Jeff Dyksterhouse’s Hell’s Kitchen journey started as a wide-eyed midwestern boy with simply $300 to his title, to engaged on among the greatest musicals of the late 80s and 90s, and at last settling right down to changing into a profitable neighborhood actual property dealer. Learn on for his West Aspect Story…
So, what’s your New York story? Born right here, or simply arrived?
I landed in Hell’s Kitchen in the summertime of 1985, a wide-eyed 21-year-old midwestern boy recent out from the College of Michigan. I had $300 to my title. My very first New York Metropolis condominium was at 525 West forty ninth Avenue. I slept in the lounge. My roommate had the bed room. Worldwide Plaza was nonetheless a large parking zone.
What was your first job? What do you do now?
I used to be recruited out of school by Macy’s for his or her Govt Coaching Program. That’s what introduced me right here, nonetheless I used to be enamored by the brilliant lights of Broadway and rapidly realized company America wasn’t for me. I bought into theater administration and have become the tour supervisor of among the greatest musicals of the late 80’s and 90’s. Guys and Dolls, Wretched, Greaseand A Refrain Lineto call just a few. I additionally labored on Broadway doing firm administration stints on Cats, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman and 1776.
In between reveals, I labored as the non-public assistant to Broadway legends, John Kander and Fred Ebb. Across the time I turned 40, tour life began carrying skinny and I needed to quiet down and have a standard life. Town was booming at the moment so I made a decision to enter actual property which I like and proceed to do at present. My husband Danny Sayegh and I’ve a crew of brokers at Compass. Whereas we work throughout Manhattan, Hell’s Kitchen is our residence base.
Share with us why you like Hell’s Kitchen
I’ve referred to as Hell’s Kitchen “residence” for nearly 38 years. I really feel I’ve grown and adjusted with the neighborhood, from these gritty fearless fresh-out-of-college days, when Hell’s Kitchen was a tough and tumble neighborhood, to the extra subtle, upscale, however nonetheless somewhat edgy, space it’s at present. I’ve liked dwelling right here, watching the neighborhood develop and alter, and rising and altering proper together with it. Irrespective of the place else I would find yourself sometime, Hell’s Kitchen will at all times be residence.
What’s your superpower or hidden expertise?
I’ve been capable of preserve my low key, pleasant, midwestern angle even after dwelling in Hell’s Kitchen for 38 years.
What’s your favourite New York minute (or second) up to now?
My New York moments are too quite a few to recount, however I’ll drop among the names concerned, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Dorothy Loudon, Joel Gray, Tina Turner, Carol Channing, Brooke Shields, Sally Struthers, Robin Williams, however my favourite New York second was marrying my husband Danny Sayegh in entrance of 5 very shut buddies on our roof prime 46 tales within the sky overlooking Hudson Yards, The Hudson River and The Empire State constructing throughout the peak of the pandemic.
What else ought to we learn about you?
My husband Danny and I’ve a three-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Henry. I flip 60 this yr.
Jeff’s Favourite Hell’s Kitchen Locations
The Marshal —628 Tenth Avenue (bw W44th/forty fifth St)
We fell in love with The Marshal and its proprietor Charlie throughout the pandemic. Our pizza orders alone throughout that point most likely saved the restaurant afloat! Since then it appears like an extension of our residence and Charlie, Theo, Heather, and the remainder of the workers really feel like household.
Broadway Theater District
I do know it’s not one particular place nevertheless it was such an vital a part of my life right here for therefore a few years and it’s distinctive to New York Metropolis and has at all times been the lifeblood of the neighborhood. It could be overflowing with vacationers as of late, nevertheless it holds many, many nice recollections.
Hudson River Park, Pier 84 — 555 twelfth Avenue
I like with the ability to sit by the river and benefit from the water. Additionally, it has Henry’s favourite canine park.
Sullivan St Bakery — 533 W47th Avenue (bw tenth/eleventh Ave)
The olive bread!! And the donuts…
Delphinium — 353 W47 Avenue (bw eighth/ninth Ave)
House owners Michael and John are buddies from again within the previous theater days.
Kings of Kobe — 650 W42nd Avenue (bw W41/forty second St)
Finest bacon cheese burger and onion rings within the hood.
Even — 607 tenth Avenue (bw W43/forty fourth St)
One other native favourite the place Jacob makes us really feel like household.
Little Pie Firm — 424 W43rd Avenue (bw ninth/tenth Ave)
I’ve liked their carrot cake for the reason that early 1990’s. I drooled over their carrot cake within the late 1980’s however couldn’t afford it again then.
The Market Diner
The neighborhood has not been the identical since they tore down the Market Diner and changed it with rental flats, second solely to Theatre Row Diner the place I ordered from so usually, after I referred to as they might reply the telephone …”42G Cheeseburger Deluxe fries effectively executed”
You’ll be able to comply with Jeff on Instagram @jeffdnyc. If you already know somebody who would make an ideal West Aspect Story (otherwise you want to nominate your self) please fill on this kind — w42st.data/WSSnominations
You’ll be able to try extra West Aspect Tales and reader suggestions on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Native App.
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