Four Seasons set for Philadelphia’s Comcast Center
Four Seasons has unveiled the August opening date of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center. Perched on the 48th to 60th floors of the 1,121 foot Comcast Technology Center – designed by Foster + Partners – the 219-room property includes new restaurant concepts by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Greg Vernick, as well as a full-floor spa and extensive meeting spaces.
“The history and culture of Philadelphia are so often expressed in the characteristic storytelling of its art and architecture. Now, thanks to the vision of our partners at Comcast and a world-class team of designers, architects and artists, the Comcast Technology Center stands tall as a new Philadelphia landmark – reshaping the city’s skyline and signifying a new, exciting chapter in its storied history,” says Christian Clerc, President, Worldwide Hotel Operations, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.
The hotel’s General Manager Ben Shank, whose Four Seasons career began in the city 20 years ago, adds: “Guests will be in awe from the moment they step into the glass elevators on their swift journey to the 60th floor sky lobby, as they look out over the unobstructed cityscape from their dinner table at Jean-Georges Philadelphia, or swim up to the edge of the 57th floor infinity pool. We quite literally upend the traditional idea of a hotel and provide visitors with breath-taking experiences as they move through venues in our spectacular building.
“As we countdown to our grand opening this summer, we look forward to welcoming guests to our hotel and vibrant dining and lounge concepts – extraordinary spaces for locals and global travellers alike to connect and experience the world of Four Seasons.”
Visitors are greeted by installations from floral designer Jeff Leatham, who is the Artistic Director of the Hotel. After check-in, guests enter one of 180 guestrooms and 39 suites to find a composition of on-screen video and sound created exclusively for Four Seasons by musician, record producer and visual artist Brian Eno.
In partnership with Comcast, all guestrooms and suites will also offer the X1 Video Experience, including approximately 300 channel options and a complimentary library of more than 50,000 movies and shows on demand, all searchable with the X1 voice remote.
On the 59th floor, new restaurant Jean-Georges Philadelphia by Michelin starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten features forty foot high glass walls that afford panoramic city views, while a mirrored ceiling reflects both the diners below and the city that surrounds them. Up a grand staircase flanked by waterfalls that dissect the space, Foster provides patrons with the JG SkyHigh cocktail bar on the 60th floor.
Meanwhile on ground level, Chef Greg Vernick highlights his unique approach to modern American dining at Vernick Fish, which spills into the street in an easy indoor-outdoor environment created by Tihany Design, their first project in the city. Chef Vernick refers to the restaurant concept as a modern take on an American oyster bar, with unexpected flavour combinations featuring fresh fish and shellfish accompanied by inventive cocktails and wines.
Chef Vernick has also partnered with Four Seasons to bring Vernick Coffee Bar to the second floor lobby of the Comcast Technology Center. A to-go bakery and barista bar, the restaurant includes a full-service 42-seat café offering Chef Vernick’s signature global flavours.
Encompassing the entire 57th floor, the spa includes a lifestyle boutique, fitness centre created in consultation with Harley Pasternak, and a 30,000-gallon indoor infinity pool. Spa Director Verena Lasvigne-Fox has also created a wellness menu incorporating premium products exclusive to Philadelphia, which will be coupled with the rhythmic and meditative sounds of singing crystal bowls.
More than 15,000ft² of flexible function spaces – including two ballrooms easily accessed on the fifth floor – allow for various business and social events, from conferences and private board meetings to galas and society weddings. The hotel’s planners partner with the culinary team led by Executive Chef Maxime Michaud to tailor events hosting 25 to 500 guests.
Elsewhere, the lobby of the Comcast Technology Center is an artistic passage between city and skyscrapers, with distinct and custom art installations continuing Philadelphia’s longstanding reputation as a hub of art and ideas. Across the ceiling and up the stairs, artist Jenny Holzer has created For Philadelphia, a moving installation of nine electronic displays designed specifically for this site. The writings of poets, architects, visionaries and children further echo the spirit of the city, while a large public art commission by British artist Conrad Shawcross, titled Exploded Paradigm, sees the artist continue to explore the tetrahedron.
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia and the Comcast Center Campus are located in the heart of Center City, just minutes from the Barnes Foundation, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Rittenhouse Square and The Liberty Bell.
