Chelsea Hotels has completed its latest property, the Martha Washington Hotel, a landmark Renaissance Revival hotel in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. The hotel returns to its original name, a reference to the historic American figure—the first First Lady.
A turn-of-the-century refuge for poets, entrepreneurs, artists, and actresses, Martha Washington was the first and most famous hotel reserved exclusively for women in the United States. During the height of its popularity in the early part of the 20th century, its architecture, high ceilings, terrazzo floors, and grand public spaces catered to clientele like Eleanor Roosevelt, poet Sara Teasdale, actresses Louise Brooks and Veronica Lake, and notable editor Louise E. Drew.
Martha Washington Hotel extends over an entire city block and features 265 rooms and suites. It also has more than 4,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space set to open later this year, and multiple public spaces, including a lobby bar, and a lounge designed by Annabelle Selldorf of New York-based Selldorf Architects. Anchoring the public space is Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group’s newest venture, Marta, with acclaimed chef Nick Anderer.
“The Martha Washington presented a unique opportunity to take something with weighty historical significance, and with the help of an array of amazing creative partners like Selldorf Architects, branding firm Pandiscio Co., and Union Square Hospitality Group, reimagine the property into a more youthful iteration of ‘herself,’ says Ed Scheetz, founder & CEO of Chelsea Hotels. “We’re excited to bring this property to such an exciting neighborhood.”
