August news highlights include restaurant openings and announcements, new office tenants, and hotel construction progress. Stay in the know with the latest Flatiron News.

Restaurants & Bars

• Black Barn Restaurant reopened in NoMad (via Gotham Magazine).
• NuLeaf opened it first location in Flatiron (via Eater NY).
• Chef Toshio Tanahashi from Eleven Madison Park is featured in a Q&A about the plant-based menu (via Green Queen).
• Hawksmoor, Tortazo NoMad, and Zaytina are featured in 'The most exciting restaurants opening in New York City this fall' (via Crain's New York).
• Eric Finkelstein and Matt Ross leased Eisenberg's luncheonette location and plans to "bring [Eisenberg] back from the brink" (via Grub Street).

District Businesses

• Mastercard Inc. renovated its 150 5th Avenue offices including telephone booths and Zoom-friendly conference rooms for the hybrid work enviroment (via Bloomberg).
• Life Time's fitness app, TB12, is mentioned in 'The 5 best free and paid fitness apps for men and women to try in 2021' (via New York Post).
• Alo Yoga became an official wellness partner of New York Fashion Week and plans to host events in Flatiron and SoHo from Sept. 6 to 12 (via WWD).
• GlossLab, a membership-based nail studio, opened an additional location in the Flatiron District (via Beauty Packaging).
• The NoMad Hotel opened a London location in the formerly Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station (via Forbes).

Real Estate

• Chainalysis, a cryptocurrency and blockchain startup, leased 40,000SF HQ at 114 Fifth Avenue (via Crain's New York).
• Welcome Homes, a digital home building firm, leased a 4,700 square foot office at 41 Madison Avenue from Handler Real Esate Organization (via Real Estate Weekly).
• Richmond Hill Investment Co. moved into a 4,400 square foot office at 381 Park Avenue South (via Commercial Observer).
• Jeff Bezos purchased more space at the pre-war 212 Fifth Avenue for $119 million (via Architectural Digest).
• The former Desmond’s Tavern space at 433 Park Avenue South will become a 2,400-square-foot music venue (via Commercial Observer).

Around the Neighborhood

• NYC Homecoming Week highlighted Maya Lin's Ghost Forest as "a symbol of climate change" (via Patch). 
• Madison Square Park's origin history of Manhattan's original potter's field is mentioned in 'Serveral of NYC's public parks got their starts as mass graves before become green space' (via Brooklyn Based).

Header Photo Credit: Mastercard
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Black Barn
Main Page Photo Credit: Zaytinya

The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership's Flatiron Fitness Series, which concluded on August 4th, presented eight weeks of outdoor workouts in support of local fitness studios and gyms. Attendees worked out on rooftop terraces at nearby hotels Tuesday mornings and at Flatiron's signature “Wellness Wednesday” evening classes on the Public Plaza at 6 pm. All classes collected donations and 100% of donations were directed to fitness studio and gym partners. In total, we partnered with 10 studios and gyms, two hotels, and eight food and retail shops. 

Starting Juune 15th, the program spanned eight weeks. Overall, approximately 250 attendees particpated (*class capacity was limited this year to maintain social distancing) and $1,429 in donations was collected from attendee. Additionally, for each fitness class, "Attendee Perks" email featuring deals & promos from local businesses was sent. The program was popular on social media with over 100K social media impressions earned. 

Check out the full program recap and stats here. 

Shout out to our partners for a successful program this year: 

• MADE Hotel
• Mondrian Park Avenue Hotel
• DanceBody
• bode nyc
• Dharma Yoga
• Life Time
• LL Studio
• PMT House of Dance
• Pop Physique
• Power Pilates
• SLT Flatiron
• Y7 Studio
• Bombay Sandwich Co.
• maman
• Mangia
• Milu
• Standard Dose
• Sweetcatch Poke
• Taïm
• Veggie Grill
• Vita Coco

And a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated and donated to support neighborhood fitness studios and gyms!

