Tag: Times Square

Triumph Hotels, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Getting Back to Life

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Thankfully life is, well getting back to living. Sort of.  Not 100% but thanks to the vaccine rollout many states are coming back and New York is one of them.

One example of this is the much-loved Broadway and its shows which for so long were amiss from our lives.   First of all, an additional two shows opened (‘Six’ and ‘American Utopia’) and second, there was the beginning of the Times Square’s three day outdoor event to celebrate the return of this entertainment sector.

And the classics re-opened too: Chicago, Hamilton, The Lion King and Wicked.

In addition, the bright lights were ignited as a tribute to one of the original Waitress company of Broadway’s very own – Nick Cordero – who passed away from COVID-19 last year.  It would have been his 43rd birthday last Friday.

All of these events take place right in town, in walking distance of Triumph Hotels’ Washington Jefferson Hotel, operated by Shimmie Horn. 

Featured, NY News, Tourism

New York Salutes COVID-19 Frontlines from Its Buildings

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New York is showing its unity and solidarity in the fight against the novel coronavirus in many different ways. Its architecture is one of them.

Since the city went into lockdown just a few weeks ago, the Empire State Building has donned many different colors as a show of solidarity with those on the frontlines of COVID-19.

Now, a new initiative, with the hashtag #LightItBlue, is a worldwide effort to light up landmarks around the world in a “beacon of blue.” On April 9, 2020, more than 150 places in the United States beamed blue. In New York the cites included 1 World Trade Center, Madison Square Garden, the Times Square billboards, and the Beacon Theater. The illuminating initiative began in the United Kingdom and was led in the United States by leaders in the events and entertainment industry.  It was meant to be “a collective salute to the millions of essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the press release.

Madison Square Garden gets ready to #LightItBlue in support of those fighting COVID-19
The Edison Hotel

Art Comes to Edison

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The Edison Hotel in Times Square is getting a history lesson through art. Three new murals painted by Bronx man show how the crossroads of the world have evolved over the years. Today’s Times Square is very different from what it looked like two-and-a-half decades ago.  Mural artist Arnie Charnick captures this change in a series of murals at the Edison Hotel.

“I proceeded to do three full color big scale drawings of my concept of the history of Times Square in three time periods.  The subject of Times Square when I started to look into it was excessive in data, images and history so I had to decide what to put in there. Some of them are iconic images that a lot of people recognize; some of them are personal, etc.”

The first murals were posted in sepia tones depict the early days of Broadway of Vaudeville. The second recreates he iconic and euphoric kiss when World War II ended.  The third – which Charnick calls the seedy era – viewed through a cab window of X-rated movie houses and peep shows.

Charnick himself however, sees them as “one piece with three parts.”  See for yourself at Shimmie Horn’s Edison Hotel in Times Square.

Washington Jefferson Hotel

Getting in Shape in the New Year

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Now that Christmas and the New Year and all the festivities are behind us, it’s a good time to start getting into shape.  Studies have found however, that for those who are too ambitious when it comes to establishing a fitness routine, they end up quitting all too quickly.

Starting slow is essential.  At any of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph hotels, we treat our guests to wonderful walking tours throughout Manhattan, suitable for all weathers and seasons.  In conjunction with Streetwise New York Tours, from today there are tours exploring “the hidden gems of Times Square” (from the Washington Jefferson Hotel today), fashion and art in the Financial District and classic Midtown Manhattan to name but a few.

These complimentary walking tours compliment the R&R one will get when staying at any of the Triumph hotels.

The Edison Hotel

Art at The Edison

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skylineBuilt in 1931, Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Edison makes for a perfect place for those who love art.  Set in New York City – minutes away from Times Square – the interior Art Deco features both elegance and boldness.  Its exterior – comprised of curved edges clashing with bold lines – likewise makes a fantastically artistic impression along Manhattan’s skyline.

And of course, being right in the center of global art, visitors to the hotel can take advantage of so many museums in the area and countless exhibitions.  One of these is the one at PACE gallery (until August 19th) featuring “works made in glass and the unique use of glass objects by each artist.”  Artists displaying their works are:  Maya Lin, Kiki Smith and Fred Wilson.  Check out the huge glass marbled wall piece, 11-part floor piece that looks like water droplets, red glass stars and glass items sporadically installed and placed on tableware.

If you miss that, be sure next month to check out the artistic element that is coming to the National September 11 Memorial Museum.  Originally built to “reflect the moments of horror and heroism 15 years ago when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center,” the upcoming show ‘Rendering the Unthinkable: Artists Respond to 9/11,’ begins in timely fashion on September 12 in the special exhibits gallery. The development of this exhibition is said to be a testament to the interest the museum is showing in “complementing its collection of artifacts and archives and an acknowledgment that expanding its scope could add visitors.”

