1) G-Slope: You can't always compare glorious rendering and actual reality right at street level. G-Slope's Hotel le Bleu (yes, that's what it's going to be called) has given us that opportunity as its been under construction. And the drawing vs. building juxtaposition is even better now that all the exterior work is done and the hotel is moving toward opening in the next couple of months. The le Bleu will have 48 rooms with prices in the high $200s to low $300s a night, many with "breathtaking" views of the Gowanus Canal. Oh, and we really dig the way the balcony floors have gaps between the rooms and the way "le Bleu" and "Gowanus" sound in the same sentence. [Previously]
2) Chelsea: We tried, but just couldn't let this week pass without showing you this glorious rendering for a planned Hotel Indigo (the boutiquey arm of the Intercontinental chain) at 127 West 28th Street (between Sixth and Seventh Aves.). Reports Braden Keil, "Property owner Morris Moinian and his Fortuna Realty Group will oversee construction of the 20-story, 122-room structure, which is expected to cost $50 million, and direct the hotel's executive team... Moinian said the low-rise building formerly on the site has been completely demolished and construction on the hotel will start in the next two weeks." All systems are go for doors swinging open in 2009. [NYPost via BlogChelsea]