December's news highlighted festive restaurant dishes and spots on year-end 'best of' lists along with commercial property renovations and sales. The 2020 Flatiron Public Plaza holiday installation, Point of Action, was also widely featured. Stay up-to-date with the latest Flatiron District News. 

Restaurants & Bars

• Shake Shack unveiled three new menu items topped with a one-of-a-kind organic black truffle sauce at its Upper West Side & Madison Square Park locations (via Eater New York).
• Eleven Madison Park offered delivery to the East End and other NYC suburbs (via Wall Street Journal) and they were featured on the Champions' League World's Best Wine List 2020 (via Spears).
• ilili's Philippe Massoud shared that secret behind Lebanese White Coffee by stating, "From a cultural point of view, it’s something that we finished the meal with usually after you’ve eaten a big meal. And we normally spend two, three, four hours at the table eating, so it’s Thanksgiving every day" (via Well + Good).
• Critic Ryan Sutton finds wicked good pineapple buns, rice bowls, and crispy duck at the Milu (via Eater New York).
• Mark's Off Madison was featured in 'The State of the Bagel' (via The New Yorker), the best Hannukah latkes roundup (via Eater New York), and in Eater's Best NYC Restaurant Meals roundup for their roasted chicken (via Eater New York).

District Businesses

• The opening of Harry Potter New York, next the iconic Flatiron Building, has been delayed due to the pandemic but the store’s online shop is now open and offering new products (via Forbes).
• At both The James New York NoMad and The James New York Soho, guests can partake in the unique Four Bodies Wellness program (via Live Trading News).
• The NoMad Hotel is offering the “NoMad Feast” in empty suites, featuring such dishes as its signature black truffle-stuffed chicken (via Bloomberg). The Hotel was also featured in the Post's spectacular staycation roundup (via NY Post).
• Two Flatiron-based startups were in the news in December. Glosslab, a waterless nail salon, raised $3 million in seed funding with plans to increase the number of brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce in 2021 (via Glossy). Attentive raised $340 million through 2020. The company’s software is used by e-commerce retailers to send customers promotions through text messages (via Crain's NY Business).
• Life Time opened a 37,000-square-foot fitness center at 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue (via New York Business Journal).

Real Estate

• Spectrum NY1 featured the iconic Flatiron Building's massive transformation in the heart of the neighborhood at 23rd Street, Broadway, and Fifth Avenue (via Spectrum NY1).
• In addition to NYC’s outstanding talent and funding, the city is rich with life science real estate offerings across the five boroughs. For example, as part of NYCEDC’s LifeSci NYC, the City’s $500 million investment in life sciences, local investment firm Deerfield Management is redeveloping a 12-story building in Flatiron at 345 Park Avenue South (via Fierce Biotech).
• Thor Equities Group sold the 17,600-square-foot, six-story 164 Fifth Avenue retail building for $40 million. The fully leased property is home to Alo Yoga and a new vegan restaurant concept called SUTRA (via Commercial Observer).
• Home Depot extended its lease for 120,000 square at Williams Equities’ 28-40 West 23rd Street, cementing its reign in the Chelsea and Flatiron area for around another 15 years (via Commercial Observer).

Around the Neighborhood

• More than a century ago, the first public Christmas tree lighting in New York City took place in Madison Square Park. That 108-year tradition continues to this day and is commemorated year round. When all of the holiday lights go dark and the giant Christmas trees come down, Madison Square Park keeps the spirit of the season alive with the Star of Hope, a fixture of the park that marks the site of the first tree lighting (via Untapped Cities).
• This holiday season, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership launched "Gifts for the Greater Good," a community initiative with the goal of supporting local retailers while giving joy to New York City families who are experiencing homelessness (via Patch).
• Studio Cooke John's Point of Action, on display on the Flatiron Public Plazas from November 23rd through January 1st, was featured in many notable public art roundups this month including Untapped Cities, Time Out New York & amNY.

