NEWH - Spring 2011 - (Page 48)

project andaz Hyatt’s new brand Andaz takes New York by storm taleoftwo a By Alia Akkam Photography courtesy of Andaz Hotels Andaz Hotels, Hyatt’s growing collection of locally-inspired luxury boutique properties, has particularly made a splash in New York, where both Andaz Wall Street and Andaz 5th Avenue opened up within months of each other, flaunting striking designs from Rockwell Group and Tony Chi, respectively. “The mission of Andaz is to incorporate design and an alternative guest experience, with a strong emphasis on the hotel’s location. Andaz properties have a strong preference toward local art, music, even restaurant ingredients,” says Hyatt’s Todd Hilt, project manager, Rosemont Project Management. At each of the five Andaz properties in New York, Los Angeles, London, and San Diego—future properties are in development in Austin, Amsterdam, China, as well as a resort in Costa Rica—guests can expect to be greeted by an inviting, laidback atmosphere. Instead of the formality of front desks, they are checked in at the “lounge,” by staff on hand-held PCs while easing their way in with a glass of wine. “The hotel’s design is contemporary, utilized to enhance the guest’s interaction with staff and other guests,” Hilt says. “Like all full-service Hyatt properties, each has a unique aesthetic and design firm. Each flag has distinguishable traits that the firms must incorporate, but they are encouraged to design.” Downtown, at Andaz Wall Street, a sculptural pearlescent steel and stone staircase in the two-tone bamboo lounge is the centerpiece. The rooms, with their loft-like ceilings, dark-stained oak floors, and stenciled metal work, add to the sumptuously industrial allure. Yet to David Rockwell, the restaurant, Wall & Water, is one of the design highlights: “There is much wood used throughout the space, including live edge wood tables, many cut from the same tree to create a sense of fluidity when the tables are placed next to each other. Throughout are curtains with woven abstract floral patterns that reflect the design in the background of dollar bills and stock certificates, in reference to the location of the hotel.” At the 5th Avenue location, Chi took advantage of the building’s historic connection to the Garment District, with factory-style sash windows, closets resembling rolling racks, blackwashed walls, and whimsical graphic art. A wall, rebuilt with brick from a Connecticut home circa the 1790s, leads to the bar in the cellar. For Chi, the goal for each of the hotel’s spaces was to be its own distinct chapter “yet belonging to a greater novel. The palette serves this function quietly, yet superbly, with simple black and white. This ‘back to basics’ concept allows the city’s seasons to be highlighted, and develops a sense of intimacy. Events can easily evolve along that palette—the greater stage being the city.” > 48 spring 2011 www.newh.org tel 800.593.NEWH http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2011

NEWH-Spring 2011
Table of Contents
Chapter and NEWH News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Competition
Sustainability: Point of View
Conference: Preview
Conference: Roundup
Design 101
Have you Seen?
Product Know-How
On the Scene
Cover Story
Project: Montage Deer Valley
Project: Courtyard Marriott
Project: Andaz
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles

NEWH - Spring 2011