After closing its doors for a 20-month, $180 million renovation, the InterContinental New York Barclay hotel made its grand debut in May. Architects Stonehill & Taylor and interior design firm HOK, together with Shawmut Construction, restored the property’s original Federal-style elegance while infusing modern touches. The Barclay also enlisted historian and author Donald L. Miller to assist in researching the property’s past life as one of New York’s “railroad” hotels. The new interiors offer a contemporary take on the high-end, residential feel of the original 1926 property, which was designed by Cross & Cross, the architectural firm behind Fifth Avenue’s Tiffany & Co building. “The design narrative was very much about keeping authentic and true to its origins,” explains Mara Mornaghi, the hotel’s director of public relations and communications. The property features 704 rooms with 31 suites, including a presidential suite and a penthouse sky suite with 1,500 square feet of outdoor terrace space overlooking the Chrysler building. Nods to the Federalist style include brass eagle medallions on each guestroom door, which have been carefully refurbished.
Feels Like Home
A selection of New York-centric artworks, ranging from area maps to pictures of Central Park, hang above each guestroom bed. Mural artwork reflective of the Hudson River School style adorns the
opposite wall. “Everything from the art above the bed to the furniture is very much in keeping with that Park Avenue residential style,” Mornaghi describes.
Put a Bird on It
Residential lighting is achieved through various points of light across the guestroom. Small birds perch atop certain floor lamps to pay homage to the oversized bird cage that once sat in the lobby. “We wanted to stay very true to the history, so there is a reason for everything in the hotel,” she explains.
Light and Airy
Prior to the renovation, dark woods, golds, reds, and deep colors made the rooms feel heavy. “Now, muted grays and natural tones give a feeling of freshness in the building,” Mornaghi says. As a result, the custom crafted furnishings, saturated ochre accents, and neutral grays really pop.
