Rediscovering New York

[EPISODE] The Financial District, New York City's First Neighborhood!

Join Jeff this week as we explore the Financial District. First, its history (preview: it's where the Dutch first settled in New Amsterdam) with Phil Desiere, owner of Walkabout New York Tours.

And we'll get a taste of the present feel and vibe of the neighborhood with business ownerRonan Downs, owner of the Stone Street Tavern, and other businesses on Stone St., probably the oldest paved street in New York!

Segment 1

Jeff is joined by Phil Desiere of Walkabout New York Tours, who shares how his career in art director brought him to New York City.  Phil expresses his passion for New York’s history and sharing his knowledge with both tourists and locals. Phil explains the Financial District’s connection to the Dutch settlement of New York. Phil traces the development of Wall Street into the financial center it is today.   

Segment 2

Jeff and Phil continue their discussion and to explore the development of the Financial District as a residential, consumer-friendly area. Phil describes the push to revitalize the neighborhood post 9/11. Phil discusses the history of the Financial District during the American Revolution. Phil touches on St. Paul’s Chapel and its place in New York history.  

Segment 3

Ronan Downs of Stone Street Tavern joins the show to discuss his experiences as a business owner in the Financial District. Ronan tells the story of growing up in Ireland and coming to New York for college. Ronan describes his career beginning as a bartender and gradually becoming a partner in several businesses in the Financial District. Jeff and Ronan discuss the development of Stone Street and how it affected the entire Financial District.  

Segment 4

Jeff and Ronan explore their love of the history in Lower Manhattan. Ronan expresses the history of the area and what it’s like thinking about past generations who lived in the area. Ronan mentions the recent changes in the Financial District as the area transitions from commercial to residential. Ronan shares how Stone Street has inspired people post 9/11 and attracted visitors to the Financial District. They conclude by predicting the future of Lower Manhattan and its potential for future development.

[PREMIERE] A General History of New York and Its Housing Development

For our first episode we will cover a general history of New York, and how the development of our housing fostered the growth of New York’s great neighborhoods.

My guests will be Joyce Gold of Joyce Gold History Tours, and Kent Swig, CEO of Swig Equities and co-owner & co-chair of Terra Holdings, which owns and operates Halstead Real Estate and Vanderbilt Appraisal Company, among others.

Segment 1

Jeff begins tonight’s show by sharing the story of how his career as a real estate broker and guiding New York City neighborhood tours led him to create Rediscovering New York. Jeff is joined by Joyce Gold, who shares how her life experiences led her to create Joyce Gold History Tours. Joyce describes the original settlement of New York and the importance of Dutch influence on New York’s early development.  

Segment 2

Jeff and Joyce discuss the history of the Five Points, considering the historical events abroad in Europe that led to immigration to New York and how these events affected the demographics in New York. Joyce describes the development of areas of Manhattan, breaking down socioeconomic factors that differentiated each neighborhood. Joyce traces the development of public transportation in the 19th century. They pivot to their favorite NYC neighborhoods and how history can encourage people to preserve landmarks in their area.    

Segment 3

Jeff is joined by Kent Swig, who shares how his various interests Chinese, architecture, law, and design combined to drive his interest in real estate. Kent traces his career in real estate, describing one of his first projects in Tudor City. Kent finds his passion for real estate in seeing the potential in real estate projects, specifically the older and more historical buildings throughout NYC. Kent shares the magic of New York City being a walking city and the energy on the street.

Segment 4

Jeff and Kent continue their conversation by exploring the developing neighborhoods in New York today. They discuss current developments in Hudson Yards and its potential to develop the open space in the area. They explore how long it may take to develop a community like Hudson Yards. Kent describes the lasting impacts of loss of population and jobs in the 1970s and how today Hudson Yards represents an opportunity to further develop NYC given the city’s population growth. Kent and Jeff offers predictions for which neighborhoods have great potential for growth in the next 5 years.