KIMPTON ASHBEL NEW YORK – PARK AVENUE REINVESTS THE CLASSIC MANHATTAN TOWNHOUSE | News

Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has introduced a carefully curated design story rooted in the enduring elegance of Park Avenue’s legendary mansions. Housed in a restored 1928 Beaux-Arts building originally developed as the Doral Park Avenue Hotel, the property features 205 rooms and suites, many with sweeping views of Park Avenue and the Empire State Building. It brings the warmth and character of a private home to a sophisticated hotel experience in Midtown Manhattan.

The interiors, designed by Busta Studio, are based on the scale and character of a classic New York townhouse, emphasizing material richness, artisanal details and a considered architectural approach. The guest experience begins upon arrival, where the building’s carefully restored limestone facade and historic entrance set the tone. Custom street-level louvers provide privacy just steps from Park Avenue while retaining natural light, enhancing the feeling of an intimate urban retreat in the city. Within the building, the ground floor lobby retains its original structure and proportions, subtly refreshed with reeded glass, warm wooden floors, traditional carpets and copper accents.

A custom inlaid mosaic featuring the property’s initials ‘KA’ creates a strong sense of place from the outset. From there, the ground floor unfolds as a sequence of residential-style spaces rather than a conventional hotel lobby, flowing naturally into a living room and family room connected by oversized wooden portals that integrate preserved columns, original staircases and historic window openings. This architectural flow maintains the historic integrity of the building while creating an intimate, layered environment that encourages guests to unwind and settle in.

“Our approach was to treat Kimpton Ashbel as a real mansion on Park Avenue rather than a conventional hotel,” says Anna Busta, founder of Busta Studio. “We focused on proportion, materiality and architectural detail to create spaces that feel layered and personal. The design is rooted in the building’s history, but deliberately relaxed, with moments of warmth and quiet surprise.”

Throughout the building, a restrained material palette of hand-brushed limed oak paneling, Bianco Dolomiti and Pietra marble, artisanal plaster ceilings and hand-cast bronze and glass details creates a tranquil architectural framework. Softer furnishings and subtle pops of color provide warmth and personality, including jade green sofas in the lobby that are echoed in the headboards of the rooms for continuity.

At the heart of the building, the Living Room functions as an elegant gathering space, designed for relaxing moments, with a sculptural floating sofa and a carefully integrated library. The hotel’s public areas are animated by Kimpton’s signature social experiences throughout the day, from the complimentary Kickstart coffee and tea every morning to Kimpton Social, the evening gathering where guests are invited to enjoy curated selections of beer and wine.

Park & ​​Bel, the hotel’s sophisticated café concept, offers a carefully curated morning selection of artisan pastries, seasonal fruit and hearty sandwiches. As the day turns to evening, the space takes on a more indulgent character, unveiling a custom bar cart in the evenings. With expertly crafted cocktails and premium alcoholic offerings served alongside the café’s light fare, Park & ​​Bel will be an intimate yet vibrant destination, welcoming both hotel guests and locals to enjoy and linger.

Every element of Kimpton Ashbel has been custom designed for the property, with particular attention paid to the rooms as private extensions of the townhouse experience. Custom millwork, integrated headboards with built-in lighting and charging, and carefully proportioned furnishings create spaces that feel both residential and sophisticated. In the guest bathrooms, custom cabinetry, carefully curated textiles and carefully selected finishes maximize comfort and functionality while maintaining the hotel’s cohesive design language. Specialty suites range from 14 family-friendly interconnecting rooms to the Penthouse Suite, which can be booked as a retreat with two bedrooms, four bathrooms and two large terraces.

Art is interwoven in public and private spaces. A site-specific collection curated by Soho Art Gallery features commissioned mixed-media works by Aida Subira, Natalie Ciccoricco, Robin Ahlgren and local artist Eric Blum. A curated library sourced from Assouline and Taschen adds even more depth and reflects interests in travel, architecture, fashion and contemporary culture.

“With Kimpton Ashbel, our goal was to create a hotel that feels lived-in rather than staged,” says Sofia L. Vandaele, Regional Director of Operations for IHG Luxury & Lifestyle in New York. “The design encourages guests to slow down and unwind, whether that means relaxing in the lobby or retreating to a room overlooking Park Avenue. We wanted the hotel to feel like a true extension of the neighborhood, offering warmth, convenience and a sense of belonging.”

With a unified design language, Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue is a contemporary reinterpretation of the Manhattan townhouse, offering a thoughtfully designed retreat that balances architectural integrity with the ease and warmth of residential living.

Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue is now accepting reservations. For more information, visit www.ashbelhotelnewyork.com.