Cast-Iron Buildings Are All Around Us

The Greenmarket’s economic impact on the Union Square community is unmatched. Businesses congregate within walking distance, and thousands of shoppers, chefs and onlookers visit the market’s dozens of farmers four days a week. Forty years later, Union Square continues to be on the forefront of healthy living and environmental learning as we welcome Project Farmhouse, GrowNYC’s new permanent center for sustainability and education. Located next to the Hyatt on 4th Avenue and 13th Street, the community center will offer dynamic programming year-round such as training for farmers, cooking classes for children, film screenings, special events, and panel discussions.

Signs announcing “#SaltBae coming soon” have been plastered on a space at 220 Park Avenue South, near Union Square, where a location of Japanese chain Haru Sushi once stood. Salt-sprinkling, internet sensation Nusret Gökçe first brought his famed Turkish steakhouse Nusr-Et to NYC in January, opening a 150-seat restaurant in Midtown.

But if Gökçe is indeed responsible for this signage, it could be slated for something other than a steakhouse. In February, he announced plans for a new burger chain, to be aptly named Salt Bae, telling the New York Post he’s plotting multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The signage on the space says just “saltbae,” accompanied by an illustrated version of the butcher.

Critics fell harshly on Nusr-Et, finding the theatrical dinner served overpriced, mediocre steaks. Eater’s own Robert Sietsema described the beef as “a little rubbery” and “low on flavor,” although Pete Wells from the Times seems to have enjoyed his dining experience, going as far as calling the steak “terrific.”

The chain has over a dozen locations around the world, but only one other U.S. location exists in Miami, according to its website.

For the first time in decades, there are no Italian restaurants on University Place.

Looking ahead to the upcoming holidays, the New School construction site will be closed on Saturdays, December 24 and December 31st, also on Mondays, December 26th and January 2nd. Next week (December 26 to December 30), Superstructure and concrete work will continue at 2nd and 3rd floor levels. Sidewalk sheds will continue being erected around the perimeter of the site. The roof protection at USC Condo courtyard is finished.The following week (January 2 to January 6), we will continue superstructure concrete and slabs on 2nd and 3rd floor levels.

Heres an NY1 video report on how well the commercial spaces ringing Union Square are doing, depsite the failures of Circuit City and Virgin.

Our new downstairs neighbor, The Drop House, seems to be some kind of short-term music pop-up experience. It’s a bit hard to decode.