Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) ("Morgans") opens Ames in Boston, the latest addition to the company''s collection of Originals.
"We are very pleased to be working with Normandy Real Estate Partners on the reinvention of this iconic building and to offer our guests a destination in Boston like no other. We took great pains to preserve the historic elements of the building while adding a spectacular, modern design creating a tension between the two and resulting in a truly special and original experience," said Marc Gordon, President of Morgans Hotel Group. "Boston is a dynamic, cultural city, relevant both to our company and our guests."
Benjamin Franklin meets a supermodel with Morgans Hotel Group''s newest property, Ames in Boston. Morgans Hotel Group, known for introducing the boutique hotel with the opening of Morgans in 1984, is making its next bold move by bringing its provocative style to this rich and historic city. Ames represents a singular and authentic addition to Morgans'' collection of Originals: a carefully curated group of hotels which also includes Morgans, Royalton, Hudson, St Martins Lane, Clift and Shore Club. This collection is a group of properties that are distinctive in their unique personalities, but unified by their shared traits of unmistakable, inspired and unrestrained daring. Ames, designed by Rockwell Group in collaboration with the Morgans design team, is a rich blend of historical reference and up-to-date modernism, of old-world aesthetics and contemporary luxury, and of dedicated homage to history and forward-thinking innovation.
"Ames takes all of Morgans'' theatrical signatures and subtle design seductions and creates a dramatic and inventive work worthy of both Benjamin Franklin and the most refined and provocative Supermodel." Fred Kleisner, CEO of Morgans, states, "This hotel is a tremendous addition to the originality for which Morgans is known."
"From the moment we assumed stewardship of this signature Boston property, we believed it deserved a design and development treatment worthy of the Ames'' historic past, and we knew that Morgans as hotelier and Rockwell Group as architects were just the people to bring into this project," said David Welsh, Managing Principal of Normandy Real Estate Partners. Justin Krebs, Normandy Principal added, "From our view as owners of both Boston''s tallest skyscraper – the John Hancock Tower – and Boston''s original skyscraper – The Ames -- we couldn''t be more pleased with this result, and want to add our thanks to the Mayor''s office and the Boston Redevelopment Authority for their input and guidance as we''ve moved forward."
The original Romanesque-Byzantine inspired structure operated as the corporate headquarters for the Ames families'' agricultural tool company, a history that Rockwell Group and Morgans'' design team have adopted and interpreted through an entirely modern lens. "I cannot imagine a better opportunity to design our first hotel in Boston than working with Morgans Hotel Group and Normandy Real Estate Partners on the transformation of the historic, 19th century Ames building into a hotel," said David Rockwell, "We really wanted our design to reflect a contrast of eras, where the historical context and Ames family history would merge with a modern framework to bring a fresh, new experience to the hospitality market in Boston." The elegance and strength resonated by the city served as both inspiration and temptation to the design team who preserved stunning original fixtures such as the staircase, the lobby mosaic and the robust exterior, but selectively streamlined other aspects of the aesthetic and devotedly focused attention to detail and a sense of narrative continuity throughout the entire hotel.
The story begins in the lobby, which features two original landmark elements: the mosaic, barrel-vaulted ceiling and the dramatic marble and brass staircase. The "Mirror Chandelier" or "Mirror Cloud" installation, a fragmented sculpture created for Ames by London based artists Sophie Nielsen and Rolf Knudsen of Studio Roso, punctuates the drama of the lobby. Based on the ephemeral qualities of nature and the multiplying structural quality of a tree, the piece is inspired by the existing pattern in the vaulted ceiling, which also references nature. The chandelier compliments this pattern so that the existing space and the installation become one. Comprised of thousands of metalized discs, which mirror the light and color of its surroundings, the piece creates a cacophony of light and shadow reflections, creating a theatrical experience and an ever-changing environment. On the wall behind the reception area is an installation made up of many pieces of hand cast porcelain alluding to the building''s structure. Created by artist Draga Šušanj, this site-specific work made for Ames references its multiple arches and the new life of the building. Just off of the lobby, the two-story restaurant pays homage to the modern-day dandy through its confidence, playfulness and rich aesthetic details.
Woodward, Morgans'' new restaurant-bar concept for Ames, will broaden the range of luxury experience at the hotel with premiere quality food and drink. Named for a tavern once housed in the Ames family home, Woodward will fascinate guests with its clever "Cabinet of Curiosities". The Victorian-inspired display is curated with hand-selected objects of inspiration and eye candy by Boston local artist Sally Brooks Moore, and will introduce a stylish compliment to Ames juxtaposition of historical building with modern interior. Each features a main bar as well as a dining area, with finishes inspired by bespoke men''s tailoring with subtle unexpected details. Windsor chairs, in high gloss white lacquer finish, will be scattered throughout the restaurant, complimenting the wood paneled walls washed in a milky enamel. The textural playfulness counterpoints the sleekness of the lobby and adds a surprising lightness to the sophistication of this dining experience. The regional ingredient-driven menu by Executive Chef Mark Goldberg is designed for sharing over a lively table of world-class, handcrafted cocktails, the latest inspiration from Morgans'' master mixologist, John Lermayer. Backed by twenty years of experience in partner Seth Greenberg, owner of Mistral and Co-Founder of Boston Common Magazine, Woodward will be a coveted, new Boston destination, and yet another success story for Morgans'' renowned collection of restaurants and bars.
