DOWNTOWN’s board member Elizabeth Velez was named to the board of MTA, along with Janno Lieber as Chair and CEO of the MTA Board.
“We’ve been fortunate to work with both Elizabeth and Janno, a perfect pair to ensure the continued success for MTA, and we are excited to see what the future holds for our public transportation system. We wish them the best in their newly appointed positions,” says DOWNTOWN’s publisher and founder, Grace A. Capobianco.,
Governor Hochul today announced Janno Lieber has been nominated to serve as Chair and CEO of the MTA Board and Elizabeth Velez has been nominated to serve on the MTA Board.
“As Governor, my first duty to New Yorkers is to ensure that those who serve our state are experienced, committed, and ready to tackle the challenges we face,” Governor Hochul said. “Janno is leading the MTA forward with expert management and vision, and Elizabeth will bring a wealth of invaluable knowledge and expertise to our challenges together. These are strong, competent leaders who will help steer the MTA through this critical time. We will continue to make appointments that ensure our transit system delivers for riders.”
“I am honored and grateful to be nominated by Governor Hochul, who has been a supporter from day one of a smart transit system that serves all New Yorkers. I look forward to working with the governor, her team, and our partners in the legislature to ensure that subways, buses, and commuter railroads continue to be an engine fueling the region’s economic recovery,” Janno Lieber said. “Elizabeth Velez has a deep understanding of the value of transportation to New Yorkers, will be an excellent addition to the board and I’m eager to work with her on important issues facing the MTA, including a historic capital program that will modernize and expand the transit network and provide enhanced equity and accessibility to New Yorkers in the years ahead.”
“I am thrilled to be nominated by Governor Hochul to the MTA Board,” Lieber said. “The MTA is a crucial connection point for New Yorkers throughout our city. With the impending influx of infrastructure dollars, the MTA is central to not only improving essential transportation but also to create opportunities both in workforce and procurement that affect our communities.”
Janno Lieber will be nominated to serve as Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board. He has been Acting Chair and CEO since July 2021.
Janno Lieber photo by MTA
In his role at MTA Construction and Development, Mr. Lieber oversaw the agency’s $55 billion five-year capital program, including State of Good Repair investments in infrastructure and facilities of New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels. He is responsible for upgrades to signals and other major systems, system expansions, and mega-projects such as East Side Access, the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway, and the Third Track expansion of the Long Island Rail Road mainline. He is also responsible for upgrading and professionalizing the MTA’s project management capacity and for integrating real estate planning and economic development into MTA infrastructure projects.
From 2003 to 2017, Mr. Lieber served as President of World Trade Center Properties LLC, where he was responsible for managing all aspects of the Silverstein organization’s efforts to rebuild the World Trade Center site, including planning, design, and construction issues; business, financing, and legal matters; and public affairs, government, and community relations.
Earlier in his career, he held positions in the administrations of President Bill Clinton and NYC Mayor Ed Koch and worked as an attorney in private practice.
Elizabeth Velez will be nominated to serve on the MTA Board. She is currently the President of the Velez Organization, a second-generation construction firm started in1972 by her father, Andrew Velez.
Elizabeth Velez photo by Velez Organization
To her credit are hundreds of projects which have come to fruition under her direction, including over 600 units of housing made affordable by state and federal grants in the Bronx and Harlem, and over ten billion dollars of significant educational, healthcare, and large-scale projects throughout New York.
She is a Trustee of Boricua College; an accredited private institution serving primarily Latinas through three campuses in New York. She serves on the advisory boards of numerous New York City and New York State agencies, industry non-profits, and groups supporting mentorship and scholarships for youth. She is a member of the Board for Catholic Charities and the New York City Police Foundation. She is currently serving as a Commissioner of the New York City Property Tax Reform Commission. Following Hurricane Maria’s disastrous landfall, Elizabeth was appointed to the NY Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery & Rebuilding Committee, the NY Memorial Commission for Hurricane Maria, and has spearheaded numerous workforce and economic development programs – including a satellite corporate office in Ponce Puerto Rico. On the international front, Ms. Velez is Co-Chair of Iran 180 – an organization that advocates for human rights and the end to Iran’s nuclear threat. She is a contributor to media outlets such as Matter of Fact TV with Soledad O’Brien, Fox News Latino, The New York Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, El Diario, La Prensa, Hispanic Business, ENR, City & State, and Crain’s New York Business, and most recently, DOWNTOWN Magazine.