Header Photo: Milu via Eater New York
Thumbnail Photo Credit: The NoMad Hotel

Calling all small businesses! In response to this time of crisis, various city partners, inluding the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce have launched the NYC Small Business Resource Network (SBRN), a network of New York City specialists offering free, personalized guidance and recovery resources for your business.

The SBRN is a unique, private-public partnership that leverages local relationships with the city’s corporate, financial, and professional service sectors. With support from universities, philanthropies and expert volunteers, the SBRN helps small business owners gain access to a range of programs and services.

Small Business Support Specialists offer guidance and next-step resources in these five fields:

• financial guidance
• marketing expertise
• technology support
• legal counseling
• business coaching

Some common concerns are proper outdoor dining setup (please note, if you're in our BID district boundaries we can assist with this directly), rent negotiation, and website marketing and management. Members of the network can also enjoy special offerings such as cash credit to rebuild your business' website.

Every business is eligible, even if you are not a Chamber of Commerce member. For more information, attend the free info session webinar for small business owners on January 12th, at 2pm, or submit your business profile to join today.

The designated Chamber of Commerce Small Business Support Specialists for the Flatiron and NoMad area are:

Businesses in zipcodes 10003, 10010, and 10016:
Christopher Freire
cfreire [at] Manhattancc.org

Businesses in zipcodes 10001 and 10011: 
Sean Martin
smartin [at] manhattancc.org

Directions:

1. If you have a food processor, add all of the ingredients and pulse until you have a smooth consistency. You're all done!
2. If you prefer the manual way, cut the avocados in half, take out the pit, scoop out the avocado flesh and mash it until it's no longer clumpy. 
3. Add the sour cream to your avocado and whip it until smooth. 
4. Fold in the cilantro, lime juice and salt. Adjust salt and lime amount to your taste. 

Chef Juan Carlos Ortiz pictured below:

If the holiday season crept up too soon, or if you're missing some last presents, there are still plenty of great gifts that you can pick up in the neighborhood. Use the gift guide below to support district businesses as you check off your holiday shopping list.

We suggest visiting these stores in-person or arranging for pick-up to avoid shipping delays.

For last minute treats and kitchen goods:

Bourke Street Bakery, 15 East 28th Street
Pop into Bourke Street's Market and Pantry for cookbooks, seasonings, and sauces, including their holiday gift set- "Bourke Street Hamper" that includes housemade products: The Ultimate Chocolate sauce, Plum, Strawberry & Cardamom Jam, Avo Smash Sprinkle, Pecan Maple Crunch Granola, and Orange & Fig Marmalade, plus a Tote bag for $55. 

Eataly, 200 5th Avenue, 212-229-2560
Shop Italian-inspired home goods like holiday table settings, cookbooks, and regional extra virgin olive oil in decorated ceramic bottles. Gift cards and cookbooks are also available.

Flatiron Wine & Spirits, 929 Broadway, 212-477-1315
Search through thousands of artisanal wines & spirits from around the world right here in the Flatiron district. If you're not sure what they'd love, let them pick their bottle of choice with a gift card.

Nuts Factory, 700 6th Avenue, 917-445-6556
Shop Nut Factory's selection of assorted gift boxes containing dried fruits, rich chocolates, and roasted nuts, or pick out your own custom selection for your special someone.

For other tid bits:

Fotografiska New York, 281 Park Avenue South, hello.ny@fotografiska.com
Explore the photography museums's The Shop for a curated selection of gifts such as exhibition images, artistic home decor, and sustainable products and works from Black and women-owned studios. 

Il Fiorista, 17 West 26th Street, 646-490-8240
Browse Il Fiorista's hand-tied Floral Bouquets for the finishing touch to your holiday present. Il Fiorista also offers gift cards.

J&M Hardware & Locksmiths, 19 East 21st Street, 212-673-6050
Stop by the district's local hardware store to pick up homeware tools and supplies to finally make those home improvements. Whether your special someone is pro-level or more DIY-style, J&M Hardware has the expert advice, tools, and products to get the job done.

