Heart-Shaped Hedges Blossom In Times Square

Photo by Maria Baranova

Love is in bloom in Times Square this February. As part of its 15th annual Love & Design competition, Times Square Arts on Wednesday unveiled a new public art installation on Duffy Square that invites visitors to get lost in love. This year’s winner, Almost Studio, created an interactive configuration of four artificial heart-shaped hedge rows that form a maze-like structure with heart-shaped interiors. Called Love’s h|Edge, the sculpture features illuminated benches and trellises, the latter of which will be filled with fresh roses by passersby.

The sculpture features windows that help not only create a fun photo-op but also connect visitors to one another. The heart-shaped interiors have illuminated benches with vertical trellises, inspiring a moment of pause and reflection.

Over the course of the month, fresh roses will be distributed every day to visitors who will then “Fill Up the Heart,” by placing them on the trellises throughout the sculpture. As more roses are added, the artificial hedges that makeup Love’s h|Edge will appear to blossom.

The space was designed to be ADA-accessible and intended to be inclusive for all who visit.

Photo by Maria Baranova

Dorian Booth and Anthony V. Gagliardi of Brooklyn-based Almost Studio said the idea that the sculpture could make a few people’s days better, “gives us a lot of joy.”

“Like a daydream, and just for just a moment – forget your troubles, your stress, your to-do’s, and where you are going,” Booth and Gagliardi said in a statement. “Love’s h|Edge is meant to be a pause, a momentary illusion, in your day, in your week, and in your life. Planting an artificial garden within Times Square is meant to be a jolt from our routines.”

“It is meant to draw from the history of landscape design, public theater, and Surrealism to take us out of our every day and instead offer a garden island of wonders, what-ifs, and somedays. It is a place of reflection and reformation. It is a place to look at yourself and others anew.”

Photo by Maria Baranova

Love’s h|Edge serves as the backdrop for the many Valentine’s Day activities that take place in Times Square, including surprise proposals, vow renewals, and weddings. The sculpture will be on display until February 28.

“Every February, we get to celebrate love–a simple yet invaluable sentiment that underpins and uplifts all that we do here in Times Square–and invite New Yorkers and visitors to gather with one another and enjoy the cultural and commercial offerings that make this district so unique, vibrant, and unforgettable,” Tom Harris, president of Times Square Alliance, said in a statement.


Heart-shaped hedges blossom with real roses as part of Valentine’s Day installation in Times Square

POSTED, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

BY DEVIN GANNON

Photos by Maria Baranova and by Jonathan Hokklo

Anish Kapoor’s Bean Sculpture Is Finally Complete In Tribeca

New York City finally got its bean. About five years and several delays later, Anish Kapoor’s mirrored sculpture was unveiled to the public this week, seemingly propping up Tribeca’s “Jenga Building” at 56 Leonard Street. As first reported by Tribeca Citizen, and confirmed by 6sqft, the longstanding barriers and scaffolding have been removed, with the monumental permanent public artwork taking its rightful place on the corner of Church and Leonard Streets.

When plans for Herzog & de Meuron’s 56 Leonard were unveiled in 2008, early renderings showed Kapoor’s sculpture in front of the building. After challenges concerning the welding and fairing process of the smooth, shiny sculpture added “a huge amount of time” to the installation, as 6sqft previously reported, construction began in February 2019, two years after 56 Leonard opened.

Like it did with most things, Covid halted progress. The sculpture remained a “half bean,” as described by Curbed, until the team was able to travel to New York from the UK in 2021.

This is the British-Indian sculptor’s first permanent public work in New York. While it remains nameless for now (an official dedication ceremony is expected in the coming weeks), the artwork closely resembles Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate,” which was installed in Chicago’s Millennium Park in 2004.

Sitting at the base of the 60-story tower, the bean (or squashed balloon) sculpture weighs 40 tons and measures 48 feet long by 19 feet high.

As described on 56 Leonard’s website: “The relationship between building and sculpture is so closely cultivated that they appear to form a single unified object, exemplifying true synergy between art and architecture.”

Anish Kapoor’s bean sculpture is finally complete in Tribeca

POSTED, FEBRUARY 1, 2023

BY DEVIN GANNON

All photos © 6sqft

The Monthly Update - February 2023

An Experienced, Trusted Advisor is Key 


At one point early in December 2022, over 823 apartment listings were removed from the market in a single week! This significant number of failed listings can be due to many reasons, but most of them likely relate to what the seller was advised to do. Sure, sometimes getting advice can feel like looking into a crystal ball, but if you have an honest and hard-working agent, they will tell you the truth about the market and not just what you want to hear (or what benefits them). By facing the tough questions upfront, sellers and buyers can make better-informed decisions based on facts, not the self-interests of other parties. In the current market, you should count on the experienced adviser rather than those prone to over-promising.

Having a trusted real estate advisor during changing times and markets can be the difference between sinking and swimming, drowning and surviving. And frankly, not just surviving, but flourishing, while others wilt under the pressure. February 2023 marks The Hoffman Team's seventh year at Compass! We have sold more than $905 million worth of real estate with over 792 closed transactions during that time. This kind of volume doesn’t happen by mistake; it comes from hard work, perseverance and having one thing in mind — the client! 

Since last October, NYC real estate inventory has been declining week after week. The final week of January marked the first increase in overall supply. It was a modest 2% (and one week doesn't not make a trend), but overall inventory should (finally) start to increase as the spring market gears up. With that, many sellers will be advised to list their property too high or be counseled to skip preparing or staging the apartment to save a couple of bucks. Many of those sellers could lose even more money at the end of a six-month exclusive because they missed the market on price or appearance only to have market momentum slip away without a sale to show for it. A smart advisor will share honest sales advice upfront so clients can make the best decisions about their property before they list. Real Estate advisors will do this because it’s the right thing to do, not because it benefits them. In truth, it benefits everyone. Intelligent, honest, seasoned advice is what clients and this market need more of today.

We will not stop until we have served our clients to the best of our abilities. Does that mean sometimes we don’t get a listing because we’re not going to overprice it as the next broker will? Sometimes. Does that mean we might have to be the second or third broker before the seller comes back to us, saying, “Gosh, you were right."? Sometimes. But you know what? As long as the client is first, we achieved our goal. As long as a buyer is able to purchase their home and is happy after closing – we have done our job and can go home, knowing that we served our client to the best of our ability. 

