Sofitel New York announces its refurbishment plan

Sofitel New York is embarking on a comprehensive refurbishment, encompassing all facets of the hotel, including the 398 guestrooms, comprising 51 suites and the Presidential Suite. The building’s iconic skyscraper One Bedroom Suites with breathtaking skyline views, and the Terrace Suites providing unparalleled vistas of the Chrysler or Empire State Buildings from private outdoor terraces, will also be renovated. Additionally, the transformation will extend to the lobby level, meeting spaces, guest elevators and corridors.

The highly anticipated renewal of Sofitel New York, known as a ‘quiet oasis’ amidst bustling Midtown Manhattan, will commence late 2024 with the completion of the public areas scheduled by late 2025.

“We are excited to announce the refurbishment of the iconic Sofitel New York in the same year as our 60th anniversary, marking a new era for Sofitel,” shared Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems. “With around 20 per cent of our global network undergoing or clearly committed to renovations, including Sofitel Legend The Grand in Amsterdam, and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, we are actively elevating our guests’ experiences. This year, we are opening five new Sofitel hotels worldwide and have already announced two new locations — Sofitel Jaipur Jawahar Circle and Sofitel Legend The Mozart Prague. Our goal is to bring a little piece of France everywhere, supported by our dynamic pipeline of 30 hotels set to open by 2027. We also see great potential to expand our French flair in North America, beyond our six existing Sofitel properties. At Sofitel, we believe in a luxury that also serves a greater purpose. We are committed to a positive impact on our industry, aiming for 100 per cent of Sofitel hotels to be eco-certified by 2025 and ensuring that more than 30% of our general managers are women by the end of 2025.”

For more than two decades, Sofitel New York has been bringing the French art de vivre to New York. Led by designers HBA San Francisco, renowned for narrative-driven spaces that evoke emotion and inspire discovery, the hotel’s current design blends Parisian Art Deco with1940s Manhattan glamour. The new designs continue to embrace this concept, marrying Parisian style with New York’s urban spirit.

Drawing inspiration from the significant impact of L’Art Décoratif on the city—from the monumental beauty of architectural landmarks that sculpt the skyline to the influence of French fashion and art movements on daily life—the design creates a dialogue between sleek modernity and timeless elegance. Patterns derived from Art Deco and Art Moderne motifs, along with French fashion influences, are combined with intricate detailing and luxurious materials to create a sense of refined opulence. Striking works of art add vibrant energy to the sophisticated spaces, embodying New York’s artistic dynamism—chic and irreverent, bold, and sophisticated.

The colour palette balances refinement and boldness, with tones of black, grey, white, and gold serving as the canvas, while vivid artworks and striking metallic accents will capture attention and inspire admiration. These contrasts echo the ethos of French luxury—where every detail is carefully considered, every element plays a part in the overall composition, craftsmanship is exquisite, and innovation pushes the boundaries of the conventional.

The entrance retains the hotel’s original stonework, complemented by black marble stone and wood at the bell desk, black accent paint at the curvilinear walls and ceiling detail, and adornments of metallic gold. A large-scale art installation behind the bell desk creates a stunning light contrast with depth and dimension.

At the centre of the grand staircase, the reimagined foyer features a custom sculptural lighting installation inspired by the graceful movement of a ballerina’s tutu. The meeting and event space carpet design is influenced by the bold Art Deco patterns of Parisian fashion houses such as Balmain and Gaultier, combining hues of black, white, and gold in linear and symmetrical designs. This thoughtful design approach marries the timeless Parisian charm with the dynamic spirit of New York, offering guests a unique and sophisticated urban experience.

As a pioneer of French luxury hospitality since 1964, Sofitel has continually evolved to offer heartfelt and committed luxury with a French zest. With a seamless blend of local culture and French joie de vivre, Sofitel delights travellers who appreciate elegance and subtle refinement, offering them authentic service that transcends expectations. The refurbishment of Sofitel New York is part of an ambitious global project to renew Sofitel.

The brand recently unveiled new brand partnerships such as French Bloom and Courbet, a new brand campaign, and new brand ambassadors – Gilian Anderson and Dali Benssalah. The visionary repositioning of the Sofitel brand will see a significant number of refurbishment projects, including the recently launched full renovation of Sofitel Montréal Carré d’Or and Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, which inaugurated its new Liberté Lounge and lobby this week.

Main image credit: Sofitel