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Times Square

By Matt Chaban 2/06 11:49am

Dizzying Designs

6 Photos

BIG Heart

Times Square Loves Bjarke Ingels [UPDATE: Now With Five-Times More Heart]

New York may not be the kindest city for love, but at least it is kind to those caught up in Cupid's embrace. Unlike other towns, it is almost impossible to forget Valentine's Day, what with the roses in every bodega and the special pre fixe menus popping up at every restaurant around. And, for the past few years, there has been a giant designer heart in the heart of the city, Times Square.

For the past four years, the Times Square Alliance has tapped celebrated architects to create giant Valentines for Father Duffy Square (site of the giant TKTS amphitheater). Entries have included glowing hearts and icy ones. This year, the alliance tapped one of the BIGgest firms in town, Bjarke Ingels Group, to create its installation. Read More

1 By Daniel Edward Rosen 10/25/11 9:34am

Hypotheticals

Google, the store, not the search engine.

Google, Amazon to Set Up Brick-and-Mortar Shops in Times Square, One Broker Predicts

Soon Times Square may be known for its iconic signage, its assortment of apparel shops like Forever 21 and American Eagle Outfitters, and, erm, Google?!

The vaunted tourist trap may be the perfect location for the web giant to test out a “brick and mortar” entity, said David LaPierre, executive vice president of CB Richard Ellis,.

“Theoretically at some point I envision brands like Google or like Amazon... finding a way to manage and spread, I think, their customer base beyond just the internet,” said Mr. LaPierre during CBRE’s third-quarter Manhattan retail media breakfast Monday.

“Time Square is a classic, great place to make that be your flagship."

Read More

6 By Matt Chaban 8/30/11 12:11pm

Machers

135 West 45th - 2011-8-29

SLCE and Dice: Extell Dumps Design at New Times Square Hyatt Hotel

The Observer has been a big fan of developer Gary Barnett for a while now, not only because he is the most prolific builder in the city at the moment, but he is also doing it with marquee architects, such as Christian de Portzamparc (Riverside South, One57), SOM (the International Gem Tower), FXFowle (the Lucida) and Lucian LeGrange (535 West End Avenue). Now, Extell has announced it is moving forward with a new hotel in Times Square, and the designs are, well, about what you would expect for the area, and that is too bad. Read More

119 By Aaron Gell 8/15/11 4:48pm

RIP

tims

Pastor Zachery ‘Fresh Prince’ Tims Found Dead in W Times Square [Update]

Let's not jump to conclusions.

The NYPD says no foul play is suspected in the death of a prominent pastor, Zachery Tims, of Orlando's New Destiny Christian Center, in a room at the W Hotel in Times Square on Friday night. [Update: The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that Dr. Tims was found with a "glassine envelope containing a white powdery substance."]

Dr. Tims, who was only 42 years old and is sometimes known as the "Fresh Prince of Preachers" for his marked resemblance to Will Smith, founded the ministry with just six members in 1996, growing it to a megachurch of some 8,000 today. Read More

By Daniel D'Addario 5/03/11 1:54am

Exclusive

Bin Laden Falls: May Day in Times Square [Watch]

The Observer ventured into Times Square on Sunday night to see the celebration--and a celebration it was, with crowds chanting "Hey hey hey, good-bye" as firemen posed atop a truck, and tourists and residents alike haggling over the price of miniature flags and wondering where they could grab a drink. New York is always New Read More

By Laura Kusisto 4:44pm

Hole in One

The End of the Conde Nast Building as We Know It?

For at least half the population, the mourning over the shuttered ESPN Zone was short and sweet. On, we hope, to better things, as the Durst Organization has put the 45,000-square-foot Times Square mega-space back on the market. 

Though ESPN's testorone-fueled hub at the base of 4 Times Square shuttered last spring, Disney has been using Read More

By Laura Kusisto 4/05/11 11:25pm

Secret Service

New York’s Shadow Mayors: The BIDs That Ate New York

Eight floors above the neon scissor of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, the offices of the Times Square Alliance, one of the city's largest business improvement districts, unfold like a suburban paper company.

The Observer contemplated the turquoise Berber carpeting, the spare glass cubicles and an empty rolling garbage bin parked by the door until we Read More

By Laura Kusisto 3/10/11 9:53pm

lease beat

New Twists in Pretzel King’s Times Square Lease

Looks like Europe's most neutral nation has declared a confectionery showdown: on U.S. soil no less.

Swissmaker, the so-called "pretzel pioneer," is opening its first New York location—just down the street from Hershey's flagship store. The candy concern has leased 1,700 square feet for 10 years, with a five-year renewal option at 723 Seventh Avenue, between Read More

By The Editors 3/02/11 12:33am

Editorial

Get Real, Sadik-Khan: Closing 34th Would Be Chaos

Thirty-fourth Street happens to be among the most famous thoroughfares in Manhattan. It's in the heart of the midtown central business district, and it's home to heath care institutions, university facilities, a major transit hub and a retail corridor that includes one of the city's most iconic stores, Macy's. From river to river, 34th Street Read More