The Team: Tishman Hotel & Realty LP (ownership), IHG (operator), Gensler (architecture), Jeffrey Beers International (interior design)

The Brief: To build the largest new and environmentally friendly hotel in Manhattan since 2002, combining the character and culture of the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Project: The $500-million, 36-story hotel opened with 607 rooms on July 12 and is slated to earn LEED certification. It also has 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a three-bedroom, 2,700-square-foot bi-level penthouse suite on the top floor and Ca Va, a Todd English Brasserie, an 80-seat French restaurant by the acclaimed chef.

The Focal Points: The interiors mix New York’s art deco heritage with contemporary facets and inspirations from nature. A central open courtyard greets guests in the lobby, setting a backdrop of natural sunlight, a reflecting pool, vibrant greenery, local artwork and glimmering abstract tree sculptures. The bi-level penthouse suite features a grand staircase leading to the second floor master bedroom with a fireplace and master bath.

The Finished Product: Floor-to-ceiling windows in all 607 guestrooms provide stunning panoramic views of the city, but also allow for maximum natural light and ventilation. Extra large bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and countertops made of sleek, polished white terrazzo stone provide a spa-like feel. Sustainability in such a massive project doesn’t come easy, but the developers and designers made it a priority. Green roofs on the second and seventh floors feature low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plants to help retain heat in the winter and absorb sunlight in the summer.

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