One of Compass’ mottos is “collaborate without ego.” For us, that means having a client-first mentality, always. That is what will lead us through the first and second quarters of 2023 and into the second half of the year, where things could get a little muddy. But it will be bearable because our clients will know the truth about the market. As long as we keep clients first, we should be all OK.

Local Happenings

NOW - FEB 12, 2023

NYC Restaurant Week

NYC Restaurant Week is back! Now through February 12, explore the five boroughs through specially priced prix-fixe menus at hundreds of participating restaurants. Click HERE to explore participating restaurants, view menus, and make reservations!

NOW - FEB 12, 2023

NYC Broadway Week

Here again for its winter run, NYC Broadway Week makes its return engagement. Now through February 13, get two-for-one tickets to nearly every Broadway production! Click HERE to view the list of participating shows and snatch up the best seats for the ones you want most.

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

80 Super Bowl Appetizers

Crowd-pleasing comes easy with any of these winning apps.

Courtesy of Good Housekeeping

Send Sweets to Your Sweetie

Desserts that really deliver: exciting options for nationwide shipping.

Courtesy of Forbes

Get Restaurant-Quality Meals at Home

Elevate your eat-at-home game.

Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Stay Connected

99 East 4th Street, Unit 6L

99 East 4th Street, Unit 6L

EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

$739,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | CondOp

 

Welcome home to the most comfortable and well located one bedroom in the east village! This apartment is on the top floor of an elevator coop just east of 2nd avenue. Enter into a hallway with large storage and coat closet. To the right is the sunny windowed kitchen with stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher. The living room faces north and has plenty of space for both living and dining areas. A traditional bathroom (with deep tub including rain shower head) gleams with character. There is an additional storage/hanging closet in the hallway to the sunny bedroom which has a sliver of an Empire State Building view and an additional closet. The original inlaid floors of the apartment are in pristine condition

This 1928 building is an Art Deco prewar condop, with coop rules. Features include a large marble lobby, common courtyard, live-in super and full-time porter, a common laundry room, bike storage, AC storage, and private storage units for rent. Subletting is allowed after two year of ownership, for two out of every 5 years. Co-purchasing and gifting are allowed on a case-by-case basis, however pied a terres are not allowed.

The neighborhood cannot be beaten! Surrounded by some of the best restaurants and entertainment in the city, close to Whole Foods, easy access to the F, B, D, N, R, and 6 trains.

Curbside Composting Program Coming To All Five Boroughs

Following the notable success of the program in Queens, curbside composting will soon expand to all of New York City, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday during his State of the City address. The program will launch in Brooklyn this October, followed by the Bronx and Staten Island in March 2024 and Manhattan in October 2024. According to the mayor, the program will be the nation’s largest curbside composting program.

“We’re going to ‘Get Stuff Cleaner’ by launching the country’s largest curbside composting program,” Adams said. “By the end of 2024, all 8.5 million New Yorkers will finally have the rat-defying solution they’ve been waiting for two decades.”

The program will be voluntary, despite calls for a mandatory system. However, the NYC Department of Sanitation is said to be discussing the possibility of mandating the program, according to the New York Times.

Besides its vast number of environmental benefits, composting will work to fight the city’s rat problem, which Adams has made a priority during his term. Composting can remove thousands of pounds of organic waste and discarded food that attracts rats, according to the city.

The program is expected to cost $22.5 million during the 2026 fiscal year, which is the first full fiscal year it will be operating across the whole city, according to Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the DSNY. The city will also have to purchase new trucks to collect the compost, which is expected to cost an additional $45 million.

The program is set to resume in Queens on March 27 after taking a break for the winter, expand into Brooklyn on October 2, start in the Bronx and Staten Island on March 25, 2024, and begin in Manhattan on October 7, 2024.

Last April, the NYC Council passed a bill calling for the creation of a mandatory citywide compost program at all residential buildings. As part of the bill, waste pickup from residential buildings was scheduled to begin in the middle of 2023 before expanding to all NYC homes by June of the same year.

In August 2022, Adams announced a new “no frills” compost program for Queens residents that delivered compost bins to every NYC residential building in the borough with 10 or more units. The program, which kicked off in October 2022, required no opt-in or registration, making it easier for New Yorkers to take part. The program is estimated to have cost the city approximately $2 million, according to DSNY.

In just three months of operation, the program collected more than 12.7 million pounds of organic waste, with the majority of the participating Queens districts outperforming other communities that have participated in previous compost programs.

“In just three months, a pilot composting program right here in Queens kept nearly 13 million pounds of kitchen and yard waste out of landfills. That’s more than the weight of 300 city buses,” Adams said. “Imagine how much we will accomplish when every family in the city is participating. A lot of people have talked about this issue, but this administration is getting it done.”

NYC’s curbside composting program coming to all five boroughs

POSTED: JANUARY 26, 2023BY AARON GINSBURG
Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

55 West 17th Street, Unit 405

55 West 17th Street, Unit 405

FLATIRON, MANHATTAN

$2,795,000

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Condo

 

Discover crisp modern interiors and open-sky views in this immaculate two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium offering a wealth of upscale amenities and an ideal location where the Flatiron District meets Chelsea.

The sleek 1,417-square-foot welcomes you with bleached hardwood floors, tall ceilings and an open layout that maximizes light and views. Relax and entertain in the inviting living dining room flanked by a wall of built-in cabinetry. Oversized glass doors, Juliet balconies and an ideal position above the building's landscaped terrace provide a wonderful indoor-outdoor ambiance without the upkeep. Chefs will love the beautifully planned open kitchen where black oak cabinetry and white marble countertops surround a fleet of Gaggenau appliances, including a gas cooktop, oven, built-in microwave and dishwasher, plus a Summit wine refrigerator. The wide waterfall welcomes casual dining below designer lighting.

Head to the owner's suite to discover lovely views, king-size proportions and a custom walk-in closet. The en suite spa bathroom impresses with floor-to-ceiling tile, an oversized glass rain shower, soaking tub, wide double vanity and oversized mirrored medicine. The spacious secondary bedroom enjoys a custom closet and easy access to a full guest bathroom with stunning tile and a large tub/shower. In the hallway, a large custom coat closet and expansive laundry room with a side-by-side washer-dryer, sink and cabinetry ensure storage will never be a concern. Central HVAC with Nest thermostats completes this exquisite downtown abode.

