Prince A. Sanders knows New York through its hotels, but also through its rituals. Now General Manager of The Wall Street Hotel—and a part-owner of Brooklyn’s Myrtle Ave. Bagels—he has spent more than two decades moving through the city’s hospitality world, from W Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton to EDITION Hotels and the Park Lane.
His latest chapter places him in Lower Manhattan at a particularly interesting moment. As New York approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, the neighborhood has become increasingly defined by what exists beyond its office towers: restaurants, galleries, design, independent businesses, and a growing hospitality scene. At The Wall Street Hotel, Sanders brings that contemporary energy into dialogue with the property’s Paspaley family heritage.
For Sanders, experiencing New York comes down to knowing where—and how—to spend your time. From morning walks along the East River to downtown galleries, neighborhood cafés, and a well-timed martini, his New York is grounded in the places and rituals that make a neighborhood feel lived in.
Courtesy of The Wall Street Hotel.
WHITEWALL: Where do you find inspiration in New York?
PRINCE A. SANDERS: Walking. I love that downtown refuses to follow the rest of Manhattan’s grid. The streets wind, the cobblestones remain, and sometimes the best thing you can do is get a little lost. There’s something incredibly romantic about Lower Manhattan. You turn a corner and discover a tiny street, an extraordinary façade or an unexpected glimpse of the water.
I’ve known downtown for more than twenty years, and it still surprises me. I’ve watched the neighborhood evolve over that time, and what excites me now is that the history hasn’t disappeared. It’s being layered with a new generation of art, fashion, dining and design. You feel both at once when you walk these streets.
That’s what inspires me most about New York: no matter how well you think you know it, there’s always something new to discover.
“There’s always something new to discover,”
-Prince A. Sanders
WW: Favorite place to see art?
PAS: The Whitney has a very special place in my heart. I was a founding supporter when the museum opened downtown, and I remember how exciting it was to see such an important cultural institution become part of this side of the city. I love the collection, but I also love the entire experience — the architecture, the views, and after a day at the Whitney, I enjoy being able to leave the museum and continue walking along the Hudson.
With that said, my first love will always be the performing arts. I began my career as a professional ballet dancer, so Lincoln Center remains my favorite place to see art. For me, art has never been limited to what hangs on a wall. It’s dance, music, theater, fashion, architecture and design. New York allows all of those things to constantly collide. That intersection is something I increasingly feel downtown, too.
Courtesy of The Wall Street Hotel.
WW: Best neighborhood vibe?
PAS: FiDi. I love its contradictions. You can have a cocktail high above Manhattan and, ten minutes later, find yourself walking down a centuries-old cobblestone street. During the week there’s this extraordinary energy, while on a Sunday morning it can feel almost intimate. And you’re never far from the water.
What excites me most is the mix of what has endured and what’s arriving now. Places that have defined downtown for generations sit alongside a new wave of restaurants, fashion, art and design. It feels like Lower Manhattan is being rediscovered without losing what made it distinctive in the first place.
Somehow downtown can feel connected to all of New York and removed from it at the same time. That’s what I love about it.
“I love its contradictions,”
-Prince A. Sanders
WW: Best-kept secret?
PAS: Old Mates. It’s an Australian bar that’s become one of my favorite neighborhood spots. It’s relaxed, fun and just cool enough without trying too hard. It has that increasingly rare quality of feeling like a true local hangout – the kind of place you discover because someone who knows the neighborhood sends you there.
And on the right night, you never quite know who might be sitting next to you.
WW: Best meal?
PAS: Harry’s. I’ve been going there since my Ritz-Carlton Battery Park days in the early 2000s, so there’s a lot of personal history for me. I no longer eat red meat, which might make Harry’s seem like an unexpected choice, but here’s the insider order: the truffled mushroom cavatelli from the Harry’s Side Bar menu, with mushrooms, sage and Parmesan. Add the tableside Caesar salad and polenta fries, and I’m a happy camper.
