HotelChatter

The Lobby
We toured the lobby space with MacPherson as our guide, who described for us what the place will eventually look like.

The lobby will be divided into two sections. The first will be a small, "cozy" area, MacPherson said where a fire will probably be going in the winter and friends can just hang out and have a few (quiet) drinks.

The second section of the lobby will be much larger and will have a mezzanine level. This will be more of a true hotel lounge. And it will be the place to really do some mingling with other guests. You know, when you get tired of tapping out the Morse code on the walls to the person in the next room/cabin.

Overall, the lobby will have the same sensibility as the Bowery Hotel's lobby, including a similar terrace/patio bar and restaurant. However, here at the Jane, MacPherson will be restoring this ballroom to its original feel and style rather than creating a faux-Victorian ambiance like that of the Bowery.

Fun fact: The lobby was the old Jane Street Theater and Riverview Ballroom where the play-turned-indie hit film Hedwig and the Angry Inch was first staged.

The Rooftop
Obviously, the lobby will the go-to social scene of the hotel, especially since this is where a complimentary continental breakfast will be laid out every morning. Yet when the summer's nice, guests should trek upstairs to the roof.

The rooftop bar will operate out of the Jane Hotel's iconic turret and guests can wander about a section of the rooftop which has unbelievable views of the Hudson River. From up there, Jersey doesn't look half-bad. See below.

The Pool
An activity that can be done year-round at the Jane is swimming. As we heard before, the Jane Hotel will have an indoor swimming pool in the basement. The hotel was once a YMCA back in the 1930s so all MacPherson and co. are doing is restoring it (using original tiles) and adding the cool quotient to it with a sauna and private bathrooms.

(Unfortunately, when we checked the pool out there was a lot of work going on and we didn't feel like taking a picture of construction machines.)

All of this makes for a pretty happening hotel scene from top to bottom. If that wasn't enough, guests will have access to the Socialista restaurant which is a part of the building. So pretty much the only places that won't be seeing any of the action will probably be the micro-rooms.

Although, if you get in there and can squeeze three or more of your friends inside, take a pic and send it to us.

Tags: The Jane Hotel / Hotel News / Sneak Peek / Hotel Hype / Hotel Openings / Sean MacPherson / Hotel Construction

by juliana