Construction on the hotel began in 1997, and it opened in the year 2000. The International Monetary Fund was reportedly responsible for funding the project after a design by Brennan Beer Gorman was chosen in an architectural competition which included entries from architects such as Michael Graves & Associates. After construction the building was awarded the 2000 Emporis Skyscraper Award.
Strauss-Kahn rape allegation
On May 14, 2011, a 32-year-old housekeeper at the hotel, an immigrant from Guinea, alleged that IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn attempted to rape her in his hotel room. She had walked into his room as he was having a shower although he had not yet checked out. Strauss-Kahn was at New York airport, and his plane was ready to take off when airport police asked that the plane be stopped a few minutes before takeoff. He was escorted off the plane and placed under arrest. The criminal case was later dismissed, and he settled out of court with his accuser in a civil case.
Architecture
Described as "one of midtown's new, glitzy "boutique" hotels," and claiming to offer a "mélange harmonieux du style français et de l'esprit" it is tall with 30 floors and has 398 luxury guest rooms including 52 suites. The architectural design by Brennan Beer Gorman features limestone and glass, with a T-shaped base. The facade was architecturally inspired by Parisian Moderne limestone buildings and according to Frommer's Guide exudes "old-world French elegance" far beyond its years of existence as a hotel. The facade is bronze with 3 flying geese above in a large portal. DeSimone Consulting Engineers were the structural engineers for the building.
Ground floor
The French theme is very strong in the hotel, from the greeting of "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir" in reception to the French restaurant Gaby which serves croissants for breakfast and the gift shop selling French perfumery and cosmetics. Gaby is Art Deco inspired and is overlooked by head chefSylvain Harribey.The New York Times describes the hotel as "beautifully run", "with a front desk at the far end of a ballroom-sized lobby, tucked away to the side, which gives the entrance a serene quality." The hotel staff are bilingual in both French and English. In the center of the lobby there is "a 2-story rotunda with a curving staircase, a tall wooden sculpture, and a mural of Central Park." The hotel contains a Grand Ballroom with 2.5-story windows and 8 meeting rooms with a capacity of 10 to 60 people.
Rooms
Frommer's describes the hotel rooms as follows: "The rooms are spacious and ultra-comfortable, adorned with art from New York and Paris. The lighting is soft and romantic, the walls and windows soundproof. Suites are extra-special, equipped with king beds, two televisions, and pocket doors separating the bedroom from a sitting room. Bathrooms in all rooms are magnificent, with separate showers and soaking tubs." The beds are said to be signature feather “Sobeds” which "offer the ultimate in comfort". The majority of the beds are cream or white or white with maroon trimmings and feature large paintings above the headboards. The bathrooms have Roger & Gallet bath amenities.
