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Hotel underwent $130 million upgrade
The Grand Hyatt New York has taken the wraps off a $130 million, multi-phased renovation. The makeover included updates to the hotel’s 1,306 guest rooms, suites, lobby, mezzanine, event/meeting spaces and ballrooms, as well as the addition of the New York Central restaurant.
“This total revitalization of Grand Hyatt New York re-affirms our position as one of the most desirable venues in Manhattan,” says Mark Pardue, general manager of the hotel, which is adjacent to Grand Central Station. “We are thrilled to reintroduce this landmark property to New York and the rest of the world with our dramatic new look.”
Serving as the centerpiece for the renovation are two larger-than-life sculpture installations in the grand lobby by artist Jaume Plensa. The sculptures, dubbed “Awilda” and “Chloe,” are reminiscent of the Moai sculptures on Easter Island. “Inspired by the thousands of people who pass through Grand Central Station and Grand Hyatt New York each day, ‘Awilda’ and ‘Chloe’, pay homage to anonymous people in motion,” said Plensa.
Most of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites were updated by the design firm Looney & Associates, while George Wong Design created four “premier” suites. The New York Central restaurant was designed by Bentel & Bentel.
The Grand Hyatt originally opened as The Commodore Hotel in 1919 and was reflagged in 1980.
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