Local architecture studio INC has masterfully designed the Kimpton Era hotel rooms to evoke the feel of a luxurious stateroom aboard an ocean liner. Situated on West 48th Street overlooking New York’s iconic Rockefeller Plaza, the 529-key establishment embodies Uptown elegance and Downtown grit.
A Design Rooted in New York’s Character
Housed within a 33-story tower just south of the art deco Rockefeller Center, the hotel draws on elements unique to New York City. The designers have skillfully merged high-end materials like marbles, brass, and leathers with the more industrial tones of concrete and blackened steel. “Every detail here is engineered elegance,” noted Adam Rolston, an INC partner, emphasizing the crafted and refined atmosphere.
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The Kimpton Era: Atrium and Lobbies
The hotel’s bold design features a triple-height atrium wrapped in fluted concrete, where a twisting blackened steel-and-glass staircase weaves around a descending mobile of organic forms. The elevator lobbies combine cerused wood, terrazzo borders, and soft diffused lighting, while the tiered black-marble reception provides a striking visual anchor.
“Inspired by the city itself, it captures New York’s layered character,” remarked Hillary Kroll of INC, underlining the blend of elegance and grit woven throughout the hotel.
Dining Experiences with Spectacular Settings
The hotel’s five distinct dining venues include a Latin American restaurant adorned with terracotta walls and ceramic pendants. The second-level brasserie boasts banquette seating, panelled walls, and a scarlet ceramic bar set atop mosaic floors. The third-floor lobby cafe transforms from a morning coffee hub to an evening cocktail lounge.
On the guests find a bar referencing Chinatown’s dining rooms, showcasing a tomato-red counter and hand-painted lotus motifs.
Guest Rooms: Compact Luxury
The guest rooms resemble ship cabins, defined by floor-to-ceiling white-oak walls that integrate sleeping, working, and storage spaces into one seamless unit. Jewel-toned fabrics and brass accents elevate the neutral color palette, and the wet-room-style bathrooms maximize space with frosted, blackened metal-framed sliding doors. The incorporation of luxury hotel design elements further enhances the experience.
According to Louisa Revitte of INC, the hotel offers “a self-contained voyage where rooms unfold like salons on a grand ocean liner.”
Inspired by urban character and modern luxury, Art Deco Elegance with Modern Minimalism in New York Apartment showcases a similar blend of styles.
INC’s Legacy in Hotel Design
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, INC is known for projects like the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and the TWA Hotel event spaces in JFK Airport. Their work fuses New York’s diverse identity with innovative design, evident in this hotel and other notable projects.
The photography is by Read McKendree.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What design elements are used in the Kimpton Era hotel rooms?
The guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling white-oak walls and integrate sleeping, working, and storage spaces into one seamless unit. Jewel-toned fabrics and brass accents elevate the neutral color palette. The wet-room-style bathrooms maximize space with frosted, blackened metal-framed sliding doors.
How is the atrium in the Kimpton Era hotel designed?
The hotel’s atrium features a triple-height space wrapped in fluted concrete, with a twisting blackened steel-and-glass staircase weaving around a descending mobile of organic forms.
What themes influence the Kimpton Era hotel’s design?
The design of the Kimpton Era hotel draws inspiration from luxurious staterooms aboard an ocean liner and incorporates New York’s layered character with a blend of elegance and grit.