W Hotels launched in 1998 with the W New York. The goal was to transform an existing, dull hotel on an equally dull stretch of commercial midtown Lexington Avenue into a flagship hotel with New York attitude.
Our assignment as Executive Architect/Architect of Record was to keep the project on fast-track, modernize the structure, and enable the design architect to create the first hotel with an edgy lifestyle concept, focused on fashion and design.
The scope included a new entrance, new retail storefronts, rearranged public spaces [the lobby was treated as a living room], addition of a large fitness center/spa, reconceived guest rooms, new infrastructure, ADA compliance – plus, two vertical expansions to create additional guest rooms on both the lower and higher wings of the hotel.
Helpern Architects handled all zoning adjustments, design development, design details, construction documents, and construction administration. This included the lobby and first-floor restaurant and the second-floor ballroom and meeting rooms, plus redesign of the kitchens and layout of their equipment.
Helpern also planned and then designed all back-of-house spaces, from the staff locker rooms and cafeteria to housekeeping and hotel offices.
