New York, NY
Undisclosed Hotel Developer
207,000sf
An international hotelier approached Helpern Architects to test out suitable sites for a five-star hotel. One through-block, ideally-located site near Times Square could yield the mixed-use pro forma: 340 good-sized guestrooms and top-floor suites, fitness and meeting rooms, a high lobby, restaurant/lounge, and possibly a music venue.
But, was the buildable footprint too narrow for the proposed use? The hotelier’s US partner was concerned about the assemblage: merged sites adjacent to a landmarked church with significant available air rights.
We set up base drawings, developed blocking and stacking diagrams, created a conceptual design, and generated renderings. To maximize the number of hotel rooms that NYC zoning and the Landmarks Preservation Commission would permit – and to maximize the dramatic views, we proposed a building that cantilevers in an S-shaped arc near, but not right over the church nave – taking great care to provide [rather than sacrifice] light, air, and reflectivity.
Thus prepared, we met with LPC staff to clarify appropriate use of air rights and get their reaction to our proposed design, including materials, scale, proportions, and consideration of the church. Although LPC was encouraging, Covid caused the original developer to withdraw.
