The Crown Jewel

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Step inside New York City’s most luxurious urban sanctuary

“The 7,000-square-foot wraparound Garden Terrace is home to both Arva and an extension of our lobby lounge. This feat of engineering and design has created an outdoor oasis with lush greenery, tranquil water features and fire pits, offering guests a large outside space floating above the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street,” says Vlad Doronin. Photography courtesy of Aman New York.

The only brand that comes to mind when dreaming up the ultimate travel experience is Aman. Recognized globally for their unassuming luxury with a focus on wellness, each of their properties envelops guests into the harmoniously designed environments that enhance the locale while transporting you into the world of Aman.

Chef de Cuisine Takuma Yonemaru helms Nama, where guests are invited to enjoy the Japanese fine-dining concept of Omakase. Photography courtesy of Aman New York.

Located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street inside the historic Beaux Arts Crown Building is the portfolio’s newest addition—Aman New York. Brought to life in partnership with Aman’s longtime collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, the 83-suite hotel and its 22 branded residences bring an unrivaled sense of tranquility in the city that never sleeps. “Aman’s design ethos is to draw influence from the location of each of our destinations, as well as the history of the building itself,” says Vlad Doronin, chairman and CEO, Aman Group. “We focus on the connection to the place in which each of our properties is situated. In New York, this is a connection to the energy of the city, the pace and dynamism that perpetuates throughout, and to the spirit of New Yorkers themselves.”

Of course, nothing excellent comes easy. From start to finish, it took seven years to bring the property to life. With a goal of respecting the heritage of the building, which was originally designed by Warren & Wetmore (the influential architects of Grand Central Station and the Helmsley Building), while also delivering the solitude expected of the brand, the monumental restoration feels effortless. Denniston maintained the building’s magnificent proportions while curating intimate spaces that cater to the modern setting. Doronin notes, “Throughout the property we have also utilized the outdoor spaces in all areas to bring great quantities of lush greenery and connect our guests to nature.”

Every suite features a working fireplace, rare in New York City. Photography courtesy of Aman New York.

Once inside, the bustling city energy is left at the door. Subtle gold finishes that celebrate the building’s Gilded Age history complement the brand’s soothing neutral tones, creating an elevated and transformative experience. “We also have a floor pattern throughout the property that references the art deco flooring we would have seen used in design during the era of the 1910s and 1920s. Similarly, the fabrics we used all nod to the turn of the century,” says Doronin. “It’s all through subtle touches that we have referred to the history and original design era of the building.”

The expansive suites also feature floor-to-ceiling murals inspired by 15th-century masterpiece Pine Trees (Shōrin-zu byōbu), by Hasegawa Tōhaku. Photography courtesy of Aman New York.
Backlit rice-paper panels set within louvred doors designed by the Flaming Beacon, which allow guests to shift between an open or closed layout. Photography courtesy of Aman New York.

Ultimate relaxation begins inside the expansive guest suites, where guests are greeted with floor-to-ceiling murals that are inspired by 15th-century masterpiece Pine Trees (Shōrin-zu byōbu), by Hasegawa Tōhaku, and working fireplaces—unique to any hotel in New York City. Innovative details continue when entering the bathrooms through backlit rice-paper panels set within louvred doors designed by the Flaming Beacon, which allow guests to shift between an open or closed layout. And while the suites offer an Asian-inspired peacefulness, guests can achieve full nirvana inside the 25,000-square-foot spa, which includes private spa houses available for booking. Located on the ninth,
10th, and 11th floors, the serene escape features an expansive offering of services and facilities that focus on mindfulness, stress management, weight management, detoxification and sports performance. “Aman has always approached and inspired personal wellness through the prism of integration, placing equal value on the multiple factors—clinical analysis and therapy, nutrition, movement, emotional equilibrium and others—that contribute to vibrant well-being,” says Yuki Kiyono, Aman global head of wellness and spa.

Inside the exclusive Jazz Club. Photography courtesy of Aman New York.

Like the impressive wellness program, Aman New York’s food and beverage offerings are truly exceptional. Perhaps the most exciting addition is the Jazz Club, which celebrates the city’s connection to the musical genre and is helmed by six-time Grammy Award nominee Brian Newman. Guests enter the intimate venue through a secret entrance on 56th Street to indulge in Newman’s live infusion of contemporary tunes with jazz influences and American ballads. “Aman New York’s Jazz Club has been designed to bring back and celebrate the former glory of the New York jazz scene when it was at its pinnacle in the 1920s,” Doronin remarks. “The intimate space is focused on the stage, which features more luxurious textures and rich lighting to reflect the layered sounds of the music and the array of artists that will feature through the regular programming. In addition to this visual splendor, we worked with the finest technicians to create the best acoustics in the world, ensuring that this space not only looks the part but creates the ultimate way to experience jazz in the center of New York.” From the service to the settings and the experiential amenities, the Aman New York takes hospitality to a whole new level.