- Man falls on subway tracks at Fulton Station – is rescued by riders! http://t.co/5IxmoiQa #

- Sinkhole closes John Street block in #FiDi http://t.co/2XNXzOkH #

- Watch WABC’s CloseUp with Diana Williams at 11AM Sunday to see the @Hiveat55 #coworking #NYC #business #

- Watch WABC’s CloseUp with Diana Williams at 11AM today to see the @Hiveat55 #coworking #NYC #business #

- Good morning #LowerManhattan Howz it going? @nycpolicemuseum @seaport @poetshouse @NewAmsterdamMkt #

- .@LMCCC Downtown Dinner 2012 to honor DLMA Chairman Robret Douglass. Details at http://t.co/XD00boiJ #

- In today’s #Broadsheet concerns about Stuyvesant High School nighttime construction: http://t.co/pRZLFdMN #

The Hive’s main purpose is to support and promote our community of entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups as they grow their businesses. What better way to do so than to have them interviewed on a local news program?

I joined Hive members Rajiv Roopan and Tom Conlon on ABC’s Up Close with Diana Williams this past weekend. After relaxing in the green room for a few minutes, we headed to the studio. Diana asked us about life at the Hive, and we spoke about collaboration and members working together. Rajiv and Tom also talked about their startups, and Diana asked them some great questions about their work. Diana couldn’t have been nicer; she really put our nerves at ease!

The experience was topped off when we bumped into Kelly Ripa in the hallway. Star-struck, we all said “Hiiii!” in unison, and she kindly said hello back. The time we spent at the ABC studio won’t be soon forgotten, and the experience was made possible simply because we all call the Hive “home” during the week!

L-R: Tom Conlon, Rajiv Roopan and Brian DiFeo

]]> http://blog.downtownny.com/2012/02/the-hive-at-55-gets-up-close-with-diana-williams/feed/ 0 http://blog.downtownny.com/2012/02/a-video-tour-of-our-new-wi-fi-corridor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-video-tour-of-our-new-wi-fi-corridor http://blog.downtownny.com/2012/02/a-video-tour-of-our-new-wi-fi-corridor/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:09:45 +0000 jgsatwork http://blog.downtownny.com/?p=8912 A couple of months ago, I once again had the fortune of climbing up to the roof of another building in Lower Manhattan, this time at 84 William Street. The plan was to place Wi-Fi access points on the top of the roof pointing down. But when we got up there, it was clear that wasn’t going to work because the building is so steep that no one would be able to use the Wi-Fi on the ground.

Plan B involved working with Taz, the retailer on the building’s ground floor; they were very happy to work with us, fortunately. This means we are proud to announce the creation of three more spaces where you can enjoy Wi-Fi in our neighborhood: Louise Nevelson Plaza (the little island between William Street, Maiden Lane and Liberty Street),  59 Maiden Lane (in front of Zeytuna’s and catty-corner to Louise Nevelson), and at the Churchyard at Trinity Church on Broadway.

But that’s not all we’ve done!

We’ve created the first Wi-Fi corridor in Lower Manhattan! At 168,000 square feet, it runs from the top of the British Memorial Garden all the way down Stone Street and into the plaza area south of Stone Street. It even covers some of Coenties Slip to Water Street, extending to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza across the street.

Check out my guided tour (though, it was really windy, so don’t turn your volume up too high).

I’m sure given our warmer weather this winter you’d like to head outside already. In a few short months, it will be warm all the time and we will have several new areas to enjoy free Wi-Fi outside in the great district of Lower Manhattan.

If you want more details on the WiFi program, click here.

By Kelly Rush

Without vision, a people perish. Or, in my version of this proverb for the column: Without glasses from the right eyewear shop, one might not be able to find one’s way to the spa … or to the restaurant for ribs. In this week’s edition, pamper yourself with a facial, indulge in barbecue and get lost in art while you wait for your new custom eyeglass frames. As usual, if you see any new retailers or spot changes to a long-time friend, please email me at tre@downtownny.com and I’ll check them out.

