Latest news with #Continuum
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How A Miami Beach Residential Concierge Transformed Into A Luxury Travel Planner
Concierges have had a long reputation for being the go-to individuals for securing that impossible restaurant reservation or those must-have theater seats for hotel guests. A residential concierge at a luxury apartment property, however, has a far more arduous responsibility that has to meet the demands of its discerning residents, who expect a role that is more exemplary of a personal assistant by today's standards. Jacqueline Gonzalez has been in South Florida's hospitality industry for more than 17 years and has built a reputation for being one of the region's premier residential concierges, after joining the Continuum in South Beach as its head concierge more than a decade ago. With today's demands from residents in a post-COVID world becoming ever more elevated, Jackie quickly caught on and transformed her position into that of consultant for the resident's lifestyle choices. Since becoming the swanky beachfront property's Lifestyle Director, Jackie has expanded her role to resemble that of a luxury travel planner. She did this by forging her own relationships with destinations and luxury travel brands across various continents—enabling her to offer far more for residents than they would expect We caught up with Jackie who gave us some insight in to her new found skill set. How did you go from being a concierge and lifestyle director to planning travel for residents? My carefully curated events at the Continuum have included planning wine tastings, yacht tours, dinner events, broad cultural activities and wellness offerings. Given that our Miami Beach community is largely seasonal, many of our discerning residents began asking about recommendations for the same activities beyond our local community. A natural segue was to begin researching and constructing travel excursions. How much travel do you plan for residents? Travel planning for Continuum residents is in its infancy, but increasingly on the rise. I have a natural understanding of how our residents enjoy spending their leisure time. Travel offerings will be around the world. I often shortlist ideas and float the itineraries to individuals for them exclusively, or possibly to a sampling of our residents for collective input. The goal is to curate destinations and trip itineraries annually that will have broad appeal, for say 10-15 residents. What's the most elaborate or expensive trip you've designed? Many residents expressed a keen interest in visiting Portugal. In the fall of 2023, I arranged a week-long trip to Porto, a city in the northern part of the country. This itinerary included a visit to a renowned maker of luxury linen, the oldest library in the country, an historic producer of porcelain and the city of Guimarães - the birthplace of Portugal – along with an excursion on the Douro River. We also made must-see visits to a number of renowned Michelin Star restaurants, as well as several world-famous wineries in the region. Each day we stayed at a different 'Quinta' - a rural estate that housed an historic castle transformed in to a hotel which were truly memorable. The trip was an overwhelming success. Can you share how you're able to plan these trips? What connections do you have to make them happen? I have developed established partnerships and collaborations with luxury brands for destinations around the world that cater to the elite traveler. This network enables me to tap in to local knowledge, stay apprised of new trending entrants and ultimately co-develop a memorable and unique trip. You've actually accompanied some residents on trips. Tell me about how this happened and why? After spending considerable time and attention to detail, it is important that I am a participant in the journey. While the Continuum residents are like family, I must see first-hand how the experience is of supreme caliber that meets with their expectations. There are several trips now on the table. For our avid wine enthusiasts, a culinary excursion to a 300-year-old winery in Tuscany named Tenuta Torciano. Next, I have also discovered a one-of-a-kind resort in Arizona called Miraval. The property boasts hotel rooms and villas coupled with a program of the most advanced wellness treatments and therapies. This appeals to my own personal interest in wellness. Also on my wish list is a planned trip to Weggis in Switzerland, and the Chenot Palace, considered to be the number one health and wellness retreat in the world.
Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Finally! teamLab is opening a permanent immersive art museum in Kyoto
With permanent spaces in major cities across Japan including Tokyo and Osaka, it's about time teamLab opened one in Kyoto. So, good news: the world-famous art collective is finally launching a permanent museum right in the heart of the ancient capital come autumn. Called teamLab Biovortex Kyoto, this immersive art space is part of a new creative hub within the Kyoto Station Southeast Area Project. While details are still scarce, we do know the museum will showcase all-new artworks including some never before seen in Japan. The pieces are made of materials you wouldn't normally expect in conventional art, and in typical teamLab fashion, you can literally step into the installations. Here are four artworks teamLab recently revealed for the new museum. Massless Amorphous Sculpture At first glance, this piece looks like a floating mass of soap bubbles. It's certainly no typical sculpture, being neither solid nor gaseous. According to teamLab, this 'Higher Order Sculpture' is made of 'energy, movement and balance'. It interacts with the people around it: it can wrap around a viewer and even reconfigure itself if it gets pulled apart. Despite looking delicate, it holds its shape surprisingly well, as long as the environment is right. Massless Suns and Dark Suns This endless field of glowing light spheres is what teamLab calls a 'Cognitive Sculpture'; an artwork that explores how we perceive the world around us. When you touch one of the spheres, it lights up, and nearby spheres respond in a ripple effect. But there's no solid object here – just light. The sculpture doesn't really exist in the physical sense. It's a product of your perception, and this just shows how our minds shape what we perceive. Morphing Continuum Another of teamLab's 'High Order Sculptures', 'Morphing Continuum' is made up of floating, glowing spheres that move and shift like a living organism. teamLab calls this a 'biocosmos', a 'living' system that depends on invisible forces like air flow, light and energy. People can walk through it, and even if its form gets disturbed, it naturally reshapes itself. Traces of Life 'Traces of Life' is an interactive installation that exists only because of its viewers. Without people, it's just a dark space. When someone walks through it, their footsteps leave glowing trails that linger long enough to connect with others, creating a large, living pattern in the space. For more information, check teamLab Biovortex Kyoto's website.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Haven officials mark start of deal at Continuum of Care with ribbon cutting
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — More than a hundred clients of Continuum of Care will be able to keep living right where they have been for years. That, despite their landlord looking to sell to an out-of-state developer. Friday morning, New Haven officials cut the ribbon marking the start of a new deal for Continuum. Connecticut Job Corps centers to pause operations in June Most ribbon cuttings mean big changes are coming. This one was designed to keep things mostly the same. At one apartment complex on Ella Grasso Boulevard and another one on Blake Street, more than 100 people and families rent apartments with the help of the Continuum of Care. Continuum helps folks dealing with mental health, developmental, and addiction issues, and the homelessness that often goes with them. 'Continuum offers a full array of services for individuals, including crisis stabilization, residential treatment, supervised apartments, supportive housing,' Jim Farrales, the President & CEO of Continuum of Care, said. The landlord who had been renting all those apartments to Continuum clients for all those years told Continuum they were looking to sell. A buyer from New York was interested. Continuum knew that meant the new landlord was probably going to jack up the rents. So, the continuum went to local officials, who worked with the State Department of Housing and the Department of Economic and Community Development. DECD has something called the Community Investment Fund 'It's not just for economic development projects,' Deputy Commissioner Matthew Pugliese of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said. 'It's for projects in communities that are going to help support the people that are underserved in those communities.' That money, along with other public and private funding, helped Continuum buy the two apartment complexes. That means all those people and families can stay right where they are, in apartments they can afford, with case workers on site to help them stay on track. 'This supportive housing model is designed to help individuals have the support they need to successfully live full lives here in the community,' Continuum's Farrales said. Some things will actually change. Continuum plans to upgrade and renovate many of the units. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Business News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How Marina Bay and Long Island Developments Shape Luxury Condo Investments
