AKA $10 Million Expansion Adds Nearly 10,000 Square Feet of Amenities across Four Cities

NEW YORK, March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AKA, the luxury brand of flexible-stay distinctive apartments, is investing $10 million to further enhance amenities in its four-city portfolio. Inspired by the brand's success and insight garnered from residents, AKA's expansion will offer a new restaurant at AKA Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia and lounge space at AKA White House in D.C., AKA Sutton Place in New York City and AKA White Plains in Westchester, NY. These latest additions will be completed this summer and will amount to nearly 10,000 square feet of additional amenity space available to AKA residents.

"Our residents are our most important advisors, and we take their suggestions to heart when making brand decisions," said Larry Korman, AKA partner. "These new amenities will meet the evolving needs of today's travelers. AKA is, at heart, a family company, and we want our guests to feel at home while away from home."

The new additions will more than double the communal areas for AKA residents; with most stays averaging 30 days or more, these enhancements make a significant impact on the guest experience. An overview of the upgrades includes:

AKA Rittenhouse Square will introduce A Kitchen this spring, a fully-fledged, small plates, 48-seat restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. AKA residents will now be able to enjoy in-suite dining via A Kitchen as well as private cooking lessons and in-suite chef dinners while entertaining guests. Executive Chef Bryan Sikora, previously of the highly-acclaimed Philadelphia restaurant Django, will present a menu focusing on his modern, bold-flavored style. The 1,250-square-foot space will be outfitted with white oak floors, white marble from Vermont Quarries and patinated metal details, under design direction of Edward Asfour of NYC's Asfour Guzy, known for Blue Hill and Blue Ribbon restaurants. A Kitchen will be open to AKA residents and the local community.

AKA White House will unveil a brand new lobby area and a lounge with a 10-seat bar offering additional seating in front of the fireplace. The 4,000-square-foot space will have a warm and modern design with marble floors, area rugs, wood accents, modern furniture and soft, ambient lighting.  Slated to be completed this summer, the AKA White House renovation is designed by NYC firm Meyer Davis Studio that has collaborated on restaurant design for Locanda Verde and Boqueria as well as upcoming lobby and room concepts for a leading, innovative hotel brand.

AKA Sutton Place is adding an espresso bar and cafe (open to residents only), lounge area with fireplace, media center and open-air garden with water wall feature. The 2,500-square-foot space, also designed by Meyer Davis Studio, will be completed this summer.

AKA White Plains will introduce a relaxing residents' lounge with pool table and large screen televisions, media center and a state-of-the-art fitness center.  Slated to debut this spring, the 2,000-square-foot space is being designed by Steven Learner Studio, known for contemporary, yet timeless work.

These renovations follow in the footsteps of the brand's flagship property, AKA Central Park, which unveiled the A Cafe gourmet espresso bar serving breakfast and lunch; A Lounge, a residents' only space featuring the first AKA Vodka Vault for the A Vodka line; and A Fitness, at 2,500 square feet, the largest hotel workout facility in New York City per guestroom.

Following the capital improvements within the portfolio, AKA plans to expand to additional markets including the first location on the West Coast (Los Angeles) and the first international location (London). Seasonal daily rates at AKA start at $425 for weekly and $305 for monthly stays.* For reservations or additional information, please visit www.stayaka.com or call (866) AKA-9999.

AKA, a division of Korman Communities, is an innovative, new and growing collection of flexible-stay distinctive residences in prime urban locations.  Currently AKA properties are in:  New York City (4); Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., White Plains, NY, and Arlington, VA.  Across the brand, architecturally inspired spacious accommodations, which range from studios to two-bedroom penthouse suites, offer the privacy of contemporary apartments infused with hotel services.  While each property is unique and has distinct guest offerings, all feature the AKA brand standards and amenities of: fitness centers; full-service business centers with meetings space and complimentary high-speed Internet access; en-suite dining; same-day, valet dry-cleaning and laundry service; 24-hour front desk assistance; dedicated doormen, concierge services and full-time, on-site management and maintenance.  All suites include top-of the-line kitchens, contemporary furnishings, luxurious bathrooms, meticulous housekeeping; extended digital cable with HBO, DVD players, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.  Personalized service is a hallmark of AKA.  

*Based on availability, rates do not include tax or service charge.

SOURCE AKA