1 Hotels, the nature-inspired lifestyle brand by SH Group the hotel brand management arm of Starwood Capital Group, announced the opening of its second hotel, the 1 Hotel Central Park in New York City. Known for its eco conscious design, culture and services, 1 Hotel Central Park stands one block south from New York City’s largest green space, at the corner of 58th Street and Sixth Avenue.
A natural haven in the middle of Manhattan, “1 Hotels started from a simple belief: those who travel the world, care about it,” said SH group CEO and Chairman Barry Sternlicht.
“I believe this hotel fills a void in the market and offers guests simply something they haven’t seen before. I’m proud to debut this mission-driven brand in New York City with 1 Hotel Central Park and look forward to delivering guests the best design, service, and amenities just 100 steps south of Central Park.”
The new property features eco-friendly design elements like its three-story exterior green wall made of individually potted English Ivy plants and terrariums in each guest room in a uniquely shaped recycled studio glass from Brooklyn Glass. Making ‘green’ design and luxury co-exist, Greg Bradshaw, one of the principals at AvroKO says, “The natural and local materials emerged as the heart of the design allowing us to celebrate and enhance their inherent richness with minimal touches including a warm color palette and atmospheric lighting. Our goal was to leave the space feeling somewhat unadorned so the materials and core of the space could speak for itself.”
The hotel features 229 guest rooms, including 22 suites and 1 Greenhouse Suite. Each room is created with energy efficient Triple Clear Water filters in all taps, sinks and showers; energy-efficient heating and cooling systems; natural Keetsa hemp-blend mattresses; natural cotton towels, robes, socks, and linens; yoga mats and custom 1 Hotels products that are naturally-derived and eco-friendly cleaning solvents.
The hotel has taken a paperless approach and offers guests electronic check-in, bedside chalkboards instead notepads, and an in-room Nexus tablet pre-loaded with newspapers, magazines, and the 1 Guide – the 1 Hotels app to control the television, communications and temperature. Guests also have access to complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour in-room dining, access to a Tesla premium electric vehicle rides within a 15-block radius, complimentary valet for all electric vehicles for overnight guests, and complimentary bicycle valet parking.
A communal space on the second floor is available for guests to work or relax and enjoy a drink from its main restaurant, Jams. Suitable for small conferences and meetings, the hotel offers five private rooms accommodating groups of nine to 130. These rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing natural light, millwork décor, individual sound systems, 55″ TVs, the latest technology for business needs, and interactive surfaces. Three of the rooms may be combined to form one large 600-square-foot space called the Great Lawn. The Hive is the hotel’s business area featuring two e-kiosks equipped with an iPad and printer.
Celebrated chef Jonathan Waxman helms the hotel’s signature restaurant Jams. Set to open later this month, the 100-seat restaurant and bar offers local and seasonal cuisine featuring market-fresh, local and organic ingredients and purveyors while its Napa-style paned windows overlook the bustling Sixth Avenue and quieter 58th street.
Field House is the 24-hour fitness center featuring the latest fitness accessories and equipment with modern technology and self-powered machines such as Peloton Cycles, resistance treadmills and rowers, kettlebells, weighted exercise balls and more. Guests can also schedule personal training sessions in Central Park with the hotel partners at Spartan Fitness.
Nature-inspired interiors
Much of the hotel’s interiors take inspiration from the nature. The hotel has maintained the building’s original industrial architecture as a reference point while source origin materials including woods, bricks, marble, stone and glass from local suppliers are blended with original riveted steel beams and concrete ceilings. 16,000 fallen twigs have been artfully embedded into two large steel doors that welcome guests to the hotel. On every floor, the floor numbers are represented using repurposed materials, such as penny nails or acorns.
The guest rooms feature furniture made by local craftsmen, in a color palette of warm, neutral colors and accents of blues and creams. Some rooms feature reclaimed wooden timbers and window seats that extend from the building, allowing guests huddle above the Manhattan streets with a book or cup of tea in hand. Bathrooms feature tactile natural materials such as Breccia Capraia marble, mushroom wood, concrete tiles and reclaimed brick with rustic copper fixtures and glass-enclosed Napa-style paned walk-in showers reminiscent of indoor greenhouses. Furnishings and infrastructure elements will adhere to green building and LEED standards.
After New York City, 1 Hotels will open its next property, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Park in 2016.
