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t was once the tallest building in the world and was
modelled after the bell tower of Venice’s St Marks
Basilica, but today the 1909-built, former Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company Tower is home to the latest
addition to renowned hotelier, Ian Schrager and
Marriott International’s EDITION hotels collection.
Ideally located on Madison Square Park in New York’s
Flatiron District, the 273-room hotel, which opened in
May 2015, is situated on one of the city’s most
appealing outdoor spaces. The neighbourhood is a
thriving destination for hip restaurants, with the
sprawling Eataly market across the park. It’s a pleasant
walk to nearby Union Square, Meatpacking District and
the Village. The Empire State Building is in easy reach
and the surrounding area is a shopping wonderland.
After exploring the locale guests can recharge with a
soothing massage at the hotel’s exclusive urban spa.
The interior and public spaces demonstrate Schrager’s
modern meets classic approach which resonates with
his current EDITION projects. Drawing inspiration from
New York’s turn of the century Gilded Age, the hotel is
meant to evoke a private home or club of that era.
The simple residential feel of luxury that pervades the
decor of the bedrooms and suites offers a quiet
reprieve from the 2nd floor Clocktower restaurant.
Here, guests can be found enjoying the buzz around
the Gold Bar, Billiards Room and three dining rooms,
each outfitted with different jewel-toned velvet chairs
and banquettes below walls that are peppered with
photographs of artists, musicians and New York scenes
through the ages set within opulent, gilded frames.
In the short time that The New York Edition has been
open, it is fair to say that it has established itself as a
hugely popular venue both with guests and as a
meeting point for native New Yorkers. Michelin starred
chef Jason Atherton is wowing diners at The
Clocktower with contemporary English treats adding
to the hotel’s private club atmosphere. And when it is
time to retire, hotel guests can look forward to
inspiring views out of oversize picture windows in their
bedrooms of the New York skyline and the East and
Hudson River views that surround it.
A Manhattan Landmark
The iconic Met Life clock tower becomes home to
The New York Edition