Built-in 2018 by esteemed Morris Adjmi Architects, 55 West 17th is a contemporary condominium that blends seamlessly with the surrounding Ladies Mile Historic District with its Danish white brick façade and bold bronze canopy. Residents enjoy a handsome 24-hour attended lobby, fitness center, children's playroom, a dramatic lounge with billiards and a catering kitchen, a screening room with a wet bar, a landscaped terrace with a grilling area, a bike room and storage.

Located just blocks from both Union Square and Madison Square Park, this home offers front-row access to the best of Manhattan living with premier dining, shopping and nightlife on all sides. Foodies will love the proximity to the city's largest year-round greenmarket plus Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Eataly. Just four blocks away, The High Line and 500-acre Hudson River Park, including the delightful Little Island, offer unbeatable waterfront outdoor space and recreation. Access to transportation is superb with 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, L, 1/2/3, F/M and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.
*Please note some photos are virtually staged

555 West 23rd Street, Unit N7P

555 West 23rd Street, Unit N7P

WEST CHELSEA, MANHATTAN

$1,099,000

1 Bed  |  1 Bath | Condo

 

Welcome to the perfect Chelsea one-bedroom, one-bathroom home featuring great storage and premium finishes in a luxury full-service building.

Bright and airy living spaces are yours in this beautifully arranged 705-square-foot home featuring floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows. hardwood flooring set a stylish tone in the oversized living room, while the open chef's kitchen is well-stocked with granite countertops, maple cabinetry and premium stainless steel appliances, including a gas range, dishwasher and built-in microwave. The spacious bedroom features a large closet and plenty of room for a king-size bed. Two more roomy closets flank the entry to the spa bathroom.

Built in 2006, 555 West 23rd Street is a modern condominium where residents enjoy a full-time doorman, concierge, and valet service plus on-site resident management. Arrive via a dramatic atrium entry and updated luxury lobby, while above, the pet-friendly building is crowned by a 12,000-square-foot sun deck with water features. There's also a state-of-the-art fitness center, a newly renovated resident's lounge, and on-site parking garage.

Perfectly situated near the High Line, in the heart of the West Chelsea Arts District, this fantastic home is surrounded by world-class venues for art, shopping, dining and entertainment, including numerous galleries, Hudson Yards, Chelsea Market and the Whitney Museum. Hudson River Park and Chelsea Piers provide 500 acres of waterfront outdoor space and recreation, and nearby A/C/E, L and 1 trains and fantastic bus service offer easy access to the rest of the city.

‘Living’ lantern Installation - Moment of Zen in Midtown

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

A new animated public art installation is radiating light and tranquility in Midtown. Located on the Broadway pedestrian plazas between 39th and 40th Streets, Living Lantern is a dynamic sculpture with wooden pieces that move with the wind. Measuring roughly 14 feet tall and 20 feet wide, the illuminated lantern evokes a calming effect through shifting colors and movements. Created by NEON and Frankie Boyle, the installation is meant to serve as a beacon of hope, brightness, and a guiding light in Midtown. Open to the public for free through February 24, Living Lantern is the latest public art exhibition sponsored by the Garment District Alliance.

The lantern reacts to the wind, coming to life as its outer layers open and close, letting light and animated light sequences leak out of its center and fill the surrounding space.

“Living Lantern is an entrancing work of art that is bringing a sense of tranquility to the Garment District and truly enhancing the pedestrian experience,” Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance, said.

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

“We are so proud to introduce this extraordinary piece of public art to our neighborhood this winter, and we encourage the public to take a moment to enjoy this calming sensory experience while visiting the Garment District.”

Living Lantern is powered by WIREFRAME, an international art agency known for its production of interactive public art installations. Before arriving in NYC, the installation appeared at the 2021 World Science Festival and Curiocity in Brisbane, Australia and the 2021 Taiwan Light Festival in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

“We thank our incredible partners at the Garment District Alliance on their commitment to exhibiting a wide variety of public art in the plazas in partnership with our DOT Art Program,” Ydanis Rodriguez, NYC DOT Commissioner, said.

“We are reimagining public space around NYC, including through the use of beautiful public art. Along Broadway in the Garment District, where we have done so much recent work to make an iconic street even more welcoming and car-free, Living Lantern offers a unique and engaging experience to enjoy in the colder, darker months – highlighting how our public spaces are active and utilized year-round.”

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

Living Lantern is part of the Garment District Art on the Plazas, a year-round public art program headed by the Garment District Alliance and the New York City Department of Transportation. The two groups collaborate to create new, creative public art installations that enhance public spaces and welcome New Yorkers and visitors.

Most recently, the Alliance announced a redesign for the iconic needle & button kiosk that sits at Seventh Avenue and 39th Street. Originally built in the 1970s as a garment industry information center, the kiosk sat unused for years. The new structure measures 28 feet tall and includes a 15-foot diameter aluminum button and a 32-foot brushed stainless steel needle.


‘Living’ lantern installation offers a moment of zen in Midtown

POSTED JANUARY 19, 2023BY AARON GINSBURG

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

76 Madison Avenue, Unit 5A

76 Madison Avenue, Unit 5A

NOMAD, MANHATTAN

$2,650,000

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Condo

 

Discover exciting NoMad/Flatiron living in this stunning two-bedroom, two-bathroom plus home office in a full-service boutique condominium perfectly positioned at the corner of Madison and 28th Street.

Keyed-elevator access delivers you directly to this nearly 1,800-square-foot showplace featuring wide-plank hardwood floors, soaring 11-foot-tall beamed ceilings and rows of oversized windows facing north and east. Relax and entertain in the spacious living room where unimpeded eastern views provide a bird's-eye view over 28th Street. A leather banquette and padded wall panels create a luxurious dining area, while the open kitchen welcomes casual meals along its wide waterfall island. Chefs will love the custom cabinetry, a wall of pantry space and a fleet of upscale appliances, including a vented Miele cooktop and oven, Sub-Zero refrigerator, dishwasher and wine refrigerator.

