After turning The Louvre into themed apartment rooms and partnering with boutique property company Lyric, Airbnb is making headlines once again. Thanks to the home-share titan, you’ll soon be able to book a luxury suite in the heart of New York’s iconic Rockefeller Centre.
Airbnb is taking over 10 floors of 75 Rockefeller Plaza with the aim of turning them into 200 overnight apartment-style suites. These plans are the result of a new partnership with RXR Realty LLC, one of New York City’s largest real estate developers.
The Rockefeller deal targets business travellers looking to squeeze in some sightseeing and access authentic New York experiences. This will be easy to do when you’re staying in a building overlooking NYC icons like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Empire State building and — when the time comes — the Rockefeller Centre ice skating rink and Christmas tree.
“Our classical millennial young traveller base has been getting older, now entering their 30s,” Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told CNBC. “They want to have more reassurances in where they stay and access to concierge and room cleaning services.”
In an interview, Airbnb spokesperson Liz DeBold Fusco said, “We consider this to be a new category of urban lodging. We are really trying to create all the comforts of home and the authentic, local feel of an Airbnb listing, but with more of a luxury setting,”
The apartment-style suites will each be equipped with a fully stocked kitchen and digital concierge app which connects guests with local ‘hosts’ who can provide personalised tips on what to do and see in the city.
The building will also include a private social club with a bar and restaurant, as well as a business centre and co-working spaces located on the top floor. Guests will also be notified of Airbnb’s ‘Experience’ events happening nearby.
In a press release, Airbnb and RXR said they will collaborate on design and services. RXR will be responsible for the execution and management of the locations, while the Airbnb platform will be used to market and book rooms. A third-party operator will manage daily operations.
“RXR is a best-in-class real estate developer, specifically in using technology in development,” DeBold Fusco said. The real estate company is one of the largest of its kind in the New York Tri-State area — it owns dozens of famous buildings throughout New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey.
While plenty of hotels have been built around the Rockefeller Centre, this will be the first time in years that one will be available from within the complex itself. Airbnb will announce more details later this year.
Share this article
Sign up for new article alerts
Receive every new listing in your inbox
