Since finishing its $100 million remodeling project earlier this summer, the Pierre has been steadily rolling out various parts of its property, some of which are suitable for events. In June, bar Two E replaced the reading room, and early this month the hotel debuted its fourth-floor meeting spaces. In September, the Pierre—now owned by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces—is scheduled to open its restaurant, Le Caprice.
At the southeast corner of Central Park, the 189-room historic hotel began its makeover in 2005 and now sports a more contemporary aesthetic. London and Singapore-based design consultants James Park Associates gave the suites and guest rooms a new look, while Alexandra Champalimaud redid the lobbies along and Two E.
As the lobby-level lounge, Two E serves cocktails and small plates in a room that holds as many as 80. Champalimaud kept many of the original details—striking columns and ceiling moldings—and added furnishings to give it a residential feel. Suited for business gatherings and client entertaining, Two E offers afternoon tea between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; cocktails and dishes like cheese plates and fresh oysters are supplied until midnight.
Upstairs, formal business functions can make use of the three new rooms adjoining the business center on the fourth floor. Updated with new technology and a dedicated conference services manager, these areas can support presentations and video teleconferences. The 14-seat Madison boardroom is done up in neutral colors and fitted with a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, wireless Internet, and built-in speaker phones. The other two spaces, the Park and Lexington rooms, each hold 75 for receptions or 50 seated theater-style; a soundproof wall that separates them can be raised to create a larger room. Additionally, the hotel still offers banquet spaces on the second floor, including the 8,526-square-foot Grand ballroom and the smaller Cotillion room.