What’s new in New York? The Smyth TriBeCa Hotel at 85 West Broadway is on the radar. Famous bachelor and hip hotelier Jason Pomeranc is behind the edgy-luxe New York hotel. For the deaf, dumb and blind, Pomeranc, 37, is co-owner Thomson Hotels. He has a knack for capturing the essence of a neighborhood in his upscale hotels and has become something of a cultural barometer.
For those flying into the city for the annual April Robert de Niro-founded TriBeCa Film Festival keep the Smyth Hotel in mind. The Smyth features loft-style rooms with flats screens, iPod dockting stations, and Kiehl’s bod products. What’s more, restaurateur Frederick Lesort is in on the project. The industrial district turned celebrity homing ground of TriBeCa borders SoHo and Lower Manhattan. If you’re not transient then look to the Smyth residencies. There are a few units for sale on the top of the fourteen-story building. Buying into the contemporary aesthetic would also buy you into the rooftop bar and ultimately a hip scene.
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Finding a home in New York City is hard without money. On the flip side if you are, still, a million or billionaire then we have the place. A three bedroom space in the City’s legendary Plaza Hotel. Location, location, location is a big deal in New York City and this apartment affords that, located on Fifth Avenue at Central Park. The ceilings are ultra high and natural light floods through the space. The soft white walls are evocative of heaven on Fifth Avenue. The apartment has a foyer, kitchen, library and baths with custom tile-inlays modeled after the Plaza lobbies.
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What’s more, if you believe there could even be more, is a chic collection of contemporary art and furniture. In this Plaza Hotel apartment you will find a Kate Moss portrait by Chuck Close and Philippe Starck Ghost chairs. Where words don’t do justice, do a walk through and you will find a mesmerizing modern art collection. The full-on collection really puts the gorge in goregeous. Â
The apartment that we could die for is listed at $13.75 million and with all included, that’s a serious steal. Take advantage of one perk in a bad market, a way low listing price for this Plaza Hotel palace. Call the Plaza Hotel your home sweet home.
Miami Beach is blowing up, to the tourists and New Yorkers welcome to a new kind of Miami Beach. By appearance standards, Miami Beach seems to be doing just fine in the midst of financial crisis. Throughout the last year "the beach" has has been expanding and it’s exploded. Luxe hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, stores and galleries have debuted. There is always a party, event or photo shoot to be at, to be seen at.
The Gansevoort South on Collins Avenue has been up and running since late Fall. In all honesty, no one is that impressed. Phillipe Chow is housed in the Gans and not very good. The Gansevoort South did get one thing right, they picked Roman Jones of the Opium group to run their in-house club. Side note gossip girls, Roman Jones is half brother to DJ Mark Ronson and Samantha Ronson who dates Lindsay Lohan. Jone’s club, Louis, is impressive and reminiscent of New York’s Tenjune. The club is ultra exclusive and thank god for that. No sausage-fests but rather beautiful girls and bottles. The nightly minimum for a table in Louis is $1,500 easy. The space is elegant and the bottle girls are actually good-looking and semi-intelligent. Best of all is the open format music, Louis is a dance party until 5 a.m. even on Tuesdays.
As for other major hotels worth mentioning on Miami Beach, there is the Fountainebleau Hotel. The Fountainebleau, which got a $1 billion renovation, hosted the sexy Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on debut night. The Hotel looks straight out of Las Vegas. Fountainebleau’s club LIV is enormous, it holds about LIV holds about 900 people nightly. Liv is always a zoo so good advice is to get there early to avoid the masses outside. The Fountainebleau’s sushi restaurant slash lounge, Blade, is nice as a lounge only. The restaurant service is horrendous; the food, nothing to talk about; and the entire space wreaks of scummy fish. Do not waste a dinner in Blade. On a brighter note, the pool bar just outside of the restaurant is lovely on warm nights.
The Mondrian South Beach Hotel makes three. The Mondrian, built on the bay side of Miami Beach not the beach, beach is a Morgans Hotel Group project. MHG owns and operates both the Delano and Shoreclub on "the beach," plus, other luxury hotels worldwide. The next big hotel to look out for is the W hotel set to open up in late spring. The W Hotel has been built from the ground up rather than renovated like neighbor hotel the gansevoort. The W project has been bought into by big names, A-list celebrities, and sports stars. The W Hotel is set to be the next big thing on Miami Beach, a hotspot that should be booked, like now, for your next trip!
As far as new restaurants go, the Mondrian has Asia De Cuba. Famed Miami Beach steak spot Prime 112, just opened Prime Italian. Located just across street, expect to spend wads of money on dinner. Shisho is a new, very tiny, very intimate sushi restaurant on the opposite end of Miami Beach. While the restaurant is something to see and a great place to go saki bomb, the menu is limited. Touch restaurant on Lincoln Road closed but some of the same investors put their money behind a new restaurant named Meat Market. The name sounds ape-ish but the place has cultivated a buzz. Segefrado, the well known coffee bar slash lounge on Miami Beach has expanded once more to South of Fifth or SoFi. Segafredo out-does Starbucks on Miami Beach because the atmosphere is just better. The sangria is to die for and on weekends there is always a DJ on call.
As for clothing stores on Miami Beach, there are still few and far between. Out with the trashy and in with the more fashionable, higher-end labels. Alchemist on Lincoln Road is probably the only clothing store worth shopping at on Lincoln. A few fresh stores have opened downtown in the design district with a very lower East side, Los Angeles street-vibe.
Hopefully you catch the gist, we are not going to write a book here. The point is to get you to come to Miami Beach to explore the new scene. There are still plenty of soft openings, hard openings and events in between. Feel it out, hit new places up and find your scene. Miami Beach is still developing, growing upand doing good things all the while.
Not to sound like a broken record but it’s basically ski season. If you don’t have a Rocky Mountain home or haven’t decided where to make your reservations yet, then check this out. The Northstar project is a $55 million village in Lake Tahoe. It seems business has been pretty bad so a new travel package is being advertised to attract more skiers. The package celebrates the addition of more black diamond terrain that has been made on the mountain. If you are unfamiliar with skiing, black diamonds are the most challenging trails and terrain.
Thus, what is called the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s black diamond ski package features seven nights of lodging in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite. Plus, six day lift tickets for two kids and two adults, lessons, equipment rentals, a spa package. Plus, $1,225 in dining and food credits, oh, and $10,000 black diamond necklace. The black diamond necklace that Northstar nonchalantly throws into the mix is being provided by one of the stores in the village. We haven’t seen it, so chances are it’s probably hideous but we appreciate the concept. The Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s black diamond ski package goes for a mere $26,653. Talk about desperation. […]
As the song lyrics go, "I got 99 problems but a b**** ain’t one" and it’s still true. Hip hop mogul Jay-Z is still married and crazy in love with pop star Beyonce Knowles but his hotel dreams seem done for now. About a year ago Jay-Z told the World he would be opening his own branded J Hotel on New York’s West side. Many things, though, have changed in a year and as economic woes continue, the J Hotel is no longer. The NY Times reported that developer Charles Blaichman, behind the famed Soho House, cannot raise enough money for a new hotel. Blaichman who has built two dozen projects in Manhattan over the last two decades needed $370 million for his new hotel venture with Jay-Z. Blaichman struggling to get that money said, "Even the banks who want to give us money can’t." He is now trying to rent out the former Time Warner Cable warehouse where he was to build. As for Jay-Z we figure he isn’t hurting too bad, still "Big Pimpin up in NYC." He has the money, the girl and other successful real estate ventures in New York. In better times someday, somewhere, we are sure a J Hotel or two will pop-up.
Everybody’s New Years resolution is to get back into shape after holiday binges. You will probably notice how the gym gets uncomfortably crowded for a few weeks, it usually dies down by February. In Miami, however, people stay fit and in the gym all year. With the gym being an everyday shrine in Miami, it was only fitting to build something outrageous.
David Barton has built the king of all gyms in the Gansevoort South Hotel. David Barton is somewhat of a South Beach celebrity, he is the man behind the Miami upscale gym. Building also in Chicago and New York, he has taken gyms to an all new high. Barton’s modus operandi is helping South Beach, Chicago and New York "look better naked."
The Studio Sofield has helped him design the newest 45,000-square-foot big daddy, DBG gym and spa. The space features Italian chain-inlayed stairs, hand-stenciled walls, hanging sculptures and a metal lattice dome ceiling. The spa offers some very South Beach-ish inspired treatments like "The Cougar," an anti-aging facial. Plus, the "Hot Pants," a treatment to exfoliate, tighten and tone the derriere. The new DBG gym in the Gansevoort South kind of makes the other South Beach David Barton gym’s look like garbage, maybe its time for some renovating. David Barton gym members can work-out at any location. However, if you are a member of DBG through the Flamingo Residencies that’s another story. The Flamingo has a puny version of a David Barton Gym but like everything else at the Flamingo they shaft you. You cannot work out anywhere but there, you’ll miss out on the bigger and better DBG. In short, the new DBG is stunning and sure to make every South Beach meat-head and model feel good this season.
This week some 50,000 plus people will show up for the sixth annual Art Basel event in Miami. If you’re not sure which hotels to frequent, parties to hit up or people to see, let us guide you towards your scene.
