October, 2009 Archive
Time Warner Building
Last week we did a post about Amelia Earhart and I thought where would she live if she were alive today? After a couple of days it came to me; the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle, of course. Amelia was a modern girl, who liked wide open spaces. Where else in New York can you get the big sky sensation that this building delivers.
The towers opened to mixed reviews. Ada Louise Huxtable of the Wall Street Journal described it as soaring, shining and glamorous. Whereas Nicolai Ouroussoff of the LA Times called it a vertical shopping mall and likened it to an airport terminal in a foreign country; wow harsh! Both of these statements have some truth to them, but for me the good far out weighs the bad.
It is definitely a glamorous New York destination. Drinks at the Lobby Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental. Dinner at Per Se or sushi at Masa. How about Jazz at Lincoln Center? One of our holiday traditions is the Red Hot Holiday Stomp at the Rose Theater.
But what I really like about The Time Warner building is how modern it is, not just an updated copy of traditional pre war architecture. I think New York could do with more buildings that look to the future with the same optimism.
Interior images of Tom Brady’s apartment really illustrates the drama of this great New York City landmark.
Amelia Earhart
I am always fascinated by characters, male or female, who live outside of the social bounderies of their time. Amelia Earhart has long been a symbol of the American individualism. Determined to go her own way, she lived her life without regret, and came close to circumnavigating the globe before her death.
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The plane she flew across the Atlantic at the smithsonian
This weekend a movie about her life staring Hilary Swank opens this weekend.
Below are looks from the Hermes Fall collection that are reminiscent of that explorer spirit that Earhart personified.
So where do we think Amelia Earhart would live if she was in New York today? Perhaps 145 Hudson Street? Stay tuned.
Jean Nouvel-100 Eleventh Avenue
Kirsten Dunst superimposed on the 100 Eleventh Ave wearing BOY
Long long ago in a real estate market since past, I attended a party to launch 100 Eleventh Avenue. People have much to say about the recent bubble, but a lasting benefit will be the input of some of the world’s great architects to the NewYork City skyline. In this instance, Jean Nouvel.
When you see a building by Frank Gehry you immediately recognise his signature style. That is not true of Nouvel. His process begins with the site, then a building is designed that he believes works best in the context. I find this fascinating, because it says that art takes precedence over the ego of the man. It is that passion that has him fighting so hard for his vision in front of the City planning commission for the MoMa tower; Tower Verre.
Back to 100 Eleventh Avenue, which is well on its way to becoming an iconic residential building.
The exterior is clad in 1700 pieces of glass, no two of which are set in quite the same way. As you can see the light is amazing with the Hudson river providing a panorama of open sky, so rare in a major city. The interiors are designed to be as open and airy as possible, bringing the sense of freedom the river provides indoors. Apparently there is an open core at the centre of the building that will have planted window boxes continuing that outdoor/indoor play. I love that.
Jean Nouvel is the architect of many great public buildings, and I envy the lucky people who are able to live in one of his masterpieces.
Underground dining
If you like food and adventure, chances are you’ll enjoy dining at an underground supper club. These dinners are held in private home a la Andres of the Brooklyn Edible Social Club. Alternatively they are ambitious affairs such as those held by Mike Cirino at A Razor, A Shiny Knife.
Photos courtesy of Morta Di Fame
A few weeks ago I travelled with my husband to have dinner with twelve strangers at the Brooklyn Edible Social Club. Even though we didn’t know a single person, the host and chef Andres, along with his girlfriend did everything to make the group comfortable. The food was great and the conversation flowed.
A wonderful menu; the corn veloute served over blue cheese and honeycomb was a crowd pleaser, my favorite course was the duck shown above. My photos were terrible so these images are courtesy of a fellow diner from a great blog, Morta Di Fame.
