Hotel of the Week: A New Martin Brudnizki-designed Destination Opens In New York

The redesigned, 16-story property is incapsulates a number of firsts: The hotel brand’s North American debut, as well as the inaugural New York outpost for famed Miami restaurant Casa Tua. But, with both brands carrying name recognition within the jet set demographic of New York, it’s little wonder that the hotel and restaurant have been abuzz with visitors since its grand opening. (To wit: I received a flurry of frantic texts asking how I managed to snag a dinner reservation as soon as I posted a picture of my—delicious—eggplant parm.) The Surrey is also doing its part to maintain a definitive presence of locals: Casa Tua’s The Club, situated above the restaurant, is an exclusive, membership-based program that provides access to a private dining space and lounge.

Equally responsible for the hotel’s day-one popularity, however, is its renovation. While the space in its previous incarnation was certainly refined, its style was due for a refresh. The new interiors, however, completed by celebrated firm Martin Brudnizki Design Studios, have ushered the public and private rooms into present day while still respecting the building’s provenance and the history of the neighborhood.

“We wanted to create interiors that blend the warmth of a private residence with the architectural elegance of the area, embracing what I like to call ‘sublime comfort,’” says Brudnizki, a Galerie Creative Mind. “It’s about weaving together history and modernity to offer a luxurious yet inviting experience that feels timeless.”

Finding this balance took time, however: Brudnizki and his team spent three-and-a-half years navigating a renovation within the constraints of a nearly 100-year-old, landmarked building, as well designing and producing many bespoke pieces. Visitors will see evidence of the latter throughout, from Sogni chandeliers and wall sconces made from textured Murano glass and brass, to the Eric Brand reception desk outfitted with shagreen by Foglizzo leather and Noir St. Laurent marble.

Also marrying the old with the new is the hotel’s art collection curated by VISTO Art. Pieces include everything from works by major talents like Willem de Kooning, George Condo, and Alex Katz to contemporary pieces from Nick Doyle, Kathryn Mecca, and others. “Art is at the core of The Surrey,” says Pradeep Raman, managing director of the property. “Not only is the hotel just steps from New York’s iconic museums, but it’s inspired by the city’s creative pulse.”

In the guest rooms, the design team opted for a palette of warm neutrals, rendered in a style that leans American Art Deco, but still exudes the clean, classic lines of the Upper East Side pre-war vernacular. Brudnizki dubs this a “contemporary classic” aesthetic: one that “reflects the Corinthia brand’s commitment to blending comfort with sophistication,” he says. And aside from how cozy they are, the rooms are also pin-drop quiet, something of a rarity in any part of Manhattan.

While the doors are officially open, there’s still more to come: The hotel’s four signature suites, inspired by the bridges of nearby Central Park, will be taking reservations starting this February. Each will feature unique crown moldings created to mimic a different bridge’s architectural style, and complementary painted illustrations inside the suite’s grand armoire. Of the upcoming accommodations, the sprawling Surrey Suite—a two-bedroom, 2,000 square-foot space that’s an ode to the park’s famed Bow Bridge—is a standout.

But regardless of whether visitors are spending just a few hours or a few evenings at The Surrey, the ethos remains the same: as Raman puts it, “it’s a sense of warmth that makes each guest feel like they are at home.”