Ian Schrager Meets Bill Marriott: The New York Edition Hotel
by Cheryl RosenOpened in May in the historic MetLife building—the world’s tallest building when it was completed in 1909—The New York Edition is the fourth in the brand, with sister properties in Istanbul, London, and Miami.
Inside, five rooms have been restored to 1909 landmark status, and 500 pieces of original photography grace the walls. The guest rooms feature the original scalloped ceilings; penthouses wrap around the building for views of the Manhattan skyline.
Key to success, Marriott and Schrager decided, is “the core element, the amazing food and dining experiences.” It seems to be working, from the cocktail program in the busy lobby bar to the DJ a few nights a week to the Clocktower Restaurant, where only the lucky few can score a reservation.
Edition Hotels has big expansion plans—growing from four this year to five times that many in five years. It will be opening properties in Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, and China next year, then another in New York, the first new-build, off Times Square, in early 2018.