She is an outspoken advocate for diversity and empowerment of women and a sought-after speaker on women’s leadership and work/family balance issues. In addition to numerous awards and recognition, Ms. Velez was recognized by City & State as one of the “Manhattan Power 50“.
Help us in congratulating both Janno Lieber and Elizabeth Velez.
A new plan to protect Lower Manhattan from rising waters and the effects of climate change was unveiled last week, calling for flood walls, improved stormwater infrastructure, new open spaces, and a drastic reshaping of the shoreline.
The master plan from the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency and New York City Economic Development Corporation aims to defend the one-mile stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery from future storms like Superstorm Sandy and intense rainfall, like the soaking the city got from the remnants of Hurricane Ida last summer.
The plan would dramatically reshape the neighborhood’s relationship to the waterfront — adding more soft spaces to absorb water and extending the shoreline into the East River via a walkway. It calls for a multi-level construction that would add a water-level esplanade underneath the extended shoreline, where floodwalls would absorb waves from coastal storms. Piers and terminals for the NYC Ferry would also be reinforced.
The problem the plan is addressing is one that much of the borough, and the city, is facing in the climate crisis: Manhattan is made of hard surfaces, which give rain and floodwaters nowhere to go. The new plan would fix that via new stormwater pumps and green spaces that sponge up the water while creating coves to protect wildlife.
The project is expected to cost between $5 to $7 billion and would take an estimated 15 to 20 years to design and build. That’s already a tight timeline: according to the New York City Panel on Climate Change’s projections, rising tides have long been expected to flood Lower Manhattan on a monthly basis by the 2050s; in another 30 years after that, floods could become daily. Some frequent tidal flooding might occur as early as the 2040s, less than 20 years away.
This master plan is the last link in an overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Strategy that has already proposed makeovers to shore up the rest of the tip of Manhattan. This particular stretch of neighborhood holds extra challenges because the built infrastructure — like subway tunnels, roads, and shipping ports — provides less green space and less wiggle room than other stretches of the waterfront.
The plan used input from the Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan, which includes the Alliance for Downtown New York.
Each year, Downtown readers come to us asking what might be the best gifts to give this season. We took a look at this year’s greatest products from cooking to dining, fashion to beauty, and tech to culture to give our recommendations for the ultimate gift guide of 2021. Browse on for ideas on what to give each special person in your life this holiday season, from our hearts to yours.
Become a barista in your own kitchen with the all-in-one EspressoWorks 15-bar Espresso Machine, offering an electric grinder, portafilter, ceramic cups, and milk frothing pitcher. Craft professional-quality café drinks in less than a minute at home and never spend a dime on take-out coffee again!
A New-York based maker of seasonal, award-winning craft liqueurs, has expanded its portfolio. This small batch is crafted using hand-picked flowers from Greiner Brothers farm. The liqueur is a more fragrant, less sweet alternative to traditional Elderflower liqueur.
This set will have your bar ready to go to prepare an old-fashioned for dad, or that special holiday guest. Includes 13.5 oz bourbon cherries, 8 oz demerara syrup, 1 oz aromatic bitters, and a graduated jigger.
We are in love with this perfect holiday gift, made of diamond wheel cut glass with a beautiful crisscross pattern, this New Orleans-inspired set is engineered to enhance your whiskey drinking experience. Set includes one decanter and four glasses.
A lovely mouth-blown glass vessel, large hand-cut reeds fill your home with a steady release of expertly crafted fragrance. Each essential oil-based fragrance is specially blended and highly concentrated to provide a true, natural scent for up to a year.
LAFCO Signature Candle
Fragrant, soy-based candles have been hand-poured into colorful mouth-blown art glass vessels that can be reused in your home décor. Each naturally luxurious essential oil-based fragrance has been specially designed and concentrated to provide a true and natural scent.
