Latest news with #NewYorkLifeInsuranceCompany
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
The 'most beautiful café in the world' where people queue for hours for a selfie
The New York Café in Budapest is one of the most beautiful cafes in the world, with marble columns, frescoes and crystal chandeliers making it the perfect place to take a selfie Envision a café where the décor takes centre stage, outshining the coffee itself. A grand establishment that magnetises swarms of Instagram enthusiasts trying to capture the perfect shot for their feeds. Welcome to the New York Café in Budapest, where the entrance proudly proclaims it to be "the most beautiful café in the world." It's a claim that's hard to dispute. This 125-year-old café, with its majestic marble columns, breath-taking frescoes, and dazzling crystal chandeliers, entices thousands of visitors and TikTok enthusiasts to marvel at its splendour. As you step inside, you're transported to a scene reminiscent of a grand European palace, complete with intricate frescoes, glittering chandeliers, and stately marble columns. It's like entering a time capsule from the opulent Belle Époque era (a period aptly named the "Beautiful Age" in French). The New York Café is a hotspot for tourists, welcoming approximately 2,000 customers daily, with queues stretching down the boulevard. Situated on Erzsébet körút Street, the shop was initially constructed in 1894 under the guidance of Hungarian architect Alajos Hauszmann. It began as the Hungarian headquarters for the New York Life Insurance Company, whose owners envisioned a coffee house within the building. The café's interior was meticulously crafted by Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl, who infused it with an Italian Renaissance flair. The ceilings feature intricate frescoes by artists Gusztav Mannheimer and Ferenc Eisenhut. Hungarian coffee culture The New York Café menu offers a blend of Hungarian and international dishes, decadent cakes, and freshly brewed coffee. Afternoon tea for two is priced around €72.50, which equivales to £61.10, and main courses range from €23 to €36, which equivalates to £19 and £30. It's one of the prime spots to sample Hungarian cakes, including Dobos Torte, a Hungarian classic featuring layers of sponge cake and chocolate buttercream topped with caramel; Sacher Torte, a rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam; and Opera Cake, which boasts layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache. The food and drink are served with an artistic flair, though reviews vary, and its steep prices often draw criticism from Trip Advisor reviewers. If you're not averse to spending a bit more, try their 24-carat gold cappuccino, paired with Valrhona chocolate and raspberry cake, for a lavish start to your day. Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel The Cafe is actually located within the historic 5* Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, a grand stay in the heart of Hungary's capital. Within this majestic and historic building, you'll discover a modern hotel boasting 185 rooms, a cave spa and high-end restaurants. 19th-century grandeur and Italian Renaissance style have been seamlessly combined with contemporary features to create a luxurious city stay. Rooms vary in price and size, ranging from classic and superior to suites, and are elegantly adorned with plush Italian furnishings and sleek mod-cons. Their gourmet buffet breakfast offering is particularly noteworthy. It includes a generous spread of locally sourced produce, featuring pastries, pancakes, cold cuts, cheese, and eggs cooked to order. Just keep an eye out for the selfie-takers!
