The New York hotel scene is a tough, competitive one. In addition to attracting travellers for overnight stays, a good property also adds value and interest to its neighbourhood. The James Hotel NoMad offers more than 300 guestrooms as well as an Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge.

Located in a 1904 Beaux-Arts style building, GFI Development took over an existing hotel to remake it into a NoMad property. Even though the guestrooms were redesigned, the original configurations and layouts stayed the same. Public areas retain a sense of the original elements that make the building notable. Much of the design inspiration came from the hotel’s enviable location in the heart of Manhattan—especially the hotel’s new cocktail lounge whose speakeasy theme pays homage to the birthplace of the famed Manhattan cocktail.

The hotel exudes a sense of classic tranquillity due to designer Thomas Juul-Hansen’s use of natural elements and warm colours. Preciosa used this inspiration when developing the lighting found in the lobby, guestrooms, and Scarpetta restaurant. The hotel lobby features upholstered walls and a wooden ceiling. Preciosa’s ceiling, table and floor lamps all incorporate brass that adds richness to the space. Guestrooms emphasize luxury details and materials. Compared to the lobby, the rooms have a more minimalistic vibe and the floor and ceiling lamps from Preciosa fit perfectly with the contrasting look. In Scarpetta, one of the defining elements is the foliage covered ceiling. Nestled within are classically shaped lights casting a soft hue across the space.