Downtown Magazine Spring 2017 Edition

ALL IMAGES ARE ARTISTS’ RENDERINGS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THE SALES OFFICE. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE IN AN OFFERING PLAN AVAILABLE FROM THE SPONSOR. FILE NO. CD13-0258. SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING PLAN. FURNITURE NOT 

INCLUDED. SPONSOR: 30 PARK PLACE RESIDENTIAL LLC, C/O SILVERSTEIN PROPERTIES INC. 250 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10007. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 30 PARK PLACE, FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES NEW YORK DOWNTOWN WILL BE MANAGED BY FOUR SEASONS HOTELS LIMITED AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES (FOUR 

SEASONS), THOUGH THEY WILL NOT BE OWNED, DEVELOPED OR SOLD BY FOUR SEASONS. SPONSOR USES THE FOUR SEASONS TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES UNDER A LICENSE FROM FOUR SEASONS HOTELS LIMITED. CORCORAN SUNSHINE MARKETING GROUP IS THE REAL ESTATE AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MARKETING OF 30 PARK PLACE, 

FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES NEW YORK DOWNTOWN. THE MARKS “FOUR SEASONS,” “FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS,” ANY COMBINATION THEREOF AND THE TREE DESIGN ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF FOUR SEASONS HOTELS LIMITED IN CANADA AND U.S.A. AND OF FOUR SEASONS HOTELS (BARBADOS) LTD. ELSEWHERE.

Your neighborhood. 

Your website. 

DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM 

NEWS 

CULTURE 

FASHION 

BEAUTY 

DINING 

HEALTH 

BUSINESS 

EVENTS 

LIVING 

Grace A. Capobianco 

Editor-in-Chief 

Editor-at-Large Mike Hammer 

Creative Director Bruno Ruggiero 

Managing Editor Eva Maria Troester 

Associate Publisher Bailey Koehlke 

Digital Managing Editor Darren Paltrowitz 

Contributing Beauty Editor dnicole 

Contributing Fashion Editor Laurean Ossorio 

Contributing Family & Lifestyle Editor Denise Courter 

Contributing Style Editor Carlos Marrero 

Senior Landscape Photographer Tony Shi 

Copy Editor Nicki Boudreaux 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Lauren Abbondola 

Joe Alexander 

Lorraine Baker 

Sebastian Blume 

Michael C. Bruck 

Kathryn Carter 

Click Models 

Lillie Gissen 

Alex Hammer 

Brian Hanh 

Casey Jackson 

Sophie Kietzmann 

Matt Licari 

Paula Magyar 

Katie McElveen 

Jess Mederos 

Melissa Murphy 

New York Models 

One Management 

Aryka Noble 

David Paler 

Paul Prince 

Nevio Ragazzini 

Nadia Rath 

Clive Rosseau 

Alina Tarasova 

Wilhelmina Models 

April Zion 

INTERNS 

Lola Desmole 

Livia Guerin 

Armando Gutierrez 

Nikki Link 

TECHNOLOGY 

Bradley Kirkland 

Nicu Lordachescu 

Neal Marshad 

BUSINESS 

Executive Vice President John ‘Cap’ Capobianco 

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Fields 

Advisor To The Publisher Andy Wheatcroft 

Finance & Tax Consultant SpearCPA 

You’re always connected to 

Downtown Media & Production Inc. 

downtownmagazinenyc.com 

downtownmagazinenyc.com 

keeps you on top of everything that makes 

your downtown neighborhood so great. 

Copyright 2017 by Downtown Media & Production Inc. All rights reserved. 

Downtown (ISSN2164-6198) is published four times per year in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter for $32 

per subscription by Downtown Media & Production Inc., 380 Rector Place, Suite 15F, New York, NY 10280. 

Application to mail at periodical postage rates is pending at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Downtown, 380 Rector Place, Suite 15F, New York, NY 10280. 

Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editor are not responsible 

for unsolicited material. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. 

To order a subscription, please visit downtownmagazinenyc.com. For customer service, please inquire at 

customer@downtownmagazinenyc.com. To distribute Downtown, please email distribution@dtnycmag.com

15 Hubert Penthouse • Tribeca, NYC 

A premier Manhattan broker, Louise Phillips 

Forbes has been recognized as an industry 

leader for close to three decades with total 

sales approaching $3 billion. She leads the 

#1 team at Halstead Property representing 

buyers and sellers in all neighborhoods. As a 

visionary, Louise also partners with developers 

as both an advisor and onsite director of sales 

and marketing. 

Call to schedule a private appointment at 

any of these exceptional properties or visit 

LouisePhillipsForbes.com for more details. 

“Your home is the base 

upon which the rest of 

your life is built.” 

645 West End Avenue 2A • Upper West Side, NYC 

575 Park Avenue 1507 • Upper East Side, NYC 

LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES 

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 

Tel: 212.381.3329 

Cell: 917.846.8640 

lphillips@halstead.com 

Twitter & Instagram: @weze_sez 

Park Avenue Office

SPRING 2017 

7......................Publisher’s Letter 

8......................Advisory Board 

10....................Contributors 

NEWS 

12....................Style 

13....................Gear 

14....................Food 

15....................Culture 

16....................Philanthropy 

SOCIAL 

18....................Out & About 

19....................On the Town 

DOWNTOWN PERSPECTIVE 

20....................Panorama of Downtown Manhattan 

INSIGHT 

22....................Power Couple | Lisa Silverstein and Tal Kerret 

26....................Real Estate | 1 Seaport 

28....................Real Estate | Beekman Hotel 

30....................Architecture | Everything Old is New Again 

COVER STORY 

32....................Meg Ryan 

STYLE VAULT 

42....................Editorial | Midnight in the Garden of Eden 

50....................Beauty | Her Look 

52....................Grooming | His Look 

54....................Hair | Choosing the Right Hair Color 

56....................Procedures | New Beauty 

LITTLE APPLE 

59....................Léman | Teaching Today’s Children for Tomorrow’s World 

60....................Profile | Maria Castelluccio 

62....................Downtown Mom | Luciana Gendre 

64....................Barclay’s Spot 

65....................Canine Essentials 

PASSPORT 

66....................Travel | St. Moritz, Switzerland 

CITY BITES 

68....................Chef Profile | Cédric and Ochi Vongerichten 

FITNESS 

72....................Yoga | Namaste 

74....................Training | Fit Philosophies 

REWIND 

76....................Dying Breed | As Time Goes By 

78....................History | Canyon of Heroes 

80....................Hidden Gem | Garden of Stones 

13 

65 

THE HEART OF EVERY CITY 

Cover Credits 

Dress: Christian Siriano | Corset: The Blonds | Top: Junk Food 

Shoes: Girls Love Shoes Archive | Earrings Erickson Beamon | Ring: Barbara Novak 

50 

12

26 

68 

32 

66

Photography by Lana DeDoncker | Hair: Dakota Heman for L’oreal Professional Mousse Volupte | Makeup by Sasha Grossman | Dress, shoes and bracelet courtesy of Karen Millen 

New Beginnings 

For me, spring always brings a sense of fresh beginnings and starting anew. 

With its longer days, blue skies and crisp air, this season brings out all those who live and 

work in Downtown. And I am once again reminded of the astonishing rebirth Downtown 

has experienced. 

Walking through the streets of Lower Manhattan, everywhere you look you are met with 

old and new; buildings repurposed to meet the changes of our new 24/7 neighborhood, yet still 

preserving the history and what this area has been through. Downtown truly never stops growing. 

And it is this constant growth—to better oneself—that Downtown daily inspires Especially 

with spring as its new backdrop. 

With brighter mornings, it’s easier to get out of bed early to work on your new fitness routine 

at the Dogpound, CompleteBody or Asphalt Green. Or, you can dive into the expanding varieties of 

Yoga that Downtown has to offer and start to work on balancing your mind and body. 

This season is indeed filled with new beginnings for Downtown Magazine, as we welcome 

the Silverstein Organization as our new Board Chair, and together we are working on exciting 

Downtown NYC-centric events. 

And who better to talk about new beginnings and taking chances than our cover, Meg Ryan? 

Read more about her thoughts on motherhood and raising her children in the very city that played 

such an important role in her life, as well as her career. She even shares her experience stepping 

behind the camera rather than staying in front of it, taking on a new role as director. 

And then there’s the city’s ever-changing architectural landscape that never ceases to amaze. It 

seems like every day, no matter where you look, something new is in the works Downtown. In this 

issue, we celebrate restoring the old—like The Beekman, located in one of our city’s architectural 

gems—and creating the new, like the stunning 1 Seaport, a modern all-glass residential tower rising 

in New York City’s oldest neighborhood. 

This issue’s Downtown Power Couple knows a thing or two about real estate. Lisa Silverstein 

and Tal Kerret are power players in the real estate world, but their true strengths are the love they 

share—for each other and their family—and their philosophy on spending your time wisely. 

And I think that’s something we can all learn from, no matter the season: Spend your time with 

those you love. And where better to spend your time than in an area that never falls short on places 

and events to enjoy the lovely spring weather than our beloved Downtown? 

Grace A. Capobianco 

Editor-in-Chief

Chair of the Downtown Advisory Board 

Last year, at the opening of the World 

Trade Center transportation hub, I 

watched hundreds of people taking 

photos of the Oculus. Two teenagers were 

having trouble fitting the enormous space into 

their shot. After a few minutes, they wrapped 

up and one of them said: “This is the coolest 

Apple store I’ve ever seen!” I had to laugh: The 

Oculus does look like something Steve Jobs 

could have created—with unlimited time and 

resources. 

David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & 

Merrill designed 7 WTC—the first office 

building to open at the site—and also the 

iconic One WTC. Pritzker-prize winners 

Richard Rogers and Fumihiko Maki designed 

3 and 4 WTC. The Memorial Park was 

designed by Michael Arad, and the Museum 

by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta. Santiago 

Calatrava gave us the transportation hub and 

the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. 

Danish superstar Bjarke Ingels designed 2 

WTC, and his former colleague Joshua Prince 

Ramus designed the Performing Arts Center. 

I don’t know of anywhere else in the world 

where so many architects have worked together 

in one space at the same time. 

All of these designs follow a master plan 

by world-renowned architect and TriBeCa 

resident Daniel Libeskind. He was charged 

with the delicate task of designing a place that 

commemorated those we lost on 9/11, as well 

as a bustling street level experience with grand 

open spaces, a train station and new office 

buildings and stores. 

The progress that we’ve made over the 

past 15 years is a testament to many important 

voices willing to bet on New York, but none 

more so than Larry Silverstein. In the days after 

9/11, Silverstein vowed to rebuild, and he has 

spent every day since fulfilling that promise. 

Rebuilding the World Trade Center has been 

the passion of his life and also those of us who 

work with him. 

Thanks to Larry, Grace and other 

“believers,” Downtown New York has 

become the City’s hottest neighborhood. Our 

experience here proves that when passionate 

New Yorkers work together, we can overcome 

anything and achieve anything. I think I can 

speak for all of us when I say how proud I am 

to have been part of this. 

So, it gives me great pleasure to serve 

as the new Chair of Downtown’s Advisory 

Board. This magazine plays an important 

role in celebrating everything we love about 

our neighborhood. I am looking forward 

to working with Grace, her team and my 

fellow board members to report on this everchanging 

place, to create high-profile events 

and activities here and to grow the Downtown 

brand online. Whether you live, work or visit 

here, Downtown has something for everyone. 

Dara McQuillan 

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer 

Silverstein Properties Inc. 

8 SPRING 2017 | DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM

ADVISORY BOARD 

ENJOY YOUR 

CITY 

Maria Castelluccio 

Maria Castelluccio joined Léman 

Manhattan as Head of School in July 2016. 

A proven educational leader and visionary, 

Castelluccio has dedicated her career to 

driving student performance and building community in 

PreK–12 schools in the U.S. and internationally for more 

than 25 years. Originally from the Bronx, Castelluccio 

raised her four children in Fairfield County, Connecticut. 

Samantha Cox 

Samantha Cox is Assistant Vice President 

of Writer/Publisher Relations at Broadcast 

Music, Inc. She has worked closely with 

many prominent artists including Lady 

Gaga, Halsey, Shinedown, 3 Doors Down, and Flyleaf. 

She also provides advisement and supports a myriad of 

projects at the Center for Performing Arts at New York 

Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. 

Louise Phillips Forbes 

For more than 27 years, Louise Phillips 

Forbes has been an industry leader in the 

NYC real estate market. A multi-time 

winner of Halstead’s esteemed Broker 

of the Year award with career sales in 

excess of $2.5 billion, she is considered one of the elite 

power brokers representing buyers and sellers worldwide. 

Developers have relied on Forbes as both an advisor and 

onsite sales director, and to date she has successfully 

completed over 30 development projects. 

Laura Forese, MD 

Dr. Laura L. Forese is Executive Vice 

President and Chief Operating Officer 

of NewYork-Presbyterian, an integrated 

delivery system in the New York Metro 

region that includes NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower 

Manhattan in addition to academic medical centers and 

regional hospitals, in collaboration with Weill Cornell 

Medicine and Columbia University College of Physicians 

& Surgeons. An orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Forese is 

responsible for operating the system which is one of the 

largest in the US and is recognized as one of the nation’s 

leaders in quality, safety, efficiency and service. 

Michael Kirchmann 

Michael Kirchmann is the founder and 

CEO of GDSNY, an international real 

estate development and architecture firm 

headquartered in New York. With over 20 

years of diversified real estate experience, Kirchmann has 

worked with a number of industry leaders including Oracle, 

JP Morgan, Four Seasons, Hilton Hotels and Brookfield 

Properties on projects across the U.S., Europe, the Middle 

East, Asia and Africa. 

Benoit Lagarde 

Benoit Lagarde is the founder of Splashlight, 

a visual content studio based in New York 

City, Miami and Montreal. Splashlight 

offers creative development, production, 

digital and studio services for top fashion brands and 

retailers. His creative vision has been integral to Splashlight’s 

growth into a multi-million- dollar corporation over 

the years. Benoit studied at the International Center for 

Photography in New York, where he is now a member of 

the President’s Council. 

Albert M. Lefkovits, MD, PC 

The co-director of the Cosmetic 

Dermatology Post-Graduate Surgical 

Program at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 

Dr. Albert M. Lefkovits is listed in Who’s 

Who in Medicine and Healthcare, and Science and 

Engineering. He sits on the scientific advisory boards of 

the Skin Cancer Foundation and the Foundation Society 

of Greater New York, and is known for his work with skin 

cancer detection and treatment. 

Neal Marshad 

Emmy Award winner Neal Marshad is the 

founder of Marshad Technology Group, a 

Google Partner digital agency that develops 

next generation marketing services for its 

clients worldwide. Prior to starting his agency, Marshad 

is credited with producing and shooting films for NBC’s 

Saturday Night Live over a 30 year period. He is a resident 

of TriBeCa and lives and works in the neighborhood with 

his family and their Borzoi hounds since 1974. 

Rory McCreesh 

Rory McCreesh founded Duce 

Construction Corporation in 1990. Today 

Duce specializes in maintaining, managing, 

designing, constructing, extending, and 

renovating high-end homes and apartments in Manhattan, 

Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey. His projects 

have been featured in top architectural and home 

magazines including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, 

House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, Traditional Home 

and The New York Times. He was named one of the Top 

Building Pros in America by This Old House magazine. 

