Latest news with #TheMaze
Time Out
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Out
NYC will get its first-ever booze-free members club this fall
In a city where cocktails and clubhouses often go hand in hand, one entrepreneur is daring to rewrite the social script. This fall, New York will welcome The Maze, a first-ever alcohol-free members club, offering all the elegance and exclusivity of the downtown social scene, just minus the booze. Located at 43 West 24th Street in Flatiron, The Maze is a 4,600-square-foot sanctuary for connection, creativity and yes, mocktails, though this isn't some hokey dry lounge. The vibe is more 'boutique hotel meets conscious community' than anything else, with a stylish New American restaurant, high-end coffee bar, flexible event spaces and lounges designed for actual conversation (imagine that). Founder Justin Gurland, a 17-year-sober entrepreneur and licensed Master Social Worker, is on a mission to prove that sobriety doesn't have to mean isolation or sacrifice. 'We're not just removing alcohol—we're reimagining what it means to belong," Gurland said. "We're excited to bring The Maze to the city, offering a welcoming space where people can pursue more meaningful experiences, supporting intentional living and personal growth. It's a place where you can thrive without the pressures of traditional socializing, embracing a lifestyle centered around mindfulness and purpose." That ethos threads through everything The Maze is building. From its sleek design (courtesy of OPA Architecture and Laube Studio) to its curated programming, the goal is to offer a social experience rooted in intention. Expect networking events, community-building mixers and the monthly Cornerstone Dinner, a signature event designed to spark connection without needing a drink in hand. While some might say New York is oversaturated with velvet ropes and vodka sodas, The Maze offers a genuinely refreshing alternative: a place where wellness, recovery and ambition sit at the same table. It's a new model for mindful socializing that speaks to the growing demand for alcohol-free environments that are high on sophistication rather than sacrifice.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
One of Europe's most underrated cities is shining in 2025
'Instead, I wanted to do something that benefitted the city.' The city of Rotterdam and its citizens take pride in that 'something': the focus of most new developments is how they can improve the quality of life for locals, rather than being built for tourists. This theme continues with the construction of the Hofbogen: the repurposing of an abandoned, above-ground train viaduct from the city centre to the north, inspired by the success of New York's High Line. Progress has been slow but steady: the once-abandoned arched workshops underneath have been filled with businesses, from salons to bespoke furniture makers, artisans and coffee roasters. In January 2024, a new food hall opened in the old train station at the halfway point, Station Bergweg, with patrons taking a beer, a bowl of ramen or a box of chocolates from a vending machine to eat on the station terrace, with views overlooking the city. However, the decision to revitalise the next stage of the Hofbogen involves starting construction from the outer fringe of the city and finishing in the CBD last, so the locals get the initial benefit. Of course, tourists aren't neglected: in the coming year, there will be a flourish of new hotels and museums. One of the few historic buildings in the city centre to escape destruction in WWII was (for nefarious reasons) the old post office. In 2026, the building will open as the new five-star 224-room Kimpton Hotel. Reopening in late 2025 is the Nederlands Fotomuseum, in a newly renovated, heritage-listed building on the Rijnhaven, a harbour in the city's north. Home to more than six million photos, the new Dutch National Photo Museum will occupy the old Santos coffee factory on the harbour. Just a short walk away, construction continues on one of Europe's most important new museums, the FENIX Museum of Immigration, set to open in May 2025. A giant silver tornado, both a work of art and a viewing platform, glistens in the morning sun, rising from the centre of the historic warehouse building. The museum will focus on the human experience of immigration, examining the phenomenon through contemporary art and documentary photography. More than 200 pieces have already been commissioned and acquired, but central to the museum is its planned ground-floor installation known as The Maze. In the past three years, the museum has interviewed thousands of migrants and collected 2000 or so suitcases belonging to the storytellers to physically complement their stories. Each suitcase will form part of a labyrinth designed to allow visitors complete immersion in the migrant experience, and the challenges faced when trying to navigate it. The location of the museumFENIX is particularly poignant: on the south bank of the Nieuwe Maas river system, it was once home to the world's largest warehouse, but was also the place where more than three million immigrants (including Albert Einstein) departed Europe with the Holland America Line, bound for the New World. Before it became the museum site, the unrenovated warehouse was used as the Fenix Food Hall. The hipster hangout now sits next to the museum, underneath the new FENIX 1 housing development, the first of a series of apartment blocks revitalising the area. The Rijnhaven, like the Steigergracht, was derelict and decayed for years – a crumbling port area in a rough neighbourhood most people avoided. Slowly the area has gentrified. The addition of a small pedestrian bridge in 2012 created easier access for bike and foot traffic between the Katendrecht neighbourhood and the city. New apartment blocks and hotels including the NHow were built on the Wilhelmina Pier in 2014; the same year, a food hall opened in a warehouse previously abandoned for 40 years. In 2021, the energy-positive, C02-negative, three-storey Floating Office with green roof opened, housing the Global Centre for Adaptation, and the city's quirkiest accommodation option, the Wikkelboat, opened on the water. Six uniquely designed houseboats are moored on a pontoon walkway from the Rijnhaven's floating park, each made of 24 layers of wrapped, corrugated cardboard. They feature modular design, solar power and, I discover after three minutes of huffing and puffing, a retractable deck that reveals a sunken jacuzzi. Rotterdam (and largely The Netherlands) has strict rules on short-term apartment rentals. The Wikkelboat is a brilliant self-contained option to experience the city, with two bikes on the side ready to go, murphy beds to optimise space, and an outdoor shower to complement the indoor bathroom. Settled in the jacuzzi, I look across to where a new beach and park is being constructed and where a series of skyscrapers have been approved. So far, more than a third of the harbour basin – exceeding eight hectares – has been drained and reclaimed for the 350,000-square-metre urban development, which will bring more than 2000 new homes and office blocks, floating parks and an educational tidal park. But with temperatures today hitting more than 30 degrees, the city is preoccupied with Rotterdam's newest swimming spot, near Rijnhaven's first floating park and just 100 metres from the Wikkelboat. Clean water testing and record-busting temperatures mean every spot of grass and concrete on the floating park is taken up with bodies, beach towels and inflatables. Loading Ten years ago, this harbour was so dirty I wouldn't dare put a toe in. However, I can't help myself. I haul out of the warm water in the jacuzzi, and dive off the side of the Wikkelboat, attracting the attention of a mother duck and eight ducklings. It is cold, and thankfully, clean. Rotterdam isn't Europe's most beautiful city. It's not a top-tier European destination like Paris or Rome, Barcelona or London. But it's a place that embraces the future, and shows innovative European living at its finest. Want to see the real Europe? Rotterdam is ready. THE DETAILS
The Age
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
One of Europe's most underrated cities is shining in 2025
'Instead, I wanted to do something that benefitted the city.' The city of Rotterdam and its citizens take pride in that 'something': the focus of most new developments is how they can improve the quality of life for locals, rather than being built for tourists. This theme continues with the construction of the Hofbogen: the repurposing of an abandoned, above-ground train viaduct from the city centre to the north, inspired by the success of New York's High Line. Progress has been slow but steady: the once-abandoned arched workshops underneath have been filled with businesses, from salons to bespoke furniture makers, artisans and coffee roasters. In January 2024, a new food hall opened in the old train station at the halfway point, Station Bergweg, with patrons taking a beer, a bowl of ramen or a box of chocolates from a vending machine to eat on the station terrace, with views overlooking the city. However, the decision to revitalise the next stage of the Hofbogen involves starting construction from the outer fringe of the city and finishing in the CBD last, so the locals get the initial benefit. Of course, tourists aren't neglected: in the coming year, there will be a flourish of new hotels and museums. One of the few historic buildings in the city centre to escape destruction in WWII was (for nefarious reasons) the old post office. In 2026, the building will open as the new five-star 224-room Kimpton Hotel. Reopening in late 2025 is the Nederlands Fotomuseum, in a newly renovated, heritage-listed building on the Rijnhaven, a harbour in the city's north. Home to more than six million photos, the new Dutch National Photo Museum will occupy the old Santos coffee factory on the harbour. Just a short walk away, construction continues on one of Europe's most important new museums, the FENIX Museum of Immigration, set to open in May 2025. A giant silver tornado, both a work of art and a viewing platform, glistens in the morning sun, rising from the centre of the historic warehouse building. The museum will focus on the human experience of immigration, examining the phenomenon through contemporary art and documentary photography. More than 200 pieces have already been commissioned and acquired, but central to the museum is its planned ground-floor installation known as The Maze. In the past three years, the museum has interviewed thousands of migrants and collected 2000 or so suitcases belonging to the storytellers to physically complement their stories. Each suitcase will form part of a labyrinth designed to allow visitors complete immersion in the migrant experience, and the challenges faced when trying to navigate it. The location of the museumFENIX is particularly poignant: on the south bank of the Nieuwe Maas river system, it was once home to the world's largest warehouse, but was also the place where more than three million immigrants (including Albert Einstein) departed Europe with the Holland America Line, bound for the New World. Before it became the museum site, the unrenovated warehouse was used as the Fenix Food Hall. The hipster hangout now sits next to the museum, underneath the new FENIX 1 housing development, the first of a series of apartment blocks revitalising the area. The Rijnhaven, like the Steigergracht, was derelict and decayed for years – a crumbling port area in a rough neighbourhood most people avoided. Slowly the area has gentrified. The addition of a small pedestrian bridge in 2012 created easier access for bike and foot traffic between the Katendrecht neighbourhood and the city. New apartment blocks and hotels including the NHow were built on the Wilhelmina Pier in 2014; the same year, a food hall opened in a warehouse previously abandoned for 40 years. In 2021, the energy-positive, C02-negative, three-storey Floating Office with green roof opened, housing the Global Centre for Adaptation, and the city's quirkiest accommodation option, the Wikkelboat, opened on the water. Six uniquely designed houseboats are moored on a pontoon walkway from the Rijnhaven's floating park, each made of 24 layers of wrapped, corrugated cardboard. They feature modular design, solar power and, I discover after three minutes of huffing and puffing, a retractable deck that reveals a sunken jacuzzi. Rotterdam (and largely The Netherlands) has strict rules on short-term apartment rentals. The Wikkelboat is a brilliant self-contained option to experience the city, with two bikes on the side ready to go, murphy beds to optimise space, and an outdoor shower to complement the indoor bathroom. Settled in the jacuzzi, I look across to where a new beach and park is being constructed and where a series of skyscrapers have been approved. So far, more than a third of the harbour basin – exceeding eight hectares – has been drained and reclaimed for the 350,000-square-metre urban development, which will bring more than 2000 new homes and office blocks, floating parks and an educational tidal park. But with temperatures today hitting more than 30 degrees, the city is preoccupied with Rotterdam's newest swimming spot, near Rijnhaven's first floating park and just 100 metres from the Wikkelboat. Clean water testing and record-busting temperatures mean every spot of grass and concrete on the floating park is taken up with bodies, beach towels and inflatables. Loading Ten years ago, this harbour was so dirty I wouldn't dare put a toe in. However, I can't help myself. I haul out of the warm water in the jacuzzi, and dive off the side of the Wikkelboat, attracting the attention of a mother duck and eight ducklings. It is cold, and thankfully, clean. Rotterdam isn't Europe's most beautiful city. It's not a top-tier European destination like Paris or Rome, Barcelona or London. But it's a place that embraces the future, and shows innovative European living at its finest. Want to see the real Europe? Rotterdam is ready. THE DETAILS
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amazon Launch: The Reflection Unwritten Offers a Quiet, Powerful Mirror for Creatives Afraid to Begin
