The highly anticipated collaboration of The Howard Hughes Corporation with their real estate market acumen and the legendary culinary fare of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten have come together in New York City. Hughes is the owner of the Tin Building, paying for its development and construction and leasing it back to Vongerichten.
The Seaport’s historic Tin Building has been transformed into a sprawling culinary marketplace complete with grocery markets, 6 full service new restaurants, 6 quick service counters, 4 bars, retail and private dining offerings unlike anything New York City has seen before. Every inch of the 53,000-square-foot market has been thoughtfully reimagined by Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors and carefully curated by Jean-Georges to create an immersive and expansive culinary experience.
After a soft opening with limited hours last month, the Tin Building features two levels of one-of-a-kind offerings including Central Market, the heart of the building, offering an array of locally sourced seafood, meats, cheeses, fresh produce and specialty items, as well as multiple restaurants, bars and retail shops.
The opening comes on the heels of Hughes paying $45 million for the minority stake in the Jean George business, and another $10 million for an option to buy an additional 20 percent of the company down the road. The deal marked the largest stake taken in a restaurant group by a single real estate company. The management team of JGR will retain control of day-to-day operations of the company. Hughes plans on providing capital to keep growing the restaurant group around the globe.
The Tin Building project required the approval six years ago by The Landmarks Preservation Commission for the conversion of one of the former homes of the Fulton Fish Market. Hughes sold off $2 billion worth of “non-core” assets two years ago, but has seemingly put all of its chips towards the success of its developments in the Seaport. Last year, Hughes scored final approval for a mixed-use project at 250 Water Street after years of battling neighborhood activists. The 26-story project will include 270 rental units above a five-story base with office, retail and community space. The $850 million project will include 70 affordable housing units. Hughes announced high-end fashion designer Alexander Wang would be moving its global headquarters to 46,000 square feet in the Fulton Market Building. The fashion company will be the building’s anchor tenant when it moves from 386 Broadway next year.
The Tin Building invites guests to embark on a continuous journey of discovery, bringing together global flavors and cuisines under one roof. Full-Service Dining Venues Include:
The House of the Red Pearl, a clandestine fine dining restaurant serving Chinese inspired dishes that marry the elegance of Jean-Georges and the flavor of the East, tucked away for a feeling of discovery. Jean Georges’ T. Brasserie, is a French brasserie with Art Nouveau–style tilework, marble tabletops and counters and a contemporary take on a Moroccan tile floor celebrates the country’s classic fare.
The Fulton Fish Co. is a seafood dining counter and restaurant with a full raw bar. At The Frenchman’s Dough, freshly made pizzas and pastas are served daily.
Seeds & Weeds, is a sustainable and artisanal plant-based eatery that embraces the fresh ingredients of the day. The design features light, natural woods, muted geometric tiles, verdant leather banquettes, and sun-dappled plants on open shelves in the windows giving the space a bright and airy feel. Shikku is an intimate 19-seat Japanese sushi and sake restaurant set in a sexy black box design with walls lined in charred shou sugi ban millwork and a dusky marble sushi counter.
The Tin Building’s Casual and to-go options include: Crêpes and Dosas, serving sweet and savory options. Taquito is a Mexican taqueria, complete with signature dishes and made to order tacos. T. Café, which will soon become the first stop of many locals in the morning offering hot and cold coffees, teas, lattes and freshly baked pastries, muffins, breads, cakes, cookies and more. Double Yolk is a breakfast go-to mainstay during the day and caviar bar by night.
The marketplace also includes multiple stand-alone beverage outposts including The Wine Bar, a diverse selection of wine and beer offerings from France, Finger Lakes NY, California and Maryland. Beer Here!, offers 24 beers on tap and 30 beers in cans and bottles all hand-picked and tasted by Jean-Georges. The Cocktail Bar, expresses the art of the cocktail through drinks such as the Spiced Cantaloupe Daquiri, an ode to Jean-Georges’ French and Asian influences with Yellow Chartreuse, Pandan Demerara Rum, Street Pumas White Rum, Mint and Lemon Balm.
The Tasting Studio (PDR), located on the second floor is the perfect private dining room space for hosting intimate dinners, tastings and more. The space can accommodate 40-50 guests for a seated dinner and 50-75 guests for a standing reception. The private dining room will also serve as the Tin Building’s very own multimedia recording studio for podcasts and TV and a venue for cooking classes and floral demonstrations.
Grab and Go is a feature of the offering at the Tin Building. The facility is anchored by its market and retail offerings, sourced locally wherever possible, most notably, Central Market, full of daily rotating sustainably sourced meats, seafood, cheeses, produce and ready to eat items. Carefully curated retail offerings are integrated throughout the building in three separate outposts, emphasizing all-natural and best-in-class ingredients. Many of the specialty retail offerings will represent the strongest local variety of specialty foods and home goods available in the New York metropolitan area, in addition to showcasing national and international items from confections to olive and seed oils, snacks and bottled beverages to fine cookware and kitchen gadgetry.
The marketplace emphasizes sustainability by utilizing best-in-class, environmentally friendly packaging when possible. A state-of-the-art commissary kitchen minimizes waste allowing for a more sustainable use of resources throughout the building.
All Interior Photos by Nicole Franzen
