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Don't Expect A Huge Party for W NYC Downtown Opening

Where: 123 Washington Street [map], New York, ny, United States, 10036

When the W NYC Downtown opens later this year, don't expect a huge blow-out party to celebrate the opening like W Hotels are known for doing. In fact this hotel may open with nothing more than a press release and the ability to book rooms on the W Hotels website.

In today's New York Post, Joseph Moinian the developer of the project stated his concerns for how many rooms will be available and how soft of an opening it will have.

The majority of the hotel rooms face the abandoned Deutsche Bank building which is slowly being deconstructed after suffering major damage from the 9/11 attacks. Originally the building was supposed to be completely demolished by the end of 2005 but even today around 25 stories still remain and block the view from most of the guest rooms at the W next door. The residences, however, seem to have better views. (The hotel rooms are on floors floors 6-22 while the residences take up floors 23-56.)

Aside from major anti-views, the streets surrounding the W NYC Downtown are a bit treacherous. During our visit to the site last week, we found the sidewalks to be either closed or covered with scaffolding in case materials fall from the deconstruction of the Deutsche Bank building.

According to the RenewNYC.com website which details the demolition of the building, they expect the building to be fully demolished by Fall 2009, but considering the building was originally due to be demolished by 2005, then 2007, then 2008, we wouldn't be too surprised if the Fall 2009 date changed again.

On a good note though, Moinian refuses to delay the opening, saying the hotel will still open this year no matter what happens next door.