HotelChatter

The whole building was lit up all swanky-like, and in true over-the-top Standard fashion, there were drag performers and dudes in boxers and models abound. Spotted in the chic crowd: an Olsen, the stunning Padma Lakshmi, Tommy Hilfiger, Andre J, and our brand new BFF Sean Macpherson (shout out to S.Mac!)

So: the hotel. It seems like we were mostly in the back service-entrance/staff corridor areas upon entrance, but we, of course, could be entirely wrong because there wasn't much to see except frames and concrete floors. We're pretty sure we walked through a couple of the common areas on our way to the elevator bank, but since the structure is literally in the post-hardhat, pre-walls stage, it didn't look like much.

But then we were whisked away to the 18th floor where the real party was going down. First impressions: the views. Oh goodness, the views. They. Are. Stunning.

Since we found out way back in March that the 18th floor would eventually become a restaurant with 187 table seats and two bars with 42 seats (total capacity of 229), we're both insanely psyched to see the finished product after experiencing the floor-to-ceiling windows on every wall up there -- and also kind of terrified to think of what groups of celebutantes are going to be running around up here.

There was a lot to swallow last night: as we tried desperately to envision the interiors of the finished hotel and attempted to gauge how much longer the place would take to finally, finally open, we were treated to (distracted by?) a campy performance by some naked body-painted women singing a fairly  rendition of "My Heart Will Go On."

But the morning after, our prediction for Balazs' NYC outpost's slow-moving opening? We'd say...December, if not early 2009. Maybe.

Tags: Party Dispatch / Andre Balazs / Hotel Hype / Hotel Parties / Hotel Construction / Hotel Openings / Manhattan Hotels

by Jenna