After a three-year renovation, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum reopened in December. The Upper East Side mansion, formerly the home of Andrew Carnegie, retains many of its original architectural details such as the wood paneling and grand staircase in the Great Hall, which seats 70 or holds 250 for receptions, but now boasts 60 percent more exhibition space and systems upgrades that modernized the building. The museum also offers event space in its large and lush Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden, a ground-floor lecture room, and the intimate Trustees Room located adjacent to the mansion.
Following a years-long restoration, the historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood opened in February with a grand-opening concert featuring Diana Ross. Formerly called the Loew's Kings Theatre, the venue originally opened in 1929 but has been closed for the past 40 years. Now owned by the city, the space finished a $94 million renovation that restored its ornate design and modernize the facility for live performances. At 3,250 seats, it is now the largest theater in Brooklyn.
Ink48, a Kimpton hotel, finished a renovation of its "Heaven Over Hell" penthouse suite in November. The bilevel space—which has views of the city skyline and Hudson River—features a living room and bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, two bathrooms, and a 2,200-square-foot wraparound terrace. Located in Hell's Kitchen near the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the space has been used as an off-site showroom and for post-trade show receptions, as well as for weddings and other social events. The hotel's Print restaurant provides catering. The space holds 60 for receptions.
Available for private events or a sweet teambuilding option, Voilà Chocolat opened in December. The Upper West Side venue offers chocolate-making classes as well as event space under the direction of owner Peter Moustakerski along with former Jacques Torres chocolatier Christophe Toury and chocolate scientist Dennis Teets. For chocolate-making events, the front area seats 25 at individual workstations. A reception space in the back seats 15. For receptions, the entire 1,400-square-foot venue holds 75.
Located near the southern end of the High Line park, Gansevoort Market is a former trading post that now contains a number of food and beverage purveyors. The 8,000-square-foot marketplace retains historic detail such as its brick walls that date to the mid-1800s and is fronted by four garage-style doors that stay open in warmer weather. A 60-seat area, topped by a skylight, can be used for private events and is bordered by a twisted vine structure created by Charlie Baker of Baker Structures. The entire venue holds about 400 people for receptions, and amenities include a full PA system and other audiovisual capabilities. The marketplace opened in October.
