CRÈME REIMAGINES KIMPTON HOTEL THETA INTO A MODERN URBAN OASIS
Bringing Serenity to the Heart of New York City

| New York, NY - November 28, 2023 |  Multidisciplinary design and architecture firm, CRÈME / Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design, brings respite to the heart of New York City with the newly opened Kimpton Hotel Theta, managed by Highgate. Aptly inspired by the Theta brainwaves that are most present in moments of self-reflection and meditation, CRÈME adapted the existing building by architect and self-proclaimed modernist Morris Lapidus, to create a tranquil urban oasis within its interiors. Kimpton Hotel Theta features a reimagined lobby, coffee lounge, market pantry, and fitness amenities, as well as 364 guestrooms and suites. Rooftop food & beverage venues are set to open in Spring 2024.

Overseen by LUCID, Highgate’s in-house Design & Construction Studio, CRÈME’s design evokes a sense of serenity throughout the hotel with architectural moves that create intimacy, gentle layering and rich textures. Handmade materials focused on craft alongside art, books, objects, and a botanical layer coalesce in a residential quality of comfort. In the lobby, new structural forms act as portals to separate spaces for an inviting gathering place where culture and community connect.

“I wanted to create an oasis that offers an unexpected escape from New York’s fast-paced theater district,” says designer and architect Jun Aizaki, Founder and Principal of CRÈME. “We aimed to design a hotel that is as luxurious as it is inviting, including unique touches that add both comfort and functionality.”

“Kimpton Hotel Theta has a sense of retreat that permeates every corner, allowing warmth and familiarity to envelope guests and curate an ultra-personalized experience,” says the hotel’s General Manager, Mark Pandaleon.

Reimagined Residential-Style Lobby
In the lobby, CRÈME’s design team respectfully adapted Lapidus’ original architecture for the present day. His work, alongside that of Isamu Noguchi, an American sculptor of Japanese heritage, informs portals to create four distinct yet harmonious areas. Seeking to create a fresh and cozy lounge, CRÈME included a plush mix of seating, potted plants, diverse textures, and subtle screening devices to provide both a collaborative communal area and intimate nooks.

Directly opposite the main entrance, a statement feature wall resembling concrete depicts an aerial view of an imaginative park. At the entry reception, colorful artwork is placed behind the horizontal corrugated concrete reception desk and custom sofa with playful ceiling light fixtures overhead.

To the right of the entrance, guests are invited to grab a quick bite from Café Otto. Window niche sofas, café tables & chairs, and a communal table all include charging ports and provide ample seating. The lobby’s large windows in combination with wall sconces and a chandelier supply abundant lighting. 

“Coming in from bustling 8th Avenue, visitors are enveloped in a soft sculptural space. We wanted to create a place where guests can slow down, feeling safe and welcomed. I’m happy that the completed lobby does exactly that,” added Masako Fukuoka, Studio Director of CRÈME.

Guestrooms & Suites
The 364 guestrooms and suites reflect the same design ethos as in Hotel Theta’s public areas, with gentle layering, artistic touches and nods to modernism. The elegantly designed spaces feature warm wood tones, tactile finishes, and soothing color accents to create private escapes for guests to rest and recharge.

Asymmetrical details continue from the lobby alongside clever millwork solutions. Custom-designed wallpaper created through a collaboration between Jun Aizaki and Saatchi Art acts as a sculptural feature wall that is both euphoric and soothing. In the bathrooms, hand-crafted tiles bring elegance and sophistication while an abundance of shelving and an adjustable make-up mirror add convenience.

Coming Soon - Unexpected Culinary Experiences
In early 2024, Kimpton Hotel Theta will welcome Bar Sprezzatura, a rooftop restaurant in partnership with TableOne Hospitality inspired by the relaxed elegance of the Italian Riviera. Bar Sprezzatura’s convivial atmosphere, signature spritzes and elevated cicchetti brings the effervescence of Positano to Midtown Manhattan. Founded in San Francisco, this will be Bar Sprezzatura’s second location and first on the East Coast.

About Highgate
Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing footprint in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Waikiki and London. www.highgate.com.

About Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the original boutique hotel company, which pioneered the concept of unique, distinctive, design-forward hotels in the United States in 1981. Anchored in one-of-a-kind experiences, Kimpton now operates more than 60 hotels and 80 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations and up-and-coming markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, Caribbean and Greater China. Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests, offering inspiring design to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered, so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and ridiculously personal. 

In January 2015, Kimpton became part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts family of hotel brands. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com.    

About CRÈME
CRÈME is a collaboration of dynamic, international designers and creative professionals, founded by Jun Aizaki in 2004. With a multidisciplinary background in the design field, Aizaki and his team of talented designers work globally on a range of projects including furniture design, branding, restaurants, hotels and retail stores. Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Tokyo, Japan, the firm surrounds itself with both a local and global array of cultural influences and resources. CRÈME strives to meet the needs of each client and create successful, lasting spaces. CRÈME has been featured in The New York Times, Interior Design, Architect’s Newspaper, Metropolis, Dwell, BOB, Kinfolk, New York Magazine, Elle Décor, Hospitality Design and beyond.