New York, New York, USA
“We set out to capture and preserve the essence of the property while enhancing its connections to SoHo and softening some of the harder edges of the original design,” states John Sunwoo of Palette Architecture.
John Sunwoo of Palette Architecture and landscape architects HM White complete the refurbishment of ModernHaus Soho, a luxurious 114-room boutique hotel, formerly known as The James New York.
The property was acquired by the current owners in 2017, and the hotel has changed ownership twice since its original construction in 2010.
The client’s vision was to rebrand the hotel in a more contemporary style, breathing new life into the prominent structure and softening the rough material palette of its original design.
The project was a collaborative effort between multiple stakeholders, including the building’s owners, interior design firms, Wilson Associates and M. A. Bowers, Inc., and the hotel’s various food and beverage operators.
With Palette as the team leader, the project focused on a plan to give the rebranded property a fresh start.
Beginning with the lobby and hotel entrances, dated finishes were upgraded through the timeless use of natural materials.
The designers introduced contrasts to the light-colored interior, including dark woods and metals that provide the space’s walls, doors, and railings with a contemporary facelift.
In guestroom corridors, the use of Calderesque carpeting, and the strategic placement of pop art, help establish seamless connections to the SoHo vibe.
The layout of the rooms themselves remained largely intact, with thoughtful contemporary touches of furnishings upholstered in soft, bold-colored fabrics.
Designed over multiple levels, the world-class Veranda SoHo now encompasses several distinct spaces, including a 150-person Signature Room dining area, two distinct cocktail bars, and event space.
While the restaurant is now characterized by its outward focus, there is also a seamless continuation of the overall design concept in the form of soft fabrics, bold colors, and natural wood contrasts.
The firm also redesigned the poolside bar as a permanent fixture, highlighted by a newly integrated DJ booth and a reconfigured terrace window that enables the main bar space to fully open to the pool deck.
Additionally, in line with the theme of establishing connections with the external surroundings, a very modern communal sink was installed just outside of the unisex bathroom stalls.
Positioned in front of an expansive wall of windows, the sink area provides stunning city views from the rooftop establishment.
“We’re very proud of what was a truly collaborative project, and the final result is that every major space of ModernHaus now features a dialogue between the original design and the contrasting intervention,”concludes John Sunwoo of Palette Architecture.
Project: ModernHaus SoHo Hotel
Architects: Palette Architecture
Lead Architect: John Sunwoo
Landscape Architects: HM White
Project Designer: Anna Kueck
Creative Direction: MA Bowers, Inc.
Contractors: Hidden Hill Hospitality
MEP Engineer: Kohler Ronan
Interior Designer: Wilson Associates
Lighting Designer: Dot Dash
Client: Thor Equities Group
Photographers: Pavel Bendov
