I joined the general manager of the Andaz 5th Avenue, Jonathan Frolich, for a hardhat tour of the building, which is perfectly located at the northeast corner of 41st Street and 5th Avenue. This is a great location, directly across the street from the New York Public Library, also the spot for one of the opening scenes in the movie Ghost Busters, when Dan Aykroyd and the team ran out of the library and down the front steps after a paranormal experience!

Having had office locations at 41 East and 51 East 42nd Street for nearly 10 years, I am a fan of the location due to its close proximity to Grand Central Station. With the renovation of this landmark some ten years ago, the area has only improved, and all points can be reached from GCS.

The property (as with all Andaz properties) works to fit and complement the area, so the building’s design will keep it in the pre-war era. Tall “factory” windows have been installed to allow a vast amount of light, which will flood the lobby entrance on 41st and allow for top-notch people-watching from the restaurant. The bar has a separate entrance from 5th Avenue, down a stairwell lined with reclaimed bricks from the 1930s. Recycling of this material is very labor intensive. From cleaning to repositioning in their new home in the Andaz, they add a great deal to the feel.

Upstairs is the Andaz 5th Avenue meeting space, all designed by Tony Chi (as is the lobby, restaurant and bar). The meeting space is separated into apartments, which will accommodate any size meeting, from 10 to 250-plus persons if you commandeer the entire floor. There is a small garden connecting two of the rooms, making for an interesting venue. The two large rooms are on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street.

Up another flight of stairs are the guestrooms. Natural wood has been laid on the floors, and the rooms look like they will be very inviting and warm. The suites are spectacular; many have views of the library, 5th Avenue and the Empire State Building. The bathrooms are nearly, if not completely, finished; all having double sinks on the vanity and cool cylindrical mirrors. The suites have large soaking tubs that just have to be seen!

Plans are to open the Andaz 5th Avenue this June, and it will join its sister property in New York, Andaz Wall Street (check out the March 2010 awards recap in GT) and the other Andaz family members — Andaz West Hollywood, San Diego and London.

Perfect locations and a service concept that puts customers’ needs above all others are the cornerstones of the Andaz brand!

— Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO