Aman Oasis on 5th Avenue
In a city chock-full of luxury hospitality brands, Aman New York—Aman Hotels’ first city hotel in the United States and second in the world—has set new benchmarks with its distinctive design ethos, coupled with a plum location close to Billionaires’ Row and Central Park.
By Suman Tarafdar
The world can be sliced several ways.
Seen from Aman’s point of view, the world consists of ‘Amanjunkies’ and the rest. Ever since the now legendary hospitality brand was founded 30-something years ago in Thailand, it has become a byword for quiet luxury.
Almost synonymous with its core pillars of wellness, its much-treasured resorts around the world are where the rich, famous and the well-heeled go to relax, and connect with themselves, expecting the best standard of hospitality, discreetly served. The brand has been known for getaway resorts but is now looking at cities. So it is no surprise that the group’s first hotel in North America is perched high above bustling Manhattan, in perhaps the greatest city in the world, New York.
The choice of The Big Apple seems to be the first of a move in the direction of more urban havens for the brand. “Under our Chairman and CEO, Vlad Doronin, the strategy has been to bring the Aman experience to urban destinations while continuing to expand our remote locations,” points out Olivier Lordonnois, Managing Director—North America.
“Following the success of our first city property, Aman Tokyo, the decision to bring Aman to the Western Hemisphere was simple. Aman New York, Tokyo, and upcoming North American city destinations in Miami and Beverly Hills, among other international openings, allow guests to receive the Aman experience in destinations they may already have travel plans to, truly turning vertical the spacious accommodations, amenities, and service of our horizontal resorts.”
Translating Aman’s distinctly East Asian roots to effectively epitomise Western urbanisation was never going to be easy. Lordonnois is confident it’s been a successful transplant. “The nod to our roots in the East have created a vertical resort with vast amenities, including a three-floor Aman Spa, allowing our guests the comfort of not leaving the property, while also residing just two blocks from Central Park on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Beyond our award-winning design, the unparalleled service promised by the Aman name and programming that is typically reserved for remote resorts, complemented by the resources of being in Manhattan, create an experience that New York has not been able to offer before.”
Close-up of the exterior showing design details.
The design brief for converting the historic Crown Building into Aman New York was to seamlessly blend Manhattan’s dynamic energy with the serene essence of the Aman brand.
Aman’s serenity meets Manhattan’s dynamism
Aman, located in the upper levels of the historic Crown Building, just a stone’s throw from Billionaires’ Row and Central Park, could hardly have a more central and iconic urban location globally. The design brief for converting the historic Crown Building into Aman New York was to seamlessly blend Manhattan’s dynamic energy with the serene essence of the Aman brand, says Belgian architect Jean-Michel Gathy, Founder, Denniston, who is widely acknowledged as a living legend for hotel design.
“The challenge was to honour the Crown Building’s Gilded Age origins while reimagining it to achieve a modern feel,” he adds. “The design had to respect the architectural legacy of the Crown Building whilst also complying with New York City's strict preservation laws.”
The process involved a meticulous restoration and transformation of the Crown Building, respecting its Beaux-Arts architecture and historical significance, elaborates Gathy. “The main concerns included adhering to preservation laws, reconfiguring the floor plates, and addressing acoustics in the city-centre location. Elements like windows and ornamentation were preserved, requiring a thoughtful approach to design around existing features while creating a balance between the old and new.”
The renovation of Aman New York, from the initial stages of planning to its grand opening, spanned several years. The process began in 2017, and the hotel officially welcomed its first guests in August 2022, reveals Gathy.
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Olivier Lordonnois, Managing Director, North America
Beyond our award-winning design, the unparalleled service promised by the Aman name, and programming that is typically reserved for remote resorts, complemented by the resources of being in Manhattan, create an experience that New York has not been able to offer before.
Olivier Lordonnois
Managing Director, North America
Luxury, high-rise style
Few would argue that the Aman brand perception is one of understated refinement, an abode of luxurious elegance where the quietest of pastels blend with service that makes you wish you could take the providers of the said service home—usually with a balmy beach or luxurious jungle somewhere in the backdrop.
