In this month’s edition of ‘Why We Love’, we take a look at New York City’s Manhattan. We’ve connected with a number of local businesses and influencers to find out exactly what makes the heart of the city that never sleeps so popular.
Local businesses we’ve interviewed:
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects – Architecture, Design Firm (Gilly Youner: Architect). Kutnicki Bernstein Architects, founded in 1986 by Dan Bernstein and Larry Kutnicki, has proven to be a leader in New York’s architectural scene, consistently initializing the development of potential sites and generating discussion in the architectural community as well as in real estate circles, with projects often featured in publications like the New York Times.
Magnolia Bakery – Bakery (Bobbie Lloyd: Chief Baking Officer). Magnolia Bakery is renowned for its freshly baked, classic American desserts, including cupcakes, cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, pies, muffins, scones and its world famous banana pudding. Magnolia Bakery now has 19 stores worldwide. In addition to their stores, they have an online store where patrons are invited to shop their selection of cupcakes and gift packages.
Disney ABC Television Group – Broadcasting Company (Carly Wallace: Digital Account Manager). Disney ABC Television Group manages the Walt Disney Company’s Disney and ABC branded television properties.
The Instant Group – Commercial Property Specialists (Michelle Bodick: Managing Director, Sales and Marketing – Americas). The Instant Group delivers innovative property solutions, from ready-to-go serviced offices to bespoke managed workspaces – offering clients an alternative to the traditional way of procuring and managing workspace.
Why do you love Manhattan?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: Manhattan is one of the world’s focal points. It allows for a synergy of cultures, interactivity, work, life, entertainment, abodes, and worldviews to simultaneously exist and inhabit a defined amount of space.
Magnolia Bakery: New York is a series of small towns. No matter where you live in NYC, you can literarily walk out of your door and grab any food item, stroll to the drugstore, grab a newspaper, hail a cab, hit the post office, walk to work and stop by a shop to pick up your shoe repair or buy a new pair of shoes at your favourite boutique. Add to this the cultural diversity; people from all over the world, from every income bracket and every religious and moral background, live, eat and breathe in every NY neighbourhood. New York is the most tolerant and culturally open city in the world.
Disney ABC Television Group: I love Manhattan because of the sense of solidarity you have with every other person in the city. There’s nothing like crowded subways, questionable scents and extreme weather to bring people together. I’ve never met friendlier people than when I moved to Manhattan.
The Instant Group: New York is the greatest city in the world. NYC has history, diversity, art, theatre, shopping, dining and opportunity and talent. There is energy in the city which draws amazing businesses, from fortune 500 brands to hot start-ups.
What makes the Manhattan area unique from other business centres in the USA and around the world?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: Manhattan is unique in its allowing for proximities and overlaps of the widest range of business types, interests and real estate within a dense urban fabric. It also supplies a rather comprehensive supportive infrastructure. It is extremely walkable, so it’s always a treat to take time between meetings to explore when you find yourself in new areas.
Magnolia Bakery: Because we have so many tourists, both domestic and international, we have people who are willing to try anything and everything. NYC is a huge tourist destination, cultural centre and retail mecca. But is has to do with quality, too. The average New Yorker may spend an eighth of his/her life in line, but not in lines that don’t afford them the best of what they are after. The Sinatra song phrase: “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere…” rings true.
Disney ABC Television Group: The majority of the agencies I deal with on a day to day basis are located in Manhattan too. The face time you can get with clients by being so close to them is unique.
The Instant Group: The NYC market offers wide variety and choice; there are centres to fit every business requirement. The centres also offer fantastic networking opportunities which can help your business to connect and grow.
Has the district helped your business grow in any way? If so, how?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: Working in Soho for over a quarter of a century, we have benefited from access to creative social and business networks, as well as an environment that stimulates both mentally and visually on an ongoing basis. We have a constant influx of new influences and inspirations from around the world, and a consistent base of artistic energy, feeding back into the business world despite increasing fiscal obstacles.
Magnolia Bakery: Yes, some of our districts/neighbourhoods really engage in supporting the local vendors. Throughout NYC there are many BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) and local community boards. They go out of their way to make sure we’re getting the services we need and the support of the local community boards. If we succeed in a neighbourhood it inspires confidence for other businesses and their landlords. Everybody is a winner.
Disney ABC Television Group: Yes. Manhattan is the hub and the heartbeat of ABC. Shows may be made out in LA, but the money is made in New York. Both the linear and digital Ad Sales teams are (for the most part) based in Manhattan alongside the majority of agencies.
The Instant Group: Working in NYC we have ability to engage with our long term partners and clients alike. The ease of getting around the city, and many networking groups, enable daily opportunities to connect and educate potential clients about our business.
What are the challenges of operating a business in Manhattan?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: The main challenge is the cost of real estate, both for the firm, as well as for housing employees.
Magnolia Bakery: It’s difficult to secure a great location at a fair and equitable rent. At the end of the day, you have to be able to make a profit. It always breaks my heart a little when I see one of my favourite mom-and-pop shops being closed down because the landlord tripled the rent or the cost of doing business became too expensive.
Disney ABC Television Group: Being in the industry we are, I feel we are well positioned, and don’t think there are any massive challenges we face as a result.
The Instant Group: NYC is a highly competitive market. This can be challenging from a cost perspective.
Where do you go for your morning coffee?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: Some days coffee is best on the run from a chain like Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks for speed. But when time allows, there is a plethora of coffee shops available. ‘Saturdays’ is a company favourite.
Magnolia Bakery: I have always been a fan of a great diner. I know, it’s not gourmet coffee, but there is something I love about the old fashioned NYC diner experience. Sitting at a counter, reading my paper and sipping my coffee while the world buzzes by. And of course, Magnolia Bakery has amazing coffee.
Disney ABC Television Group: Starbucks.
The Instant Group: I like Joe Coffee in Grand Central Terminal. It is a local family owned business and it is right off the train for me.
Do you know of a hidden gem for business lunches?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: For business lunches, secret spots include Oneal’s, Fiat Cafe, and The Grey Dog for low key slacker flavour. For a high-end lunch with a luxe vibe, there’s always Balthazar’s, or a treat at Aurora and Emporio.
Magnolia Bakery: Blue Ribbon sushi on West 58th is a favourite of mine. And I really enjoy The Smith near Lincoln Centre.
Disney ABC Television Group: Café Tallulah, Dakota Bar (for drinks), Atlantic Grill, Café Luxembourg – all of which are on the UWS.
The Instant Group: I like ABC Kitchen in the Flatiron District. They have a delicious menu of healthy eating options. It is a great spot for a power lunch.
Where is your favourite spot for a drink after work?
Kutnicki Bernstein Architects: We have a favourite bar at the L’Ecole cooking school, and sometimes Fanelli’s Bar, the Cupping Room, or L’Esquina at night.
Magnolia Bakery: My office is across the street from The Time Warner Centre so I tend to pick something there as it’s close to the office or on my way home. If I want something lively, I like the bar at the Hudson Hotel on 58th street.
Disney ABC Television Group: Café Cluny in the West Village. The Filthy Martini is (in my opinion) the best drink in Manhattan.
The Instant Group: I love a good rooftop bar in the summer – Patroon or Upstairs at the Kimberly hotel, both midtown east, are my favourites.