AKA Wall Street to Open Late Spring 2016
First luxury all-residential hotel to arrive in NYC's New Downtown
Year-round rooftop with outdoor cinema
Korman Brothers' first downtown location for visionary brand of luxury hotel residences
NEW YORK, April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When brothers Larry and Brad Korman open their first downtown Manhattan property, AKA Wall Street, in late spring 2016 they will be introducing the first luxury all-residential hotel to NYC's New Downtown. AKA Wall Street's 132 spacious studio suites, one- and two-bedroom suites and penthouses, all with kitchens, living rooms, ample closet space and complimentary high-speed WiFi, will meet the needs of visitors in search of space and the conveniences of home, whether staying one night, one week, a month or more.
Measuring from 362 square feet to 1,103 square feet, the suites will provide an abundance of open space and natural light. The fully equipped kitchens will feature stainless-steel Celador countertops, custom-made Italian cabinetry and Fisher Paykel cooktops, ovens, microwaves and full-size refrigerators for groceries, snacks and food prep. The corner suites will offer distinctive, curved walls with wide-window views of FiDi's narrow, winding streets.
The amenities at AKA Wall Street will include a spectacular rooftop with a gracious outdoor space and a.terrace, a chic, glass-enclosed, four-season lounge. There will also be an outdoor a.cinema, AKA's branded, state-of-the-art cinematic experience, with magical views of 1 World Trade Center and the city as a backdrop. Guests will be able to reserve a.cinema for screenings, enjoy AKA's film series and library of movies, and watch their own films. AKA, the preferred home-away-from-home among many actors and producers, is a supporter of the Tribeca Film Festival. AKA hosted screenings for Richard Gere's "Time Out of Mind" in Philadelphia and LA. Larry Korman has produced two acclaimed documentaries.
Guests will appreciate the latest in high-tech Technogym equipment at a.fitness, as well as complimentary use of AKA Wall Street's conference room.
"Affluent travelers want more than a bed and a mini-bar," said Larry Korman, president of AKA and co-CEO of Korman Communities. "They want space, a kitchen and a sitting area," he continued. "We provide them with a place where they can feel at home in the world wherever they go. With the renaissance of FiDi, AKA Wall Street is poised to satisfy the need for hotel residences downtown," added Korman.
True to their focus on high design for all AKA properties, the Kormans tapped Edward Asfour of Asfour Guzy Architects, who designed a.kitchen+bar at AKA Rittenhouse Square and the AKA Sutton Place suites, as well as the award-winning Blue Hill at Stone Barns, to create an urban oasis of modern design and efficiency within the Classic, English Baroque architecture of the 17-story, pre-existing building (formerly a collegiate residential hall) at 84 William Street. Asfour preserved Howells & Stokes' sculptured, 1907 façade of rusticated white marble, terra cotta and brick while reconfiguring the interiors to accommodate expansive suites. The entrance, on the prime corner of William Street and Maiden Lane, is topped by mythic creatures (a lion and unicorn) clutching a gilded clock, which the developer is restoring. There will be curated art throughout the property.
AKA Wall Street's Burgeoning Neighborhood
Nestled in Manhattan's Financial District, AKA Wall Street offers access to world-class as well as street-grown cultural, dining and shopping experiences. Museums abound and include 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Skyscraper Museum, Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York Stock Exchange and Museum of American Finance, National Museum of the American Indian, Fraunces Tavern Museum and Federal Hall. There is also Stone Street, said to be the city's oldest paved street, full of charm and lively bars, and Battery Park City with its waterfront promenades. Lower Manhattan has a vibrant street-food scene beginning with favorites Wafels & Dinges, The Cinnamon Snail food truck and Veronica's Kitchen. For retail, there is Century 21, the holy grail of discount fashion shopping. Nearby Brookfield Place is home to luxury shops, including Gucci, Hermes, Burberry, Bottega, DVF, Theory, Paul Smith, Bonobos, Lululemon, Saks and Omega, as well as exceptional, chef-driven restaurants, a European-style marketplace, Equinox for fitness, an ice-skating rink, a sailing school, culinary classes, performances and fabulous waterfront events. Elite companies, including Condé Nast and Goldman Sachs, call downtown home.
The AKA Wall Street resident services team will personalize stays and provide a three-dimensional experience. The best tickets, hottest restaurant reservations and services are assured when residents allow the AKA team to coordinate. The AKA resident services team will deliver an excellent, customized and authentic New York City experience.
For reservations via the booking form and information, visit www.stayaka.com. Phone: 212-252-9090. Address: AKA Wall Street, 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038.
AKA
AKA, a division of Korman Communities, is an innovative and growing portfolio of luxury hotel residences in prime urban locations, including New York City (five including Wall Street), Philadelphia (two existing with AKA University City coming), Beverly Hills, Washington, D.C., and London. Across the brand, architecturally inspired, spacious accommodations offer the privacy of a luxury residence integrated with hotel services and amenities. While each property is unique and has distinct resident offerings, all feature AKA brand standards and amenities, such as exclusive lounges, eateries, a.fitness workout centers, business centers, complimentary meetings spaces, complimentary high-speed Internet access in suites and throughout the properties, en-suite dining, 24-hour front desk assistance and dedicated doormen. In addition, resident guests at AKA Beverly Hills, AKA Central Park and AKA Sutton Place enjoy a.cinema, AKA's intimate screening room, which will also open at AKA Wall Street. All suites include top-of the-line, fully accessorized kitchens; contemporary furnishings; luxurious bathrooms; a.sleep, AKA's custom bedding by Frette; meticulous housekeeping; premium cable; HBO, and complimentary local phone calls. Select penthouse suites have Apple TV. AKA created the first outdoor bedroom (at AKA Central Park) and the first mobile suite (at AKA Beverly Hills) as well as a.vod, AKA's house vodka. www.stayaka.com
Edward Asfour, Asfour Guzy Architects
Edward Asfour of Asfour Guzy Architects in New York is known for his attention to refined detail, his use of beautiful natural materials, and his warm, yet modern design aesthetic. Asfour Guzy Architects, formed in 1988, has completed bespoke residential and prestigious commercial projects across the US. The studio's work has been showcased in publications including Architectural Record, Metropolitan Home, The New York Times, and Surface. Asfour's thoughtful design for AKA Beverly Hills was honored by Interior Design as Finalist — Best of Year 2013: Luxury Residence, Multi–Unit Dwelling, and the firm's work for Blue Hill at Stone Barns on the Rockefeller Estate in Tarrytown, New York is widely considered one of the most sophisticated restaurant designs of the past decade. Asfour also designed Blue Hill NYC, as well as other notable eateries, including Blue Ribbon Sushi 58th, Blue Ribbon Las Vegas and Blue Ribbon Izakaya. For AKA the firm designed: AKA Beverly HiIls, new suites at AKA Sutton Place and AKA United Nations and a.kitchen+bar at AKA Rittenhouse Square.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160414/355524
SOURCE AKA
Share this article