Kirk Myers 

The CEO of the DogPound, Myers was 

a shy kid from Kansas City who fed his 

personal insecurities with candy bars and 

junk food, ballooning to more than 300 

pounds on a 5’7” frame. He struggled to keep up socially 

and athletically. His poor dietary habits had finally made 

his health hit rock bottom. His doctors placed him on a 

diet of green vegetables, and after completely changing his 

lifestyle and focusing on fitness, Myers lost 125 pounds 

and built an impressive body of work. Myers is a top 

trainer to celebrities, athletes and professionals. 

Drew Nieporent 

One of New York’s most accomplished 

and renowned restaurateurs, “The Mayor 

of Wall Street” opened his first downtown 

restaurant in the ‘80s. Drew Nieporent 

has devoted his efforts to growing his brand, the Myriad 

Restaurant Group, which includes the TriBeCa Grill 

and Nobu, while maintaining his connection to the 

community, which he supported through 9/11, and in his 

efforts to launch the TriBeCa Film Festival. 

Jeff Simmons 

Every time relatives and friends visit New 

York City, Lower Manhattan is one of the 

key places Simmons recommends. Within 

one square mile, it has everything from 

history to ingenuity. He’s lived in NYC 

for nearly two decades, working with the Downtown 

Alliance and now The Rink at Brookfield Place. He has 

discovered that it’s only a short brisk walk to find a cozy 

eatery, exquisite gift items or a watering hole to celebrate 

with friends. 

“Discover elegant luxury and beautiful 

city views when you stay at the Holiday Inn® 

Manhattan – Financial District.” 

Centered in the heart of New York City, our hotel is located in the Manhattan 

Financial District near the 9/11 Memorial Museum in Lower Manhattan. 

Business travelers and guests will enjoy quick convenience to the Wall 

Street and New York Stock Exchange and tourists attractions like the Statue 

of Liberty and Battery Park. 

212-791-2900 

99 Washington Street 

New York City, New York 10006 

www.hihotelmanhattan.com

CONTRIBUTORS 

8 

1 

5 

7 

4 

3 

9 

11 

6 

10 

2 

1 - MARINA BARLAGE - Originally from 

Brazil, Barlage is a well-respected creative 

director. She is the founder of creative22, 

a boutique design studio based in 

Manhattan, which serves international 

fashion, beauty and design clients. The 

launch of two fragrance campaigns for 

Oscar de la Renta is among her recent 

work. Barlage is also a jewelry designer 

with a self-titled collection. 

2 - DAVID COTTEBLANCHE - This 

talented Parisian hair stylist to the stars 

launched the concept of late-night 

pampering when he opened the Red 

Market Salon in Miami and New York 

in 2005. Cotteblanche’s work has been 

seen in high-end fashion shows and in 

top titles such as Marie Claire, Allure, and 

ELLE. His talents are called on often at 

Splashlight Studios. 

3 -JULIE HARRIS - Julie Harris, a native of 

Canada, came to New York City to pursue 

her passion for makeup. She began her 

career assisting the famed makeup artist 

Pat McGrath, working for seven years 

on high fashion ad campaigns such as 

Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and 

Valentino. Harris’s easy-going personality 

and eye for fresh faces continues to keep 

as one of today’s most coveted makeup 

artists. 

4 - ARANKA ISRANI - Photographer 

Aranka Israni spent a foundation year at 

OTIS College of Art and Design in Los 

Angeles and graduated from the School 

of Fine Arts at the University of Southern 

California before receiving her Masters 

from Tisch School of the Arts at New York 

University. Israni’s images expose the 

power in vulnerability and the beauty of 

simplicity, and reveal the creation that is 

simply human. 

5 - DIMITRI MAIS - As a portrait 

photographer, Mais believes that great 

creativity is the result of team effort 

and values working closely with his 

clients. With a background in painting 

and a degree in fine arts, Mais started 

taking pictures to reference light 

for his paintings and fell in love with 

photography. His style consists of colorful 

and energetic imagery. 

6 - CARLOS MARRERO - Carlos Marrero 

grew up in Puerto Rico and was influenced 

by illustrations on patterns like McCalls and 

Butterick. He graduated from the School 

of the Art Institute of Chicago, and his 

fashion illustrations have been featured in 

major publications such as VOGUE, InStyle 

and Glamour. This summer, his line of silk 

scarves called The Marrero Collection will 

be featured on HSN. 

7- RAFAEL RAUTHA - Originally from 

Brazil, Rautha started photographing São 

Paulo’s nightlife and concerts, capturing 

artists like Macy Gray, Solange and 

Devendra Banhart. In New York, he fell 

in love with documentary photography 

and developed projects to portray the 

city’s vibrant diversity of people. He’s shot 

for Ben & Jerry’s, fashion brands and 

contributed to Harper’s Bazaar Brazil. 

8 - PHILIPPE REYNAUD - Discovered 

by famed photographer, Mario Testino 

in Paris, Reynaud has modeled for top 

global brands including Louis Vuitton, 

Ralph Lauren, Rolex, Calvin Klein. He has 

become a top photographer, learning 

from such luminaries as Bruce Weber, 

Peter Beard and Patrick Demarchelier. He 

has shot several features and covers for 

Downtown. 

9 - RAQUEL SALAZAR - Born in Belo 

Horizonte, Brazil, Salazar received a 

compact camera from her father when 

she was a young girl. Her passion for 

visual arts and the fashion world took 

her to New York. She attended the 

Photography Program at New York Film 

Academy and developed an exceptional 

amount of skills in digital manipulation 

and retouching. 

10 - MARCO SANTINI - Born in 1970 

in Florence, Italy, Marco Santini has 

been styling hair in the beauty industry 

since 1986. Over the last ten years, 

Marco’s work has appeared in Glamour, 

Marie Claire, V Magazine and Dazed 

& Confused among others. Leading 

shows at Fashion Week around the 

world, Santini has collaborated with such 

prominent designers as Custo Barcelona, 

Nicole Miller, Vivienne Tam, Carlos Miele 

and Jeremy Laing. 

11 - UDO SPREITZENBARTH - Originally 

from Germany, Udo Spreitzenbarth is 

an international fashion, beauty and art 

photographer. His editorial photography 

has been featured in international issues 

of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie 

Claire, Cosmopolitan and more. His art 

photography has received international 

acclaim with a successful series of solo 

exhibitions in New York, Berlin, Cologne, 

Frankfurt, Shanghai, and Beijing.

nyp.org/lowermanhattan 

lower manhattan 

has many landmarks. 

but only one 

hospital. 

NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. 

Just two blocks southeast of City Hall at 170 William Street.

NEWS | STYLE | GEAR | FOOD | CULTURE | PHILANTHROPY 

STYLE 

Downtown Magazine’s contributing style 

editor, Carlos Marrero shares with our readers, 

what a woman wants. 

M.ANDONIA 

PALM SPRINGS MODERN 

LARGE WEEKENDER 

$269 

mandonia.com 

ELIE SAAB 

LE PARFUM RESORT 

[3.0 OZ.] 

$98 

nordstrom.com 

MARRERO COLLECTION 

“FASHIONISTA” 

SQUARE SILK SCARF 

$94 

marrerocollection.com 

CHANEL 

CUFF 

$1,825 

chanel.com 

PRADA 

MIRRORED SQUARE 

CAT-EYE SUNGLASSES 

$355 

neimanmarcus.com 

SJP BY SARAH JESSICA PARKER 

FAWN SATIN POINT TOE PUMPS 

$350 

saksfifthavenue.com 



MUO 

WIRELESS SPEAKER 

$299.99 

kefdirect.com 

GEAR 

by Carlos Marrero 

PANAMA COLLECTION 

PANAMA USB KEY FOB 

$295 

smythson.com 

TOM FORD 

NOIR 

[1.7 OZ.] 

$62.29 

fragrancenet.com 

GUCCI 

LEATHER SOLE LACE UP IN BLACK LEATHER 

AND EMBROIDERED FLOWERS APPLIQUÉ 

$1,250 

gucci.com 

ELSA PERETTI® 

BEAN® CUFF LINKS 

$200 

tiffany.com 

BELVEDERE 

RED LIMITED 

EDITION VODKA 

$40 

belvederevodka.com 

ASPREY LONDON 

HANOVER II BRIEFCASE 

$3,400 

asprey.com 

DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM | SPRING 2017 13


FOOD 

by Bailey Koehlke 

Gluten-free Favorites 

Sprouted For Life Gluten-free Breads is bringing not only taste, 

but also health benefits to the forefront. The four varieties are 

gluten-free, vegan, and made from nutritious super-seeds like 

sprouted quinoa, sprouted millet and sprouted chia seeds. 

Now, who said carbs were bad for you? – foodforlife.com 

Sweet Spring 

No need to turn down ice cream—especially when it’s healthy. 

Halo Top’s ten new flavors are perfect for the warmer weather 

that spring is serving up. Now you can get your fix for traditional 

flavors like cookies and cream, pistachio and black cherry and 

also try something a little different with creative new flavors like 

chocolate almond crunch and sea salt caramel. Springtime has 

never tasted so sweet—or healthy! – halotop.com 

Popular Poké 

Are you dreaming about tropical destinations for summer? No need to wait for 

those fresh tropical flavors. You can have them right now, right here in Downtown. 

Traditional poké comes from Hawaii and means “to slice, or cut” and is currently 

making a huge wave on the East Coast. Poké essentially consists of any meat or 

seafood, cut up and marinated, then served on a bed of lettuce or rice, and topped 

with traditional or more experimental toppings like ogo—seaweed salad—and 

cucumbers. 

Some of the best tropical locales to hit up this spring are Noreetuh on First Ave 

in the East Village, Wise Fish Poke on West 19th in Chelsea, and for those who 

aren’t ready to take the raw plunge, chicken and tofu alternatives can be found at 

Pokéworks. – wisefishpoke.com, noreetuh.com, pokeworks.com 

STAYING IN… 

GOING OUT… 

Nobu 

Nobu? More like nearby. The famed 

restaurant is moving their flagship 

restaurant to 185 Broadway. – 

noburestaurants.com 

Viking Culinary 3-in-1 Roaster 

$350 available at amazon.com 

Viking Culinary Steakhouse Knife Set 

$250 available at amazon.com 

Nix 

Vegetarian and comfort food at its finest. 

The new restaurant Nix cooks up flavorful 

concoctions in a lively Greenwich Village 

atmosphere. – nixny.com 



PAGE TURNERS: 

All Grown Up 

Jami Attenburg’s All 

Grown Up is the story 

of the quintessential 

“has it all together” 

New York woman. 

What Andrea Bern 

won’t tell you is how 

quickly the world 

seems to be leaving 

her behind. When her niece is born 

ill, she’s finally forced to decide what’s 

worth fixing. 

Every Wild Heart 

Every Wild Heart by 

bestselling author 

Meg Donohue is a 

mother-daughter 

tale of two women 

on a journey of 

self-discovery. Gail 

Gideon, who built 

her career on being 

single, suddenly finds herself falling in 

love. The once shy Nic Gideon wakes 

up from a coma to find herself fearless. 

Neither knows what will happen next. 

The Patriots 

Sana Krasikov’s The 

Patriots tells the 

story of Florence 

Fein, a woman who 

abandoned her native 

Brooklyn to follow a 

love affair to Moscow. 

Years later, she 

realizes that America 

abandoned her. When her son Julian 

travels back to Moscow to close an oil 

deal, he’s forced to dig into his mother’s 

past for answers. 

Photo courtesy of the Tribeca Film Festival 

CULTURE 

by Nikki Link 

9/11 Memorial 5K Run/Walk 

On April 23, join New Yorkers of all athletic abilities for the 5th annual 9/11 

Memorial & Museum Run/Walk and Community Day to honor victims and celebrate 

the resiliency of Lower Manhattan. The marathon route takes participants past 

important landmarks in the 9/11 story, such as “Point Thank You” and the Police 

Memorial in Battery Park City. Registration is open until April 21. Adult tickets are 

$40, student tickets are $28, and the event is free for participants under the age of 

12. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum also encourages fundraising and donations. 

Details and tickets are available on the organization’s website. – 911memorial.org 

Taste of a Nation 

Join No Kid Hungry at Taste of a Nation on 

April 24 to eat, drink and help fight childhood 

hunger in the United States. Food and drinks 

are prepared by more than 50 well-known 

chefs and mixologists. Special features include 

a rosé garden, a donut taste-off, and a candy 

carnival to satisfy your inner child’s love for 

sweets. Tickets range from general admission 

to a private VIP cabana for you and ten friends 

and are available for purchase on the charity’s 

website. Proceeds from the event support 

No Kid Hungry as well as local anti-hunger 

organizations like the Food Bank for New York 

City and City Harvest. – nokidhungry.org 

TriBeCa Film Festival 

A Downtown Manhattan tradition for the past 15 years, the TriBeCa Film Festival 

kicks off this year on April 19 at Radio City Music Hall. The film line-up features 

everything from foreign films to upcoming blockbusters and thought-provoking 

documentaries. This year, the festival will also feature programming dedicated to 

online and experimental works including multimedia projects and virtual reality 

demonstrations. Other events include panel discussions and lectures with directors, 

producers and actors, such as a tune-in with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin after a 

preview of episodes from season two of Grace and Frankie. Tickets are available for 

purchase on the festival’s website. – tribecafilm.com 

Photo by Jin Lee 

Photo by Heather Davis 



PHILANTHROPY 

by Nikki Link 

Rise Against Hunger 

Rise Against Hunger, formerly Stop 

Hunger Now, envisions a hunger-free 

world by 2030. Started by United 

Methodist minister Ray Buchanan in 

1998, this organization packages and 

distributes meals around the world 

to those who need it the most. Rise 

Against Hunger employs a threepronged 

approach to tackling the 

Photo courtesy of Rise Against Hunger 

complex and ever-changing issue that 

is world hunger. First, they rely on their partners to not only distribute food to those 

in need, but they also use them as springboards for fighting other issues like child 

labor, malnutrition and gender inequalities. Second, Rise Against Hunger strives 

to not only be responsive to areas suffering from chronic hunger, but also to those 

recently affected by natural or man-made disasters. Often, food is the most urgent 

aid victims require. Finally, the organization supports grassroots movements to 

increase the quality and production of food sources. The result? Nearly 60 million 

meals distributed in 37 countries in 2015 alone. – riseagainsthunger.org 

The Children’s Aid Society 

For over 160 years, The Children’s 

Aid Society has been dedicated to 

the mission of helping New York City 

children living in poverty lead successful 

lives. Over the years, the organization’s 

support services have expanded to 

touch every aspect of need in a child’s 

life. What started as a rudimentary 

Photo courtesy of the Children Aid’s Society 

foster care system in the 1850s now 

includes programs that encompass early childhood education, nutrition services, 

health services, pregnancy prevention, college prep and summer camps, to 

name a few. With an annual operating budget of over $100 million and dozens of 

locations scattered throughout the five boroughs, the Children’s Aid Society is able 

to help thousands of children each year. The organization’s adoption and foster 

care standards even formed the foundation of the federal law that established the 

modern foster care system in 1996. – childrensaidsociety.org 

Photo courtesy of Oliver Scholars 

Oliver Scholars 

Since 1984, Oliver Scholars has been 

committed to bolstering the education 

of low-income students of color through 

rigorous development of academic, 

social and leadership skills. Starting 

in 4th or 7th grade, Oliver Scholars 

students attend a series of workshops 

and classes designed to help them 

thrive in the rigorous environment of 

an independent school. The program 

continues to support its scholars through 

middle and high school with regular 

counseling meetings, a community 

service obligation, mentorship 

opportunities and college preparation 

services. Alumni also benefit from career 

guidance during and after college. As 

a result, nearly all students graduate 

and attend a four-year university. Oliver 

Scholars claims their keys to success 

are an emphasis on the emotional 

development of their students and their 

family-oriented approach to help every 

child follow their academic dreams. – 

oliverscholars.org 

Photos courtesy of ASPCA 

ASPCA 

The first animal welfare society to be established in the United States, the American 

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is the voice for abused 

animals who can’t speak for themselves. The organization works to ensure 

vulnerable animals are valued by society, protected by its laws and free from 

cruelty, pain, and suffering. The ASPCA’s New York City facilities include the ASPCA 

Animal Hospital, the ASPCA Adoption Center and the ASPCA Kitten Nursery, and 

it works with a number of city programs and partnerships to save and protect atrisk 

New York City animals and assist their 

owners. Since 2014, the ASPCA’s partnership 

with the NYPD has tripled the number of 

animal cruelty arrests and victimized animals 

treated by the ASPCA. In 2016 alone, the 

ASPCA rescued over 10,500 animals from 

natural disasters and cruel situations, and 

facilitated nearly 4,300 pet adoptions at the 

ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. – 

aspca.org/nyc 


Congratulations 

Congratulations 

Friedman LLP salutes Lisa Silverstein & Tal Kerret for 

being featured in the spring issue of Downtown Magazine. 