>> For a full program recap of the FLATIRON FITNESS SERIES, CLICK HERE.<<

Warm welcome to MS. KIM'S Lounge & Private Karaoke, an upscale karoke bar and lounge. Located at 6 West 28th Street (on the second floor), the lounge sets out to reinvent a traditional karaoke bar to offer an exciting escape to New Yorkers looking for a fun night out. The lounge features Korean and Japanese-inspired cuisine and cocktails in a chic new space.

“My salon (Blinglash) and my offices are right on 23rd Street in the heart of the Flatiron District, and I live in NoMad. I love it here! NoMad has this vibrant energy that reminds me of the New York I dreamed of one day visiting when I was growing up in Korea. When I had the idea of MS. KIM’S, I knew it had to be in NoMad. I didn’t look anywhere else. Now more than ever, it’s so important that we allow ourselves to connect, have fun, and live more fulfilled. I hope you will give yourself permission to close the screen and go have fun at MS. KIM’S. I think you deserve it," says Founder and Owner Anna Kim.

MS. KIM’S has a range of soundproof karaoke rooms for various group sizes to privately eat, drink, dance, and sing the night away. Each room is fully serviced and includes state-of-the-art sound systems. The rooms are situated to have stunning views of the district, including the Empire State Building. In the lounge, patrons can enjoy a full-service bar for after-work drinks or date night. As well as enjoy weekly live jazz nights featuring musicians like Kihong Jang.

MS. KIM'S offers a food menu with Korean and Japanese-inspired dishes featuring Shrimp Tempura, Fried Chicken Karaage, and Dragon Rolls. Their beverage menu includes wine, beer, soju, and signature cocktails like the Butterfly made with Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Infused Tequila, Lavender Syrup, Lime, and Soda Water, and the Royale Negroni made with Cognac, Campari, Montenegro Amaro, and Orange Bitters

MS. KIM'S is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 pm to 1 am, Thursdays and Fridays from 6 pm to  2 am, and Saturdays from 7 pm to 2 am. You can make reservations here.

MS. KIM'S Lounge & Private Karaoke, 6 West 28th Street, 2nd Flr., (Between Fifth Avenue and Broadway), @ms.kims.nyc

Photography Credit: MS. KIM'S

July news highlights include restaurant openings and announcements, new office tenants, new hotel construction's making progress. Stay in the know with the latest Flatiron News.

Restaurants & Bars

• Junoon reopened and relocated after closing for a year (via Eater NY).
• Sona, an elegant Indian cuisine restaurant, was featured in "The 15 Hottest New Restaurants in Manhattan, July 2021" (via Eater NY)
• Bambu, a Vietnamese-inspired beverage shop, opened at 38 East 23rd Street (via Patch).
• Both Eataly's Serra by Birreria and Glass Ceiling NoMad were featured in "Five New rooftops for business-friendly outdoor dining" (via Crain's New York).
• Pastry Chef Dominique Ansel opened his new Dominique Ansel Workshop featuring Ansel's famous Viennoiseries and croissants (via New York Times).
• Little Mad, a Korean-American spot lead by Executive Chef Sol Han opens on 110 Madison Avenue. The Korean-American menu is made with French and Italian techniques featuring beef tartare with shiitakes, soft shell crab, and Shin Ramyun-inspired crispy duck noodles with umami foam (via Time Out New York).
• Cote lands a spot of "19 Places to Find Refreshing Frozen Cocktails in New York City" (via Eater NY).
• Honeybrains was profiled and discussed their neuroscience-influenced menu (via THE CITY).
• Mark's Off Madison owner Mark Strausman expands food offerings to four menus (via New York Times).
• Mista Oh, a woman-owned Korean restaurant, is featured for its Korean barbecue, fried rice, and soft tofu stew (via Forbes).
• Bounce Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar and club, sets the perfect environment to watch the Olympics with "Hail Mary" drinks, chicken strips, and pig in a pretzel (via Gotham).
• Sarashina Horii, one of Tokyo's oldest soba shops, opened at 45 East 20th Street (via Eater NY).
• Hill Country Barbecue Market was featured in "Where to Find Iconic Texas Dishes in NYC" (via Eater NY).
• Giorgio's of Gramercy's Baked Alaska with strawberry and gelato was featured (via Untapped Cities).
• The Breslin at The Ace Hotel reopened with a new menu of Bone Marrow Butter, Fried Head Cheese, Stuffed Pig's Foot, and Charred Lamb Burger (via Gothamist).
• Mister French will relocate from Lower East Side to 14 East 21st Street this September. L'Adresse opened their second location at 1184 Broadway offering contemporary American fare of burgers and seafood dishes  (via Real Estate Weekly).
• Local restaurants Cote and Milu were featured on the "Restaurants Are Upping Their Soft Serve Ice Cream Game in NY" list (via Thrillist).
• Gramercy Tavern is mentioned in "NYC Restaurant Week is back this summer and here’s what you should order at its best spots" (via Time Out New York).
• Danny Meyer, Restaurateur and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, and other spots have required all employees to get vaccinated to work. Additionally, customers too need to be fully vaccinated to dine (via Washington Examiner).
• NuLeaf, a “plant positive” restaurant, opens its first of two locations on 23 West 23rd Street (via Time Out New York). 
• Star pastry chef Eunji Lee has signed on with Hand Hospitality Group to open a pastry shop near the Flatiron Building. Details about the shop, including its name and exact address, are still under wraps. The pastry shop is slated to open in February of next year (via Eater New York).

