Background:
New York Edition is a new hotel by Ian Schrager in partnership with MarriottInternational located in the landmark Metropolitan Life Tower across from Madison Square Park. Built in 1909, the Gothic-style building, which is also referred to as the Clock Tower, was modeled after the Campanile in Venice, Italy. The 700-foot-tall tower is approximately 41 stories, and has four floors of public areas and amenity spaces.
Design Concept:
Rockwell Group has developed a design concept for the public areas and guest rooms that complements the Clock Tower’s historic interior. A palette of richly textured and natural materials was selected to enhance the juxtaposition of modern and traditional in the building.
Design Details:
Lobby
The lobby is a dramatic yet understated space with residential-inspired design elements. Seating groups comprised of plush, neutral hued sofas and lounge chairs, and a bar area with a glowing amber glass back wall will create a series of relaxed social spaces in the lobby. Wide plank wood flooring in a light oak finish adds warmth to the 14-foot-tall, light filled space. Pre-cast custom concrete tiles that mimic the building’s original limestone façade form window casings and serve as accents for the walls and floors.
A gallery lounge area towards the back of the lobby features four lounge chairs with custom upholstery and a stone and bronze coffee table near a blackened steel fireplace. Nearby, an organic, helical stair with a curved outer shell and light oak wood interior paneling leads guests to the 2nd floor restaurant.
2nd Floor
The Clocktower is New York Edition’s new restaurant by the acclaimed English chef Jason Atherton and American restaurateur Stephen Starr. The 2nd floor space is a designated New York and federal landmark thatonce served as Met Life’s executive offices. Historical light fixtures, along with mahogany doors, wainscoting and floors were restored to their original condition.
The restaurant is a series of five rooms, each with its own unique concept: Great American Artists (Bar), Great American Musicians (Billiard Room), New York Street Scenes (Dining Rooms 1 and 3) and American Icons (Dining Room 2).
Drinks are served at a bar with a gold leaf finish. A custom opalescent glass globe and dark metal pendant by the contemporary French artist Eric Schmitt provides a beautiful accent to the bar. A billiard room featuring dark mauve velvet seating and a billiard table with a burgundy playing surface serves as a casual, pre-dinner gathering spot.
The main dining area is organized into three rooms to create more intimate seating groupings. Each room has velvet banquettesand seat cushion upholstery in a different color accent – green, blue and rose. Two fireplaces and three oversized glass ring chandeliers suspended by a darkmetal frame by Eric Schmitt casts a warm light. Mahogany dining tables with fluted bronze bases add an understated elegance.
The guest rooms have a luxurious, urban residential apartment feel. In a nod to the Clock Tower’s architecture, many guest rooms have vaulted ceilings. Rockwell Group created a tone-on-tone color palette with accents of dark wood, including an oversized walnut paneled headboard and a dark brown coffee table.
The rooms have light oak wood plank flooring with custom area rugs. Dark oak wood millwork, door frames and entries provide accents of color. Each room features a black and white print by photographer Melvin Sokolsky. Light oak wood plank flooring and pre-cast concrete bathtubs, showers and vanities, and matching wall tiles create a seamless, monolithic look in the bathrooms.
Three penthouses, approximately 1,500 SF each, are located on the 29th, 30th and 31st floors and will offer panoramic views of the city.