Memories of New York, 206 Fifth Avenue, 212-252-0030
The holidays aren't complete without some love for New York. Shop toys, apparel, children's books, snowglobes, postcards, and other trinkets, perfect for a stocking stuffer.

Petsmart, 1107 Broadway, 646-949-1422
We know how much pets are family. Pick up a present your adorable companion is guaranteed to love from Petsmart's selection of treats, accessories, and services. Gift cards are also available.

Rizzoli Bookstore, 1133 Broadway, 212-759-2424
Rizzoli is the perfect place to get a holiday gift for anyone and everyone in your life. The one-stop shop offers a wide selection of books from sports photography to foreign literature along with book accessories, apparel, and other trinkets.

Looking for other kinds of gifts? Check out our Flatiron Gift Guides for the Athletically Inclined, Self-Care Enthusiasts, Food Fanatics, and Family Members of All Ages.

Photo Credit: 
Thumbnail: Rizzoli Bookstore
Header: Memories of New York

It's officially Holiday season and no matter how you're celebrating, we know a little help from some neighborhood chefs is always welcomed. We've rounded up holiday meals from restaurants and bakeries around the neighborhood, so you can celebrate the end of the year with no stress. Feed the family with delicious dishes while supporting your favorite local businesses during a time when they need it the most. 


Bourke Street Bakery, 15 East 28th Street
The Austrailian bakery has launches special treats to make this holiday season a little brighter! They are offering Gingerbread People, Brandy Pear & Rhubarb Crumble pie, Christmas Fruit Mince pies and other delicious treats. Visit the store or fill out an online order for these holiday treats availble from December 7th until the 24th.




Cosme, 35 East 21st Street, info@cosmenyc.com
Cosme is offering three meal kits that serve up contemporary Mexican cuisine. The Duck Carnitas Dinner includes Duck carnitas, Guacamole, Tostadas, and Tortillas, and serves 2-4 people at $145. The Vegetable Dinner also serves 2-4 people at $145 and features Honeynut squash, Mole Blanco, Quesillo tamal, and Tortillas. Lastly, their Postres or desserts bundle includes a pint of Vanilla ice cream with guava caramel swirl, gluten-free Pecan Pie, and Brown butter hazelnut crumble at $75. Order for pick-up.

ilili, 236 Fifth Avenue, 212-683-2929, Take advantage of 10% off
The upscale Meditteranean restaurant has added exciting Christmas To-Go packages to their Chef's recommended menus in their catering store. Choose from meal kits that feature Braised Lamb Shank, Silk Road Short Rib, or Silk Road Cauliflower to serve 2, 4, or 8. Pick-up available on December 22nd and 23rd from 11.30 am to 7 pm. They will also be offering a 4-course prix-fixe menu with all your favorite a-la-carte menu items and Christmas specials for Christmas Eve dinner. Make reservations.

Luke's Lobster, 5 West 25th Street, retail@lukeslobster.com.
Take your pick from Luke's Oyster & Caviar Holiday Bundle, Gourmet Truffle Lobster Roll Bundle, and Lobster Roll & Ornament Gift Set to enjoy their fresh and sustainable seafood. The straight-from-the-shore Oyster & Caviar bundle offers the freshest Maine oysters paired with the finest Baika caviar, and a shucking knife for $165. The luxurious Gourmet Truffle Lobster Roll bundle includes 4 Truffle Lobster Rolls and a Maine crafted white pine candle for $105. And the 4-Lobster roll kit is rounded out for the holidays with an adorable lobster boat ornament and gift card for $95. Order bundles and other sets online. 