A Razor, A Shiny Knife held a fabulous event last weekend at Norwood, a private club in the Village, as part of the Food and Wine festival. They delivered what they do best; an educational and dramatic culinary experience. Billed as a ‘locally’ sourced party with a twist, referring to their partnership with Future Perfect who provided the service ware, silverware, glasses, linens and art from the New York City area.
An experience worth having.
59 E 59
There is nothing more classic New York as a night at the theatre. Last week a friend gave me tickets to see The Pride of Parnell Street, a play by Sebastian Barry, a well known Irish writer. I had high expectations, being lucky enough to have seen The Steward of Christendom, starring Donal McCann at BAM many years ago. A very fine Irish actor who has since passed away.
The Pride of Parnell Street has its weaknesses and plenty of Gaelic charm. The story line was a little on the obvious side but touching nevertheless. The acting was very strong especially from Mary Murray, and it did spark debate with my husband afterwards. So all in all an evening well spent.
59 E 59 is an interesting concept and I thoroughly recommend a visit. It is basically a theatrical multiplex with three plays being performed at any given time. I love that it is not in the Theatre district, so there are no crowds or traffic jams to deal with. It felt very low key and democratic; drama without ‘drama’.
Art on Park
One of the great benefits of living in New York are the various art installations found throughout the city. I was driving down Park Avenue last weekend when I spotted these goats grazing on the median. All very whimsical and charming. I later found out they are the work of french artists, Francois Xavier and Claude LaLanne. As are the bronzes below that are part of the same display.
Wapiti
Pomme de New York
All images: Jill Krementz
Chanel goes Green?
Wow, I have never been one of the girls that worship at the altar of Chanel, but every now and then I am sucked in by the genius of Karl Lagerfeld. Because who doesn’t want to be a 21st century Marie Antoinette in couture on her way to a barn dance.
In a nod, I like to think to the environment, burlap and raw linen was everywhere, from the covered seats in the audience to the classic jacket we all know and love. You have to love the giant wooden C’s, and those clogs will be everywhere next summer.
Green+luxury=Classic
At the Auction
Tomorrow afternoon Wright 20 in Chicago will hold its Fall modern design sale. If you are not familiar, they are a ‘mid level’ auction house, and can be a good resource to pick up pieces from standard designers of mid century design. My picks are a Bruno Mathsson book crib from the ’40s which has nice lines (estimate $500-$700) and this brass Hagenauer candlestick (estimate 2-3k)
Interestingly enough tomorrow will also include pieces Philippe Starck designed for the Royalton Hotel back in 1988. My favorite is this sofa (estimate 2-3k). Lets face it the ’80s are back. I can’t believe I am wearing leggings and ankle boots.
‘Green’ with Envy
Last week we decided to take a field trip to One Jackson Square. After many years of new buildings that rarely live up to the marketing hype, I must confess that our expectations were not that high. So it was a very pleasant surprise to be wrong.
From the moment you enter the lobby you can’t help but be impressed by the level of design, and more importantly the quality of the workmanship. This is a building that walks the walk; from the attention to detail to the eco friendliness of the materials used. Above right is a cross section of the bamboo that makes up the paneling. Above left you can see a glass light well that brings natural light to the basement. This is where the gym will be located.
In keeping with the high standards elsewhere, the gym is outfitted by Antonio Citterio.
I had to return over the weekend to get photographs of the roof because it was so cool. The glass railings help preserve the openess of the view, the brazilian Ipe wood is beautiful, and most of all I love the green roof that borders the deck, all planted and maintained by the building.
The kitchen in the one bedroom apartment. Loving the contrast between the white high gloss cabinets and the dark wood, also the paneled ceiling is very striking. Notice the opening between the cook top and the overhead cabinets. When you enter the apartment you see though to the floor to ceiling windows which is very dramatic.
The floors are infinity floors, as in infinity pool. This is achieved by dropping the window a few inches below the floor. Very effective.
So our conclusion is One Jackson Square is a very elegant addition to the architecture of New York City. The workmanship is some of the best we have seen in new construction, proving you can be ‘green’ and live with style.