Located in the heart of the city, this 114-room hotel offers 107 guest rooms, one apartment and six deluxe one-bedroom suites. Stepping off of the elevator into the corridors, guests are immediately transfixed by a "Pepper''s ghost" illusion, a theatrical inference of an illuminated, crystal chandelier, seemingly floating behind the mirrored wall. The rooms, entered into through a classically dark entry vestibule, are simple, serene, and quiet. The illumination and levity of the rooms are enhanced by light oak flooring, 10-foot high ceilings, a cream-colored leather upholstered platform bed, and the frosted glass that gives a fluid continuity between the main room and the bathroom. To transform the room into a delicate cocoon, guests can draw sheer curtains along the length of the window and bathroom walls. Hints of Federal Style inspiration include a desk lacquered in glossy white and nightstands adorned with lamps of black chrome, referencing the whale-oil lamps that once lit the city. Morgans'' signature sexiness is present in the sheer white drapes and the whimsical glass box bathrooms with dark porcelain tile floors. All of the guestrooms are adorned with a commissioned installation of souvenir style plates by artist and designer, Harry Allen. Allen''s inspiration came from long walks around Boston''s historic sites where he encountered many tourists and souvenir stalls. The piece is comprised of three plates, each with different graphics. One features a gold image of the Ames building, another a codfish and the third a street map of Boston. The installation also includes a quotation about Boston from "Picturesque America", painted on the wall. The deluxe one-bedroom suites boast a sectional sofa, upholstered in black and white woven fabric and a modern, signature wingback chair in black lacquer and white leather. The dark wood floors are complimented by silver-gray, silken carpets and feature white lacquer carerra marble dining tables with white leather and metal dining chairs. The suites are both refined and intimate, with the dramatic floor-to-ceiling arched windows punctuating a sense of continuity with tradition and connecting the interior of the hotel with the historical urban Boston landscape.
The elegant 9th-floor apartment offers space for entertaining and events, featuring an expansive living and dining room, furnished with a vintage, tufted velvet chaise lounge, a sectional custom sofa and a glass and chrome cocktail table. The cream silk area rug and polished chrome four-poster bed provide comfort and luxury. Dramatically lit with a white feather drum chandelier, the space is sumptuous, generous, and breathtaking.
From the chandelier of thousands of reflective discs in the lobby to the dramatic, "Pepper''s Ghost" illusions in the corridors and the "Cabinets of Curiosity" in Woodward, Ames continues Morgans'' tradition of the "hotel as theater" and allows for a stunning relationship between ornate exterior and streamlined interior; it is a thoughtful example of the Rockwell Group''s architectural storytelling and Morgans Hotel Group''s innovative approach to the past.
Morgans is offering introductory rates from $165 at Ames, including complimentary upgrades to the next available room type at check in (based on availability). Reserve at www.morganshotelgroup.com/amesintro or Call 800 606 6090 within the United States or, 00 800 4969 17700 International. Promo code: SPGRAT. Valid through April 5, 2010.
About Normandy Real Estate Partners
One of the nation''s leading real estate private equity firms, Normandy Real Estate Partners owns and operates a diversified real estate portfolio in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region which includes over 14 million square feet of commercial property, 2,300 apartments, 4 hotels and numerous land development sites. Normandy''s Boston-area portfolio alone totals more than 6 million square feet of commercial property, including The John Hancock Tower. Normandy''s investments are acquired and managed through a series of fully-discretionary investment funds currently totaling over $1 billion in invested equity and capital commitments. For more information please visit www.normandyrealty.com.
About Rockwell Group
Rockwell Group is an award winning, cross-disciplinary 140-person architecture and design firm specializing in cultural, hospitality, retail, product, and set design. Based in New York, with satellite offices in Madrid and Dubai, the firm crafts a unique narrative and an immersive environment for each project. Rockwell''s interest in theater has informed much of the firm''s work, including: the W Hotel, Union Square; the Chambers Hotel in New York and Minneapolis; Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York; the central Marketplace of the JetBlue terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport; Walt Disney Family Museum; the 2009 Academy Awards; Canyon Ranch Miami Beach; the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles; Nobu restaurants worldwide; set design for Broadway''s "Hairspray" and the upcoming "Houdini;" The Elinor Bunin-Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center; and the Imagination Playground initiative. David Rockwell is the 2008 recipient of the Smithsonian''s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum''s National Design Award for Interior Design. www.rockwellgroup.com
About Morgans Hotel Group
Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, Morgans, Royalton and Hudson in New York, Delano and Shore Club in South Beach, Mondrian in Los Angeles, Scottsdale and South Beach, Clift in San Francisco, Ames in Boston, and Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London. Morgans Hotel Group and an equity partner also own the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and related assets. Morgans Hotel Group has other property transactions in various stages of completion, including projects in SoHo, New York, Palm Springs, California, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, Playa del Carmen, Mexico and Dubai, UAE. For more information please visit www.morganshotelgroup.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as the term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "believes," "guidance," and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, due to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to, downturns in economic and market conditions, particularly levels of spending in the business, travel and leisure industries; hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, or fear of hostilities that affect travel; risks related to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; risks associated with the acquisition, development and integration of new properties; the seasonal nature of the hospitality business; changes in the tastes of our customers; increases in real property tax rates; increases in interest rates and operating costs; the impact of any material litigation; the loss of key members of senior management; general volatility of the capital markets and our ability to access the capital markets; and changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we invest, and other risk factors discussed in Morgans Hotel Group''s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of today, based upon information known to management as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligations to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that indicated results or events will not be realized.
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Contacts:
Morgans
Hotel Group
Jennifer Foley, 212-277-4166
Vice President of
Public Relations
jennifer.foley@morganshotelgroup.com
or
Allison
Benson, 212-277-4118
Public Relations Manager
allison.benson@morganshotelgroup.com
