citizenM New York Bowery Hotel

On September 12th, citizenM - the pioneer of affordable luxury hotels - is doing what they do best once again: launching a new hotel and causing further disruption in the traditional hotel industry. The award-winning brand is returning to New York City to throw open the doors of citizenM New York Bowery, a 300-room sister hotel to the citizenM New York Times Square open since 2014.

citizenM New York Bowery continues to build on the brand's presence in New York, where it opened citizenM Times Square in 2014. Continuing the company's ambitious rollout, by 2020, the brand will have around 40 properties either open or in development globally - more than doubling its current portfolio. In North America alone, citizenM plans to open a dozen hotels, in major cities that include Seattle, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami.

Since its founding in 2008, citizenM has upended the rules of traditional hospitality by introducing the concept of 'affordable luxury for the people'. This starts with selecting well-connected locations in the world's most popular cities, so business and leisure guests spend the shortest possible time commuting. Each property offers a streamlined, luxury experience - including high-tech amenities, friendly and efficient service, luxury guest rooms, and spacious and inviting living areas filled with contemporary art and iconic 21st century furniture by the likes of Verner Panton, Hella Jongerius and Jasper Morrison from Swiss manufacturer Vitra - all at an affordable price.

The new location, which is now taking reservations from September 12th, will be the tallest building in the neighbourhood, standing 246 feet high on the oldest thoroughfare in Manhattan, with an expansive cloudM rooftop bar, outdoor terrace, and spectacular 360-degree views of New York. Occupying the entire 21st floor, cloudM features oak cabinets, Vitra chairs and couches, and chandeliers so large, they'll catch the eye of pedestrians on the street.

The hotel is designed by Amsterdam-based firm Concrete, a long-time partner of citizenM. Their design for the Bowery is - as usual - unmistakably citizenM, without duplicating anything they've done before.

At the front of the building is a public plaza with trees, benches and picnic tables. A 5,000-square-foot wall mural will draw the guests towards the hotel. The author of the mural is the renowned Jonathan 'Meres One' Cohen - the New York-based lead artist of 5 Pointz creates, with a street art career spanning over 30 years. His second work will be displayed on the 21st floor at the cloudM bar: a dramatic rendering of the view, and a dynamic display of his well-known wild tags and layering technique.

As guests enter the hotel through the plaza, they will meet citizenM's ambassadors, and get their key in just one minute at the self check-in/check-out kiosk. A striking spiral staircase leads towards the living room on the lower ground floor, featuring double-height ceilings, bookshelves, and a 24/7 canteenM bar at the heart of it. Glass walls stream in plenty of daylight and open to a view of the park outside, mirrored inside with benches and picnic tables for the same fresh relaxed vibe as the public plaza.

Highly noteworthy is citizenM's collaboration with 5 Pointz creates, a well-known street art collective. 20 artists - led by Meres One and curator Marie Cecile Flageul - will together cover the full 21-story internal stairwell of citizenM New York Bowery to create a Museum of Street Art, the first such project in the hotel industry worldwide. The MoSA is the largest public project for 5 Pointz creates since the original 5 Pointz site was demolished in 2013. Together, they have clocked over 420 hours, 500 spray cans, and 1,000 caps on the installation. The Museum of Street Art will be open to the guests and the public.

citizenM's philosophy of 'affordable luxury' is best experienced in the bedrooms. They are smartly furnished with everything modern travellers need, and nothing they don't. Everything in the room is the very best: the bed is XL king-size wall-to-wall with a superb mattress and luxury bedding. An HD TV features a library of on-demand movies, plus streaming options via free superfast Wi-Fi. A powerful shower with full-size shower gel and shampoo (as well as giant fluffy towels) will soothe all long and short-haul travellers. The room ambiance is fully controlled by an iPad - the blinds, the TV, even the lights with changeable colours (and settings like 'romance' and 'movie').

citizenM Bowery draws inspiration from the local community for the hotel's interior, which will be filled with an eclectic mix of contemporary art, photography, and objects by local artists. citizenM has commissioned the New Museum, and its incubator NEW INC, to supply art for the guest rooms. Known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant art scene - anchored by the New Museum and emerging art galleries - the Bowery is an ideal home for the new citizenM hotel.

Rattan Chadha, the founder of citizenM, says: "When we were looking for our next New York location, it became clear very quickly that Bowery is an exceptional destination. We don't want to be just another building; we want to become part of the neighbourhood's fabric while showing New York's visitors a different side of the city. Even the art we use will be drawn from the local art scene, as well as international contributors."

citizenM Bowery will be the company's 13th property globally, and its second in the US. In addition to citizenM's established pipeline in the US's largest cities, the company is eyeing further afield, and will consider venturing into new markets such as Toronto, Chicago, Austin, Silicon Valley, Denver, etc.

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