The Grand Reopening of the Carlton on Madison Avenue

The 316-room Carlton on Madison Avenue opened its doors marking the return of elegance and style to Manhattan’s Madison Park District. The original 12-story beaux-arts property, designed by Harry Allen Jacobs, was built in 1904 as The Seville Hotel. Over one century later, The Carlton on Madison Avenue reopens in the footprints of the old Seville after the completion of a five-year, $60 million dollar renovation and preservation. Noted architect, David Rockwell, led the renovation and refurbishment. This renovation includes: restoration of the original landmark New York hotel, refurbishment of all 316 guestrooms and suites, and a 17,000 square-foot addition. The addition added a grand three story lobby, an antique lobby bar and state-of-the-art meeting facilities. The function rooms can accommodate groups from 14–200 and will open in December, 2005.

Save for a new façade and annex, the exterior restoration remarkably preserves the original design, resonating with the architectural magnificence that characterized turn-of-the-century New York.

The showpiece of the Carlton is the new lobby. Grand in scale and design, the lobby is the synthesis of early 20th and 21st century New York. Graceful staircases embellished by handcrafted wrought iron banisters lead visitors to an intimate and elegant seating area. Glass panels depicting scenes of turn-of-the-century Manhattan illuminate the expansive reception desk.

The focal point of the lobby is the three-story waterfall encased by asymmetrical panels in ultra-suede, gently illuminated by light panels and blending seamlessly into the rich mahogany wood framing. The cascading waterfall envelops a portrait of the former Hotel Seville. This old photograph shimmers through the soothing water, reminding visitors of the historic and opulent origins of the site.

The décor of the 316 guestrooms features rich soothing earth tones that provide an atmosphere of tranquillity, elegance, modern luxury and classic sophistication consistent with a four-diamond hotel. Many of the rooms have stunning views of the empire state building.

The restoration project also includes a two-story restaurant with a café and a refurbished krug bar. The new Country Restaurant, owned and operated by renowned chef Geoffrey Zakarian, will offer family style, seasonal, prefixed three-course dinners and will open later this year. Country Café is currently open and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

Country’s decor features tile floors from the 1920’s and a stunning rediscovered Tiffany-style glass dome. This treasure was originally installed in 1904 and painted over to deter air raids during World War II; it was found covered with a thick layer of dirt and soot from years atop of a gentlemen’s barroom during a time when smoking was fashionable. At the beginning of the hotel’s renovation process, the skylight was removed and shipped to an artisan’s studio in Connecticut, where it was restored to its turn-of-the-century opulence.

The general manager, Edmund Sulzman voices his pride in the newly refurbished Carlton. “Refurbishment of this historic site has been a labor of love for all involved. David Rockwell and his team have ingeniously combined the grandeur of turn-of-the-century New York with style, elegance and practicality of today. Guests of the Carlton on Madison Avenue are marvelling at the distinctive design elements throughout the entire hotel.” A grand opening party is planned for November 11th, 2005.

The Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue is located in Midtown South Manhattan, between New York City’s Gramercy Park and Murray Hill neighborhoods. Situated in the heart of Manhattan’s business, shopping and entertainment districts, the hotel is within walking distance from the Empire State Building, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Broadway theatre district and Fifth Avenue shopping. The hotel is managed by Allegiance Hospitality Services (AHS), a full-service hotel management subsidiary of Omni Hotels. AHS clients enjoy all the management capabilities, quality of service and infrastructure inherent in Omni Hotels. The Omni Hotels properties offer luxury accommodations and exceptional personalized service that’s surprisingly sensible. For more information and reservations call 1-800-601-8500 or visit www.carltonhotelny.com.

SOURCE Carlton Hotel