1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, NYC
Balancing luxury amenities with cutting-edge eco-consciousness, right beside the iconic landmark
Most of the greatest Manhattan skyline vantage points are outside of the island. For a long while now, anyone hoping for a hotel room with a view selected midtown skyscrapers or committed to upper floors in downtown establishments. In the past few years though, Williamsburg, Brooklyn has seen an emergence of vista-laden hotels. And now, a rather uncommon and eco-conscious destination has emerged in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, as the name implies, sits directly beside the iconic 19th century architectural marvel. There, on Pier 1, with nothing but a park and the East River separating it from Lower Manhattan, this brand new luxury hotel delivers unprecedented views and packs a handful of surprises. Its proximity to charmed and ever-developing DUMBO further supports its value. And with numerous subway lines in the area, and the bridge just right there, guests can access Manhattan with ease—if they want.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is the luxury brand’s first ground-up development. Tremendous care and attention to materials went into the project, as mindfulness is a pillar to the 1 Hotels portfolio. Entering the building, guests are greeted by a 25-foot steel grated wall, overflowing with vines and hand-placed vegetation. Constructed by landscape architecture firm Harrison Green, this is more than an impressive decoration. It alludes to all the effort 1 Hotels underwent. The statistics here are as fun as they are informative. The hotel is 100% wind-powered, 54% of the materials are regional and reclaimed (including heart pine beams sourced from the former Domino Sugar Factory). A year ’round water reclamation system captures rain and stores it before offering it back to the park in the summertime. From low-energy lightbulbs to an in-house Triple Clear water-purification system, everything guests find here has received careful consideration.
Further within, one finds 194 guest rooms, including 29 suites. Many rooms feature city views, some of which extend from midtown to the Statue of Liberty. Naturally, the views are a substantial draw, but comfort in the space is also top notch. The warm tones of each room, underscored by ample use of wood and leather, feels charming. The Keetsa mattress is a hemp-blend and the organic cotton sheets are cozy. The hotel provides guests with socks, to keep. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows open the space to the outside world. Eco-consciousness is always present—even the marble rain-head shower features a five-minute hour-glass timer to remind guests of the importance of water conservation. And wellness amenities are present, from in-room yoga mats to on-demand meditation videos. Each room comes complete with a small, lush garden, also by Harrison Green.
A dozen artists and design firms leant their skills to both public and private spaces here. INC Architecture & Design oversaw the hotel’s visual consistency, along with Marvel Architects and Lighting Workshop. The bedrooms’ cabinets, closets and side tables hail from Benchmark. From Danielle Trofe’s lampshade work to Rachel Mica Weiss’s lava rocks installations and art from five other locals, Brooklyn artists have contributed quite a bit. Most of what one finds within is exclusive to the property or made specifically for it. Perhaps no piece is more striking than Olivié Ponce’s “waterline” murals; individual in-room works (found in the corner suites) drawing attention to the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the neighborhood.
As with all luxury properties, the 1 Hotel has plenty to discuss on the amenities front; most important being a rooftop pool (opening in May). The entire rooftop— sporting fire pits—measures 4,000 square feet and the views are unprecedented. On the grounds guests can also find a large Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June), a signature restaurant (opening shortly), a yoga studio and fitness center and a 50-seat screening room. Cocktails will be served on the roof and signature drinks by Arley Marks are available in the vast lobby. The ground floor rounds out with Neighbors, a picnic-fare café that will expand outdoors during the warmer months. And, of course, there’s even more to come. All of these attributes help paint a picture of the hotel, but walking through DUMBO and arriving there is the best way to truly understand.
The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is now open. Rates start at $350 per night.
Images courtesy of 1 Hotels
