October Musings

October Musings

Happy Halloween! October arrived with the crisp light and rich color that make this season so special in our neighborhoods. With the foliage at its peak, Halloween bringing the streets to life, and the first hints of the holidays on the horizon, the month moved quickly, and so did the market.

Buyers came in focused, many hoping to be settled before the holidays, and the most exceptional homes drew immediate interest. Luxury inventory remained limited, which kept well-priced, beautifully presented properties in demand. For anyone considering a move in the new year, this is a wonderful time to begin preparing so you’re ready when the spring market begins.

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BOSTON

The Institute of Contemporary Art marked its 90th anniversary with 90 YEARS, which runs October 15 through March 7 across nine galleries, each devoted to an exhibition or initiative that defined its decade. Works by Andy Warhol, Simone Leigh, and Yayoi Kusama appear alongside newly recovered archival materials and new commissions. It’s a wonderful look back at how Boston’s waterfront museum has shaped contemporary art.

NYC

The Whitney’s Roy Lichtenstein: Like New opened October 11 with around 130 works, co-curated by Meg Onli and artist Alex Da Corte, tracing his fascination with how images are made, copied, and transformed. For the first time since 1962, the works from his first Pop show at Leo Castelli Gallery are reunited in one room. The exhibition runs through May 10.

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BOSTON
In November, chef George Mendes, who earned a Michelin star at Manhattan’s Aldea, opens Agosto in the South End. The restaurant is slated to open in November, drawing on his time with mentor David Bouley and at Arpège in France and El Bulli in Spain, and also on New England, with à la carte options alongside the tasting menu. It’s a personal, chef-driven opening to put on the calendar.

NYC

Daniel Humm opened HUMM at 435 Hudson Street in the West Village on October 10. It’s a more relaxed, à la carte counterpart to Eleven Madison Park, with wood-fired cooking, a roast chicken for two, and tableside martinis. The room features works by Louise Bourgeois, Rashid Johnson, and Roni Horn, plus a ceiling mural by Francesco Clemente. It’s one of the most talked-about tables in the city.

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BOSTON

The Snowport Holiday Market returns to the Seaport on November 6 and runs through December 27 at 100 Seaport Boulevard, with more than 130 independent businesses and four themed cocktail bars. New this year is Island Creek, serving hot lobster rolls. General admission is free.

NYC

The Rink at Rockefeller Center celebrates its 90th anniversary season, open since October 10 and running through March 27. A new Skate House opens November 14, with concessions curated by chef Greg Baxtrom. The Christmas tree arrives November 7, ahead of its December 2 lighting.

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BOSTON

Sisley Paris is preparing to open its first permanent Massachusetts boutique and spa at 31-33 Charles Street in Beacon Hill, with the opening targeted for mid-November. The French house is known for high-performance, plant-based skincare, and its intimate, apartment-style “Maison Sisley” concept pairs the full collection with a private treatment room for signature facials and bespoke beauty consultations. It’s a lovely new stop on Charles Street, and a natural one for holiday gifting.

NYC

Viceroy Park Avenue, a 252-room luxury hotel in NoMad, is set to open in December, with interiors by Meyer Davis Studio and food and beverage led by Tao Group Hospitality. A penthouse-level rooftop with an outdoor pool, pool bar, and cocktail lounge looks out over the skyline. It’s one to book for a winter escape in the city.