1. How did you get into luxury hospitality?

I was bartending for about a year after graduating with my business degree when a friend offered me the opportunity to get involved with Millennium. It just seemed like a natural fit. My love for people and the idea of providing a unique luxury experience in my home city was something that really resonated with me.

2. What do you like most about working at Millennium Place?

The La Vie program. From a young age, I’ve always had a passion for bringing people together. To be part of a program whose goal is to immerse its residents, while building a strong sense of community within their city, really brings a smile to my face.

3. What’s your go-to DTX restaurant?

Well, it depends on what I’m in the mood for. I’m always changing it up, looking for new spots to try, but if I had to pick one, it’d probably be Sip. Their menu offers a nice variety, from steak to sushi to pizza, so there’s something for everyone.

4. What are your favorite things to do in Boston during the summer?

Anything that involves being outside. Whether it’s enjoying dinner on the patio, hitting up Fenway for a Sox game, or going out on a harbor cruise, I’m there.

5. How has DTX transformed since you started working at Millennium Place?

Since I began working in Downtown Crossing three years ago, there has been a tremendous amount of development. I feel like every time I turn around, there’s a new restaurant, hotel or retail space to check out. I’m proud to be a part of a company that’s played a major role in changing the face of Downtown. It’s an exciting time to be a Bostonian!

It was a magical afternoon in The Owner’s Lounge as we celebrated Easter Sunday with a little magic and a lot of fun. Our petite residents gathered around Boston-based magician and juggler, Robert Clarke, as he put on a non-stop, action-packed performance for all to enjoy. Ohs and ahs filled the room as everyone watched his silly magic tricks and daring juggling stunts in amazement – that is until the Easter Bunny hop, hop, hopped in for a surprise visit!

Harvard University’s Phillip J. King joined our residents for a fascinating Fireside Chat presenting “Visualizing the Pyramids of Giza: Old Excavations and New Innovations.”

Neighbors grabbed a cocktail and gathered in The Owner’s Lounge to hear first-hand about the great archeological discoveries, fascinating personalities and game-changing technology surrounding the famous Giza Pyramids. Following his lecture, Phillip led an insightful conversation with curious residents, answering questions about his recent discoveries and how his revolutionary 3D visualization technology has changed the way we view history forever.

The award-winning chocolatiers from Chocolate Therapy joined us for a candy-coated Taste & Learn to present “From Bean to Bar: Create Chocolate Like the Pros.” Neighbors and friends gathered in The Owner’s Lounge to learn everything there is to know about chocolate- including how to taste, create and decorate like the experts. It was a sinfully sweet Valentine’s Day treat and a truly decadent night to remember.

Blake Middleton, the talented architect behind the design of Millennium Place and Millennium Tower joined our residents for a private Fireside Chat presenting “Hybrid Vigor: A Tale of Two Cities.

Neighbors gathered in The Owner’s Lounge for an evening of cocktails and lively conversation about the forces that influence design and architecture’s impact on positive urban change in Boston’s cultural district and San Francisco’s art district. Speaking from the perspective of a Boston native, Blake shared stories detailing the city’s history and architectural transformation resulting in the thriving downtown neighborhood that Millennium Place calls home.

Last week, Casino Night hit the jackpot as one of the most successful events of the year. Neighbors gambled the night away, trying their hand at Blackjack, Roulette and the crowd-favorite, Craps Table. Sinatra tunes filled The Club-Turned-Casino as gamblers recharged with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and prizes were awarded to the biggest winners of the evening.

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The challenge was on, as friends and neighbors gathered in The Owner’s Lounge to determine who was the smartest group of all at La Vie Trivia Night.  The questions were challenging and teams battled at wits end using brainpower to leave only one team standing in the winner’s circle.

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With the sun glistening on the water, birds chirping above and the spectacular Boston skyline in the background, our residents set sail for an elegant afternoon on the Valiant, a luxurious, 1920s-style yacht unique to Boston. Friends and neighbors cruised along the Harbor, enjoying fine wine, savory snacks and sparkling conversation.

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Last week, Laugh Boston sent us three of their funniest stand-up guys for a rousing night of comedy. Residents warmed up the evening with drinks at the bar before taking their seat in our Owner’s Lounge turned comedy club.

Headliner Steve Sweeney—a master of Bostonian dialects and character voices—was joined by seasoned funnyman Pete Costello and Corey Rodrigues, one of New England’s funniest comics, for a triple dose of gut-busting laugher that left friends and neighbors in stitches.

With the buzz in our ears for over a year, the day finally arrived. At 11am, the doors of the 1912 Burnham Building (formerly Filene’s Department Store) opened, people rushed in, skinny denim and trendy ponchos flew off the shelves, and history was made at renovation project led by Millennium Partners, the architects behind Millennium Tower Boston.

But not before quite the to-do earlier in the morning. The opening day celebration began at 8:45am, with a VIP breakfast for big shots, both local and from overseas. Primark executives, business partners, and media from around the country gathered for tours of the store. Call it the calm before the storm.

Along the way, informational nuggets were tossed out to the hungry crowd. For example, the store entrance’s “trend room,” which isn’t in every Primark, shows off runway looks and street wear; there are 530 mannequins, the most in any store in the company; the Boston location’s “recharging station” is a new concept with an ESPN-only HD TV; and Primark uncovered the original terra cotta ceilings as a nod to our history.

Meanwhile, an excited crowd gathered outside, drawn in not only by the hype, but also by KISS-108’s music, games and giveaways. Soon, the in-store podium was taken by the Primark gang, including Jose Luis Martinez de Larramendi, President Primark US Corp., Paul Marchant, CEO Primark, and the delightful Breege O’Donoghue, group director of business development, who not only gave a shout out to that night’s Patriots’ season opener but also told inspirational stories of JFK and our beloved Filene’s (RIP).

Boston’s big man on campus, himself a son of Irish immigrant parents, Mayor Martin J. Walsh took the microphone and explained how the location in the historic building was “embracing history to move forward.”

“This is a great day in Boston. I’m thrilled to officially welcome Primark,” he continued. “Primark will bring jobs and increased economic activity for our residents and visitors, and we are grateful they chose Downtown Crossing as the site of their first Northeast location.” It was this DTX location, known as the busiest pedestrian walkway in New England, as well as Boston’s large Irish community that were two main factors in Primark’s decision on locating into the 77,300-square-foot building.

Murmurs from shoppers supported that wise decision. You could hear a few Irish brogues telling their American counterparts to trust them, they “won’t shop anywhere else ever again.”

And we just might not. Known for its fashionably fun clothing, along with housewares, luggage, lingerie, and more (we even spotted makeup), this is where you shop when you want to look like you stepped out of a magazine but you don’t want to spend the cash. It’s this hold they have on the “cool kid” market that has set Primark apart since its opening in 1969 in the Republic of Ireland. Known for its ridiculously low prices and how-do-they-do-it quality, it wouldn’t be crazy for you to find a pair of jeans for $7, a gorgeous 100% wool hat for $10, a dapper men’s suit for $70, or a shirt dress for $18.

The countdown to the ribbon-cutting ended with the crowd (Irish and all) singing a verse of Boston’s favorite Neil Diamond tune “Sweet Caroline.” And when the doors opened at 11am, everyone felt so good, so good, so good.

Primark is located at 10 Summer Street in Downtown Boston.

Originally posted on The Voice of Downtown Boston.