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Savoir Fare: Pan Asian Panache
“Downtown LA is the true epicenter of the city, and this is represented in what we strive to create at Grand Central Market - an unmatched experience in which culinary styles and every type of person can come together around a fantastic meal. The launch of a new publication, especially one focused on the creative and dynamic ways the neighborhood exists - is something we can all rally behind. The timing of Downtown magazine’s Los Angeles launch is also very appropriate. DTLA is embarking into a new and exciting era with unprecedented developments that offer best in class residential living, entertainment and hospitality. I’m excited to have something new to read that showcases this one-of-a-kind community.”
—Adam Daneshgar, President, Langdon Street Capital
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SMORGUSBURG LA OTIUM
LA PROPER
PHOTOGRAPH BY Tatiana Velazquez
REDBIRD
APPLE TOWER THEATRE GARY SIMMONS: REMEMBERING TOMORROW exhibition at Hauser & Wirth, which spans the North galleries as well as the outdoor courtyard, features new paintings, wall drawings, and sculptures, as well as the installation, ‘Recapturing Memories of the Black Art.’ His works address themes of race, identity, politics, and social inequality, and the ways in which these issues are both evident. Runs through May 2022. Hauserwirth.com
PIPLIOTTI RIST: BIG HEARTEDNESS, BE MY NEIGHBOR AT MOCA, is the first west coast survey of the internationally renowned Swiss media artist. Rist’s installations explore relationships of video and the body; exterior environments and interior psychological landscapes; and reason and instinct. The exhibition surveys more than 30 of the Zürich-based artist’s work, encompassing early single-channel videos; large-scale installations brimming with color and hypnotic musical scores; and sculptures that merge everyday objects, video, and decorative forms. Runs now through June 6, 2022. MOCA is the only artistfounded museum in LA. moca.org
TAKASHI MURAKAMI: STEPPING ON THE TAIL OF A RAINBOW, and THIS IS NOT AMERICA’S FLAG, are two concurrent exhibits opening at The Broad May 21-Sept. 25. Murakami’s first monograph exhibition at the museum will feature 18 works, as well as immersive environments developed in tandem with the artist and his studio, Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd., and will include the entirety of The Broad’s collection of the artist’s works. Featuring over 20 artists, This Is Not America’s Flag will spotlight the myriad ways artists explore the symbol of the flag of the United States of America. thebroad.org.
ELIZABETH GAROUSTE makes her debut show at Ralph Pucci International in LA. Inspired by the intersection of disparate materials and ideas, she explores Hellenistic symbols, traditional fabrics from the United Kingdom and simple childhood pleasures to create a unique universe that is at once joyful, unusual and sophisticated. ralphpucci.com
Venues
MICROSOFT THEATER LA The 7,100 seat venue is gearing up for a fun spring, with special performances including Cirque du Soleil OVO, now through May 1; Netflix: This is a Joke Festival/Ellen DeGeneres, May 4; KEM & Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds May 14. microsoftheater.com “Downtown LA, like Downtown NY, has experienced an incredible renaissance over the last 20 years, becoming a world-class center of culture and commerce with a dynamic community of residents, artists, and entrepreneurs. As a leader in everything from food to fashion to finance, DTLA deserves its own publication, and who better than the one that has chronicled the amazing transformation of our east coast sister city over the past decade? Welcome to DTLA, DOWNTOWN Magazine!”
—Nick Griffin, Executive Director at Downtown Center Business Improvement District
ELIZABETH GAROUSTE
“InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is delighted to hear about the launch of Downtown magazine in LA. We are looking forward to finding engaging ways to tell the many inspiring stories of the destination, as we continue to grow our connections within our incredible community. We proudly welcome DOWNTOWN to LA and are excited to see all the amazing narratives that unfold spotlighting this storied city.”
—InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
by Kayla Eddy
DOWNTOWN is proud to welcome Miami to our family. 126 years after its incorporation, Miami is home to more than 450,000 people and has become a cultural epicenter. It is awash with new real estate developments, music and cultural festivals, and luxury living. Here are some highlights happening this spring in the Magic City. Residences. The proposed building in the Miami Worldcenter sits just 10 minutes from South Beach and 8 minutes from Miami International Airport. The project boasts an International Business Lounge, a Rooftop Atrium and event space, a center for health and performance, and MicroLuxe residences. legacymwc.com
THE SCENE
MIAMI LATIN FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL in Coconut Grove takes place April 23. With tickets starting at only $29, it’s a great way to dive into some amazing Latin food and culture. Featuring live music and over 100 different types of beer, wine, and spirits, the festival should prove to be a great time! Miamiandbeaches.com
SMORGASBURG is now in Miami! The market opened in March with more than 60 vendors. Stop by the Santo Dulce food truck for churros and ice-cream, or Ms. Cheezious for some classic grilled cheese! smorgasburgmiami.com
PROPERTY VALUES
OKAN TOWER After a pause during the pandemic, the Okan Tower developers have reopened sales for the proposed seventy story luxury tower. According to The Next Miami, developers plan to break ground in June 2022. The complex will feature short-term residences as well as condos, and boasts luxury amenities such as a wine cellar, an owner’s lounge, a wellness spa, and a theater. okantowermiami.com
SILVERSTEIN PROPERTIES INVEST IN LEGACY New York-based Silverstein Properties has loaned $340 million to Legacy Hotel and
HOT DISH
SEXY FISH Traveling all the way across the Atlantic from London’s Mayfair district, Sexy Fish is now in Miami! The menus, created by Michelin-starred chef Bjoern Weissgerber, are sure to stun with signature dishes such as the wagyu gyoza, king crab and bone marrow, and the vegan eryngii mushroom tempura. The design talents of the Martin Brudnizki Studio, Damien Hirst, and Frank Gehry, the expertise of a Michelin-starred chef, and an exclusive late-night experience all come together to create the new Sexy Fish Miami. sexyfishmiami.com
MAPLE & ASH The well-loved Chicago steakhouse Maple & Ash will open a new location at the forthcoming Miami Worldcenter. Named one of Chicago’s greatest steak houses by Eater Chicago, the 15,000 square foot restaurant features iconic dishes like the fire roasted seafood tower and the four-course tasting menu aptly titled the “I Don’t Give A F*@k” tasting menu, which claims to be an impressive way to show off the chef’s talents without being tortuously long. mapleandash.com
THE KEY CLUB is the latest restaurant from David Grutman, the man behind Sushi Fly Chicken and Winker’s Diner. A combination of the classic American bar and grill and high-end steak and fresh-caught fish, The Key Club is sure to delight. thekeyclub.com E11EVEN, located in the heart of downtown Miami, the 24/7 ultraclub offers valet service, a VIP entrance, private dining rooms, and four fullservice bars. They were voted the Miami New Times’ Best Dance Club, and with 20,000 square feet of entertaining space and a repertoire of performers like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Nicky Jam, it’s easy to see why. 11miami.com
ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER The Adrienne Arsht Center offers art and entertainment yearround, including touring Broadway musicals and the annual Flamenco Festival. This spring, book tickets for the Miami City Ballet, the Flamenco Festival, and In The Heights. arshtcenter.org
XXIII CLUB Decorated with both murals from NYC and Miami residents, as well as a stock market ticker that runs the perimeter of the space, the XXIII Club is sure to offer a unique experience to locals and tourists alike. Located in the new entertainment district, the club features sound systems from Infinite Systems and an entertainment line up of DJ’s, celebrity hosts, and aerial artists. Open for just a few months, the club is already garnering serious media attention. 23clubmiami.com
ARTFULL
RALPH PUCCI INTERNATIONAL presents Bubblegum, Lipstick, and Hope, an exhibit of 200 pieces of female portraiture by artist Rebecca Moses, reflecting hope, passion, determination, and the desire to stay true to one’s own voice even in these most challenging of times. It’s a tribute to women’s strength. ralphpucci.com
ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art of Miami) This spring, the Institute of Contemporary Art of Miami will open two new exhibits. The first, opening April 21- Nov. 27, is Carlos Alfonzo: Late Paintings. The second is Fire Figure Fantasy: Selections from ICA Miami’s Collection and it will run from May 12thOctober 30th. icamiami.org
PEREZ ART MUSEUM Marisol and Warhol Take New York, opening April 15, chronicles the rise of Andy Warhol and Marisol, two artists that dominated the Pop Art scene in the 1960’s. The exhibit will run until Sept. 5, and will feature iconic pieces like Warhol’s Self-Portrait and Marisol’s The Family. The museum currently hosts two exhibits that will end this May: Felice Grodin: Invasive Species and Felipe Mujica: The Swaying Motion on the Bank of the River Falls. pamm.org
“Over the past decade, vacant streets and shuttered storefronts in downtown Miami have given way to sidewalk cafes, gastro pubs and boutiques, while our population has more than doubled since 2000 to 115,000 residents. The DDA is working day-in and day-out to keep pace with the city’s growth by providing additional street-level services, advancing new infrastructure improvements, and bringing more companies and jobs to our community.”