For the next-generation art amassers and John Currins of the world, hole-up downtown at the Four Seasons Hotel. You will be in good art collecting company with the likes of Jerry Speyer, Asher Edelman, Michael Lynne, Eli Broad, Beth Rudin De Woody, Steve Cohen, and Peter Brant. Go to the New Art Dealers Alliance fair, which opens this Friday through the weekend. The NADA fair will have stellar exhibits from hot young galleries like New York’s Rivington Arms and Daniel Reich. The fair will host a mega-benefit for the New Museum on New York’s Bowery, which will include a performance by San Fran- rockers Deerhoof. Art collector’s should be seen at the after-party for the private screening of the Lou Reed film Berlin, directed by Julian Schnabel.
The actual artists will headquarter at the Raleigh Hotel which is party central. Don’t look shocked if you see epic names of the art world like Damien Hirst, David LaChapelle, Jack Pierson, Aaron Young, Kehinde Wiley, Terence Koh, and Doug Aitken partying impromtu throughout the hotel. Paper Magazine is hosting the party at Raleigh Oasis on Decemeber 4th and the next night, Deitch Projects will kick off at the Raleigh with a concert by CoCo Rosie. The same night D.J Spooky will perform during the Rubell Family Collection dinner which commences the SCOPE fair film and lecture series. SCOPE celebrates the as-yet-uncelebrated and provocative artists, the fair has discounted exhibition space for new galleries in its ‘Breeders’ section. On December 6th, the Raleigh will hold the book launch party for Bob Colacello’s OUT. Then on the 7th,Tamara Mellon will host a dinner at the Raleigh Ballroom to toast the limited edition handbags designed by Jimmy Choo and artist Richard Phillips.
If you’re more into star gazing then gazing at art then join celebrities at the Setai Hotel, up the street from the Raleigh. Rumored to be in Miami this week is Dennis Hopper, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Lou Reed, maybe Keanu Reeves and Russell Simmons. We bumped into Russell Simmons and girlfriend/ model Porschia Coleman last Wednesday at Nobu. Russell told us he loves the Setai and is staying in town for his December 8th soiree with Allison Weiss Brady at Intermix. The party benefits Simmons’ charity Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. A tip to the paparazzi, be at the Sotheby’s dinner made by French chef Pierre Gagnaire which will honor contemporary Asian art. Celebrities will also hide away in Lenny Kravitz’s underground, speakeasy the Florida Room in the Delano Hotel.
The Fashionistas will takeover the Ritz-Carlton. Fashion people like Donna Karan, Laudomia Pucci, Vivienne Tam, Kenzo, Calvin Klein, Nadia Swarovski, and Tamara Mellon should be seen at the Cartier crystal Dome. The Cartier Dôme features the brand’s most celebrated jewelry collection and rarest time pieces. Sip champagne and gawk at the gems from Wednesday to Sunday, 2-8pm and Thursday, 2-4pm. Spot fashion people frequenting Prime One Twelve, South of Fifth Street and Blade restaurant in the Fontainebleau Hotel.
Members of the suits like UBS’s Karl Schweizer; Citicorp’s Mary Hoeveler; execs of Campari, Cartier, and BMW will be working over the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Biscayne. Look for these high profile people at the UBS banquet where there will be tons of free food and drinks ya’ll. You will be able to pick the suits out by the looks on their sad little facing saying, "can I afford this art and will I even be able to afford food next year?"
As for the locals, this is your domain so spread out and suck it in. Over 200 galleries will be here personifying the biggest names in contemporary art. The Art Positions section will features 20 art projects exhibited in shipping containers on the beach at Collins Park. Do not miss the Cartier Art Guest Lounge and Dome, designed by architecht Jean Nouvel. Definitely don’t miss the Visionaire SOUND lounge at the Raleigh Hotel Thursday night, it will be one of the biggest parties of the week. You will be able to listen to audio works done by David Byrne, Robert Wilson, Cat Power, Cindy Sherman, U2, and Courtney Love. If your head is spinning that sucks, but get it together because there is much more than this going on. Like we said it’s an epic week in Miami so we will say it again, get it together and get out there, explore the wonderment of Art Basel. Oh and drink up, liquor companies sponsor most events and it’s on the house.Â
Last weekend we partied with A-list celebrities and sexy Victoria’s Secret models at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. We think last weekend was the Grand Opening but apparently not. We don’t believe last weekend will ever be outdone but the hotel is going ahead with a Grand Opening event this coming weekend. The event seems like it is for the not so important people of Miami Beach because everyone worthwhile was already there.
This is the deal, Blade Sushi Bar will kick off again this Friday, November 21st. Just as the name suggests it is a sushi bar. Partiers can go into Blade for a late sushi dinner or to get the party started really early. Blade is an indoor-outdoor space, that will feature a chill DJ to get you into the party mindset. Blade is on the ground floor of the Chateau tower.
