Renowned Chef Thomas Keller and Famed Restaurateur and Developer Kenneth Himmel to Curate Dining Collection at Hudson Yards

NEW YORK, NY – May 5, 2015 – Hudson Yards, the largest private real estate development in our nation’s history, today announced the collaboration of world renowned chef Thomas Keller and famed restaurateur and developer Kenneth A. Himmel to curate the dining collection at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards. In addition to bringing some of the world’s most celebrated chefs and a new series of food concepts to Manhattan’s West Side, Chef Keller is also spearheading the development of a new restaurant. Chef Keller’s classic American restaurant, and the 11 other culinary experiences opening in 2018, will be housed in the one million square foot Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, anchored by Neiman Marcus.

“Thomas Keller is one of the most innovative chefs and restaurateurs of the 21st Century,” said Kenneth A. Himmel, restaurateur and President of Related Urban, the mixed-use division of Related Companies. “Thomas has the unique ability to conceptualize the most imaginative and creative cuisines, but also possesses an exemplary business mind - a rare combination. Over ten years ago, we partnered on the restaurant collection at Time Warner Center and I am thrilled to be working with Thomas again to curate the restaurant collection at Hudson Yards. Together, we will make Hudson Yards one of the greatest shopping and dining districts in the world.”

“At Time Warner Center, we established a culinary destination celebrated by the local community, as well as visitors from all over the world. I look forward to again working with Ken to define a truly special dining experience at Hudson Yards,” said Chef Thomas Keller. “The restaurant collection will have a significant impact on Manhattan’s West Side, and I can’t think of a better place in the city to take on this extraordinary collaboration. For me, it will be also be a personal triumph. The restaurant I will bring to Hudson Yards is something I have been thinking about for the last 20 years, and to be able to celebrate food in this way, at this place, and at this time, in this city, will be very special for me.”

Hudson Yards will be the second collaboration for Chef Keller and Mr. Himmel, who previously worked together to open Per Se and Bouchon in Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle. Together at Time Warner Center they introduced New York City to the concept of bringing best-in-class food, with exemplary design and execution, as anchors in a mixed-use development, a once novel concept that has now become a model for developers around the world. Due to their efforts, Time Warner Center today houses the largest collection of Michelin stars under one roof, and is one of the most visited sites in New York City, welcoming 15 million people a year.

When Hudson Yards is complete, it is expected to host more than 24 million people a year and house one of the greatest collections of shops and restaurants in the country. Chef Thomas Keller’s new restaurant will bring to life a vision he has been working on for more than two decades. Like Per Se in Time Warner Center, this restaurant will establish a destination that will resonate for generations to come and help put Hudson Yards on the world’s culinary map.

Chef Keller and Mr. Himmel are a natural fit for curating the dining experiences at Hudson Yards. Chef Keller is known for establishing a collection of restaurants that set a new paradigm within the hospitality profession. In 1994, Keller took ownership of The French Laundry in Yountville and debuted French bistro Bouchon in 1998. Over the last 15 years, he has expanded his restaurant group to include Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc, Per Se and Bouchon Bakery & Café, among others.

Mr. Himmel is also a famed restaurateur in Boston responsible for opening the legendary Grill 23 & Bar, The Harvest Restaurant, Post 390 and Bistro du Midi – a joint venture with Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation (MARC). In addition to his restaurant collection, Mr. Himmel is also a renowned expert in developing successful, mixed-use developments that combine architectural design and urban planning with dynamic shopping, entertainment, residences, offices and world-renowned restaurants to bring forth the energy and vitality of an urban destination with resonance to the local lifestyle and culture. Past developments include Water Tower Place and 730 North Michigan in Chicago, Copley Place in Boston, Reston Town Center in Reston, Pacific Place in Seattle, and most recently two projects on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi: The Galleria, a 355,000 square foot shopping and dining destination which opened in the summer of 2013, and Al Maryah Central, a 2.3 million square foot super-regional shopping center, anchored by the first international Macy’s and a Bloomingdale’s department store, as well as adjacent hotel and residential towers.

Hudson Yards is the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States and the largest development in New York City since Rockefeller Center. Developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group, this 28-acre site will include more than 17 million square feet of commercial and residential space, more than 100 shops and restaurants including New York City’s first Neiman Marcus, approximately 5,000 residences, a unique cultural space, 14 acres of public open space, a 750-seat public school and an Equinox® branded luxury hotel – all offering unparalleled amenities for residents, employees and guests. It is anticipated that more than 24 million people will visit Hudson Yards every year.

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ABOUT THOMAS KELLER:

Thomas Keller is renowned for his culinary skills and his exceptionally high standards. He has established a collection of restaurants that set a new paradigm within the hospitality profession. He is the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the prestigious Michelin Guide, as well as the first American male chef to be designated a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor, the highest decoration in France. He has received countless accolades, including The Culinary Institute of America’s “Chef of the Year” Award and the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Chef” and “Outstanding Restaurateur” Awards. In January of 2015, as President for the Ment'or BKB, he led Team USA to a historic silver win in the Bocuse d'Or competition in Lyon, France. Realizing Paul Bocuse's dream, it was the first time ever that the United States placed on the podium.

ABOUT KENNETH HIMMEL:

Kenneth A. Himmel is President and Chief Executive Officer of Related Urban, the nation’s leading developer of large-scale mixed-use properties. Under Mr. Himmel’s leadership, Related Urban has opened two award-winning iconic destinations – Time Warner Center in New York City and CityPlace in West Palm Beach. Both of these projects have created a significant impact in the growth and transformation of their respective surrounding urban core. Mr. Himmel is a renowned expert in developing successful, mixed-use developments that combine architectural design and urban planning with dynamic shopping, entertainment, residences, offices and world-renowned restaurants to bring forth the energy and vitality of an urban destination with resonance to the local lifestyle and culture. Mr. Himmel is also a restaurateur responsible for the formation of a restaurant collection in Boston which includes the legendary Grill 23 & Bar, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, The Harvest Restaurant, Post 390 and Bistro du Midi, a joint venture with Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation (MARC).

For more information on Hudson Yards, please visit www.HudsonYardsNewYork.com

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CONTACT:

Related Companies:
Joanna Rose
212.801.3902
[email protected]
[email protected]