First Look: The St. Regis New York
The St. Regis New York Unveils Luxurious Renovated Public Spaces: Lobby, King Cole Bar, and Two New Restaurants.
The St. Regis New York proudly celebrates its remarkable 120th year this fall with the highly anticipated debut of an extensive redesign and renovation, marking an exciting new chapter of unparalleled glamour and sophisticated elegance. With beautifully revamped public spaces, including the stunning lobby, the iconic King Cole Bar, and two brand new dining locations, The St. Regis New York unveils a striking new era at Manhattan’s most coveted address. This extensive renovation not only reflects the hotel’s enduring legacy but also ushers it into the present day, reborn for today’s discerning global traveler, all while showcasing a modern aesthetic skillfully curated by the renowned design firm Champalimaud Design.
Image Courtesy: The St. Regis New York
John Jacob Astor IV’s vision for The St. Regis New York was to create a hotel which rivaled the finest hotels in Europe, where his close friends and family could feel as though they were guests in a private home. The hotel quickly became the center of Manhattan social life, and the headquarters for the original “Caroline’s 400” – the elite social group designated by Astor’s mother and society doyenne, Caroline Astor. Throughout its rich 120-year history, The St. Regis New York has invariably attracted the most glamorous, creative and intriguing personalities of each era from Salvador Dali to Marilyn Monroe, and served as the birthplace for cultural moments from the invention of the Bloody Mary cocktail to iconic jazz performances on the hotel’s rooftop as well as the backdrop for iconic scenes in film and television.
Guests step off Fifth Avenue into the world of The St. Regis New York through the original gilded rotating doors to discover the iconic lobby, now infused with fresh touches and updated furnishings. During the process of the renovation, the reception area’s original exterior facing windows were discovered and restored, incorporating a stained-glass window based on the room’s original 1905 Tiffany window design. The original cages that housed the front desk have also been restored and reimagined into the walls behind the reception desk area. The new color scheme adds lightness with a cloud-dappled ceiling, a simplified floor pattern in keeping with the original architecture, and neutral walls accented with pops of red area rugs inspired by Caroline Astor’s favorite flower, the American Beauty Rose. Now expanded with an open floor plan, the lobby extends into a welcome area, housing the concierge team, which features deep aquamarine walls and custom hand painted wallcoverings featuring peacocks, a nod to one of the original 1920s murals featured at the hotel created in collaboration with de Gournay. The space’s original Tiffany & Co. Chandelier hangs above modern furnishings, epitomizing the juxtaposition of old and new within the revitalized public spaces.
Beyond The Drawing Room, guests are invited to rediscover the renowned King Cole Bar, Manhattan’s most storied meeting place. While the iconic Maxfield Parish King Cole mural continues to command the space, providing a watchful eye over spirited imbibers, the bar is refreshed with dark wood paneling and a deep green ceiling further softened with scalloped banquettes and lavender tasseled chairs. Accents of bronze and onyx finishings add an additional level of sophistication to the New York institution.
The renovation will also introduce a new dining venue, La Maisonette, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The bright and airy space creates the feeling of an outdoor pavilion, inspired by the hotel’s original breakfast room from the 1910s and French design. Creamy white walls and a recessed skylight brighten the space alongside a palette of soft pinks, burgundy, emerald and turquoise. The space will serve breakfast daily for hotel guests and visitors as well as transform into an afternoon tea salon, a time-honored ritual of The St. Regis New York started by Caroline Astor.
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