sign in sign up
<<
Home , Draddy Gymnasium, The Bronx Zoo (book)

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO CRAIN’S BUSINESS

EXPLORE Bronx-Whitestone Bridge ooking for some exciting activities to add to your calendar? Consider the Bronx, one of the hottest destinations in the city for day trips, dining, sports L and recreation. The Bronx is now an increasingly sought-after location for investment by commercial real estate investors involved in hotel development, retail and more. It’s hard to run out of things do in this borough, home to famous attractions including the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden and . For foodies, there are plenty of culinary choices to explore in Bronx neighborhoods such as the historic seaport community City Island and Arthur Avenue, also known as the Little Italy of the Bronx. Currently in the works are additional new eateries, located in former Bronx General Post Office building. And history buffs will find no shortage of interesting sites in the borough, from the Edgar Allen Poe Cottage, where the famous poet once lived, and Woodlawn Cemetery, which dates back to the Civil War era. The Bronx is bursting with excitement, not to mention the many action-packed events that take place there year-round. This year, the Bronx Walk of Fame inducted the legendary medical-device entrepreneur Manny Villafaña, hip-hop DJ Funkmaster Flex, actress Selenis Leyva and singer and songwriter Prince Royce. Their names will appear on street signs along a 2-mile strip of the Grand Concourse. Coming up are SalsaFest, a month-long festival in August that will feature many live music performances, and the Tour de Bronx cycling event on October 22. To help you tap into all that the borough has to offer, Crain’s has partnered with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Office of the Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. Read on for a look at what’s going on.

Photo credit: iStock ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS EXPLORE THE BRONX Creatives, Craft Brewers and Café Owners Flock to New Spaces

