Hyatt Union Square Will Add Urban Farm

A 5th Ave. welcome to Merci Market, which is opening just around the corner at 5th and 13th in a space formerly occupied by a series of trendy restaurants that ended with Danal. The neighborhood has lost four corner delis in the past ten years, so while this one may be pricier than the ones that have departed, at least it will be convenient.

Visit the newly opened Figa at 15 East 12th St. for what looks to be tasty Italian food.

Steak Frites on 16th St., which morphed into Union Prime, is morphing back into Steak Frites. Go figure

The word is generally positive on Dos Toros Burritos, located near the northeast corner of 13th and 4th.

Construction of the glassy turtle shell-shaped dome on top of Union Square’s landmarked Tammany Hall building is officially underway. The building at 44 Union Square, formerly home to NYC’s Democratic party machine, is being transformed into modern office and retail space. New construction photos provided to 6sqft show the start of the unconventional dome’s installation, with the diagonally intersecting glass and steel now visible from the street. The political organization of Tammany Hall formed in New York City in the late 18th century and helped Democrats control city and state politics for decades. After a few different headquarter locations, the society landed in a building on East 17th Street and Union Square. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union bought the building in 1943. Other tenants have included the New York Film Academy and the Union Square Theatre. Designed by BKSK Architects, the redevelopment project consists of a gut renovation and the addition of four stories of retail space in the building’s base, with three levels of office space on the upper levels, including inside the dome. The architects designed the glass dome as an ode to the turtle which Lenape Chief Tamanend stands upon on a Philadelphia statue. Tammany Hall was named after the leader. According to the firm, the dome is “meant to be both evocative and respectful of the building’s past while also bringing architectural spectacle to this rather staid corner of Union Square.” BKSK first submitted plans to revamp the historic building in 2014. After the project was approved a year later by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, developer Reading International secured $57.5 million in financing. Renovations began in 2016. The dome features a framework of intersecting glass and steel, manufactured by German-based firm Gartner. There’s no doubt the top floor will not only be drenched in natural light but also offer unique views of Union Square and beyond.

This very interesting article from the New York Press describes the battle between a noted urban planner and his son, who happens to be the Parks Commissoner. They disagree about the future design of Union Square and they’ve been battling publicly. Ouch.