—Manolo Reyes, City of Miami Commissioner and Chairman of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
“More than 1,000 people a day are moving to Florida, and downtown Miami is capturing much of that migration. It comes down to three primary factors: the ability to scale up in a growing market that offers access to key markets around the world; cost savings – no state income or capital gains or corporate tax and Class A office space that’s half of what you’d find in Manhattan; quality of life – many executives vacation here or have second homes here. Access to talent has also greatly improved. Lots of qualified local talent and skilled workers from other states also more open to relocating as access to other industries and high paying jobs become available.”
‘Travel transcends politics and decisions made at the state level do not always align with our mission, values, and community. Visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale can be assured they are in a place where diversity, inclusion and acceptance is actively championed as an established way of life that is fully ingrained throughout our community. We encourage you to stand with us in support of the more than 88,000 tourism industry employees who work in our hotels, restaurants, venues, and attractions by booking your trip now. The Visit Lauderdale slogan, “Everyone Under the Sun,” reflects the open and welcoming nature of our community and when we say “Everyone Under the Sun” we mean it.’
—Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale
“After more than 10 years of planning, our vision to create a 27-acre city-withina-city— Miami Worldcenter in the heart of downtown Miami—is coming to life as a residential, commercial, tourism and entertainment destination. We’ve got a critical mass of people, businesses, amenities and transit options within a relatively compact area, and that’s become very appealing to investors, inbound companies, developers, and more. Our team has delivered more than $1 billion in new development, with another $3 billion in assets underway in our first phase of development.”
SHELTER | ARCHITECTURE HOUSE of
MOUSE
Disney moves its headquarters downtown to Hudson Square.
by Dan Metz
FOR COLIN KOOP, THE DESIGN FOR DISNEY’S NEW HUDSON SQUARE headquarters comes down to sprezzatura, which Koop defines as a sense of fashion that is effortlessly put-together but approachable, with an emphasis on precision to make the effort look effortless. “It’s not about being flashy,” he says. “It’s about being thoughtful.” The Project Lead and partner for architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) was tasked with creating a headquarters that would incorporate different Disney departments, while effortlessly blending with its surroundings. All of this had to fit in a single square block.
The result is Four Hudson Square, a twin-peaked single-structure campus rising above the streets of downtown NYC that has been in the works since 2018. The massive campus will split into two 320-ft towers for 1.2 million gross square feet of space. Instead of the sprawling, scattered complex that made up Disney’s former Upper West Side headquarters, Four Hudson Square will be a full campus stacked on top of itself. In a way, it will reflect the new Disney: a complex, many-armed colossus merged into a single entity. Floors will be dedicated to local and national media and live audience tv production, but also to marketing, business operations, and a tech hub to support projects like Disney+ that’s home to all films Marvel and Star Wars-themed.
It’s a lot to include in one building, even for The Mouse. That’s where sprezzatura comes in. Koop’s design needed to feel intuitive and natural, while helping Disney blend its departments and fit in with the
“IT’S AN ACTIVE, VIBRANT PLACE,” says Colin Koop, the Project Lead of Hudson Square. “At different portions of the day, different portions of the year, it’ll bring a new kind of energy to an already vital, energized neighborhood.”
neighborhood. For the former, Koop and SOM chose the floor below the tower split to be the heart of the campus. That floor will offer employees from diverse departments amenities, food, screening rooms, and outdoor congregating spaces. “You have wildly different professions, all intersecting with this one mission: content creation and delivery of information. They’re all very different people, and I think there’s something beautiful about a building which is this mixing chamber.” Below, a full half of the ground floor will be open to the public, offering retail and a large open food hall that Koop is hoping will become an anchor along Spring Street. “It’s an active, vibrant place,” says Koop, “At different portions of the day, different portions of the year, it’ll bring a new kind of energy to an already vital, energized neighborhood…There’s this spirit of welcoming people in these spaces.”