Give the Gift of Cruising
CLASSIC HARBOR LINE’S Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise is a great way to get into the holiday spirit with coworkers or loved ones and the perfect gift. The 1.5-hour cruise sets sail evenings from Chelsea Piers and will include live musical performances, complimentary house-made cocoa, and cookies, and a selection of beer, wine, and soda will also be available for purchase, plus spectacular views of New York City. Choose one of many city cruises on Classic Harbor line, give the gift of New York City, with some of the best crew and captains in all of NYC.sail-nyc.com
These stunning chess sets take distinguished line-ups of notable architecture and transform them into game pieces to create a truly unique statement piece. Each set includes double-weighted pieces featuring soft felt bases, a hand screen-printed wooden hatch board, and a presentation box. Of course, our favorite is the New York Skyline.
Bring France to your table this year with Château de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Vin 2017
We are thrilled to add to our gift guide this year, the Guigal family’s dream of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with three extraordinary vineyards coming together in an intensely expressive, utterly complete wine. The Grand Vin defines the estate style with a precision of fruit, spice, and minerality and notably, a beautifully composed structure that unfolds and builds (and builds). This wine is deep and dark, with an intense nose of red and blackberries and spice. A beautiful composition, with silky tannins, power, and elegance. Pair with red meats either grilled or cooked in sauces, game birds, or aged cheeses.
Refresh from long, hard days out on the town with the Honest Nighttime Self-Care Kit. Complete with a cleanser, mud mask, facial cream, and resurfacing serum, this collection takes away the years this city might wear on you overnight.
Obagi skincare products are designed to help minimize the appearance of premature skin aging, skin damage, hyperpigmentation, acne, and sun damage.
Polish + Mask contain an unparalleled level of 30% L-ascorbic acid for brighter more youthful-looking skin and ultra-fine silica-alumina crystals that help shed the most superficial layers of the epidermis, removing built-up surface debris and prepping skin for infusion of Vitamin C. Even better? The infusion of botanical oils minimizes dryness while maximizing glow.
The concentrated Obagi Professional-C Serums offer vitamin C in a rich formula in three concentration levels, perfect for all skin types. Suncare from Obagi contains vitamins B, C, and E to help brighten the skin and promote a healthy, youthful-looking glow. While vitamin C provides added sun protection, it does not take the place of sunblock. Thankfully, this dual-function sunscreen combines broad-spectrum SPF 30 in a 10% L-ascorbic acid formulation—the perfect multitasker to address the appearance of skin aging.
Sabah’s in Denali Green is the perfect leather shoe to complement your fall outfit this season.
Give the gift of beauty and grooming this year with Dr. Amy B. Lewis
Dr. Amy B. Lewis is a nationally renowned medical expert and consultant in the field of cosmetic dermatology, and one of Downtown’s newest board members. From Cosmetic anti-aging procedures to specialized products, she is our go-to expert. Choose a gift certificate, make gift-giving simpler by giving the recipient the choice. Stocking stuffers are our favorite, choose from Colorscience Mineral Correction Palette, Crystal Peel Lavender Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Soap, Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar, Emepelle Eye Cream, Colorscience Lip Shine, Clinicians ComplexLIP Enhancer Clear & Red, Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face shield, ISDIN Si-Nails, Photozyme Vitamin C+E, and ISDIB K-Ox Eyes.
For Her give full-size beauty products, Alastin Procedure Enhancement system with TriHex Technology, Emepelle Night Cream, DefenAge Clinical Power Trio, ISDIN Uradin Lotion, and Hylastra®Gold.
For Him get him started out on the right foot with anti-aging products, DefenAge Men’s Kit, Photozyme Omega 36 DNA Complex, ISDIN Isdinceutics Malatonik™, Neocutis Bio-Gel, Photozyme Ultra-Rich Cream, and Alchime Skin Repair Gel.