San Francisco, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- San Francisco, California - Following the resonant debut of The Version Who Stayed, rising speculative fiction author Krispy returns with The Reflection Unwritten, the second novella in The Mirror Archive series. Available now on Amazon, this introspective, emotionally immersive tale invites readers to confront not the past—but the futures they've been too afraid to imagine. Continuing the quiet, lyrical storytelling that marked their first novel, Krispy brings back recurring character Auren Solven in a new metaphysical mystery where the mirror doesn't show who one has been—it shows who one might fear becoming. Set in a shimmering reality where time folds and emotional truth reigns over logic, The Reflection Unwritten is not a conventional sequel. Instead, it's a deeper cut—a meditation on potential, authorship, and the heavy stillness of unrealized dreams. When Auren encounters a mirror that reflects futures never lived, they're forced into a confrontation not with ghosts, but with the weight of their own hesitation. This isn't about fixing the past—it's about claiming the pen before the future writes itself. As Auren is drawn into a psychological maze of cryptic visions, future selves, and fragments of an unspoken love with a mysterious character named Wren, the story unfolds with the intimacy of a letter never sent. The romance is subtle—a soft tether of almosts and maybes—but it's within that quiet pull that Krispy builds something remarkable. Wren is not a dramatic love interest. They are possibility made human. And in their presence, Auren must decide whether authorship of one's life can begin before the story is ready. Structured in three acts—The Glimmer, The Maze, and The Rewrite—the novella resists traditional plot mechanics in favor of emotional architecture. Journals appear that Auren has not written. Time fractures. Memories don't belong. Each chapter reveals a slightly more intimate thread between agency and avoidance, between love and fear, between the self that creates and the self that disappears. And at the center of it all is the question: Can a person unwrite a future they haven't yet lived. What sets The Reflection Unwritten apart, even more than its nonlinear form or soft speculative frame, is its courage to linger in emotional tension without spectacle. There are no climactic battles, no dramatic revelations. Instead, Krispy explores what it means to remain present with ambiguity. The mirror, once again, is not a device—it's a philosophy. And it doesn't offer clarity until Auren begins to act, to choose, to write. Early readers have responded with overwhelming praise, describing the novella as "a quiet masterpiece of becoming" and "speculative fiction at its most human." Literary critic Anaïs R. calls it "quietly devastating in all the best ways," while therapist and poet Priya M. notes, "This is therapy disguised as fiction, in the best possible way." Another reader shared, "It felt like the book saw me—and offered me a hand." Others highlight the novel's emotional architecture and soft romance. "It's not a love story in the traditional sense," wrote Oscar D., a romance reviewer. "But the relationship between Auren and Wren was the heartbeat of the book. Their connection isn't declared—it's discovered." Several reviewers also praised the treatment of creative paralysis, calling the book "a lifeline for anyone who's ever frozen at the start of their own story." Educators and literary theorists have also taken note. Dr. Lena Walsh, a professor of narrative theory, describes The Reflection Unwritten as "a mirror for anyone who's ever been afraid to begin." She adds, "I'll be assigning this in my seminar on memory, identity, and time. The mirror doesn't function as a gimmick—it's a psychological artifact." Though the novella clocks in at just over 33,000 words, its emotional weight belies its brevity. Krispy's ability to fold vast emotional terrain into a small page count is once again on display. Their prose is intimate, their tone hushed yet precise, and their structure cleverly mirrors the themes: looping, branching, pausing, choosing. It's less a story to read than one to inhabit. Auren Solven remains the soul of the series—a character who evolves not through conquest, but through vulnerability. In The Reflection Unwritten, we see Auren at their most paralyzed, yet most human. Their arc is not heroic in the traditional sense, but in the quiet way of someone choosing—however messily—to show up for their own life. In Krispy's words, "Sometimes authorship doesn't look like knowing what to write. It looks like picking up the pen anyway." That sentiment echoes throughout the novel, shaping its form and message alike. As with the first book, The Reflection Unwritten refuses to scream for attention. Instead, it invites the reader to sit with discomfort, to listen to the echoes of unspoken words, and to choose—again and again—what comes next. The Reflection Unwritten is now available in eBook and paperback on Amazon. To learn more about the author, visit This is not just the second chapter in a speculative series—it's an invitation to the reader: to begin, to revise, to stay. ### For more information about Krispy - Author, contact the company here:Krispy - AuthorKrispy+1 202 902 7060krispy@ CONTACT: KrispySign in to access your portfolio