Friedman LLP salutes Lisa Silverstein & Tal Kerret for 

We being applaud featured the in impact the spring they issue have of made Downtown to their Magazine. family, to the 

Silverstein We applaud Organization the impact they and the have downtown made their community. family, to the 

Silverstein Organization and the downtown community. 

Your Your livelihood, empowered. 

New New York York New New Jersey Jersey Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Beijing Beijing friedmanllp.com friedmanllp.com 

Jay Jay Goldstein, CPA CPA 

Partner Partner 

1700 1700 Broadway Broadway 

New 

New 

York, 

York, 

NY 

NY 

10019 

10019 

p 212.842.7520 

p 212.842.7520 

jgoldstein@friedmanllp.com 

jgoldstein@friedmanllp.com 

© 2017 Friedman LLP. All rights reserved. 

An Independent Member Firm of DFK with offices worldwide. 

© 2017 Friedman LLP. All rights reserved. 

An Independent Member Firm of DFK with offices worldwide.

SOCIAL PAGES | OUT & ABOUT 

OUT & ABOUT 

by Joe Alexander 

AD 100 designer Tony Ingrao curated Blue Heaven, a contemporary 

furniture show, at R & Company in SoHo founded by Zesty Meyers 

and Evan Snyderman. Guests included Ingrao’s partner Randy Kemper. 

ingraoinc.com Entrepreneur and global property expert Royce 

Pinkwater and nutritionist Oz Garcia unveiled a $23.5 million town 

house at 14 East 11th St in Greenwich Village. Pinkwaterselect.com 

Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, event chair of the Starry Night Gala, 

welcomed honoree Jennifer Finkelstein of 5 Under 40. Ellensrun.org 

Tim Kensett attended Daniel Boulud and Herb Karlitz’s tribute 

dinner to Roger Vergé at Chelsea Piers. Kensett has been appointed 

the executive chef of Storico, the Italian eatery located in the New- 

York Historical Society. nyhistory.org/dine CEO of TRUE Model 

Management Dale Noelle hosted the company’s 3rd annual Winter 

Warm Up event at Proper West. Guests brought new or gently used coats 

for the needy. Truemodel.net Anderson Cooper was honored at the 

Hope for Depression Research Foundation luncheon founded by Audrey 

Gruss. hopefordepression.org Cheri Kaufman spoke at the Youth 

Assembly at the United Nations to millennials from around the world 

about sustainable development goals and philanthropy. Cigive.com 

Attorney Brad Gerstman held his birthday at the Grand Havana 

Room with Al Sharpton and Dottie Herman. Gertsman’s company 

Gotham Government Relations opened a new office in DC on K Street 

this year. gothamgr.com Painter Robert Cenedella is the subject of 

Art Bastard. The documentary examines the artist’s place in the profitobsessed 

museum world. The film received Oscar buzz after being 

screened Downtown. rcenedellagallery.com 

4 5 

7 

6 

8 

1 2 

3 

9 


ON THE TOWN | SOCIAL PAGES 

ON THE TOWN 

Downtown Magazine and Senza Gluten’s Charity Event for the 

Celiac Disease Foundation at Columbia University Medical Center 

Photography by Paul Prince 

New York 

Fashion Week 

(l to r) Melissa Besada, Gina Conigliaro, 

Marina Andaloro and Joseph Cianci 

Chiara Boni La Petite Robe 

(l to r) Robin Adams, Frank Fernandez, Ashley North, Teona Khaindrava and Jemiko L. Solo 

Annie Wu and Sofia Liluashvili 

Top row: Sal Rentas, Philip Spinka, Lori Brizzi, Cindy Lehning, Grace A. Capobianco and 

John Thomas Bottom row: Mihoko Ninomiya, Jamie Serna, Paul Prince 

DJ Jamal Rigault 

Martin and Jean Shafiroff’s Annual Gala Kick Off Party for the New 

York City Mission Society’s Annual Champions for Children Gala 

Photography by Owen Hoffmann (patrickmcmullan) 

VERDAD 

(l to r): Jean Shafiroff, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Don Peebles, and Katrina Peebles 

(l to r): Erik Bottcher, Jean Shafiroff, 

and JD Thompson 

Steve Aoki x Dim Mak 


D O W N T O W N

P E R S P E C T I V E 

Taken from the top of 3 WTC, this panoramic view of Manhattan at dusk overlooks the Hudson River and the architectural gems 

of the City’s iconic skyline. 

With the new Four Seasons Hotel Downtown prominently rising in front and the historic Empire State Building and Chrysler 

Building in the background, it is a strong symbol of the ever-changing sights of New York City. 

Photography by Tony Shi

22 SPRING 2017 | DOWNTOWNMAGAZINENYC.COM 

Makeup: Carrie Hoch-Spagnolo

POWER COUPLE | INSIGHT 

Lisa Silverstein 

Tal Kerret 

As a power couple, Lisa Silverstein and Tal Kerret have made family a 

way of life, proving that you can have it all: successful careers in the same 

company, a joyous marriage and a happy family. 

by Eva Maria Troester 

Photography by Philippe Reynaud 

Though both work in the family 

real estate business now, neither 

Tal Kerret nor Lisa Silverstein 

planned on ending up there. Prior 

to joining Silverstein Properties, Tal was the 

co-founder and Chairman of Oberon Media, 

the leading games platform company 

with 750 employees. He met his wife, Lisa, 

at a business meeting. “All I remember is 

that it was the most productive and fruitful 

meeting of my life.” 

Lisa, on the other hand, thought she 

was headed into a career in law and journalism. 

However, after having two children 

at a very young age, she decided the family 

business was a better fit for her as a mother. 

“My goals shifted from wanting to bounce 

around the world like a grasshopper on Red 

Bull to wanting to be available for my children.” 

They now have three children: Rachel 

27, Ariel 24 and Eli, 11 years old. 

“Having a viable family business 

allowed me the flexibility while my children 

were young. I thought it would be 

temporary and boring, but I didn’t care, as 

my children came first. Over time, I grew 

to become more involved in the business 

and recognized we were creating something 

meaningful,” Lisa explained. 

“I was able to work with interesting 

people from all over the world—quite a cast 

of characters–which made it more appealing 

to me. I also gained a new perspective about 

where I wanted to invest my time. Meshing 

family and business was not such a bad 

thing. I have a wonderful family and we 

have a great business.” 

Together, the couple resides in TriBeCa, 

where they built a home three blocks from 

their office. “I needed to be near home so I 

could work and not feel I was compromising 

our children,” Lisa said. 

The secret sauce to maintaining a 

strong relationship? “Your spouse always 

comes first. She’s the most important person 

in my life. Together, our children come 

first, but my wife is my number one,” Tal 

explained. They both give much credit to 

their parents as their role models, who— 

even though from different continents— 

share the same values of family and life. 

Working together has also proven 

beneficial. “[It] allows us to understand so 

much of our day-to-day lives with shared 

experiences in a field that we both understand. 

My wife has more dimensions to her 

life, which adds color to our lives,” Tal said. 

“There’s an intimacy and a depth without 

having to explain everything. You continue 

to create together, think and strategize 

together. We push each other in the right 

direction,” Lisa added. 


“At the end of day, I believe we did what 

was right for New York, for the Downtown 

community which is growing faster than any 

other community in New York, and for the 

nation.” – Lisa Silverstein 

Rebuilding was Right 

All together, Lisa’s parents have had great influence on her way of 

life. “Success never impressed me. People impress me, their character, 

and how they live their life. [My father’s] integrity is what’s 

impactful on me. Success in business should be achieved not just 

financially, but also with ethics and respect for others. Going 

through difficult times, you see one’s true character,” she explained 

about her father and added, “He gets an ‘A’ for his patience and 

fortitude when tested by great frustrations. His values cross through 

every section of his life.” 

About her father’s desire to rebuild Downtown after 9/11, she 

said: “I quickly realized that there was nothing else to do that made 

sense. It was the right thing any way you sliced it. Not putting 

Downtown back together sent the wrong message to everyone and 

accomplished nothing. One has to rebuild life after tough circumstances. 

When you’re pushed down, you get up.” 

“At the end of day, I believe we did what was right for New 

York, for the Downtown community which is growing faster than 

any other community in New York, and for the nation. I look out 

of my office window and I see the pendulum of life, remembering 

what happened, paying homage to those that lost their lives. Yet, I 

also recognize what has been accomplished in the face of something 

so senseless and unconscionable,” she said. “I can speak for the 

family and our company with great confidence and say there is a 

sense of pride and hope for the future.” 

Time is of the Essence 

With a full work schedule, free time isn’t exactly what they have 

most of. “Between work and all of our obligations to fulfill what 

my wife calls our responsibility, I’m very happy just to have my 

wife to myself and be with my family. We do manage to travel, 

spend time at our home in Connecticut, entertain, and continue to 

knock off her ever-growing bucket list of things we must do. We’ll 

have to live until we’re 150 years old, but she’s determined,” Tal 

said with a bit of laughter. “We do manage to have fun. My wife 

loves the water and grew up boating, water skiing, wind surfing and 

now surfing. [She’s] like a dolphin; friendly, smart and loves the 

water. We also love to ski in the winter and explore new places and 

learn new things.” 

Lisa chimed in, “There’s balance. On one hand, time is very 

precious, so I like to spend it where it’s needed–first, with my family. 

We’re also part of a community that spreads across the globe. 

The dirty little secret is there is nothing better than making someone’s 

life a bit better—even in the smallest way. Life can be difficult 

for many people, so there’s much to accomplish and do.” 

“It’s also important to be a part of meaningful and important 

issues that affect the future. On the flip side, I know I have to put 

the discipline in our lives out to pasture at times and turn it off. I 

turn up the volume and listen to the impulsivity in my DNA that I 

contain and suppress when I have to be productive,” Lisa explained. 

“Then, all of a sudden, my spirit pops out in its full glow. Time 

to go off calendar and into our own world. I’m very aware that our 

time is now. No one promised me tomorrow. It’s good to enjoy life, 

but also to lay your head down and be able to reflect on the day 

and know we have done something that may have helped another.” 

Tal agreed. “She knows what makes me happy and prioritizes 

well. She’s good at balancing our lives and keeping everyone happy. 

Somehow, she fits it all in. I just need my wife and good food. She 

keeps us all doing what’s right.” 


1 SEAPORT 

Harbor views from the Seaport District’s all-glass residential tower. 

by Darren Paltrowitz 

Photos courtesy of Williams New York 

The sky is truly the limit at 1 Seaport, a new 60-story development 

that will offer its Downtown residents 270-degree postcard views 

of New York’s extraordinary cityscape and waterfront. 

Located in Manhattan’s oldest neighborhood, 1 Seaport boasts 

80 condominiums—seven of which are penthouses—with interiors 

designed by Groves & Co., unlimited yacht service, and the only private 

attended porte-cochère at the Seaport. 

“The porte-cochère is one of the most remarkable amenities at 1 

Seaport,” explained Jonathan Landau, CEO of Fortis Property Group, 1 

Seaport’s developer. “For a building located in Manhattan, this amenity 

transforms the property to feel like a suburban estate, allowing residents 

to drive up to what feels like your own private entrance,” he said. 

“We’ve also married one of the greatest attributes of this location—the 

incredible water views—with interior amenity space by creating a full 

floor Water Club, which includes a hydrotherapy and pool experience 

that spans the entire 30th floor.” 

When asked about her favorite 1 Seaport amenity, Sales Director 

Julia Spillman looks outside the glass. “Our building membership 

with Barton & Gray. I mean, who needs a party room when we have a 

Hinkley yacht that can be reserved and used for sunset cruises, private 

dinners, or a fun Statue of Liberty tour?” she said. “I also think people 

forget that because it's on the water that it also happens to be the easiest 

area in Manhattan to commute via subway, FDR or West Side Highway, 

ferry or helicopter.” 

Beyond the breathtaking views, thriving neighborhood and onwater 

options, 1 Seaport has plenty of other distinct offerings. A 24-hour 


REAL ESTATE | INSIGHT 

“Just walking around the Seaport is a very relaxing experience for me, and it connects 

you to the fabric of this rich and historic neighborhood. The Seaport District has a 

number of new restaurants and entertainment venues that have recently opened or 

are opening in the near-future.” – Jonathan Landau 

concierge, a double-sided fireplace, a dramatic lighting installation, and 

a waterside terrace can be found in its two-story lobby. Its sixth floor is 

devoted to fitness for children and adults alike, featuring an exclusive 

partnership with FitLore and its own fitness concierge. The condos 

themselves incorporate bespoke European oak flooring, elevated 10-footplus 

ceilings in their living rooms and bedrooms, Calacatta Gold marble 

backsplashes and countertops in their bathrooms, and LG washers and 

dryers. 

For Landau, the property’s development had a lot to do with its 

neighborhood. “The Seaport offers a serene atmosphere and timeless 

appeal,” he said. “Just walking around the Seaport is a very relaxing 

experience for me, and it connects you to the fabric of this rich and 

historic neighborhood. The Seaport District has a number of new 

restaurants and entertainment venues that have recently opened or are 

opening in the near future.” 

There is no shortage of recommended spots near 1 Seaport 

according to Spillman. “The new iPic movie theater is a must-stop. I'm 

obsessed with the burger and fries at Augustine, down the street at 5 

Beekman, which also has a fantastic bar. Pier 17 will be done in the fall 

and then it will be hard to not eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at Jean- 

Georges Vongerichten's new 40,000 square foot food hall and seafood 

market!” 

Considered New York’s most exciting neighborhood since 1625, the 

Seaport brings together unparalleled culture, lifestyle and retail offerings. 

For residents at 1 Seaport, this waterfront-meets-the-city style will 

become a luxurious way of life. 


Historic 

Hospitality 

The Beekman Hotel holds the charm and elegance of the Victorian Era 

beautifully intertwined with the opulence and modern luxury of today. 

by April Zion 

Photography by Dimitri Mais 


REAL ESTATE | INSIGHT 

Setting foot inside Thompson’s hotel The 

Beekman will feel like taking a step back 

in time. The sophisticated boutique 

hotel’s centerpiece is a breathtaking nine-story 

atrium with pyramidal skylight worthy of its 

own starring role in a romantic movie. Not 

surprisingly, this magnificent atrium with 

intricately designed cast iron railings has been 

the setting for many TV shows, fashion shoots 

and gala events. 

