Marriott opened the 273-room Courtyard New York Manhattan/Chelsea in March 2014. The property has one meeting space, the Traders Boardroom, which seats eight. Informal gatherings can take place in the lobby, which has a semi-enclosed lounge, private booths with HD TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Business travelers and small businesses can book the workspace and meeting room Tangent at Westin at the Westin New York Grand Central in Midtown. The Tangent concept is being rolled out nationally and debuted in Manhattan in May. The 170-square-foot space includes Steelcase technology, video conferencing at a four-person seated workspace, whiteboards, office supplies, complimentary light refreshments, and other amenities.
The Midtown hotel Andaz 5th Avenue debuted a second-floor courtyard in September. The landscaped courtyard holds 75 people for receptions; when combined with an adjacent indoor space, it holds 150 for receptions.
Le Bernardin opened a private dining space called Le Bernardin Privé in October. Located near the Midtown restaurant, the event space was designed by Bentel & Bentel to evoke the famed restaurant's dining room. It has its own kitchen, and chef and co-owner Eric Ripert or wine director Aldo Sohm are available to give demonstrations or talks to groups. The space holds 210 for receptions.
After an extensive renovation, the former Williamsburgh Savings Bank in Brooklyn reopened in January 2014 as event venue Weylin B. Seymour's. Many of the original architectural details like the distinctive cast-iron dome remain intact, while new design elements like the intricate mosaic marble floor reflect the ornate style. The entire 6,500-square-foot venue holds 450 for banquets. A private room, the Trustee's Room, seats 20.
Located in the garment district, David Burke Fabrick debuted on the ground floor of the Archer Hotel in May. The name is a play on the neighborhood’s moniker as well as the bricks of pink Himalayan salt that line the beef dry-aging room. The restaurant, which serves modern American dishes, has an industrial look with exposed brick, steel columns, and rustic woods. It seats 84 or holds 120 for receptions.
Located on the lower level of Hyatt Union Square, Botequim is a Brazilian restaurant and bar that opened in September. The space has three communal wooden farmhouse tables as well as a separate dining area with smaller tables and an open kitchen. The entire venue seats 100 and has additional room for 125 standing.
Sachi Asian Bistro, which serves fare from across Asia by chef Andy Yang and pastry chef Pichet Ong, opened in September in Murray Hill. Red booths and banquettes stand out in the 85-seat dining room, which also has a 15-seat bar and a five-seat sushi and sashimi counter.
The gluten-free restaurant Colors reopened following a renovation in October. The concept, created by veterans of Windows of the World restaurant, is owned by a nonprofit organization and seeks to pay a living wage to all of its workers. The NoHo eatery serves upscale comfort food made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. It seats 135 or holds 200 for receptions. Private dining spaces can be created by using movable white shutters.
Forrest Point, a bar and American restaurant in Bushwick, opened in October. Emporium Design and Ben Angotti designed the space, which features large-scale murals, and the beverage list includes beer-based cocktails and a selection of milk punches. The venue seats 60 inside and 70 on a covered patio.
The 22,000-square-foot Factory Floor at Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is available for conferences, trade shows, small conventions, or other events. The waterfront complex is a collection of shops, showrooms, and a food hall. It seats 500 or holds 700 people for receptions.
The popular Brooklyn ice cream shop Ample Hills Creamery opened a two-story, 3,600-square-foot “ice cream paradise” in Gowanus with dedicated event space in May. The facility includes a retail shop with a counter and outdoor seating, a manufacturing facility, and a second floor and adjoining deck available for events.