Head to the palatial owner's suite to discover three roomy closets, including a walk-in, and an en suite spa bathroom with a frameless glass shower, soaking tub and wide vanity, all surrounded by large-format tile. The desirable split-bedroom layout places the secondary bedroom along the eastern exposure within easy reach of a handsome guest bathroom finished with a walk-in rain shower and upholstered vanity. Off the foyer, an ingenious sliding wall separates the home office lounge from the rest of the living space to create an ideal work-from-home environment or guest suite. An in-unit Miele washer-dryer and individually controlled HVAC units add comfort and convenience to this exceptional, move-in-ready NoMad oasis. This home conveys with a deeded basement storage bin.

Residents of the pet-friendly enclave enjoy full-time doorman, superintendent, storage and a stunning roof deck with an outdoor kitchen, covered seating, a fireplace and dramatic city skyline views. Located in ultra-desirable NoMad and steps away from Whole Foods, with easy access to the Flatiron District, Gramercy, Chelsea and Union Square, this home is surrounded by the best of Manhattan living. Enjoy glorious outdoor space, a dog park, Shake Shack and year-round events at Madison Square Park. Foodies will love the award-winning dining at The Clocktower, Eleven Madison Park, Sugarfish and Gramercy Tavern, and gourmet food shopping abounds with Eataly, Fairway, Trader Joe's and Morton Williams all within blocks. Transportation couldn't be easier with N/R/W, 4/5/6, L, F/M and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.
The agent representing the property has an ownership interest.

Saying No Can Be Hard: 20 Ways to Say No

20 Ways to Say No

While it may feel difficult to say no to other people’s requests, especially if you’re a people pleaser, saying yes to everyone constantly means you are saying no to yourself and your personal goals.

If you’re serious about getting focused on your own goals rather than helping advance someone else’s goals, you need to start learning how to say no.

WHY YOU NEED TO LEARN TO SAY NO

First, you’re responsible for respecting your boundaries. When you say yes to everyone even when you don’t feel like it, you are crossing your boundaries. This can lead to frustration with yourself and will eventually take a hit at your self-esteem, both of which can set you back in your progress toward your goals.

Second of all, if you want to be successful, you need to focus on one goal at a time. By saying no to requests that don’t advantage you in any way or that aren’t aligned with your goals, you are moving faster towards your goals as you eliminate any distractions. It also allows you to deliver more for yourself and produce at a much higher quality.

Lastly, you just can’t do it all without your health and well-being taking a hit. Time is a limited resource and saying yes to everyone’s requests will only give you a never-ending to-do list that you just can’t seem to finish. When you’re constantly chasing after your tail, you’re more likely to burn out -- especially if you’re overworking yourself with tasks that aren’t even what you want to be doing or passionate about.

WHEN TO SAY NO

Now that you know why you need to say no more often, here are 3 questions you can ask yourself to decide whether or not you should say yes or no to a request: Does this task help me achieve my goals?

A task that doesn’t bring you any closer to the finish line is not something you want on your to-do list: Is this task aligned with my priorities?

Ideally, everything you do daily is aligned with your priorities. You don’t want to do anything that is too far off from what you need to be focused on right now at this moment. Is there someone else who can do this instead?

Sometimes, there is someone that can do the job better than you can or simply has more time than you do. If that’s the case, you should consider declining the request. 

20 WAYS TO SAY NO 

As for how you can say no to someone or something, there are plenty of ways you can go about it. Here are 20:

  1. "Unfortunately, I have too much to do today. I can help you another time."

  2. "The timing right now isn't good. Can you keep me in mind for next time?

  3. "No, I won't be able to fit that into my schedule this week."

  4. "How thoughtful of you. I appreciate your offer, but this time I'm simply too busy with work."

  5. "I can't help, but I have some resources I can forward to you."

  6. "I would love to help, but I have too much going on. Best of luck with your endeavors."

  7. "I'm afraid I can't. Let's discuss this another time."

  8. "I'm going to pass this time. Perhaps we can discuss this again next month."

  9. "I'm not the right fit for this task. I can help you think of someone else to ask."

  10. "I enjoyed helping you last time, but I am too busy to assist you right now."

  11. "No, sorry. I need to prioritize other tasks right now."

  12. "I've been feeling too busy at work lately. I will have to decline this time."

  13. "I know that's challenging for you, but I can't help you at the moment."

  14. “ I don’t have the bandwidth to help out right now.”

  15. “ I can’t help, but I know someone who can.”

  16. “ I don’t have any free time this week. Check in again with me next month.”

  17. “ I can’t help right now, but this person can.”

  18. “ I’m afraid my calendar is already full.”

  19. “ These resources can help you get started. Let me know if you have any questions.”

  20. “ No, I can’t.”

Remember, the more you say no to the things that don't matter to you, the more you can say yes to the things that do.

By: Level Up Mastermind

About Level Up Mastermind:

OUR MISSION:

Our mission is to provide structure, accountability, and growth opportunities for real estate professionals.

WHO WE ARE:

We are a community of real estate professionals, including brokers, investors, developers, attorneys, marketers, and entrepreneurs, working in the hottest real estate markets across the United States.

We are highly motivated self-starters, who know the value of a strong community. We have ambitious goals and specific plans for how to reach them.

205 West End Avenue, Unit 6V

205 West End Avenue, Unit 6V

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN

$829,000

1+ Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

Lush garden views, outdoor space and extraordinary amenities await in this one-bedroom, one-bathroom home at the revered Lincoln Towers— a multi-building cooperative with a commanding presence in coveted Lincoln Square.

Put your personal stamp on this sun-splashed home featuring an expansive open floor plan and glorious natural light thanks to southern exposures over the verdant community park. Tall ceilings rise above wide art walls and wood floors. From a gracious foyer flanked by two closets, you're invited into a spacious living room stretching 30 feet to bright windows and a roomy dining alcove. The large kitchen boasts abundant cabinet space and a fleet of appliances, including a gas range, dishwasher and built-in microwave. Off the living room, the large balcony is perfect for morning coffee and after-dinner drinks overlooking the park and plaza below.

The king-size bedroom features a roomy reach-in closet, and a convenient linen closet is situated just outside the full bathroom. Through-the-wall air conditioning adds year-round comfort to this special westside Upper West Side residence.

