The Pulse: Signature Selects The Beekman as a 2016 “FIRST” Partner

Why It Rates: Signature Travel Network has long been known for the depth and breadth of its hotel collections, which have increasingly included a number of highly distinctive and luxurious properties to its hotel collection.  In prior years, Signature’s FIRST program has featured a number of hotels and resorts, including Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara Calif., The Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard, London and Raffles Istanbul. 

For its part, Signature’s “FIRST” sales and marketing program provides agents with a way in which to sell new luxury properties that are designed to provide travelers with particularly distinctive and experiential hotel stays. The selection of The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel, as a 2016 Signature “FIRST” hotel is a perfect case point. Originally constructed in 1881, the property will reborn as a luxury boutique hotel with interior created by luxury interior designer Martin Brudnizki, whose past projects have included The Ivy, Soho Beach House Miami, Scott’s and Cecconi’s West Hollywood. It is scheduled to open early next year. – Claudette Covey

Signature has announced The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel as the next selection for its “FIRST” hotel sales and marketing program for 2016. The Beekman will be the only “FIRST” hotel in New York City in 2016. The mission of this initiative is to drive sales and generate awareness for distinctive openings of notable properties, or major re-openings of existing hotels. The Beekman, a New York City landmark, is located in the center of Lower Manhattan’s thriving new downtown and unites some of the world’s greatest talent, including interior designer Martin Brudnizki, restaurateur and Chef Tom Colicchio and restaurant-auteur Keith McNally.

 “We are delighted to be selected as the “FIRST” partner by the prestigious Signature Travel Network,” stated Robert Andrews, managing director of The Beekman. “The Beekman is a one-of-a-kind hotel across all elements of design, programming and services, restaurants, amenities, and location, offering our guests the best of Lower Manhattan just steps from our front door. We look forward to welcoming clients from Signature’s outstanding network.”

Built in 1881 as an unprecedented design of its time, The Beekman has been meticulously transformed into a luxury boutique hotel featuring the sophisticated interior design of Martin Brudnizki within 287 fully appointed guest rooms and suites, including two signature penthouses with private rooftop terraces overlooking One World Trade Center, the Woolworth Building and City Hall Park. The heart of this architectural treasure is its extraordinary nine-story Victorian atrium and majestic pyramidal skylight, which will host a hotel lounge and bar at its base.

In addition to extraordinary design, The Beekman will debut restaurants by James Beard Award winners Tom Colicchio and Keith McNally. Tom Colicchio’s Crafted Hospitality will also operate the hotel bar, as well as oversee all private events at The Beekman, offering guests his distinctive American culinary style that will establish a new dining standard for gatherings in Lower Manhattan. Keith McNally’s restaurant, his first restaurant in Lower Manhattan, will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will seat approximately 90 guests.

“Our successful “FIRST” program is taken to the next level with the addition of The Beekman,” stated Ignacio Maza, Signature’s executive vice president. “Signature clients will enjoy exclusive privileges at this very special property, including breakfast for two daily, a dining credit on the property, early check-in and late check-out, an upgrade, and more. We have a comprehensive plan under way to support the opening of this remarkable hotel, including print and electronic consumer marketing, communications, sales training, and a number of other initiatives.”

The Beekman is nestled between both the East and Hudson Rivers, and conveniently surrounded by some of Manhattan’s most popular destinations, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the World Trade Center, South Street Seaport and Brookfield Place. The Beekman will be opened by Commune Hotels and Resorts under the Thompson Hotels brand.

SOURCE: Signature press release