New York City’s food hall count keeps increasing.
Urbanspace Union Square, a 10,000 square foot food hall with an expansive back patio, opened at Zero Irving, steps from Union Square Park and the Union Square transit hub, on December 14.
The modern, airy, bright food hall features 13 food entrepreneurs ranging from iconic New york City restaurants to up-and-coming concepts, many of whom have grown with the Urbanspace brand. The food hall is located on the ground floor of Zero Irving, a new ground-up, tech-focused mixed-use office building recently completed by RAL Development.
“If there’s one thing Union Square is known for, it’s great food options, and with more than a dozen exciting new purveyors under one roof – including six first-time operators and start ups – this is sure to be the hottest new destination for local workers, residents, and visitors to grab a bite,” said Ed Janoff, Acting Executive Director of Union Square Partnership. “Urbanspace Union Square joins a long list of over 100 ground-floor businesses that have decided to open in Union Square-14th Street in the last two years, furthering the district’s role as an ever-burgeoning hub for creativity, tech, culture, jobs and more, while also serving as a terrific indicator that the area continues to rebound, with even more exponential growth on the horizon.”
Baja tacos and burritos from Summer Salt, a vendor at Urbanspace Union Square
As part of Zero Irving’s public benefit commitments to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Urbanspace set out to reserve 25% of the vendor spots for first-time entrepreneurs or start-up companies that have operated for less than four years. Ultimately this goal was greatly exceeded as nearly half of vendors fit this qualification, including: Summer Salt (Baja tacos and burritos), Twenty One Grains (gluten-free grain bowls), Kid Brother Pizza (market-driven pizza by Chef Michael Davis) Pita Yeero (Greek gyros and salads) Plant Junkie (plant-based comfort food), and Goat Cafe (specialty coffee and pastry).
The full list of vendors is rounded out with beloved local food brands including Bao by Kaya (bao buns and noodles), Bobwhite Counter (tasty fried chicken and sandwiches), Playa Bowls (fresh smoothies and juices), Wafels & Dinges (Belgian waffles), Top Hops (craft beer and cocktail bar), Casa Toscana (Italian focaccia sandwiches), and GoFish (sushi boxes).
Greek salad from Pita Yeero, a vendor at Urbanspace Union Square
“Providing a launch platform for concepts to incubate and watching them grow is the most rewarding part of our business,” says Urbanspace President Eldon Scott. “Within this food hall, for example, we’re seeing a seasonal Union Square Holiday Market vendor turn into a full-time food hall vendor in the same neighborhood. After operating in Union Square Park with our Holiday Market for 29 years, we’re honored to add to the fabric of the vibrant Union Square community. We anticipate serving a diverse mix of students, office workers, and local residents.”
Urbanspace Union Square is the fifth New York City food hall from Urbanspace. Earlier this year Urbanspace opened Urbanspace Pearl in the Financial District as well as Urban Hawker, a Singapore-style hawker center in Midtown.
Sushi and bowls from GoFish, a vendor at Urbanspace Union Square
Urbanspace Union Square is located at 24 E 14th Street on the ground floor of Zero Irving and open Sunday through Wednesday 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday 7 a.m. – midnight.