Transportation

Times Square Bike Lane

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bike-laneAt the Seventh Avenue bike lane at Times Square, the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has now built a part that is raised. Now the department is also constructing permanent pedestrian plazas and other enhancements to the street on Times Square. Right now though, the only part of the lane that is raised is between 45th and 46th Street. This acts as a detour for cyclists who want to use Broadway bike lane. It enables them to bypass pedestrian plazas.

According to the Department of Transport, this is just the beginning. The aim is ultimately to direct the cyclists to the eastern side of 7th. Between 46th and 47th Street, only sharrows (shared lane markings). Then, there will be a lane extension from 42nd to 46th Street. However, it seems that in NYC raised bike lanes are quite an anomaly, other than the block between Navy and Gold, by the Manhattan Bridge.

In general, cycling in New York has developed a reputation for being a somewhat dangerous activity. Nevertheless due to the difficulty and congestion of other modes of transport, it continues to be used as a popular way to get around, especially by delivery workers. Because they are known to be somewhat speedy movers, there have been many laws enacted to try to maintain driver safety over the years. For instance, in 2007 helmets became mandatory and five years thereafter it became law for “delivery cyclists to take a safety course and wear vests identifying themselves and their employers.”

Still, this issue is more related to motorbike street drivers rather than non-motor cyclists. Nonetheless, the introduction of split-phase signals – deemed by CB4 as being safer – brings with it a “doubling” of the improvement on streets that mostly received mixing zones.”

The evidence backs up CB 4’s assertion that split-phase signals are safer. Data from previous protected bike lane projects in Manhattan show that the reduction in injuries on streets that mostly received split-phase treatments was more than double the improvement on streets that mostly received mixing zones. (“C-B4 provides powerful and precise predictive analytics solutions in the simplest and most straightforward manner, going from data to predictions, recommendations and insights that can be understood and ACTED UPON by decision makers.”)

Uncategorized, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Times Square on Christmas

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christmasTimes Square on Christmas is a must-see for tourists. Possibly a must-avoid for locals but for those who find themselves vacationing at Shimmie Horn’s luxurious Washington Jefferson Hotel, the theater district is filled with joy and tinsel. Try getting through the spray paint artists, costumed panhandlers, theater patrons and tourist bus ticket sellers though and you might decide it’s time to go back to Shimmie Horn’s hotel!

The holiday season in Times Square is indeed a bit stressful but for tourists, it really is a great place to visit. Granted, on a daily basis, around 170,000 commuters pass through the area so over the holiday season it is going to be really crazy. In fact the figure for this time of year is around 450,000.

But wouldn’t it be a fun after dinner party story to share with friends back home after your vacation? How bad would you feel if you had to reveal that you stayed at the Washington Jefferson Hotel, right smack bang in Times Square and didn’t even venture out at the most colorful time of year?

And don’t forget, it’s not as bad as it seems. There is of course the extra infrastructure that is set up just before all the celebrations begin to deal with this additional traffic. Isn’t it worth just taking a peek? Go on, brave it; everyone deserves a bit of Christmas spirit!

The Edison Hotel

The Edison Hotel

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Times SquareThe Edison Hotel is one of Shimmie Horn’s newer hotels, but dates back to 1931 and offers exciting and bold eye-catching art. Located right in the center of everything – in the heart of Midtown – it modernizes the concept of Art Deco! Enjoy visiting Times Square and then returning to this delightful accommodation for some luxury.

Make the most of your time in New York by staying right in the center, but at the same time enjoy hidden gems back at the hotel.

Iroquois Hotel

Brooklyn Diner Tastes Like Home

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Times Square Brooklyn Diner

Heading out to Times Square and looking for a New York eatery with real personality? You are in luck, because the Brooklyn Diner at 155 West 43rd Street at Times Square is just what you are looking for.

Patrons will experience an authentic encounter with some of the most beloved foods of the American cuisine scene, with a special emphasis on the attitude found throughout the major neighborhoods of Brooklyn.  The ethnic kaleidoscope on hand is a United Nations of flavors and styles ‘just like mom used to make, ” including Jewish, Italian, Irish and much, much more.

And no need to “clean your plate” in order to get dessert, either. The desserts are mind-blowing affairs designed to send you practically back to the womb.

Anyone staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Iroquois should stroll on over to Times Square, just a few short blocks away, and relive your childhood at the Brooklyn Diner.