Legendary architect Jean-Michel Gathy unveils a temple of design at Aman New York

Designed by award-winning architectural and interior design firm, Denniston, under the supervision and leadership of Jean-Michel Gathy, Aman New York has opened to welcome guests in August 2022, celebrating a new era for hospitality in one of the world’s greatest cities. Situated in the architecturally significant landmark of the Crown Building, Aman New York brings the peace promised by Aman’s Sanskrit-derived name to the heart of Manhattan with the unmistakable design expertise of Jean-Michel Gathy.

Aman New York is located at the prestigious address of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street and has undergone a vast transformation into Manhattan’s newest destination for unmatched luxury, comprised of 83 elegant guest rooms and suites, three social dining venues, a world-class spa, and an exclusive collection of 22 private homes representing the first urban Aman Residences.

“Peacefulness is the ethos of Aman. What makes Aman New York peaceful is the high level of attention given to the acoustic treatment within the building, enhanced further by layers of panelling and material as well as the incorporation of the fireplace to create a quiet environment within the guestrooms. There is a strong sense of partnership in the design of the Crown Building and the layout of the interiors of Aman New York, they are geometrically conceptualized, powerful and simple. The muted colours, simplicity of materials and the overall harmony create a feeling of peacefulness throughout Aman New York. We are dealing with composition and not a juxtaposition of elements.” summarizes Jean-Michel Gathy.

TRUE TO THE ICONIC AMAN DNA OF EAST AND WEST

Following true to the Aman DNA of understated elegance, offering sublime privacy, unparalleled service, and relaxed elegance, Jean-Michel Gathy defines Aman New York by integrating aesthetics from East and West and curating the palpable tranquillity with the brand’s Asian roots. “Everything included in the Aman DNA is about being understated. We did not fully bring minimalism to Aman New York but sincerely respected the AmanDNA in which we associated the energy that New York City requires.” Jean-Michel Gathy shares.

Aman New York has honed its offering with its transformative influence on mind, body and spirit through harmoniously designed environments transporting guests out of their everyday lives. With Jean-Michel Gathy’s signature use of Asian characteristics, the design transformation presents the balancing and subtle juxtaposition of many contrasts – old and new, East and West, natural and manmade.

AN AESTHETIC JOURNEY

The arrival experience sets the tone for an aesthetic journey which complements the powerful statement of the building’s gilded splendour. The double-height atrium with multilayers of the textured ceiling and wall panels dressed in natural fabrics in muted tones hints at the brand’s Asian heritage while imbuing spaces with the meditative beauty and inimitable tranquillity of nature with the flower arrangements inspired by Japan’s classical Ikebana, celebrating the unceasing heartbeat of Manhattan.

Every suite offers a functioning fireplace, a first in New York City, while bathrooms are opulent and oversized with oval soaking bathtubs, marble rain showers and double vanities. Large windows offer dynamic views, and the use of organic, natural materials brings a sense of balance and harmony reminiscent of Aman resorts of the East. Oak, walnut, and aromatic cinnamon woods add lustre to finishes, floors, doors, and custom furnishings while bronze, brass, and stainless and blackened steel contribute gleaming warmth and edgy allure. Inspired by the airy architecture of Aman’s properties in Southeast Asia, pairs of bespoke double-pivot doors have been created to form bespoke central partitions, allowing guests to transform the atmosphere, creating a lofty open-plan layout or intimate private spaces.

CULTIVATING THE NEW YORK LIFESTYLE STATE OF MIND

Respecting the Crown Building’s storied heritage, the opening of Aman New York marks a new era for hospitality and is the culmination of a monumental transformation of the iconic Crown Building in Manhattan. This 100-year-old Beaux-Arts building has undergone a remarkable restoration and transcendent design by Jean-Michel Gathy, carefully reimagining urban design for the epic conversion in order to transport guests away from the frenetic pace of the city to the inimitable tranquility of Aman.

The crowning glory of Aman New York is its broad selection of buzzy social venues, the verdant 14th-floor spacious 7,000-square-foot wraparound Garden Terrace offers year-round dining, a rarity in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The Garden Terrace is flanked with water features adding a soft and soothing touch, and fire pits creating a sense of drama and energy. Restaurants include Arva, Aman’s convivial Italian restaurant, and Nama, Aman’s interpretation of Japan’s “WASHOKU” dining tradition, which features a Japanese Hinoki wood counter for omakase-style fine dining.

“Aman New York has included all the facilities that you would want right at your door. The travellers can go down to the city streets and are in the epicenter of the city, but when you want to come back and relax, you have your own sanctuary. The venue we have designed is extremely well located, in the middle of the action, but still remaining a peaceful retreat.” Jean-Michel Gathy comments.

5 EXCLUSIVE ELEMENTS MAKE AMAN NEW YORK STAND OUT

Infusing with the Aman way of living centred on understated, elegant, and architecturally designed environments, Aman New York features five exclusive elements to provide guests with the most genuine New York city life experience. In addition to the extraordinary spacious terrace with diverse food and beverage choices, Aman New York also allows guests to immerse in the peerless Aman lifestyle from the wellness and entertainment scenes.

Aman New York is the first Aman hotel to house the Aman Club and Jazz Club of Aman with dedicated facilities, the two exclusive Club lounges, a private Garden Terrace, as well as a Cigar Lounge and Wine Room, where members can fully embrace the Aman lifestyle through curated programming and immersive experiences. The Wine Room is linked by a verdant wraparound Garden Terrace. Featuring reflective pools and dramatic firepits, the 650-square-metre outdoor space benefits from a retracting glass roof allowing year-round access.

A flagship Aman Spa is set over three floors (2,300 square metres), at the heart of which lies 10 tranquil treatment rooms, fitness facilities, the second indoor 20-metre pool among 35 Aman Properties, plus two Spa Houses, providing guests with an all-encompassing spa journey. Active spaces including the pool and fitness centre feature light timbers and grey tones, while passive spaces where treatments are enjoyed at the very core of the building are more nurturing, with curves and warmer hues.

As the visionary behind some of the most esteemed Aman resorts, Jean-Michel Gathy’s design has also spanned to Amanyara in Turks and Caicos; Amanwana on the island of Moyo in Indonesia; Aman Sveti Stefan, an island which once acted as a fortified village in Montenegro; and Aman Venice, where his striking designs all feature a unique signature – they focus on the theme of romance and on incorporating water features, as well as local cultural elements and traditions, into the property. Denniston has designed many Aman properties, of which 10 are built and 8 are now on-going, including the Aman resort in Bangkok.