The Howard Hughes Corporationannounced a partnership with renowned Chef and Restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten to bring two new culinary experiences to New York City’s Seaport District.
As part of the ongoing effort to revitalize the Seaport District, the collaboration between Jean-Georges and The Howard Hughes Corporation will introduce a food market and flagship restaurant to the iconic neighborhood starting in 2017. The market will be located in the Tin Building and will be inspired by the original Fulton Fish Market. Reminiscent of the Seaport’s rich history as a center of food and commerce, the market will feature locally sourced, organically grown products as well as authentic and accessible prepared foods and merchandise. The flagship restaurant will be a seafood-driven concept located within the new Pier 17 building, which is currently under construction.
“This announcement continues the Seaport District’s transformation into an anchor for the growing Lower Manhattan community and one of the top destinations for unique culinary, fashion and entertainment experiences,” says David R. Weinreb, chief executive officer of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We are pleased to welcome a partner of Jean-Georges’ caliber to the district to celebrate the storied history of the Seaport as a source of food and center of commerce while embracing the best of the 21st century.”
The South Street Seaport had historically been the epicenter of the growth and development of New York City, welcoming fleets of ships carrying goods to support the residents and businesses of the city. The Fulton Fish Market, which originally opened in 1822, was the most important fish market on the east coast and a culinary institution that was a highlight of Jean-Georges’s daily routine when he first arrived in the city. This historic vitality is what Jean-Georges, his partner, Phil Suarez, and The Howard Hughes Corporation aim to bring back to the Seaport District. The two companies are committed to rebuilding and restoring the Tin Building, subject to obtaining the requisite approval from the city, using this historic site to house the best year-round culinary market in New York City.
“As someone who looked forward to sourcing fish daily at the Fulton Fish Market at the Seaport and has watched the area lose its relevance over the last decade, I am honored to be a part of this catalytic transformation,” Jean-Georges Vongerichten says. “My two new concepts will reestablish the city’s cherished connection to the waterfront. It is a privilege to be a part of the revitalization of this beloved, culturally rich and historic neighborhood alongside The Howard Hughes Corporation.”
The Jean-Georges’ concepts are the first to be announced in what will become an unparalleled range of new dining choices offered in the Seaport District as it becomes one of the top new hot spots for food lovers in the city. In 2017, seven buildings on several city blocks, including the new Pier 17 building, will fully reopen with 365,000-square feet comprising over 80 new shops and restaurants filled with culinary, fashion, entertainment, and cultural offerings