A Grand Past 

The building that is now The Beekman, 

located at Beekman and Nassau Streets in 

Lower Manhattan, began its long history in 

1830 as Clinton Hall where the Mercantile 

Library Association had its headquarters and 

authors and poets gathered to write. Through 

the years, the red-brick building transitioned 

into a theater featuring the works of William 

Shakespeare and later transformed into a 

court house. It gradually fell into disrepair and 

became an uninhabited shell of its glory days. 

In 1940, the ornate atrium was sealed due to 

fire code violations, and it remained a hidden 

gem until general renovations began in 2005. 

“The Beekman was the most highly anticipated 

hotel opening in New York City [in 2016] for 

good reason—our landmark building is an 

architectural gem. It was one of Manhattan’s 

first skyscrapers,” General Manager Bob 

Andrews explained. 

A Glorious Rebirth 

Its original beauty was brought back to life 

when renovations began for the creation of 

The Beekman. “The scope and intricacy of 

the renovation was extraordinary,” Andrews 

said. “In 1998, the building’s façade was 

declared an official New York City Landmark 

and underwent a very careful restoration. The 

interior of the building still holds many of the 

original details—the atrium of the building 

itself was concealed for 65 years which helped 

protect some of the amazing architectural 

details, such as the cast iron dragons that stand 

guard on every floor.” At The Beekman, you 

can immerse yourself in the history of the site. 

Whether it’s through sipping hand-crafted 

cocktails in the Bar Room, a space where 

Edgar Allen Poe—now peering at you from his 

portrait adorning the wall—wrote some of his 

stories or relaxing in the lobby where writers 

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell 

Holmes Sr. once gave lectures. 

Designed with Distinction 

Consistent with the hotel’s heritage, the guest 

rooms and suites are designed with high 

ceilings, vintage furnishings, aged oak floors and 

spacious baths with rain showers. Stockholmborn 

interior designer Martin Brudnizki is 

the man behind The Beekman’s look and feel, 

including the creation of the plush yet cozy 

atmosphere in the dining and bar areas. 

“Throughout the entire hotel there is 

a strong sense of tying together the old and 

new,” he said. “This is particularly evident in 

the bedrooms where the mini-bar resembles a 

fabric draped table, topped with a silver tray 

and stacked with liquor bottles.” Even more 

spectacular are the eclectic mix of bespoke 

and vintage items in the guestrooms, which 

Brudnizki sourced from antique dealers across 

the world. 

Even if you live Downtown, the hotel’s 

special packages make it inviting to plan a 

luxurious staycation or weekend getaway. 

For dining, the world-class food and cocktail 

offerings at the two restaurants, Tom Collichio’s 

Fowler & Wells and Keith McNally’s Augustine, 

will tempt you to indulge in frequent visits to 

The Beekman for breakfast, brunch, lunch, 

dinner or just drinks. And if you just can’t get 

enough of the remarkable hotel, you can call 

it home: The conjoining 51-story condo tower 

houses the 68 Beekman Residences complete 

with roof deck and in-residence dining provided 

by none other than Tom Colicchio. 


Woolworth Building 

Everything Old is New Again 

in Downtown Architecture 

Downtown buildings have been repurposed to accommodate the new 24/7 neighborhood. 

by Lillie Gissen 

After the tragedy of the terror attacks of 9/11 it was hard to 

imagine Downtown ever becoming as vibrant a neighborhood 

as it is today, but the devastating attacks provided an 

opportunity to rebuild and create a whole new Downtown more 

reflective of the changing face of New York. 

Tax incentives brought new businesses to Lower Manhattan. 

New business brought new people and families. New families brought 

new needs for housing and services. And instead of throwing out old 

architectural marvels, many were repurposed for a new Downtown. 

“The Downtown Alliance was founded over 20 years ago, and 

one of our first initiatives was to help repurpose vacant commercial 

properties for residential conversion,” President of the Downtown 

Alliance Jessica Lappin said. 

“Lower Manhattan has a strong history of bringing new uses to 

classic buildings,” she added. “It’s a neighborhood that takes great 

pride in appreciating the value of New York’s architectural heritage, 

and it’s always gratifying when we see new economic development 

rehabilitating our historic properties.” 

Woolworth Building 

The legendary Woolworth Building, constructed in 1913 and once 

New York’s tallest skyscraper, was the business center of the city—and 

an architectural monument of The Guilded Age. Today, the top 30 

floors are being transformed into 33 sterling luxury condos, drawing 

new residents to its doors opening later this year. 

“The Woolworth Building is one of our city’s first and most 

recognizable skyscrapers. It’s a gorgeous gem, inside and out, and still 

holds a special place on our skyline,” Lappin said.

ARCHITECTURE | INSIGHT 

“The Woolworth Building is one of our city’s 

first and most recognizable skyscrapers. It’s a 

gorgeous gem, inside and out, and still holds 

a special place on our skyline.” – Jessica Lappin 

The Corbin Building 

The Fulton Street Transit Hub that opened its doors in late 2014 is a 

modern, sprawling mall that caters to commuters, tourists and residents. 

“MTA’s decision to preserve its neighbor the Corbin Building 

in their development was equal parts beauty and function,” Lappin 

said. “Today, that building serves as a connection to the Dey Street 

concourse and the World Trade Center. Their vision in planning now 

allows travelers to go from Fulton Street to Brookfield without ever 

having to brave the elements outside.” 

The Corbin Building 

Pier A 

Pier A 

Pier A, built in 1886 to house the Harbor Police and used by the 

FDNY from 1960 until 1992, had become an eyesore on Battery Park. 

But in 2009, thanks to restaurant and development company HPH 

and the Poulakakos family, work began to restore and convert it into a 

massive and attractive restaurant and bar complex. The Pier A Harbor 

House, which opened in November 2014, features popular spots 

such as The Long Hall and Oyster Bar along with its newest addition: 

BlackTail, a retro cuban inspired cocktail bar. 

“Sometimes it’s easy to forget we’re surrounded by water, but their 

investment in this pier has given us a place to reconnect with NYC’s 

harbor,” Lappin said. 

The Cunard Building 

Since 2010, the Léman Manhattan Preparatory School has housed 

its Upper School students on the top floors of the historic Cunard 

Building. It originally opened in 1921 and was once known as the 

Standard & Poors Building. The building featured more than 600,000 

square feet of space in a stirring Italian Renaissance style and later 

served as a U.S. Postal Office and became a New York City Landmark. 

“It was closed to the public for over two decades, so its reopening 

was greatly anticipated. Now the tenants capture the diversity that makes 

up the Lower Manhattan workforce…with a school that serve students 

from over 20 countries,” Lappin explained. 

“The preservation of our historic architecture is what gives Lower 

Manhattan its authentic feel and allows us to celebrate our history by 

keeping it alive,” she added. 

“To see these iconic buildings exist alongside cutting edge 

architecture is something that makes Lower Manhattan a very special 

destination for businesses and residents who want something unique.” 

Woolworth Building - Photo courtesy of Brand by Williams New York 

The Corbin Building - Photo courtesy of Patrick Cashion / 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority 

Pier A - Photo courtesy of Pier A 



Dress: THEIA | Top: Alberta Ferretti | Bracelet: Erickson Beamon | Earrings: Barbara Novak | Shoes: Girls Love Shoes Archive

When Meg Met 

Manhattan 

by Mike Hammer 

Photography by Udo Spreitzenbarth 

Location: The Four Seasons Private Residences and 4 WTC 

America’s Sweetheart is happily filling the role of a Downtown 

mom and leading lady, the setting of whose successful movie 

career has been right here in the City. 

Imaging: Lorraine Baker | Stylist: Nadia Rath | Makeup: Julie Harris/Tracey Mattingly | Hair: Marco Santini/Tracey Mattingly 

Behind-the-scenes Photographer: Sebastian Blume | Photographer Assistants: Brian Hahn, Sophie Kietzmann | Stylist Assistant: Alina Tarasova | Catering: Nobu 


Dress: Dolce & Gabbana | Top: Junk Food | Boots: Stylist's own | Earrings: Stylist's own

In the 1980s, Meg Ryan burst 

onto the movie scene and 

quickly became the girl every 

guy wanted to marry and 

every woman wanted to be. By 

the time she became a household 

name after bringing the classic 

1989 comedy When Harry Met 

Sally to a hilarious climax, Meg 

was everybody’s favorite girl next 

door. Luckily, she has chosen 

Downtown to make that dream a 

reality for all of us! “Wherever I 

am in the whole world—I always 

judge it by how far it is from 

right here!” she proudly said of 

her favorite neighborhood. “I’ve 

been here my whole life. I know it 

completely, but I’m never bored.” 

She even took years away from her 

career to focus on raising her two 

kids in Downtown, and according 

to Meg, she wouldn’t have had it 

any other way. 

Her son Jack, 25, with actor 

Dennis Quaid, and adopted 

daughter Daisy, 13, from China, 

have made these streets their 

childhood homes and have even 

been made better by that experience, 

Meg thinks. “Jack followed 

my path from NYU to becoming 

an actor, so he was exposed to so 

many creative influences that the 

community around the school offers,” 

she recalled. “And Daisy, my 

daughter, now she’s really a New 

York kid! She’s been exposed to so 

much by this city, and it’s made 

her such an interesting human 

being! When you grow up here 

you develop an incredible appreciation 

for the differences in people, 

and it’s made her incredibly well 

rounded.” 

By contrast, Meg was a child 

of the suburbs. The daughter of 

two teachers, Meg spent her childhood 

in the comfortable confines 

of Fairfield, Conn. But even back 

then, she was always drawn to 

Manhattan, sneaking off with 

her friends to spend time in the 

exciting city whenever possible. 

“Some of the best times I ever had 

were when we were in high school 

and my girlfriends and I would experience 

all these magical wonders 

like Coney Island or Times Square 

and, of course, Washington Square 

Park,” she recalled. Soon, the draw 

of Downtown was too powerful 

for her to ignore and she enrolled 

“There’s a time when you look back and realize 

you learned something important and share 

that with an audience—you’ve been a part of 

something worthwhile.” 

at NYU—and drew her lessons 

from the area all around it. It 

wasn’t long before casting directors 

took notice of this angelic beauty 

in their midst, quickly casting her 

in the daytime drama As The World 

Turns and launching her creative 

journey. “NYU’s really a university 

without walls,” Meg explained. 

“Before you know it, you’re 

absorbed by the lessons of the city 

that it calls home. My son Jack 

had the same experience, and he’s 

now a successful working actor.” 

Movies and 

Memories Downtown 

In fact, Downtown has left many 

imprints on both Meg and her 

work. “Everywhere I look here, 

I am instantly returned to a 

cherished memory,” she said. “I 

walk through Washington Square 

Park, and I see various chapters of 

my life,” she said. “On one corner, 

I’m brought back to where I was 

a student. My trailer for When 

Harry Met Sally … was parked on 

the North End. For Addicted to 

Love, my trailer was parked on the 

East Side. There are layers after 

layers where my different selves 

can meet each other.” 

Meg, as youthful and beautiful 

as when she emerged in a string 

of rom-coms that ran the gamut 

from Prelude to a Kiss to Sleepless 

in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, has 

pulled together a resume that is 

as impressive as she is adorable. 

While she may have been anointed 

the “Princess of Perky,” impressive 

performances in such powerful 

dramas as 1987’s Promised Land 

with a then-unknown Kiefer 

Sutherland, When a Man Loves a 

Woman with Andy Garcia, and 

Oliver Stone’s The Doors offered 

compelling evidence that she was 

far more than just another pretty 

face. The films offered deep and 

often disturbing insights into 

alcoholism and addiction, failed 

expectations and the dark and 

destructive side of celebrity—and 

each gave Meg the opportunity to 

show how versatile and talented 

she really is. 

Her appreciation of the wide 

variety of work that has come her 

way is obvious when she speaks 

about her career. “I feel like I’ve 

been lucky to investigate what’s 

interesting at the time,” she said of 

her more challenging roles. “There’s 

a time when you look back and 

realize you learned something 

important and share that with an 

audience—you’ve been a part of 

something worthwhile.” 

That was especially true in 

When a Man Loves a Woman, 

a film that saw her take on the 

dark role of an alcoholic wife and 

mother whose drinking destroys 

her marriage and endangers the life 

of her children. The character was 

everything she is not—and consequently 

one of her favorites. “I love 

that movie,” she said when asked 

what her favorite Meg Ryan films 

are—skipping over such classics 

as When Harry Met Sally and Kate 

& Leopold. “It means so much to 

me when people talk to me about 

having seen [When a Man Loves a 

Woman] and how it moved them 

to take positive action in their 

own lives.” 

Musings on Living 

Under a Microscope 

She was less comfortable with the 

celebrity that followed her talent 

and incredibly infectious charm. 

Her marriage to fellow actor 

Dennis Quaid—who had achieved 

his own fame with such sterling 

credits as The Right Stuff and 

co-starring with Meg in D.O.A.— 

put her under a media microscope 

she could never escape. 

The marriage ultimately 

wilted under the pressure of 

constant public scrutiny, and Meg 

forever maintained a distance 

from the celebrity spotlight that 

Hollywood had thrust upon her. 

“I always felt like that attention is 

just too weird to metabolize,” she’s 


“Wherever I am in the 

whole world—I always 

judge it by how far it is 

from right here!” 

Dress: Zac Posen | Choker: Erickson Beamon | Shoes: Stylist's own

previously said. “So it’s nothing 

I ever chased.” In fact, she thinks 

that today’s hyper-intense focus 

on celebrity may have kept her 

from her beloved creative focus 

altogether had she risen to fame 

in the current environment. “If I 

started my career today, I wouldn’t 

have a chance. It’s a totally 

different experience,” she said. 

“Social media has changed things. 

I couldn’t handle the constant 

attention and the judging.” 

That kind of dichotomy 

made her perform in The Doors as 

Jim Morrison’s iconic girlfriend 

Pamela Courson—who some 

historians blame for the excesses 

that hastened his tragic early 

death as well as her own not 

long afterwards. “I never had 

any interest in stepping into 

that world,” she said. “It’s just 

never been my thing. I’m such 

a straight person…that’s not 

my kind of life.” But leave it to 

Meg to take a completely foreign 

experience into one that enhanced 

her already impressive acting 

chops. “I thought it was a really 

interesting story and I learned a 

lot by working with Oliver Stone 

who was a great fan of the band. 

He taught me so many things that 

I was able to use both in that film 

and many more to come.” Those 

lessons would help her prepare for 

such challenging and foreign—to 

her—parts as a lonely high school 

teacher in the 2003 erotic thriller 

In The Cut, or as sassy boxing 

promoter Jackie Kallen in 2004’s 

Against The Ropes, and especially 

in her directorial debut in last 

year’s instant family classic, Ithaca. 

The Motivation 

of Motherhood 

The film was sort of a perfect 

storm for today’s Meg, 55, who 

was deeply moved by the coming 

of age story set against the 

backdrop of small town America 

during World War II. The period 

drama focuses on one family guided 

by a widowed mother whose 

oldest son is in the army, leaving 

her to watch over and protect 

her three other children from the 

horrors of the world encroaching 

on their idyllic small town. 

Ithaca came 35 years after she 

broke into films and 15 years after 

she made a conscious decision to 

focus on being a mom. The film 

allowed her to slip behind the 

camera and focus on the work 

while drawing on all the emotions 

and experiences she nurtured in 

motherhood. “Being a mom was 

the best experience that I could’ve 

called on,” she explained. “You call 

on that, you call on understanding. 

You’re very fierce. You’re very 

protective of all the other artists. 

You’re making sure everybody feels 

good and everybody is contributing 

their best towards this film. 

