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3 days ago

St. Regis New York Marks 120th Anniversary with Luxe Makeover

The refurb of The St. Regis' public spaces balances the hotel's honored history with some 21st-century sparkle.

By Ellys Woodhouse

A 120th anniversary is pretty good ground for a celebration, and when you’re one of the leading institutions in the city that never sleeps, the St. Regis New York was bound to mark the occasion in style. Reclaiming its place as a Beaux-Arts beacon, the St. Regis New York has undergone a sweeping redesign to usher in this new era. After all, who said you can’t party like it’s 1904?

The grand and extensive redesign not only introduces two new dining locations to The St. Regis New York but also sees the hotel’s public areas such as the iconic lobby and King Cole Bar revamped to their 20th-century glamour.  

With Champalimaud Design at the helm, the refurb balances The St. Regis New York‘s honored history while bringing a new dash of 21st-century sparkle. Waterford crystal chandeliers and original crown moldings are still very much in place but they’ve been joined by modern furniture, luxurious textures and bold pops of color. The result is a space that honors the extravagant heydays of The St. Regis’ founders, the Astor family, with just enough contemporary flair to keep even the most discerning global travelers swooning.

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Stepping off Fifth Avenue, guests can now discover the new open-plan lobby area / ©The St. Regis New York

“We are thrilled to debut the exquisite renovation of our very first St. Regis hotel and global flagship, The St. Regis New York, while also celebrating the 120th anniversary of St. Regis – a significant milestone for the brand,” said Jenni Benzaquen, senior vice president of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts. 

“This anniversary reflects our enduring legacy of luxury, personalized service and contemporary elegance that has captivated guests around the world. As we honor our rich heritage, we remain deeply attuned to the desires of both our loyal guests and the next generation of luxury travelers, ensuring that every experience we offer is as extraordinary and bespoke as it is timeless.”

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The reimagined Drawing Room, just off of The St. Regis lobby, encourages a relaxed atmosphere / ©The St. Regis New York

Stepping off Fifth Avenue and into the world of The St. Regis New York, through original gilded rotating doors to discover the iconic lobby, now infused with fresh touches and updated furnishings. Now expanded with an open floor plan, the lobby extends into a welcome area, which features deep aquamarine walls and custom hand-painted wallcoverings featuring peacocks, a nod to one of the hotel’s original 1920s murals. During the process of the renovation, the reception area’s original exterior facing windows were discovered and restored, incorporating a stained-glass window based on the room’s original 1905 Tiffany window design. 

Move through these welcoming areas and follow the din of conversation floating from the fully reimagined lobby restaurant and lounge, The Drawing Room. The space is touched with embroidery and fringe details inspired by Caroline Astor’s embellished dresses and jewelry, while mirrored walls mimic those of the original Iridium Room. Seating is relaxed and embraces a lounge aesthetic, with sumptuous velvet couches and plush armchairs to encourage guests to linger. 

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The Maxfield Parish mural commands a watchful eye over the King Cole Bar / ©The St. Regis New York

Off the main dining room, an extended lounge features additional seating tailored toward groups gathering for a more relaxed dining experience. Guests will also discover the original Astor Library’s private collection of books, which John Jacob Astor IV had commissioned by Scribner and Sons for the hotel. The incredible collection is now on display in public spaces for the first time ever, encased in new dark wood bookcases.

Beyond The Drawing Room, guests are invited to rediscover the renowned King Cole Bar, Manhattan’s most storied meeting place. While the iconic Maxfield Parish mural continues to command the space, providing a watchful eye over spirited imbibers, the bar is refreshed with dark wood paneling and a deep green ceiling that is softened with scalloped banquettes and lavender tasseled chairs. 

The new dining venue, La Maisonette, will serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea / ©The St. Regis New York

The renovation also introduces a new dining venue, La Maisonette, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The bright and airy space creates the feeling of an outdoor pavilion, inspired by the hotel’s original breakfast room from the 1910s and French design. The space will serve breakfast daily for hotel guests and visitors as well as transform into an afternoon tea salon, a time-honored ritual of The St. Regis New York started by Caroline Astor.

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[See also: The Peninsula New York Shines Following Refurb]

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