Something of a Katz said the 4-story, 181,000-square-foot building hotel boomlet is has received a lot of interest from potential ten- also underway in ants, including big-box retailers, charter schools the South Bronx, and the entertainment sector, among others. “We City National is the bank with potentially as are open to seeing what makes the most sense many as 10 inns for the building and the area, but at the moment under construc- there is nothing firm,” said Katz, who is also CEO tion that will serve of Interstate Outdoor Advertising Inc., a billboard local residents, company. built on client referrals. business clientele and no small num- Katz said the family bought the building for the in- ber of European come from the billboard on the roof, now owned by Top Ranked in Client Referrals.* tourists eager for Clear Channel Outdoor, but left the building empty an alternative to after the last tenant, a furniture company, moved the Disney, Times out, and the family tended to other business. “I Hayloft Auctions‘ Laura Doyle, Square, New York think it was left empty in part because we’re not vice chairman/executive vice president and Brian Corcoran, director experience. typically real estate developers and that wasn’t why we originally bought it,” he said. “It just wasn’t There will also be our focus. But now that we’ve partnered with a aura Doyle had her eye on the Bronx for about four new Metro North stations in the borough. developer we are going to make it beautiful and 15 years. Driving from Manhattan to the now make sure it becomes a very active, vibrant part of Richard Moon L closed ABC Carpet & Home Outlet with her “They will be for people looking for a cheaper the community.” husband was a favorite junket, as much as for the alternative to Long Island City and Brooklyn, with Owner, shopping as for the fascinating old warehouses she tremendous subway access,” according to David spotted along the way. Though rooted in the Upper Simone, senior director, Cushman & Wakefield Richard Moon & East Side since the early 70s, Doyle always had the commercial brokers. Doyle also looked to Long thought of getting more space for the family auction Island City when planning to expand her family Associates CPAs business in the back of her mind. business, but likewise was put off by prices. “I Cozette Vergari Referred Cozette to needed to do it in a cost-effective way and that’s “The potential was so obvious,” said Doyle of the hard to do in Long Island City where as an end user Owner, City National Bronx. “But we didn’t have the nerve.” you are competing with developers,” she said. Vergari & Napolitano Eighteen months ago, however, Doyle pulled the trig- Prices for office space in the South Bronx remain Attorneys ger on 10,000 square feet of space in Port Morris and much cheaper than in other areas of the city, accord- made it the home to Hayloft Auctions, the two-year- ing to Tom Farrell, managing partner at Savanna, old, online-only division of the family’s eponymous which owns the Bruckner Building at 2417 Third company founded in 1962 by her father, William. As Ave., as well as the Falchi Building, one of the first View of Bruckner Building from vice chairman of Doyle, Laura Doyle will soon add buzz-worthy factory conversions in Long Island City. the Third Avenue Bridge another 10,000 square feet to the Bronx location of Hayloft Auctions, which she founded. Farrell said the Bruckner Building is about 45% leased, with prices in the high $20 per-square-foot Many new arrivals to the South Bronx’s commer- Along with other creative businesses like the statio- range. By comparison, prices at Falchi are in the cial space can be considered nontraditional, such nery company Bronx Design Group, Italian mosaic low 40s range, while properties in Dumbo are at as a manufacturer of high-end furniture or a com- tile-maker Sicis and noted bakers of pastel-colored $60 per square foot and Downtown Brooklyn prop- pany that makes underwater drones, both of which French-style macarons, Woops!, Hayloft is among erties are in the mid-50s. Properties in Manhat- have leases in the Bruckner Building. Also fueling the newcomers to the new South Bronx as the area tan’s Financial District, the cheapest of all major the market and upping the demand for small develops into long-awaited commercial critical mass. markets in Manhattan, are also priced in the $50 businesses that create jobs are large companies per-square-foot range, according to Farrell. moving into the area, including Fresh Direct’s new Detractors historically have pointed to a lack of headquarters, featuring a 10-mile long conveyor amenities and good restaurants in the area but that is Brokers note a lack of buildings to buy as owners belt, set to open later this year. Meanwhile, Jetro, changing, too. New food and beverage options in the hold onto assets and wait for prices to go up even the wholesale grocery supplier, is adding a facility South Bronx include Grady’s Cold Brew, the Bronx Ale further. Cushman Wakefield’s Simone sees the in Hunt’s Point. According to Marlene Cintron, House, and the Port Morris Distillery, among others. effect this is having on office space available for president of the Bronx Overall Economic Develop- The Gun Hill Tavern, which opened last fall, is the rent in a corridor that extends past 161st Street, ment Corporation, a Canadian company that has a favorite watering hole of production teams filming considered the northern border of the South tentative contract with the MTA has an option on a at Silvercup North, the Bronx outpost of Silvercup Bronx, and north to 175th Street. “Vacancy rates 20,000-square-foot property in Port Morris. Studios in Queens, which opened last summer. are extremely low,” he said. “You will continue to see sale prices and rents go up.” Some observers say that progress in the South Currently being renovated, the former Bronx Gen- Bronx has been slow since developers began buy- eral Post Office has secured a grocery store as a There is finally some movement at 20 Bruckner ing and converting properties in the early 2000s. ground-level tenant and a fine-dining restaurant for Blvd., formerly known as the History Channel In any case, properties like the Bruckner Building the roof, where it added a fourth story, according to Building because of the channel’s billboard that and iHeartRadio are making up for lost time to Margarette Lee, partner of Youngwoo Associates, stood on the roof for 15 years but has since been the great satisfaction of everyone involved. “The ® the project’s developers. A food hall called Bruckner replaced by a sign for iHeartRadio. Demolition is demand has been fantastic and it is moving at a Call (917) 322-5245 to learn more or visit cnb.com/referrals. The way up. Market is being developed at 9 Bruckner Blvd. by in full force, according to Drew Katz, whose family much faster pace than expected,” said Farrell. “We Somerset Partners, who are also part of the group owns the building in partnership with Maddd Eq- knew, going out, that the market was good, but we behind a massive South Bronx residential and water- uities and Jorge Madruga. Basic interior finishing thought it would take longer to get this active and *Based on interviews conducted by Greenwich Associates in 2016 with more than 15,000 executives at mid-size businesses across the country with sales of $10-500 million. CNB results are compared to front development project planned for nearby. should be completed by the end of the summer. get this many people into the building.” leading competitors on the following question: How likely are you to recommend (bank) to a friend or colleague? Photo credits: ason Green / JGEventPhoto and Claire Wilson Photo credits: ason Green / JGEventPhoto

©2017 CITY NATIONAL BANK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CNB MEMBER FDIC ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS EXPLORE THE BRONX The Bronx Unplugged

neighborhoods—run by the Bronx Music Heritage Center, and live performances at Orchard Beach and the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Salsa artists will also perform at Sunset Wednesdays at Wave Hill, the public garden and cultural center recently named the “most loved cultural venue in ,” by Time Out New York magazine. “It’s about the history of the music and the science of the music,” said Tirado.