Affina Beauty & Spa – 125 Church Street
(212) 233-8822 | www.affinaspa.com

It’s appropriate that Affina Beauty & Spa is located on Church Street because a trip here could be a heavenly experience. The interior looks like your ultra-hip friend’s loft with warming influences from grandma. Manager Shine Guo said spa employees designed the space themselves. It features a relaxing pale gray, blue and white color palette, dangling lights in whimsical shapes and floral artwork. Think of the manicures and pedicures offered here as an introduction, an opportunity to get your feet wet. The spa offers Swedish, deep tissue and hot-stone massage and several different facials such as the derma acne facial which clears up skin and prevents future breakouts from occurring.  Check back because the spa soon will be offering laser hair removal because no one wants to pluck for the rest of her life. Receive 20 percent off services until April 1.

North End Grill – 104 North End Avenue
(646) 747-1600 | www.northendgrillnyc.com

North End Grill, the other new offering from Danny Meyer’s restaurant group in Battery Park City, is also operating at full capacity. Chef Floyd Cardoz, formerly of Tabla and a competitor on Top Chef Masters, is bringing his spin on high-end American cuisine to a lovely space overlooking the Hudson. Appetizers include Louisiana shrimp with fennel and radish or a torchon of foie gras with quince paste and grilled brioche. Entrees include a Nova Scotia halibut, diver sea scallops, a Berkshire pork chop or a duck breast and leg with leeks and tangerines.

Artsee Eyewear – 220 Murray Street
(212) 227-2400 | www.artseeeyewear.com

Curated art shows meet fashion frames at this eyewear shop across from the Shake Shack in the Goldman Sachs building’s restaurant alley. The current exhibition, David L. Nicholas’ Night Vision II, features large-scale and panoramic color photographs on the walls. The artwork accentuates the shop’s selection of eyeglass frames and both work in tandem to create a unique shopping experience.  General Manager Carlos Venegas said the exhibit space is currently booked; it’s easy to see why artists would want to showcase their work here. Frames sit atop pedestals and under glass domes that receive just the right amount of light from the fixtures above. Come for the eyewear, stay for the artwork.

Blue Smoke - 255 Vesey Street
(212) 889-2005 | www.bluesmoke.com

Danny Meyer’s eatery has been getting a lot of press, so diners will be pleased to hear that Blue Smoke is finally serving its full menu full-time. The restaurant features many barbecue favorites such as Texas salt and pepper beef ribs, pulled pork and Kansas City spareribs and some unexpected treats including chicken gumbo and bourbon pecan pie. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus round out the options for people with allergies or restricted diets.  Just because Blue Smoke is a barbecue place doesn’t mean you have to indulge, but I would.

OBAO – 38 Water Street
(212) 361-6311 | www.obaony.com

The second Obao outpost, on Water Street, calls itself the “casual extension” of the flagship Obao in Midtown, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2011 and 2012. The Water Street location, like its predecessor, specializes in blending Thai and Vietnamese cuisine but at a pace fast enough for its Financial District patrons.  Start with the caramelized pork belly, move on to the massamun chicken or pho, add a side of sautéed bean sprouts or Chinese broccoli and end with a green tea panna cotta.

Closings:

Bolton’s – 95 Wall Street
Syms – 42 Trinity Place
Cafe Doppio – 55 Broad Street
Hidden Treasures – 32 Warren Street
Twin Café – 275 Greenwich Street

For more information on retailers in Lower Manhattan, visit the Alliance for Downtown New York at www.DowntownNY.com. You can check out an interactive map with details on hours, locations and services and search the events calendar. Or, stay connected through the Downtown Alliance iPhone app, available for download on the website.

Okay, we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves at all. And yes, we are anxious to host another parade in the Canyon of Heroes. For now, we’ll simply provide our die-hard New York Giants fans with a field of options to celebrate Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, February 5th.  We’ve started the list with a few places and specials. But check back as the game day approaches to learn even more ways to kick off your festivities

Crumbs Bakeshop
87 Beaver Street | 40 Broad Street | www.crumbs.com

Score points with your taste buds and friends by picking up some delicious football cupcakes from Crumbs Bakeshop. Now with two locations in Lower Manhattan at 87 Beaver Street and at 40 Broad Street, it’s even easier to indulge in Crumbs’ Super Bowl Party Mix.

