Why is it the right time for Ace to expand with Sister City, set to launch in Manhattan this fall?
It’s been 20 years since we opened Ace Seattle, and we were interested in what our core values would be if reimagined in a new world. We were curious what a sister of Ace Hotel would be like, rooted in the same love of cities and people, but activating that love differently. We wanted to refine the hospitality experience down to its best, purest parts and just keep it simple.
What design details can you share?
Considered lighting and curved, geometric forms are found throughout, inspired by the functional perfection of Japanese architecture and Finnish saunas. You enter through a garden from the Bowery or Freeman Alley that helps create a grounding barrier between the city and the hotel. Rooms feature a quiet, understated design and modular pieces. It’s the type of design we think of as compassionate hospitality, anticipating what modern travelers want and need.
How does Sister City differ from Ace?
Sister City is a different iteration of a similar ethos, like siblings who have the same parents but different hobbies and expectations. Where Ace is very much about bringing the city into the lobby, Sister City aims to feel like a respite—a place where you can rest and recharge and then go out and fully explore the urban environment.
What kind of experience-driven elements can we expect from Sister City?
We believe travel is the way to stay engaged and present in the world we live in. We’ll be working with cultural institutions and community partners to encourage guests to court their own curiosities when traveling, and return at the end of the day to a peaceful refuge.
What’s driving the popularity behind microhotels?
We don’t think of Sister City as a [microhotel] solely. We feel it’s a home away from the saturated modern world. We don’t need more, we just need better. We’re not emphasizing small, we are emphasizing less excess. We hope to be a place that feels like a sanctuary, but helps foster connection and delight, as well.