For foodies, the vibrant dining scene in Bronx neighborhoods such as Arthur Avenue and City Island is yet another temptation. Known as the Little Italy of the Bronx, Arthur Avenue is home to TOUR THE HOME OF THE a variety of restaurants, bakeries, bread stores, Pergola at Wave Hill pasta makers, butchers and gourmet delis. Sam Lazar, an agent at Triplemint Real Estate 27-TIME WORLD CHAMPION hen Peter Novak, a business development Club, the city’s new Major League Soccer team, who grew up in the Bronx and now lives in professional, and his wife Sofia, a which will be playing home matches there Manhattan, says she loves restaurants such as Wphysician, are on the hunt for interesting throughout the summer. The stadium also has Michaelangelo’s Little Italy on Arthur Avenue family excursions, they often head to the Bronx added new amenities such as the Sunrun Kids where, thanks to the airy interior, it feels like you ! from their home in Forest Hills, Queens, with Clubhouse, a children’s play area and several new are eating outside. “They have fantastic Sangria,” their two daughters, ages 3 and 7. One favorite options for dining and socializing, such as Frank’s she said. And for a quick slice of pizza, Lazar opts destination is the Bronx Zoo. “We’ve been RedHot Terrace. for Full Moon Pizzeria on Arthur Avenue, “I love members for years. It’s a nice zoo, if you like the buffalo chicken slice”; and zoos,” said Novak. He happens to love them, Pugsley’s, on 191st Street, near after growing up in Hungary, home of the historic Fordham University. “If you’re a Budapest Zoo. Fordham student, everyone has heard of Pugsley’s,” she said. Novak’s family is finding that the Bronx keeps pulling them back. With the mayor’s office reporting Lazar’s favorite spot in the Bronx that a record-breaking more than 60 million visitors is the Arthur Avenue Market, an came to the city in 2016, the Bronx is benefiting indoor farmer’s market. “It’s the from both an overall tourism boom and growing best hidden gem in all of New recognition, among residents of the outer boroughs York,” she said. Lazar, who lived and travelers around the world, that it’s a New York in the Bronx until she began Garden Block Party City destination worth checking out. attending Fordham University in 2013, often picked up steaks To make the most of the growing interest Those are just some of the many sports and and other meats at Mike’s Deli at Arthur Avenue in the 42-square-mile borough north of of recreation activities in the Bronx. For college Market. “They have fantastic little beef pinwheels Manhattan, local cultural, entertainment and sports fans, Draddy Gymnasium at Manhattan with cheese in them,” she said. “When you buy sports organizations have unrolled a full menu of College is home to the Manhattan Jaspers Division them and pop them in the oven, you look like a enhanced attractions and events. “There is not 1 basketball team, as well as the school’s volleyball genius chef.” going to be a lack of things to do in the borough team. “It’s named for the family of Vincent Draddy, this summer,” said Olga Luz Tirado, executive one of the school’s greatest student athletes and The Bronx Beer Hall, which is located in the director of the Bronx Tourism Council. “The an innovative sportswear manufacturer,” said market, is another popular destination. “It was FOR GROUPS OF 20 OR MORE, institutions are expanding and doing more.” Peter McHugh, director of communications for an instant hit—people love the beer flights,” said . “He is partly responsible for Lazar. One case in point is the New York Botanical Garden, the popularity of the Lacoste knit shirt.” PLEASE CONTACT US AT 646-977-TOUR one of the borough’s most popular destinations The beer hall, which features craft brews from and a National Historic Landmark. It currently And there are also plenty of options for outdoor around the state, is just one of several Bronx features an outdoor exhibition by the renowned activities, from canoeing on the Bronx River to attractions for beer- and spirits-lovers. Other sculptor Dale Chihuly, which will run through Oct. hiking in . Adventurous types popular hubs are Bronx Brewery at 136th Street, 29. For “Chihuly Nights,” the garden is open on will soon be able to try out the new zip line at Chelsea Craft Brewing Company at 463 E. 173rd yankees.com/tours specified evenings throughout the summer, and the Bronx Zoo, slated to open this summer. For St., and Gun Hill Tavern at 780 E. 133rd St. The into fall, so that guests can view the illuminated tennis buffs, the newly renovated Cary Leeds New York Adventure Club, a local urban exploration sculptures, as a rotating lineup of performing Tennis Center for Tennis and Learning in Crotona company, will be hosting a tour on June 3 called, artists and musicians entertain. In June, the Park offers 22 courts and a 12,000 square foot “Savoring the Bronx: Multi-Brewery Tour, Tasting [email protected] @YankeesTours botanical garden will also host its 2nd annual clubhouse. Another local favorite is the floating and Games,” on which participants will be able to Plein-Air Invitational, where the painter James public swimming pool in Barretto Point Park, sample local ales and appetizers and play games Gurney and more than 20 other master artists will where a repurposed barge offers a unique place to such as foosball and darts. paint outdoors in various locations throughout the cool off. garden. “The botanical garden is becoming a huge Some visitors prefer to stay open to unplanned outdoor gallery for the arts,” said Tirado. A major event in the Bronx this summer will possibilities when visiting the Bronx. Often, Novak be the SalsaFest in August, which honors the and his family will simply head to City Island after Meanwhile, Yankee Stadium, a perennial summer borough’s history as the home of musical legends a trip to the zoo and try an eatery they’ve only destination, will be bustling. Many people don’t such as Willie Colon and Héctor Lavoe. This just discovered. “We usually pick a restaurant on know that in addition to the Yankees, the stadium year’s borough-wide festival will feature talks the water’s edge,” he said. So far, they haven’t is also the current home of New York City Football by current performers, walking tours of historic gone wrong.