District Businesses

• Bungalow 5, a modern furniture and lighting company, relocates to 933 Broadway (via Commerical Observer).
• Harry Potter NYC flagship store debuted two immersive Virtual Reality experiences. Fans can enjoy flying over Hogwarts in Wizards Take Flight and explore the school in Chaos at Hogwarts (via Yahoo! Entertainment).
• The James NoMad offers 10% discount for every night guests can go without their phones to incentives "digital detox". The discount comes with a package featuring mediation and yoga classes (via Business Insider).
• The Ritz-Carlton Residences plans to launch sales the first week of August and open later this year. The hotel building features 16 homes on the penthouse floors and will feature a culinary program by José Andrés, and access to the gym, spa, and rooftop bar (via Architectural Digest).
• INNSiDE by Melia New York NoMad hotel offers "Gossip Girl"-themed hotel package for guests to experience Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen (via Travel + Leisure).

Real Estate

• Flexport a freight and customs firm moves in at 50 West 23rd Street 4th floor. The space conisists of nine conferences rooms, eight breakout rooms, six phone booths, and a kitchen (via Commercial Observer).
• Flatiron Building owners filed a petition with New York State Supreme Court to sell the property ( via Real Estate Weekly).
• Owners of Mondrian Park Avenue Hotel, Cushman & Wakefield arrange the sale of the building (via NY Business Journal).
• Simplebet, a global sports betting technology firm, plans to relocate to 373 Park Avenue South on the 9th floor (via Real Estate Weekly).
• Avalanche Studios Group, a Swedish video game developer and publisher, signed a lease at 1245 Broadway and plans to move in early 2022 (via Real Estate Weekly).
• One Madison Avenue completes demolition work and structural reinforcement is underway. The property will add an additional 27-story office tower on the existing building (via New York YIMBY)
• Flatiron District is ranked second highest square footage leased in the second quarter (via Commercial Observer).
• Publishers Weekly and JB Drax Honoré signed a lease at 49 West 23rd Street with roughly 6,000 square feet each (via Commerical Observer).
• Electra America Hospitality Group and AKA acquired the Roger New York hotel. The 194-room boutique hotel was sold for $19 million and is planned to open mid-2022 (via REBusiness Online).
• Boston Properties acquires 360 Park Avenue South, a 20 story office property (via Boston Real Estate Times).

