by Tom Mulvihill, The Telegraph, March 9, 2017
The brand behind one of Los Angeles’ boldest boutique hotels, the widely-acclaimed Mr. C Beverly Hills, has set its sights eastwards with the announcement of its first New York opening.
Mr. C Seaport will be the brand’s second hotel, and is due to open in the up-and-coming South Street Seaport, an historic area of Manhattan that sits adjacent to the city’s Financial District.
It will occupy the former Best Western Seaport Inn Hotel, close to the newly-renovated Pier 17. While the hotel's characterful red brick exterior will be preserved, the interiors will be completely refurbished in Mr C’s distinctive boutique style, although initial images suggest it will depart from its sister hotel ’s mid-century LA aesthetic for a more urban, New York -inspired look.
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The hotel will be managed by the Cipriani family, who also run a number of high-end restaurants around the world.
The Manhattan hotel is being developed by Bob and Alex Ghassemieh, the uncle-nephew team behind Mr. C Beverly Hills, and, as with the LA property, it will be managed by the Cipriani family, renowned for their string of clubs, event spaces and restaurants, including the fashionable C London in Mayfair.
The interior design is that of Danish architect Thomas Juul-Hansen, who has received acclaim for his work on chic New York restaurants such as Jean Georges, Nougatine and Matsugen.
The hotel will offer 66 guest rooms, furnished in teak veneer and with amenities such as interactive 4K televisions and rain showers. High-end accommodation consists of 10 suites with balcony terraces offering panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River.
Guests will also be able to make use of the Lobby Lounge (serving afternoon tea and evening drinks), a Cipriani restaurant serving traditional Italian cuisine, a fitness centre and an area for private functions.
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The design, by Danish architect Thomas Juul-Hansen, will be urban and contemporary.
"After many years of searching for the appropriate location and opportunity within New York City, we are pleased to continue the growth of the Mr. C Hotel brand with our partners,” said developer Bob Ghassemieh.
“The rebirth taking place in the Seaport District as a dining, retail and entertainment destination makes it the perfect home for Mr. C’s only New York hotel.”
The hotel is expected to open towards the end of 2017.
• Read the full review of Mr C. Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
This article was written by Tom Mulvihill from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.