Dating back to the 17th Century, when it was a hub for the Dutch East India Company, New York City’s Seaport District has always been an international thoroughfare to a vibrant, bustling city. It is therefore fitting that, this year, the Seaport will be the main thoroughfare to two of the most important events on the global design calendar — ICFF and the associated NYCxDESIGN event. Both the opening party of ICFF and the NYCxDESIGN Awards will be housed in the soon to open (just in time for New York’s festive summer, where the city comes alive outdoor events, bars and cafes) Pier 17 building on Monday, May 21st.
Hosted by Interior Design, the industry’s leading publication and judged by panel of over 20 design leaders, the NYCxDESIGN Awards will honor a broad range of disciplines, from architecture and interiors to products and accessories and craft and technology. The nervous winners and nominees will let their hair down at the ICFF Opening Night Gala immediately following the event (there will even be a surprise entertainment act).
When the excitement of these design events dies down, there will still be plenty of reasons to visit the Seaport. One inviting attraction will be an electrifying summer rooftop concert series (performers will range from Gladys Knight to Kings of Lean). Another will be the addition of 10 Corso Como, one of Milan’s most loved shopping and dining experiences. But perhaps the most anticipated opening of all will be that of the historic Tin building, which has been painstakingly moved, piece by piece, to higher ground away from Manhattan’s flood line. True to its roots, this building will re-open as a seafood-market-inspired food hall curated by none other than celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
For a neighborhood that has seen its fair share of detriment, from September 11th to Super Storm Sandy (which all but destroyed the low-lying waterfront neighborhood), it is heartening to see this vibrant beacon on the city’s southern coast come back to life — See You at the Seaport!