Lincoln Towers is an eight-building postwar cooperative set among 20 acres of private playgrounds, lovely gardens and parks. Residents of the complex enjoy 24-hour doorman and concierge service, live-in maintenance staff, gyms, children's playrooms, package rooms, storage, bike rooms, laundry facilities, indoor parking garages and outdoor parking spaces, plus on-site dry cleaners and private security. Pets, pieds-à-terre, parents buying for children, co-purchasing, subletting after two years and 70% financing permitted with board approval.

Located in vibrant Lincoln Square, this home offers the ideal mix of accessibility, entertainment and iconic outdoor space. Enjoy afternoons along Hudson River Greenway or Riverside Park. Shop and dine along Broadway, or take in world-class entertainment at Lincoln Center or the Theater District. Transportation from this Upper West Side enclave is a breeze with 1/2/3 and B/C trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes nearby.

The 2022 Year in Review (All in all, not too bad!)

The 2022 Year in Review

(All in all, not too bad!)

All things considered, 2022 turned out to be better than many would have thought, but it was definitely “front-loaded,” with the majority of deals signed and closed in the first six months of the year. 

Throughout the year, The Hoffman Team saw the same trend as the overall New York real estate market. As of Dec. 23, we had closed 104 deals with another 14 units in contract and ready to close in early 2023. However, between January and June 2022, we signed about 76% of those contracts, with the remainder signed from June to December. So, deal activity was definitely front-loaded. Overall, this gave the market a false sense of security. It would’ve been a seriously doom-and-gloom year if the hyperactivity of 2021 didn't carry over into the first half of 2022.

The luxury market saw the same activity trends. By the last half of December, there were 1,304 contracts signed for $4 million and up in Manhattan. There were 836 signed contracts (64%) in the first half of the year compared to 468 (36%) in the second half. (Thank you to Olshan Realty for their luxury market report every week!) 

So, activity both overall and in the luxury sector deteriorated after June 2022 under spiking interest rates and a declining stock market, which is now down 20% year over year. But there’s hope! The Hoffman Team put 11 properties into contract in November alone, and we have over 15 accepted offers at the time I write this newsletter. I think the first half of 2023 will be busy. Interest rates that are flat or gradually descending, an extremely hot rental market and low inventory should give the market a floor moving into early 2023. Beyond that is anyone’s guess!

At this point in my annual review, I usually consider year-over-year metrics, but because of the hectic and frankly erratic last three years, it’s almost not worth doing so. The Hoffman Team’s deal volume for 2022 was $129.82 million compared to $183.95 million in 2021. The pandemic year (2020) saw sales volume of $67.36 million. As you can see, the ups and downs of recent years can’t predict things to come. Because of this volatile annual data, these metrics don’t really count this year, but they’re interesting to look at, and the financial markets like to base their analysis on them. I think it’s misleading. 

All in all, it was a good year. Some months/weeks were dreadful, and others were strong. Generally, the real estate market mirrored interest rates and the stock market — it rebounded when rates fell or the stock market rose. There will likely be more turbulence in 2023, as many pundits predict. But what doesn’t change is The Hoffman Team‘s dedication to our clients and leading real estate transactions with your best interests in mind. That’s our number one asset and enduring promise.

Thank you so much for a wonderful year. We look forward to serving your real estate needs in 2023. 

Listing Spotlight:

June 2023 - MTA to cut Monday and Friday subway service on some lines

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will modify subway service on seven lines to better accommodate post-pandemic transit ridership trends. The agency on Monday said starting next June it would increase scheduled trips on the weekends and decrease trips on Mondays and Fridays, two days where ridership recovery has been the slowest.

Photo via WikiCommons

The changes will add scheduled trips to the G, J, and M subway lines on weekends, improving headway times by roughly two minutes. These three lines are most used by Brooklyn and Queens commuters to transfer to other subway lines and often have longer wait times on the weekends.

NYC Transit has also proposed an earlier start to weekday A and C rush hour service to accommodate post-pandemic rush hour trends. Manhattan-bound A and C service will begin one trip earlier during the morning rush hour.

There will also be scheduled reductions on Mondays and Fridays to 1, 6, 7, E, F, L, and Q service, following a pattern of lower subway ridership on these days than on mid-week days.

Mondays and Fridays are the days the majority of NYC workers work from home, which has contributed to lower transit usage, according to Gothamist. On the other hand, weekend usage has recovered faster, currently sitting at roughly 77 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

“We continually analyze ridership patterns to better serve riders. These adjustments reflect higher ridership recovery on the weekends, and lower relative ridership on Mondays and Fridays in the post-COVID hybrid work era,” Richard Davey, NYC Transit President, said.

“As riders continue to return to mass transit and patterns change, New York City Transit will adapt service accordingly as we strive to provide faster, cleaner and safer rides.”

As Gothamist reported, riders might wait between three and 30 seconds more than usual for those trains on Monday and Friday.

The scheduled changes to subway service mark the first time that the MTA has initiated significant adjustments since the start of the pandemic. In May 2020, the subway system shut down overnight for the first time in its history, part of a plan to disinfect every car and station to prevent Covid from spreading. A year later, 24/7 service resumed.

The MTA said the service adjustments could save the agency roughly $1.5 million a year, helping to chip away at its current $600 million budget gap as it runs out of federal funding that it obtained during the pandemic.

The MTA has announced other countermeasures to cut its budget deficit, including a projected 5.5 percent fare hike.

MTA to cut Monday and Friday subway service on some lines

POSTED TODAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo via WikiCommons

The Library Books New Yorkers Borrowed The Most in 2022

New York City’s three public library systems released their annual lists for their most checked-out titles of 2022. At the New York Public Library, the most borrowed book of the year was Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library: A Novel. In Brooklyn, the top checkout was Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel, and in Queens, The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley.

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

Each of the systems had a different top checkout, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid appeared on all three lists. Liane Moriarty’s Apples Never Fall, V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation were also popular choices.

Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half, the top checkout from both the NYPL and Brooklyn Public Library in 2021, appeared on Brooklyn’s list once again.

“New Yorkers have character and it’s no surprise that this year’s top checkouts show they love good books with great characters,” Brian Bannon, NYPL’s Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education, said.