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Ralph Lauren Introduces the Big Pants Index
President Trump is not the only one with the last Gilded Age on his mind. On Thursday, Ralph Lauren held his fall 2025 fashion show in the bank hall of the Clock Tower Building in Lower Manhattan, an Italian Renaissance revival edifice that opened in 1898 as the home of the New York Life Insurance Company, complete with marble Corinthian columns, a 29-foot coffered ceiling, an ornate staircase and its own vault. The setting was a departure from Mr. Lauren's recent trend of recreating his own environments as the backdrops of his collections: He has brought guests out to Ralph Hampton, his fantasy of Long Island; opened up his Madison Avenue headquarters; and recreated his Colorado ranch at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. But given the tenor of the time, his latest show venue felt pretty apropos. The actor Anne Hathaway was there, in a beige trench coat and bedazzled beige denim. So were the singer Kacey Musgraves, in a white tank top and cowboy hat; the actor Ariana DeBose, in pinstripes; and 'The White Lotus' ingénue Sarah Catherine Hook, in a necktie. What was not there, however: corsets. Or bustles. (That was good news.) Instead, Mr. Lauren offered a parade of pants — and not just any old pants, but big pants. Pants that were almost always pleated and that billowed around the legs. Pants in leather and wool. Pants that were almost … pantaloons, which sometimes were tucked into knee-high boots so they puffed out around the thighs, and sometimes truncated into knickerbockers so they only looked like they were tucked into the boots. With the pants he showed a lot of lacy jabots and ruffled white shirts, frothing at the neck. Also beat-up leathers and the occasional slinky backless halter dress, almost always complete with its own jabot. Everything was in black and white or camel and brown, with the occasional flash of amethyst glittering in the light. Mr. Lauren called the show 'The Modern Romantics.' But its references seemed to be his own work from around the last turn of the century (especially the go-go Wall Street era when he built his empire) with, perhaps, a nod to the 'dandy' theme of the upcoming Met Gala, that celebration of fashion and financial excess, mixed in. And all of it was made more interesting by the tensions — between masculine and feminine, hard and soft — running like threads through the looks. The effect was less escapist than is often the case with Mr. Lauren's cinematic productions, and more pointed. It seemed to say, forget the hemline index — that folky 'economic indicator' suggesting that skirts go up when things are good and come down when things turn bad — and instead consider the big pants gauge: the idea that when things get unpredictable, when you feel like you are teetering on the edge of the volcano, a lot of material around the legs may be exactly what everyone wants to wear. Well, it is a form of protective covering. Why not also a bellwether? At the end of the show, Mr. Lauren materialized on the grand hall's mezzanine, wearing a black longhorn sweater. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who was sitting next to Mr. Lauren's wife, Ricky, craned her neck upward and snapped photos on her smartphone as her fellow guests applauded and Mr. Lauren waved to the audience spread out below. Lord, for the moment, of all he surveyed.
Forbes
25-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Inside A $6 Million Landmarked NYC Residence With Museum-Quality Art
The living room in Residence 5N. New York City has a fascinating architectural history, and 108 Leonard in New York's Tribeca neighborhood is no exception. The building occupies the entire block and was constructed in two phases: the eastern part of the structure was built from 1894 to 1896 for the New York Life Insurance Company, while the western part, which includes a three-story clock tower, was constructed from 1896 to 1898 and completed by renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. Deemed a landmark in 1987, the building's Italian Renaissance Revival-style facade is primarily made of white Tuckahoe marble, while the southern elevation features brick and terracotta. Not only is the exterior landmarked, but so are many elements of the interiors. A kitchen in the recently sold Residence 14E. The historic Tribeca landmark at 108 Leonard is now home to 167 well-appointed residences restored and redesigned by Jeffrey Beers International. Homes range from two to five bedrooms and are priced from $3.5 million to more than $24 million. Of the several homes for sale in the building, Residence 5N is listed for $6.1 million and offers both modern living alongside exceptionally ornate, detailed moldings and carved pilasters. Residence 5N spans 2,413 square feet and has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and one powder room. The living room features landmarked walls, beautiful crown moldings, and other century-old details. The living room is like a work of art with ornate moldings, carved mahogany wood trim along the ceiling, and beautiful oversized arched windows on nearly every wall. Ceilings soar past 15 feet, making each room feel exceptionally spacious. As far as New York City residences go, the scale and volume are unmatched. Developer Elad Group is further enhancing the space with art by Gene Hedge and Calvert Coggleshell, with pieces on loan from New York gallery Lincoln Glenn. Lincoln Glenn also curated the art in the recently sold Residence 14E. The artwork in Residence 5N was curated by Lincoln Glenn. 