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.
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.
The restored Knickerbocker Hotel reopened to guests on February 12. Originally opened in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, the Beaux-Arts building has spent decades as office space but now returns to its original life as a luxury property. The Times Square hotel claims a colorful history, including the creation of the martini in 1911 by its bartender, Martini de Arma de Taggia as a drink for John D. Rockefeller. The 330-room property has dedicated meeting space. Its largest room, the Salon, is 2,200 square feet and seats 100 or holds 200 guests for receptions. Audiovisual equipment and free Wi-Fi are available for the fourth-floor space. The hotel also is home to the highly anticipated 120-seat restaurant, Charlie Palmer at the Knick, and a pre-event foyer is adjacent to the bar.
The redesigned De Gustibus Cooking School by Miele, located on the eighth floor of Macy’s Herald Square, opened in December. The school, celebrating its 35th anniversary, offers classes for as many as 60 people as well as hosts corporate groups. Warren Red designed the interiors, which combine a professional kitchen, stage, and classroom as well as appliances from Miele.
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, VoilĂ 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.
The bowling and entertainment venue Bowlmor Lanes added a 3,000-square-foot laser-tag arena and a ropes course to its Chelsea Piers location in December. The laser-tag arena holds as many as 30 people at a time and can be adjusted for varying levels of difficulty. The ropes course holds 15 people and includes challenges such as narrow planks and tightropes. The new activities are available as part of teambuliding or other corporate events.
Located on the Upper West Side, Indian restaurant Awadh features the cuisine and techniques of its namesake region of India. Known for its kebabs, the restaurant also has a tea program with estate-grown teas from India and a global wine list. The first floor of the contemporary space includes a bar and lounge-style seating. The second-floor dining room, which is available for private events, seats 50. The restaurant opened in June.
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.
The Prohibition-theme speakeasy Bandit's Roost opened in TriBeCa in November. Located underneath Church Street Tavern, the hideaway is named from a 19th-century Jacob Riis photo of a New York alleyway filled with gangsters. The space features more photos by Riis, black subway tile walls, and black leather banquettes. Guests enter using a keypad, and planners can set up customized door codes for events. The venue has a DJ booth and holds 75 people at 10 tables and standing room.