To translate these to Manhattan required dexterous vision. “The design concept revolves around peacefulness and quiet luxury,” says Gathy. “Elements such as muted colours, simplicity of materials, and careful composition of design elements contribute to this concept. Acoustic treatments, layering of panels, and the inclusion of fireplaces in guestrooms create a serene environment for guests and residents. The choice of materials, including oak, walnut and cinnamon woods, as well as natural stone, blends the Aman brand’s Asian roots with Manhattan's vibrancy.”
Of course, it would not be an Aman if the local spirit was not present. I have an affinity for urban properties that are unique to their destination, and Aman New York is precisely that, says Lordonnois. “Gathy, a trusted Aman collaborator, designed an urban oasis within the historic Crown Building, restoring the exterior while imbuing the space with the spirit of Aman.”
Gathy adds, “The city and its spirit are represented in design features through careful consideration. The double-height atrium serves as the focal point of the building. The 14th-floor Garden Terrace offers a serene retreat in Midtown, with reflective pools and fire pits providing a connection to nature within the busy city. The incorporation of greenery, views, and outdoor spaces contributes to a sense of tranquility amid the bustling city environment.”
Japanese influences are found in elements including textured stone floors laid in a pattern reminiscent of woven rattan baskets.
The 65-foot heated spa and wellness pool has lounging areas and fire pits.
Living the luxe life
The interiors are designed to elicit that wow from the first-time visitor. “The most crucial factor in designing the space was integrating Aman's design DNA with the historical and architectural elements of the Crown Building,” stresses Gathy. “Our primary focus was to stay true to this while offering a sanctuary within the city, providing guests with an exceptional and serene urban retreat.”
The entry point may be 14 levels up, but the design ensures the guest hardly gets to miss the elements. The interplay of water (fountains) and fire (fireplaces) along with the sharp New York breeze ensure the city’s omnipresence. The sense of space is again a given—even with the high-rise environment. Case in point—the 7000 sq ft, double-height atrium, abundant greenery—and in true Japanese style, not a leaf out of place!
Jean-Michel Gathy, Architect
The challenge was to honour Crown Building’s Gilded Age origins while reimagining it to achieve a modern feel.
Jean-Michel Gathy
Architect
Suites and rooms with a resort feel
The room concepts embody Aman’s design sensibility of understated elegance and tranquillity. Ranging from 775 to 2,770 sq ft, each of the 83 suites and 22 residences feature a functioning fireplace, creating a quiet and cozy atmosphere. The use of organic, natural materials and large windows offering dynamic views reflects the design principles found in Aman’s resorts.
Pivot doors allow guests to customise their space, transforming it from open-plan ‘lofts’ to intimate layouts. Of course, the beds are king size plus, the washroom areas a byword for luxury—every amenity from top-of-the-line brands, the design concepts more often a direct tribute to Japan. Note the rice paper panels, the interflow between spaces again leaves a distinctly east Asian feel, the lovely heated bathroom floor, the zillion design elements that nevertheless manage to impart a sense of calm. The technology is absolutely up to date—yes, including the all-controlling (!) tablet.
Each suite features a large mural inspired by the 15th-century Japanese artwork Pine Trees by Hasegawa Tohaku. Pairs of pivoting louvre doors with backlit rice-paper panels can be angled by guests to open up or contain the spaces within their rooms.
The urban spa
With the brand rooted in luxury, it is no surprise that entering the spa is another moment when you have to pause for effect. Approximately 25,000 sq ft, the spa and wellness centre is the unruffled heart of the hotel. It spans three whole floors—nine to eleven. If the 65-foot pool fails to enchant, which is an improbable thought, there are other dedicated spaces—a hair and nail salon, and a yoga and pilates room. The two separate spa houses offer treatments that are, somewhat surprisingly, Moroccan and East European themed! Expect to cross paths with a lot of wellness experts.
The choice of luxury hospitality brands in NYC is nonpareil around the world. For Aman to stand out and be the brand of choice, as it has demonstrated in the past year, has been a testament as much to the brand as its unique hotel at 5th and 57thW.
The two spa houses offer treatments that are Moroccan and East European themed.
The two separate spa houses offer treatments that are, somewhat surprisingly, Moroccan and East European themed!