Four Hudson Square will echo the architecture of the neighborhood, but with a green twist: it will be a LEED Platinum, fossil-fuel-free building imbued with cutting-edge energy-smart design. The punched terracotta windows, adorned with fluted columns and pilasters, match the neighborhood but also allow for better indoor temperature control. The roofs of the multiple towers will be green and porous to help reduce the heat generated by dense, tall urban press. It will feature a green air system that pipes in filtered outdoor air instead of recycling the same self-contained air, heating or cooling as needed and using significantly less energy. It will be equipped with a stormwater reuse system for non-potable water needs.
Four Hudson Square is scheduled to finish construction by the end of 2022 or early 2023. DT
LES LIFE
One Essex Crossing comes online.
by Deborah L. Martin
“THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL layering of brick, terracotta and glass weaves texture into the facade, harmonizing with the neighborhood while paying homage to the past and the present,” says Nancy Ruddy, founder of CetraRuddy Architects. THE LOWER EAST SIDE is one of New York’s most charismatic neighborhoods, formed largely by the waves of immigrants who made the tenements and narrow streets their home, and later, some of the world’s most creative people, including Beat culture and punk rock heroes like Allen Ginsburg, Jack Kerouac, Patti Smith, and The Ramones. Today, amongst the old-school clothing shops you will find trendy eateries and bars, upscale shops and galleries, and a crowd of young people enjoying life in the city. Sitting at the intersection of Delancey and Essex Streets, is Essex Crossing, a development including over 1,000 residences, 350,000 square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of green space, and 300,000 square feet of retail space that includes the historic and newly reimagined Essex Market.
The newest addition to the complex is the 14-story One Essex Crossing, designed by acclaimed architecture firm CetraRuddy. It spans a full city block between Broome and Delancey Streets, and features light-filled residences with skyline views, relaxing outdoor spaces including a 9,000 square foot terrace garden, and a portfolio of amenities. “We were inspired by the rich architectural language of the existing fabric of the historic Lower East Side and the next chapter of its artistic, cultural and forward-thinking community,” explains Nancy Ruddy, Founding Principal of CetraRuddy.
The newly unveiled model apartment is designed by Jean Lin, founder of Colony, a design gallery celebrating American artisans on Canal Street. Lin says the design is inspired by Lower East Side punk rock icon Patti Smith. “We rooted this project in the culture of its place. Colors, materials and mood reference her irreverent style and unending creativity, a hallmark of the neighborhood where One Essex Crossing is making its mark.”
Residents enter the building on Broome Street and traverse a glassenclosed bridge featuring a view of the historic Essex Market and new
THE KITCHEN in the model apartment, designed by Jean Lin, features tabac oak and taupe glossy lacquer cabinetry with polished nickel fittings, honed Dolomiti marble countertops, and Miele appliances.
A GLASS-ENCLOSED BRIDGE features a view of the historic Essex Market and new Market Line retail shops below.
Market Line retail shops below. Designed as a series of architectural experiences, the entry features a marble runway that guides residents through the bridge and into the tranquil lobby. “One Essex Crossing’s connection to The Market Line, visible through the glass, soundproof bridge in the residential entry, is one of the most exciting aspects of the building,” explained Colleen Wenke, Chief Development Officer for Taconic Partners, who is leading the development of One Essex Crossing. “The dynamic and functional experience that the building affords residents has truly elevated the concept of vertical living in New York City.” DT
CHIC City RETREATS
Escape for a weekend in luxury at one of these new properties.
by Linda Sheridan
WHETHER YOU’RE A DOWNTOWN RESIDENT SEEKING A CHANGE OF SCENERY FOR THE WEEKEND or a newcomer visiting family in the city, these new upscale downtown properties -- three hotels, and a stunning new spa -- offer up the ambiance, stunning views, and services that will leave you feeling fresh and recharged.
