The Pod Hotels officially opened its flagship property, Pod Times Square, in the center of New York City. A BD Hotels property (also known for The Mercer, The Marlton, The Bowery, The Maritime and The Greenwich), Pod Times Square is the fifth asset in the Pod Hotel collection following the opening of Pod 51 and Pod 39; Pod BK, the first property in an outer-borough; and Pod DC, the first property outside of New York City.
The hotels’ micro-model provides the highest percentage of occupancy across the entire BD Hotels portfolio. Pod Times Square will be the biggest Pod to date and will offer accommodations that are a first for the Pod Hotels brand: micro-apartments.
Located in Times Square, on the corner of 42nd street and 9th Avenue, Pod Times Square expands on the micro-hotel concept by offering 45 Pod Pads—living suites varying from 600 to 800 square feet in size, and are available for those interested in extended-stay options or even long-term leases.
Exclusively available for Pod Pad tenants, the property provides a fitness center and guest lounge on the top floor providing views of the city’s west side and Hudson River.
As guests enter the hotel through the 60-foot-tall vestibule made entirely of glass, they are then delivered to the third-floor lobby in a glass-enclosed elevator. The hotel's elevator shaft is adorned with a mural by Brooklyn native artist JM Rizzi.
Guests, tenants and locals alike can enjoy cocktails and cuisine at either of the hotel’s two Major Food Group concepts: a new Tiki Bar that will be located in the third-floor lobby, with outdoor space overlooking Times Square, as well as Parm, the group's casual Italian-American restaurant (this will be the sixth location), located in the hotel’s ground floor space.
Across 28 floors, 665 rooms—in addition to the 45 Pod Pad—each about 115 square feet, include queen and bunk bed configurations, with built-in storage and high-tech amenities allowing guests to stream media content from smartphones or other devices.
Pod Times Square appointed Paul Kashman as GM of the property, and he will oversee all aspects of hotel operations. Kashman brings a wealth of managerial knowledge to his new role from previous hospitality experience including his roles as GM of The OUT NYC Hotel, director of front office operations of Denihan Hospitality Group, director of front office of The Standard, High Line and more.
“After 10 years of overwhelming success, we are excited to finally create the largest pod ever," Richard Born of BD Hotels said in a statement. “Now, with our new micro-apartment concept, Pod Pads, we are also offering ‘plug-and-play’ living spaces for those looking for a more convenient way to live and travel.”