The Porterhouse at Fraunces Tavern
58 Pearl Street | www.frauncestavern.com

The Porterhouse at Fraunces Tavern is offering a $50 per person open bar and buffet ($40 if booked before January 29).  Fraunces will be broadcasting the big game on its 80 inch projector screen with surround sound.  Prizes and giveaways at the end of each quarter!

Mad Dog & Beans
83 Pearl Street | www.maddogandbeans.com

Mad Dog & Beans is offering a Super Bowl Package for $50 per person that includes a bucket of six Mexican beers, unlimited Mexican nachos and hot wings.  Join in on the taco-eating contest at halftime to win a $100 gift card!

Ryan Maguire’s Ale House
28 Cliff Street | www.ryanmaguiresalehouse.com

Enjoy the Super Bowl at Ryan Maguire’s with a pitcher and wings for only $15!  Additional drink promotions will be available throughout the game along with giveaways.

SamSara Cafe
277 Water Street | www.samsaracafe.com

SamSara has a 100″ video wall with surround sound so book your private party for the Super Bowl.  All you need is 20+ people and the restaurant is yours!  SamSara will be serving its regular menu along with some of the Chef’s special wings and Happy Hour pricing on well drinks and draft beer until halftime.

2 West
2 West Street | www.ritzcarlton.com

2 West at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park has two large, flat-screen TVs that will be broadcasting the championship game while Executive Chef James Dangler prepares a delicious menu that includes wings, sliders, nachos, chili, baked potatos, calamari and more along with beer bucket specials.

Guests who want to experience the Super Bowl from the comfort of a suite at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park can book the Super Bowl Package, which includes an overnight stay in a Liberty suite, tailgating treats for four guests and additional amenities such as Super Bowl decorations and opposing team gear. Starting from $775.

- Good morning #LowerManhattan ! @nytimes @cityroom @NYMag @DNAinfo #

- New Vintry has “interesting, organic & sinuous interior architecture” says #Broadsheet @broadtweetnyc http://t.co/Em4MI8m1 #

- Donald Trump again has managed to improve 40 Wall Street’s value says @wsj http://t.co/C6VwOaRi #

- 3 #WTC site plans may change? Much smaller building? http://t.co/TshD5xTH #

- .@wsj reports on HQ of #OWS on Broadway: http://t.co/tyG1UC9s #

- Bowling Green Greenmarket is open from 8AM to 5 PM today. #

- Little Syria in #LowerManhattan … http://t.co/QCqtGreO #

- Staten Island Ferry Terminal Market is open until 7 PM today. #

- Yummy! Downtown Community Center holds cooking classes for kids. Details in today’s #Broadsheet http://t.co/eq54vtq1 #

- Tom Hanks’ #WTC Movie ‘Extremely Loud’ Nominated for Best Picture Oscar. http://t.co/TpxvGD9q #

- @Botensten Thanks for the retweet! #

- Check out The Greatest City on Earth in #LowerManhattan at http://t.co/xrlPCyjx #

- #OWS drops suit on #Zuccotti Park: http://t.co/w5kZUklN #

- TriBeCa Kids Give Local Chefs a Hand in the Kitchen: http://t.co/BvqH1c4H #

- Good morning #LowerManhattan @LMCC @LMCCC @LMDC @NewAmsterdamMarket #

- 100s of eateries sound off about #NYC health inspections: http://t.co/HuEwHjSg #

- .@The Seaport – South Street Seaport Museum to reopen with #OWS exhibit tomorrow. http://t.co/wXS9JV4G #

- Sick 9/11 Responders Turned Away from Zadroga Hearing After Technical Snafu. http://t.co/kWVZc2Fk #

- Knowing Emma Lazarus – a new exhibit at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – gets @wsj writeup: http://t.co/lDN3aylW #

- Ring in 4710 w/ the 2012 Lunar New Year Celebration @ Wintergarden @wfcNewYork – Jan. 28, 1-4 PM. nychineseculturalcenter.org #