Since it was first made in 1972, Gran Juvé has always been an emblematic Cava, representing the best of Juvé & Camps. Categorized as “Brut” with just 5g/l of dosage, it is only produced in exceptional vintages and is made using the best quality grapes from select vineyard plots. Aged in the bottle for about 42 months, it showcases the intensity and complexity that Cava can achieve. Hints of white flowers and stone fruit are followed by notes of a long-aged cava: brioche, toasted flavors, spices, and honey. Chardonnay contributes to the creamy mouthfeel and the Xarel.lo to the elegance and long finish. Exquisitely balanced, this dry cava is expressive, intense, complex, and fresh, a harmony of endless sensations.
A winegrowing family for over 200 years, Juvé first started producing sparkling wines under their name in 1921. This family-owned, 100% estate-based producer is revered in Spain for its painstaking focus on quality and sustainability.“Reserva de la Familia” (translating to ‘Reserve of the Family’) is the leading Gran Reserva in the world, always vintage-dated, and all the more notable because of the quality needed to produce it without dosage (‘Brut Nature’ designation). Deep, intense and elegant, initially evokes notes of ripe white fruits followed by hints of fennel, toast, and citrus to complete its distinguished aroma. Its creamy mousse is perfectly integrated in the palate, making its texture in the mouth simultaneously fresh, rounded, and evocative.
Tea is our office staple. Some love their coffee, for Downtown we prefer tea. A much more relaxing way to wake up or unwind. It’s more of an experience, a ritual, far more than just brewing. Many prepare just the perfect cup of tea individually, for some it’s the rich cream and the perfect amount of raw sugar first then the pour-in Tea Forte’s steeped tea. While others go all-natural, with lemon, and honey, regardless of your process, be sure to ask for Tea Forte this holiday season, or this could be added to your very own list!
This holiday season, be sure to open the lid to reveal a tea menu and a collection of 20 pyramid infusers in five blends, including Raspberry Ganache, Harvest Apple Spice, Winter Chai, Rum Raisin Biscotti, Spiced Ginger Plum, or our Publisher’s favorite the classics, like English Breakfast, Earl Gray, or Estate Darjeeling.
The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow
Every person is unique, we each sleep in different positions. Are you a side or back sleeper? Have you heard that traditional rectangular pillows aren’t designed to support our neck and shoulders perfectly no matter what position we happen to sleep in? We’ve heard this from both our physical therapist and medical doctors, there is more and more research about having the best pillow to match your body. This unique curve from the side sleeper pillow by Honeydew does just that, it supports your neck and shoulders whether you are on your side or your back and offers proper neck alignment and support. Give yourself the gift of healthy sleep, or if you are feeling generous, get one for the entire family!
All Body by Honeydew Pillow
Are you like most people, rolling up a towel, or placing an extra pillow between your knees? Sleeping with a pillow between your kneesdramatically improves spinal alignment and promotes sleeping on your side, which helps to lessen tossing and turning throughout the night and significantly improves breathing. This can greatly reduce or even eliminate snoring, and also provides tremendous relief for those who suffer from sleep apnea. Also, hugging has been found to release oxytocin and serotonin in your body. Simply put, snuggling up with a body pillow at night can lower your heart rate and reduce stress levels. This promotes a sense of comfort and peace that will improve the quality of sleep.
Have you ever wanted to remove some stuffing from your pillow? Honeydew’s fill is the most important part of your new pillow. It literally took years of prototypes and testing before they found that oh-so-perfect blend of materials, in just the right ratio, allowing for the perfect combination of support and softness. All Honeydew pillows have a discreetly hidden zipper that lets you add or remove fill to make sure your new pillow is the perfect height for your body.
This no-shock system uses sound and vibration instead, to redirect your dog, and also provides daily health insights. Knows your dog’s location using real-time GPS tracking. Use the collar together with the Wagz app.
This is New York City, so space is a premium. Grab this all-in-one home gym and maximize space while you max out your routine.
Hydrating hair care essentials are all bundled up in a neoprene pouch, perfect for anyone on your list.
Now, don’t think that this scrumptious Bali Body tanning oil is for eating because it smells just like watermelon. But you can achieve a deep natural tan with this hydrating, natural oil. It’s one of the best we have ever tried. Enriched with watermelon seed extract to naturally enhance melanin while leaving you smelling fruity fresh. Say hello to the ultimate summer essential!
