NY Hotel Market Sees More Reversions And Conversions
<B> NY Hotel Market Sees More Reversions And Conversions</B>
By Robert Selwitz
One answer for corporate seekers of mid-priced Manhattan digs could be the revitalized, 69-year-old New Yorker Hotel.
Located diagonally across from Penn Station at Eighth Avenue and 34th Street, the property--once one of Gotham's leading choices--has had its ups and downs. In recent years, it essentially has been the headquarters for the Unification Church and a dormitory for followers of the church's leader, Reverend Sun Yung Moon.
The church bought the New Yorker in 1976 for $5.5 million, subsequently using it as its disciples' headquarters. But beginning in 1994, as acolytes married and moved to outside homes, the church decided to convert the space back to its original purpose.
Today there are 860 functioning guestrooms, with more than a thousand scheduled to be available by June. General manager Barry Mann said, "The church has seized the moment. While they no longer need the rooms, plenty of travelers do. It has proven to be a very wise business decision."
The hotel's most recent conversion began in June 1994, with 175 rooms on two floors. In 1995, when Mann was hired to run the once and future hotel, a decision was made to convert one floor at a time. Today the Unification Church is consolidated on three floors, with 10 floors of the 43-story structure continuing as non-church or hotel-related retail space. Also inside are three restaurants and a fitness club, all in easy proximity to the Javits Convention Center.
Rack rate for standard single rooms runs from $129 to $159, with a corporate rate of $119. Double rooms are priced between $139 and $169. On the top three executive floors, rates are between $185 and $225 for singles, mini-suites are priced between $250 and $300, and deluxe suites from $495 to $595.
A more conventional hotel conversion will wrap up in April when The Benjamin--formerly The Beverly and now the tenth and latest member of Manhattan East Suite Hotels--opens at Lexington Avenue and 50th Street.
Living quarters at The Benjamin, include 97 one-bedroom suites and a deluxe two-bedroom suite, and feature small galleys, chaise lounges, oversized club chairs and beds with custom-designed mattresses and the guest's choice of pillows.
The Benjamin is targeting roaming executives and offers rooms with modern business amenities to attract them. Its rooms feature three telephones, including two-line speakerphones with dataports and one cordless phone; voice mail and DID private line service; high-speed Internet access; guest business cards; and a fax/scanner/printer/copier with a dedicated fax number.
Also on hand are conference facilities accommodating up to 110 attendees, a spa, health club and "wellness center," and the "An American Place" restaurant. Travelers can savor Chef Larry Forgione's award-winning New American cuisine at the restaurant, which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant also provides upscale room service.