Singapore's vision of sustainable urban living continues to evolve with large-scale projects like Marina Bay and the proposed Long Island development. These transformative precincts are not only enhancing the city's liveability but are also creating lucrative opportunities in the luxury condominium segment. For discerning investors, proximity to these dynamic zones could translate into robust capital growth and strong rental demand. Marina Bay: The Pinnacle of Urban Luxury Marina Bay has cemented its position as Singapore's most iconic business and lifestyle destination. With world-renowned landmarks, luxury retail, and direct access to top-tier commercial hubs, it continues to attract global investors and expatriates alike. The launch of Marina View Residences, a prestigious development located within this vibrant district, exemplifies the appeal of Marina Bay. Residents of Marina View Residences enjoy panoramic waterfront views, seamless MRT connectivity, and a curated lifestyle surrounded by five-star amenities. As the government continues to enhance the area with green spaces, cultural attractions, and improved walkability, luxury condos in Marina Bay are expected to remain a top-tier investment choice for years to come. Long Island: Singapore's Coastal Reinvention The Long Island initiative, introduced under the URA's long-term plan, envisions a chain of reclaimed land off East Coast Park designed to enhance coastal resilience while unlocking new urban possibilities. This visionary plan includes mixed-use developments, recreation nodes, and even new housing options—all along Singapore's eastern coastline. While the full realization of Long Island may take years, its announcement alone has already sparked investor interest. Properties that offer easy access to the East Coast and future coastal developments are increasingly sought after. The Continuum, a freehold luxury condo located near Katong and the East Coast stretch, stands to benefit significantly. It offers a strategic blend of heritage charm, lifestyle convenience, and future proximity to Long Island's potential growth corridors. Strong Investment Case for Early Movers Investing in properties near major government-backed urban developments has always been a proven strategy in Singapore. Both Marina Bay and the future Long Island projects are expected to generate high-end employment, increase land value, and attract affluent buyers and renters. For instance, Marina View Residences caters to professionals working in the financial district and foreign investors seeking a luxury CBD asset. Meanwhile, The Continuum appeals to families and individuals who want a premium lifestyle with proximity to the East Coast and future uplift from Long Island's evolution. Conclusion: Tapping into the Next Wave of Growth As Singapore continues to push the boundaries of city planning with Marina Bay and Long Island, the ripple effects on luxury real estate are becoming increasingly evident. Condo developments like Marina View Residences and The Continuum are positioned to ride this wave of transformation—offering not just prestige, but also the promise of long-term investment gains. For those seeking a blend of location, future potential, and refined living, these addresses are worth a serious look. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal funding delays bring uncertainty to Brown County homeless service providers
The future of Brown County's housing services is unclear as the fate of federal grants haven't been determined for several providers of temporary and permanent housing options. Brown County's homeless population is surging as evidenced by the area's point-in-time count in January, which hit 643, the highest recorded number since the count has been used. The annual point-in-time event counts the number of people who are experiencing homelessness during one night in emergency shelters, transitional housing, unsheltered and domestic violence service providers, though it historically undercounts the real number of people facing homelessness. The numbers are reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A large number of housing programs in the area are supported by grants through HUD's Continuum of Care program, which works to reduce homelessness around the country. Continuum of Care awards funds directly to Wisconsin providers or goes through four statewide agencies to distribute the money. Those agencies are based in Milwaukee, Dane and Racine counties, and the fourth agency is the Balance of State — which serves the state's other 69 counties including Brown County. Balance of State then distributes money to different homeless service providers around the state. In Brown County, Golden House, Newcap, Wise Women Gathering Place, and House of Hope receive funds to support different permanent and temporary housing programs and referral services in the area. Providers in Brown County currently get over $3.4 million in grants through the CoC program, whether they are awarded directly to the organization or distributed through the Balance of State, according to HUD data provided to the Press-Gazette. Most of the grants have one- to two-year cycles and expire later this summer or fall. The earliest grant contract will be up by July 1. As of April 22, Carrie Poser, the executive director of the Balance of State program, said there hasn't been any word from HUD on whether the grants will be renewed or provided guidance on next steps. "We're getting into that uncomfortable space where we usually know by now," Poser said. "This is a little scarier." Some of the grants awarded last year have not been executed either, Poser said. The funding delays come after HUD staff was cut by half in February and HUD headquarters