Simply one of Downtown’s favorite brands. Try this lovely Bali Body self-tanning kit. This brand never uses drying and damaging sulfates, phthalates or parabens, (unlike 98.9% of beauty products!). They love all furry friends, which makes Bali Body 100% vegan and cruelty-free. These are just some of our editor’s favorites.
If we’ve learned anything about our jobs this last year and a half, it’s the importance of a reliable webcam. The Brio Ultra has what you need for a simple, clear look.
With streaming services taking the movies to your home, the Philips NeoPix takes your home to the movies. Sit back and relax with hi-def visuals and enjoy your homemade popcorn.
Bring Snoop Dog home for the holidays with this delicious red or rose. These delicious wines are bold and strong in character, full body. Cali Rose is ever so ripe with strawberry notes along with delicate floral and rose petal aromas. Fruit-forward notes of fresh raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry.
Their Chardonnay is filled with stone fruit aromas and a sweet textured palate. On the nose, notes of peaches & cream and spicy oak are carried onto the palate and supported by a creamy and criminally intense backbone. This full-bodied, powerful wine finishes with rich notes of butterscotch and spice.
It would be a crime not to add to one’s holiday list!
Pick up on one of the fastest-growing hair-care brands with EVOLVh, a pioneer in clean haircare products for that perfect look, free from guilt and chemical additives.
The cutting edge in sensory experience is brought to life through the collaboration of two high-profile Italian luxury companies.
Looking for something new and different this year? Try this one-of-a-kind, portable, and unbreakable barrel that keeps NEFT cold for up to 6 hours in any season.
While the barrel may be the hook, it’s the extremely smooth taste that sets NEFT apart from any other vodka. Perfect for holiday gifting or anyone who wants to up their spirits game, NEFT will make an unexpected and luxurious gift to nearly everyone on your list.
NEFT’s exceptionally pure taste is created using the cleanest, all-natural ingredients: oxygen rich-spring water that has been filtered for 50 years far beneath the Rhaetian Alps of Austria, and four non-GMO rye grains farmed in Lower Saxony, Amato, Askari, Pollino, and Rasant. Inherently low in dissolved salts and ions, the naturally filtered water and ancient rye grains were carefully selected to develop a vodka where the ingredients are meant to be tasted.
The LARQ Bottle is the world’s first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system. It uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants from your water and bottle.
From the oldest Venezuelan rum brand, Santa Teresa 1796 is one of the first super-premium rums to employ the Solera Method, an artisanal processing method featuring a blend of light, heavy, and pot still rums aged 4 to 35 years. Santa Teresa 1796 features a palate that hearkens back to scotch and whisky, with notes of tobacco, leather, molasses, and dark chocolate. Packaged in a stylish value pack accompanied by the limited-edition Cantinero Coffee Bitters created by renowned bartender Julio Cabrera.
Holiday Dreams’ a perfect gift for someone special on your list. The scent evokes your fondest holiday memories, a lovely balance of freshly cut evergreen and sweet spiced cider simmering on the stove. The beautiful gold jars for both the candle and the diffuser are a Limited Edition treat that adds a kiss of luxury to your holiday décor.
This year it’s all about Sicily for wines. Sicily is the perfect region for growing grapes with high-quality potential. Through ancestral rituals, refined from generation to generation, Sicilian winemakers have increasingly developed a culture of excellence through the enhancement of the island’s indigenous varieties. To date, more than 60 varieties are grown in Sicily, of which about 20 are indigenous. Assovini Sicilia is an association of Sicilian winemakers that brings together over 91 wine companies to promote the quality of Sicilian wine around the world.
This Holiday season, infuse your home with The Scent of ORVEDA. The leader in Biotec is a brand that is kind to the skin, kind to society, and kind to the environment. The candle trio is sweet, yet tart, woody notes derived from petitgrain bigarade add an initial crisp feel, with middle notes of green cardamom erupting before a fresh and earthy base. Hand-crafted and hand-poured in Italy by the finest artisans, this candle set is vegan and 100% compostable.
Maison Ladurée
Maison Ladurée presents its new advent calendar containing a selection of irresistible treats for everyone to enjoy counting the days to Christmas with something sweet.
