The Radio Hotel and Tower, which opened earlier this year, stands in the heart of Washington Heights on Manhattan’s west side near the George Washington Bridge. This vibrant addition strengthens the neighborhood while adding a bold architectural presence.
The 221-room hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows in every guestroom, offering a range of urban views. The entrance opens onto generous public space, including an 8,000-square-foot courtyard with garden seating, live music and room for activity. A rooftop event terrace and a dedicated event space on the 12th floor expand the hotel’s amenities, creating flexible venues for weddings, reunions, bar mitzvahs and quinceañeras with sweeping Manhattan views.
© Ossip Van Duivenbode
Designed by MVRDV Architects for developer Youngwoo & Associates, with Stonehill Taylor as architect of record, the building takes a “vertical village” approach so it relates to the surrounding streetscape rather than dominating it. The stacked block composition provides multiple outdoor terraces, with each block creating an outdoor space on the roof of the block below. This stepped massing reduces visual bulk and offers a variety of outdoor areas for guests and tenants.
The building’s vivid palette echoes the colorful shopfronts and lively character of Washington Heights. Bold hues—green, yellow, blue, red and orange—feature on the upper blocks, while more muted tones such as plum, teal and grey-brown anchor the street level, greeting visitors with a welcoming transition from sidewalk to interior.
© Ossip Van Duivenbode
“Washington Heights has a unique and exciting character, very different from the other Manhattan neighborhoods further south,” said Winy Maas, founding partner of MVRDV. “The design of Radio Hotel and Tower is inspired by that character; we took the smaller blocks that are typical in the neighborhood and stacked them into a vertical village. Add to that the bright colors that you see all around the area, and the project is like a beacon celebrating this part of the city.”
Inside, interior design by Workshop APD continues the exterior’s playful color story. Guest bathrooms and common areas reflect the block colors, creating a cohesive identity from façade to interior. The hotel also supports local institutions: it serves as a convenient hub for visitors attending conferences at nearby Yeshiva University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. In addition to hotel rooms, the building includes ground-level retail and more than 172,000 square feet of office space, contributing daily activity to the neighborhood.
© Ossip Van Duivenbode
Youngwoo & Associates invested $300 million in the project. “For that investment we could have easily constructed a building in downtown Manhattan,” said Margarette Lee, partner at Youngwoo & Associates. “We chose this location because we believe in the neighborhood, and we have a chance here to have an impact. Seventy percent of the employees at the hotel and restaurant are from the neighborhood; our presence here will result in a significant economic input to the community.”
The building also hosts a range of dining and entertainment options that celebrate local culture. Jalao NYC, the first U.S. outpost of the popular Santo Domingo restaurant, brings Dominican flavors to the community through a collaboration between Richard Sandoval Hospitality and Jalao founder Antonio Espaillat. With ground-level retail and lively public space, the hotel aims to be an active neighborhood hub.
By addressing Washington Heights’ shortage of hotel rooms and celebrating the area’s existing character, Radio Hotel and Tower brings renewed attention to an often-overlooked part of Manhattan. The project enhances the neighborhood’s urban qualities without departing from its established scale and culture, creating a landmark that supports local economic growth and community life. Early reception has been positive, with media attention encouraging visitors to explore uptown offerings. Room rates for mid-December begin at $151 for double occupancy.