Apella Event Space at Alexandria Center Opens in New York City and Sets a New Standard for Excellence With Premier Collaborators

NEW YORK, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Apella Event Space at Alexandria Center debuts on October 26, 2010 as New York City's premier event and meeting space for the world's greatest intellectual and creative minds.  Located within the Alexandria Center for Life Science-New York City at 450 East 29th Street (between 1st Avenue and the East River), Apella will serve as the destination for collaborative exchange and innovation for the international life science industry, the New York community, and the most important corporate and social events.

"In a city known for having the best of the best, Apella has raised the bar for event space. From Apella's sweeping East River views and sleek contemporary design to its impeccable event services, we've reached a new level of distinction for event and meeting space in New York," explained the CEO of Backal Management Group, Arthur Backal, whose team will manage all events at Apella. "We are thrilled to be part of this unique state-of-the-art project and look forward to hosting the city's most important events."

Apella accommodates up to 300 guests and its 10 private rooms offer a variety of set-up options, including boardroom, classroom, rounds and reception seating arrangements.  Exclusive catering for Apella is provided by Riverpark, A Tom Colicchio Restaurant, which is also located within the Alexandria Center. Under the direction of Chef Sisha Ortuzar, Riverpark offers unique culinary experiences at every Apella event. Additional highlights of the space include a private, circular driveway, on-site parking garage and access to outdoor garden space.  

Complimentary WiFi, state-of-the-art technology and on-site technical consulting are also offered at Apella.  Each of Apella's ten rooms has customized audiovisual capabilities including tabletop Crestron remotes, wall-mounted Crestron controls, 188" projection screens, 114" HD rear projection touch screen, ceiling projectors, Tanberg™ video-conference, tele-conference, presentation recording, and individual attendee power connections

In addition to being uniquely suited to service corporate, social, and lifestyle events, Apella is designed to provide the global life science community with a meaningful space to connect, collaborate and innovate. Located within the Alexandria Center for Life Science – New York City, Apella will not only play host to some of the top life science conferences, but will also offer its own high quality life science content throughout the year. Programs at Apella aim to foster connectivity among science, technology, talent and capital in an effort to initiate, create and drive highly collaborative innovative translation of science into novel breakthrough medical products.

Meetings at Apella are smart, sophisticated and highly personalized affairs. With exceptional service as its trademark, Apella showcases a unique collaboration among world class talent in the areas of event management, catering and design:

Event Management by Backal Management Group

Arthur Backal and his team from Backal Management Group will manage, service and customize all corporate and social events at Apella.  An expert in the hospitality industry, Arthur brings over 20 years of experience to this project.  Backal Management Group's companies and affiliates currently include TBar Restaurant, Savanna's Restaurant, and the elite event planning company, State of the Art Enterprises. The Group has also had a prestigious consulting partnership with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, New York, since its grand opening in 2003.  With intimate knowledge of the hospitality, lifestyle, and event industries, Backal Management Group brings an experienced, dynamic, and well-rounded events management team to facilitate the planning and execution of all events at Apella.

Catering by Riverpark and 'wichcraft

Catering is exclusively provided by Riverpark, A Tom Colicchio Restaurant, and 'wichcraft, Tom Colicchio's artisanal sandwich shop.  Catering menus, orchestrated by Chef Sisha Ortuzar, provide a wide range of options including casual conference meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and fine dining for special occasions and events.  

Design by Bentel & Bentel

The 16,000-square-foot contemporary space has been ingeniously designed by award-winning design firm Bentel & Bentel, whose projects include The Modern at MoMa in New York, W Hotel in Boston and all of Tom Colicchio's restaurants, including the most recent Riverpark.  Apella's design metaphorically refers to the Alexandria Center logo, the beacon-like illumination and guidance offered by the ancient lighthouse at Pharos..  

With its world-class service, renowned catering team, cutting-edge technology, flexible event rooms, and rare park-like outdoor space, Apella is the ideal setting for a wide variety of events, both corporate and social, large and small.

Alexandria Center™ for Life Science – New York City and Apella™ are trademarks of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), Landlord of Choice to the Life Science Industry®, is the largest owner, cluster developer, and pre-eminent first-in-class international real estate investment trust to the life science industry. Alexandria's world-class cluster locations represent a multidisciplinary "trading floor" where science, talent, and capital strategically come together to collaborate and innovate in the best locations adjacent to the world's top academic and medical research institutions.  

Backal Management Group brings exceptional event management services to Apella.  Arthur F. Backal, CEO, is an expert in the hospitality industry and is leading his team in the successful operation of Apella.  With over two decades of experience, Arthur Backal has managed more than 20 event spaces in New York and has consulted and participated in the development of new hotels, restaurants, and event spaces.  With intimate knowledge of the hospitality, lifestyle, and event industries, Backal Management Group will bring an experienced, dynamic, and well-rounded events management team to facilitate the planning and execution of all conferences and private events at Apella.

SOURCE Apella Event Space at Alexandria Center