The little things, I knew from 

being an actor.” 

It also gave her the opportunity 

to direct her own son, Jack, 

who has a critical role in the film. 

“That made it a little easier,” she 

admitted. “It was like telling him 

to pick up his clothes or go to 

bed. And, let’s not forget, he also 

happens to be a very talented actor.” 

As easy as it was to work with 

Jack, it was just as demanding to 

manage all the responsibilities of 

directing a feature film. But those 

demands were not too daunting 

for Meg, who was happy to take 

on the challenge. “I loved it,” she 

confessed. “It was a hard thing 

to do, because you need to be on 

your toes in order to not miss anything. 

You have to know a little 

bit about everything.” 

The coming of age story 

based on the 1943 novel The Human 

Comedy, resonated with Meg 

who had long wanted to tell it 

on film. “It’s a simple story about 

complicated things, and I felt like, 

given my lack of experience, I 

could serve it that way. I could tell 

it simply, in tableau mostly: ‘We’ll 

make the pictures work, and the 

light beautiful, and these actors 

are incredible, and that beautiful 

music, and keep it simple and 

spare, and the story will carry 

it.’” The story of a boy forced 

to deliver telegrams telling local 

families that they had lost their 

sons pulled at her heartstrings 

and maternal desire to protect 

her family. “I read the book when 

I was getting divorced [from 

Quaid],” Meg recalled. “My son 


Dress: Akris | Shoes: Girls Love Shoes archive | Choker: Erickson Beamon

COVER STORY | MEG RYAN 

was about eight years old, and I 

got that intense feeling of how do 

you keep your kid safe? Horrible 

and tragic things happen, and 

it’s impossible to keep the hurt 

away from the people you love. 

As a mom, I could really relate 

to the material.” And while she 

helmed the ship on her own, she 

made sure to load it with a crew 

of companions she knew that she 

could depend on. 

A Little Help 

from her Friends 

In addition to Jack, the cast 

includes longtime director and 

sometime mentor Sam Shepard, 

newcomer Alex Neustaedter as 

her 14-year-old son, and Homer 

and Tom Hanks—who flew across 

the country to film scenes for his 

three-time co-star and close friend. 

“What a solid he did me, right?” 

Meg said. “Tom shot for about half 

a day, and at the end of our time 

together, he calls the crew together 

and he goes, ‘Okay, we’ve gotten 

very close these past 10 hours and 

we now know each other really 

well. And I just want to thank you 

for being there for my friend, Meg.’ 

How can you not love him?” 

“You know, the thing about 

Tom is that he’s as great as you 

think he’s going to be,” she beamed 

about her buddy. “He has what 

many great artists have—a great 

curiosity about other people and 

things,” she said. “We share that, 

along with a deep affection for each 

other.” 

The experience was so positive 

that she is looking for new projects 

to direct. “I’m looking at all kinds 

of stuff, and that’s what New York 

does for you; it offers you a lot of 

choices.” One choice is a return 

to television for the first time in 

decades to participate in a project 

written by former Saturday Night 

Live star and TV director Brad 

Hall—who also happens to be 

married to Veep and Seinfeld star 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus. “I’ve learned 

it’s best to have a lot of balls in the 

air and see which one lands,” she 

said. 

In the meantime, she’s enjoying 

bringing up Daisy in her favorite 

neighborhood where she basks in 

the warmth of Downtown’s rebirth 

since the dark day of the terror attacks 

16 years ago. “It was a horrible 

event, but the ultimate result was 

that we all got a lot nicer to each 

other,” she reflected. “It’s a very 

powerful thing. People care about 

each other here. They look after 

each other. I mean—what more do 

we have, but each other?” 

Behind the Scenes with Downtown Magazine 

Photography by Sebastian Blume 


20/20 ENGINEERING 

COMMITTED TO INTEGRITY, PRECISION AND 

PROFESSIONALISM. WITH RESPECT FOR OUR CLIENTS, OUR 

CORPORATE PARTNERS AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE 

WE SALUTE 

Lisa Silverstein and Tal Kerret of Silverstein Properties for being 

featured in the Spring Issue of Downtown Magazine. 

20/20 ENGINEERING 

A Special Inspection & Testing Agency 

3716 Fort Hamilton Parkway • Brooklyn NY 11218 

800-819-7788

EDITORIAL | STYLE VAULT 

MIDNIGHT 

in the Garden of Eden 

Photography by Matt Licari 

Stylist: Lauren Abbondola 

Hair and Makeup: Jess Mederos 

Model: Aryka Noble/Wilhelmina 

Dress: Cheap Monday 

Fur: Diana Rosh at Designers International NY 

Hat: Anya Caliendo Couture 

Gloves: Carolina Amato 

Shoes: Grey Mer 

Necklace: Avant Garde Paris 

Ring: Laruicci 


Dress: Tadashi Shoji 

Top: Love Sam 

Headband: Anya Caliendo Couture 

Gloves: Stylist’s own 

Shoes: Corso Como 

Earrings: Ben Amun 

Necklace: Ben Amun 

Bracelet: Laruicci

Dress: Cheap Monday 

Fur: Diana Rosh at Designers International NY 



Shoes: Grey Mer 

Necklace: Avant Garde Paris 

Ring: Laruicci

Gown: Ipsy Paris France at Designers International NY 

Belt: Olsen Europe at Designers International NY 

Headpiece: Giovannio 


Necklace: Circa Sixty Three 

Bracelet: Ben Amun 

Ring: Laruicci

Gown: Tadashi Shoji 



Swimsuit: 

Earrings: 

Cynthia 

Laruicci 

Rowley 

Jewelry: 

Necklace: 

Kenneth 

Ben 

Jay 

Amun 

Lane 

Bracelet: Gemma Shoes: Simone Guess

Dress: Yoyo Yeung 



Thigh Highs: Stylist’s own 

Shoes: Corso Como 


Bracelet: Ben Amun

Jacket: Yoyo Yeung 

Pants: Cres E. Dim 

Hat: Giovannio 



Ring with stone: Gemma Simone 

Ring with gold beads: Laruicci


Art Direction: Marina Barlage/nextartists | Makeup: dnicole | Hair: Nevio Ragazzini/nextartists | Manicure: NailsbyClive | Model: Kathryn Carter/clickmodels

BEAUTY | STYLE VAULT 

H E R L O O K 

Nature’s Nurture 

by dnicole 

Photography by Philippe Reynard 

Location: AKA Residential Suites Wall Street 

The truth is, many store-brought and 

commercially-produced beauty products 

come packed with artificial colors, 

chemicals, preservatives and fragrances that 

seep through the skin’s pores, sometimes causing 

harm rather than good. 

So what does this mean for your beauty 

routine? Luckily, there are plenty natural ways 

to make your skin—and even your hair, teeth 

and nails—look their best without the hassle 

of buying expensive and sometimes harmful 

products. 

When choosing skin care products, follow 

the same rules that you would follow for a 

healthy diet: Look for unprocessed ingredients 

without any harsh chemicals or anything 

artificial. 

Ingredients like aloe and algae, as well as 

oils extracted from plants and flowers, work 

wonders on the skin. Most people associate 

aloe with helping heal sunburns, but it also 

contains soothing ingredients that help fight 

inflammation, redness and itchiness. Algae extracts 

contain antioxidants and help moisturize 

and soothe skin, as well as supply skin and hair 

with natural minerals and vitamins. 

Oils such as tea tree are used to fight 

breakouts and reduce inflammation, while 

rosehip and tuberose keep skin hydrated and 

free of infections or cracks. Jojoba—derived 

from the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis 

plant—is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory 

and non-toxic. More of a liquid wax than an 

oil, this wonder can be used to nurture both 

hair and skin. Jojoba oil also closely resembles 

human sebum—the oily substance your oil 

glands produce—and when used, it mimics the 

activity of your body’s natural oils, making sure 

your skin won’t overproduce oil. Goodbye oily 

t-zone! 

Going natural is not only great when it 

comes to skin care and getting that extra glow 

in your look. Light, airy and fresh natural 

fragrances are also trending this spring. Natural 

scents can range from darker notes, such as 

jasmine, moss and wood, to sunny garden 

fragrances with notes of peony and violet and a 

touch of rose. 

Estée Lauder 

Revitalizing Supreme + Global 

Anti-Aging Cell Power Crème 

1.7 oz. 

$78 

esteelauder.com 

Tadashi Shoji 

Eau De Rose 

3.4 oz. 

$135 

tadashishoji.com 

Tadashi Shoji 

Eau De Rose Rollerball 

$27 

tadashishoji.com 

Diana Vreeland 

Outrageous Collection 

per 50 ML Bottle 

$350 

BergdorfGoodman.com 

La Prairie 

Line Interception Power Duo 

$350 

laprairie.com 

DHC 

Astaxanthin All-in-One Gel 

4.2 oz. 

$49 

dhccare.com 

NYDG New York 

Dermatology Group 

Colloidal Oatmeal Cleanser 

$48 

Re-Contour Eye Gel 

$60 

nydg.com 



Art Direction: Marina Barlage/nextartists | Makeup: dnicole | Hair: Nevio Ragazzini/nextartists | Manicure: NailsbyClive | Models: Casey Jackson/nymodels, Paula Magyar/onemanagement

GROOMING | STYLE VAULT 

H I S L O O K 

The Scent of a Man 

by dnicole 

Photography by Philippe Reynard 

Location: AKA Residential Suites Wall Street 

Wearing the right fragrance can be 

incredibly empowering, making 

cologne an invisible, yet important, 

part of your look. Knowing you look and smell 

good can make you more confident, and a 

signature scent can be a powerful statement to 

the way you present yourself. 

Chemical Attraction 

As one of the five senses, smell is directly 

hardwired to the brain. It has very powerful 

properties that affect your memories and 

whether or not you like something. Scents 

create a mind-body connection, intimately 

linking smell to emotion and even sensuality. 

Finding your Fragrance 

There are different things to keep in mind 

when choosing your signature smell. First, all 

scents evolve over time, so the initial notes may 

not be the lingering ones. Most colognes have 

three tiers to them. 

1. Top note is the introductory scent; it is 

often composed by lighter citruses, florals 

and aromatics. 

2. Middle note is also called the heart note 

and lingers for several hours; it often 

consists of heavier florals, greens and spices. 

3. Base note is the scent that sticks to your 

skin the longest; it has rich ingredients such 

as musk or leather. 

Issey Miyake 

Pour Homme Fraiche 

3.3 oz. 

$86 

sephora.com 

Second, fragrance is chemistry and will 

react with your body odor. In order for you 

to know how the exact fragrance will smell 

on you, you need to test it out. Spray it on 

and go out and interact with other people; be 

active and smell it at different times in different 

settings. When you catch a whiff, what do your 

senses tell you? Does it make you happy? Feel 

powerful? Or does it not quite feel right? 

Narciso Rodriguez 

Bleu Noir 

3.3 oz. 

$89 

macys.com 

Men’s fragrances usually incorporate 

aromatic notes mainly composed of sage, 

rosemary, thyme and lavender, complimented 

with citrus and spice. The combination of 

these elements evokes a manly character with 

a powerful and strong scent, making them an 

all-time favorite in colognes. 

Other popular fragrances combine similar 

elements, but add more of a musky, woody 

scent with ingredients such as oak moss, cedar, 

patchouli or sandalwood. Depending on a 

man’s preference and body reaction, often 

times one of these combinations of scents will 

be a safe bet. 

Maison 10 

H by LPN (La Peau Nu) 

Roll on perfume oil 

$120 

maison10.com 

Penhaligon’s 

Savoy Steam 

$175 

penhaligons.com 

Salvatore Ferragamo 

UOMO 

3.3 oz. 

$90 

ferragamo.com 

Tom Ford 

Grey Veliver 

1.7 oz. 

$60.19 

fragrancenet.com 


HAIR | STYLE VAULT 

Choosing the right 

HAIR COLOR 

by David Cotteblanche & Melissa Murphy, Red Market Salon 

Photography by Aranka Israni 

We truly believe that your best hair 

color is actually the color of your 

hair when you were five years 

old. Why? Back then, your hair was still 

healthy and shiny and hadn’t yet started getting 

darker. It still had that natural sparkle to 

it—and that tonality of the color is usually 

the most flattering on you. 

It’s so important when looking for a 

change to have realistic expectations. You 

could look in magazines and browse the web 

for hundreds of beautiful colors, but they 

won’t necessarily be the right ones for you. 

Try looking at some pictures of you as a kid 

and get inspiration from those. When choosing 

to make a change, you want to keep in 

mind what will look best on you. Here are a 

few guidelines: 

Guided by Eyes and Skin 

Fairer skin tones with light eyes can easily go 

for pale, cool toned blonde. Personally, we 

like to see honey tones on girls with brown 

eyes to really pull out the warmth in their 

eyes. Deep brunettes look great staying that 

way, so highlights with rich chocolate tones 

are a great way to get some dimension without 

overdoing it. Black hair is hard to pull 

off, but it looks amazing on someone with 

perfect skin and blue eyes. When going that 

“It’s so important when looking for a change to have realistic 

expectations. You could look in magazines and browse 

the web for hundreds of beautiful colors, but they won't 

necessarily be the right ones for you.” – Red Market Salon 

dark, ask for a soft black—it’s less harsh. We 

recommend red hair for people with light 

skin, freckles, and hazel, blue or light brown 

eyes—they can really pull off a red color. For 

a natural look, stay away from the burgundy/ 

purple tones and instead go for strawberry 

and copper-based reds. 

Do Your Research 

The range is so wide of what can and can’t be 

done when it comes to hair color, so prepare 

before you sit down in your colorist’s chair. 

Bring examples of what you like and dislike, 

have a thorough consultation and listen to 

their advice—what works for one doesn’t 

necessarily work for another. 

Stay Away From the Box 

It is very difficult to pick up a box color and 

achieve a high quality color job. We don’t 

recommend it. You could easily end up with 

a really uneven application and it rarely 

looks natural. A lot of times it’s not even 

the right process for what you are trying 

to achieve. Case in point: you could pick 

up a box that says blonde—but don’t! All 

you need are a few painted highlights—also 

known as balayage—and you will get that 

lighter effect without the brass and bad 

growing out process. 

Get Trendy 

Every season has its colors, and that’s true for 

hair color trends too. This season, blorange is 

the new color—similar to rose gold but with 

more orange and peachy tones. If you’re not 

quite sure what we mean, check out Georgia 

May Jagger. Her hair looked incredible when 

she did the blorange look and is probably one 

of our favorite examples. 

Celebrities and Shades of Color 

Photography by Patrick McMullan 

Julianne Moore Naomi Watts Katie Holmes Alicia Keys 


Red Flags: 

Cosmetic 

Procedures 

& Products 

by Dr. Albert Lefkovits 

Photography by Aranka Israni 

With spring and summer just 

around the corner, we will 

soon peel off our wooly winter 

layers and show more skin, and it is natural 

to become more conscious of our overall 

appearance. We are increasingly plugged into 

social media, television and radio, and we 

are constantly bombarded with claims for 

cosmetic procedures and products to make 

us more gorgeous than ever. While everyone 

wants to look great, we must take claims of 

wonder treatments with a grain of salt and 

figure out what is real, and what is hype. 

Fact-Finding 

First of all, do due diligence on the doctor 

who is recommending the procedure, and 

check out the physician’s reputation among 

peers. If a doctor is so good, why the need 

to advertise in the first place? This is a major 

red flag. Most people would not choose 

a lawyer based on advertising, so why 

choose a physician this way? Look at his 

or her record of publishing, teaching, 

and hospital affiliations. If the doctor 

is on staff at a top hospital, it means 

that the physician has been screened 

extensively by that institution. 

