Jeffrey Beers’ legacy is celebrated at a New York event, luxury gyms are getting bigger and better, and the hotel-within-a-hotel concept gains traction. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
The luxury gym (re)volution
A rendering of the forthcoming Life Time Work location in the Brooklyn Tower development; rendering courtesy of Life Time
Luxury gyms like Equinox, Life Time, and Chelsea Piers have been redefining fitness with an array of high-end amenities that cater to a holistic lifestyle. With lavish spas, gourmet dining, and social events, these gyms are transforming into comprehensive wellness hubs, reports The New York Times. Life Time, which launched in the 1990s in Minnesota, leads the charge with resort-style offerings that include pools, childcare, and coworking spaces available through its Life Time Work memberships. Equinox opened its first hotel in New York’s Hudson Yards in 2019, with stated plans to roll out more properties in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Now seems to be the right time for high-end gym projects, which require lots of space. “A shaky commercial real estate sector with high vacancies has opened up opportunities for big gyms, as property owners desperately need anchor tenants that can drive foot traffic to help make their residential and office properties more appealing,” writes Megan Willett-Wei.
Kith Treats opens new location in Dumbo
The pastel-hued Kith Treats location in Brooklyn, designed by Porto Architecture; photo courtesy of Kith
Kith Treats, the cereal-infused ice cream parlor from luxury lifestyle brand Kith, has opened its latest location within the newly launched Kith Kids retail store in the Time Out Market in Brooklyn’s waterfront Dumbo neighborhood. It’s Kith Treats’ fourth New York outpost and the second standalone Kith Kids storefront in the city. Reflecting Dumbo’s vibrant atmosphere, the 508-square-foot space designed by Porto Architecture boasts a mix of wood, stone, and stainless-steel accents, highlighted by a Rosa Aurora marble header and countertop. The design includes Kith Treats’ signature cereal dispensers and seating options like banquettes and a standing bar with views of the corridor connecting Water Street to the waterfront.
Celebrating the legacy of architect Jeffrey Beers
Guests gather to celebrate the life and work of Jeffrey Beers at estiatorio Milos Hudson Yards in New York; photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com
The design and hospitality community came together on Tuesday to honor Jeffrey Beers at estiatorio Milos Hudson Yards in New York. More than 300 guests, including friends, family, colleagues, and collaborators, gathered to celebrate the late architect, who passed away in March following a battle with cancer. Attendees enjoyed fare by renowned chefs with whom JBI has worked, including Costas Spiliadis of estiatorio Milos, Daniel Boulud, and Michael Lomonaco, while family and friends—including HD editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen—shared tributes reflecting on Beers’ influential career and impact not only on hospitality design, but all those around him. Guests explored displays showcasing different chapters of Beers’ life, from his love of the sea and glassblowing to his professional achievements and family. Jeffrey Beers’ design work has left an indelible mark on New York and beyond, with notable projects like Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, Café Boulud, Peter Luger Las Vegas, and the Hard Rock Hotel New York, and his legacy continues through Jeffrey Beers International, and the many designers he mentored. Donations in Beers’ honor can be made to the Jeffrey Beers Memorial Fund at UrbanGlass.
Hotels are launching luxury hotels within their hotels
The pool at Camp Sarika by Amangiri in Utah, designed by Luxury Frontiers; photo courtesy of Aman
The hotel-within-a-hotel concept is gaining traction, offering guests a secluded and personalized experience within larger properties. Brands like Conrad and Waldorf Astoria have embraced the trend, according to Travel + Leisure, offering exclusive floors or sections complete with dedicated entrances, private check-ins, and bespoke services. These enclaves—exemplified by the opening of the Four Seasons Las Vegas inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas a quarter century ago—cater to luxury travelers seeking the intimacy of a boutique hotel while enjoying the amenities of a larger resort. With discerning travelers requiring more privacy and comfort, so-called nested resorts, like Camp Sarika by Amangiri—a 10-villa enclave set within the ultra-luxury Aman resort on 600 acres in Canyon Point, Utah— “[give] you two vacations, two experiences within the same resort,” says Luca Franco, founder and CEO of Luxury Frontiers, the architecture firm that designed Camp Sarika.
ICYMI: Check out photos from the HD Awards ceremony
Nicole Hollis accepts her Designer of the Year honor at the HD Awards ceremony in Las Vegas; photo by PWP Studio
It’s hard to believe the HD Awards ceremony was nearly a month ago—we’re still basking in the glow of the event that gathered nearly 600 people at the Four Seasons Resort Las Vegas during HD Expo + Conference to honor the winners and finalists of Hospitality Design’s 20th annual HD Awards in projects and products. Check out a selection of photos from the evening. Thank you again to all our sponsors for making the evening a night to remember!
