Meeting News - June 16, 2008 - (Page 44) Destination Insider: New York City Edited by Terri Hardin terri.hardin@nielsen.com A Star Venue Relaunches Guastavino’s reopens after three-year hiatus In its heyday, Guastavino’s restaurant, which opened under the Queensboro (59 St.) Bridge in January 2000, was one of the most popular venues in which to hold large events like premiere parties and product launches. Now Guastavino’s, which closed in 2005, has not only reopened, it seems to have instantaneously picked up where it left off. Since its rebirth on May 11, Guastavino’s has hosted two star-studded product launches. On opening night, the venue accommodated a runway show for Dior resort wear hosted by John Galliano and attended by Charlize Theron, Lauren Hutton, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Ziyi Zhang. On May 13, Casio launched its latest G-Shock series of watches to a performance by Kanye West. The landmark establishment once again offers dining within 25,000 sf of space under dramatic vaulted ceilings. However, the venue had already quit offering a la carte dining prior to its closing in 2005, and it will continue to operate solely as function space for private parties, accommodating up to 600 for a seated dinner and 2,200 for a reception. Extensive renovations have added more function space, including a bridal suite and a mezzanine area. Named for Rafael Guastavino (who had designed the original open-air market on which the venue stands), the venue is part of London-based restau- At the foot of the Queensboro Bridge, Guastavino’s has reopened after a long sabbatical. It remains a private-event establishment, notably serving product launches. rant group D&D and represents its only U.S.-based property. It is under new management by the Rose Group, whose portfolio has included the Pierre, the Cipriani properties, and the Waldorf=Astoria. A new executive chef, John Stevenson, creates American cuisine based on French techniques. There is now one waiter for every five diners, one bartender for every 50 guests, and preferred and exclusive arrangements with audiovisual service providers, security, flowers and event design, music and entertainment, photography, invitations and printing, valet parking, and kosher catering. According to new GM John Rose, the venue expects to market equally to corporate, charity, and social events. “We’ve been attracting clients from the publishing, technology, and music industries.” As for product launches:“The new loading capabilities and other renovations (restroom facilities, increased mezzanine space, etc) allow for even larger productions.” which opened in TriBeCa in April, is building a separate 2,500-sf penthouse on its roof with a 1,700-sf terrace that will wrap around it. The penthouse is expected to be open in 2009. “It’s being built right now,” said Kristin Hutton, spokesperson for the property.“It’s the last piece that’s being finished.” The penthouse will sit above the Greenwich’s eighth floor, with views of TriBeCa, the Hudson River, and New Jersey. Possibly due to recent unseasonably mild weather, outdoor rooftop events have been growing in popularity in the Big Apple. Hot rooftop venues have been the 187-room Hotel Gansevoort in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, as well as 620 Loft & Garden at Midtown’s Rockefeller Center. Another option— also within Rockefeller Center—is the Rainbow Room. www.meetingnews.com Big Apple Tops Off with New High-Rise Venues Penthouse suites high above the city show New York skyline in all its glory Probably the least vertically challenged city on the planet, New York City has been pressing this advantage with a slew of new suites and function spaces that offer bird’s-eye views of the Manhattan skyline. In May, Midtown’s luxury, 239-room Peninsula New York debuted a new rooftop terrace and bar with a “1930s Shanghai” theme. The new bar, Salon de Ning, can accommodate up to 250 guests above the Peninsula’s 23rd floor. On the Upper East Side, the penthouse suite at the 107-suite Marmara Manhattan Hotel & Residences debuted in May, featuring 3,100 sf on the property’s 32nd floor. At 94 Street 44 MeetingNews June 16, 2008 and Second Avenue, the suite overlooks the East River, Manhattan, and Queens; it is also encircled by a balcony, decorated with antiques, and it features a Jacuzzi sauna. Also featuring a wraparound veranda is the 1,150-sf penthouse suite at the 186-room Kimberly New York, which takes up the hotel’s entire 30th floor and offers views of the East River and the Roosevelt Island Tram from 50 Street. In March, the 561-suite London NYC debuted a 2,500-sf duplex on the 55th floor of the property; it is purported to be the highest guest room in New York. Currently, the 88-room Greenwich Hotel, http://www.meetingnews.com
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