WhyHotel, an alternative lodging service that operates pop-up hotels in newly built, luxury apartment buildings, is now offering online bookings for its next pop-up hotel in Washington, D.C.’s NoMa district. The 95-unit pop-up hotel will be located at Equity Residential’s newly completed luxury rental property, 100 K Street NE, and is expected to run through the spring of 2019.
The new launch comes on the heels of WhyHotel’s recent acquisition of $3.94 million in seed funding, which has allowed the brand to branch out into new locations and acquire new leadership. In order to continue driving its mission of operating pop-up hotels in new, multifamily apartments during lease-up, WhyHotel expanded its board of directors with the addition of Cathy Ross, its current CEO of exclusive resorts, who will bring her years of experience in the hospitality space to WhyHotel’s board.
Ross has 35 years of experience in a variety of consumer-facing companies, particularly in the hospitality space.
“I am excited to bring my background in real estate development, asset management, finance, manufacturing and hospitality to the WhyHotel brand," Ross said in a statement. "They have a fascinating concept that is a win-win for both the real estate developer and end user.”
Located in Washington, D.C.’s emerging NoMa neighborhood, WhyHotel's 100K Apartments offer a intimate ground floor courtyard and private rooftop, complimented by amenities and apartment interiors that are available to both guests and long term residents.
“100K Apartments affords guests an elegant living environment in a hip neighborhood," Bao Vuong, president and co-founder of WhyHotel, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be offering our hotel-like amenities to Washington, D.C.’s vibrant NoMa neighborhood. The location offers great proximity to food venues, entertainment, art installations and new amenities delivering every day.”
Within the 100K Apartment community, residents and pop-up hotel guests will be able to work out in a double height fitness center, or work from home in the resident lounge.
“We believe welcoming WhyHotel to our 100K Street will offer people visiting the NoMa neighborhood the chance to experience our newly completed luxury community while providing a unique amenity that our residents and potential residents can also enjoy and at the same time create incremental value as we lease up this terrific property,” Benjamin Stoll, VP of development at Equity Residential, said in a statement.