Additionally, learn if the physician 

participates in symposia and lectures 

to others in their specialty. This is an 

excellent way to ascertain if this person 

is at the top of their field, because if 

other doctors want to hear what he or 

she has to say, it shows that they are 

highly respected by colleagues. 

Questions and Answers 

New treatments are always coming 

out with exciting news. Microneedling 

and new lasers are capturing the public’s 

imagination. Discuss these thoroughly with 

your doctor. You want to be sure that these 

treatments have been properly tested, and 

that enough is known about possible side 

effects, associated risks and long-term benefits 

before doing anything. Ask your doctor for 

an explanation of the results that you can 

reasonably expect, whether there will be any 

pain, what the downtime and recovery period 

Model: Viktoria Hofstaedter 


NEW BEAUTY | STYLE VAULT 

will be, how often the procedure has to be repeated and what you can 

do to assure that you get the maximum benefit from the treatment 

(for example, avoiding sun and wearing sunscreen is vital after certain 

procedures such as peels and laser therapy). 

“Real People” Stories 

Bear in mind that before and after photos are often taken with 

special effect filters and can easily be retouched. Online reviews are 

also easily faked. Read carefully to weed out glowing reviews that 

sound generic and insincere. This is another red flag and such a 

practitioner should be avoided. Probably the best way is to find out 

the truth about a certain procedure is word of mouth. If a friend 

(or a friend of a friend) has had the treatment, listen carefully to 

the pros and cons of their experience and make your own decision. 

Also consider whether the expense of the treatment is likely to be 

borne out by the results you are going to get. Finally, be realistic 

about your expectations. If a claim promises more than what seems 

reasonable, don’t believe the hype. 

Red Flags: 

Tummy Tucks 

by Dr. Michael C. Bruck 

Tummy tucks, often the cornerstone of mommy makeover 

procedures which may also include breast surgery and other 

types of body contouring, can restore a youthful toned 

appearance and erase the effects of pregnancy or significant weight loss. 

The modern tummy tuck, artistically performed, can re-contour the 

torso, tighten the abdominal wall muscles, re-shape the abdomen and 

narrow the waistline all with a naturally appearing belly button and a 

low lying scar which can be hidden by a brief bikini. 

Each procedure is individually tailored to address the patient’s 

anatomy and produce the best possible outcome. Liposuction of 

the abdominal area is usually an integral part of most tummy tucks. 

Studies have documented that abdominoplasties positively influence 

the patient’s quality of life, increasing self-esteem and body image. The 

procedure takes between two and four hours and is usually performed 

in a certified outpatient facility. After a two-to-three-week recovery, 

most patients can return to work and non-strenuous activities. While 

most patients will appear considerably improved at one month, it takes 

several months to be beach ready. 

Do Your Research 

Before proceeding with surgery, do your homework in choosing a 

plastic surgeon. Be sure he/she is certified by the American Board of 

Plastic Surgery and is experienced in performing tummy tucks. Ask 

to see before and after photos and arrange to talk with the surgeon’s 

patients. Watch out for imposters! Some physicians with little or no 

training in plastic surgery rebrand themselves as cosmetic surgeons. These 

physicians are board certified in other fields, yet refer to themselves as 

board certified cosmetic surgeons. Your obstetrician/gynecologist should 

be delivering your baby, not performing your tummy tuck. Not only 

are there a surprising number of patients who have surgery performed 

by non-board certified plastic surgeons, but there are also an increasing 

number of patients who are travel abroad for cosmetic surgery. 

Sightseeing Surgery 

Medical tourism is on the rise with countries advertising vacation 

packages including cosmetic procedures. Frequent destinations are 

Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Thailand where costs 

for cosmetic procedures vary between 25 to 35 percent of the average 

U.S. fees. While there are skilled and qualified surgeons in these areas, it 

is difficult to assess the surgeon’s qualifications as well as the standards of 

care of the surgical facilities. 

Under the best of circumstances there are always risks associated 

with surgery. These risks may be greater when patients choose pricedriven 

foreign surgical destinations. Infections are the most common 

complication in patients that go abroad for cosmetic surgery. 

When results are unsatisfactory, revisional surgery performed in the 

United States may be more costly than having had the surgery performed 

here in the first place. Remember, choose a board-certified plastic 

surgeon, one that you like and feel comfortable with, so that if there is a 

problem you know that he/she will be there to take care of you. 


LÉMAN | LITTLE APPLE 

Teaching Today’s Children 

for Tomorrow’s World 

by Maria Castelluccio 

The greatest challenge for schools 

today is vastly different than 

even a generation ago. While 

the fundamentals of strong literacy and 

mathematics skills continue to be a musthave, 

parents and educators alike face a new 

learning landscape in an ever-changing, hyperconnected 

and global world. 

It is now critical for children to build 

the skills that will enable them to create 

their own futures—technical skills in 

engineering and computer science, soft skills 

in communication and collaboration across 

multiple perspectives. The key is for schools 

to deliver this learning in an age-appropriate 

way from PreK to 12th grade, and to engage 

young learners to be inquirers, thinkers and 

explorers. 

With today’s three-year-olds set to 

graduate from high school in 2031 and 

enter the job market in 2035 or later, it is 

impossible to anticipate the needs of a future 

economy. Many of tomorrow’s careers likely 

don’t even exist yet. What we do know is 

that children will need global perspective 

and cultural understanding to succeed— 

academically, socially and emotionally. 

21st Century Skills 

At Léman Manhattan Preparatory School 

in the Financial District, where I am Head 

of School, our approach to learning focuses 

on building global citizenship and 21st 

century skills to ensure that students are well 

prepared for the future. By providing students 

with opportunities to engage in discourse 

representing a variety of perspectives and 

build technology skills in a thoughtful and 

purposeful way, we are equipping even the 

youngest of learners to thrive in a rapidly 

changing, connected and multicultural world. 

In our WonderLab, children learn the 

basics of coding through play and exploration 

with the latest ed-tech materials on the market 

and are expertly guided by faculty trained in 

technology education for very young children. 

Global Learning 

As an International Baccalaureate World 

school, our globally-minded curriculum 

begins in our Center for Early Childhood 

Education. Students study Mandarin starting 

at age three and make connections with the 

world around them through an inquiry-based 

approach to learning. 

As home to New York City’s only high 

school boarding program, Léman brings 

together students from the U.S. and across 

the world in a global learning community 

with student dormitories on history-rich Wall 

Street. 

With more than 700 students across PreK 

to 12th grade representing dozens of countries 

of origin, Léman mirrors today’s real world. 

Students are comfortable communicating, 

problem solving and innovating across 

disciplines in this diverse, inclusive 

community, preparing them for similar 

university and workplace settings. 

In order for children to thrive in an everchanging 

and unpredictable future economy, 

schools and families need to embrace a more 

global and innovative approach to learning. In 

a tech-focused, cross-cultural world, children’s 

ability to collaborate and communicate across 

languages and cultures is best supported 

through helping them become true global 

citizens, ready to make a positive impact on 

their local community and beyond with a 

strong sense of purpose. 

Maria Castelluccio is Head of School 

at Léman Manhattan, a private college 

preparatory school in the Financial District 

serving children age 3 through 12th grade. 


“We’re preparing 

students for a future that 

is yet unknown.”

PROFILE | LITTLE APPLE 

Maria 

Castelluccio 

Bringing international education to the 

heart of a globalized New York City. 



Since July 2016, Maria Castelluccio 

has been Head of School at Léman 

Manhattan Preparatory School. With 

over 25 years of experience in the educational 

field, and with international expertise 

from her four years as Head of School 

at Marymount International School Rome, 

she continues to build communities with a 

global focus at the school in FiDi. 

“It was a transition coming back to the 

States after working internationally, but I 

think one of the things I loved was coming 

into this community—it still feels very 

international, although it’s in the heart 

of this vibrant Downtown Manhattan,” 

Castelluccio said. 

Since starting her term at Léman Manhattan, 

Castelluccio has devoted much of 

her time to understanding the educational 

landscape of New York City. With a variety 

of independent schools in the City, she has 

enjoyed learning of all the choices New 

Yorkers have—and more importantly, what 

makes Léman Manhattan unique. 

“I have loved getting to know who we 

are as Léman Manhattan, as well as the 

families and students. We spend a lot of 

time talking to families about it being the 

right match, not just for their child, but 

for them as a family,” she said. “It’s been 

exciting to really identify who we are as a 

school.” 

Extraordinary Education 

According to Castelluccio, a number 

of things set Léman Manhattan apart. 

Its strong commitment to personalized 

learning—one of the school’s four pillars— 

gives the individual student great room 

for growth, while the unique location 

allows students to participate at the Stock 

Exchange, go to Federal Hall or even go 

urban farming in Battery Park City. 

More than that, Léman Manhattan’s 

global perspective—another of its pillars— 

is not to be overlooked. It is one of four 

IB (International Baccalaureate) schools 

in the New York area, as well as the only 

boarding high school in New York City 

with students from nearly 20 countries. 

“I feel like at Léman we have a small 

microcosm of the world,” Castelluccio 

explained. 

“Our IB program, facilitated by adults 

who believe in global education, provides a 

curriculum for kids to think differently.” 

Located in an area of the City that 

houses many international families, Léman 

Manhattan is constantly evolving and 

growing to meet the needs of its students 

and the world changing around it. 

“We’re preparing students for a future 

that is yet unknown. We don’t know 

what those jobs will be, so part of the IB 

program is to help students think flexibly, 

to think across disciplines, to think more 

deeply and to be able to communicate.” 

“We know we’re preparing students 

to go out to university and to jobs where 

they will be interacting—as we all do 

nowadays—with people from other parts 

of the world, and they need to understand 

culture, they need to understand language, 

they need to understand the differences of 

perspective,” she said. 

Work and Play 

Léman Manhattan has a strong tie to 

the neighborhood, and Castelluccio 

has learned much about the Downtown 

community through her new position. 

With long days, and sometimes events and 

activities on the weekends, Castelluccio 

spends much of her time at the school. 

Loving what she does, however, makes it 

easy to devote her time to a city as unique 

as New York. 

“The beauty is that New York never 

sleeps,” she said with a laugh. “So it 

doesn’t matter what time I get out of 

work—there’s always something going on 

in New York City.” 



DOWNTOWN MOM | LITTLE APPLE 

Little Apple Asks Downtown Mom 

Luciana Gendre 

by Denise Courter 

Photography by Raquel Salazar 

Since being discovered at the young 

age of 14, Brazilian-born Luciana 

Gendre has modeled her way through 

the world, appearing on covers of magazines 

such as Vogue, Elle and Allure as well as 

in campaigns for brands including Revlon, 

L’Oréal and Cover Girl. Before settling down 

in the Seaport District, Gendre split her time 

between London and New York City—but 

she ultimately fell in love with Downtown’s 

vibrant and diverse feel. Keeping up with 

the fast-paced lifestyle of the City, Gendre 

balances a successful modeling career with 

family time and loves going on neighborhood 

adventures with her daughters, Cora and 

Dahlia, and husband Henrique Gendre, a 

renowned fashion photographer. 

Downtown had a chance to sit down with 

Gendre in between photo shoots to talk about 

the start of her career, meeting her husband 

and raising children in a bustling city. 

Denise Courter: How did you begin 

modeling? 

Luciana Gendre: I was invited to become a 

Ford model and was mentored and housed 

by the founder, Eileen Ford. I lived with 

her for about three years, and it was a really 

incredible experience. She kept a calendar 

on her refrigerator so that you had to check 

in for meals, and it was a very regimented 

schedule. There was a 10 p.m. curfew and it 

was strictly enforced. But, to be a teenager [in 

the fashion industry], growing up with her 

guidance was amazing. 

DC: What is one of your craziest memories of 

being a young model? 

LG: I remember being so homesick that, 

one day, I knew I had to go home to Brazil. 

So I left a note at Eileen’s apartment telling 

her that I was flying back to São Paulo. 

I arrived at the airport to find my family 

and all my friends anxiously awaiting my 

arrival. Because, by that time, the news had 

reached my family that I was on a plane and 

determined to go home. I was really lucky 

because even though Eileen was not happy, 

she understood and was really supportive. 

DC: How did you meet your husband? 

LG: We met on a photo shoot. And, the 

funny thing is, we were expected to kiss for 

several of the shots, and the photographer 

was a friend who wanted to make sure I was 

comfortable with the concept of the shoot. 

It was a 5-day photo shoot and we couldn’t 

stop talking to each other, which led to dating 

almost immediately after. 

DC: Is there anything that has surprised you 

about living Downtown? 

LG: I was surprised at how much the 

neighborhood changed in a relatively short 

time. I really enjoyed the sights and sounds of 

the fish market, the sound of the city, along 

the seaport. So, I was really worried that the 

changes that were happening Downtown 

would not be good. But, it hasn’t turned into 

a Times Square like I thought it would. I still 

get the quiet, which I like. 

DC: How has raising kids in the City been? 

LG: Once I had kids, I realized how much the 

City had to offer. We quickly discovered the 

ducks in Battery Park. We have experienced a 

diversity and culture that I would have never 

expected. The ability to walk the City with 

the stroller made it very accessible. 

DC: What has your experience of being a 

parent Downtown been? 

LG: I’ve loved the experiences with the kids. 

The drumming circle at Battery Park and 

the preschool play for the little kids with the 

Battery Park Conservancy are some of our 

favorite things to do. Activities like these 

make living Downtown fun for families. 

DC: What is your favorite family activity to 

do with your kids? 

LG: I love to be outdoors with the kids, and 

spring is my favorite time of year. So, being 

outside is fun and doesn’t have to be planned. 

Though I will say that I am the best picnic 

packer! I love making healthy and fun lunches 

for the kids and just exploring the local parks 

and taking advantage of picnic weather. 

DC: What is the best parenting advice you 

were given? 

LG: [L]isten to your kids, and don’t get hung 

up on what your original expectations were 

before you had kids. Both of my kids are so 

different, and I have had to learn to parent 

them differently because they each have their 

own personalities. 

FAVORITES 

Downtown park 

Battery Park has everything—the pond is full 

of ducks, the grass goes on forever and the 

playgrounds are great for families. 

Downtown place to get a cocktail 

The Beekman’s bar is amazing. 

It’s definitely the new place to be. 

Downtown restaurant 

I love the Japanese restaurant SUteiShi 

in the old Seaport. 


LITTLE APPLE | PAWBLISHER BARCLAY 

Barclay 

PAWBLISHER 

Barclay’s 

Spot 

SPONSORED BY 

and CITIPUPS 

Photography by Rafael Rautha 

KAPLAN 

Shih Tzu 

Dianne and family 

ROSIE 

Greyhound 

Amy and Paul Spelman 

JOJO 

Maltese 

Yatin Suneja and Ratika Verma 

ELVIS 

Bichon Frise 

Beth Kreines 

Q: Where's your favorite 

place in Downtown to 

enjoy the spring weather? 

A: My parents and I enjoy 

walking to the green 

markets in TriBeCa and 

the Financial District. After 

the winter, it's exciting to 

see the variety of fresh 

fruit and vegetables! 

Q: What's Lower Manhattan's 

best kept secret? 

A: Downtown residents are 

very helpful—all you need 

to do is ask and someone 

can point you in the 

direction of resources. 

There is a strong sense of 

community. 

Q: When your friends come 

to town, what restaurant 

do you take them to? 

A: During the spring and 

summer, we like to meet 

with friends at Gigino's in 

Wagner Park. I get to eat 

in the park while looking 

out at the water and 

enjoying free outdoor 

concerts! 




