Celebrating 110 years of Greenwich Village Hospitality PRESS KIT 2012 Media Contact: Stephanie Teuwen I Stephanie Miller | Amy Weisinger Teuwen One Image PR [email protected] I [email protected] | [email protected] Tel: 212.244.0622 Mobile ST: 917.974.6205 I Mobile SM: 917.859.0352 Celebrating 110 years of Greenwich Village Hospitality Marking its 110th anniversary this year, the Washington Square Hotel occupies a unique place in Greenwich Village’s history. Located at Waverly and MacDougal Streets, just off the Northwest corner of Washington Square Park, it is the sole survivor from the city’s golden age of hôtellerie in the lower 5th Avenue vicinity. The 100% smoke-free property features 152 guest rooms, an intimate lobby, 24-hour front desk service, fitness room, lobby bar and complimentary continental breakfast at the highly acclaimed North Square Restaurant & Lounge. Free Wi-Fi™ is available throughout the hotel. A Haven for Writers, Artists and Visitors for More than a Century The Washington Square hotel was built in 1902 as a residential hotel named the Hotel Earle after its first owner, Earl S. L’Amoureux. The hotel occupied a single, eight-story, red brick building on Waverly Place, in the heart of affluent Greenwich Village, now an historic landmark district. In 1903, L’Amoureux sold the hotel to Frederick D. Fricke. Fricke, in 1908, built an identical, connecting building to create a grand apartment hotel, complete with reading rooms, restaurant, and banquet facilities. Four years later he added a ninth floor and, in 1917 he built an adjoining three story building, bringing the hotel to MacDougal Street, at the northwest corner of picturesque Washington Square. In the 1930s, Knott’s Hotels, one of the nation’s first hotel chains, managed the Earle. Twenty years later, a New York family bought the hotel, and became the new operators. This was a time of great change for the neighborhood. Once a staid, affluent community, (as depicted in Henry James’ Washington Square and The Heiress), Greenwich Village was becoming the center of New York’s Bohemian counterculture; reflected by the Beat generation who gravitated to the coffee houses and jazz clubs. The once grand hotel deteriorated into a shabby apartment hotel during the 1960s, making it an attractive address for struggling artists, actors, writers and musicians. Throughout the last century many celebrities made their home at the hotel which include Ernest Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Bill Cosby, the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Dee Dee Ramone, the B-52s, Albert King, Bo Diddley, Art Blakey and Dexter Gordon. In 1973, the Paul family purchased the hotel and began the process of upgrading the property. They converted the residential hotel into a commercial facility, catering to both domestic and foreign travelers. They renamed the hotel in 1986, to reflect the proximity of the historic Washington Square, and the importance of the surrounding, landmark neighborhood. In 1992, Judy Paul opened North Square Restaurant, a first class New York bistro at the hotel. If the charm and excitement of Greenwich Village attracted guests to the Earle a century ago, it is these same qualities that make the Washington Square Hotel so appealing to travelers today. Art Deco inspired lobby and rooms at this historic Greenwich Village landmark The Washington Square Hotel, one of Greenwich Village’s oldest and New York City’s few remaining family-owned hotels, continues after a century to reflect the personality of its neighborhood in all its charm, sophistication and individuality. The hotel has recently completed a wave of improvements demonstrating its commitment to providing guests with warm personal service, in an elegant and modern atmosphere. Recognized as an inviting Art Deco-style 152-room hotel, the updated rooms, amenities, lobby and lobby bar confirm Washington Square Hotel’s prominence as a rare and historic landmark. Rooms and Amenities The Washington Square Hotel has been a labor of love for the Paul family. Since purchasing the hotel in 1973, they have upgraded the hotel floor by floor. “We wanted to update the feel of the rooms, while maintaining the charm and comfort associated with the Washington Square Hotel,” explain Rita and Dan Paul. The rooms at the Washington Square Hotel artfully mix the style of the Art Deco period with contemporary design and are all smoke-free. They embody a sense of warmth and character often lacking in other hotels. The rooms have soft mauve or camel colored walls with the look of suede, rich dark wood furnishings, granite-top vanities and bedside tables. The beds feature pillow top mattresses with padded headboards and fluffy comforters. Lighting in the new rooms is subtle, and soft, with night-lights in the bathrooms. The bathrooms feature convenient touches such as, mahogany storage cubicles and chrome fixtures. Christina Ziegler of CZ Design and Rita Paul handled the redesign of the rooms. Christina founded CZ Design in 2001 and has created the interior design for a number