AKA aka Smyth hotel lobby and bar to open in May

Luxury minimalist (yes, I know) Jennifer Post, whose resume includes residential projects at One 57 and the historic condo The Apthorp on the UWS, designed the new lobby and bar/lounge for the AKA Tribeca, formerly known as the Smyth Hotel. (Has anyone actually made the switch to call it by its real name?) The space will be finished and open to the public in May. Certainly it is no longer the cozy living room it once was; reserving judgement till we can see it in person. This is her first hotel. Post explained her brief to Architectural Digest this way:

“My responsibility is to transform the lounge area and bar area. I wanted it to be sexy, warm, and inviting so people could work for hours or just have a cup of tea. That was the idea of doing all these seating areas and nooks in the space,” says Post. “There’s no branding; it’s supposed to feel like a living room lounge area.”

 

3 Comments

  1. I saw the lobby for the first time and it is awful. We loved the last space for its cozy comfortable and in inviting feeling. Now it is cold, with really sexist pictures on the walls, naked women and such. The couch in front of the fireplace is too uncomfortable to sit in. Really a disappointment compared to the last design. It is not sexy and I cannot image women wanting to work there while surrounded by the offensive photos. We used to call it our living room in hood, but it is now just another slick and unappealing
    hotel lobby.

  2. Tom,

    Sadly, I couldn’t agree more. You described the updates accurately.

    Al

  3. I am so glad this abomination has since been scrubbed

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