ATLANTA—IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the first Voco hotel in the Americas, Voco The Franklin New York. Following an extensive renovation, the 50-room hotel, originally built in 1930, is now a reimagined classic with contemporary touches, according to the brand. Located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the hotel is near top attractions like Museum Mile, Central Park and Madison Avenue shopping.
The guestrooms at Voco The Franklin New York highlight the hotel’s historic features while providing modern amenities such as a spa-like shower and fast WiFi. Like all Voco hotels, the property will promote sustainability through bedding that’s made from 100% recycled materials, bulk amenity bath products and aerated shower heads to decrease water usage. Voco hotels also reduce, on average, 300 plastic bottles per guestroom every year by providing micro-filtered water in-room instead of single-use bottles.
The hotel is owned by Flintlock Construction and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. The brand will also enter the St Augustine, FL, and Columbia, MO, markets soon, with openings expected in early 2021.
“We’re thrilled to bring the voco brand to the critical American market,” said Ginger Taggart, VP, global Crowne Plaza and Voco Americas, IHG. “The historic design, modern upgrades and inviting ambience are a perfect blend of old and new. Our guests will love the fresh, modern design that still honors the iconic heritage property, and also will appreciate the cleanliness and sustainability measures that ensure a responsible stay. Whether you travel for work or pleasure, Voco The Franklin New York celebrates everything we love about New York City while giving guests the confidence and comfort they need for a world-class stay in an exciting new brand.”
Flintlock Construction founders Andrew and Stephen “Chip” Weiss Jr.. added, “It has been our privilege to restore and enhance this historic property. The hotel has been reimagined as a modern classic. The renovation is an artful blend of restoration and original modern touches and state-of-the-art electronics in the rooms. Our goal was to create a world class hotel for the Upper East Side, and by partnering with IHG to launch the first Voco in the Americas, we’re making that goal a reality.”
Voco The Franklin New York is the 16th property worldwide to open under the brand. There are currently 23 additional Voco properties in the global pipeline, and the brand is on track to open 200 hotels in popular urban and leisure locations during the next 10 years.