Heads up, New Yorkers: The New York Palace has completed the second phase of its $140 million renovation, with the addition of six foodie hotspots and a redesign of its hotel Lobby and Towers Lobby.
Some big names are attached to the renovation: San Francisco-based design firm BAMO, who was tapped to redesign the hotel’s VIP Towers Rooms and Suites, was also employed to transform the private Towers Lobby. New York-based architecture and interior design firm BBG-BBGM was retained to create a comprehensive master plan for the re-use of the hotel’s public spaces as well as design interiors for two previously unused spaces of the north Villard Mansion: the new street-facing bar, Tavern on 51, as well as the exclusive, sumptuous lounge Rarities. And New York-based design firm Champalimaud was selected to remodel the hotel’s main guest reception area and lobby, as well as a new bar, Trouble’s Trust and the new Lobby Lounge.
Upon entering The Towers Lobby, guests are greeted by a team of dedicated receptionists and concierge specialists. The new walls of the Lobby have wood grain paneling with silk fabric insets. BAMO’s team for this project included Steve Henry, Principal; Brady Johnson and Landes Cobb, Interior Designers; and Carmen Bringas, Project Manager & Associate.
Champalimaud, meanwhile, transformed the hotel’s main Lobby into a brighter, more contemporary space by streamlining and redefining the existing architectural elements. An abstract mural tells the story of the Villard family who owned a railroad and shipping enterprise during the industrialization age when the Villard Mansion was built. References to New York's harbor are represented through depictions of ships and trains.
A stone floor pattern inspired by an Italian Renaissance motif, made of Rossa Verona, nero marquina and carrara marble, grounds the lobby level. Other highlights include a massive sparkling chandelier, comprised of hundreds of hand-blown glass spheres, that draws attention to the Lobby’s gold leaf ceiling and historic marble fireplace. A redesigned reception area showcases silk fabric panels and new marble floors.
While creating The Palace’s new bar, Troubles Trust, Champalimaud looked to capture the feeling of a ‘downtown’ bar uptown, with a glowing floor-to-ceiling wine display forming the backdrop of a long bar resembling liquid metal.
Tavern on 51 and Rarities are a public bar and an exclusive lounge, respectively. They are decoratively connected by a landmarked staircase, as well as an illuminated metal and glass vitrine display case that extends through the center of the staircase. The vitrine was designed specifically to house the curated rare scotches offered at Rarities.
Tavern on 51 is open to the public, while Rarities is an exclusive destination available to The Towers guests. All of the historical elements have been maintained, with antique and artifact embellishments.
Two more culinary options will grace The New York Palace’s lobby. Both dining venues are helmed by lauded Chef Michel Richard; one is a restaurant called Villard Michel Richard, the name paying homage to Henry Villard, the 19th-century financier whose namesake mansion is still a part of the hotel, and the other is a French market with café seating called Pomme Palais, whose moniker is a play on the “Big Apple.” The restaurant has two dining rooms, one being a gastronomic, prix-fixe, dinner-only option, and the other is bistro-style serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Jeffrey Beers International designed both spaces.
The New York Palace’s renovations are scheduled for completion in fall 2013.