The Fifth Avenue Hotel will reopen its doors in New York next March, having been lovingly transformed by a collection of creative minds across design, art, gastronomy and hospitality. Marking a new chapter for the New York landmark, the renovation has been led by real estate entrepreneur Alex Ohebshalom along with celebrated designer Martin Brudnizki.
The 153-room property will comprise historic structure The Mansion as well as The Tower, a new 24-storey glass tower that has been developed under the guidance of owner Ohebshalom. The grand mansion was once the home and carriage house of Charlotte Goodridge, a leading figure in Manhattan’s Gilded Age society, whose address was known for her infamous receptions and musicals in the late 19th century.
In 1907, The Mansion was sold and a new vision emerged; a five-storey Renaissance palazzo designed by the now-legendary McKim, Mead & White Architects of the Washington Square Arch, The Brooklyn Museum and many other quintessential New York spaces. In March 2023, The Mansion will reopen following a seven-year, full-scale renovation that sees the restoration of the brick and limestone building to its former grandeur.
Led by Brudnizki, the design has been inspired by the history and heritage of The Mansion. The designer will pay homage to the legacy and lifestyle of those who once resided on Fifth Avenue, offering a distinctly residential vision that immerses guests in old-world glamour. Inside, the collaborative design scheme is centred on three main themes: The Collector – Brudnizki reimagined a private home replete with an eclectic collection of objects, art and furnishings; Looking Back in Order to Look Forward – utilising classical detailing whilst abstracting them into a modern form; and Romanticism – The Fifth hasn’t been designed with trends in mind but rather, as a return to glamor, elegance and sophistication.
Design highlights include a sweeping marble lobby, lined with antique mirror-panelled walls, filled with bold contemporary furniture as well as bookcases that resemble traditional black lacquered Chinese cabinets from the 19th century. There will be gilded detailing and accents of brass, with Murano glass chandeliers, as well as Storyboard corridors, decorated in ikat fabrics or scenic wallcoverings, telling the adventures of a prolific art collector. There is also a library that draws inspiration from the residential designs of Italian villas, and The Terrace – a rarity in Manhattan, which resembles a verdant English Garden.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel will become a gastronomic destination too, with an array of restaurants and bars under the culinary direction of Chef Andrew Carmellini of Locanda Verde, The Dutch, Lafayette, Bar Primi, Rec Pier Chop House and Carne Mare to name just a few. Outlets include the a signature restaurant as well as The Study, an intimate Portrait Bar and The Terrace.
Rounding out the property will be a series of venues for events and celebrations. Just below the hotel’s signature restaurant, the Wine Vault will provide the ideal setting for an intimate dinner. Reminiscent of the Gilded Age meanwhile, The Ballroom offers 2,800ft2 of space, featuring original architectural detailing, coffered ceilings and a colour palate with blue and gold accents.
