W New York – Union Square

Following an impressive $100 million reimagination project, W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy, has unveiled the grand transformation of W New York – Union Square.

With a full room-to-rooftop reinvention, the 256 room W New York – Union Square reclaims its place as a cultural cornerstone in the city where the brand was born over two decades ago, revolutionizing how the world experiences hospitality and building momentum for a daring new era.

Rooted in New York City’s rich history, W New York – Union Square is housed in the former Guardian Life Building, a magnificent Beaux-Arts style property completed in 1911 and in a full circle moment, W Hotels turned to Rockwell Group, the visionary firm behind the hotel’s original debut in 2001, to lead the reinvention. This time, David Rockwell and his team looked just outside the front door for inspiration. Drawing from the textures, tones, and ever-changing spirit of Union Square Park, the interiors shift with the seasons and capture the electric rhythm of the neighbourhood itself.

David Rockwell, Founder and President, Rockwell Group said: “Rockwell Group has truly grown up alongside W Hotels, so it’s been an honour to reimagine W New York – Union Square with Marriott as the brand continues to evolve. Our new design channels the energy and eclectic spirit of New York City—drawing inspiration from the seasonality of Union Square Park, its vibrant colours, and its legacy of self-expression. From bold palettes to art that nods to the city’s grid, subway lines, and street culture, every detail is meant to create authentic, connected experiences that feel both provocative and timeless.”

The Heart of the Hotel

Guests are welcomed into a world of clean maximalism, where every detail invites discovery. This striking entryway is perfectly balanced by the dramatic contrast of black-and-white houndstooth banquette Welcome Desks, gleaming marble floors, and a captivating original mural by renowned artist Shantell Martin. At the top of the curved staircase, the experience continues into the Living Room, where the journey begins at the Living Room Café – the first of its kind for W Hotels. Serving expertly crafted coffee by Devoción by day, the café seamlessly evolves into a lively cocktail bar as night falls. Steps away lies the hotel’s former ballroom, now transformed into the brand’s signature Living Room, a showstopping Beaux-Arts space with original white marble columns, ornate Corinthian capitals, and soaring ceilings with carved rosettes. A rich palette of greens and blues sets the tone, accented by serpentine velvet benches, petal-inspired chandeliers, and a double-height bar with real botanicals cast in resin with a nod to classic Art Deco-flair. Every detail is meant to evolve with the rhythm of the city, including projected cinematic lighting that shifts from day to night, creating an atmosphere that pulses with energy.

As part of the public spaces redesign Cider Press Woodworks contributed a range of finely crafted architectural elements for areas including the mezzanine, studio, living room, lounge, second floor, lobby and cellar. Highlights include mezzanine doors, custom cellar vanities and panelling, lobby niche cabinets and check-in stations, custom lobby doors, studio survey millwork, the lounge café bar, second floor lobby fluted walls and various metal components seamlessly integrated with millwork. The team also fabricated the lobby bench substrate and refined finishes within the second floor living room, maintaining cohesion and craftsmanship across every detail.

ROYAL THAI

New Home on the Square

Dripping in a nature-inspired palette of greens, oranges, and greys, the guest rooms mirror the stunning seasonal changes of Union Square Park through botanical carpeting, curved lacquered walls, ombre wallpaper, drapery, and lush burnt orange velvet headboards. Tucked in an inviting curvature of the wall, rounded, hunter green tufted couches and circular bronze tables make for the perfect space to work or play.

Subtle, clever nods to the city include custom light fixtures that pay tribute to subway entry lamps and bike chains, nightstands inspired by the “Metronome”-esque art installation on Union Square South, side tables with chessboard patterns, and bathrooms with grid line-inspired tiling. Unexpected use of colour reinforces the maximalist design, with taxicab-yellow faucet handles in an otherwise hushed bathroom.

