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Renovation of the Historic Barbizon Hotel; Now The Melrose Hotel, New York |
NEW YORK CITY - May 14, 2002 - The Melrose Hotel
Company announced today the completion of a $40 million renovation to the
Barbizon Hotel in New York City.
 Located
on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the Barbizon, originally opened in 1921
and formerly a women's only hotel, officially becomes The Melrose Hotel,
New York on June 1, 2002 according to John J. DePaul, president and chief
executive officer of The Melrose Hotel Company.
"Building upon the success we have experienced in Dallas and Washington, D.C. with The Melrose Hotel, Landmark Restaurant and Library Bar, we were poised to move into the New York City market," said DePaul. "With the conversion of the Barbizon Hotel, a legendary New York property in a great location for business, shopping and sightseeing, we are making a classic hotel even better." The acquisition of the Barbizon in 2001 was the latest in a string of purchases for The Melrose Hotel Company, a subsidiary of Berwind Property Group, Inc. of Philadelphia. In the last three years, the company has bought and renovated hotels in Dallas, TX, Columbus, OH and Washington, DC, turning them into luxury accommodations. Like all hotels that bear the Melrose name, The Melrose Hotel, New York will now be host to the signature Landmark Restaurant and Library Bar. "We are very proud of the fact that our original Landmark Restaurant and Library Bar in Dallas have both received awards and high accolades," said DePaul. "We look forward to bringing that same level of excellence to The Melrose Hotel, New York." The renovations to the Barbizon turned the 700-plus room, one-time women's only hotel into 306 rooms of luxury accommodations on 22 floors with 21 suites. Twelve suites are Tower suites with balconies that sit high above the residential townhouses that surround the hotel. The terraces offer a panoramic view of New York City and are available for private parties. Also located in the building is the 34,000 square-foot Equinox Fitness Club and Spa, one of New York City's finest, upscale fitness centers. Use of the facility is offered to all hotel guests. With a staff that makes guests feel at home with consistently impeccable service, The Melrose Hotel, New York is located within two blocks of Madison Avenue and the midtown business district. Set near but far enough away, The Melrose Hotel, New York provides an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. About the Barbizon The Barbizon Hotel was originally constructed in the 1920's as a women's only hotel for young females who traveled to the city to attend school or take advantage of the prosperous economic times and seek employment. Boasting a guest list that included such famous names as Liza Minelli and Grace Kelly, the hotel held strict codes of conduct and dress, and men were not allowed above the first floor. It was not until 1981 that the Barbizon opened its doors to male guests. About the Melrose Hotel Company A subsidiary of Berwind Property Group, Inc.., The Melrose Hotel Company was established in 1999 with the purchase of the historic Melrose Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The company continues steady growth with several subsequent acquisitions, which include The Melrose Hotel, Washington D.C., The Westin Great Southern Hotel in Columbus, OH and most recently, the Barbizon Hotel in New York City. About Berwind Property Group, Inc. Berwind Property Group, Inc. is a privately held real estate investment management firm with strong operational and development expertise. The firm's current portfolio includes more than 25 million square feet of income properties throughout the United States, with a gross portfolio value in excess of $2 billion. This highly diversified portfolio includes office, industrial, retail, hotel, multi-family and residential properties. |
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Melrose Hotel Company Kelly Cahill 610/254-7412 [email protected] |
| Also See | 2002 Manhattan Lodging Forecast / Ernst &Young LLP / Feb 2002 |
| Berwind Acquires the Wyndham Bristol, Will Rebrand as The Melrose Hotel - Washington, D.C. / July 2000 |