The Mercer Hotel
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
| The Mercer Hotel | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Mercer Hotel (2022) | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Location | 147 Mercer Street, SoHo, New York City |
| Coordinates | 40°43′29″N 73°59′54″W / 40.72472°N 73.99833°W |
| Completed | 1890 |
| Owner | André Balazs Properties |
| Governing body | private |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | William Schickel |
The Mercer Hotel, located at the corner of Mercer and Prince Streets in SoHo, Manhattan, New York City, was the second acquisition in the luxury collection of André Balazs hotels.[1] It offers 75 guest rooms on six floors of a Romanesque revival building.[1]
Opening in 1997, The Mercer is the sister hotel to Hollywood's Chateau Marmont.
History[edit]
Built in 1890 for John Jacob Astor II, the six-story, 84,000 square foot brick building has been cited by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an example of the Romanesque Revival period.[2] Architect William Schickel, known for his extensive work on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York, designed the building as offices for the vast Astor family holdings, resulting in a façade considerably more ornate than its industrial neighbors.[3][4][5] Prior to its conversion, the building served as artists' lofts and studios, for which the hotel has now become known.[6]
Design[edit]
The overall aesthetic allows The Mercer to be "the first hotel to offer an authentic taste of loft living", an urban signature that is completely original to New York.[7]
Parisian designer Christian Liaigre ensured all furnishings were kept original and exclusive to the hotel. Liaigre created a modernist interior with an emphasis on harmonized proportions and subtle color palettes.[2]
The Mercer Kitchen[edit]
In 1998, The Mercer Kitchen opened as a 170-seat restaurant located over two levels of The Mercer hotel.[8] Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was recruited by André Balazs as the head of restaurant and food service for the property.
The Mercer Kitchen, adjacent to the hotel lobby, has a 40-seat street-level café. The lower level features a 160-seat main dining room that lies beneath the streets of SoHo.[9] The restaurant features an open kitchen for guests to watch the preparation of their meals. Upstairs, the casual café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.[8]
The Mercer Kitchen provides room service throughout the hotel while the upper level café serves breakfast and lunch daily.
References[edit]
- ^ a b Nota Bene Destination Review, The Mercer
- ^ a b Menkes, Suzy (March 31, 1998). "Zen and the art of hotel serenity: loft life at SoHo's Mercer". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ Angelica, Taschen. "The Mercer". Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- ^ White, Norval; Willensky, Elliot; Leadon, Fran (2010). AIA Guide to New York City (5th ed.). Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-19-538385-0.
- ^ Searing, Helen, ed. (1982). In Search of ModernArchitecture: A Tribute to Henry-Russell Hitchcock. Architectural History Foundation/MIT Press series. Vol. 6. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. pp. 155–56. ISBN 978-0-262-19209-5.
- ^ Ypma, Herbert. "The Mercer". Hip Hotels New York.
- ^ "The Mercer". Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ a b "(The Mercer) Kitchen". Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ "(The Mercer) Kitchen". Jean-Georges Management. Retrieved December 17, 2012.