Around the Neighborhood

• Music on the Green is a series of free concerts by Carnegie Hall's Ensemble Connect hosted by Madison Square Park Conservancy. The performances pair with Maya Lin's "Ghost Forest" and other nature-inspired works by Claude Debussy, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Caroline Shaw  (via Time Out NY).
• "Ghost Forest" by Maya Lin in Madison Square Park features dead Atlantic white cedars from New Jersey to spark converstations about climate change (via CentralJersey.com).
• CUNY's Baruch College opened its Pedestrian Plaza on East 25th Street between Madison Avenue and Park South Avenue this month. The plaza was in the works for a full decade (via Patch).
• Coming early 2022, Brier Patch will open his installation of 100 intertwined wood desks in Madison Square Park (via The Architect's Newspaper).

Header Photo Credit: NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Sarashina Horii
Main Page Photo Credit: Carnige Hall

- Beginning in 2022 the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership will bring supplementary sanitation, safety, and other services to a larger footprint that includes 20^th Street, Sixth Avenue, and more of NoMad -

 New York, July 30, 2021 – The New York City Council yesterday voted to approve legislation that will expand the boundaries of the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) as of January 1, 2022. The expansion will nearly double the size of the BID, bringing the Partnership’s supplemental sanitation and safety services, homeless outreach, public space management and beautification, marketing, business support, and advocacy to a larger footprint that will include 20^th Street, the Sixth Avenue gateway to the district, and more of NoMad.

Map of the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership BID, with the original
BID boundaries (orange) and the expansion areas for 2022 (blue).

Since its inception in 2006, the Partnership has served Flatiron and the southern part of NoMad. Increasingly, business owners, property owners, and residents just outside of the BID’s original boundaries have expressed a need for BID services on their blocks. As the district and surrounding areas have evolved, the need has grown for broader public realm services and enhancements, districtwide promotions and advocacy, and a more cohesive neighborhood identity.

“For 15 years, the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership has helped cement the reputation of Flatiron and NoMad as two of New York City’s most vital and exiting neighborhoods and now we look forward to having the same impact in an expanded footprint,” said James Mettham, executive director of the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership. “Our new stakeholders can look forward to cleaner streets, more inviting public spaces, and more support for small businesses. We are grateful to Mayor de Blasio and the City Council, in particular Speaker Corey Johnson and Members Carlina Rivera and Keith Powers, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Community Boards 4 and 5 for their support of our BID expansion.”

“The work of BIDs across the city is more important than ever as we help businesses and neighborhoods recover from the pandemic and adapt to post-pandemic life,” Mettham added. “We are committed to ensuring that the new areas of our BID – and every block in Flatiron and NoMad – are special places that make people want to live, work, visit, and play here in the heart of Manhattan.” 

The areas joining the BID include 1,384 properties, 344 of which are commercial; more than 20 existing or under-construction hotels; a diverse array of retail and dining; a plethora of cultural destinations and historic sites; a growing residential community; and the dynamic Sixth Avenue mixed-use corridor.

The City Council’s approval of the BID’s expansion follows four years of planning and stakeholder engagement by the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership in close coordination with the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), and a thorough public review process that was temporarily delayed by the COVID pandemic. The expansion plan has been widely embraced by neighborhood stakeholders.

"Congratulations to the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership on their concerted effort to make this expansion possible. It has been a pleasure working with the Flatiron Partnership and Steering Committee over the last few years to help them realize this expansion. I am very proud of the City Council's vote today to expand the boundaries of the BID, which will ensure important services can be provided to the local businesses and residential community who call Flatiron home," said New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

"I'm so excited to see the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District officially expand its boundaries with this important City Council vote today. This expansion will bring important services to community members in my District, including additional sanitation services, community outreach, and street activation, and I look forward to continuing to work with the BID on new initiatives in these wonderful neighborhoods," said New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera.

“Since 2006, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership has helped anchor Flatiron and NoMad as two of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. This expansion will allow more New Yorkers to benefit from their continued support for local businesses, sanitation services, public space maintenance, and more. I’m proud to be supporting the expansion, and I thank the Mayor, Speaker Johnson, Council Member Rivera, Manhattan Borough President Brewer, and Community Boards 4 and 5 for their work,” said New York City Council Member Keith Powers.

