Down in the bowels of Soho at the Fortress of Plazatude James New York, the stilted hotel towering over Grand and Canal Streets, opening day is on the horizon. The James website announces that it will "open summer 2010 with 114 guestrooms and suites bathed in natural light and unobstructed views of Manhattan." The earliest we could pretend to reserve a room was September 1st and, if we were serious about it, we'd have nabbed a Queen Guestroom for $399, or maybe a bigger King for $429. Outside, a new glass elevator has been bolted to the exposed concrete base, offering future guests a "look at me" ride to the all-glass Sky Lobby floating up above and other assorted delights.
One of those is a "stunning rooftop pool deck and bar, complete with 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline." Last week, workers were seen up top, silhouetted against the summer sky beneath the hotel's signature "halo," where they were installing glass railings to keep pool-side partiers under control. Down below along Grand Street, a big plate glass window has gone in, framing the foyer within. All around are stepped platforms that will support a hidden urban garden, tucked away behind hefty concrete walls. On one of those walls, above the corner of Grand and Sixth Avenue, a bit of art has been tacked onto the faux-wood concrete. It's part of an upcoming exhibition from NYC artist Matthew Jensen, and fulfills the James pledge to feature the work of local artists.
· The James Brings Its Own Brand of Liberated Luxury to New York City [James Hotels]
· Nowhere in Manhattan [Jensen Projects]
· James New York coverage [Curbed]
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