Did you know that on March 19th, The Conrad New York opened it’s doors? Our friend, Mark Ricci, just informed us that, located in the heart of lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City (102 North End Avenue) and rising 16 stories along the Hudson River waterfront, this almost 500 room all-suite luxury hotel is also the very first New York address from Conrad Hotels & Resorts (global luxury brand of Hilton Worldwide). We have to say, with magnificent views of the Hudson River, this exceptional hotel is adjacent to Hudson River Park, and in close proximity to many of the city’s important and historic landmarks and prominent neighborhoods, including TriBeCa and SoHo. Rooms average over 450 square feet (that’s probably bigger than my apartment!), each outfitted with integrated technology and flat-screen TVs, of course.
The artist roster is also impressive. Sol LeWitt, Pat Steir, Elizabeth Peyton, Sara Sosnowy, Mary Heilmann and many more have lent their talent in mediums ranging from painting, lithography, silkscreen and aquatint to woodcut, intaglio, heliograph, etching and mixed media. All works have been documented in coffee table books through a partnership with the Public Art Fund and are available for perusal in suites and for purchase in the atrium gift shop.
The hotel’s dramatic atrium is anchored by Loopy Doopy Blue and Purple 1999, an abstract work by conceptualist painter Sol LeWitt. It’s a work that The New York Times described as “invigorating eye-candy; the lines and shapes of color twist, dance, and battle playfully for dominance.” This is the most dramatic piece of artwork at the hotel, towering 13 stories high and custom designed for the space. A bit of fun around Loopy Doopy: It was painted by 50 peoples, required more than 100 gallons of paint, and took 3,000 hours to complete. That’s why I call artistic stamina. Surrounding the atrium is Yellow Flag and Mennige (Polygon) by Imi Knoebel, an internationally renowned German artist. It’s vivid burst of red cartwheeling across the wall blends minimalist austerity with high-spirited exuberance – suggesting a collection of rectangular forms in motion.
The hotel also features a striking rooftop bar (affectionately called “Loopy Doopy” which pays tribute to the Sol LeWitt painting), and stellar views of New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan, as well as the Ken Smith-designed “green roof.” And, for corporate meeting and convention planners looking for a great corporate retreat that still in Manhattan, there’s 30,000 square feet of adaptable meeting space, including the 6,200 square-foot Gallery Ballroom. Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events will be the exclusive food and beverage partner of the hotel’s onsite conference and event facilities and… what else? Oh yeah… Conrad New York is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Duh.
For grub? Conrad New York’s signature restaurant, Atrio, serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine prepared in an open kitchen with a wood-stone oven. What’s not to like? Atrio has a full bar featuring wines from around the world and Executive Chef Anthony Zamora, who recently came from Four Seasons Hotel New York to inspire with dishes from his Italian and Lebanese roots using farm fresh ingredients.
Opening rates start from $249.00
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