“The titles checked out at The New York Public Library this year are wonderful stories that invite readers to take a break from the hustle of everyday life and visit new places (and time periods) with interesting people doing fascinating things. We’re delighted to share these books with our patrons and welcome all New Yorkers to use their library card and choose their next adventure.”

New York Public Library (Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island):

  1. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig

  2. Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus

  3. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles

  4. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  5. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry

  6. This Time Tomorrow: A Novel by Emma Straub

  7. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  8. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

  9. Verity by Colleen Hoover

  10. It Ends with Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

Brooklyn Public Library:

  1. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave

  2. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig

  3. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

  4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

  5. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henry

  6. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  7. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

  8. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  9. The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett

  10. Klara and the Sun: A Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro

Queens Public Library:

  1. The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley

  2. It Ends With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

  3. The Judge’s List: A Novel by John Grisham

  4. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

  5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  6. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave

  7. Verity by Colleen Hoover

  8. Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult

  9. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

  10. What Happened to the Bennetts: A Novel by Lisa Scottoline

Here are the library books New Yorkers borrowed the most in 2022

POSTED TODAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

https://www.6sqft.com/here-are-the-library-books-new-yorkers-borrowed-the-most-in-2022/

415 East 52nd Street, Unit 1AB

415 East 52nd Street, Unit 1AB

MIDTOWN EAST, MANHATTAN

$689,000

1+ Bed  |  1 Bath | Co-op

 

Peace and lush surroundings await in this stunning junior four currently configured as a two-bedroom, one-bathroom courtyard-facing co-op on a serene Beekman cul-de-sac.

This expansive split-layout home welcomes you inside with hardwood floors, tall ceilings and northern views over verdant landscaping. The gracious foyer entry hall boasts three large closets and plenty of room for a desk area. Ahead, discover a spacious living room where wide art walls and garden vistas surround generous seating and dining areas. The renovated pass-through kitchen is finished with snow-white cabinets and countertops and stainless steel appliances, including a gas range with a griddle, a dishwasher and a built-in microwave.

Sleep soundly in the oversized primary bedroom featuring northern and eastern outlooks and two large closets. Just outside, a linen closet leads to the updated, windowed full bathroom, where you'll find a marble vanity and glass partition soaking tub/shower. Across the living room, the second bedroom is perfect for guest, home office or nursery use. A total of six closets means storage will never be a concern in this delightful home.

Sutton House is a white-glove postwar cooperative where residents enjoy a classic canopy entrance, full-time doorman and concierge service, a live-in resident manager, a fitness center, laundry, children's playroom, Culligan water filtration, storage, a bike room, three landscaped roof decks and a 24-hour garage. Pets, gifting, pieds-à-terre and up to 75 percent financing permitted. There is a $139.75 assessment in place until July 2025.

On this delightful tree-lined Beekman cul-de-sac, you'll bask in tranquil residential serenity and spectacular accessibility. Fantastic dining, shopping and services line the nearby streets of Midtown East, including Whole Foods and the Trader Joe's Bridgemarket location just blocks away. This home is close to the United Nations and the city's elite medical centers, with easy access to hidden gem Greenacre Park and miles of uninterrupted waterfront paths along the East River Promenade. Transportation is effortless with E, M/F, 6 and N/Q/R/W trains, excellent bus service, CitiBikes, the FDR and 59th Street Bridge all nearby.

*$139.75 assessment in place until June 2025.

The Monthly Update - December 2022

The Power of the Purchaser in Today's Market.

The winter months can be a very powerful time for buyers to step into the Manhattan/Brooklyn real estate market and purchase a home. Generally, the end of the fall/beginning of winter can be a great time of year to buy. This year, even more so, as the Fall 2022 market felt (was) much slower to sellers than last year, which is weighing heavily on sellers' minds at the moment. Therefore, negotiability is on the table in the 2022 holiday season.

During the fall, real estate activity was under a microscope — much more than in past years  — mostly due to the economic downturn, the real estate slowdown and increased interest rates. That combination resulted in buyers holding off, and that's too bad. For them. Generally, winter months are always a good time for buyers to get serious about their purchase. Historically, locking in a sale during winter from the “leftover listings” that failed to sell in the fall can result in smart money purchases.

However, this year, sellers seem to be a bit more content at lower sale prices than in past years. Of course, it depends on the property, the listing price and how popular the listing is on the market. But most listings are languishing somewhat, (the average days on market rose over 5% from last year) and sellers are more vulnerable than in years past. Buyers should feel that they have some power right now. Interest rates are starting to stabilize and even dip a bit. Another reason buyers should act: At the time of this writing, Jason Richie at HSBC  has the 30-year jumbo rate with no points at 5.578%. Not bad! Plus, if buyers can get some sort of discount off of their property’s asking price, it's a win-win! 

I'm not really sure why buyers aren't out there in droves right now! I would be. For example, I had a buyer purchase in a new development, and the sponsor paid for all of his closing costs (I mean everything!) Plus, they took almost 3% off the sale price. Interestingly, the average negotiation off listing price is about 3% to 7%. And, the longer the property stays on the market, the bigger the discount off of the asking price.

Buyers: I know it's scary to skate out on the ice by yourself, but this is the time when there are good deals to be had and smart purchases to be made. If you like something between now and February 1, I can tell you you'll be a very happy seller in 5 to 7 years if you make an offer and lock in a price. After February of 2023, I think the word is going to get out that The Fed is not raising interest rates, and rates will trickle down. That will be coupled with new inventory supplies this spring. In NYC, rentals also play a huge role in the health of the sales market, and many are predicting a furious rental market come spring. If the U.S. economy can hold on and start to dig out, buyers are going to return, setting the stage for a robust spring market. That said, right now, I wouldn't say it's a full-fledged buyer's market, but it's definitely leaning in your direction! ACT NOW!

Real Estate in the News:

Global Trends Impacting Real Estate in 2023

Looking ahead to the new year, the annual report from PwC highlights the top factors that will drive changes to real estate. Macro forces of today will result in changes for real estate in 2023—from the sales pace and buyer preferences to city infrastructure and investor demand. Check out the article to read about it all, and get an inside peek at the top markets to watch.