Made for those who love to combine style with functionality. Ever misplaced, lost, or dropped your phone? Just place your iPhone into the sleek crossbody phone case and start wearing your phone crossbody or as a necklace.
Ben Ryé 2019 offers an extraordinary rich bouquet with outstanding aromas obtained from dried grapes: apricots and candied orange peel. On the palate, it offers countless sensations that sweep from fruity scents to delicate hints of scrub Mediterranean offering an extraordinary freshness that balances the sweetness. Its complexity is enriched by a savory and very persistent finish.
Aroma: ripe hints of red fruits, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries, hints of spices including vanilla, licorice, and cocoa. Flavor: soft, full, velvety tannins, persistent and aromatic. Best paired with: aged DOP Ragusano cheese, complicated and spiced dishes like chicken curry, game pâté, lamb, and rabbit.
It’s almost 2022, we’ve gone from luxury highrise, private offices to home -offices, dining out to becoming gourmet home chefs, and dining in, from text message dating to online video dating, and a pandemic that does not want to go away!
Let’s make some major changes in 2022. Men have become more aware of self-grooming, body image, and hygiene, and for this we applaud you. Ladies, let’s admit that when a great smelling man walks by we quickly turn around and want to follow, or better yet get his number.
Here are some tips for men to start off on the right foot.
1. Brush and floss your teeth daily – you only get one real set of teeth. Then pucker up for a night of smooching 2. Trim the eyebrows – look in the mirror if they look bushy they are. Don’t let those bushy eyebrows get in the way of our loving gaze 3. Keep your ears and neck hair-free – just ask your hairstylist or barber to keep you manscaped. The hair on your ears and neck is not attractive. Would you want to see your girl with a mustache or ear hair? 4. Less is more with your fragrance, women love the scent of a man, that’s why we steal your shirts 5. Trim the nose hairs – yes, it sounds trivial and basic but it can make difference whether you get a second date 6. Tailor your clothes -we don’t want to think you’re wearing your father or uncle’s hand-me-downs. The right fit is sexy, no matter your size 7. Take the time to match your belt to your shoes – if you have a pair of black and brown dress shoes and a black and brown belt you are on the right track. 8. Hands, keep your nails grooming and short – if you cannot clip them then book an appointment with the nearest spa, you may even meet the one 9. Good facial cleansing is a must – good products can make your cleansing routine exciting
For some help and advice visit, The Grooming Lounge a source for men’s grooming solutions. They provide solutions on their website, Barbershops + Men’s Spa.
The Grooming Lounge’s mission is to arm Men with confidence through their grooming products and services.
The Grooming Lounge was founded back in 1999 by men with just the right experience in the men’s grooming and fashion industry. After serving as the “un-official grooming gurus/suppliers” to their male friends they decided to make it official by creating a grooming brand incorporating shops, and an informative website. Giving men or women, the opportunity to purchase their male custom blended products.
The one important grooming habit ever a man should know. Even if you have a beard shaving is still required. The best shaving products and proper shaving techniques can make it a simple, enjoyable, and luxurious ritual. Enjoy feeling smooth, refreshed. Try new men’s shaving supplies or be sure to stock up on your favorite essentials,
Just because 2021 brought casual to the forefront of our fashion and grooming, it’s still important to take care of yourself.
One of the best ways to get yourself mentally and physically into the work mindset is to continue with your morning routine, shower, get fully dressed, have a healthy breakfast, start a skincare routine and hygiene routine.
Grooming Lounge has everything you need, from their own special formulas of men’s hair care products to leading brands to maintain a brilliant head of hair.
Grooming Lounger has the best products for men to grow, maintain and style their facial hair. Beards have made their way back, and it looks like they are here to stay. Purchase all your men’s beard grooming products for a perfectly groomed beard. From beard oils, wash, balms, brushes, and all-around beard kits, find your favorite at the Grooming Lounge.
If you’re a guy who truly cares about the way you look, you’re not going to the supermarket to buy your grooming supplies. Healthy skin starts with a daily skincare regimen. Men, remember the importance of having a fresh and clean, smelling face and body, and don’t neglect your hands.
