Photography by Joe Thomas
Ideally situated just a short walk from iconic NYC landmarks, such as the Flatiron Building and the High Line, Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea Hotel is the latest addition to this vibrant Manhattan neighbourhood.
The 374-key property occupies a new, 42-story structure by Stonehill Taylor, a leading New York City-based firm that also designed the hotel’s interiors. As one of the first of Hilton’s new Motto brand properties to open, this project sets a standard for those to come, incorporating the brand’s lively and spacious F&B venues with streamlined guestrooms that have been carefully engineered and crafted to fulfill every guest need featuring clever touches within a minimal footprint.
Public and amenity spaces, including reception, lounges, an all-day restaurant, and bar areas, make up the first two floors of the structure, with an outdoor food and beverage terrace on the second level, and a fitness room on the fourth. Guest rooms run up to the 41st floor.
The hotel’s setting within a former theatre district and current arts district inspired the use of unique art installations and dramatic arches in the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms. However, it was the venue’s 24th Street address that acted as the main inspiration for Stonehill Taylor’s design. The firm drew on its significance in different contexts as a spark for the hotel’s colour scheme, furnishings, finishes, and artwork.
The “24” design concept is highlighted by way of three unique concept pillars. The first, the 24 hours in a day, takes inspiration from the passage of time, the sun, the moon, and the contrast of light to dark. In military time, “2400” signifies the midnight hour, which the firm wove into the hotel through accents of deep midnight blue.
The second “24ism” references metals, in particular 24-karat gold and chromium, the 24th element on the periodic table. Stonehill Taylor’s team incorporated these finishes in a unique yet cohesive way in light fixtures, casegoods, and artwork.
For the third and final concept, the designers looked to 24-bit color, a means to produce colour digitally in its truest form, which resulted in concentrated moments of vibrant jewel tones carefully curated throughout the hotel.