Courtesy of PwC

Local Happenings:

OPEN NOW - January 2, 2023

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Bryant Park's Winter Village by Bank of America is back in NYC with holiday festivities and shopping and food at its holiday shops. Its 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink that's free to use (if you bring your own skates) is always the highlight, but it's Winter Village in all its holiday spirit is a close second. This year, over 170 new and returning kiosks will be there for you to peruse through—all at one of the best NYC parks.

Click HERE for more details.

DECEMBER 31, 2022

Times Square New Years Eve

New Year’s Eve 2022 is almost here and 2023 is just around the corner! The biggest party in NYC is back in Times Square and you can attend the evenings' festive celebrations as the famous New Year's Eve Ball descends atop One Times Square. The celebration begins at 6pm with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and is followed by a spectacular lineup of events.

Click HERE for more details.

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks:

7 Best National Parks to Visit in Winter

Many people consider a National Park visit an essential summer trip—but don’t sleep on the same parks in the winter. Break out your winter gear and journey to these winter wonderlands.

Courtesy of Travel + Leisure

How to Make Holiday Dinner Cleanup a Breeze

Do you ever feel like you spend more time cleaning up after a holiday meal than you do enjoying it? You’re not alone. Set yourself up for an efficient clean up and spend more time with friends and family. Try out these tips during the holiday season, and even use them for parties all year long.

Courtesy of HGTV

25 New Year's Eve Desserts to Ring in 2023

Celebrate the start of the new year with something sweet! Whether you’re looking for a decadent showstopper or an easy treat, end your meal—and the year—on a delicious note.

Courtesy of Southern Living

THT Listing Spotlight:

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New Midtown Public Garden Now Open At 550 Madison Avenue

Photo courtesy of Barret Doherty

The new public garden at Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue building opened this week, the final component of the postmodern landmark’s renovation led by the Olayan Group. Designed by Snøhetta, the lush privately-owned public space (POPS) is located adjacent to 550 Madison in a formerly enclosed mid-block passageway. Increasing the public space at the site by 50 percent, the half-acre garden is now the largest in Midtown East.

The garden connects to the newly renovated lobby, designed by Gensler to respect Johnson’s original arcade. The architects added a rear window in the lobby that overlooks the landscaped garden.

The outdoor space has 48 trees, 200 shrubs, 6,300 bulb plants, and 10,000 herbaceous understory plants. The garden also offers gender-inclusive public restrooms and three food and beverage kiosks.

A 70-foot glass canopy covering the space can collect 93,000 gallons of rainwater every year to be used to sustainably water the entire garden. Snøhetta worked alongside landscape and horticulture companies Phyto, The Dirt Company, SiteWorks, Arup, and Adamson Associates Architects.

“Snøhetta’s design for the new garden transforms the streets surrounding the iconic 550 Madison building into accessible, lavishly vegetated, and highly visible public space,” Michelle Delk, partner and landscape architect at Snøhetta, said.

Photo courtesy of Barret Doherty

“A new lobby window and redesigned storefronts honor Philip John’s original design. We are honored to help return this important part of Midtown to its visitors while contributing to the celebrated vibrancy of New York City.”

The public green space consists of five different sections centered around a tranquil body of water. These distinct sections feature “tree-filled backdrops” and “shrub skirts,” inspired by vegetation found in America’s Northeastern mountains.

Tree species found in the garden include Yellowwood, Sweetbay Magnolia, and River Birch, while the plants found in the garden’s shrub skirt include Mountain Rosebay, Smooth Hydrangea, and Bottlebrush Buckeye.

Other plantings include a diverse cast of regional native species, including Soloman’s Seal, Goatsbeard, Black Cohosh, Coral Bell, and Sword Fern.

The garden’s bloom calendar has been timed to offer a beautiful array of colors, including shades of pink, purple, blue, and yellow, on different dates from February to October annually.

James Ewing courtesy of Gensler

Setting up shop in the kiosks are Eat Offbeat, offering cuisines made by refugee and immigrant chefs, Local Roots NYC, offering farm-to-table Chinese food and bubble tea, and Black Fox Coffee Co., a local New York City coffee shop.

“The half-acre garden at 550 Madison is a welcoming new green space, offering a lush and elegant environment at the center of New York City,” Erik Horvat, managing director of real estate at Olayan America, said in a statement. “The garden’s cutting-edge design and meticulous maintenance positions it among the most beautiful public spaces in the city, while providing a dynamic amenity to tenants of 550 Madison.”

See Snøhetta’s lush public garden now open at 550 Madison Avenue

POSTED, NOVEMBER 17, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

Photos courtesy of Barret Doherty and James Ewing courtesy of Gensler

NYC Taxi Fares To Increase By 23% For 2023

Photo by Taton Moïse on Unsplash

The cost of an average metered New York City taxi ride will increase by nearly 23 percent by the end of the year. The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) voted this week to approve fare hikes for yellow cabs, the first increase in roughly a decade. The average passenger metered fare will increase from $15.97 to $19.62 per ride, which will lead to drivers seeing a 33 percent jump in gross revenue, according to the TLC.

Under the approved changes, the base fare for metered rides will increase from $2.50 to $3.00. Surcharges for rush hour trips will increase from $1 to $2.50 and for overnight trips from $0.50 to $1.

For rides to and from John F. Kennedy Airport in Manhattan, the flat fare will increase from $52 to $70. A $5 surcharge will be added to all trips to and from LaGuardia Airport, with the surcharge for trips to Newark Airport increasing from $17.50 to $20.

Chart courtesy of the TLC

Uber and Lyft rates will increase by over 7 percent per minute and 23.93 percent per mile. For example, a trip of 30 minutes and 7.5 miles would cost $27.15, up $2.50 from current rates, according to the commission.

First introduced this September, the new fares will take effect by the end of the year.

The fare hikes come as taxi drivers have struggled to make ends meet in recent years, exacerbated by both for-hire ride services like Uber and Lyft, the Covid-19 pandemic, and inflation.  According to the TLC, the increase in wages for drivers will get more taxis on the road to better meet demand.

The New York Times reports the number of for-hire vehicles operating through ride-hailing on the road dwarfs that of yellow cabs. According to the latest TLC data, there was a daily average of 5,700 yellow cabs on the road citywide in July compared to 46,800 for-hire cars.

“Raising taxi fare rates and minimum pay for high-volume drivers is the right thing to do for our city,” TLC Commissioner David Do said in a statement to the Times. “These raises will help offset increased operating expenses and the cost of living for T.L.C.-licensed drivers.”

