt hotel, RooseveltHotel, spirits, wine

Afghan Refugees to Benefit from 25CPW Art Auction

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Art, Charity, Video

The action at 25CPW has been nonstop. Following its successful show last week, featuring the artwork of guards from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the temporary art gallery on Manhattan's Upper West Side hosted a silent auction featuring the original creations of Afghan women and children. Several thousand dollars were raised at the event, which was organized by 25CPW guru Bess Greenberg and Brianne Leary, the driving force behind Saving Afghanistan and journalist who covered the Soviet/Afghan conflict through the 1980s. The financial result, says Leary, addresses an immediate need for specific refugees in transition.

The prices at the one-night auction were purposefully kept accessible, given the prevailing economic climate, says Leary, and the event was well-attended. Get the full story directly from Leary in the video below.

Gallery: Afghan Art Auction: A night of art, food and music @ 25CPW

Tags: 25cpw, afghanistan, art galleries, Art Gallery, artist, Artists, artwork, charity auction, manhattan, new york, new york city, Upper West Side

Met Museum's Guards Show Don't Just Watch: They Paint, Too

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art, Charity

The Upper West Side of Manhattan was once again home to an exciting and unique art exhibition last week. 25CPW, a temporary art gallery occupying a vacant retail space on Central Park West hosted an art show for a unique group within the Metropolitan Museum of Art: the guards. It turns out that some of the people protecting the masterpieces on the other side of Central Park also like to create, and from what I saw on Thursday night, when I attended the opening, they are pretty damned good at it.

The Thursday night opening also included the launch of Sw!pe Magazine: Guards' Matter, an art journal that accompanied the exhibition.

On display were paintings, drawings, photographs and other pieces. The styles varied but were displayed intelligently, preventing contrasting styles from crowding each other and leaving each artist enough space for his work to stand out. Nelson Diaz, an artist and friend who attended the how with me, was as electrified as I was – both by the works on display and the energy in the 25CPW space.

You can view the NY Times photo gallery here.

The next 25CPW event is on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 night at 6:00 PM, when the Afghan Art Auction will be held to benefit the George Dritsas Anthropos Fund. The fund was created to help refugees in transition, so do find a way to open your wallet. The money raised will also be used to help the Afghan Women Council, which seeks to assist women and children inside Afghanistan.

From the inaugural event at 25CPW:

Gallery: 10 from 25: Emerging Artists using Photography