A: There’s some great 

squirrel chasing to 

be had down by the 

Esplanade, especially in 

the springtime! 



A: I love the doggie 

cupcakes from Sprinkles 

in Brookfield Place. 

Sometimes my parents 

surprise me by bringing 

one home for special 

occasions, or just 

because! 




A: I always love Le Pet Spa 

for their food. It’s tapas 

style - small plates with 

lots of delicious treats. My 

favorites are beef sticks, 

bully sticks, and other 

meaty delights. 




A: My favorite place is the 

Brookfield Place harbor 

area! An evening walk by 

the water and those lush 

green parks is the best 

way to enjoy spring. 



A: Pier A is an awesome 

place to get a drink 

during summer and enjoy 

the breathtaking view of 

the Statue of Liberty. 




A: Downtown has some 

really good restaurants, 

but we always end up 

going to El Vez—they 

always bring me treats 

and water while my 

parents eat. 




A: I love going for walks 

on the Esplanade and 

meeting many other 

dogs! I’ve met so many 

new friends there. 



A: My mom recently took me 

to the Seaport, and I can’t 

wait to explore it even 

more! 




A: There are so many 

restaurants Downtown 

that now allow my friends 

and me to sit outside 

and have a great time. 

I’ve been to a number 

of places in Battery Park 

City, such as AMADA, that 

were very welcoming. 


CANINE ESSENTIALS | LITTLE APPLE 

Harry Barker 

Bird Dog Biscuit Tin 

$17 

harrybarker.com 

Bubba Rose 

Blueberry & Oat Fruit Crate Box 

$12.99 

bubbarose.com 

Canine 

Essentials 

For the Downtown dog owner, here are some tasty, 

stylish products that will keep both you and your canine 

companion content. 

Harry Barker 

Natural Refreshing Citrus Spray 

$10 


Harry Barker 

Bon Chien Ceramic Bowls 

$20/S • $22/M • $24/L 


Harry Barker 

Tartan Travel Bowls & Pouch Set 

$40 Small 24 oz. 


Bubba Rose 

Cake Pops 

$4.99 each 

bubbarose.com 

Bubba Rose 

Crack! Bars 

$2.99 pack 

bubbarose.com 

Harry Barker 

Tortoise Toy Bin 

$56 

harrybarker.com

Days of Rest in 

SWITZERLAND 

With a landscape of beautiful lakes and mountains and its plentiful spas, 

Switzerland promises a serene and relaxing stay. 

by Katie McElveen 

Photos Courtesy of Kulm Hotel St. Moritz

TRAVEL | PASSPORT 

One of the joys of stepping 

into a hotel suite in Maui, 

St. Barth’s or Cabo is that 

first glimpse of turquoise water that 

blazes in through the window. But 

in Switzerland? Not so much. Yet 

there it was. Courtesy of Lake St. 

Moritz, that gorgeous view of blue 

filled the window of my suite at St. 

Moritz’s Kulm Hotel. That it was 

unexpected made it all the better. 

Renovated in late 2015 by 

French interior designer Pierre-Yves 

Rochon, Kulm Hotel’s suites are 

done in a muted palette of ivory 

and taupe that mixes textures— 

leather, tweed, crisp cotton—with 

soft patterns. The ceiling and part 

of each wall is paneled in Swiss 

stone pine, an aromatic local wood 

that adds a touch of rustic charm 

to the posh rooms. It’s also said to 

induce relaxation and deep sleep, 

a claim that, in my case, worked 

no matter what time I went to 

bed. If you need additional help, 

though, try relaxing in the extradeep 

soaking tub that beckons 

from the black marble bathroom, 

or use the pillow menu and order 

up just the right combination of 

down, feathers and herbs to bring 

on slumber. 

Taking revitalization to the 

next level, the spa is devoted to 

detoxifying and regenerating 

stressed-out minds and bodies. Like 

many spas in Europe, the steam, 

sauna and water areas can be used 

by hotel guests at no charge. Unlike 

many spas, however, this is more 

than a tiny steam chamber set next 

to a Jacuzzi; this is a collection 

of first-class amenities. The 

indoor pool set in a glass-walled 

conservatory is large enough for 

laps and overlooks the mountains. 

Outside, an open-air whirlpool 

is equipped with underwater 

chaise lounges, creating the perfect 

setting for intense relaxation. The 

whirlpool features therapeutic 

waterfalls and high-pressure jets set 

to massage various body parts. For 

even deeper relaxation, head to one 

of the varied steam rooms, saunas 

or specialty areas. I could barely 

tear myself away from the Infrared 

Cabin, which, with its narrow, 

high-backed chairs and blinking red 

lights resembled a torture chamber, 

but it was actually the opposite. As 

I sat, the high-tech scanners set into 

each seat sent perfectly calibrated 

heat waves into the stressed-out 

muscles along my spine, allowing 

them to release their death grip on 

my bones, joints and ligaments. 

The spa features a menu of 

treatments which utilize unique 

ingredients to relax, detoxify or 

revitalize. You can enjoy a peat mud 

wrap that will intensively purify as 

it boosts your body’s ability to fight 

allergens and rheumatic complaints. 

An orange peel scrub can smooth 

out cellulite. And alkaline salts, 

which are used in a number of 

treatments, can lead to firmer, 

more youthful skin. Don’t dismiss 

a simple massage, though. The 

Kulm’s well-trained, agile, strong 

therapists seem to know precisely 

where each knot is hiding and how 

to coax it into submission. 

After a day of intense 

rejuvination, you can enjoy 

traditional Swiss cuisine like veal 

and mushrooms in cream served 

alongside crunchy rösti potatoes at 

Chesa al Parc, the resort’s recreation 

of a Swiss mountain villa. Or head 

over to the Gourmet Restaurant 

Kronenstübli in the Grand Hotel 

Kronenhof, the Kulm’s sister 

property, for pressed duck and and 

nearly a dozen Champagnes to 

choose from. 

The biggest challenge is 

deciding when to visit. If you 

go during the summer, you can 

explore the mountains on foot 

or by bicycle, hike to a glacier for 

the ultimate Instagram moment, 

sail or kayak in the lake, and 

wander through the historic and 

picturesque village of St. Moritz. If 

you decide on a winter visit, you 

can enjoy some of the best skiing 

in Europe as well as the chance to 

ice skate on the frozen lake, watch 

an ice polo match, take a toboggan 

ride, or even take a shot at 

bobsledding. And while that view 

of blue from the lake won’t be there 

to welcome you come winter, you 

can always expect blue skies. After 

all, the sun shines on St. Moritz 

more than 320 days each year. 


A CULINARY 

CONNECTION 

With their different sets of talents, Cédric and Ochi Vongerichten 

serve up a flavorful flair for the restaurant business. 


Photography by Dimitri Mais

CHEF PROFILE | CITY BITES 


CITY BITES | CHEF PROFILE 

Both Cédric and Ochi Vongerichten 

grew up in kitchens—Cédric patiently 

formed marzipan carrots for carrot 

cakes in the Lafayette’s kitchen run by his 

father, world-renowned chef Jean-Georges, 

while Ochi served as the taste tester of every 

dish her mother cooked for her catering 

business in Indonesia. 

Jean-Georges, knowing first-hand the 

long hours and the competitive environment, 

especially in New York City, was hesitant about 

Cédric’s wish to become a chef. 

“It’s a very difficult industry, a difficult 

field. My father wanted to make sure I 

wasn’t just following in his footsteps,” Cédric 

explained. “Him testing me and saying ‘don’t 

do it’ were to show him whether or not it was 

really my passion.” 

It quickly became clear that Cédric’s 

appetite for the culinary world was undeniable. 

While living with his mother in Southern 

France, he started doing internships in 

different kitchens. With his talent, he quickly 

picked up great technical skills. 

Witnessing Cédric’s development of talent 

and skills, Jean-Georges could not deny his 

son’s passion. After Cédric spent several years 

helping his father open restaurants, Jean- 

Georges encouraged him to go to school and 

get a broader understanding of the industry. 

He enrolled at the Culinary Institute of 

America (CIA) in Upstate New York, which is 

where he met Ochi. They didn’t bond over the 

pots and pans, however. 

“I took French and he used to be my 

French tutor. But he ended up doing my 

homework,” Ochi laughed. 

From Upstate to Downtown 

Today, the couple lives in the West Village with 

their two children—Olivier, 6 and Noah, 4. 

Just a few blocks away, Cédric works as Chef 

de Cuisine at Jean-Georges’ Perry St restaurant. 

They love the neighborhood, and living 

close to the restaurant allows them to spend 

more time together, as a family and as a couple. 

When Cédric serves up a new dish, he calls 

Ochi to use her well-honed taste testing skills. 

“I’ve always eaten very good food since I 

was little,” Ochi said. “And the good thing is 

Cédric’s very talented, so whatever new dish he 

comes up with, I love it.” 

“A few times I’ve tried explaining what 

I wanted to make, and Ochi looked quite 

confused,” Cédric explained. “So now I try 

not to tell her anymore. I’d rather surprise her 

when a plate goes out, because I can envision it 

in my head.” 

And this method has proven very 

successful. The menu at the Perry St restaurant 

is a great combination of French techniques 

and Asian flavors, such as those from Indonesia 

“I’ve always eaten very good food since I was little. And the 

good thing is Cédric’s very talented, so whatever new dish he 

comes up with, I love it.” – Ochi Vongerichten 

and Thailand. The inspiration is based much 

on their travels and an emphasis of using local 

and seasonal produce. 

The Couple That 

Works Together… 

Over the years, the couple has found they 

each have their specialties. Ochi found the 

kitchens in New York City to be too intense. 

While she still loves to cook at home, she has 

chosen to use her talent for the business side of 

restaurants. 

Cédric still loves the fast pace and high 

competition in the kitchen, and every day 

Ingredients: 

Purée 

1 lb. Spring onion, peeled and sliced thin 

1 cup Scallion white trims, washed, 

dried, cut into ¼’ pieces 

¼ cup Olive oil 

1 pc Green thai chili 

1 tbsp lime peel, pith 

completely removed 

1 tsp salt 

3 tbsp fresh lime juice 

3 tbsp champagne vinegar 

1 tsp salt 

Topping 

1 bunch peeled and 

1 inch cut asparagus, 

½ inch cut Jalapeno with seeds 

5 pc maitake small clusters, 

3 pc shiitake, 

1 garlic clove, 

3 pc Fiddle heads 

it drives him to be better. With Ochi on the 

business side, the two are slowly working on 

some exciting projects together. Currently, 

Ochi is helping to open up some restaurants 

in Indonesia, her home country, so she’s the 

perfect partner. 

Their best advice on working together as 

a couple? 

“Don’t take things too personally. At the 

end of the day, it’s for the good of the business. 

But again, it’s only the beginning of us working 

together,” Cédric said. 

“Let’s see in a few years from now,” Ochi 

added with a laugh. 

Fresh Spring Purée with Roasted Asparagus, 

Jalapeño and Wild Mushroom 

Preparation: 

Purée 

Combine first five ingredients in a pot and cook covered until onions and scallions are completely 

tender without any color. Puree until smooth in blender and add the fresh lime juice, champagne 

vinegar and salt. 

Topping 

Sautée the asparagus in hot pan with olive oil, add jalapeno, garlic clove, fiddle heads, and 

mushrooms, and cook until tender. Season with salt and black pepper. 

Serve: 

In a plate, spoon spring onion vinaigrette, top with asparagus and vegetables. Top with any market 

greens (such as watercress, miner lettuce, pea shoots) 


Red Market Salon 

13 East 13 St., 2 floor 

New York, NY 10003 

redmarketnyc.com

NAMASTE 

Our favorite people and places to help you get centered in Downtown Manhattan. 

by Nikki Link 

Photography by Philippe Reynaud 

the American nation is 

really thirsty for is a deeper 

“What 

sense of connection to itself.” 

Ashutosh, known to his students as Ash, 

seeks to cultivate that connection through 

his one-man, mobile yoga practice. He first 

discovered the power of yoga in his native 

Puerto Rico after feeling lost in the wake of 

graduating college. 

“I was looking for something to feel in 

my heart,” he said. And for Ash, yoga was the 

answer. “This rings the bell. This makes sense to 

me. I love this!” he proclaimed. 

After attending a year of classes in his 

village, Ash transitioned from student to 

teacher. He received his official certification 

with Ananda Marga Yoga in 2005, before 

arriving in New York in 2006. Since then, his 

mission has been to pull New Yorkers out of 

“their own personal chaos,” and help them 

re-establish their mind-body connection, what 

Ash refers to as the ultimate “reference point.” 

“If you can tap into how you’re really 

feeling, with no filters, you can create a deeper 

connection with yourself. Then, you can create 

a deeper connection with everyone else around 

you,” Ash explained. 

His practice encompasses several variations 

of yoga, from tranquil Hatha to more rigorous 

Vinyasa, as well as Thai bodywork, a type 

of assisted stretching, and foot reflexology. 

He regularly instructs both private clients 

and groups in the wellness centers of large 

corporations like Goldman Sachs, Condé Nast, 

Bank of America, and Horizon Media. 

“I’m not a monk, but I can give you some 

straightforward, practical ways of meditation,” 

he asserted. 

Besides grounding himself and his students 

amidst the mayhem of New York, Ash strongly 

believes in the physical benefits of yoga. The 

practice especially shines when used as a cool 

down from a more rigorous workout routine. 

Ultimately, the formula for a healthy life is a 

simple one. 

“If you do your practice every single 

day, hydrate really well, and give your body 

beautiful nutrition, you can achieve a lot of 

stuff,” he said. 

To schedule a private session with Ash, 

contact him at ash.yoga11@gmail.com.

YOGA | FITNESS 

FiDi Yoga with 

Heidi Kristoffer 

Heralded as one of America’s best yoga 

instructors, Heidi Kristoffer’s latest 

mission is to share the power of yoga 

with the moms of the Financial District. 

Every Wednesday morning at CompleteBody 

in Hanover Square, Kristoffer helps FiDi 

moms reboot. 

“We have a lovely little crew of 

moms that come every week. It’s a perfect 

community. It’s such a support network, and 

such an unexpected one,” Kristoffer said. 

Offering a class in a known “yoga 

desert” was risky, but Kristoffer’s belief that 

every mom needs a reset button gave her 

confidence. She knew best as a mother of 

twins herself. 

“There’s so much good that yoga can add 

to your life. Yogis bend so they don’t break. 

Everybody needs to bend so they don’t break,” 

she explained. 

Kristoffer also teaches CrossflowX classes, 

a high-power combination of yoga and 

strength interval training, at Five Pillars Yoga 

in the Upper East Side. Created with nonyogis 

in mind, this class doesn’t take it easy. 

“It’s great because it’s a doorway for 

people who would never take a yoga class,” 

she stated. 

For more information, contact Heidi 

via email at info@heidiyoga.com, or visit her 

website at heidiyoga.com. 

Sky Ting Yoga 

Photo by Nick Poe 

A 

relative newcomer to the NYC yoga scene, Sky Ting Yoga boasts two Downtown locations 

in Chinatown and Tribeca. Known for their mixed-form yoga, airy studios, and eclectic 

class soundtracks, the Sky Ting experience is decidedly multi-sensual. 

“Yoga isn’t just an hour on a mat that you do once, twice, three times per week. It’s really a 

lifestyle that you take on,” Co-owner Chloe Kernaghan explained. 

What really makes Sky Ting stand out is their retreats. Most studios offer one or two per year. 

Sky Ting has three scheduled for this year with more to come. 

