Iconic hotel doubles down on neighborhood revitalization, investing millions into top-to-bottom renovation.
NEW YORK, NY – Long before Meatpacking’s cobblestone streets became one of the most highly trafficked neighborhoods in New York City, Michael Achenbaum bet on the district’s future: creating the iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel and credited for helping to galvanize the neighborhood to become the burgeoning destination it has been renowned to be ever since.
Fast forward almost 17 years later, as the tourism industry and New York City come back to life after the COVID-19 pandemic, Gansevoort Meatpacking is fueling the neighborhood’s renaissance, once again, with a multimillion dollar rebrand and renovation. Working with food and beverage partners handpicked for their elevated offerings as well as a robust, one-of-a-kind art collection, Achenbaum is banking on creating a luxury hotel that will serve as a magnet for the neighborhood once again and bring the Meatpacking District roaring back post-pandemic.
“We’re doubling down on the Meatpacking District,” said Michael Achenbaum, President + Founder, Gansevoort Hotel Group. “With its wide streets, culinary offerings and cultural and experiential venues such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Highline and the recently unveiled “Little Island” from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg, we know that this neighborhood will bounce back first. Over the years, our audience has grown and matured and so has our hotel. This is Gansevoort Meatpacking, all grown up.”
With New York City recently announcing a $30 million tourism campaign to help boost hotels and restaurants and the City fully reopening on July 1st, Meatpacking is poised to make the biggest comeback amid the COVID-19 pandemic. New luxury brands to the neighborhood include Restoration Hardware, Rolex, Bally, Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana and Lucid Motors – to name a few.
Gansevoort guests will feel the evolution of the property as soon as they cross the ipe plank threshold and step through the 9th avenue vestibule into a 1,700-square-foot lobby and common area that showcases cutting edge art and design. Designed by Achenbaum and the hotel’s Creative Director and Designer Olivier Weppe, in collaboration with Gidich + Sepúlveda Architecture, the space features warm wood finishes and brass paired with a porcelain tiled floor in a concrete tone that mimics the neighborhood’s iconic cobblestone streets. Upon entering, guests are immediately drawn to a bookcase that houses Banksy’s unmistakable 2003 “Flying Copper” piece flagged by striking blue leather banquettes perfect for catching up with a friend over happy hour or reading the paper. The check-in area exudes a mysterious air, clad in a sumptuous black African stone and accented by backlit frosted glass walls. In the lobby also stands the “Standing Shadow – Blue” by Richard Hambleton, the pioneering street artist that became known as the Shadowman for the silhouettes he painted at night on the walls of lower Manhattan. Hambleton, who emerged from the New York City 80s art scene alongside the likes of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, is known to have inspired Banksy’s work. In the adjacent elevator bank, guests will find a contemporary mixed-media and multi-dimensional Hassan Hajjaj piece, “Marque 2013.”
The lobby experience continues with Gansevoort Meatpacking’s newest food and beverage venue, Coffee & Cocktails (C+C), an open-air café that transports guests to the streets of Paris or Italy, serving sandwiches and light bites with cocktails at night inspired by top destinations around the globe. C+C offers both indoor and year-round al fresco seating in the heart of the bustling neighborhood.
Gansevoort Meatpacking’s 186 guestrooms have also been renovated and elevated, bringing elements and inspiration of the Meatpacking District into the design, inviting guests to step into their own Meatpacking loft. Designed by Achenbaum, Weppe and Duncan Miller Design, the neutral color palette in the guest rooms offers travelers a sense of comfort and ease from the moment they set their bags down. Drawing on the hues of the neighborhood, a blue and grey ombré wallpaper reflects the waterways of the Hudson River just outside the window, and a backlit walnut headboard, inspired by the famed High Line, serves as a focal piece of each room. As a tribute to the hotel’s own evolution and history in the neighborhood, artwork juxtaposes photography from the Meatpacking District almost two decades ago against modern imagery snapped in the same neighborhood. Each room carefully balances design with technology, discreetly layering in tech enhancements to amplify the guest experience, including built-in wireless end table chargers, The MIRROR, the interactive home gym – the first hotel to offer a MIRROR device in every guest room, and Google Nest Hub with Google Assistant for Hospitality.”
What has always been one of the most desirable suites in New York City, The Penthouse at Gansevoort Meatpacking has an entirely new look, completed in partnership with Italian contemporary furniture designer, Poliform. The Poliform Penthouse at Gansevoort Meatpacking is the brand’s first fully designed hotel suite in the United States. The space itself is a 1,700-square foot duplex, designed both for a comfortable stay – whether short- or long-term – and built to entertain. Poliform tapped into their network of international designers to collaborate on the products, and each element is shoppable should a guest decide they can’t live without one of the pieces. The Penthouse features 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace flanked by dramatic bookcases, a full kitchen and wet bar, three full bathrooms, and a cozy, yet indulgent private sleeping area.
Art is a critical piece of the brand’s identity and experience. Gansevoort Meatpacking features art from Achenbaum’s personal collection. Each piece of artwork displayed throughout the property showcases a different aspect of the hotel’s personality with mixed media and bright color schemes. In addition to the Bansky, Richard Hambleton and Hassan Hajjaj pieces displayed in the lobby, and then and now photography from Stephanie Klein and Olivier Weppe of the neighborhood, The Poliform Penthouse plays gallery for works from renowned artists Frank Stella, Daniel Mazzone, Mick Rock and Fabio Mesa.
For food and beverage as refined as their surroundings, Gansevoort Meatpacking turned to LDV Hospitality (Scarpetta, The Seville, American Cut) to concept the hotel’s signature dining venue that will open in Spring 2022. LDV Hospitality, known for their operations at the Bulgari in London and Gurney’s in Montauk, will also additionally collaborate with the hotel team to bring C+C to life.
"As a hospitality group with firm roots in New York, we’re so thrilled to be partnering with one of the city’s most iconic Hotels. From the beginning, the Gansevoort has been an anchor for the Meatpacking District. We’re honored to play a part in continuing this tradition by creating an excellent food and beverage experience that will keep guests coming back time and time again,” said John Meadow, Founder & President, LDV Hospitality.
Gansevoort Rooftop, the famed downtown oasis with unobstructed 360-degree views of Manhattan, has been completely refreshed and is divisible for private events, big or small. The menu will feature luxe versions of classic cocktails and dishes – from bubbly libations to wagyu sliders. In addition to cocktails, a full menu inspired by the Union Square Green Market will bring elevated poolside fare. Gansevoort Meatpacking will introduce a sushi bar pop-up in partnership with rapidly expanding Kissaki, Michelin-rated sushi restaurant known for their outposts in NYC and the Hamptons. Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop by Kissaki Hospitality Group will be an 850 sq foot space with seating for up to 50 including a 16 seat omakase bar.
Come fall 2022, guests will have the iconic rooftop experience with Gansevoort Meatpacking as well as a new underground experience. The hotel will welcome a basement karaoke and bowling bar featuring a game room, karaoke – featuring private rooms for intimate experiences, as well as two bowling lanes.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
