Restoration of St. Regis New York

The St. Regis New York welcomes a new era of luxury with updated public spaces including the lobby, King Cole Bar and two restaurants.

New York, NY – The St. Regis New York celebrates 120 years this fall with the start of a complete redesign and renovation, marking a new chapter of glamor and luxury. With renovated public spaces, including the lobby, King Cole Bar and two new restaurants, the St. Regis New York unveils an extraordinary new era at Manhattan’s finest address. The renovation reflects the hotel’s enduring legacy, reborn for today’s global traveler with a modern aesthetic led by renowned design firm Champalimaud Design.

“We are delighted to begin the renovation of the first St. Regis and our flagship global venue, The St. Regis New York, as we celebrate 120 years of St. Regis, a milestone for the brand,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Senior. Vice President of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts. “This anniversary reflects our lasting legacy of luxury, service personalized and contemporary elegance that has captivated customers around the world.As we honor our rich heritage, we stay very much in tune with our foundation’s aspirations. loyal customers and the next generation of luxury travelers, ensuring that every experience we provide is as extraordinary and timeless as it is »

John Jacob Astor IV’s vision for the St. Regis New York to create a hotel that would compete with the best hotels in Europe, where his close friends and family could feel as if they were guests in a private home. The hotel quickly became the center of Manhattan’s social life, and the headquarters of the first “Caroline’s 400”, the elite social group named by Astor’s mother and society doyenne, Caroline Astor. Throughout its rich 120-year history, the St. A Bloody Mary cocktail or iconic jazz concerts on the roof of the hotel, as well as being the backdrop for iconic scenes from film and television.

“Since 1904, the St. Regis New York has become an icon for generations of travelers from around the world who seek accommodation in midtown Manhattan and immerse themselves in the timeless appeal that it has defined the image of Fifth Avenue since its founding by John Jacob Astor IV,” said general manager Octavia Marginean-Thahiroglu. “The renovation marks a historic moment for a beloved New York City icon, as we showcase our renovated public spaces this fall, our 120th anniversary. »

Led by Champalimaud Design, the redesigned public spaces of St. Regis New York embraces the hotel’s design heritage, as well as the original Beaux-Arts architecture, while transforming it into an exciting urban paradise that a 21st century Astor family would feel like. right at home. . This fresh and exciting approach brings together period design elements, including Waterford crystal chandeliers and original crown moulding, echoed through the introduction of modern furniture, linear texture and rich color palette.

“We created spaces full of energy and splendor, layering classic architecture with contemporary elements, magically renewing the hotel, as the Astors did when the hotel opened”, said Alexandra Champalimaud “Public spaces give a sense of openness and a palette of emerald green and rose red tones that evoke the grandeur of the Astors’ heritage.”

Guests leave Fifth Avenue and enter the world of St. Regis through the original golden doors and found the iconic lobby, now filled with new touches and updated furniture. During the renovation process, the original exterior windows at the reception area were found and restored, including stained glass based on the room’s original 1905 Tiffany window design. The original cages that housed the reception area have been restored and redesigned in the walls behind the reception area. The new color palette adds brightness with a ceiling decorated with clouds, a simpler floor pattern in keeping with the original architecture, and neutral walls with red carpet accents inspired by Caroline Astor’s favorite flower, the American Beauty rose. Now expanded with an open floor plan, the lobby extends to a reception area, which houses the concierge team, featuring deep aquamarine walls and custom wall coverings hand-painted with peacocks, a nod to one of the original murals from the 1920s that appeared at the hotel, created in collaboration with de Gournay. The Tiffany & Co. chandelier. originals hung above modern furniture, incorporating old and new juxtapositions in the revitalized public spaces.

Move through these welcoming spaces and follow the hub of conversation that floats from the restaurant and the completely recreated lobby lounge, The Drawing Room. The restaurant is surrounded in a palette of pink, turquoise, emerald, gold and black accents, interpreting the colors of the King Cole Bar mural, which is now a visual focal point behind glass doors and a passageway -a new entrance with a staircase detailing fringes inspired by Caroline Astor’s dresses and ornate jewellery, while mirrored walls resemble those of the original Iridium Room. The seating is comfortable and embraces the beauty of a lounge with sumptuous velvet sofas and plush armchairs to encourage guests to linger. Adjacent to the main dining room, there is additional seating in a large living room suitable for groups gathering for a more relaxed dining experience. Guests will also get to discover the Astor Library’s private collection of books, commissioned by John Jacob Astor IV of Scribner and Sons for the hotel. This amazing collection is now on display for the first time in public spaces, in new dark wooden bookcases reminiscent of their former home on the 2nd floor of the hotel.

Beyond the Drawing Room, guests are invited to rediscover the famous King Cole Bar, Manhattan’s most historic meeting place. While Maxfield Parish’s iconic King Cole mural still dominates the space, eyeing drink lovers, the bar has been updated with dark wood paneling and a deep green ceiling, which more come in scalloped benches and lavender colored chairs. Finishing accents of brass and onyx add an extra level of luxury to the New York institution.

The refurbishment will also introduce a new dining area, La Maisonette, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The bright and airy space creates the feeling of an outdoor pavilion, inspired by the hotel’s original breakfast room, dating back to the 1910s and with a French style design. Crisp white walls and a recessed window brighten the space alongside a palette of soft pink, burgundy, emerald and turquoise. The place serves breakfast daily for hotel guests and visitors and transforms into an afternoon tea room, a St. Regis New York time honored started by Caroline Astor.

Additional information: www.stregis.com/newyork.