Underground 2.0 TurnStyle Columbus Circle Opens To The Public

The 30,000 square foot, $14.5 million project is located within a completely renovated 325-foot-long passageway leading from 57th Street and Eighth Avenue to the A, B, C, D and No. 1 train platforms at 59th Street, Columbus Circle. TurnStyle features 39 retail and food vendors including 12 boutique shoppes, 20 gourmet eateries, and a series of pop-up vendor kiosks offering everything from hats to flowers, dumplings to doughnuts, cell phone cases to sunglasses, and much more in between.

"We bring choice, convenience and modern, clean design to the 90,000 daily commuters who use this Midtown hub," explained Susan Fine, TurnStyle's developer and principal of OasesRE. "TurnStyle is leading the movement to make urban public space more dynamic and engaging. Our vision was to reimagine the subway experience by bringing Main Street underground, and make TurnStyle a destination in its own right and become a new part of the fabric of this neighborhood."

TurnStyle vendors include three organic restaurants, gift and novelty shops, grab n' go food options, and even an internet startup experimenting with brick and mortar. The stores include:

• Grab n' Go: Blossom du Jour, By Suzette, Doughnuttery, Dylan's Candy Bar, Fika Espresso, Georgia's Bakery, Pressed Juicery, Starbucks, The Nut Box, Gastronomie
• Shop: Flower Girl, Dog &Co, Arth Hats, Kit's Underground Wine & Spirits, Lush, Papyrus, Specs New York, Spectre & Co., Studio Manhattan, Cellairis, Project No. 8, The New Stand, Bombas, Marc Tetro, R. Nichols, Elma Blint, SDV Designs
• Sample and Dine: The Pizza, Bosie Tea Parlor, Ellary's Greens, Casa Toscana, Bolivian Llama Party, MeltKraft, Semsom Eatery, 2 Beans, and Yong Kang Street

Sixteen interactive digital screens provided by OUTFRONT Media Inc. will feature curated information from TurnStyle's vendors. Live performances will entertain shoppers and diners each day. TurnStyle's hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Visit http://www.turn-style.com/ for more information about the unexpected choices provided by TurnStyle's array of vendors -- most of which are independent, New York City-based small businesses.

"The transformation of this corridor into a vibrant dining and retail destination is just another way the MTA is looking at each and every aspect of our operation to deliver better service for our customers," New York City Transit President Veronique "Ronnie" Hakim said.  "Last year, more than 23 million people used this station.  It is heavy traffic for the lucky businesses opening up shop here today and it is great for our customers because we can reinvest this corridor's rental revenues right back into our system."

TurnStyle breaks ground as the MTA's first commercial development funded completely by the private sector without any public subsidy. Ms. Fine and the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group led the financing team for the project, which establishes a new model for retail development for the nation's largest transit system.  Goldman Sachs made an $8.7 million construction loan and a $3.6 million equity investment in the TurnStyle project.

"Renovating this unique space into a lively retail corridor for all New Yorkers and visitors alike will not only enhance the experience of riding the subway but has also created an opportunity for job creating small businesses to expand their footprints," said Margaret Anadu, Managing Director in the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group.  "This innovative public-private partnership is consistent with the Urban Investment Group's strategy to promote job growth and revitalization—even underground!"

Ms. Fine and her design team led by project architects, Architecture Outfit, brought "Main Street underground" by incorporating street-level urban elements such as varying store front depths, diversity of tenants, and a patterned floor that mimics a town square. They replaced old subway tile, signs and fixtures with engaging features including a mosaic wall and interactive digital columns. The result is a dynamic environment, a boulevard of light and color that creates a dramatically different experience for the 23 million pedestrians who pass through the concourse annually.

"We were highly mindful of TurnStyle's contribution to the infrastructure of the city. We wanted to create a valuable public space that echoes the vitality of a real New York streetscape, turning a commute into an opportunity to shop and dine in comfort amid colorful and attractive surroundings," said Ms. Fine, who also conceived and implemented the redevelopment of Grand Central Terminal. 

About TurnStyle
Opening in April 2016 at the 59th Street Columbus Circle subway concourse, TurnStyle is a lively underground marketplace featuring 32 food, beverage, and retail shops. Leading the movement to make urban public space dynamic and engaging, TurnStyle brings choice, convenience and a modern, clean design to the 90,000+ daily commuters who frequent this Midtown Manhattan hub. Spearheaded by project developer Susan Fine of Oases RE and Columbus Development LLC, TurnStyle features a mix of local small businesses and nationally recognized brands in its 27,000 square foot space. From organic coffee shops and a local artisan cheese company to healthy lunch and dinner options and artfully curated gifts, TurnStyle brings a unique and accessible selection to change the commuting experience. To further embrace the community, the space will also host rotating pop-ups featuring artists, local food vendors and artisans.

About Susan Fine
Susan Fine, principal of OasesRE, has more than 30 years of experience in New York City real estate, working and collaborating with the most respected companies in the industry. An innovator and recognized leader in the field of retail development, she has built numerous projects in New York City from the ground up (and sometimes below grade), coordinating every step of the process including financing, leasing, construction, and management. Ms. Fine has left her mark on some of the world's most prestigious properties including the World Financial Center, Rockefeller Center, and Grant Central Terminal where she conceived and implemented the universally hailed renovation of the landmark hub. She is the developer of TurnStyle, the first ever private development inside a New York City subway station.

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SOURCE TurnStyle