Virgin Hotels and the Lam Group recently broke ground on Virgin Hotels New York City, located in the NoMad neighborhood between 29th and 30th Streets. Planned as the brand’s flagship property, the hotel is expected to open in 2018 and will showcase Virgin’s signature hospitality style in the heart of Manhattan.
“New York City isn’t just a destination for the Virgin airlines, but a place where some of the most successful Virgin brands have been incubated, where we’ve stunned crowds with stunts and where some of our most devoted fans live. It’s a very special city to the Virgin brand and I’m elated that Virgin Hotels will soon call it home,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.
To mark the groundbreaking and celebrate Virgin’s long connection to the city, Branson joined Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels, to bury a time capsule filled with mementos that reflect Virgin’s history in New York. Items placed in the capsule included a Virgin Cola can, a Wham “The Best” CD from the former Times Square Virgin Megastore, Virgin Atlantic onboard salt and pepper shakers, Virgin Hotels key cards, Virgin America headphones and historic JFK boarding passes and photos.
The upcoming hotel will feature 463 guestrooms, referred to by the brand as “chambers,” and will include amenities such as a rooftop pool and multiple dining outlets. The development continues Virgin Hotels’ expansion across the United States: Virgin Hotels Chicago is already open and taking reservations, while properties in Nashville, New York and Dallas are planned to open next.