Next there is LIV nightclub, which will get its spotlight this coming Saturday night, November 22nd. LIV at the Fontainebleau is a 30,000 square foot space with three bars. Plus, for the uber-VIP there are six private skyboxes that sit above the crowds. Each VIP box will feature a European bottle service, mini-bar and banquettes with secured purse drawers. Thus, as you sit in your box you can look down through the glass at the regular people, as happened last weekend. We are told that every Saturday night will feature house music, the aggressive beats will be loved by some but not all. If you like Myntlounge on Collins Avenur or you’re from Europe, then LIV will probably be your new home club. David Guetta is set to spin the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Tiesto on December 27th and we are sure the Fontainebleau has an extensive list of other famous house DJ’s. If you aren’t one for fist pumping and dropping ecstasy then you may want to try LIV not on Saturdays, apparently they will also have hip-hop and rock music. We hear rumors that tour buses will be packing in the Miami Beach partiers and transporting them to LIV this Saturday, we foresee LIV turning into a zoo rather then a club but, hey, why not? They are settled on packing the place out, adhering to the theory of quantity over quality which never turns out well for a Miami Beach hotspot. The point is to keep a club exclusive, leave people outside and they will keep coming back, it becomes a twisted mission to get in. If you let the whole world in on the first night then there’s no mystery, there’s nothing left but we will still wish LIV well. We hope that LIV has a fantastic opening and an even better year because we adore the Miami Marketing Group and believe in them. We also don’t want to knock a hotel of the Fontainebleau’s magnitute just yet, we will see what happens.
LIV is also in the Chateau Tower, we really doubt this Grand Opening will top last weekend but we will give it another go around. Stat posted for more stories and pictures after we do some more homework, codeword for rough weekend of partying.
Ok, ya’ll are probably more interested in looking at the sexy Victoria’s Secret models then reading about them. For now here are some pictures to obsess over from the runway show. If you still have no clue, the show was held last Saturday November 15th at the renovated Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.
The festive lingerie show had a full orchestra, a glitter-flooded runway, 35 supermodels and two performances by Usher. Victoria’s Secret senior Heidi Klum walked the runway just a few times, her mega-glam gift-bow wings were the ave dersane (goodbye). Basically you could put those girls in anything and they would still look good, case and point. The Rynway show turned out to be more of a costume show of girls prancing around in bra’s and wings but we don’t mind. We still have even more to fill you in on from Saturday night before, during and after the show, which is way before the December 3rd airing by CBS so stick around.
Model and television personality Heidi Klum was fitted on Saturday, November 1st, in NewYork. Klum, now equally as famous for hosting the hit show Project Runway is one of Victoria’s Secret’s oldest models. We have to wonder when the mother of like three kids with Seal will retire. It’s probably really close to time to call it quits Klum, you’re looking a bit old in the model world. On Tuesday November 4th, supermodel Miranda Kerr was fitted in New York City for the coming Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Kerr was also featured on the cover of this months OceanDrive Magazine, the staple fashion magazine for South Florida. Victoria’s Secret is getting ready to debut Kerr and the new holiday lingerie collectionin Miami Beach this Saturday Novemeber 15th.
The sexy Marisa Miller was also fitted on Tuesday, November 4th, in New York. Marisa Miller is an American model known for her consecutive appearances in Victoria’s Secret catalogs since 2001 and in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues since 2002. She was the cover model for the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and a consistent Victoria’s Secret Angelappearing on the runway. Miller was also #1 on Maxim Magazine’s 2008 "Hot 100" list. She should make you proud to be an American. Miller along with a bevy of other supermodels will appear in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for this holiday season. The show will go on at the billion dollar renovated Fountainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. For high society the show will go on Saturday Novemeber 15th. A few rumored A-listers in for the show will be Kate Hudson, Gwenith Paltrow and most likely Jeremy Piven, who lives for this kind of thing. There will be tons of other celebs and possibly a performance by Mariah Carey, the ultimate diva, look out Miami Beach. For the rest of the world the show will play on CBS on December 3rd, don’t miss it from your couches ya’ll. Said to be the hottest night on television.
        
For those flying into the city for the annual April Robert de Niro-founded TriBeCa Film Festival keep the Smyth Hotel in mind. The Smyth features loft-style rooms with flats screens, iPod dockting stations, and Kiehl’s bod products. What’s more, restaurateur Frederick Lesort is in on the project. The industrial district turned celebrity homing ground of TriBeCa borders SoHo and Lower Manhattan. If you’re not transient then look to the Smyth residencies. There are a few units for sale on the top of the fourteen-story building. Buying into the contemporary aesthetic would also buy you into the rooftop bar and ultimately a hip scene.
 
This week some 50,000 plus people will show up for the sixth annual Art Basel event in Miami. If you’re not sure which hotels to frequent, parties to hit up or people to see, let us guide you towards your scene. 
