New Festive Lighting Installed to Illuminate and Bring Art to the District

New Festive Lighting Installed to Illuminate Flatiron and Bring Art to the District

Flatiron NoMad Partnership installed overhead string lighting and colorful ‘tulip’ lights to enhance Flatiron North & South Plazas, and drive winter engagement with local businesses

New York, NY – December 13, 2024 – Today, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership unveiled two new festive lighting installations at the Flatiron North and South Plazas, designed to enhance the district’s public spaces and infuse the neighborhood with renewed energy as New York City embraces the winter season.

The new installations were made possible in part through the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commercial District Lighting grant program. The installations include festive lighting above the North Plaza’s Eataly kiosk and striking ‘tulip’ lights over the South Plaza’s Flatiron Plate seating area. The installation of overhead LED string lighting canopies specifically addresses requests from local businesses, residents and visitors for improved street lighting, while also creating a more attractive and vibrant evening streetscape.

“The Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s vibrant new lighting installations are the physical embodiment of our investments in revitalizing New York City’s diverse commercial corridors,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Dynishal Gross. “This beautiful reimagining of public space is exactly what our Commercial District Lighting Grant program is meant for. I am proud of the work SBS and our BID partners are doing to enhance the public realm, drive customers to local businesses, and energize our neighborhoods.”

Designed by the Brooklyn-based architecture and design firm Hou de Sousa, the lights were thoughtfully designed to accentuate the Flatiron neighborhood’s architectural beauty while adding a festive winter ambiance from 3PM-10PM daily. A distinctive feature of this year’s installation is the integration of base planters, which serve as ballast for the 15-foot poles supporting the lights. Six poles illuminate the North Plaza with string lights above the Eataly kiosk, while seven poles support vibrant ‘tulip’ lights over the South Plaza’s seating area. Installation began in late October 2024 and was completed in early November.

“The district’s new lighting installations demonstrate how design can transform public spaces into vibrant, inviting destinations,” said James Mettham, President of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. “We’re excited to see this project come to life and look forward to how the new lighting will enhance the district, creating a lively atmosphere that draws people in and encourages local shopping throughout the winter months. This initiative is a great example of how public art can unite the community while supporting local businesses.”

The new plaza lighting reflects the Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s commitment to enhancing public spaces across the district while supporting the community and local businesses. Aligned with the NYC DOT’s Broadway Vision Project—a 1.3-acre transformation of the Broadway corridor—the lighting helps reimagine Broadway as a vibrant, accessible, and pedestrian-friendly destination. The Broadway Vision Project includes the creation of various block types, including fully pedestrianized public plazas, shared streets with seating areas and 5 MPH speed limits, and enhanced designs featuring bike lanes, greenery and other traffic-calming elements. Since the implementation of Broadway Vision, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership has seen a 42% rise in local employment and a surge in Citi Bike ridership—now averaging 7,764 rides per day in Q2 2024, up from 6,474 daily rides in 2022.

To extend these efforts into the new year, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will soon launch annual Winter Glow programming—a month-long series of free seasonal pop-up events and activations throughout the neighborhood. Featuring creative partnerships with local businesses and unveiling new interactive art installations in the Flatiron Plazas, Winter Glow promises to bring the community together for festive celebrations while continuing to transform public spaces into vibrant hubs of activity.

For more information and updates on events and programming in the Flatiron and NoMad neighborhoods, visit flatironnomad.nyc.

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About The Flatiron NoMad Partnership

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership, formed in 2006, is a non-profit organization and business improvement district that serves the businesses, people, and places that help make Flatiron and NoMad two of Manhattan’s most iconic and authentic destinations. Home to a range of retailers and employers, cultural and educational institutions, and a thriving residential community, the district is a center of activity. The Partnership serves as a dedicated steward and supporter of public life in the district by maintaining a clean and safe environment; spearheading area improvement projects; and marketing and championing the diverse business and retail options in this vibrant and historic neighborhood.

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Header & Thumbnail Photo Credit: Noah Fecks