Design
Fowler & Wells at The Beekman exudes a classic downtown aesthetic , as the red bricks are left exposed and the ductwork above left open . Furniture includes banquettes in gray leather and mohair velvet upholstery .
The Beekman , a Thompson Hotel
US $ 350 million on the renovation .
For 287 rooms , location in downtown New York City and an absence of suitors for over 10 years , to some people that ’ s huge . Gross admits it did worry him that no one saw anything in it but he saw the plot after spending time and “ practically talking to the building .”
“ Looking at different uses , ( a hotel ) made the most sense , but it all depended on getting the lot next door . If we didn ’ t , it might not have worked economically as a hotel . The cost per room would have been too great and there wouldn ’ t be enough amenity space ,” Gross says .
“ The sale of condos ( in the condo tower next door , which has 68 units on its upper floors and 75 guestrooms on lower floors ) reduces our cost of hotel rooms and allows us to do something exciting , which is restoring a one-of-a-kind building
that doesn ’ t exist in all of New York City ,” Gross says . “ Something like that is priceless .” He expects to have the condos sold within the year and for all guestrooms , all F & B and meeting rooms to be in service by June 2017 .
‘ Neck paiN ’ Right now , The Beekman is giving downtown a neck pain : people come just to look up to the nine-story atrium leading to a pyramid-shaped skylight bathing them in dazzling light . There are also exquisite details , such as the cornicing , carved balustrades and ironwork . There ’ s the whimsical kilim-draped reception desk , the rugs from the same period the building was constructed .
There are surprises , such as the in-room minibar crafted from an antique table with a thick-patterned cloth draped over it . There are modern
The nine-story atrium has been restored with Victorian wrought-iron railings and balustrades , ornamented with flowers , dragons and sunburst , while the pyramidal skylight bathes the space in light .
OperaTOr :
Two Roads Hospitality , Denver
rOOms :
287 , including 45 suites and two penthouses within the iconic “ turrets ”
F & B :
Tom Colicchio and Keith McNally debut Fowler & Wells ; Colicchio ’ s Crafted Hospitality operates all F & B , including The Bar Room on the ground floor
archiTecT :
Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects PC
inTeriOr design :
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio
develOpmenT Team :
Co-development of GB Lodging LLC and GFI Development Co .
December 2016 hotelsmag . com 39