The neighborhood got a little brighter last week with the addition of a colorful new mural, “I See the Sky From the Other Side,” which is now on view on construction fencing at 77 Water St.

The mural, by Greek/French visual artist @linardakiandco, is one of the six selected artworks derived from a partnership between the Downtown Alliance and local arts organization @artbridge to create a unique portfolio of Lower Manhattan-specific artwork that can be easily and affordably installed on temporary protective structures.

“I See the Sky From the Other Side” features a Lower Manhattan skyline with a vibrant blue sky and buildings wrapped in multicolored fabric patterns, recalling the neighborhood’s diversity and historical richness while highlighting downtown icons like One World Trade and the Brooklyn Bridge.

To learn more about the mural and our work with Art Bridge, head to the link in our bio 🔗 …

It seems like NYC Restaurant Week was just yesterday — but it was actually in July, and an entire meteorological lifetime has passed since then. Relive the magic of that beautiful, sunkissed season and book a reservation at one of the dozens of downtown restaurants participating in the 2026 winter edition of NYC Restaurant Week, which runs from January 20 to February 12.

Head to the link in our bio for a full list of participating spots 🔗 …

A gorgeous new restaurant has joined the downtown dining scene 🍽️

@terravitadowntown, open now at 17 Battery Place, makes a great first impression. Walking into the dining room, guests are greeted by sweeping ceilings, grand columns, organic lines and design elements informed by nature. Things only get better at the table, where Lebanese and South Asian flavors infuse familiar dishes like lasagne and burrata, and candy-colored cocktails go down easy.

Head to the link in our bio to read all about this new Battery Park City staple. …

The year was #2016 ❤️ …

Happy National Gluten-Free Day to all who celebrate 🫡🥖🚫

Nearly all of our best foods, the ones universally beloved and savored over, have one microscopic thing in common: a complex combination of proteins colloquially known as gluten. Gluten is the thing that makes sourdough rise, develops the buttery layers of the best croissants, deepens the flavor of beer, and gives structure to everything from pasta to pizza dough to cookies and candy. But for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, this pesky little protein can wreak serious havoc.

Luckily, New York City is one of the best places in the world for eating gluten-free, Lower Manhattan especially. Here, we have fast-casual spots and fine-dining establishments alike that avoid wheat products without compromising taste. For anyone out there looking to nosh sans-gluten, this one’s for you.

For even more GF options in the nabe, check out the full guide at the link in our bio 🔗 …

The storefronts of Lower Manhattan 🛍️

Manifesting a downtown storefront for your small business in 2026? We can help bring your vision to life. Applications for RE:Store, the Downtown Alliance’s new initiative to transform vacant storefronts into temporary pop-up retail opportunities, are open NOW!

Re:Store works by pairing unleased spaces with qualified, dynamic short-term tenants. Businesses selected for the program will receive free rent for three months in high-traffic retail locations throughout the neighborhood, in addition to a $15,000 grant for tenant improvements and operating expenses. Expert support for insurance questions, legal matters, permitting and more will be provided, as well as marketing and communications services.

If you operate a small business in New York City and are looking to test a new market or expand your footprint – whether that means opening a second location or moving from an e-commerce site or a market table to a brick-and-mortar storefront – we encourage you to apply! Head to the link in bio, or go to downtownny.com/restore, for everything you need to know. …

Extra, extra! The Financial District has been ranked the #1 most in-demand neighborhood for buyers and renters in New York City by @streeteasy 🏙️

In the last year, StreetEasy searches for available apartments in the neighborhood surged by nearly 47 percent, a testament to Lower Manhattan’s convenience, vibrancy and continuing transformation into a residential hub.

As @timeoutnewyork writes, “the list shows exactly what New Yorkers are prioritizing right now: neighborhoods that feel lived-in, well-connected, and just flexible enough to handle whatever the city throws at them next.”

To us, this is no surprise! We know best how special and dynamic Lower Manhattan is, but it’s great to see it reflected back to us in this way. If you live downtown, leave a comment about why you love it! …

The New Year’s Eve champagne’s been drunk, the new planner’s been purchased and you’ve already written the wrong date at least twice — that’s right, it’s 2026! This is a special year for downtown, one that includes marquee events like an NYC FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th birthday along with all the Lower Manhattan highlights and Downtown Alliance-sponsored programming that you’ve already come to love. At the link in our bio, you’ll find 26 things we’re looking forward to in the year to come. …

There are three ways to see New York’s long-abandoned City Hall station. The first is to ride a downtown 6 train to its terminus at Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall, and remain onboard until it begins its signature turnaround loop to go back uptown. About halfway through, you can peek out the train window to catch a brief glimpse of the station’s magnificent arches, detailed tilework and cave-like structure.

Though this method has its charms — it’s accessible, quick, and a genuinely fun piece of NYC lore to unlock — we can’t help but recommend the second way: securing a coveted ticket to the @nytransitmuseum’s walking tour of the station. It’s a one-of-a-kind, only-in-New-York experience that reveals fascinating details about the political, social and architectural history of Lower Manhattan and the city at large.

(The third and most complicated way is to be elected mayor of New York City and choose the station for your swearing in ceremony, as newly-minted Mayor @zohrankmamdani did on New Year’s Day. Good luck.)

However you get there, the destination is worth it. Even in its current state — decades of past neglect manifest in missing glass panes, cracked tiles and a layer of age that keeps the platform a worn ruddy brown — the old City Hall station is breathtaking in its grandeur.

At the link in our bio, find a first-hand account of the Transit Museum’s City Hall station tour, and a fascinating history of New York City’s famous subway system 🔗

Note: The next round of tickets for the tour will be on sale for Transit Museum members on January 14. …

Thank you to the @nyse for the opportunity to say farewell to 2025 and (literally) ring in the new year this morning!

Our Director of Public Safety, Ed Drivick, joined councilman Christopher Marte on the podium to ring the Opening Bell on the last day of trading for the year 🎉

Credit: NYSE …