'Bringing the works of Calvert Coggeshall and Gene Hedge to 108 Leonard felt like a natural fit,' says Lincoln Glenn co-founder Doug Gold. 'Both artists left a lasting mark on New York City and the art world, much like this landmarked building. Lincoln Glenn has a unique relationship with Elad Group to bring their residences to life through thoughtfully curated art." Tribeca has become somewhat of an arts hub over the past decade, with many galleries moving permanently into the area. It makes sense, then, that a focus on art within a residence might appeal to buyers within the neighborhood. Some New York residential buildings even offer art classes, while developers across the country use high-end art to entice potential buyers. As for other features within Residence 5N, there is wide-plank oak flooring throughout, Scavolini kitchen cabinetry with a Calacatta marble countertop and backsplash, Miele appliances, Fantini polished chrome fixtures in the bathrooms, and other types of ultra-luxe marbles and finishes. The boutique building feels like a luxury hotel with a drive-in motor court, valet parking, three separate lobbies, and more than 20,000 square feet of wellness-focused amenities. There's an indoor pool, roof gardens, an entertainment lounge, chef's kitchen, wine cellar, children's playroom, and a grand marble-clad lobby.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Data And AI Are Powering Change At 180 Year Old New York Life
New York Life Insurance Company headquarters in New York City New York Life is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and having been founded 180 years ago, it is one of the oldest, as well. The company has remarkable scale with over a trillion dollars in policies and approximately $58 billion in annual revenue. In recent years, New York Life has embraced technology and artificial intelligence to enhance its operations, a journey spearheaded by Don Vu, its Chief Data & Analytics Officer. Vu had prior experiences a data and analytics leader at Northwestern Mutual and WeWork, but he got his first leadership roles associated with data working for the most data-centric American sport: Major League Baseball. Vu spent 13 years with MLB Advanced Media, managing consolidated data for all 30 baseball teams. "It was a data geek's dream," he recalled. "We built a video streaming platform that was later white-labeled for major properties like HBO and WWE. It was true big data, with high-velocity streaming and complex models for churn and recommendations." His time at MLB taught him the value of centralized data and scalable platforms, lessons he's carried into his role at New York Life. "The nature of data leadership has changed dramatically over the years," Vu observed. 'It used to be about governance and guardrails. Now, it's about value creation. Generative AI accelerates this shift, enabling us to move faster and achieve more.' Redefining Data Strategy at New York Life At New York Life, Vu's role involves steering both data and AI strategies, which he noted are inextricably linked. This alignment reflects a broader strategic shift initiated by New York Life CEO Craig DeSanto, who prioritized client and agent experience over a traditional product-centric focus. "People presume that an old company is a sleepy one," Vu said. "It's not. Craig's vision spans the entire business, enabling a flywheel effect where tech, data and AI flow across the organization." To support this transformation, Vu outlined four key pillars of the company's data strategy: "Our mission is to activate the power of New York Life's data through enterprise AI and data products," Vu explained. "It's all about delivering tangible business impact." The Role of Generative AI Under Vu's leadership, New York Life has leaned heavily into generative AI to unlock new opportunities. The company has partnered with industry leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic and AWS to stay on the cutting edge of AI innovation. "We've been intentional to ensure AI is properly funded, with the right guardrails but also a paved road," Vu noted. New York Life's Don Vu Key areas of focus include service and claims processing, where pilots and proofs of concept have already moved into production. "We've had some successful initiatives and some that didn't work out, but we're always learning," he highlighted. "The next frontier is going to be incredible, especially with vertical applications tailored to agents and clients." Vu emphasized the importance of embedding AI into all parts of the organization's value streams—six in total—ranging from client prospecting to retention and advisor experience. By aligning data and AI with business objectives and key results (OKRs), the company ensures a cohesive approach to innovation. Building a Data-Driven Organization To execute his vision, Vu has built a robust team of leaders: "We're fortunate to have a mix of long-tenured leaders who understand the organization and new talent bringing fresh perspectives," Vu said. This blend of expertise has been pivotal in driving change while respecting the company's deep-rooted legacy. Future Outlook At New York Life, Vu sees a similarly transformative future. "We're just scratching the surface of what's possible with data and AI," he emphasized. "With the right strategy, tools and culture, we can continue to enhance our client and agent experiences while staying true to our 180-year legacy." Vu's leadership exemplifies the power of data to drive meaningful change, proving that even the most established organizations can innovate and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.
