Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a reminder to take stock in all that we have and “Give Thanks”.  Thankfulness a feeling of appreciation for the bounty and kindness received by others and nature. Whereas Gratitude is demonstrating appreciation and kindness without expecting anything in return. We all remember hearing the story of the Pilgrims Thanksgiving where people came together after many hardships and droughts they endured that threatened their food supply and life itself.  These practices of expressing gratitude, sharing, and giving away are part of all of our cultures and communities since ancient times. In New York City, President George Washington issued the first formal proclamation of Thanksgiving declaring Thursday, November 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer and outlined its purpose including his views on piety and politics (Proclamation below).

I came across a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) entitled Thanksgiving reminding me of the daily treasures and blessings that are received each day and often overlooked:  “There’s not a day in all the year | But holds some hidden pleasure,| And looking back, joys oft appear |To brim the past’s wide measure.| But blessings are like friends, I hold, |  Who love and labor near us.| We ought to raise our notes of praise  | While living hearts can hear us. | Full many a blessing wears the guise  |  Of worry or of trouble; |Far-seeing is the soul, and wise, | Who knows the mask is double.| But he who has the faith and strength | To thank his God for sorrow | Has found a joy without alloy | To gladden every morrow. | We ought to make the moments notes | Of happy, glad Thanksgiving; |The hours and days a silent phrase | Of music we are living…”(click on “Thanksgiving” link to read the poem in its entirety).

This month’s edition of Culturally Inclined focuses on Tribeca syllabic abbreviation from Triangle Below Canal Street. Tribeca’s physical boundaries are in the shape of a trapezoid: to the south lies the Financial District (Fidi), to the east Chinatown and Civic Center, to the west the Hudson River,  to the north Soho/Hudson Square. The Tribeca Historic Districts (sometimes listed as Tribeca West Historic District, Tribeca East Historic District, Tribeca South Historic District, and Tribeca North Historic District) were designated between 1991 and 1992 with a district extension designated in 2002. The Tribeca Historic Districts are largely residential areas, but its Belgian Block street and historic buildings are a reminder of its industrial days.  

Delve in by clicking on the titles below to discover the assortment of home furnishings shops (Allied Maker, a handcrafted lighting manufacturer recently opened its first store in Manhattan in what was formerly a dentist’s office. Featured in both Architectural Digest and Dwell), contemporary art galleries and museums including Dream House | MMuseum | Escape, late-night spots for some bites, live music performances, boutique gyms and national treasures sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.  Tribeca is one of the oldest neighborhoods and yet it comprises a number of new inspiring architectural innovations that are changing the skyline.

During the 17th and 18th Century Tribeca was marshland.  In the mid-1600s the property became Chalk Farm (see a map of Calk Hook denoting the farm) and in the mid-1700s, part of the property was sold and became Rutgers Farm and then was sold again and became Lispenard Farm.  The triangular Tribeca Park was part of the Lispenard Swamp drained in the 1700s. 

Tribeca was referred to as the “Lower West Side” and “Washington Market” in the early 1800s as the “Grid” laid out the streets as the population was booming.  The Washington Market was the largest produce market in the country and the epicenter of an international agricultural supply chain reaching from small farmers the world over to consumers all over the northeast.  With increased shipping along the Hudson River Harbor followed by IRT Broadway (Subway 1 train), Tribeca has transformed the area into a commercial center.  A group of dairy merchants joined forces in 1872 to better organize pricing and distribution, calling themselves the Butter and Egg Exchange. The group’s former headquarters at 2-6 Harrison Street, later the New York Mercantile Exchange, an example of Romanesque Revival architecture and this store-and-loft design. The advent of automobiles spurred the construction of The Holland Tunnel, a national landmark and the first mechanically ventilated underwater vehicular tunnel in the world connecting Manhattan with New Jersey.  In the early 1960s the economy shifted. The Washington Market moved northward to the Bronx, the above-ground railway was demolished, the piers were crumbling and the shipping businesses suffered from the decline of exports.  As commercial buildings closed and abandoned the artists moved into the neighborhood.  

