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Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
A Long, Deep Look Inside Le District
I went to the opening party for Le District last night, and I have to say that—despite the mimes—I was impressed. I think Le District has lots of challenges ahead of it, the number one being quality of its merchandise (of which I tried none), but when it comes to style: tens across the board.
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Opening today
The café and patisserie (and maybe the flower counter)
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Opening sometime next week
The rest of the market; the counters with the black lampshades above them (toward the end of this section) are Le Comptoir, the wine bar.
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Also opening sometime next week
The restaurant Beaubourg
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Opening in a couple of months
L’Appart, another restaurant/private dining space
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Erik thanks for posting. Why do you feel the merchandise needs improvement if you haven’t tried?
I didn’t say the merch needs improvement. I said Le District’s challenge will involve the quality of its merch; it has to start high and stay there, which can get tough at this scale.
The other challenges, since you almost asked:
1. Unlike Eataly, Le District is off the beaten track for tourists.
2. I don’t know if people feel about French food the way they do about Italian food. When I was the editor of a travel magazine, we learned that newsstand sales were always strong if “Italy” was on the cover, but no other destination, not even France, made a difference.
3. No celebrity chef, à la Mario Batali.
On the other hand, there are a whole lot of workers in the area, with more to come, and a vastly underserved residential community. And I can’t wait to see it opened up to the plaza, especially when the weather finally turns.
None of this means I don’t wish it the very best! I just think about it too much.
Agreed and thanks
I agree about the location. Personally I think it’s horrible, but maybe it was the only large space they could find. I don’t find being located in a bland corporate office complex very appealing – at all. Meanwhile, Eataly is located in an older building near Madison Square Park and the Flatiron building. I also agree that a well known French chef name or two attached would desirable, but not 100% required. Perhaps Dominique Ansel and one other. Still, I have been wishing for a French Food Market on the same scale of Eataly in NY for awhile now, and I hope it succeeds. Even better if it moved. ;-) France is the number one tourist destination for U.S. Tourists, so I think that is a plus.
P.S. Wouldn’t mind a Spanish food Market like Despaña on a larger scale either.
>>Unlike Eataly, Le District is off the beaten track for tourists . . .
Please spend a few hours standing on the corner of Liberty and South End any day from May til October and count the number of illegally parked tour buses dropping the little darlings (oh, and the big nasty ones) off, and then reconsider this statement.
And when the WTC observatory opens, it will only be worse.
I’m hopeful that the meat and fish will be quality. There’s a void in this department since All Good Things closed.
Do we know who is creating the bread and cakes here? Is it a well known baker?
On a side note: Those jars of Bonne Maman jams (which I love)? They will probably be selling them for $6.95 a pop. Meanwhile, at my local grocery, The regular price is $3.99, they go on sale often for $2.99, and every once in awhile 2/$5.00. So I don’t think I’ll be buying those while I’m down there. Just saying.
Looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing so many photos.
I agree with the location and comments regarding Italy, France, etc.
I hope they do well and I can’t wait to visit!