September 2011 The Rebirth of Fabulous FiDi

DISTRICTS FOR DESIGNERS
FAITH’S FASHION FOCUS:
The Rebirth of Fabulous FiDi
T
tallest in the world).
An effort to revitalize the area in the 1960s resulted in the building of the World Trade Center , with office buildings and a subterranean mall. Later, the World Financial Center was built upon landfill
from the World Trade Center construction. The financial boom of
the 1990s saw more office space built and leased, and more retailers
come to the area. In fact, the subterranean mall beneath the Trade
Center was one of the most successful in the country, with many
chains reporting that their top units were located there. Some outdated office buildings were converted to luxury condos, giving FiDi
its first full-time residents.
Wall Street reopened just days after the 9/11 attacks, proving the
resiliency of the area. Now, the World Trade Center
is rising again, with a new deal to rebuild the subterranean retail complex recently announced. Just to the
west, the World Financial Center is renovating its
retail, and new stores, dining and hotels continue to
open in an area reborn.
en years ago this month, the Financial District
was the site of an unspeakable tragedy that many
thought would destroy New York’s spirit and
economy, and change lower Manhattan forever.
They were wrong.
While the skyline is forever altered, the area
surrounding Wall Street is in the midst of a rebirth
that parallels the rebuilding of the fallen World Trade
Shop FiDi
By Faith Hope Consolo,
Chairman, The Retail Group
Center . The World Financial Center is undergoing a
There are a number of retail boulevards, including Wamajor renovation and reimaging of its retail, new stores Prudential Douglas Elliman
ter Street , Fulton Street, Broad Street and Broadway. A
Real Estate
are locating throughout the area, and new residents
stroll along each will certainly fill any need.
continue to flock downtown. The result is a triumph of
Century 21 ( 22 Cortlandt Street , also 175 BroadNew York determination – and a terrific place to shop, dine and stay
way) remains the area’s major department store – selling designer
for a day, a weekend or longer.
apparel, shoes, housewares and even cosmetics at amazing discounts.
It’s now in the middle of a major expansion, so expect even more
About FiDi
bargains (and comfort) in years to come. J&R Music and ComThe southernmost neighborhood in Manhattan , the Financial Disputer World (23 Park Row) has every gadget known to man, from
trict informally consists of the area south of City Hall Park , though
computers to cameras to audio/video. Whole Foods ( 270 Greenmany exclude Battery Park and Battery Park City. The Dutch settled
wich Street ) feeds the entire area. And drugstore Duane Reade is
the southern portion of the area, and it expanded a bit haphazardly
everywhere. Literally.
over the centuries as New Amsterdam became New York , and
Broadway is the headquarters for the national chains: Aerosoles
New York became one of the original 13 states. A number of buildand Ann Taylor Loft (2), Radio Shack (9) Staples (42 and 217),
ings remain from the 18th century, including Fraunces Tavern, and
Daffy’s (50), Jos A. Bank (111), Sephora (150), Sprint (170), VitaFederal Hall (where George Washington was inaugurated as the first
min Shoppe (174), Diamond’s Hallmark (181), Easy Spirit (182),
President of the United States ). The early 20th century saw a spate
Papyrus (233), and Strawberry (253). But there are local retailers,
of development that created the Woolworth Building (for a time, the
too. The New York Wine Exchange (9) stocks the finest wines and
September 2011 • www.sokolmediaonline.com • 27
spirits, and hosts tastings
to educate and entertain.
Willner Chemists (253)
is more than a drugstore-it’s a major source of
herbs and homeopathic
remedies. William
Barthman Jewelers (176)
is a FiDi legend, serving
the area since 1884, and
the source for exceptional timepieces, stunning
jewelry and extraordinary
service. DeNatale Jewelers (170 Broadway) has been fulfilling New
York ’s most glittering dreams since 1908.
Broad Street combines some of the highest-end stores with some
of the best values, with a bit of service thrown in. Many consider
the Hermes (15) in this area the best and friendliest of all its shops.
Canali ( 25 Broad Street ) is a headquarters for Italian design and
tailoring. MySuit (30) offers made-to-measure clothing at the corner
of Broad Street and Exchange Place . Pay Half (80) has fashion for
the family at, yes, half the department store price. LensCrafters
(60) provides its typical great service and vast selection of frames.
Wall Street itself may be more associated with buying stocks,
bonds and companies, but apparel and jewelry lovers will have plenty
of fun. Wall Street Jewelers (14) treats its customers like family,
while True Religion (also 14) indulges the Street’s more casual side.
Tiffany’s downtown ( 37 Wall Street ) store is as stunning as its fine
goods. The new Duane Reade at 40 Wall Street is more than a drug
store – it’s a full salon! Boutique Tourbillon ( 45 Wall Street ) offers
extraordinary watches and beautifully crafted jewelry. Find a unique
gift for the entrepreneur at the Museum of American Finance
Gift Shop (48). La Maison du Chocolat (63) brings the art of
chocolate downtown, sharing the address with Thomas Pink’s fine
28 • www.sokolmediaonline.com • September 2011
shirts; Tumi (67) can fulfill
anyone’s travel needs. Stop
in at Bolton’s ( 95 Wall
Street ) for great values on
apparel.
Services dominate
the lower parts of Water
Street , but as you head
toward the South Street
Seaport, find Abercrombie & Fitch (199) and the
second SuperDry (199)
in the city. Carmine &
Arthur Clothiers (175) specializes in custom-made shirts, suits,
slacks and ties.
