The Real Deal on the town…

“Living Landmarks” Larry Silverstein, Jonathan Tisch and others chat it up at Plaza gala

Peg Breen, president of Landmarks Conservancy, and Jonathan Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels

The Real Deal was on hand last night to mingle with the city’s biggest movers and shakers at the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s annual Living Landmarks Celebration at The Plaza Hotel (see slide show above). This year’s honorees were toasted by titans of industry, philanthropists, art mavens and celebrity figures alike.

… Legendary gossip hound Liz Smith was on the scene in a glittering jacket and velvet pants. The famed columnist seemed right at home among the honorees, with whom she chatted for most of the event’s cocktail reception.

… Jonathan Tisch, Loews Hotels’ chairman and CEO, was all smiles last night as he became one of the latest “Living Landmarks” of the city — a title bestowed upon those who have made lasting and significant contributions to New York City. Tisch, looking dapper in a tuxedo alternative — black jacket and straight tie — said the hotel industry is giving him reason to celebrate. “The good news is the hotel business remains strong in the city,” Tisch said. “The holidays look great [and] all our usual sources of business are strong.”

… Tisch got a special congratulations from long-time friend Jeff Zucker, former president and CEO of NBC Universal. Despite being ousted from his employer of 24 years in September, Zucker didn’t hesistate to name New York’s NBC epicenter “30 Rock” as his favorite city landmark. “I’ll always have a place for it in my heart,” he said. Zucker stayed just long enough to give his buddy Tisch a pat on the back before attending another event.

… Le Cirque owner Sirio Maccioni made a two-minute appearance, noting that he came “just to say [he’s] leaving.”

… For Vanity Fair editor and newly minted “Living Landmark” Graydon Carter, the landmark is in the eye of the beholder. The Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway in the Financial District “has a special attachment for my wife and me,” Carter said. “And I can almost see it from my downtown apartment.”

… Lady in red Elizabeth Stribling, president of residential brokerage Stribling & Associates, also made an appearance, along with her husband, Guy Robinson, noting that she was “quite proud of Larry Silverstein,” a “Living Landmark” honoree. As for the residential market, Stribling said she was “a happy camper,” and noted that she’s seen an uptick in activity. “The prices have come down,” Stribling said, “and we’ve got a real market.”

… Silverstein, however, wasn’t nearly as chipper. When asked about World Trade Center construction progress, the owner of Silverstein Properties noted dryly, “it’s going,” and declined to comment on other topics.

… Marlo Thomas, famed actress, feminist and national outreach director for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, was also on hand as a “Living Landmark” honoree, along with husband Phil Donahue, famed media personality and a freshman “Landmark” himself. Thomas said Lady Liberty is her favorite landmark (“we have a boat and we can drive by it in our boat”), along with the Empire State Building (“I can see it from my terrace”), but noted that she “miss[es] the towers.”

… Legendary interior design guru and “Living Landmark” honoree Bunny Williams said one of her favorite modern buildings is the Time Warner Center, noting that “the drama of the more modern buildings is what’s exciting.” Still, as a lover of residential decor, Williams said “the great apartments are in the old buildings.”