Bombay Sapphire Window Displays in SoHo, will include codes where passerby can get codes for free cocktails at participating nearby bars, now through Dec. 19.
Fashion designerRomeo Hunte and visual artist Shavanteì Royster have unveiled the first ever Bombay Sapphire holiday window displays, celebrating New York creatives and ‘turning the lights back on’ for storefronts in lower Manhattan, where almost one third of small business have closed during the pandemic. The Art, Fashion, and Design windows come to life with performances (think live Charlie Chaplin-esque nutcracker dances, holiday fashion shows and painting demos in the windows). Times are 4-9pm daily for passersby + free cocktails at nearby bars (Dante West Village, Gelso & Grand, Lil Frankie’s and AMA West Village) when you show the window QR codes).
NYE- The Greens on The Rooftop at Pier 17
Spend New Year’s Eve by The Greens on the Rooftop at Pier 17. Photo: J. Kratochivl.
For an intimate venue to toast to the New Year, visit The Greens on The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York City’s seasonally rotating dining concept. Take over your own winter cabin with up to 8 guests and indulge in buckets of bubbly, craft cocktails, and a delicious cuisine specific menu while soaking in the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.
There are five reservation slots throughout the day–11am-12:30pm, 12:45-2:30pm, 3-5pm, 6-8pm, or 9pm-1am–each with various food & beverage packages to choose from. For more information about the packages and to make a reservation, visit The Greens website.
New Year’s Eve Champagne Pairing Cruises
Friday, December 31st 2021 @ 10pm – Saturday, January 1st 2022 @ 12:30am. Celebrate New Year’s Eve safe and comfortable on Classic Harbor line. Enjoy, Champagne, Cheese & Dessert Pairing With Harbor Fireworks & Live Music. This is still our number one choice for NYE. Take in all the beauty the New York City skyline has to offer while cozying up and staying warm. Fully decorated for the holidays and plenty of space and partitioning to feel at ease while you take in the sights. Bundle up, as it can be quite cold as you step out on the outer deck to take in the sites. It’s a night and NYE you will never forget. Book now.
NYE-Masquerade Ball at Pearl Alley
Don’t miss Pearl Alley’s NYE celebration.
This New Year’s Eve, Dante’s Winter House Masquerade Ball is taking place inside Pearl Alley at Pier 17, NYC’s luxurious new waterfront venue. The newly opened space will be offering a 4-hour premium open bar with festive signature cocktails made by Dante’s award-winning bar team alongside delicious bites severed throughout the night. Hidden under your Masquerade Mask, dance the night away with live performances by DJ Chachi, DJ Tre and Saxophonist. There will be party favors, surprises, and to top it all off, the best views in New York City. Toast to 2022 with bubbles in hand and an unforgettable night at the Seaport’s most exciting new venue. Get your tickets here.
NYE at The Fulton
On New Year’s Eve, The Fulton by Jean-Georges will be offering its menu à la carte from 5 pm -7:30 pm, in addition to a $298 five course prix fixe menu 8 pm -10 pm, including delicious dishes such as Sashimi with Spicy White Ponzu, Char Grilled Octopus and a Truffle Course with a choice of Fresh Tagliatelle with Black Winter Truffle or Truffle Meyer Lemon-Parmesan Risotto. Please note: the pre-fixe menu is $84 for children under 10 years old. The full menu can be found here. Reserve a table here.
NYE & New Year’s Day at Malibu Farm
Enjoy NYE and New Year’s Day specials at Malibu Farm.
In celebration of New Year’s Eve, Malibu Farm will be offering delicious new specials to toast the new year, in addition to their all-day menu on Friday, December 31st, and Saturday, January 1st. Specials include Peekytoe Crab Risotto, Grilled Lobster, House-made Carrot Ricotta Gnocchi, and more. The full menu can be found here. New Year’s Eve hours, 12 pm – 1 am; Happy Hour from 10 pm – 12 am. New Year’s Day hours, 11:30 am – 8 pm. Reserve your table here.
