Thompson Hotels' 4th New York Hotel Brings Industrial Cool and Avant Garde Sophistication to the Lower East Side

March 13, 2009

Thompson Hotels, a collection of sophisticated, luxury hotels in major urban centers, has opened Thompson LES. The property is the hotel group's fourth in New York City; alongside chic downtown staple 60 Thompson in Soho, mod-inspired 6 Columbus in Columbus Circle, Gild Hall in the Wall Street area and the newly opened Smyth in TriBeCa.

Located at the corner of Allen and Houston streets in Manhattan's burgeoning Lower East Side neighborhood, the hotel's identity is the collaboration of some of the flashiest names in design. The architect is Ed Rawlings of Rawlings Architects PC, the interiors by famed interior designer Jim Walrod in collaboration with Ed Rawlings, and the room concept by Dodd Mitchell Designs. Inspired by the provocative undercurrent of its neighborhood's surrounds, the hotel embodies the ultimate in clean, industrial New York with timeless modern style.

Guests are able to enjoy a multiplex of hotspots, including the private terrace bar to the newly open Above Allen. Located on the seventh floor guests from Thompson LES are invited to access this private terrace bar. The modern design features sprawling lounge furniture and intimate table vignettes.

The third floor boasts an outdoor pool and lounge, with a filmstrip image of Andy Warhol photo lithographed onto the tile at the pool floor. The image is the work of artist Gerard Malanga, Warhol's muse and confidant during the iconic Factory days. The expansive second floor restaurant also features a giant color field painting by contemporary artist Peter Halley.

Thompson LES houses Shang, a Global Chinese restaurant with celebrity chef Susur Lee at its helm. The restaurant's design and cuisine strike a provocative balance between the familiar and the unknown. Red chairs, gold accents and dim lights compliment the sensuality of Lee's cooking, while wallpaper constructed from imprints of ancient Chinese drawings serve to authenticate and excite.

Thompson Lower East Side is home to 141 sophisticated rooms, including 127 deluxe rooms, 11 one bedroom suites, 2 signature Thompson Suites and a duplex penthouse. The rooms at Thompson LES feature low beds and couches, simple black and metal tables, exposed columns and ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of New York City. The influential American artist Lee Friedlander dominates the room through different variants of black and white photographs from his Apples and Olives book, in illuminated headboards that hang over each bed.

For the hotel staff's uniforms, Thompson commissioned industry sweetheart Rogan, the winner of 2007's coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion prize. Already famous with fashionistas and style mavens, Rogan's designs for Thompson LES deliver edgy, avant-garde style.