- South Street @Seaport Museum opens today and to the public tomorrow! Can’t wait to check out the #OWS photo exhibit. #

- #LowerManhattan @CommunityBoard 1 resident Liz Williams profiled in the Downtown Express: http://t.co/UoLJhxiI #

- Why does #LowerManhattan love Pat Kiernan? http://t.co/dPEPvHVF @patspapers #

- Pace University in #LowerManhattan unveils the future of student teaching. http://t.co/3DMUNomH #

- After media’s #OWS Arrests, U.S. plummets in press freedom index. http://t.co/JuAfZ10w #

- Stone Street! “@NYMag Best spot in NYC for a #firstdate ” And don’t forget to enter Lower Manhattan Love Story Contest http://t.co/8aSXMSxD #

- #NYC witnessed 50.5 million visitors in 2011 (we’re sure many dropped by #LowerManhattan http://t.co/XmpPci7V #

- Many options in #LowerManhattan RT @TheWallStBull: Bowling Green Park, natch. “@NYMag: What’s the best spot in your city for a #firstdate ” #

- New hotels coming to #LowerManhattan Details at http://t.co/IQkg5zBV #

- .@TheSeaport Museum is opening tomorrow, gets praise in the new Downtown Express issue: http://t.co/UY1LXHcm #

- Meet our staff member: Zach Fox – who lives in #LowerManhattan http://t.co/qSxzlyed #

- .@TribecaCitizen gets a hard-hat tour of the new #Conrad Hotel in #BatteryParkCity http://t.co/3iZOqIGM #

- .@TheSeaport Museum in #LowerManhattan sets sail again. http://t.co/hX08Djz6 #

- #LowerManhattan #039;s #FiDi has evolved over the years. Where is it today? http://t.co/eixJc8zH #

- Pres. Bush spoke abt PA officer’s badge and bravery weeks after 9/11. Support son’s unity tour http://t.co/7btVIskq http://t.co/0ukaqiL3 #

- .@TheSeaport Museum reopening – plus, ships in bottles! – showcased on @NY1 http://t.co/l448HYyg #

- Federal Reserve Bank of NY plans to acquire building at 33 Maiden Lane in #LowerManhattan http://t.co/XENUFFyC #

- @SeanFinneganNYC Thank you so much Sean for the #FF We deeply appreciate it! #

- Today’s Google Offer in NYC Downtown – 83% off at European Skin Care Center via @GoogleOffers http://t.co/GuS1JIm3 #

- Merritt & Harris, a Construction Consulting firm with headquarters in #LowerManhattan celebrates its 75th Anniversary http://t.co/EiUrpQVM #

- 1WTC Set to Add Another Prime Tenant. Downtown Alliance Prez Liz Berger says it’s a thrill to see 1WTC as a beacon. @NYTimes nyti.ms/yHwX4y #

- .@LMCCC reports on Street Closures for 99 Washington Crane : http://t.co/mOTpEDpy #

- Battery Park Carousel Proceeds with Full Build-Out according to @LMCCC http://t.co/yILpa5oO #

- Dance in Church! Girl Walk // All Day event + FREE screening Sunday @StPaulsChapelNY @girlwalkallday More info at http://t.co/9kLFfkCF #

Stone Street in the Financial District

By Liz Berger

Our mission at the Alliance for Downtown New York is to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model for a 21^st century central business district, a compelling place to work, live and visit.  This objective contemplates the future as well as the past, because for much of the last 400 years our community has been both commercial and residential. Though the canyons of 20^th century Wall Street were business-only, the Financial District first took shape in the 1700s as securities traders who lived in the neighborhood met to make deals under a buttonwood tree near what is now 68 Wall.

So it’s back to the future for the Financial District. I’ve been proud to witness firsthand its most recent resurgence—as New York City’s premier live/work community. The transition from business-only to business-plus was just starting when I moved below Fulton Street in 1982.

