NEW YORK—Alfa Development will be opening its first boutique hotel project, HGU New York. Alfa Development has invested $18 million in renovations of HGU New York, located in the NoMad District at 34 East 32nd Street. The hotel will manifest the city’s history through its original architecture, curated art programming, and multifaceted eclectic design.
The hotel lobby preserves the history of the 1905 landmark Beaux-Arts structure designed by architect Frederick C. Browne. To inject a modern New York sensibility to the property, Alfa Development has enlisted hospitality designer Peter Guzy of Asfour Guzy Architects as well as DD Allen of Pierce Allen Design. The fusion of these two visions is a mindfully designed and eco-conscious hotel, where guests enjoy in the ambiance of communal spaces. The hotel features a state of the art HVAC system decreasing the carbon footprint by 50 percent.
“We look forward to introducing our motto, history, architecture, and sustainability on a human scale into one of the world’s most robust hotel markets,” says Michael Namer, CEO of Alfa Development. “While the renovation brings new life to this landmark hotel, we are preserving the historic elements to what we believe the hotel would have offered, providing guests with an experience grounded in a century-long New York point of view.”
HGU New York has also partnered with Gallery 151, a premier contemporary art gallery based in lower Manhattan. The curated art will showcase contemporary pieces, drawing inspiration from urban backdrops of New York City’s emerging artists and feature Fab 5 Freddy and Liz Markus, among many others.
Highlighting a residential style of living, the entryway to guest rooms serves as a place to decompress, with soft tones creating a serene atmosphere, while wood cabinets and furniture are complimented by hand-woven patchwork Turkish rugs and plush velvet headboards. Luxury 300-thread count Frette bedding, bath and beauty products from C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, 24-hour room service and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi, and iPad minis for in room use are just some of the amenities available to guests.
HGU New York’s lounge, aptly called 1905, is complete with a fireplace from the building’s original structure. 1905 offers guests the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, intimate recording artist sessions, Q&A series, and private film screenings.