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL/HOLIDAY MAGIC AT EVERY TURN
The holidays are just around the corner and Grand Central Terminal has all your readers’ gifting needs covered. The Terminal is thrilled to present Holiday Pop-Up Shops in Vanderbilt Hall. Featuring crafty creations, artisanal elegance, and handmade delights, the collection of six vendors provides customers with even more unique and thoughtful last-minute holiday gift choices.
The Grand Central Holiday Pop-Up Shops are open from 10 am–7 pm on December 17th – 24th (closed at 3 pm on Christmas Eve). Please find the selection of artisans below:
ekologic: Singular pieces of eco-fashion and accessories, made sustainably by a women-owned collective
Magnolia Bakery (open December 21st – 24th): From beautifully iced cupcakes and cakes to iconic banana pudding
In addition to the Holiday Pop-Up Shops, Grand Central’s 55 plus shops and restaurants offer holiday magic at every turn, from gift shopping at the likes of Apple, Diptyque, and TUMI to dining at Cipriani Dolci, the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant, and many more.
To top off the shopping experience, GCT is offering complimentary wrapping for gifts purchased at shops inside Grand Central Terminal. The Holiday Wrap-Up will be available from December 18 and 20–24 near the New York Transit Museum on the Upper Level. Bring up to five-holiday gifts purchased in the Terminal, and their receipts, and GCT’s gift-wrappers will then wrap your gifts in luxurious celestial ceiling paper.
As the holidays approach, design connoisseurs have more grounds to haunt their favorite shops without a twinge of guilt. It’s shopping in the spirit of giving, correct? Whether that giving might entail oneself is a discussion for another day. But this year, we are happy to note that Francophiles will be particularly excited. Emblem Paris—a collection of four French heritage brands—has recently opened its first U.S.-based store in Soho (171 Spring St #2fl).
The intimate boutique space—inspired by a chic jardin in a Parisian hȏtel particulier—showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the Emblem ateliers: Maison Taillardat, (the brand that tasked to create set pieces for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette movie); Maison Craman-Lagarde, a marquetry specialist and master cabinetmaker; Vernaz & Filles, specialist in custom gold leaf work and historic restoration; and Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy, the oldest ceramic factory in France.
While we would love to focus on all four houses, we decided to spotlight our favorite holiday gifts from Emaux de Longwy. The history-laden brand’s enchanting savoir-faire when it comes to cloisonné enamel on faience, or glazed ceramic ware, is completely enamoring.
Boule Coloniale + Bougie (Lemon Insect Collection) by Michaël Cailloux Inspired by 17th century still life’s and Art Nouveau naturalism, Michaël Cailloux created a fertile body of work that includes these finessed beauties.
Pot à Bougie by Nicolas Lequeux Nicolas Lequeux’s “Art Decool” collection showcases stylized and geometric patterns inspired by the Art Deco period, laden with warm colors that recall the vibrancy of the summer months. It notes Emaux de Longwy’s first collaboration with the designer.
Chou Vase by Pierre Gonalons With its swirl of sherbet hues and chic French craftsmanship, the Chou vase by Pierre Gonalons is a delightful gift for art and design lovers alike. Fun fact: The vase is currently on exhibit at the Hotel de Sully (a historic mansion) in Paris, making the gift even more splurge-worthy.
City of Stars by Lukas Works City of Stars evokes the romantic essence of art and its creation, paying direct homage to the magic of Paris and its stars. The artists’ hope was to promote the people who tirelessly fight to inspire us all through the beauty of their work despite the pitfalls of their job.
The Little Prince Oeufs
“The Little Prince” and “The Little Prince and the Fox” decorative eggs not only make for chic stocking stuffers but they pay homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beautiful, poetic tale, immortalizing it forever in enamel.
Decorative Candles
From left to right: The falling snow on a midnight blue background that adorns the Darksnow candle by Eric Hibelot was inspired by Japanese prints, specifically those of Hasui Kawase; The perfect gift for those who appreciate enamels, the Heritage candle features a traditional display of flowers enhanced by Longwy gold; The Happy Face candle by Nicolas de Waël is alluring in its simple, joyous nature.
Bishop Stool The hand-enameled Bishop stool, which India Mahdavi recently festooned in a gorgeous pattern, is available in two colorways: Apple Blossom and PrimaDonna.
