The Greenwich Hotel

The iconic Greenwich Hotel TriBeCa in New York's lower Manhattan is a designer orchestration of salvaged pieces, crafted textiles, aged ceramics and bespoke furnishings that are housed in a traditional red-brick new build – the lodgings of this luxury kid on the block gives TriBeCa the unpretentious grand hotel it so craved. With echoes of past times, The Greenwich Hotel is a pad with the elegance and ease typical of Lower Manhattan and Greenwich Street, owned by Hollywood star, Robert De Niro, who grew up in neighbouring Nolita.

A design residence synonymous with considered architecture, detailed interior décor, and a dedication to Old-World craftsmanship – The Greenwich is also a treasure trove of handcrafted artefacts, effortless heritage and flawless design.  

Architect and designer David Rockwell headed the concept alongside interiors legend Sarah Collum + Hatfield Design LLC, the restaurant by Grayling Design, (the group behind Balthazar, Pastis and Schiller's), and the icing on the cake, the Penthouse suite by Axel Vervoordt, aka master of Wabi-Sabi. Follow the story of architectural nuance throughout the hotel from reclaimed civil war-era wood seen in ceiling beams, guest doors and hallway panelling, to the 20 different shapes and sizes of the iconic red bricks which were handmade in Pennsylvania, each one unique. The terracotta and marble floors in the lobby were inspired by flooring found in a 14th-century palazzo in Italy. A family-owned company of Italian artisans then produced the replica custom floors in the same style as their 14th century predecessors, hand-moulding each tile.

It took just shy of three years to complete the interiors and just like a good home, the furnishings dance across the design era and draw through a plethora of vintage fabrics. Cornerstones of The Greenwich Hotel's design include 1950's walnut desks, original artworks by de Niro's father, Serge Mouille lighting, Russian white oak flooring and trimmed George Smith armchairs. Tribal elements stand guard with china pots, large parlour palms upon bespoke Tibetan silk rugs; the scene is eclectic comfort. 

The courtyard in red brick and potted plants gives the appearance of being here forever decked in wicker and wrought iron chairs, large planters and uplighters that cast their magical secret garden storyboard.  

Entering the spa is like leaving New York behind you completely, a hidden sanctum of verde tones, ancient bamboo, hemlock floors and low-to-the-ground sofas creating an elemental encounter through strokes of genius. The moody lantern-lit pool shimmers with all things zen, housed in a 250-year-old-barn of Japanese dark barn timbers - shipped in from Japan and assembled without using one single screw or nail. 

As the New York cinematic insider, the hotel's neighbour is the Tribeca Film Center, complete with a deluxe screening room of 72 seats and state-of-the-art equipment (including 3D technology); the space is versed for a variety of events. 

This outpost is your cool hotel venue that mimics country house familiarity with clubhouse chill, pleasantly unpretentious and so firmly rooted into the hood of Tribeca. 

In the 88 Rooms and Suites, no two are alike. Furnishings draw from a wide range of cultural influences, from hand-loomed, Tibetan silk rugs to English leather settees. All beds are Duxiana from Sweden. Bathrooms are designed in unique patterns of hand laid Moroccan tile or Italian Carrara marble

Modern technology complements the hotel’s lodgings and old-world charm. Rooms feature high-definition flat screen Smart TVs, Bose Bluetooth speakers, USB charging stations, tablets for hotel services and in-room dining orders, and complimentary high-speed wireless internet. Thoughtful complimentary services such as packing and unpacking, grocery shopping, Nespresso or tea presentation, and use of the hotel’s house car for short trips are all available upon request.

The Greenwich Hotel was conceived with privacy and serenity in mind and the resulting open-air courtyard gardens and drawing rooms, complete with fireplace and bar, are for residents and their invited guests only. This private resident's oasis is a bit of a secret on the New York scene. 

Food is serviced by the hotel's partner restaurant of fame, Locanda Verde, headed by Chef Andrew Carmellini. This insanely popular casual dining room is obviously also open to house guests - but as a resident, have them bring food to you in the stunning resident-only courtyard gardens - an oasis for the birds and celebrities. Breakfast features all the classics - extensive bakeries with healthy smoothie add-ons.

Shibui, in Japanese, means “a subtle and unobtrusive approach”. This is the aptly named spa & pool at The Greenwich Hotel.  

Entering the spa is like leaving New York behind you completely, a hidden sanctum of Verde tones, ancient bamboo, hemlock floors and low-to-the-ground sofas creating an elemental encounter through strokes of genius. The moody lantern-lit pool shimmers with all things zen, housed in a 250-year-old-barn of Japanese dark timbers - shipped in from Japan and assembled without using one single screw or nail. 

There are five treatment rooms and an Onsen - traditional Japanese soaking bath - as well as a fitness, yoga and pilates studio. Signature treatments from the likes of New York Red Flower, a hotly followed organic-eco cosmetic company help echo the essence of Shibui. From the moment of wearing the Japanese robes and slippers you enter this blissfully tranquil world - before returning to the real one upstairs, another also a sanctum in the buzz of New York's TriBeCa.  

Close to Soho, West Village & Meatpacking districts, The Greenwich Hotel sits in New York's creative & artistic hub of TriBeCa, in downtown Manhattan. Brick fronted former warehouses turned outposts of fashion, art, eateries, boutiques and spacey lofts don each block. 

The Greenwich is on Greenwich St. corner N Moore St. and Franklin St. home to Thom Browne with trendy Hudson St., home to Nobu Next Door, and Mr.Chow. There is a vibe to this neighbourhood that is still very much authentic, with an edge of boho rawness that creates its own scene.