For the Hoxton Hotel’s highly anticipated arrival on American soil, it’s only natural that it would push the boat out with its debut property in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighbourhood. Situated on a popular stretch of Wythe Avenue, the hotel occupies the former premises of the Rosenwach factory, which built the many wooden water towers that can be spotted all over the city. Armed with three restaurants, including one on the rooftop terrace that boasts panoramic views, the hotel and its 175 rooms brings Hoxton Hotel’s trademark brand of hospitality and programming to the East Coast.
Designed by Ennismore Design Studio, in collaboration with the hotel’s long-time partner Soho House who helped to create the public spaces, the stylish hotel cuts an understated figure with its unimposing entrance. The building, which was designed by Perkins Eastman is made from a varigated brick exterior, that nods to the factory’s original appearance. On one side, a cascading stair down to the basement level lobby doubles up as seating leading down toward a courtyard that will be used for fair weather dining and events. Inside, the lobby space is filled with vintage and custom-designed furniture and lighting for an eclectic, residential feel. Natural light floods the space, thanks to large windows that wrap around the building, while floral patterns, a pastel colour palette and two fireplaces create an irresistible atmosphere for lounging.
Upstairs, each of the hotel’s rooms is just as inviting. All equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize views, the rooms are filled with space-saving features like under-bed storage, brass hardware details and mohair headboards, plus locally made ceramics, custom-designed bedding by Brooklyn-based label Dusen Dusen and a curated collection of books by local residents.
Food-wise, each of the hotel’s three eateries brings something different to the table. In the factory’s original carriage house, Klein’s offers American classics in a brasserie-style setting from morning to night. On the outdoor mezzanine, Backyard provides a more relaxed atmosphere where chips, moreish sandwiches and pitchers of cocktails can be enjoyed on sun-loungers. Visitors are most likely to make a beeline to Summerly, the open-air restaurant on the building’s rooftop where East Coast delights like lobster rolls and clam pies will keep the feeling of summer days and nights ongoing.§
