As a life-long resident of Staten Island, there’s never been a better time to live, work, and play in the often forgotten borough. And with all of the new state-of-the-art real estate developments on the island fromdelicious quality restaurants, retail spaces, and luxury housing developments, your friends in Manhattan will be taking the ferry to the St. George side much more often. The Nixon McGowan Team at Casandra Properties has been at the forefront of helping to change the Staten Island landscape for the better. Having worked on the commercial leasing for Urby, Minthorne, Empire Outlets, Downtown Plaza, the Pointe, and much more the Nixon McGowan team has been on a mission to make Staten Island great again. Through the following insider’s guide to my favorite shopping, fitness, and dining experiences in the North Shore of Staten Island, I hope to share something new.

Whether your family has lived in Staten Island for generations, or you’re a brand new resident, or even thinking about making the move, there’s always something new to love on the northern side of Staten Island. The following insider’s guide includes some of my personal favorite locations for shopping, fitness, and dining experiences in the borough I’m proud to call home.

SHOPPING

After beginning construction in 2015, Empire Outlets New York City, opened on May 15, 2019. Since first discovering the project, I’ve been excited to shop at Empire Outlets and the time has finally come! The 350,000-square-foot retail complex, located conveniently in St. George Staten Island, is the first-ever outlet complex in New York City history. Welcoming tremendous brands such as Nordstrom Rack, Samsonite, Nike, Converse, Guess, Levi’s, and much more, the revolutionary outlet center is an attractive retail destination for Staten Islanders and commuters alike. And with outlet prices, what’s better than scoring deals on your shopping list in your own backyard?

FITNESS

Since becoming a resident at Urby Staten Island, my entire lifestyle has been enhanced. This one-stop-shop provides me the perfect work-life balance, with the ability to work-out in a state of the art gym with incredible views of Manhattan, swim laps in a heated saltwater pool, relax at one of the serene outdoor fire pits, and much more. The gym at the Urby has everything you need to achieve a successful full-body workout, whether you prefer cardio or weight-based exercise. In addition, we brokered the first Crunch Fitness on Staten Island just down the way on Bay Street located within Downtown Plaza (364 Bay Street).