With the cost of a medallion jumping from $200,000 in 2002 to $1 million in 2014, many cab drivers face mountains of debt, without seeing a raise in 10 years.

This past September, the TLC approved a deal with the city’s largest taxi medallion lender to forgive over $200 million in debt. According to the Times, officials hope to strike similar deals with other lenders.

NYC taxi fares to increase by 23% by end of the year

POSTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022BY DEVIN GANNON

Photo by Taton Moïse on Unsplash

Chart courtesy of the TLC

55 West 17th Street, Unit 405

55 West 17th Street, Unit 405

FLATIRON, MANHATTAN

$2,950,000

2 Bed  |  2 Bath | Condo

 

Discover crisp modern interiors and open-sky views in this immaculate two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium offering a wealth of upscale amenities and an ideal location where the Flatiron District meets Chelsea.

The sleek 1,417-square-foot welcomes you with bleached hardwood floors, tall ceilings and an open layout that maximizes light and views. Relax and entertain in the inviting living dining room flanked by a wall of built-in cabinetry. Oversized glass doors, Juliet balconies and an ideal position above the building's landscaped terrace provide a wonderful indoor-outdoor ambiance without the upkeep. Chefs will love the beautifully planned open kitchen where black oak cabinetry and white marble countertops surround a fleet of Gaggenau appliances, including a gas cooktop, oven, built-in microwave and dishwasher, plus a Summit wine refrigerator. The wide waterfall welcomes casual dining below designer lighting.

Head to the owner's suite to discover lovely views, king-size proportions and a custom walk-in closet. The en suite spa bathroom impresses with floor-to-ceiling tile, an oversized glass rain shower, soaking tub, wide double vanity and oversized mirrored medicine. The spacious secondary bedroom enjoys a custom closet and easy access to a full guest bathroom with stunning tile and a large tub/shower. In the hallway, a large custom coat closet and expansive laundry room with a side-by-side washer-dryer, sink and cabinetry ensure storage will never be a concern. Central HVAC with Nest thermostats completes this exquisite downtown abode.

Built-in 2018 by esteemed Morris Adjmi Architects, 55 West 17th is a contemporary condominium that blends seamlessly with the surrounding Ladies Mile Historic District with its Danish white brick façade and bold bronze canopy. Residents enjoy a handsome 24-hour attended lobby, fitness center, children's playroom, a dramatic lounge with billiards and a catering kitchen, a screening room with a wet bar, a landscaped terrace with a grilling area, a bike room and storage.

Located just blocks from both Union Square and Madison Square Park, this home offers front-row access to the best of Manhattan living with premier dining, shopping and nightlife on all sides. Foodies will love the proximity to the city's largest year-round greenmarket plus Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Eataly. Just four blocks away, The High Line and 500-acre Hudson River Park, including the delightful Little Island, offer unbeatable waterfront outdoor space and recreation. Access to transportation is superb with 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, L, 1/2/3, F/M and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations all nearby.

Starbucks Opens 3 Level Reserve Inside the Empire State Building

Starbucks is opening another of its premium, immersive roasteries within the Empire State Building on Wednesday. Spanning 23,000 square feet across three floors, the new Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store features immersive experiences like hands-on workshops and guided tasting flights, as well as an extensive menu of coffee beverages, craft cocktails, and artisan food only available at the location.

All images courtesy of Matthew Glac

The new store pays homage to the building’s Art Deco design, which is defined by “strong geometric patterns, rich colors, and ornamental details,” according to the Starbucks website. These same architectural features are found throughout the new Starbucks Reserve location.

All images courtesy of Matthew Glac

On the first floor, patrons will be able to purchase and enjoy their favorite Starbucks beverages, from classics like caramel macchiatos and seasonal coffees to beverages exclusive to Starbucks Reserve like the nitro almond milk mocha and hazelnut bianco latte.

Customers will be able to purchase the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend, a new coffee mix inspired by the famous landmark and roasted within the Meatpacking District’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery that opened in 2018.

This blend will be used as the primary ingredient for the store’s variety of coffee beverages and cocktails, offering a flavorful mix of red and black fruit, vanilla, and spice with a “smooth, chocolaty mouthfeel.”

Princi, the Italian artisanal bakery and cafe, will be offering food to compliment the roastery’s drink menu. They will offer a variety of focaccia and pizzas, freshly baked cornetti, as well as avocado toast, brioche, cakes, and tarts.

All images courtesy of Matthew Glac

“Starbucks Reserve locations are designed to spotlight our exquisite Starbucks Reserve coffee and showcase our heritage, expertise, and dedication to coffee craft through interactive coffee experiences where barista craft is the cornerstone,” Mark Ring, senior vice president of U.S. retail at Starbucks, said.

All images courtesy of Matthew Glac

“The Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store is a one-of-a-kind destination that highlights our commitment to push the boundaries of coffee craft and offer our customers new, immersive and multi-sensory coffeehouses that are designed to inspire and create moments of connection in this special space.”

Located on the first floor is an area where customers can purchase merchandise made by local artists and browse through a collection of seasonally rotating Starbucks Reserve whole-bean coffee.

On the concourse level, there are a few opportunities for customers to learn more about the careful art of crafting Starbucks Reserve’s food and drink. Customers can get hands-on experience by attending a Starbucks Reserve Coffee Workshop, and taste test different coffees and foods in the Experience Lounge and Innovation Bar.

Starbucks Reserve Coffee Workshops will offer interactive, small-group lessons to those interested in learning more about coffee. These workshops are the first of their kind and include topics like Whiskey Barrel-Aged 101, Starbucks Reserve Brewtender for A Day, Espresso Martini Flight Fundamentals, and Fun with Sprit-Free Spritzes.

The second floor features a restaurant and bar where customers can enjoy Princi food, including signature tasting boards and plates, and entrees for brunch and lunch throughout the entire day. Every meal will begin with a complimentary sip tasting of the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend.

Those interested in attending a workshop or trying out drinks at the Innovation Bar can purchase a ticket and make reservations here.

Starbucks opens three-level Reserve location inside the Empire State Building

POSTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022BY AARON GINSBURG

All images courtesy of Matthew Glac

Your new home awaits.