Gauging the impact of the Fed’s recent rate cut, the Hirshhorn highlights iconic artists Basquiat and Banksy, and the year’s best new chefs according to Food & Wine. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
The hotel industry reacts to Fed’s interest rate cut
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
The Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates by half a point this week has hospitality leaders speculating about its potential impact. Many in the industry are optimistic, reports Hotel Business, noting that reduced rates could ease borrowing costs and spur investment in new projects. Others, however, urge caution, pointing to inflation and economic uncertainties that might temper the benefits of the larger-than-expected cut. The consensus? It’s a welcome change that could fuel growth, but strategic planning remains crucial in a shifting financial landscape. As the sector anticipates how this move will play out, eyes are on both short-term opportunities and long-term stability.
New exhibition pairs works from Basquiat and Banksy
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
The Hirshhorn Museum—part of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC—is bringing street art to the forefront with its upcoming exhibition featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy. Opening later this month, the exhibit is set to showcase the boundary-pushing styles of these two iconic artists, highlighting their ability to fuse social commentary with bold visual statements. From Basquiat’s expressionist pieces to Banksy’s politically charged graffiti, the immersive experience blurs the lines between fine art and street culture. With the pairing, writes Hypebeast, the museum continues to challenge convention and celebrate the power of contemporary art.
Nordstrom teams up with Dante for New York popup
Photo courtesy of Nordstrom
The Nordstrom NYC Men’s Store just got an upgrade with the launch of a speakeasy-style popup from New York Cocktail Company (NYCC) and the team behind Manhattan mainstay Dante. Nestled on the flagship venue’s second floor, the Clubhouse is serving an exclusive lineup of NYCC’s ready-to-serve Negroni cocktails in celebration of Negroni Week, which shoppers can sip while browsing. The space, part of Nordstrom’s “For Everything New York” campaign, promises a Manhattan-meets-Italy experience in the heart of the city, according to the retail brand.
Food & Wine names its 2024 best new chefs
Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Tatiana restaurant in New York, designed by Modellus Novus; photo by Adrian Gaut
Food & Wine has released its yearly list of the best new chefs in the country, which the publication has been compiling since 1988. (The list has previously featured icons like Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, to more recent gamechangers like Kwame Onwuachi, a 2019 honoree). Writes restaurant editor Raphael Brion: “Collectively, we traveled to dozens of cities, logged tens of thousands of miles, and dined at hundreds of restaurants, searching for the most promising and dynamic chefs cooking today. What we found was 13 remarkable humans who represent the future of cooking in America.”
The Gold Key Awards finalists have been announced!
Gold Key finalist Maison Boulud restaurant in the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, designed by Joyce Wang Studio; photo courtesy of Marina Bay Sands
Finalists have been announced for the 44th Gold Key Awards, presented by Boutique Design magazine. The 2024 Gold Key judges selected standout projects from a competitive field of 425-plus entries submitted by design firms and hospitality brands from across the globe. The winners in 24 categories—as well as the Judges’ So Cool award recipient and the 2024 Designer of the Year—will be revealed during a ceremony on November 11th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York during BDNY. In addition, Boutique Design will celebrate its Boutique 18 class and Up-and-Coming Hotelier of the Year, Neena Gupta of Miiro Hotels, at the event. Tickets are available for purchase here!
