Earlier this month, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosted its 11th annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball, drawing a crowd of notable figures to Pier 2 for an evening of celebration and fundraising. The event, co-hosted by television personality Seth Meyers, took place against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor.
The Conservancy honored four individuals who played critical roles in transforming a neglected waterfront into the thriving public space it is today: Daniel Doctoroff, founder and chairman of Target ALS; Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; Nanette Smith of Bloomberg LP; and landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. The honorees were lauded for their dedication to turning the once dilapidated waterfront into a verdant park that now attracts over 5 million visitors each year.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, which opened in 2010, has become a model for innovative park development and the reclamation of urban waterfronts.
The Oct. 9 ball raised a record $1.7 million to support the Conservancy’s ongoing efforts to produce more than 400 free and low-cost arts, cultural, educational, and recreational events each season. The event featured cocktails on the pier, followed by a seated dinner and a night of dancing under the stars.
In a post on social media, the Conservancy lauded the event as a smashing success.
“The night was filled with inspiration, heartfelt gratitude, and a deep sense of unity around our shared commitment to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s mission,” the group said.
Among the attendees were Emmy award-winning actor Matthew Rhys, NBA veteran and podcast host JJ Redick, journalist Savannah Guthrie, actress Keri Russell, and restaurateur Peter Aschkenasy.
The evening’s dress code, dubbed “Brooklyn Black Tie,” put a playful (and local) spin on the classic attire.
