Sofitel New York will be embarking on a refurbishment project, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Sofitel this year.
The renovation plan will see enhancements to all facets of the hotel, including its 398 rooms (including 51 suites and the presidential suite). The property’s iconic skyscraper one-bedroom suites, which offer skyline views of the city, and the terrace suites with vistas of the Chrysler or Empire State Buildings, will also be upgraded. The hotel’s lobby, meeting areas, guest elevators and corridors will also be refreshed.
The revitalization of the iconic hotel in Midtown Manhattan is scheduled to begin later this year, with the public areas anticipated to be completed by fall 2025.
DESIGN
Sofitel New York has been known for combining elegant French design with New York’s vibrancy for over two decades. With design by HBA San Francisco, the hotel’s current design is an amalgamation of Parisian Art Deco with 1940s Manhattan glamour. The new design will build on this concept and draw inspiration from the impact of L’Art Décoratif on the city.
The color palette will be dominated by tones of black, gray, white and gold, with artworks and metallic accents. The reimagined foyer will house a sculptural lighting installation.
The hotel’s original stonework will be retained at the entrance, complemented by black marble stone and wood at the bell desk and black accent paint at the walls and ceiling. An art installation will be added behind the bell desk to create a contrast.
NEW APPOINTMENT
Sofitel New York has appointed Dieter Schmitz as the general manager, who will oversee the hotel’s new chapter. The new role brings Schmitz back to New York City.
“With an unbeatable location and forthcoming renovation, I look forward to introducing our future flagship property to the world. Our team is committed to excellence and creating personalized guest experiences. We’re taking Sofitel New York to the next level, ensuring the hotel remains an iconic destination in the beating heart of the city,” said Schmitz.
BRAND REPOSITIONING
The refurbishment of the hotel is part of a larger global project to revitalize the French hospitality brand, which was established in 1964. Sofitel recently launched new partnerships, including with French Bloom and Courbet, a new brand campaign and new brand ambassadors – Gilian Anderson and Dali Benssalah.
The brand’s repositioning will see more renovation projects, including the recently launched complete renovation of Sofitel Montréal Carré d’Or and Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, which opened its new Liberté Lounge and lobby this week. About 20% of Sofitel’s global portfolio is currently undergoing renovations or are committed to refurbishments, including the Sofitel Legend The Grand in Amsterdam and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems said in a statement.
Sofitel will be opening five new hotels across the world this year. Of these, two locations have already been announced – Sofitel Jaipur Jawahar Circle in India and Sofitel Legend The Mozart Prague in the Czech Republic.
“Our goal is to bring a little piece of France everywhere, supported by our dynamic pipeline of 30 hotels set to open by 2027. We also see great potential to expand our French flair in North America, beyond our six existing Sofitel properties. At Sofitel, we believe in a luxury that also serves a greater purpose. We are committed to a positive impact on our industry, aiming for 100% of Sofitel hotels to be eco-certified by 2025 and ensuring that more than 30% of our general managers are women by the end of 2025,” Bailly added.