The neighborhood was starkly different then. In fact, it wasn’t yet a neighborhood, or hadn’t been one for more than a century.  Wall Street was the world’s best-known business address, which meant lots of action during business hours but not much in the evenings or on weekends. Though 10,000 of us lived below Chambers Street, there was only one all-night diner, and forget about buying a quart of milk after hours.

But we loved life on the cusp of New York City’s past, present and future. No supermarket?  We lugged our groceries home on the subway.  No chic Saturday night bistro?  We dined in. No gift shop? We found great things at J&R, Century 21, Brooks Brothers, Dick’s Hardware and the Nassau Street specialty stores memorialized by Red Grooms in Ruckus Manhattan. The adventure was worth the challenge of being pioneers.

Slowly, then all of a sudden, things changed.  The Financial District remains a prime business address, but it has also become a hot residential neighborhood.  New restaurants and markets opened, and old ones expanded their hours. The past 10 years, especially, have brought a dizzying array of companies, merchants, schools and parks—and a new generation of people who call this part of Lower Manhattan home.  Nowhere is this more evident than on Wall Street itself, home to some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions but also to thousands of residents, more than a dozen new retailers and a museum.

In other words, Lower Manhattan has become a community, a place that hosted nine million visitors last year alone and where 309,000 people work and 56,000 live together. There is a powerful commonality of spirit and interest, the shared belief that, here in Lower Manhattan, Wall Street and Main Street are the same street.

This was obvious when the Community Board 1 Financial District Committee recently considered a proposal to open a methadone clinic on Maiden Lane.  The proponents must have been surprised to learn that 20,000 people live within four blocks of the proposed location and that there are four primary and elementary schools within the same radius. Led by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a group of property owners, small-business people and residents made the case that this is not your father’s week-day Wall Street but the heart of a 24/7 residential and commercial district. The application was withdrawn.

As Speaker Silver often says, Lower Manhattan is a great place to live, work and raise a family.  Nowhere is this truer than in the Financial District. No longer Manhattan’s post-modern frontier, Lower Manhattan gets better and better as more companies, more nonprofits, more entrepreneurs, more open space, more hotels, more restaurants, more stores and more people combine to make it New York City’s most dynamic place to work, live and visit.

Liz Berger is President of the Downtown Alliance

Zach Fox joined the Downtown Alliance team in May, but he’s certainly no stranger to Lower Manhattan.  “During my tenure as a broker, I represented many Lower Manhattan property owners in leasing transactions,” he explains. “For someone who loves history, architecture, and real estate, Lower Manhattan is really as good as it gets.”

And now that Zach is a resident, as well as an employee, in Lower Manhattan, he appreciates the area even more.  “In just five minutes I can walk from the steps of Federal Hall past the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere to the World Trade Center site,” he says. “Those five minutes can tell a big story about Lower Manhattan and New York in general.”

As the Director of Retail Attraction for the Alliance, Zach’s main role is to support property owners, commercial tenants, and real estate professionals as they bring new retailers and businesses to Lower Manhattan.

“There’s nothing better than interacting with the city and its characters, so it’s the people I meet and the access to a lot of unique places that are my favorite experiences,” Zach says. “The fact that this job encourages me to shape and improve the landscape of New York City, particularly the neighborhood where I live, means everything.”

The Greatest City on Earth by Linda Zacks

The Greatest City on Earth has come to the greatest neighborhood on earth!

The new public art installation, The Greatest City on Earth, was unveiled this weekend on Nassau Street between John and Fulton streets by artist Linda Zacks. It’s part of Re:Construction, a public art program produced by the Downtown Alliance through a grant supplied by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

“As Lower Manhattan continues to grow, construction can be tough on small businesses and confusing for pedestrians. While we look forward to all the great improvements happening downtown, this latest Re:Construction installation is a creative and resourceful way to support small businesses, direct visitors, residents and local workers, and beautify Lower Manhattan all at the same time,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York.

So ignore this dreary, winter weather and step outside to see the newest, vibrant installation. You can learn more about the Re:Con program – and all of the other existing installations in Lower Manhattan – by clicking here.

