Opening in 1997, The Mercer is the sister hotel to The Greenwich Hotel.
History
Built in 1890 for John Jacob Astor III, the six-story, 84,000 square foot brick building has been cited by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an example of the Romanesque Revival period.[2] Architect William Schickel, known for his extensive work on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York, designed the building as offices for the vast Astor family holdings, resulting in a façade considerably more ornate than its industrial neighbors.[3][4][5] Prior to its conversion, the building served as artists' lofts and studios, for which the hotel has now become known.[6]
Design
The overall aesthetic allows The Mercer to be "the first hotel to offer an authentic taste of loft living", an urban signature that is completely original to New York.[7]
Parisian designer Christian Liaigre ensured all furnishings were kept original and exclusive to the hotel. Liaigre created a modernist interior with an emphasis on harmonized proportions and subtle color palettes.[2]
The Mercer Kitchen
In 1998, The Mercer Kitchen opened as a 170-seat restaurant located over two levels of The Mercer hotel.[8] Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was recruited by André Balazs as the head of restaurant and food service for the property.
The Mercer Kitchen, adjacent to the hotel lobby, has a 40-seat street-level café. The lower level features a 160-seat main dining room that lies beneath the streets of SoHo.[9] The restaurant features an open kitchen for guests to watch the preparation of their meals. Upstairs, the casual café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.[8]
The Mercer Kitchen provides room service throughout the hotel while the upper level café serves breakfast and lunch daily.