Fulton Street is the major east/west street connecting the South
Street Seaport area with the World Trade Center, with national
chains closer to the Seaport giving way to services and some unique
shops: Ann Taylor (4), Yankees Clubhouse Shop (8), Gap and its
various divisions (11), Body Shop (16), Brookstone (18), Guess (23),
Rainbow Shops (40); Seaport Jewelry Exchange (50); Barua
Gift Shop (70); Foot Mart (112): Radio Shack (114); Golden House
Jewelry (116), CVS (129), GNC (134) and Baba Gift (144). Among
the unique: Nahui Ollin Arm Candy (21) offers fun bags and accessories using an ancient Mayan binding technique. Midtown Comics
Downtown (64) offers thousands of comics and collectibles. Mr.
Closeout (145) offers bargains on everyday items.
Looking elsewhere in the area? Go to Brooks Brothers ( 1
Church Street ) for their traditional fine clothing. Coach’s fine leathers are found at its downtown branch at 193 Front Street . Babesta
(66 West Broadway) has a hip vibe for the children in your life..
Greenwich Jewelers ( 64 Trinity Place ), now run by the second
generation of the Gandia family, offers some of the most distinctive,
one-of-a-kind designs in the city. Also find New York discount legend
Dress Barn ( 125 Maiden Lane ), Syms ( 42 Trinity
Place ), and J. Crew ( 203 Front Street ). Absorb
some culture at One Art Space, the museum/gallery at 23 Warren Street .
Bibliophiles not only have Barnes & Noble ( 97
Warren Street ), but The Mysterious Bookshop
( 58 Warren Street ). Gifts for your favorite pets
can be found at The Salty Paw (38 Peck Slip) – it
also offers grooming services. The CityStore ( 1
Centre Street ) carries officially licensed NYPD,
FDNY, DSNY and Parks merchandise – and other
really fun items such as genuine taxi medallions. In
addition to amazing chef knives, Korin Japanese
Trading Corp. ( 57 Warren Street ) offers lovely
tableware. The Fountain Pen Hospital ( 10 Warren Street ) offers the finest names, and services
including custom nib grinding for fountain pens.
Dine In FiDi
FiDi restaurants have long had to serve
the daytime office workers in the area,
from the junior assistant needing a quick
lunch bite, to the CEOs looking for fine
dining as they made the deals that literally move billions.
The Wall & Water Exchange at
the Andaz Wall Street hotel (75 Wall) is
a terrific wine and antipasto bar. Those
seeking a quick breakfast or lunch bite
should check out one of the Financier
coffee shops in the area ( 90 Nassau
Street , 62 Stone Street , and 35 Cedar
Street ). Potbelly Sandwich Works has
just debuted at 101 Maiden Lane , as has
Shake Shack in Battery Park City. PJ
Clarke’s at the World Financial Center
is a famed New York name. Brasserie
Les Halles Downtown ( 14 John Street
) is the second branch in the city, with truly wonderful steak-frites.
Cipriani Wall Street (55 Wall) brings a bit of Venice to the heart
of FiDi. The one-and-only Delmonico’s, open at 56 Beaver Street
since 1837, really is the creator of the Delmonico steak – and Lobster
Newburg and Baked Alaska.
Sat in FiDi
Even as the residential base has grown in FiDi, so has the number
of hotels. Contrary to what many might believe, the area’s offerings span all price points.
One of the newest offerings, The Setai Wall Street ( 40
Broad Street ) provides luxury accommodations, a spectacularly
equipped health club, and an extraordinary spa that offers an
oasis of serenity in the midst of the world’s financial capital.
The Andaz Wall Street ( 75 Wall Street ) offers some of the
largest rooms in the area, a stunning spa, and a restaurant featuring locally sourced foods. The W New York
( 123 Washington Street ) has an exceptional
view of the World Trade Center memorial –
and a lobby featuring the stunning Anemone
Chandelier designed by light sculptor Bruce
Munro. On the more affordable side closer
to Wall Street is the Holiday Inn Express
( 126 Water Street ). Comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of the Doubletree
by Hilton New York City ( 8 Stone Street
). Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel ( 15 Gold
Street ), features simply designed, but
luxurious rooms, a two-level Library Bar and
English tavern.
The New York Marriott Downtown (
85 West Street ) is the chain’s only location
in lower Manhattan , with 497 rooms. The
Millenium Hilton ( 55 Church Street ) is situated across the
street from the rebuilding World Trade Center and a short walk
from Wall Street. The Ritz-Carlton New York , Battery Park
( 2 West Street ) offers stunning views of New York Harbor , Ellis
Island and the Statue of Liberty. The Wall Street Inn ( 9 South
William Street ) has affordable accommodations not far from the
historic Fraunces Tavern. Best Western Seaport Inn (33 Peck
Slip) is convenient to the shopping and dining at the South Street
Seaport – and to the water taxi to Yankee Stadium!
Coming Soon
New retailers and dining spots will continue to open through
the fall, say my friends at the Alliance for Downtown New York.
Keep your eyes open for: The Irish-American (17 John Street,
Lower Level); Kortaco (80 Nassau); Pret-A-Manger (100
Church Street); Key Food (55 Fulton Street); Hale & Hearty
Soup (115 Fulton Street); Death & Co. (90
Broad); Samsara Café (277 Water Street);
Blue Planet (120 Greenwich Street); New
York Entertainment (South Street Seaport); Growler (55 Stone Street); RhongTiam (38 Water Street); Earl’s Court (90
John Street); and Studio Manhattan (Pier
17).
The redevelopment of the Financial District has been, and continues to be a story of
resolve, resiliency, and even a little bit of retail, a story that you can continue to follow
with the help of the Alliance for Downtown
New York. In remembrance, hug a loved
one, and then be a part of renaissance!
Happy Shopping!
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