A Story Set In Stone

A Story Set In Stone

With a range of iconic hospitality-focused portfolios under their belt, Manhattan-based Stonehill Taylor shows that they really do know how to craft a telling story; and design a timeless building.

Not far from the offices of Stonehill Taylor, the Manhattan-based architecture and interior design firm, stands the Moxy Chelsea. Located on 28th Street near Avenue of the Americas, in what is the remains of New York’s Flower District, the vertical glass conservatory towers distinctly, its raw concrete and steel a stark contrast to the potted exotic shrubs, palm trees and flowers. Thematically, an urban greenhouse fits into the Flower District; an inviting entrance which leads guests into a luxurious lobby to take in the views of the flowery streets below.

Moxy Chelsea is a fitting portfolio to take an in-depth look at Stonehill Taylor, a practice which prides itself on meeting the demands of property developers and preservationists alike. Standing at the forefront of innovative design, Stonehill Taylor is an expert at creating spaces that perfectly sync up with the project’s site history and iconic locales, each time complementing the design with a distinguished approach.

Led by their affable Principals; Paul Taylor, President and founding partner as well as Sara Duffy, Principal of the Interior’s Division, the world of hospitality-focused architecture and interior design is a space in which Stonehill Taylor has fully grasped.

With over 40 years of experience under his belt, Mr Taylor carefully crafts a narrative; a story in which the building’s design stems from, weaving in the ideas, functions, concepts and people that steers each project from its conception to completion. With each project, research is central in crafting a narrative, with special focus on exploring evolving technologies and new construction techniques as solutions. His extensive experience ranges from 5-star flagships such as the Plaza Hotel, St Regis, Carlyle, Crosby Street, Whitby, and the Surrey to developing new brands with pioneering hoteliers, such as the Nomad.

With her extensive background in art history and television, Ms Duffy is able to craft a unique, immersive narrative for each of her projects while focusing on thoughtful, classic design. Together with her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the Ohio Wesleyan University and an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ms Duffy is best known for designing the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport’s historic TWA Flight Center, among her other achievements.

The firm’s high-profile portfolio ranges from interior design and renovation, to new building construction, adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects. Their work is instantly recognizable, with some of the most iconic projects in the US including The NoMad New York and Las Vegas, Moxy Chelsea, Moxy Times Square, Ace Hotel New York, The Refinery Hotel, InterContinental Barclay, JW Marriott Nashville, and the Eliza Jane Hotel in New Orleans to name a few. Among their storied portfolio is also one of the most anticipated hotel openings of the decade; the iconic TWA Hotel at JFK.

Here’s a brief look at some of their most vaulted projects in 2020.

Stonehill Taylor was the exclusive interior designer for the guestrooms, Sunken Lounge, Connie cocktail lounge, and other public spaces for the iconic TWA Hotel at New York’s JFK Airport. The design team was inspired by the year 1962 — it’s the year the Flight Center opened and the first time an American was able to orbit the Earth. At this time, aviation was the promise of the future, and so in many ways, that year signified the beginning of an era of American strength, optimism and innovation. By offering a modern refuge with a thoughtful, strong sense of design and space, the rooms are meant to make guests feel the same appreciation and excitement for aviation that travelers once felt during the rise of the industry.

After successfully opening the Nomad Hotel in New York, Stonehill Taylor was tapped to design the new Nomad Hotel Las Vegas. Working with the Sydell Group, Make It Nice’s Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, and international designer Jacques Garcia, the team built the hotel complete with a casino, pool, NoMad Restaurant and NoMad Bar.

The Eliza Jane is a 196-room boutique hotel on Magazine Street just outside of the city’s French Quarter. Completed in March 2018, the hotel is built within seven historic warehouses that stand distinct on the outside but have been internally conjoined to create luxury accommodations.

Stonehill Taylor’s architectural design for the new 37-story, 349-key Moxy Chelsea hotel is inspired by the dichotomy that exists within the surrounding Flower District, the charm of greenery spilling out of the gritty warehouse-style buildings. In the property, industrial and natural elements come together to create a welcoming destination with a unique NYC aesthetic. The firm has also worked on the Moxy NYC Downtown, Moxy Times Square and Moxy East Village. They will be working on the upcoming Moxy Melbourne, which is Marriott’s debut of the brand in Australia.

As they focus on seeking out the clients’ vision and quintessential heart and soul of the project, Stonehill Taylor is truly in the market to provide exemplary design and strong knowledge, with a great attitude to become the true storytellers of this generation.

About Stonehill Taylor

Stonehill Taylor is a hospitality focused architecture and interior design firm based in New York City. For each project, the firm seeks out the essence of the location to create an inspired and distinguished approach. The firm’s high profile portfolio ranges from interior design and renovation, to new building construction, adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects, and includes: TWA Hotel, The Whitby, Moxy Times Square, Ace Hotel New York, The Refinery Hotel, The Asbury Hotel, InterContinental Barclay and Paramount Hotel’s Diamond Horseshoe. Stonehill Taylor is at the forefront of innovative sustainable design, developing projects that are conscious of their impact on local communities and the world such as: The Crosby Street Hotel, The NoMad Hotel, and Portland’s Press Hotel.