Opening in Summer 2015
NEW YORK – Jan. 13, 2015 – Steps away from Grand Central Station is a quaint, brick building with spacious interiors and a rich history of inspiring creative luminaries. In early summer 2015, the building will reopen as The Renwick, a 173 room hotel located at 118 E. 40th Street. The product of a blooming partnership between Interstate Hotels & Resorts, hotel Asset Value Enhancement (hotelAVE), and Meadow Partners, The Renwick will bring to life an engaging aesthetic with a fresh new focus on whimsical luxury that is filtered through the brand’s modernistic approach.
Formerly a long-stay hotel sheltering artists, intellectuals and noted authors, The Renwick will take inspiration from the imaginative spirit of its former residents to bring an eccentric new hospitality concept to Manhattan’s midtown east neighborhood that will cater to the most discerning of travelers.
“Future guests of the Renwick can expect an unrivaled experience: one where comfort meets curiosity to ignite the spark of creativity” said Deborah Alarcon, General Manager. “A distinct departure from the surrounding neighborhood, this new luxury lifestyle hotel will infuse midtown Manhattan with the culture, vibrancy and style of downtown, resulting in a must-experience and refreshing destination for travelers and locals alike.”
It’s All In A Name: A Dedication To Innovation
The hotel takes its name from James Renwick, Jr., the highly acclaimed architect best known for his design of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an iconic Manhattan landmark situated on 51st Street and Park Avenue. Having never undergone formal training as an architect, Renwick developed an unrelenting interest and ability in building design through his privileged background, which afforded him a prime education and extensive travels around the world. This passionate incisiveness and dedication to modernization is the driving force behind the new accommodations, evident throughout the fully renovated property, from the quirky décor details to the unique service culture.
A Colorful Past: The Renwick’s Rich History
Built in 1928 with the intention of housing artists, the residential building’s infrastructure was comprised of oversized artist’s studios and lofts that proved conducive to creative work needs. Overtime, the building became a mainstay for aspiring creative types and intellectuals, eventually evolving into a long-stay hotel frequented by prominent literary figures such as John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Mann. These iconic figures stayed at the hotel for lengthy periods of time, ranging from several months to many years, during which they produced some of their most respected written work.
Building A Bright Future: The Renwick Takes Its Shape
The creative spirit of the building’s past lingers today and will shine through each detail of the re-imagined space. Renowned New York-based architect and interior design firm Stonehill & Taylor has been tapped to execute the project, with plans to craft whimsical interiors that pay homage to past residents and cultural and artistic innovations of the 1920s, through a modern lens.
The property’s 173 loft-style guestrooms, including 33 spacious suites, will feature custom-furnishings made to reference items found in an artist’s studio such as easel-inspired television stands, desks reminiscent of the artist’s work bench, nightstands intended to mimic flat file cabinets and a patterned carpet that simulates paint-splattered concrete. A minimalist, masculine color palette will feature a bold band of ink permeating from the foot of the bed through the leather-tufted headboard and onto the ceiling.
Art in The Renwick is not an adornment – it is a lifestyle. The hotel offers no framed artwork, and instead spotlights functional art sourced by local New York City artists. Three-dimensional coat hangers double as enlarged ink blots protruding from the walls upon room entrance, and hand-sculpted ceramic pencil holders will sit upon each guestroom desk.
The Renwick is expected to feature a number of curated local luxurious amenities catering to the savviest of modern travelers with a quirky and modern take on what is means to be a New York luxury hotel. The Renwick will offer a well-outfitted fitness facility, a destination dining establishment, and a modern lobby space complete with unconventional three-dimensional art. An authentic, unique and consistent service culture will feature a team of hospitality experts skilled at crafting memorable and inspired guest experiences, with clever thoughts on obtaining insider access to the best that New York City has to offer.
The Renwick will open on 118 East 40th Street between Lexington and Park Avenue. To learn more, please visit www.therenwickhotelnewyork.com.