At the top, the Penthouse Suite features thoughtfully designed zones for relaxing, working, and entertaining. Spanning 1,215 sq. ft, the suite provides unparalleled city views that invite guests to fully immerse themselves in Manhattan’s beauty. With separate living and bedroom areas, a private bar, a generous seating area, a bespoke curved wood bar, and striking vanity set against expansive windows, the suite delivers elevated amenities and embodies a lifestyle without limits.

Seahorse – A New Seafood Brasserie Paying Homage To New York

Seahorse is a modern seafood brasserie from restaurateur John McDonald and Mercer Street Hospitality. Led by industry veteran Chef John Villa, the menu offers a refined take on seafood and raw bar classics, tapping global influences while staying rooted in seasonality.

Accessible via its own entrance off an iconic corner of Park Ave South, as well as through the hotel, the 125-seat dining room blends maritime nostalgia with modern polish. Rockwell Group has crafted a timeless environment that features mother-of-pearl inlays, mermaid green tile, yacht-style wood finishes, and a dramatic central seafood bar. To complete the look of the space Rockwell enlisted the help of Cider Press Woodworks who delivered a full suite of custom millwork and finishing elements that define the space’s atmosphere. Work included wall panelling, trim, and niches, banquette decks and finished panels, and bespoke features across the entry corridor and bathroom vanities. Signature pieces such as the main bar and portals, seafood bar, wine room shelving, doors, and restroom vestibule panelling showcase the firm’s dedication to both design precision and material integrity.

A moody hand-painted mural by Brooklyn’s En Viu also adds depth and atmosphere while paying homage to the city’s own seafaring history.

A Rooftop Reinvented

Seventeen stories above, Union Square’s only rooftop bar makes its debut – an intimate indoor/outdoor space designed by AvroKO. Tucked behind the hotel’s iconic marquee sign, the aesthetic draws from the legendary art-meets-nightlife institutions such as Andy Warhol’s Factory and Max’s Kansas City, once located just around the corner. The rooftop’s concrete floor pattern echoes the large-scale design of the park below, a poetic nod to the ebb and flow of Union Square’s street life. With sweeping skyline views unlike any other vantage point, and a touch of nostalgic glamour, this sky-high space is built for golden-hour cocktails and nightcaps.

FIT for a New Generation

The hotel’s former subterranean bar has been transformed into an expansive wellness space. Known as FIT, this is the brand’s take on the signature hotel gym and features the brand’s first in-hotel Peloton Studio, offering five bikes available for guests. With elongated corridors, striped carpeting, and a woven “14” design, FIT is encased in green and yellow mosaic tile and rubberized flooring paying homage to the nearby 14th Street-Union Square subway station. Post-workout, guests can unwind in a high-design recovery zone, complete with hydro-massage chairs, turning restoration into part of the ritual.

Meetings and Events, Elevated

W New York – Union Square offers 2,587 sq. ft of meeting and event space designed to inspire connection and creativity. With four versatile Studio rooms, groups can host multiple events conveniently right down the hall. Thoughtfully furnished with Herman Miller pieces and layered with intentional design details, the Studios strike the perfect balance of focus and comfort, inspiring collaboration and creativity. Custom carpets and textured fabrics draw inspiration from the New York sky and the lively energy of the Union Square Greenmarket, while virtually limitless technology keeps every meeting seamlessly connected. Guests can also indulge in fresh, creative menu offerings sourced from the Greenmarket, ensuring that each event is as vibrant and dynamic as the neighbourhood itself.

“I’ve watched this transformation unfold from the very beginning and seeing W New York – Union Square come alive is truly special,” said Christina Poon, General Manager, W New York – Union Square. “This reinvention is about more than design – it’s about breathing new life into a historic landmark, strengthening its connection to the neighbourhood, and creating moments that resonate with every guest. From the Living Room to Seahorse and Heroes, each detail reflects the building’s history while capturing the energy, creativity, and spirit of Union Square. It’s a place where locals and travellers alike can gather, connect, and experience the heart of the city in a way only W Hotels can deliver.”

CIDER PRESS WOODWORKS