André explains the world to Julie and the crowd. (All photos Matt Chaban)
Last Thursday, AN hosted the kick-off event for Meatpacking District Design ’09, a conversation between executive editor Julie V. Iovine and hotelier André Balazs at his latest creation, the Polshek Partnership-designed Standard, New York (which Julie wrote about back in February). If you couldn’t make it, though, no sweat. For your vicarious pleasure, we’ve posted a highlight video, plus the full talk, both in video and audio formats–here at AN we’re platform agnostic–plus a slew of photos of the party, the swanky new digs, and the now-in-bloom High Line.
The third floor events spaces at the new Standard, New York. It looks downright divine.Pamela, Jennifer, Julia, and Danielle work it as they work the door.Revelers and supplicants file in.Julie and Morris Adjmi share a moment before the talk.That's Morris' building rising on the left. The event space can be seen on the right, with its stellar views of the Hudson.The outdoor patio. Just beyond lies the High Line.The High Line appears to be filling in nicely.Approaching full-bloomEasily the coolest effect, witnessed here after the talk, was these amazing lights that lit up a single row of flowers. As they blew in the wind, it was at once eerie and breathtaking.Drinks are on the house.The lobby comes complete with one of those iconic Erwin Hauer light-diffusing walls. And diffuse it does.The bellhops only wear speedos. Okay, not true, but we wish.