That’s what I love about knowing a restaurant for so long. Eventually, you stop ordering what everyone thinks you’re supposed to order and discover your meal.
Adrienne’s is another longtime favorite nearby. I’ve been going there for just as long, and I love that both remain part of my downtown even as the neighborhood continues to evolve around them. There’s something special about having places that anchor you to an earlier chapter of downtown while constantly discovering what’s coming next.
Courtesy of The Wall Street Hotel.
WW: For your ideal 24 hours in New York, where would we find you morning, noon and evening?
PAS: I’d start early, with coffee. I’m an avid coffee drinker and I take it black, so I’d grab a cup from Black Fox and start walking. There’s something comforting about that first coffee in my hand while the city is still waking up. I’d wander the cobblestone streets without rushing, eventually making my way toward Battery Park and the waterfront—and if a freshly baked pastry happens to find its way into the journey, even better.
I love those quiet mornings looking across the harbor toward the Statue of Liberty. It’s easy to forget you’re standing in one of the busiest cities in the world. That ability to feel removed from Manhattan without actually leaving it is one of the things I love most about downtown.
By midday, I’d head to Printemps. Sometimes I go to Printemps and barely shop—the interiors alone are worth the visit. The architecture and curation are extraordinary, and moving through the spaces can feel more like experiencing an art installation than visiting a traditional department store.
From there, I’d continue west toward the Whitney. Walking is one of my favorite ways to experience New York because art, architecture, food, fashion and the city itself all become part of the same journey. Downtown especially rewards that kind of curiosity – you can start without much of a plan and end up somewhere completely unexpected.
As afternoon turns into evening, I’d head to Overstory while there’s still light in the sky. The views are extraordinary, and I love watching Manhattan begin to change as the sun goes down.
Then, dinner at Harry’s or Adrienne’s before heading back to The Wall Street Hotel.
I’m a music fanatic, and on Saturday evenings one of my favorite things to do is settle into Lounge on Pearl for the live vinyl DJ set. There’s something wonderfully old-school about watching someone actually put a record on and build the energy of a room through vinyl. It became a bit of a lost art, and I love seeing its resurgence. Hearing records played in such an elegant space feels nostalgic and completely current at the same time.
In many ways, that combination of old and new captures what I love about Lower Manhattan right now.
And if the night ends with ballet, theater or more live music, even better. After all these years, that’s still what I love most about New York. You never really finish discovering it.
New York According to Prince A. Sanders
1. Whitney Museum of American Art
Edra Soto, “GRAFT,” 2022, 12 x 65 x 7 feet, installation view at the Whitney Museum of American Art in “no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria” (2022), photo by James Prinz, courtesy of the artist.
“The Whitney is the only museum dedicated to American art and artists. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney founded the Museum in 1930, taking a bold stand for American artists who were often overlooked. Today, our collection features works by over 4,000 artists, including luminaries like Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alexander Calder, and Faith Ringgold. Our signature exhibition, the Whitney Biennial, is the longest-running survey of American art, where artists test boundaries, spark conversation, and shape culture.” –Whitney Museum of American Art.
2. Printemps
Photo by Gieves Anderson, courtesy of Printemps New York.
“Printemps New York is located in the historic, 50-story landmark building, One Wall Street. As the next chapter of its brand transformation, this Printemps concept offers a unique experience, blending a local touch with effortless shopping both in-store and online.” –Printemps.
3. Wall Street Hotel
Courtesy of The Wall Street Hotel.
Located at Manhattan’s southern tip, The Wall Street Hotel occupies the historic Beaux-Arts Tontine building. The exterior’s grand arches and windows give way to a refined interior of marble and brass, rich textiles, and a calm modernity. Art is integral to the space, including a collaboration with Australia’s APY Art Centre Collective, which features works by leading Aboriginal artists exploring nature, storytelling, and ancestral tradition. The result is a deeply immersive, culturally rich experience. Moreover, dogs are welcome—a rarity in the city—with amenities like a doggy bed, toys, and a water bowl provided.