in Washington, D.C., was put up for sale, according to an NPR report. Without the promise of grant contracts, some service providers are worried they will be canceled altogether instead of renewed. In the Green Bay area, most of the CoC grants are for permanent supporting housing and rapid rehousing. Newcap gets about $1.08 million to support permanent housing this year. Newcap and House of Hope receive over $954,000 for rapid rehousing. Golden House gets a $732,000 rapid rehousing grant specifically to support victims of domestic violence through the Balance of State. Wise Women Gathering Place also gets the same grant for $257,000. House of Hope gets funding for its drop-in center and youth support services of $300,000. It also receives over $46,000 through Balance of State to refer youth, families, and domestic violence survivors to housing resources in the area. The delay in grant renewals is making it more difficult to plan services for people in crisis, said Meika Burnikel, the executive director of Golden House. Golden House's rapid rehousing grant helps survivors of domestic violence get reestablished with rental assistance and case management while Golden House provides other support services and counseling. The uncertainty of that CoC funding compounds for victim service providers, like Golden House, which are also feeling the added impacts of staffing and funding cuts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The leader of the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services was placed on administrative leave and staff members who work on sexual violence prevention were removed. Burnikel said Golden House also faced around a $600,000 reduction in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act, which is distributed to victim service providers through state crime victim offices and was cut last year. "There's a lot of different pieces of the puzzle right now," Burnikel said. "It's about continuity of care. We're making sure the apartments they're residing in are safe especially against their abuser so they can focus on their kids, their mental health and focus on getting a job and are safe all around." The grant supports 25 to 30 survivors in a year and three full-time positions at Golden House. Burnikel said more losses in federal funds like the Balance of State money would be detrimental. "Ultimately, that could mean that we would serve less victims and we would serve less survivors," she said. House of Hope is more hopeful about the future of their grants. Shannon Wienandt, the executive director of House of Hope, said she talked to HUD's field office April 18 and was told that the rapid rehousing grant would be renewed. She hasn't heard about grants for their youth system navigator and drop-in center service yet. "I'm trying to remain optimistic because we deal with crises every day, and this seems like another crisis we can't control," Wienandt said. Several providers are also concerned that grants would be renewed but will require new terms or guidelines to comply with the contracts. Wienandt noted the way information has rolled out from HUD for housing providers has been confusing in recent months with some "abrupt stops" for some as they learn to comply with the new rules. Since most of the money goes toward rent, case managers, and referral programs, a surge in homelessness will only grow if funding is delayed or terminated. During this year's State of Homelessness address in Brown County on April 10, Poser said it would take 159 more permanent supporting housing options, 292 rapid rehousing with intensive case management to address substance use and behavioral health challenges, and 129 rapid rehousing to end homelessness. "The crisis we are going to see is going to be so much worse," Poser said. Poser noted that some of the money will dry up over the summer as St. John's Ministries' shelter nears its off-season and the point-in-time count in summer typically rises. The emergency shelter's season runs November from April, though the shelter continues to provide drop-in and daytime hours in summer months. In the 2025-27 budget, Gov. Tony Evers proposed $24 million for homeless prevention programs including grants for housing assistance programs, small landlords, shelter improvements, and case management, around the state. But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that Evers' proposals in the budget are dead on arrival, and will be axed during the Wisconsin Legislature's budget process. Golden House has turned to the community to fill some of the gaps in federal funding, Burnikel said. It is hosting several fundraisers throughout the year with options to donate or sponsor the organization, including a new "Taste of Hope" event on Aug. 16 and the annual Show of Strength event in October. More information can be found at Golden House's website. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at We All Rise in Green Bay offers 24-hour crisis supportive services through its hotline. Call or text 920-600-4313. Golden House, in Green Bay, has a 24-hour helpline at 920-432-4244. If you need help finding safety, call the Be Safe hotline, 920-212-SAFE (7233). More: Homelessness is on the rise in Brown County. Here's what to know about the latest numbers Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@ This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Brown County homeless service providers face funding delays, uncertainty