- Want to win a night and dinner for 2 @AndazWS ? Enter our #LowerManhattan Love Story contest at http://t.co/8aSXMSxD #

- The @Hiveat55 coworking spot on Broad Street hosts events regularly. Check out this week’s at: http://t.co/oHaD5b88 #

- Want to win a night and dinner for 2 @AndazWS ? Enter our #LowerManhattan Love Story contest at http://t.co/8aSXMSxD #

- Good morning #LowerManhattan @EaterNY @amnewyork @commercial_nyo @CrainsNewYork @ny1headlines #

- .@WSJ asks: #OWS running out of money? http://t.co/bC6vsmxf #

- .@nytimes reports on the invisible hand behind #WallStreet bonuses: http://t.co/ZVg0krmu #

- .@TribecaCitizen reports on 1st impression’s of #BatteryParkCity #039;s new North End Grill: http://t.co/Ro7biaVf #

- Bowling Green market is open today til 5PM, and the Staten Island Ferry market is open til 7PM. #

- Theories, anyone? 12 percent more babies were born in #LowerManhattan last year than in ’09. http://t.co/z9tCDIqh #

- Great piece Miami Herald – penned by a stellar #LowerManhattan scribe – showcases #StoneStreet http://t.co/3LDMkA0b @TereseDaily #

- Vintry provides reasonably priced red wings to enjoy with dinner according to the @nytimes – http://t.co/wPCA6OQB #

- Property sales across #NYC jumped 80 percent last year! @crainsnewyork http://t.co/vX7AaBAU #

- We’ve got 411 on latest openings/closings in #LowerManhattan Read Kelly Rush’s Lights on LowerManhattan: http://t.co/D4wHJIKH #

- .@nytimes says Perhaps the best way to really appreciate #WallStreet is to imagine life w/o it. http://t.co/3xGu5eO4 #

- The FiDi Association has the latest details on where to shop near #WallStreet http://t.co/3dKiq6ps #

- Battery Charges Up: Gehry Playground and Seaglass Carousel Among Amenities Coming Soon. http://t.co/cploRHz5 #

- Photo Exhibit at the #Seaport Museum Will Provide a Close-up Look at #OWS – http://t.co/pt4BnvsR @TribecaTrib #

- Seaport Museum prepares for imminent reopening. http://t.co/yXH9Mjjg #

- Check out the @Seaport report in the @DowntownExpress: http://t.co/Fb6xUKj6 #

- #LowerManhattan cafes Financier and Francois Payard make the cut: The King of NYC’s Galette des Rois http://t.co/kw9FZDrd via @GrubstreetNY #

- Rudin takes over One Battery Park Plaza: http://t.co/VtbZ9ZN9 #

- Calls for more greenmarkets east of Broadway. http://t.co/Sz010TVa #

- Love this treat – and u can get it at Financier and Payard’s in #LowerManhattan http://t.co/h5bmfBI9 #

- @SeaportMuseum We can’t wait for your opening, esp to see the #OWS photo exhibit. #

- Former #PortAuthority boss Chris Ward has a new job: http://t.co/ZtXhklWS #

- Bowling Green market open til 5 PM today. #

- Check out today’s #Broadsheet @btoadtweetnyc to get the latest news on #BatteryParkCity http://t.co/17IpqskI #

- Start making your reservations, #restaurantweek continues through February 10! See #LowerManhattan participants here: http://t.co/UT9ovYg1 #

- Due to traffic concerns, Con Edison has postponed work to repair steam leak on John St east of Nassau til Jan. 21, starting @ 9 am. #

- Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. We’ve got #LowerManhattan deals & specials: http://t.co/XSgpDaAA #

- Games, crafts, international potluck and more tomorrow at the Battery Park City School! 12-4pm. $3 admission. http://www.bpcschool.org #- 1/30 thru late 2012, Water St recontrux (bet Beekman and Peck Slip) will close traffic/parking. Pedestrians to have access to local biz. #

- **Winter Weather Alert** Snow to begin tonite with accumulations of as much as 6″. Downtown Connection buses expected to operate normally. #

- **Winter Weather Alert** Please check back via @DowntownNyc, http://www.downtownny.com or DowntownNY app for Downtown Connection service updates. #