DiamondRock Hospitality Completes Final Phase of Historic Lexington New York City's $50 Million Renovation

. October 26, 2016

NEW YORK, N.Y. October 26, 2016 - The historic Lexington New York City, a 725-room Autograph Collection hotel located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, recently unveiled the final phase of its three-year, $50 million renovation, which culminated in a 5,000-square-foot conversion of the S. Dynasty restaurant into a state-of-the-art meetings and events center, including two meeting rooms - The Speakeasy and The Interlude - connected by a foyer area called the Swing Room.

The hotel's owner, DiamondRock Hospitality Company, tapped renowned interior architecture and design firm dash design - which completed renovations to the hotel's guestrooms and public areas in 2013 - to complete the build-out. Seamlessly blending past, present and future, the hotel's meetings and events space combines a technologically advanced media center with design inspired by a time when the likes of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were regular fixtures within the hotel's walls.

“Throughout the hotel, we sought to create spaces that perfectly meld the storied building's jazz age glamour with the technological capabilities and forward-thinking amenities that today's discerning traveler has come to expect,” said David Ashen, principal of dash design. “The meetings and events space is a natural extension of that design ethos.”

The Speakeasy and The Interlude serve as the two main meeting rooms, boasting a color palette of neutrals and purples intended to evoke the spirit of Art Deco design that defined the Jazz Age, with open floor plans that allow for flexible furniture layouts accommodating as many as 120 people. Both rooms feature walls of windows, which provide abundant natural light overlooking Lexington Avenue. Artworks by artists Mao Kudo, who is based in New York, and Rose Dickson round out the aesthetic, which is inspired by music - specifically jazz rhythm and movement. The Swing Room serves as a pre-function space with a residential feel, offering beverage and buffet stations. Adjacent to the Swing Room, an intimate, art-inspired nook is available for breakout or impromptu meetings.

“Our proximity to Grand Central Terminal, the United Nations, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center and Times Square, makes The Lexington New York City a convenient location for corporate meetings and functions,” said June McDougall, managing director of the Lexington New York City, Autograph Collection. “This renovation has allowed us to transform the space left when S. Dynasty closed last November into a prime corporate destination, offering all the modern technologies that create a seamless event-hosting experience.”

Custom Media Environments designed and installed the tech systems, which include retractable projectors and projection screens that stow away in the ceiling when not in use; ceiling speakers that provide audio conferencing capabilities and connect to wireless or lavaliere microphones; wireless presentation capabilities that are compatible with any laptop, tablet or smartphone, as well as wired backup connections; and wall-mounted touch panels for easy control over the entire audio-visual system, lighting and window shades.

Designed by the celebrated architecture firm Schultze & Weaver, The Lexington New York City first opened in 1929 at the height of New York's hotel boom and went on to become a well-known hangout for period stars, including Arthur Godfrey, who hosted his radio show from The Hawaiian Room, and Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, who lived in a suite on the 18th floor during their marriage.

The Lexington New York City, which was the 45th hotel to join Marriott's upscale, independent Autograph Collection, is managed by Highgate, a real estate investment and hospitality management company whose growing portfolio includes more than 100 properties in gateway cities worldwide.

About The Lexington New York City

The Lexington New York City is centrally located in Manhattan's midtown neighborhood and provides guests with immediate access to the city's key business and entertainment areas. A storied hotel that originally opened in 1929, the property underwent a $46 million renovation that restored the jazz age glamour that made the Lexington New York City famous among celebrities, dignitaries and other notables. A new design concept that blends the hotel's legacy with modern appeal will be showcased throughout the public spaces, as well as the 725 guest rooms and suites. Catering to the luxury business and leisure traveler, the Lexington New York City will house a collection of unique artwork commissioned by art aficionado and industry expert, Paige Powell, feature more than 5,000 square feet of flexible function space with state-of-the-art wireless technology, as well as a selection of on-site dining options that includes Raffles, an American-style bistro with a jazz flare, as well as the hotel's Starbucks outpost. www.LexingtonHotelNYC.com

About DiamondRock

DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in top gateway markets and destination resort locations. The Company owns 26 premium quality hotels with over 9,400 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its hotels to be operated both under leading global brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and Westin and boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company's website at www.drhc.com.

About Autograph Collection

Exactly like nothing else, the Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Each destination has been hand selected for its quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional. For more information please visit www.autographhotels.com

About Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu. Highgate also has an expanding presence in key European markets through properties in London, Paris, Barcelona, Vienna and Prague. Highgate's portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $10B and generates over $2B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has created a portfolio of bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, London, Dallas, Chicago and Seattle. For more information, visit highgate.com.

Contact:
Courtney Long
[email protected]
857.350.4052

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