Only a month after opening its first U.S. location at 660 Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, the luxe London-based coffee roaster WatchHouse Coffee is already adding another New York outpost to its java portfolio and, this time, it is invading a pretty iconic setting: the ground floor of the Chrysler Building. 

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The British coffee brand—which currently operates 12 locations in the United Kingdom and is known for its daytime coffee and pastry offerings, as well as evening light bites and cocktails like an on-theme espresso Old Fashioned—will debut inside the landmark Art Deco skyscraper at 405 Lexington Avenue this September with a 2,000-square-foot location, slightly larger than its New York sister. 

Like its other addresses, the inaugural NYC shop is modeled after an espresso bar, serving coffee, locally sourced baked goods and grab-and-go items during the day, so it’s likely that the Chrysler-set sibling will be more of the same. 

The new java joint is the latest effort by the Chrysler Building’s team to expand its retail and amenity spaces. Per Commercial Observer, the 27th floor of the time-honored tourist attract is getting a “tenant lounge with a yoga room, kitchen and terrace, dubbed the Chrysler Club,” while the 61st and 62nd floors will add a new, Art Deco-inspired bar and restaurant called The Cloud Club.

It’s yet unclear whether the aforementioned space will join the growing roster of private dining clubs opening in New York as of late, like Zero Bond and CORE. Keep in mind, though, that the Cloud Club was a real-deal private executive club that operated inside the Chrysler from the 1930s through the late ’70s. 

* This article was originally published here

After years of struggling to make ends meet in various jobs, my life changed when I joined the New York City Carpenters Union. Through the Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) and the BuildingWorks pre-apprenticeship programs, I’ve gained access to a stable career path with great pay and benefits that allows me to provide for my family. Without and the union, I wouldn’t be able to afford to live in the city I’m building. To maintain the lifeblood of New York City, we need to keep it livable for working people. I am proud to say that and the union and working for a union contractor are helping make that goal become a reality.

I’m a proud second year apprentice now, gaining all the skills I need to be the best in the industry. The great wages I receive as an apprentice allow me and my family to afford living in New York, the city where I work and help build. The solid benefits I receive through my paid apprenticeship are also crucial for my ability to thrive here, as I finally have quality healthcare for my kids and I. Thanks to the union, I was able to finally go to the primary care doctor for the first time in years. My level of gratitude for the union is high because I know that such strong benefits are unfortunately not the industry norm.

A recent study found that 41% of construction workers and their families in New York need government assistance just to make ends. To make matters even worse, 25% also have no healthcare whatsoever, due to nonunion construction being rife with exploitative practices. Union carpenters and contractors combat this by providing good wages and benefits for their workers, along with advocating for fair wages for all construction workers, union and nonunion alike. The more construction workers we bring into the union and the more fair wage standards we achieve, the more we can relieve the taxpayer burden of providing government assistance programs. I am proud to be a part of the  union working to make this happen.

I am also grateful for the supportive work environment within the union and on the job. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a great mentorship program with the union’s Sisters in the Brotherhood. They’re always there to help with any issues or questions I may have. One day, I hope to become a mentor as well by becoming an instructor. I’ve seen the value that female instructors bring to aspiring female carpenters like myself. I can’t wait until I’m able to inspire the next generation, just like I was inspired.

Along with great instructors, a diverse working environment, and mentorship opportunities, the union also makes it a point to prioritize safety whether in the classroom, in training, or on the job. We’re always equipped with the right protective gear, safety trainings, and knowledge about the safety considerations for every project we work on.

All New York City carpenters and construction workers deserve good-paying, rewarding careers. I’m happy to say that I’ve found exactly that thanks to the Carpenters Union and look forward to building my career and a better future for New York alongside my union brothers and sisters.

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* This article was originally published here