Grand Hyatt New York $130 Million Renovation Continues
New York, NY - September 12, 2011 - Situated in the heart of Manhattan adjacent to Grand Central Terminal, Grand Hyatt New York ushers in a new era with the final phase of its $130 million renovation to transform the guest experience. The hotel boasts redesigned guestrooms, a new restaurant, a refreshed lobby and mezzanine level, creative new social event spaces, a revitalized ballroom, and the innovative gourmet grab-and-go food concept called Market.
This past November, more than 150 newly redesigned rooms, spanning two floors of the hotel, became available for guests. As the renovation continues through 2011, the new guestrooms and suites will become available floor-by-floor until all 1,311 rooms have been renovated.
New York Central, the highly anticipated new bar and restaurant of Grand Hyatt New York, opened in mid-November and is the only restaurant in New York located above a sidewalk. Several coveted tables appear to float above the street as the city's excitement passes below. Chef Christian Ragano, who joins the restaurant from Park Hyatt Chicago's famed NoMI, offers a diverse menu inspired by the flavors of Western Europe.
“The renovation of Grand Hyatt New York represents a rebirth, reshaping the legacy of this historic hotel,” said Matthew Adams, Area Vice President - New York for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “With the new room designs and New York Central, our new look and feel will exceed expectations of the most discerning travelers, bringing a fresh travel experience to our New York landmark.”
Several world-renowned design and architecture firms are collaborating on the transformation of Grand Hyatt New York. The architecture and design firm Bentel & Bentel designed the new lobby, New York Central, Market, and the new meeting rooms. The firm is known for its contemporary design approach and its work on New York trendsetting restaurants such as The Modern and Eleven Madison Park, in addition to several major hotel projects.
The new guestrooms and Empire Ballroom were designed by noted hospitality interior design firm Looney & Associates, whose portfolio includes resorts and hotels around the world.
Introducing New Guestrooms: A Decidedly Residential Feel
Inside each new room at Grand Hyatt New York, refined hues, lush textures and engaging artwork evoke the mood of a sleek, modern Manhattan residence. The minimalist decor creates a calming sanctuary, far from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan's heart beating below in the city's iconic epicenter - Grand Central Terminal.
Rather than treating the guestroom as a grouping of individual furnishings placed together, the Looney & Associates approach is to compile a bespoke collection of articles, each dependent upon the other for their purpose and composition. The result is a gracious haven where both leisure and corporate guests can feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home.
Warm indirect lighting illuminates tailored furnishings that reinforce the contemporary aesthetic and design in the guestrooms. Australian walnut complements the rooms' textiles, which entwine tweed, leather, cashmere, and brushed silk in shades of taupe, champagne and plum.
The guestroom design deliberately and seamlessly integrates art into the space. In lieu of a conventional head board, the guestroom wall becomes a canvas for Per Fronth, a Norwegian artist whose imagery captures the soul of New York - from the shimmer of twilight to the mystery of night - a dream of the city.
Each guestroom configuration offers a distinctive, functional layout that takes full advantage of the hotel's singular architecture. The largest rooms will be converted to VIP suites with design elements that include espresso tinted walnut, expansive glass enclosed showers and opulent lounge areas that reinforce the residential character of the new design.
A Bold New Restaurant: New York Central
New York Central brings a new sophistication to Grand Hyatt New York, appealing to global travelers and local New Yorkers. The restaurant, designed by Bentel & Bentel, is nearly 6,000 sq. ft. and welcomes guests from two entrances - a grand blue granite staircase or the dedicated elevator located in the lower lobby. Inside, a stunning custom chandelier suspended above the entire space accentuates the curve of the bar and soar over the lounge, casting a twinkling glow visible from the street and lobby below. The illuminated white bar is a centerpiece that can be seen from 42nd Street and incorporates seating around the entire bar. The wine gallery features a 30-foot glass art panel by Per Fronth.
The lounge at New York Central features comfortable seating covered in warm gray leathers with white accents and dining-height tables - furniture highly conducive to light bites and cocktails. Silver-gray wooden tables and leather seating adorn the dining room space, and a special Chef's table will offer an elevated view into the open kitchen. Each table is accented by adjustable lights flowing from the main chandelier. Large parties and private gatherings enjoy a dining area tucked away from the main dining room.
A Truly Inspiring Sense of Arrival - The New Lobby at Grand Hyatt New York Signifying a true transformation from the moment of arrival, Bentel & Bentel is creating a new lobby space, set to debut in the spring of 2011, which will incorporate museum quality art. Two large sculptures will bring excitement to the space - one resting in the entrance water wall and another adjacent to the front reception area.
A leather seating area will welcome guests to gather for impromptu meetings or to enjoy food from nearby Market. Softly lit screens will form a backdrop for the brightly lit guest check-in desk stations. Spanning across the lobby, columns will be bathed in a warm brown color and the ceiling lighting will transition from day to night, creating the natural colors of a sky overhead.
Taking Events to the Next Level
Gallery On Lex, an inventive new social catering event area will debuted in spring of 2011 in the space previously occupied by Commodore Grill. The 4,400 sq. ft. space will boast a central entry surrounded by artwork, leather furniture and a cream-colored stone floor. Not to be confused with a typical hotel meeting room, the venue will feature flexible space that will flow into a central zone with wood floors and stone counters, allowing guests to socialize and interact with the hotel's culinary team.
The front area offers multi-functional seating for breakout meetings or pre-dinner events. Two “pavilions” within the space are clad in the tropical timber, wenge, and walnut woods with a rich colored striped carpet and wood floors, as well as a front wall configured of glass with sheer and blackout curtains.
Meet Market: Innovative Grab-and-Go Reinventing Room Service
A gourmet “grab-and-go” concept in the main lobby, Market offers the best of New York's tastes and treats 24-hours-a-day to the Grand Central neighborhood. Market offers locally sourced essentials for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, including hot meals, sandwiches, beer and wine. Featured New York favorites include items from Roasting Plant, Tisserie, Chickalicious and Macaron Cafe NYC. The hotel continues to offer traditional room service, while this new food and beverage experience caters to the changing needs of today's travelers. Guests who crave a quick, healthy meal when arriving from a late flight enjoy the ease of Market, as well as visitors seeking high-quality food choices in Midtown.
The glowing blue columns and white tile cladding of Market complement the interiors of the lobby area, drawing guests across the generous lobby to this bustling new area. The color scheme creates a feeling of an exterior window wall beyond the lobby. Inside Market, the space features a floating concrete counter, while blackened steel stand-up tables offer space for quick bites under a metal ceiling lit with blue hues.
Empire Ballroom Strikes Back
The Empire Ballroom renovation kicked off Grand Hyatt New York's transformation earlier this year and is again welcoming Presidents, royalty and celebrities alike. Originally built in 1917, the restoration of the Empire Ballroom, its storied history and prime location has made it one of the most desirable venues in the U.S.
The 18,000 square foot space accommodates 100 to 1,500 guests and can be elegantly divided into five salons. Special touches of the Ballroom include metal grillwork reminiscent of the legendary windows in Grand Central Terminal and original tin tiling throughout, respecting and enhancing the historic nature of the venue. The spectacular chandeliers are comprised of 7,000 individual hand-blown pieces of art glass creating a “champagne cloud,” which gives the ballroom a sense of contemporary New York style.
To learn more about Grand Hyatt New York and to make reservations, visit www.grandnewyork.hyatt.com or call 1-800-233-1234.
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