Fairfield Inn Financial District South Street Seaport

161 Front Street, New York

Square Feet: 70,050 (New Construction)
Guest Rooms: 176
Completion Date: March 2015

Project Architect: Luis Vazquez

Project Designer: Peter Poon

The history of Front and Fletcher Street in lower Manhattan adjacent to the South Street Seaport is tied to 19th century commercial and passenger seagoing activity. This was a time of extraordinary energy that saw maritime sail loft buildings erected throughout the neighborhood.

PPA was commissioned to design a 31-story hotel. While the brand was for budget travelers the office needed to step up and respond to this rich neighborhood. The design concept looked to the historic context and adopted the large window bays and open-glazed look of the adjoining loft buildings using modern frames.

Further, addressing the importance of the location in a budget sensitive manner, PPA articulated the unfenestrated lot-line windows on the east and west with geometric graphic intersecting lines. These Mondrian-like sinews are a contemporary gesture in a historic context. They stand in contrast to the 19th century Clipper Ship’s masts and rigging seen at the docks across South Street.

For interiors, PPA supported the office of Glen Coben who designed the fit out of the rooms and public spaces.  His design concept also paid homage to the area’s history with a nautical theme.  The upper rooms look out over the docks and East River and onto Brooklyn.

Technically PPA designed and implemented flood gates that can be installed on the ground floor upon warning in the previously mentioned window bays. The building will be protected when the next hurricane Sandy hits.

Share