Today the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously agreed to put the New York Public Library’s biggest private donor in history, Steven Schwarzman, on a pedestal--or, more accurately, allow his name to be inscribed on the two most prominent stone pedestals flanking the main entrance on Fifth Avenue and three other B-list locations.

What, you were expecting some giant crab claw statues instead?

We think they made the right move. Who knows what the repercussions would have been for the NYPL had the Blackstone CEO not received top-billing for the $100 million donation he made on March 11?

Donors have withdrawn less substantial pledges for similar affronts in the past.  read more »

The full flowering of the financial district’s success since Sept. 11, 2001, can be smelt within the Broad Street Hermès store, which had its first full day Friday.

To be amongst its $1,250 t-shirts, $520 belts, $5,750 leather jackets and $810 handbags is to feel the full braggadocio of capitalism in Manhattan—Power! Money! Stephen Schwarzman!—and it felt pretty good, though a bit disquieting. After all, the prices!  read more »