Photo credits: iStock and Marisol Dias Photo credits: iStock and Marisol New York Yankees trademarks and copyrights are owned by and used with the permission of the New York Yankees. All rights reserved. Third party trademarks are proprietary to each of their respective owners. All right reserved. ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS EXPLORE THE BRONX

month of June. That is what makes it more busy A Theater Celebrates and exciting.” From June 1-30, the theater will present El Bolero Was My Downfall, a new production of a play it staged 20 years ago. Based on the story Loca La De La Locura by Puerto Rican author Manuel Ramos Otero, El Bolero tells the tale of a nightclub entertainer and femme fatale who recounts the tale of how she ended up in prison. The play, with dual-language subtitles, including English trans- lation, features an expanded cast and new songs, among other elements. Tickets start at $15.

“They are taking a new approach to the story, so we can tell the story from different angles and different perspectives,” said Yaremis Félix, artistic and operations associate. “We may feel we have accomplished a lot in terms of inclusion and rights in our society but there is a long way to go.” El Bolero Was My Downfall he Latino community has deep roots in the at the Pregones Theater Fans of the iconic Cuban performer Bronx. One place to experience the Bronx’s La Lupe, a contemporary of Cecilia Trich Latino culture is at Pregones Theater Cruz, can hear a panel discussion and Puerto Rican Traveling Theater at 571-575 and record sampling at the theater, Walton Ave., the merger of two local theaters into on June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The panel, one Latino arts organization. With performance Demystifying A Diva – La Lupe: Panel venues in the Bronx and Manhattan, the organi- Discussion and Record Sampling zation has its own resident theater company and will explore the life and music of also works with traveling artists from around the the La Lupe, and is being presented world. in collaboration with City College Center for the Arts, and the Caribbe- In the coming months, Pregones will have an an Cultural Center African Diaspora unusually full lineup of events. “The summer Institute. is usually a little calmer,” said Artistic Director Rosalba Rolón. “This time we are adding a main Later in the summer, the theater will stage piece that is happening throughout the be holding its summer block party, La Casita, presented in collabora- tion with Lincoln Center Out of Doors on Sunday, Aug. 6, from noon to 7 p.m. One of the theater’s most popular free outdoor events, the gathering brings together live performances and a preview of the theater’s upcoming season. “We typically have 10-12 music or performance ensembles performing throughout the day,” said Rolón. “The theater is open for the public to come in. We also do a performance inside the theater and children’s activities inside of the garden.”

The small, fully renovated theater also has other attractions. It includes a lobby gallery of New York City photographs gifted to the theater by visual artists from around the world, as well as an out- door garden. An exhibit called Sangre Latina NYC features the personal work of Spanish artist Nacho Berdugo, who arrived in New York City in 2012.

For those traveling from Manhattan, getting to the Bronx is easy, thanks to a subway station around the corner where the Nos. 2, 4 and 5 lines run, noted Rolón. Some visitors opt to stay in nearby lodgings like the Opera House Hotel or Mi Casa Tu Casa Guesthouse, a local bed and breakfast, she said. “We have a lot going on here,” said Rolón. “Everyone is welcome.”

Did you enjoy our exploration of all things Bronx? Then look for Crain’s Explore Brooklyn advertising section coming July 10 where we’ll cover topics like: • Commercial real estate developments • Small businesses All New York Yankees trademarks and copyrights are owned by the New York Yankees and used with the permission of the New York Yankees. • Non-profit organizations • Activities and attractions Photo credit: Erika Rojas Photo credit: Erika