Hudson Yards takes another hit with the closure of Thomas Kellar’s the TAK Room, Marriott sees strong recovery in China, and MGM Resorts looks to lure the work-from-home crowd with its “Viva Las Office” travel packages. All this and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
New York City museums prepare to reopen
Though no official date has been given for the reopening of indoor cultural centers such as museums and movie theaters in New York City, several are making preparations to welcome back visitors. The Museum of Jewish Heritage is planning to resume operations on September 9th, at three days a week, joining the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA), the American Museum of Natural History, and the Met, among others, that have all set opening dates for this month or next, according to The Wall Street Journal. For museums, the cost of closing has been dire. MoMA, for instance, cut 353 employees from its staff and has projected a shortfall of $150 million due to the pandemic.
Marriott International sees strong recovery in China
Hotel Management reports that Marriott International could see occupancy and revenue per available room numbers return to 2019 numbers in its China properties as early as next year. During a Q2 earnings call, president and CEO Arne Sorenson said China continues to lead recovery for the hotel company, with occupancy levels reaching 60 percent compared to 70 percent in the same time last year. Even with restrictions on international travel, the brand is expected to grow its number of rooms this year by 2 to 3 percent, as owners plan for recovery.
Thomas Keller’s TAK Room closes at Hudson Yards
In the latest setback for mega-development Hudson Yards, Thomas Keller’s TAK Room—one of the stars of New York’s luxe new development—has shuttered as a result of COVID-19 and its effects on tourism in Manhattan, writes Eater. “Given the challenges of the past five months, we could not find an economically viable path to continue operating without expected seasonal New York tourism and traffic,” Thomas Keller wrote in an email statement. (The Hudson Yards location of Keller’s Bouchon Bakery has also closed, but the Columbus Circle location is expected to reopen.) The restaurant joins luxury department store Neiman Marcus as the latest to vacate Hudson Yards, which has remained closed during the pandemic.
In a statement to TheRealDeal about the closures, developer the Related Companies said “we remain steadfast in the belief that the industry will continue to thrive at Hudson Yards as it did prior to the pandemic.” The statement also notes the company is adapting empty space, like Neiman Marcus, into commercial office space.
Las Vegas hotels offer travel packages for remote workers
While many tourist destinations and hotels are struggling during COVID-19, some have become more inventive with their approach to encourage people to visit. Joining hotels in Brooklyn and tourist destinations like the Bahamas, MGM Resorts has introduced its “Viva Las Office” series of travel packages for those who need a getaway from their semi-permanent home offices, reports CNN Travel. Prices start at a $100 for the minimum three-day bookings, which comes with a personal concierge who handles all reservations and other activities the guest may partake in throughout their stay. Available at the Aria and Bellagio hotels, the marketing strategy comes as Las Vegas businesses try to make up for lost revenue due to the pandemic. One of the city’s biggest markets, convention attendance, was flat at 0 in June compared with 514,000 the same month last year.
HD’s Inspiration Issue serves up creative motivation
Given everything going on in the world, HD’s annual inspiration issue is meant to serve up some much-needed creative motivation. In addition to interviewing five visionary talents who are challenging our worldview with their evocative creations, we gathered 24 projects from across the globe that are reimagining how we work, live, learn, and travel. On that same note, we looked at a handful of design firms who are thinking differently about hospitality, restaurants, the performing arts, and offices in the wake of COVID-19. And, in our ongoing discussion about racial equity, we spoke to 10 hospitality and design leaders of color to gain insight into the real steps needed to change our industry’s make up.
