New York Edition is located in the landmark Metropolitan Life Tower across from Madison Square Park. Built in 1909, the Gothic-style building, which is also referred to as the Clock Tower, was modeled after the Campanile in Venice, Italy. The 700-foot-tall tower is approximately 41 stories, and has four floors of public areas and amenity spaces.
We developed a design concept for the public areas and guest rooms that complements the Clock Tower's historic interior. A palette of richly textured and natural materials was selected to enhance the juxtaposition of modern and traditional in the building.
The lobby is a dramatic yet understated space with residential-inspired design elements. Seating groups comprised of plush, neutral hued sofas and lounge chairs, and a bar area with a glowing amber glass back wall creates a series of relaxed social spaces in the lobby. Wide plank wood flooring in a light oak finish adds warmth to the 14-foot-tall, light filled space. Pre-cast custom concrete tiles that mimic the building's original limestone façade form window casings and serve as accents for the walls and floors.
A gallery lounge area towards the back of the lobby features four lounge chairs with custom upholstery and a stone and bronze coffee table near a blackened steel fireplace. Nearby, an organic, helical stair with a curved outer shell and light oak wood interior paneling leads guests to the 2nd floor restaurant.
The guest rooms have a luxurious, urban residential apartment feel. In a nod to the Clock Tower's architecture, many guest rooms have vaulted ceilings. We created a tone-on-tone color palette with accents of dark wood, including an oversized walnut paneled headboard and a dark brown coffee table.
The rooms have light oak wood plank flooring with custom area rugs. Dark oak wood millwork, door frames and entries provide accents of color. Each room will feature a black and white print by photographer Melvin Sokolsky. Light oak wood plank flooring and pre-cast concrete bathtubs, showers and vanities, and matching wall tiles will create a seamless, monolithic look in the bathrooms.
Very exquisite material and textures, and environment was the transformation from urban to dark layer and fluffy whiteness elevation.
It’s very beautiful sequence transformation as when pass through the building.