Whoa, here's a very pleasant surprise. With the $60 million restoration of the Battery Maritime Building (above) at the base of Manhattan nearing completion, the city is putting out a request for proposals to transform the building into a veritable foodie paradise. Reports Downtown Express:
The 32,000 sq. ft. Grand Hall with sweeping 30-ft. high ceilings and large, cast iron columns would emerge as an indoor marketplace selling fine foods, wines and produce. The third and fourth floors of the four-story structure could be dedicated to a restaurant or a culinary institution — the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York is looking for a satellite facility in the city.The idea is to turn the building into a destination rivaling Seattle' Pike Place Market. Good news: having learned from the touristification of South Street Seaport, the goal here is to create a center geared towards residents, not interlopers, officials say. One downside is that the building is isolated from virtually everything around it, though a walkway over the FDR Drive is being considered. Regardless: totally cool idea, and a story we'll be following closely.
· City Eyes Battery Landmark for Gourmet Market on the Water [DtExpress]
· Beaux Arts Meets Restoration at Battery Maritime [LowerManhattan.info] BONUS: The Battery Maritime Building is the departure point for ferries to Governors Island, the upcoming development of which got the City Section treatment yesterday. Not much fresh development news, but well worth the read for the evocative descriptions of the island itself.
· Sleeping Beauty [NYTimes]
· Governors Island Revamp: Four Visions of Paradise [Curbed]