AKA opens design-focused hotel in New York City's NoMad district

AKA has expanded further in New York City’s Midtown with the opening of Hotel AKA NoMad. The team at Lissoni New York designed the property to match the neighborhood.

“With NoMad’s acclaim as the city’s newest Design District and AKA’s emphasis of design-driven experiences, the midtown neighborhood is a natural extension for the brand and an incredible addition to our NYC collection,” AKA CEO Larry Korman said in a statement. “Hotel AKA NoMad itself is a design destination with a unique ethos unlike any other in the neighborhood. With AKA’s core residential philosophies woven into our new hotel property, we have evolved the traditional hotel category to offer a high-quality experience that is more livable.”  

Hotel AKA NoMad is architect Piero Lissoni of Lissoni New York’s first New York City hotel and second hotel project in the U.S. following the opening of Hotel AKA Alexandria (Va.) in April.

The Lissoni New York team pulled influence from Japan and Scandinavia when conceptualizing the design of the hotel. Guests can see the Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist inspiration in the sleek materials and clean lines used throughout the space, as well as the warm tones and colors.

The collection of art and objects found throughout the public spaces and guestrooms combine Japanese design with the Nordic simplicity. The wall of the lobby showcases eye-catching, specialty art pieces by Dutch duo X+L, that are abstract geometric compositions made with hand dyed and handwoven silk stitched together.

A focal point of the ground floor is the signature Lissoni-designed staircase floating in the center of the lobby. Featuring a bronze, metallic painted steel with Pietra d’Avola treads, the structure is origami-like in shape. The staircase brings guests to the Mezzanine Lounge. This second-floor lounge has seating nooks perfect for work, intimate conversations, or enjoying the European-styled breakfast.

The decor combines a striking and soothing color palette and sleek surfaces of metal, ceramic and stone with superior furnishings and fixtures by LEMA, Living Divani, Porro and Salvatori. In many guestrooms a custom-designed window seat is below large windows for guests to take in city views. Guestrooms have minibars and Nespresso machines while suites will have full wet bars. The artwork in the rooms are from different Scandinavian artists all chosen by art curators at The Poster Club. Artists on display in the guestrooms, include Atelier Cph, showcasing timeless, abstract and minimalistic pieces; Estelle Graf with work that reflects shifting energies in minimalist ways; Moe made it, that includes paper cut, hand drawings and serigraphy; as well as Nord Projects, with art pieces that reflects human emotions. The bathrooms have ceramic tiles and limestone surfaces paired with Fantini fixtures.

Many suites are located on the upper floors of the building with views of the Empire State Building. The accommodations have separate living areas and select suites have private landscaped balconies for coveted outdoor enjoyment in the city.