The St. Regis New York celebrates its 120th year this fall with the debut of an extensive redesign and renovation, marking a new chapter of glamour and sophistication.
With revamped public spaces including the lobby, King Cole Bar, and two new dining locations, The St. Regis New York unveils a striking new era at Manhattan’s best address. The renovation reflects the hotel’s enduring legacy reborn for today’s global traveler with a modern aesthetic led by renowned design firm Champalimaud Design.
“We are thrilled to debut the exquisite renovation of our very first St. Regis hotel and global flagship, The St. Regis New York, while also celebrating the 120th anniversary of St. Regis – a significant milestone for the brand,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Senior Vice President of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts. “This anniversary reflects our enduring legacy of luxury, personalized service, and contemporary elegance that has captivated guests around the world. As we honour our rich heritage, we remain deeply attuned to the desires of both our loyal guests and the next generation of luxury travellers, ensuring that every experience we offer is as extraordinary and bespoke as it is timeless.”
John Jacob Astor IV’s vision for The St. Regis New York was to create a hotel which rivalled the finest hotels in Europe, where his close friends and family could feel as though they were guests in a private home. The hotel quickly became the centre of Manhattan social life, and the headquarters for the original “Caroline’s 400” – the elite social group designated by Astor’s mother and society doyenne, Caroline Astor. Throughout its rich 120-year history, The St. Regis New York has invariably attracted the most glamorous, creative and intriguing personalities of each era from Salvador Dali to Marilyn Monroe, and served as the birthplace for cultural moments from the invention of the Bloody Mary cocktail to iconic jazz performances on the hotel’s rooftop as well as the backdrop for iconic scenes in film and television.
“Since 1904, The St. Regis New York has stood as a beacon for generations of global travellers looking to be in the centre of Manhattan and surround themselves in the timeless allure which has defined the Fifth Avenue icon from its founding by John Jacob Astor IV,” said General Manager Octavia Marginean- Tahiroglu. “The renovation signals a milestone moment for the cherished New York City icon as we present our masterfully redesigned public spaces this fall – in our 120th anniversary year.”
“We have created spaces with energy and splendour, layering the classic architecture with contemporary elements, reinvigorating the hotel with magic, as the Astors had done when the hotel first opened,” said Alexandra Champalimaud. “The public spaces will have a sense of openness and a palette featuring emerald greens and red rose tones that evoke the grandeur of the Astors’ legacy.”
Guests step off Fifth Avenue into the world of St. Regis through the original gilded rotating doors to discover the iconic lobby, now infused with fresh touches and updated furnishings. During the process of the renovation, the reception area’s original exterior facing windows were discovered and restored, incorporating a stained-glass window based on the room’s original 1905 Tiffany window design. The original cages that housed the front desk have also been restored and reimagined into the walls behind the reception desk area.
The new colour scheme adds lightness with a cloud-dappled ceiling, a simplified floor pattern in keeping with the original architecture, and neutral walls accented with pops of red area rugs inspired by Caroline Astor’s favourite flower, the American Beauty Rose. Now expanded with an open floor plan, the lobby extends into a welcome area, housing the concierge team, which features deep aquamarine walls and custom hand painted wallcoverings featuring peacocks, a nod to one of the original 1920s murals featured at the hotel created in collaboration with de Gournay. The space’s original Tiffany & Co. Chandelier hangs above modern furnishings, epitomizing the juxtaposition of old and new within the revitalized public spaces.