of high profile residences and commercial spaces in Manhattan and Montauk. In addition to being an owner of the Washington Square Hotel, Rita is also an artist and has lent her distinctive style to the hotel over the years. Christina and Rita both love Art Deco design and have incorporated references from this period in the rooms. For example, Rita created the artwork by adding playful flower adornments to glamour shots of various actors from the period. Christina used faux baby ostrich leather to upholster the headboards. The Washington Square Hotel has also installed both high speed internet lines and Wi-Fi™ access in the rooms. Both are complimentary to guests. Other simple luxuries include plush terry robes, pillow-top mattresses, Keurig™ coffee makers, iPod™ compatible clock radios, in- room safes and LCD TVs. Massage and facial services are available upon request. “We are continually striving for ways to make our guests feel comfortable and special,” says Judy Paul. “The rooms reflect the needs of today’s traveler while also providing a place to relax and retreat during their stay.” The upgrades began in 2002 with the lobby and lobby bar for the hotel’s centennial and then followed with the redecorated guest rooms. The lobby has an inviting reception area, authentic Art Deco light fixtures and handmade tile-work by Rita Paul. The lobby bar provides a relaxing spot for guests to enjoy afternoon tea, cocktails and light fare, Monday through Saturday, 3pm-10pm. This intimate room also provides a unique venue for small parties and private dining. Greenwich Village The Washington Square Hotel is located in one of New York City’s most celebrated and romantic neighborhoods, Greenwich Village. The area has been a Mecca to the creative, rebellious and Bohemian, who have given Greenwich Village its unique character. Today the neighborhood retains its artistic spirit while also being the home to gourmet food shops, eclectic boutiques, hip restaurants, hidden gardens, jazz, blues, and poetry venues and architecture dating back to the early 1800’s. The Washington Square Hotel has close relationships with a number of famous jazz clubs in Greenwich Village, including the Blue Note and the Village Vanguard and can make ticket arrangements for guests upon request. Over A Century of Hospitality The Washington Square Hotel was built in 1902 and originally named the Hotel Earle. Over the years, the hotel has been home to actors, musicians and writers, including Ernest Hemingway, Bob Dylan, Bill Cosby, the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Dee Dee Ramone, the B-52s, Albert King, Bo Diddley, Art Blakey and Dexter Gordon. Rita and Dan bought the hotel in 1973 and converted it from a residential hotel into one catering to domestic and foreign travelers. In 1992 the Paul’s daughter, Judy, opened an American bistro in the hotel. Originally called C3, it was renamed North Square in 2002 in honor of its tenth anniversary. The restaurant features the innovative cuisine of Chef Yoel Cruz and has garnered the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Washington Square Hotel 103 Waverly Place New York, NY 10011 www.washingtonsquarehotel.com (212) 777-9515 (800) 222-0418 fax (212) 979-8373 e-mail [email protected] FACT SHEET WASHINGTON SQUARE HOTEL New York City DESCRIPTION: 152-room Art Deco-style hotel in one of New York City’s most exciting and romantic neighborhoods. The hotel is celebrating its 110th anniversary with special offers and packages throughout the year. LOCATION: Situated on historic and picturesque Washington Square Park, in the heart of Greenwich Village, the hotel is within walking distance of many of New York’s finest shops, galleries, restaurants and universities, as well as Off- Broadway theaters, jazz clubs and nightclubs. ADDRESS: 103 Waverly Place (Waverly Place and MacDougal Street) New York, NY 10011-9194 REPRESENTATION: Hotel Association of New York Travel Industry Association New York City Visitors Bureau OPENED 1902 FOUNDER: Earl S. L’Amoureux OWNER: The Paul Family, since 1973 GENERAL MANAGER: Sonny Christopher RESERVATIONS: (212) 777-9515 (800) 222-0418 (212) 979-8373 (fax) www.washingtonsquarehotel.com [email protected] GETTING THERE: Subway: 1 train to Christopher Street A, B, C, D, E, F and M trains to West 4th Street GUEST ROOMS: 152 Non-Smoking Rooms Guest Rooms (exclusively non-smoking): Complimentary Wi-Fi™ access, LCD TV, Keurig™ coffee makers, iPod™ compatible clock radios, Art-Deco style furniture, plush terry robes, pillow-top mattresses SERVICES & Fitness Facility: with aerobic and weight machines AMENITIES: NORTH SQUARE Restaurant & Lounge: Open 7 Days a week Complimentary continental breakfast Breakfast, lunch & dinner Sunday Jazz Brunch Lobby Bar: 3:00pm-10:00pm, Monday-Saturday Afternoon Tea 3:00pm-5:00pm Light menu available all evening Complimentary wireless internet access 24-hour Front Desk Service: Transportation service, fax/copier services, theater/concert tickets, restaurant reservations, laundry service, physical trainers, massage and facial services.