“We are grateful for this vote of confidence from our neighborhood stakeholders. We look forward to bringing our expertise to a larger territory in this vibrant part of New York City,” said Michael T. Cohen, President of the Tri-State Region at Colliers International and Chairman of the Board of the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership. 

Throughout the COVID pandemic, the Flatiron/23^rd Street Partnership’s staff has been on the streets every day, responding to stakeholders’ evolving needs and helping to ensure that public spaces have remained safe, clean, and beautiful. Since May 2020, the Partnership has managed the City’s Open Streets program in Flatiron and NoMad, opening the roadbed on stretches of Broadway, 20^th Street, 22^nd Street, and 28^th Street to pedestrians and cyclists for greater social distancing. Additionally, the Partnership has worked with local restaurants on outdoor dining on sidewalks and streets through the City’s Open Restaurants program.

This summer, the Partnership collaborated with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to create the new Flatiron Slow Street, which has transformed Broadway between 21^st Street and 23^rd Street into a more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly thoroughfare. The project is part of the Partnership’s long-term vision of a pedestrian-focused Broadway corridor through Flatiron and NoMad, which has also included the construction of the Flatiron Public Plazas in 2009 and Manhattan’s first Shared Street, from 24^th to 25^th Street, which was unveiled in 2017.

While the pandemic greatly reduced the number of commuters and tourists coming to Manhattan’s central business districts, momentum toward recovery continues to build. Pedestrian volumes in the Flatiron Public Plazas were up 80% by the end of June 2021, compared with June 2020. Both ground-floor retail leasing and commercial office leasing increased in Q2 2021. More than 60 new businesses have opened – or announced plans to open – in the district since July 2020.

The New York City Department of Small Business Services oversees the city’s BID program. A BID is a nonprofit organization made up of property owners and commercial tenants who are dedicated to promoting economic development and improving an area’s quality of life. There are 76 BIDs operating in New York City that invest over $170.5 million to serve 93,000 businesses in all five boroughs and maintain 152 public spaces.

>> Download Full Press Release

A warm welcome to Dominique Ansel Workshop, a croissant counter, located at 17 East 27th Street. Inspired by Santa's workshop, the shop includes Chef Dominique's pastry production kitchen, a test kitchen to develop new recipes and an event space for demos and chef collaborations.

"For us, the shorter the distance from the oven to your mouth, the better the croissant. So we wanted to create a little croissant counter right here inside of our pastry kitchens in Flatiron, where our team can bake fresh pastries for the neighborhood each and every morning. And with Madison Square Park just a block away, our guests can grab a few croissants and a cup of coffee, stroll to the park, and enjoy. We feel right at home here!" said Chef Dominique.

Guests can be in the center of the process by overlooking the counter and seeing the chefs making freshly-baked menu items like viennoiseries and pastries. The menu includes various croissants and pastries like the pain au chocolat with three batons of chocolate, the Huckleberry & Venilla Riz Au Lait Cube with homemade huckleberry jam and arborio rice pudding, and the Honey-Roasted Peach Danish with lemon thyme and almond frangipane. The workshop also cranks out savory dishes like quiche and a French omelet breakfast sandwich. Additionally, La Colombe coffee & Palais des Thés teas are served. A variety of hot or iced beverages are available like Espresso, Cold Brew, Matcha Latte, and Lemonade. 

The workshop comes to us from James Beard Award-winning Pastry Chef, Dominique Ansel who is responsible for creating some of the most sought after pastries in the world, including the Cronut® (named one of TIME Magazine’s “25 Best inventions of 2013”), The Cookie Shot, Frozen S’more, Blossoming Hot Chocolate, and many more.

Dominique Ansel Workshop is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and Saturday through Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm.

Dominique Ansel Workshop, 17 East 27th Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue), @DominiqueAnselWorkshop

Photography Credit: Dominique Ansel Workshop