One Museum Mile

Construction Watch: Museum of African Art Claims Its Corner

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:03:49 +0000

June 22, 2009

After being unveiled to much fanfare over two years ago, the Museum of African Art has finally begun to rise at Fifth Avenue and 110th Street. It’s been a long wait, especially for the museum, which has been without a permanent home since 1984. The design is by Robert A.M. Stern, and this being such a prime chunk of land (facing the northeast corner of Central Park), the first new addition to Museum Mile in five decades is much more than just a museum. There will be 115 luxury condos above the cultural destination, a partnership between the museum and a pair of developers. The groundbreaking was held in September 2007, and construction was supposed to be completed in 2009, but the museum probably doesn’t mind. Like we said, it’s used to waiting.

The Thrill of the Hunt

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:40:20 +0000

The rainbow-colored domes flanking the entrance to this outdoor market stand out from afar, but once you cross the threshold you’ll be drawn to browse the colorful stalls up-close. If youʼre prepared to barter with vendors, you might just come away with a unique find or two. For traditional West African textiles and accessories, visit Traore at Booth 44. And for a vibrant assortment of jewelry, Booth 48 offers serious statement pieces. Harlem Market’s interior lanes house seamstresses and artisans, and be sure to look for Daisyʼs Fashion Designs in Booths 58 and 60. Sheʼll custom-design outfits for any occasion, or you can even ʻjust rent itʼ. Other standouts include carved wooden figures, musical instruments, and fine leather goods.

Courtesy of Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market

MALCOLM SHABAZZ HARLEM MARKET

52 W. 116th St. btwn. Lenox and 5th Aves.

(212) 987-8131

Cornflake-Crusted French Toast? Yes, please!

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:36:51 +0000

It’s no wonder that Anahi Angeloneʼs new corner restaurant, Corner Social, has been packing in crowds since opening – she’s picked the perfect location along a stretch of Lenox Avenue that’s already pulsing with foodie destinations and neighborhood flavor. Inside, the décor boasts a steel-wrapped fireplace, reclaimed subway tiles, and tin ceilings that frame a 20-foot bar, while a communal table encourages sharing. Some favorites on the seasonal menu include cheeseburger spring rolls, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly, and the decadent cornflake-crusted French toast stuffed with banana and topped with maple crème fraiche.

Photo by Carmen Kam

CORNER SOCIAL

321 Lenox Ave. at 126th St.

(212) 510-8552

www.cornersocialnyc.com

Words To Live By

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:35:32 +0000

Jennifer Gilbert, founder of the award-winning company S ave the Date, is a hugely successful event planner with an extraordinary backstory that’s available in print starting May 15^th. In her new book, I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag: A Memoir of a Life Through Events — The Ones You Plan and the Ones You Don’t, Gilbert shares her fiercely candid story of survival, renewal and transformation. On Wednesday, May 16 from 7pm to 9pm, Gilbert will join Diva Moms Book Club at One Museum Mile for an exclusive reading and book signing, followed by a cocktail party. Tune in to NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday morning at 7am EST for a glimpse into her harrowing life story.

Courtesy of Amazon

DIVAMOMS BOOK CLUB PRESENTS I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG WITH JENNIFER GILBERT

1280 Fifth Ave. at 110^thSt.

7pm to 9pm

Residents’ Lounge

www.divamoms.com

Harlem Becomes Magnet For Wealthier New Yorkers

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:34:52 +0000

In a 05/10/12 article, The Daily News stated that, “Apartment prices are on the rise again in Harlem as the historic area increasingly becomes a magnet for wealthier New Yorkers and topnotch attractions like the Museum for African Art. A luxury penthouse in One Museum Mile — the same building at 1280 Fifth Ave. that houses the museum — just sold for $3.1 million. And developers say it’s a sign of things to come.” read full article

Courtesy of The Daily News

Make a Splash

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:00:12 +0000

BUILDING BUZZ

The roof deck pool at One Museum Mile is set to open May 18th, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Get ready to welcome summer in style with a quick dip. Settle into a comfy chaise to soak up some sun or take a siesta. With more than 50% of the space plantable, this certified ‘green roof’ is abloom with rosemary bushes, osteospermum and pansies. Low-maintenance grasses provide privacy without obstructing the fantastic panoramic views of Central Park.

King of Bling

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:00:18 +0000

Even before First Lady Michelle Obama made him a household name, Alexis Bittar’s hand-carved Lucite pieces were adorning A-listers from SoHo (where he started out as a street vendor) to L.A. Each pendant, earring, bangle and chain evokes a world of whimsy and glamour, and the vintage curiosities at his Madison Avenue boutique are stunners, too. Dying to try on that 1920s 14k gold and enamel Egyptian Revival-style bracelet? Or a Victorian onyx and ruby locket with a Mori skull? Go ahead. The friendly staff encourages this kind of play.

Photo by Carmen Kam

ALEXIS BITTAR

1100 Madison Ave betw. 82^nd and 83^rdSt.

(212) 249-3581

www.alexisbittar.com

What’s Brewing

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:07:20 +0000

Rose and Manny Pena named their new café Astor Row Cafe after the row of red brick houses located in the neighborhood. The couple is currently putting the finishing touches on the space, which features an oak-and-metal coffee bar that runs the length of the room, a vintage 1920s stove and refrigerator, and a 1930s radio. For the time being they’re offering a selection of cakes and cookies, wraps and some prepared salads. Until the menu is finished, we recommend the creamy lattes made with Irving Farm coffee from Millerton, New York. Open daily, 6:30am-9pm.

Photo by Carmen Kam

Astor Row: Did You Know? Astor Row is composted of 28 three-story red brick houses located on the south side of West 130^th St. between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Each house measures 20-feet wide and stands on a 25-foot-wide lot set back 20-feet from the street. Nearly all of the homes have Southern-style wooden porches, which have been compared to parts of Savannah, Georgia. William Astor developed Astor Row (among the first speculative townhouses built in Harlem) between 1880 and 1883 on land purchased for $10,000. In 1981, the row was declared a city landmark and Brooke Astor made a grant of $1.7 million to restore their facades and porches. In 1992, Ella Fitzgerald performed a benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall to raise money for the restoration. ASTOR ROW CAFE

404 Lenox Ave. at 130^thSt.

(347) 579-3512

Flo Po

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:08:15 +0000

Mother’s Day is approaching (Sunday, May 13th), and florists Jimmy and Franz are ready to deliver. Locals seek out this talented duo for their sculptural compositions, which lend weddings, events and television spots a fresh take on the art of floral arrangement. Jimmy’s expertise is putting together handpicked bunches of peonies, hyacinths and calla lilies for Mom.

Photo by Carmen Kam

Tip: The shop opens at 8am on Mother’s Day, but it’s best you get your order in by the Wednesday before. Delivery: $10 for addresses from 72^nd St. and above; $15 for downtown and the outer boroughs.

FRANZ JAMES FLORAL BOUTIQUE

2114 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 114^th St.

(212) 531-1400

www.fjfloral.com

Fierce Fashion

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:33:33 +0000

Opening May 10th : Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. The installation is inspired by an imaginary conversation between avant-garde designers, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, and includes seven themed gallery exhibits with clothing, photographs, and videos by the audacious Australian filmmaker, Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom, Romeo & Juliet). While enjoying the fashion exhibit, be sure to check out Tomás Saraceno on the Roof: Cloud City, a complex geometric structure on the museum’s roof that opens May 15th, weather permitting. For tickets and more information, click here.

Courtesy of WWD

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

1000 Fifth Ave. at 82^ndSt.

(212) 535-7710