Cast Iron History
Cast-iron facades became popular in the mid-nineteenth century when they were promoted and manufactured by two pioneers, James Bogardus and Daniel D. Badger.  In 1848 Bogardus began work on his own cast-iron-fronted factory, at Centre and Duane Streets (which is no longer standing). Bogardus “Touted virtues of cast iron included its low cost, strength, durability, and supposed fireproof nature.  In addition, ease of assembly and of parts replacement, ability to provide a wide variety of inexpensive ornament, and paintable surfaces made cast-iron increasingly popular.” Christopher Gray reported in the New York Times in September 2008, that “the Significance of James Bogardus” (Norton, 1998), calculates that between then and 1862, he finished 37 projects (along with others not fully identified) of which 22 were in New York City. Five of the 37 have survived: one in Cooperstown, the other four in New York, at 254 Canal Street, 75 Murray, 85 Leonard, and 63 Nassau, just north of Maiden Lane.”  Bogardus is the builder of 75 Murray Street, the five-story mansion has been restored to highlight its rich history and the facade replicates the late 13th century Palazzo Vendramin in Venice is featured on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.  The 75 Club is a jazz room with a “sophisticated speakeasy ambiance” serving craft cocktails and small bites. Named “the Best New Jazz Den” in 2018 by New York Magazine.

New Development
TriBeCa holds the top spot for the most expensive NYC neighborhood, with 67 deals closing in the third quarter of 2018, a 16% decrease year-over-year. In the same period last year, TriBeCa was the second-most expensive neighborhood in New York City as reported by Property Shark.  Leading Starchitects and interior designers are sculpting a new future for the Tribeca neighborhood comprising office buildings, cultural centers, and residential condominium buildings:  1. 111 Murray Street, 2. 70 Vestry Street 3. 440 Washington Street (31 Desbrosses), 4. 86 Warren Street 5.  45 Park Place, 6. 15 Jay Street, 7. 75 West Broadway, 8. 15 Hubert Street, 9. 100 Barclay Street, 10. 108 Chambers Street, 11. 30 Warren Street, 12. 56 Leonard (the Jenga), 13. 250 Church Street (101 Franklin Street), 14. 91 Leonard Street, 15. 108 Leonard Street, 16. 312-322 Canal Street, 17. 51 Park Place (Islamic Center), 18. Woolworth Tower Residences, 19. 49 Chambers Street (Beaux-Arts Landmark), 20. 100 Franklin Street and many of these developments are highlighted within a recent Forbes and Curbed articles.

Pier 25
The longest pier in Hudson River Park is Pier 25.  There you will find the LILAC, a historic steamship built-in 1933 for the US Lighthouse Service, docks on the north side of Pier 25 open to the public for ship tours, and viewing exhibits from 4-7 pm Thursdays and 2-7 pm Saturdays and Sundays.  The playgrounds at Pier 25 are under renovation and will be ready for their unveiling in time for summer.  In addition, Pier 25 has an 18-hole miniature golf course and snack bar, sand volleyball court, docks where boats and historic ships berth.

Looking ahead, Citigroup plans to utilize Pier 25 as a Water Taxi to Jersey City – Newport Marina.   “The ferry service would run about every 30 minutes on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., thereby, discontinuing its bus service through the Holland Tunnel and eliminate 15,000 bus trips a year.” 

Tribeca’s Hydroponic Underground
Did you know that Farm.One in Tribeca is the only vertical farm growing 100s of specialty crops is underneath Michelin two-starred restaurant Atera at 77 Worth Street in Tribeca?  This holiday season book your Farm Tour & Tasting With Prosecco & Gift Box with family and/or friends.  Read more about “The Underground Farm Delivering Rare Herbs to New York’s Top Chefs” in the Gastro Obscura article by John Washington (click on the link). 

Libations
As the wind blows in crisper, cooler weather here are some warm spots to lift your spirits with a few bites….Antique Garage (music) | B Flat high-end Jazz Lounge |Brandy Library | Django jazz club in Roxy Hotel | Duane Street Lounge | Evening Bar (Gas Fireplace adjoining Little Park Restaurant | Greenwich Hotel Drawing Room & Court House (Fireplace) | Haus | Manhattan Proper | Smith & Mills | 75 Club |Tiny’s 1810 Townhouse Bar|  Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar | Weather Up | Wooly

Wishing you a wonderful start of the holiday season.  I am always available to provide you or someone you know with real estate guidance, discuss the market conditions and trends.  If you are in Tribeca let’s meet for some delicious holiday Babka at Arcade Bakery by French pastry chef Roger Gural (a Bouley and French Laundry alum) and catch-up.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S.  Thanksgiving Day Mad Libs Placecard – “I am Thankful For” <Click on Link>