Designed by Los Angeles-based architect Marcello Pozzi, Hotel Hugo provides an oasis in the middle of a frenetic city. Situated in Manhattan’s Hudson Square neighborhood, the 122-room boutique luxury hotel includes a ground-level Italian restaurant and bar, Il Principe, run by restaurateur Sean Largotta of Crown Group Hospitality. Separated from the lobby by a full-height glass partition, the restaurant features a vertical garden wall and 25-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the sidewalk for an indoor-outdoor dining experience. “This creates an airy, relaxed environment for diners, making you feel far away from the hustle and bustle of New York City,” Largotta says. Pozzi sourced high-gloss imported Italian walnut paneling, chrome fixtures, travertine walls, and blue marble flooring for the project. “To give the restaurant an authentic feel, we imported all the furniture, woodwork, marble, moldings, and leather from Italy,” Largotta says.
Old Meets New
The industrial chic design draws inspiration from the neighborhood’s early 20th-century heritage. “We’ve simultaneously combined contemporary and classic, playing off the juxtaposition of raw materials and elegant modern finishes and clean, organic lines,” Largotta says.
Curve Hugging
Curved lines enhance the feeling of flow that can be found throughout the property. “They also create a nautical feel, which is inspired by the restaurant’s close proximity to the Hudson River,” Largotta says.
Secret Garden
For more intimate occasions, the private dining room features a vertical garden wall and large skylight. “It was designed with a greenhouse and natural light in mind,” Largotta says. “The wall is visually appealing, and the green is a nice contrast to the dark woods throughout.”