New to the downtown neighborhood is Casa Cipriani, a stunning members-only 47 room hotel suite and fitness club, situated in the 1906 Battery Maritime Building, a city landmark as one of the last remaining Beaux Arts-style ferry terminals. Casa Cipriani was developed by architecture firm Marvel, with interiors designed by Thierry Despont, who had previously designed The Ritz in Paris, the Woolworth Building, the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, The Carlyle Hotel, and The Claridge.
The good news: for those looking to pamper themselves: Casa Cipriani’s full-service spa is open to the public. There are five treatment rooms, a locker room, sauna/steam room, and a relaxation lounge.
Treatments vary from the basics such as facials, to reiki, acupuncture, chakra balancing, reflexology, and cupping. There’s even an oxygen cryo chamber, where guests can schedule three-minute sessions to help with minimizing pain from ligament inflammation, while also improving mental acuity. A SECA body analyzer is on site, where trainers can use the data to customize health regimens for guests. There are also special Mamma-to-Be massages, notes Casa Cipriani’s spa director. Friends, couples, and families can also arrange for special side-by-side massage treatments. Casa Cipriani members can also receive in-room treatments.
Throughout the spa great care is given to detail, including the use of Italian brand amenities, from IQ Perfetto lightweight hair dryers to Briogeo haircare products. To maximize clients’ health and safety, all locker amenities are disposable. “The Cipriani Spa was conceived as a retreat within the existing historic Battery Maritime Building,” says Thierry Despont. “The simple modern detailing and the warm material palette of light oak, warm tiles and stone is meant to create a calming and relaxing alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. A long, gently illuminated corridor with drapes all along one wall is intended to help the guests leave behind their daily stress as they proceed to the lockers, the fitness room or one of the luxurious treatment rooms for a world class massage or therapy.”
The front of the spa features a gift shop stocked with Cipriani-brand robes, slippers, in addition to other luxury European brands, such as SkinCeuticals; German skincare line Auteur; eco-conscious brand Mutha for skin care and contour treatments; and Kanya, an aromatherapy line specializing in small batch blends and body salts. Each quarter, 10% of proceeds from skincare treatments are given to a different charity. Most recently, Casa Cipriani worked with Meals on Wheels. 10 South Street, casacipriani.com MODERNHAUS SOHO
This stylish debut hospitality property from Thor Equities Group features 114 rooms with decor inspired by the Bauhaus art movement and a modern and contemporary art collection inspired by artists from the local neighborhood. Each room alone offers more outdoor space than any other hotel downtown. Clean lines, geometric harmony, and large windows are key. There’s also 11,000 square feet of outdoor space for visitors. Veranda, a signature restaurant from Michelinstarred chef George Mendes (known for Aldea in the Flatiron District), has a retractable roof. Guests can lounge at an open-air pool deck, or sip a drink at Jimmy, the cozy rooftop bar. 27 Grand Street, modernhaushotel.com
WALL STREET HOTEL
Slated to open May 2022 is the Wall Street Hotel, an opulent 180room and suite hotel situated in the 1700s Tontine coffee house at the intersection of Pearl and Water Street. Each room has custom touches, such as eclectic objects, original art pieces, and curated libraries. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center on the premises, a restaurant, lobby lounge, and bar. 88 Wall Street, thewallsthotel.com
PENDRY MANHATTAN WEST
Brookfield Properties has made its foray into hotel properties. It has teamed up with California hotel brand Pendry to open Manhattan West, a hotel marrying New York energy with California style. Pendry Manhattan West boasts some of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, which overlook the river in Hudson Yards. The curtain-inspired exteriors were created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
The 164-room hotel, which includes 30 suites, has a signature restaurant, posh lounge, and a 24/7 fitness center. The sun-drenched interiors, work of the New York interior design firm Gachot Studios, radiate an unparalleled sophisticated coziness made of a warm neutral palette with plush textures. Enjoy Eastern Mediterranean cuisine at Zou Zou, coffee in the Garden Room, or a cocktail in the lobby’s Bar Pendry. A reservation-only rooftop whiskey bar developed by Suntory is set to open this spring.
Nearby, guests can explore the rest of the sprawling Manhattan West complex, which incorporates the hotel with other work, residential, and retail spaces. 438 W. 33rd St, pendry.com
