NEW YORK— The historic rooftop Martinelli Penthouse at the Buckingham Hotel here has reopened following a major refurbishment. Named after long-time resident and Metropolitan Opera tenor Giovanni Martinelli, the penthouse was home to many performing artists from the 1930s through the 1950s. Musical comedy star Bobby Van, for example, stayed at the penthouse and also used it as a dance studio. The 20,000-square-foot Martinelli Penthouse features a stainless steel kitchen; king and queen bedrooms; large living room; two bathrooms; fireplace; and terrace with overlooking Carnegie Hall, Central Park and the midtown Manhattan skyline. The penthouse is available for overnight as well as extended stays. The Buckingham recently had a multi-million dollar modernization, which included redoing the lobby with a musical theme including miniature tinted spotlights, a piano-shaped front desk, musical instrument installations inset into the walls and red velvet accents. Now celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the Buckingham has 100 studio and one-bedroom suites.