“It’s a drive to not only deepen your practice, but to take the yoga beyond just the experience 

of doing a workshop six hours per day and make it more of a cultural experience,” Kernaghan 

said. Future destinations include Morocco, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and Majorca, Spain. 

“I think it’s important, especially for New Yorkers, to not be in New York for a second,” 

Kernaghan stated. 

For more information, reach out to Sky Ting via email at info@skyting.com. 

Photo by Jay Sullivan 

Yoga 216 

Chelsea-based Yoga 216 emphasizes the importance of body 

alignment to combat physical and emotional stress. This 

studio is the perfect haven for any New Yorker looking to 

completely unwind. 

“It was really important to me to provide an atmosphere of 

Vinyasa that was safe and challenging,” Studio Owner Nicole 

Katz explained. 

Public classes are capped at six people, so while the benefits 

of a group setting can be enjoyed, there is still the ability to receive 

one-on-one attention from the instructor. Katz strongly believes in 

offering a highly customizable yoga experience to her students. 

“We have a structure as to what it is we are learning as a community, but how we do that can 

change based on who’s in the room… It’s very common for us to have six people in the room doing 

slightly different things,” Katz said. 

To find out more, contact Yoga 216 at contact@yoga216.com. 


FITNESS | TRAINING 

FIT 

PHILOSOPHIES 

In the diverse and ever-growing world of fitness, finding the philosophy 

that fits you best can be key to staying motivated. 

by Nikki Link 

Photography by Nigel Barker 

Photography by Poby 

Asphalt Green 

Founded in 1973 at the site of the old Municipal Asphalt 

Plant, Asphalt Green is a non-profit fitness organization that 

strives to help New Yorkers live the healthiest lives possible. 

“No matter the age or level, there is always room to get better 

and fitter in a safe way, and that is our focus,” Jennifer Coccia, director 

of the organization’s Battery Park location, explained. 

Members benefit from complete access to each facility’s numerous 

amenities, which include everything from an Olympic-sized 

swimming pool to semi-private Pilates classes. There’s a fitness environment 

for everyone—even families. 

“Our focus is always to get people active while fostering relationships 

within families and the community,” Coccia said. 

Speaking of community, Asphalt Green is all about giving back. 

Yearly community events not only raise money to fund the nonprofit’s 

outreach programs, but encourage kids to develop an interest in 

athletics at any age. – asphaltgreen.org 


CompleteBody 

Founded by a former fitness trainer in the 

Russian military, CompleteBody is the 

culmination of Alex Reznik’s journey to a more 

balanced view of health and wellness. A holistic 

emphasis on strength, cardio, flexibility, nutrition, 

meditation, rest and insistence on personal 

training allows clients to customize their fitness 

experience. 

“Everyone needs to find the program that 

works for them and their individual goals, 

schedule, lifestyle and fitness level,” Reznik said. 

Each studio is different, so even the 

location a client chooses is tailored to the specific 

neighborhood it calls home. 

“In Manhattan, people don’t travel more 

than 5-10 minutes to their gym. That’s why 

offering services and activities specifically for 

the demographic in the area is very important,” 

Reznik explained. – completebody.com 

Dogpound 

The Dogpound, once a small group of fitness 

trainers who met every morning to train, has 

turned into one of the hottest gyms in NYC. 

Founder Kirk Myers believes in the philosophy 

that healthy living is a real lifestyle change that 

requires time and hard work. 

“It takes a combination of desire, positive 

attitude, drive, and a strong support network to 

make change, one step at a time,” Myers said. 

It isn’t hard for the Dogpound’s clients to 

hold themselves to same standard when fueled by 

the studio’s boundless supply of positive energy. 

If you dare, Dogpound’s signature “Machine 

Gun” workout, which draws elements from yoga, 

boxing, core strength, resistance training, ballet 

and cardiovascular endurance, is one intense way 

to begin your journey. 

“Incorporating different styles of training 

into my clients’ and my own fitness regime 

helps to stimulate the body and mind, prevents 

boredom and gets results,” Myers said. – 

thedogpound.com 

Type A Training 

Personal trainer Nathaniel Oliver established Type 

A Training as a response to the growing desire of 

New York’s time-constrained corporate elite to 

lead heathy lifestyles. 

“I knew that creating an in-home personal 

training service would be the perfect solution in 

helping out my niche clientele,” Oliver explained. 

Clients can sweat through a full-body 

workout in as little as 30 minutes while in the 

privacy of their own homes or hotel rooms 

with one of Oliver’s staff of personal trainers, 

medical exercise specialists and yoga instructors. 

In addition to improved physical health, Oliver’s 

workouts strive to provide clients with an outlet 

to release some stress. 

“Three-to-four times a week, clients can put 

all their stress and thinking about work, kids, life 

in general to the side, and give their brains a slight 

vacation,” Oliver said. – typeatraining.com 

Barry’s Bootcamp 

For nearly 20 years, Barry’s Bootcamp has 

garnered a cult-like following for its high-energy 

workouts. Alternating between intense rounds of 

cardio and weight training, participants can easily 

burn 1000 calories in a single hour. 

“Where the workout itself can be challenging 

for the individual, the collective energy creates 

an accountability and support to help find and 

push new limits,” Vicky Land, Barry’s Director of 

Communications and Brand Strategy, said. 

A daily featured muscle group also allows 

for variety, specialization, and avoiding injury. 

Think your legs could use some work? That’s on 

Tuesday. Want to strengthen your core? That’s on 

Thursday. 

“Create ‘stages’ for your progress. One 

weight, one sprint, one class at a time! When you 

reach short term goals, they add up to one big 

change!” Land said. – barrysbootcamp.com 


MUDRAS 

Massage that suits your body 

While finding the right fitness regime is 

important, so is taking care of your body 

afterwards. That’s where Mudras can help. 

Launched by Yotam Kafri, a third-generation 

massage therapist with over 15 years of experience in 

the field, Mudras provides massage therapy for the 

well-being of the body and soul. 

Kafri believes in lifelong learning and applies 

this philosophy to his practice, as he carefully 

seeks out the best new skills and techniques that 

will further enhance the Mudras experience. This 

education led Kafri to develop the Mudras signature 

treatment, Body Reset. 

Body Reset was developed from the basic 

understanding that no two people are the same— 

and even one person’s body and needs change 

over time. This customized massage experience, is 

tailored to each client’s needs using a unique blend 

of different techniques: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Thai, 

Trigger Point Therapy, acupressure, reflexology, 

hydrotherapy, Shiatsu, pre/postnatal, sports, Neuro 

Muscular Therapy (NMT) and more. 

Finding your tried and true massage therapist 

can be very beneficial, Like in any other field, a good 

massage therapist will get to know you and your body 

better, and a long-term approach is more effective. 

So whether you have specific therapeutic needs 

or are simply seeking to relax and maintain good 

health, rest assured a trip to Mudras will leave you 

feeling invigorated. – mudrasmassage.com

As 

TIME 

goes BY

DYING BREED | REWIND 

How one man has kept Lower Manhattan ticking for nearly 70 years. 

by Nikki Link 

Photography by Rafael Rautha 

Tucked away on the 8th 

floor of a non-descript 

building on Nassau 

Street, Maddox Watches largely 

goes unnoticed in the bustling 

Financial District around it. 

The atmosphere of the closet-sized 

office is thick with 

history. Yellowing newspaper 

articles, certificates and pictures 

hang askew in their frames on 

the walls. Several columns of 

wooden drawers that no longer 

close properly line the walls. 

Dozens of watches, miscellaneous 

parts, and metal wristbands 

sparkle under the fluorescent 

light in a glass display case 

near the door. 

Sitting at his desk in the 

middle of the chaos, duct 

tape-wrapped magnifying 

monocle covering his right eye, 

is Al Maddox. The 91-year-old 

sole proprietor has deftly kept 

Downtown on time for decades. 

Though both the neighborhood 

and the industry have 

changed around him, Maddox 

still finds his watch repair shop’s 

reason for being. Whether it’s jewelers coming 

to him for special parts only he has kept 

or him transforming obsolete movements 

into cufflinks and rings, Maddox has a real 

dedication and soft spot for his craft—and 

the Downtown area knows it well. “Most 

of the jewelry stores around this whole area 

know of me. You can go to any one of the 

jewelry stores in about a ten-block area, 

mention my name, and they’ll say, ‘Yeah, he 

does my work.’” And so it has been for years. 

Even though the stores might have dwindled, 

the model hasn’t changed much compared to 

back when Maddox first started. “The stores 

would take in the repairs, but they had no 

watchmakers,” he explained, “So, they used 

to give them to the contractors, and the contractors 

did the work for the stores.” 

The times are a changin’ 

What has changed are the watches themselves. 

In addition to traditional mechanical 

watches, Maddox repairs more modern 

quartz watches. While less complex internally, 

he doesn’t mind adapting to the changing 

landscape. “It’s interesting because you have 

to do repairing on them, like change the 

“I’m 91 years old, and I’m still working every day of the 

week. I will continue to do so for as long as I’m able.” 

crystals or repair the wheels inside, or the 

hands. There’s always things that need to 

be done to them.” Maddox’s opinion of the 

futuristic smartwatches that have appeared 

on the market in the past few years is slightly 

more reserved. “They’re alright,” he said with 

a shrug, “They’re good if you like them.” 

It’s no surprise considering they’re such 

a far cry from the mechanical watches that 

ignited his passion for watchmaking so long 

ago. “When I was younger, I took my father’s 

watch apart, and it intrigued me. I never 

put it together either! It was a cheap pocket 

watch, and it just fascinated me. I took the 

plate off, and everything flew!” he explained 

with a laugh. Later, Maddox attended the 

Brooklyn High School for Specialty Trades— 

now George Westinghouse Career and Technical 

Education High School—to transform 

his fascination into a career. Over the course 

of several years, he perfected his technique 

under the tutelage of Henry B. Fried, a giant 

in the watchmaking world. 

In the watch-crazy post-war years, 

Maddox remembered the building being full 

of contracted watch repairmen and big-name 

clients like Mayor William O’Dwyer and 

actor Eli Wallach, a stark contrast to the 

solitude of his career today. There are only a 

few of his kind left. “Either they’ve all died, 

are retired, or moved away,” he said. But 

Maddox has no plans to follow suit anytime 

soon. “I’m 91 years old, and I’m still working 

every day of the week. I will continue to 

do so for as long as I’m able. I pace my work. 

I come in early and leave early, but I intend 

to stay for a while,” he said. 

“Someone wanted to buy my business,” 

Maddox explained, “but what am I going to 

do? Stay home? I’d go crazy!” 



HISTORY | REWIND 

Parading through 

History on the 

Canyon of Heroes 

For more than a century, a historic part of Broadway has 

been the setting of parades celebrating American heroes. 

by Alex Hammer 

Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress 

New York City is home to some of the 

nation’s most celebrated fixtures and 

landmarks, and while the physical layout 

of the urban metropolis is ever-changing, the historical 

significance and local traditions of these 

sites remain constant. 

A concrete example is in the heart of the 

Financial District on Broadway—the oldest thoroughfare 

in the City—proudly labeled by New 

Yorkers as “the Canyon of Heroes.” 

Broadway is one of the most important 

and iconic roads of the modern era, and this 

section of the street is significant in its own 

right. With origins stemming back to before the 

first European settlements in Manhattan, it was 

initially dubbed the Wickquasgeck Trail and was 

carved into the Manhattan landscape by Native 

Americans inhabiting the island. 

In more contemporary times, the section of 

lower Broadway running from its origin at Bowling 

Green to City Hall Park became a showplace 

for history’s best and brightest. In the late 

19th century, the section of the “Boulevard of 

Dreams” from Chambers Street to Whitehall was 

widely referred to as “the Canyon of Heroes.” 

The area became known for ticker-tape 

parades, a long-standing tradition for honoring 

heroes in New York City. 

The term “ticker-tape” originates from the 

one-inch-wide ribbon of paper on which a “ticker” 

machine printed stock quotes transmitted 

over telegraph lines. During the latter part of the 

19th century, office workers—many of whom 

were working in the towering behemoths springing 

up around lower Manhattan at the time— 

eventually discovered that the paper ribbons sent 

swirling into the air created quite the spectacle, 

ideal for celebrations. 

The first ticker-tape parade took place on 

Oct. 26, 1886 to celebrate the dedication of the 

Statue of Liberty. After unveiling the 305-foottall 

statue, approximately 300,000 participants 

marched down the Canyon. 

Nearly 130 years and over 200 successful 

parades later, a wide variety of public figures have 

been honored with ticker-tape parades down 

Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes, including foreign 

and domestic heads of state, veterans, astronauts, 

pilots and even scientists. Some notable honorees 

include Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, and 

renowned Olympic hero Jesse Owens. 

Owens, an African-American track and 

field athlete and one of the fastest men ever, 

achieved international fame after his success at 

the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. 

The dominant sprinter won over the hearts of 

audiences around the globe after taking home 

four gold medals, making him the most successful 

athlete at the games by far. 

As a black man—and with the games 

taking place in a Hitler-held Germany—Owens’ 

dominant performance at the games was credited 

with "single-handedly crushing Hitler's myth of 

Aryan supremacy," effectively dealing a major 

blow to Hitler’s principles. 

Owens’ success at the games not only stuck 

it to Hitler, but it also effectively foreshadowed 

the looming conflict between Nazi Germany and 

the rest of the western world—and the eventual 

victory of the Allies in WWII over Hitler’s 

Germany and the rest of the Axis forces. Owens, 

along with his U.S. teammates, was honored 

with a parade in September of 1936 shortly after 

the climax of the historical Olympic games. 

Just like so many before and after him, 

Owens and his team were showered with praise 

throughout the procession organized in their 

honor—along with the iconic blizzard of paper 

strips—as they were hauled along the famed 

Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan. 


REWIND | HIDDEN GEM 

GARDEN 

of STONES 

by Armando Gutierrez 

Photography by David Paler 

Located in Battery Park City in Downtown Manhattan, the Museum 

of Jewish Heritage houses the Garden of Stones, a commemorative 

space designed as a metaphor for the tenacity and fragility of life. 

Artist Andy Goldsworthy’s use of stones, trees and soil creates an organic 

reflection of both the transitory and the permanent. Eighteen boulders 

stand scattered within the Memorial Garden’s 4,150 square foot space, the 

area between them forming an interconnected series of narrow pathways. 

Most of the boulders selected for the piece were originally removed from 

the nearby farmlands hundreds of years ago, a connection with human 

involvement that appealed to Goldsworthy. 

Each boulder is topped by an emerging dwarf oak tree, planted in 

and growing from the stone itself. As the trees grow within them, each 

will slowly become part of the stone, its trunk widening and fusing to the 

base. Goldsworthy presents his study on time and the nature of change by 

contrasting the immutable faces of stone with the ever-modifying bodies 

of trees, creating in the process a living memorial to those who endured 

the hardship of the Holocaust. 

Goldsworthy began his work on the Garden of Stones, his first 

permanent installation in New York, in late 2002. During the winter 

and early spring of 2003, he trekked across the forests and quarries of 

the northeastern United States, hunting down the ideal boulders for his 

homage to those who were lost during the First World War. Eventually, 

Goldsworthy settled on a group of stones from Barre, Vt. The stones were 

unmarred and ranged in both size and weight— the smallest a mere three 

tons and the largest over 13 tons. In the end, 18 boulders were selected, a 

number that holds cultural significance. Every letter of the Hebrew alphabet 

holds a number value. The word Chai, meaning life, just so happens to 

carry a value of 18.

Downtown Magazine Spring 2017 Edition

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?