Faena New York will elevate New York City’s High Line to new heights when it opens its doors this August.
Spanning a full city block at the crossroads of the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea, the Bjarke Ingels-designed landmark will stand as a beacon in one of Manhattan’s most dynamic corridors.
Known for his mastery of layering fantasy, drama, and exquisite craftsmanship into each detail of his cultural districts, Alan Faena pulls back the red-velvet curtain on a bold new vision that is unmistakably his own. “Culture is at the heart of Faena; it’s the fuel behind all our endeavors,” said Faena. “Through art, we build a strong community that goes beyond our walls, building a bridge between South and North, creating ripples across the world.”
Born on the streets of Buenos Aires more than 20 years ago, the first Faena District transformed the derelict docklands of Puerto Madero into a social and cultural nexus that encompassed all of Faena’s passions: design, culture, technology, art, architecture, food, dance, music, and meaning. At once, it became a magnet for international celebrities, artists, rock stars, intellectuals, and politicians. In 2015, the proof of concept was undeniable with the success of Faena Miami Beach, which reimagined Mid Beach as a living canvas that catalyzed a cultural renaissance through the transformative power of the arts. Faena New York will carry the same caliber of cultural resonance with immersive experiences rooted in art and romance, food and wine, music and theater, respite and healing. A continuation of this vibrant artery spanning the Americas, Alan Faena tapped South American trailblazers like chef Francis Mallmann and artists.
Diego Gravinese and Juan Gatti to add their brushstrokes to the latest iteration of his oeuvre. Upstairs, rooms and suites were designed by Faena Design Studio with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. On the ground floor, Mallmann is serving diners a taste of La Boca, the barrio he calls home in Buenos Aires where Italian immigrants settled along the banks of Río de la Plata. “La Boca is not a polished neighborhood, but it holds the soul of Argentina,” said Mallmann. “This is where tango was born; where the air hums with the roar of La Bombonera stadium; where soccer transcends the field and becomes myth.”
The dining room is hung with original works by pop-artist Edgardo Giménez, while intricately woven copper, bronze and bamboo curtains by Colombian artist Jorge Lizarazo filter sunlight, and Alberto Garrutti’s brass chandeliers crown the space. In the evenings, a live band plays and the palatable scent of Mallmann’s f ire-roasted fare wafts outdoors to 10th Avenue and the High Line Plaza. The heartbeat of the hotel is The Living Room. Bookended by two bars, the lounge opens onto a spectacular 900-square-foot terrace overlooking the High Line.
Each night, a roster of local and global talent performs live, followed by DJ sets into the early hours. Juan Gatti’s intricate silver and goldleaf mural adorns the back wall, glowing under three chandeliers inspired by Alan Faena’s private homes. Tucked behind an unmarked door lies El Secreto—a seductive speakeasy with artwork by Chilean artist Sebastian Errazuriz. Passing through the threshold takes one into a reflective portal wrapped in undulating mirrored panels, where reality bends with every glance. Errazuriz’s pièce de resistance: an avant-garde take on a disco ball. The mirrored sculpture slowly revolves in the center of the space like a fractured iceberg, casting a mosaic of glowing shapes across the six-seat bar and sinuous banquettes in a hypnotic ballet. “It’s a kind of beauty that’s dazzling and dizzying in nature, but at the same time, deeply intimate and precious in a way that we miss so much,” said Errazuriz. Renewal is as paramount as recreation at Faena. Tierra Santa Healing House is one of the largest spas in New York City with 12,000-square-feet dedicated to 10 treatment rooms, a signature hammam, infrared saunas, a steam room, and five pools, each with distinct temperature, scent, or salinity.
A menu of bespoke treatments combines age-old South American healing rituals with cutting-edge therapies from IV therapy to Biologique Recherche facials. While every corner of Faena New York invites performance, spectacle, and seduction, the intimate Faena Theater will open early next year with stunning cirque cabarets, Grammy-winning musicians, and red-hot tango shows all under one sultry spotlight.
