The city synonymous with the work hard, play hard lifestyle is also heralded as the world capital of design, making it the ideal destination for the inaugural hotel of luxury fitness brand, Equinox.
The city synonymous with the work hard, play hard lifestyle is also heralded as the world capital of design, making it the ideal destination for the inaugural hotel of luxury fitness brand, Equinox.
For decades, New York has cultivated a thriving ecosystem of architects, designers, artists, illustrators and tastemakers, helping it to ignite and influence some of the most defining trends and movements in history. It’s firmly established as an epicentre of culture, with a rich history of artistic achievement and innovation.
Many esteemed artists either hailed from New York or rose to success in the city, inspired by its diverse cultural influences. Notable names include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein and of course, Andy Warhol, whose studio - The Factory - doubled as a hangout for muses and musicians such as David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, Madonna and The Rolling Stones.
It’s also the birthplace of hugely influential graphic designers and agencies like Paul Rand, Saul Bass and Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, responsible for some of the world’s best-known brand identities and iconic campaigns.Along with droves of creatives, New York boasts incredible art museums including The Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art - the largest art museum in the United States with over 2 million pieces, and the benefactor of its renowned annual fundraising gala which is attended by the highest profile names from across the fashion and entertainment industries.
As well as being home to scores of internationally acclaimed fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren, twice each year New York Fashion Week showcases collections from established labels and fresh new talent from across the USA including Rodarte, Christopher John Rogers, Proenza Schouler and Brandon Maxwell. Catwalk collections are often inspired by youth subcultures, and New York has kickstarted more than its fair share, including punk, vogue and normcore. It’s influence spans decades, from the disco movement that rose to popularity in New York clubs and went on to define the 1970s, to the still current hypebeast scene that originated with New York streetwear brands such as Supreme.
New York has the world’s most recognisable city skyline, immortalised by the silver screen and emblazoned on every piece of apparel you can think of. Even those who’ve never had the pleasure of visiting the city can name at least a handful of its historic landmarks and towering skyscrapers such as the wedge-shaped Flatiron building, the Beaux-Arts Grand Central Terminal, the majestic Brooklyn Bridge, and the iconic Statue of Liberty.
The city has some incredible examples of art deco architecture which still draw crowds, including the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building - both finished in the 1930s and heavily stylized with the geometric ornamentation that’s synonymous with the Jazz Age.
Having such an affinity with outstanding design, it’s unsurprising that New York is also known for high-end living - the city is studded with coveted loft conversions, luxury condominiums, classic brownstones and indulgent hotels such as the famed Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue, the elegant Four Seasons on ‘Billionaire’s Row’, and the renaissance styled Mark Hotel on East 77th Street. One of the more recent five star hotels to win a fashionable following is the Equinox Hotel New York, which opened its doors in 2019. The eponymous flagship of the luxury fitness brand is located within the tallest skyscraper in the impressive Hudson Yards development on Manhattan's West Side, and is described as a temple to total regeneration. Designed by award-winning architecture firm Rockwell Group - also New York natives - its interior was inspired by the human body in motion and uses a range of luxurious materials and organic design elements to create cool, dark and quiet spaces for rest and relaxation. As well as 212 impeccably styled rooms, the hotel features a vast fitness club, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a terrace restaurant complete with an infinity water edge feature and a monumental Jaume Plensa sculpture.
Those looking for an unparalleled city experience stay in the hotel’s penthouse suite, with floor to ceiling windows that maximise the breathtaking views of Hudson River and the New York skyline. As well as its own living room and a private dining area, the room is filled with features to ensure incredible comfort - a handmade mattress, Egyption cotton bedding, filtered air and water, sound-cancelling walls, blackout shades and its own flickering fireplace. In the suite’s spa-grade bathroom furnished with a mirrored dressing area, guests can enjoy a long, hot soak in the room’s most striking feature - the Vetrina freestanding bath from our Lusso Stone collection. Chosen by Rockwell Group’s design team, the Vetrina’s deep curves, smooth matte black finish and contemporary shape works beautifully with the hotel’s aesthetic, and provides the ultimate luxury experience for high-performance living.