maman nyc, 22 West 25th Street, andrea@mamannyc.com, Take advantage of 10% off
Enjoy maman's limited edition Holiday Cookie Box filled with a dozen fresh-baked cookies individually wrapped in a custom box & tied with a twine bow – perfect for gifting (and sharing). The assorted holiday gift box includes a combination of classic nutty chocolate chip cookies and three new flavors created for the season: double chocolate peppermint crunch cookies, brown butter cranberry oatmeal cookies, and caramel chocolate hazelnut cookies. Place your order for a delicious delivery or pick-up items in person. 

mangia, 22 West 23rd Street, 212-647-0200
Celebrate the holidays with mangia's reimagined hors d'oeuvres, cakes, treats, and other offerings. Choose your holiday selection from menu items like salmon crostini with cornichons and horseradish cream and their cranberry tart with ginger, pecan crust and cranberry custard. Check out their full holiday menu, and order your holiday spread for delivery.

Milu, 333 Park Avenue South, 212-377-6403
The new Chinese restaurant has launched their Holiday Meal Special, along with Holiday sides, sweets, and wines. The meal kit features Dry Aged Duck Crown stuffed with duck and mushroom sticky rice, a jar of Milu Hoisin Sauce, roasted potatoes, Pineapple Buns with chestnut cream filling, and other sides; it serves up to four for $168. The Holiday Special will be available in limited quantity, for pick up only on December 23rd and 30th.

Seven Grams Caffe, 76 Madison Avenue 
Stop by the independent roasters to grab some homemade baked goods like a variety of cookies and loaves.

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Luke Lobster's Gourmet Truffle Lobster Roll Bundle
Header Photo Credit: ilili's Christmas To-Go packages

In honor of New York Life celebrating 175 years in 2020, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership looks back on the great historical significance of 51 Madison Avenue, the site for the iconic, gold-topped New York Life Building.

From the 1850s to 1871, the site was home to a passenger station for the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. The Madison Avenue Station became unnecessary with the opening of Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street in 1871, and the space was rented to P.T. Barnum, who converted it into his famous Hippodrome (an ancient Greek-style stadium), which opened in 1874. Barnum was the proprietor of a traveling circus (which would later be a constituent of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus) and intended the site to house a permanent show separate from his roadshow that would feature circus acts, chariot races, and a menagerie.

Picture: P.T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome and Zoological Institute in 1874.

The Hippodrome would prove short-lived, closing after the 1875 season, but it would establish the site as a New York entertainment hub. In 1879, the Hippodrome reopened as a live event venue under a new name, “Madison Square Garden.” That venue would be torn down and replaced by a better-known second Madison Square Garden in 1890. The second Madison Square Garden was an architectural marvel in its time. Designed by Stanford White, it featured an enclosed arena, theatre, restaurant, ballroom, and rooftop garden. The space hosted a series of societal and political functions and popular amusements, including horse shows, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, rodeos, boxing bouts, concerts, and political conventions, including the 1924 Democratic National Convention. In 1919, the second Madison Square Garden hosted the first performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' combined show.

Picture: The second Madison Square Garden, decorated for the 1924 Democratic Convention.

In 1916 New York Life acquired the second Madison Square Garden at a foreclosure auction where it was the only bidder. The company leased the building out to a promoter until around 1924, when it began preparations to demolish the property and build its Home Office on the site. The second Garden was torn down to make way for the New York Life Building in 1925, by which point the venue’s best days were long behind it.

The 40-story, Gothic Revival-style New York Life Building was designed by Cass Gilbert, who also designed New York’s Woolworth Building and the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. The limestone “Cathedral of Insurance” opened for business in November 1928 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and designated a historic landmark by New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2000. It contains nearly 1 million square feet of working space, 38 elevators, 2,200 windows, and 72 gargoyles. The iconic gold pyramidical dome is made with gold-dipped ceramic tiles. 

Today, 51 Madison Avenue is the star of Flatiron and NoMad's skyline as it looks over Madison Square Park. Gaze up to the building at golden hour to see the light reflect off of its famous gold top.


New York Life, 51 Madison Avenue, between 26th and 27th Streets. 

Header & Thumbnail: New York Life