What To Expect From Brooklyn's New 1 Hotel

The long awaited 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has finally opened its doors. Designed by Manhattan-based architecture studio Incorporated, the property boasts some of the most amazing views in the five boroughs. Situated just south of the Brooklyn Bridge at Pier 1, most of the 194 guest rooms sit on the waterfront, facing the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

The 10-story hotel, which joins two other 1 Hotel locations in Manhattan and South Beach, has quite a complex past. Construction began in late 2011 but was put on hold when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012. Waterfront zoning changes forced developers to raise the building by three feet and relocate mechanics to the roof. Instead of ditching the project, the team opted to embrace the obstacles and honor nature through art. Local artist Olivié Ponce was enlisted to paint a watermark in remembrance of Hurricane Sandy along the walls of the corner suites, and a nature-driven art collection — including a textured rubber sculpture created by Jarrod Beck from massive pieces of roofing that were stripped from a big-box retailer's roof during a tornado that touched down unexpectedly in Utica, New York, in the summer of 2014 — is on display to remind guests that the world is only ours to borrow. 

A dramatic 25-foot green wall welcomes guests into the lobby, which features steel grating covered in hand-placed plants and creeping vines that will evolve over time. Created by landscape architecture firm Harrison Green, it is just one of the sustainable design elements that reflect 1 Hotels' mission. The hotel features a 54 percent ratio of regional and reclaimed materials, including original heart pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory, walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and pine flooring from the Old Crow Distillery in Kentucky.

"Confronted with how far Americans were lagging behind in changing our consumption habits, I created 1 Hotels to show sophisticated travelers that they can do good, live well, and connect with both the world and the community around them," said Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels Founder and the chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. "We were able to select every material and develop mindfully, yet the space's main purpose remains to serve, entertain, and inspire with some of the best amenities found in the New York hospitality market." 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge operates a rainwater reclamation system that will reduce storm runoff into neighboring streams by more than 50 percent prior to the site development. The water collected will irrigate the Brooklyn Bridge Park during summer months. (Roughly 5,000 cubic feet of water is projected to come from the hotel.)

A two-story industrial spiral staircase is punctuated by a sculpture of obsidian rock boulders wrapped in hand-dyed rope by Rachel Weiss. The dwellings are complemented by a 4,000-square-foot rooftop, the Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening with nine treatment rooms in June 2017), a state-of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two restaurants, an intimate 10th-floor lounge, a 50-seat screening room, and lobby cocktail service.

"The world around us is beautiful, and we want to keep it that way," Sternlicht explains.

An adjoining condo project called Pierhouse consists of 106 townhouse-style residences spread across two waterfront buildings. The condo project was designed by Marvel Architects and is completely sustainable, with green roofs and a variety of pathways to access the park and Furman Street.

In addition, the hotel amenities include a fresh farm stand in the lobby, a botanically driven cocktail program by Arley Marks, complimentary rides in Tesla premium electric vehicles, and valet parking for bicycles. Guests also have 24-hour access to the Field House fitness center and three dining destinations.

Neighbors, a picnic-fare café, offers seasonal, fresh items from local Brooklyn purveyors. The menu includes fresh fruit smoothies and superfood salads. 1 Hotel Lobby is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily and is the place where guests can sip on cocktails and freshly brewed coffee. Signature Restaurant — 1 Hotel's main restaurant — will be opening later this spring.