Thompson Hotels Debuts Smyth in Tribeca

By: Nov. 13, 2014
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Thompson Hotels, in partnership with local owners Tribeca Associates, introduces the reimagined Smyth, a Thompson Hotel, debuting today in the heart of downtown New York City. Inspired by the rich history and culture of Tribeca, Smyth re-launches as a sanctuary of comfort and familiarity, with curated, spacious interiors by Gachot Studios and the opening of Little Park and Evening Bar from award-winning restaurateurs Chef Andrew Carmellini, Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard.

"As with all Thompson Hotels, Smyth is designed to inspire guests from the outside in," said Niki Leondakis, Chief Executive Officer of Commune Hotels & Resorts, the international lifestyle hotel management company comprising Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels and tommie. "Reflective of the neighborhood, Smyth breathes Tribeca in every element of its redesign, which is why we turned to local partners exclusively for this project. Together, we are thrilled to offer guests a variety of authentic and engaging experiences uniquely created by New Yorkers."

Centrally located at 85 West Broadway on the corner of Chambers Street, Smyth is nestled in the heart of Tribeca, where epicurean treasures and cultural riches are tucked among cobblestone streets, and industrial-era buildings coexist with contemporary architecture to create a uniquely urbane cityscape. Its community is a blend of celebrities, families, tourists and professionals from the fashion, finance and media industries. An easy, elegant environment, the 14-story, 100-room Smyth hotel ushers in a new era for New York's oldest neighborhood, blending the magic of historic Tribeca with the fast-paced energy of its modern day residents.

Soho-based Gachot Studios, founded by John and Christine Gachot, known for its work on New York City's Acme restaurant, The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club and The Sterling Mason residences, melds timeless craft with modern technique to create projects with a refined aesthetic and profound sense of place. The same approach was applied to the design at Smyth. With simplicity, elegance and acute attention to detail, Gachot worked closely with hotel management and local owners at Tribeca Associates to carefully reinvent the existing architecture and transform the ground floor into a collection of intimate spaces for engaging conversations.

"We set out to create a welcoming and familiar environment, which inspired us to approach the project as if it were a private home," commented Christine Gachot, co-founder of Gachot Studios. "It has become a special project to us because we worked with friends and family to produce everything from the furniture to the lighting to the curated selection of art and books. The space is a personal reflection of 'our New York' and the creative family we've developed over the years."

Divided into the Living Room, Den, Library and Evening Bar, every room in the hotel lobby is memorable. Mixing Scandinavian and American mid-century furniture with rich textures and a neutral color palette, the spaces are punctuated by original art, books and photography handpicked by the Gachot team from local gallery owners and friends, including Robin Rice Gallery, Matthew Benedict and McNally Jackson Picture Room. Furniture and finishes are almost entirely sourced from local designers like Brooklyn-based artisan Tara Chapas, who brought Gachot's hand-woven fabrics to life in the restaurant design. Brightened by oiled, white oak floors and handcrafted tiles, the result is a warm, inviting space.

Just off the lobby with views of vibrant West Broadway, the Living Room and corner Library are ideal settings for guests to unwind and relax. Situated adjacent from the Living Room is the Den, which features a fireplace clad in custom-crafted Guastavino tile, a structural terracotta material previously used on the vaulted ceilings of many New York City landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal and Carnegie Hall, nodding to the rich architectural history of the neighborhood and New York at large.

Tucked behind the Den sits the Evening Bar, a modern interpretation of a classic hotel bar and destination in itself. Carmellini tapped mixologist Anne Robinson (PDT, Booker and Dax) to create a seasonal cocktail menu emphasizing artisanal distilleries, organic fruit and vegetable extracts, and a studied approach to tried and true recipes. The bar menu reflects the market-driven principles of Carmellini's adjoining restaurant, Little Park. The setting's showpiece is a four-panel frieze mural depicting archetypal scenes from Tribeca's history by Brooklyn-based artist Matthew Benedict. Low-slung sofas, mid-century lb Kofod-Larsen chairs and finely upholstered vintage settees are carefully configured for intimacy and comfort. A back-lit eight-seat mahogany cocktail bar with navy leather paneling opposite the entry's fireplace envelopes the 27-seat space in a warm glow.

The Gachots' story of comfort and craft continues with Little Park, a seasonal restaurant highlighting organic, sustainable ingredients from Carmellini's longtime partnerships with local farmers, anglers, vintners, ranchers and foragers. White marble mosaic tiles are hand-laid in a fan pattern across the floors, and whitewashed wood makes for a bright ceiling overhead. Expansive windows and leather banquettes accented with custom-woven textiles wrap around Chambers Street to West Broadway. Guastavino tiles frame the 10-seat bar. Warm oak dining tables with inlaid burnished brass details are paired with classic Josef Hoffmann chairs painted in dark charcoal and fitted with felt cushions. Accessible via a separate entry at the southeast corner of West Broadway and Chambers, the 85-seat restaurant will be open for dinner service daily starting November 6, followed by breakfast and lunch service in the weeks to come.

Smyth boasts 100 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, many with stunning, floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of downtown Manhattan. Debuting in early 2015, the refreshed accommodations will combine texture, color and pattern, while incorporating ease into every aspect, including spacious marble bathrooms with rain showers, handcrafted furniture sourced from New York-based millworkers and original works of art. Inspired by the elegance of residential loft living in Tribeca, the Penthouse and specialty suites will also undergo interior and exterior renovations, including new landscape design by Harrison Green, tapped exclusively to create charming private gardens for suites that feature outdoor terraces.

Custom tailored to its downtown location, Smyth is an intimate 14-story and 100-room hideaway centrally located at 85 West Broadway on the corner of Chambers Street, just steps away from the subway and many boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, parks and cultural attractions that compose the thriving neighborhood of Tribeca. Follow Smyth on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates. For more information, please www.thompsonhotels.com/smyth.

Founded in 2001, Thompson Hotels is an international hospitality company that offers sophisticated luxury to its discerning clientele. The Thompson portfolio of lifestyle hotels includes Gild Hall and Smyth Tribeca in New York City; the famed Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles; the recently opened Thompson Chicago; and Thompson Toronto and Belgraves in London. Thompson Hotels also has multiple new projects in development, including Thompson Miami Beach, Thompson Los Cabos and Thompson Playa del Carmen. Thompson Hotels is a Commune Hotels & Resorts brand. Follow Thompson Hotels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and updates. For more information, please visit www.thompsonhotels.com.



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