Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC hotel opens on Manhattan’s Lower East Side
Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC hotel opens on Manhattan’s Lower East Side
Hotelier Ian Schrager poses for a portrait in the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A general view of the Diego bar at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The bar was inspired by artwork from Mexican artist Diego Rivera. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Mint is separated for drinks at the Diego bar at the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A guest is assigned a room at the PUBLIC hotel on June 1. Instead of concierges or front-desk workers, the PUBLIC has “advisors” to assist guests with various tasks. Guests check themselves in using tablets. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A guest signs into a room at the PUBLIC hotel on June 1. Instead of concierges or front-desk workers, the PUBLIC has “advisors” to assist guests with various tasks. Guests check themselves in using tablets. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People ride an escalator in the lobby of the PUBLIC hotel on June 6 in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of the Public Art space at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The space can host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of a lounge area overlooking the Public Art space at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The space can host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of a seating area at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People gather in a plush seating area at the PUBLIC Hotel opening party in New York on June 6. The hotel offers a variety of inviting spaces, from bars to tables to big white sofas, where hotel guests and locals can socialize, mingle, relax or work. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Champagne is poured in the Public Art space bar at the PUBLIC Hotel opening party in New York on June 6. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Food items are displayed for sale in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Food items are displayed for sale in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People dine in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The New York skyline is visible from the outdoor section of the Roof bar of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York, on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The New York skyline is visible from the outdoor section of the Roof bar of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York, on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Items are displayed at the retail space Trade, at the entrance to PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Chrystie Park garden is illuminated during the PUBLIC Hotel opening party, in New York on June 6. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Adirondack chairs circle a table in the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Hotelier Ian Schrager poses for a portrait in the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Hotelier Ian Schrager poses for a portrait in the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A general view of the Diego bar at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The bar was inspired by artwork from Mexican artist Diego Rivera. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A general view of the Diego bar at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The bar was inspired by artwork from Mexican artist Diego Rivera. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Mint is separated for drinks at the Diego bar at the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Mint is separated for drinks at the Diego bar at the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A guest is assigned a room at the PUBLIC hotel on June 1. Instead of concierges or front-desk workers, the PUBLIC has “advisors” to assist guests with various tasks. Guests check themselves in using tablets. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A guest is assigned a room at the PUBLIC hotel on June 1. Instead of concierges or front-desk workers, the PUBLIC has “advisors” to assist guests with various tasks. Guests check themselves in using tablets. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A guest signs into a room at the PUBLIC hotel on June 1. Instead of concierges or front-desk workers, the PUBLIC has “advisors” to assist guests with various tasks. Guests check themselves in using tablets. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A guest signs into a room at the PUBLIC hotel on June 1. Instead of concierges or front-desk workers, the PUBLIC has “advisors” to assist guests with various tasks. Guests check themselves in using tablets. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People ride an escalator in the lobby of the PUBLIC hotel on June 6 in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People ride an escalator in the lobby of the PUBLIC hotel on June 6 in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of the Public Art space at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The space can host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of the Public Art space at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The space can host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of a lounge area overlooking the Public Art space at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The space can host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of a lounge area overlooking the Public Art space at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. The space can host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of a seating area at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of a seating area at the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People gather in a plush seating area at the PUBLIC Hotel opening party in New York on June 6. The hotel offers a variety of inviting spaces, from bars to tables to big white sofas, where hotel guests and locals can socialize, mingle, relax or work. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People gather in a plush seating area at the PUBLIC Hotel opening party in New York on June 6. The hotel offers a variety of inviting spaces, from bars to tables to big white sofas, where hotel guests and locals can socialize, mingle, relax or work. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Champagne is poured in the Public Art space bar at the PUBLIC Hotel opening party in New York on June 6. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Champagne is poured in the Public Art space bar at the PUBLIC Hotel opening party in New York on June 6. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Food items are displayed for sale in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Food items are displayed for sale in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Food items are displayed for sale in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Food items are displayed for sale in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People dine in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
People dine in the Louis section of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York on June 1. The area is part grocery, part coffee shop, and part luncheonette. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The New York skyline is visible from the outdoor section of the Roof bar of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York, on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The New York skyline is visible from the outdoor section of the Roof bar of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York, on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The New York skyline is visible from the outdoor section of the Roof bar of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York, on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The New York skyline is visible from the outdoor section of the Roof bar of the PUBLIC hotel, in New York, on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Items are displayed at the retail space Trade, at the entrance to PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Items are displayed at the retail space Trade, at the entrance to PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Chrystie Park garden is illuminated during the PUBLIC Hotel opening party, in New York on June 6. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Chrystie Park garden is illuminated during the PUBLIC Hotel opening party, in New York on June 6. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Adirondack chairs circle a table in the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Adirondack chairs circle a table in the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This is a general view of the Chrystie Park section of the PUBLIC hotel in New York on June 1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
It’s been 40 years since Ian Schrager opened the legendary disco Studio 54. But if the trendy crowds mobbing opening night for his new PUBLIC hotel are any indication, Schrager, at age 70, is still the coolest kid around. Known for introducing the concept of boutique hotels, he’s redefining what hotels do, thanks to quirky public spaces that are the key to the hotel’s identity. There’s a cozy park-like greenspace out front, long white sofas that invoke a sophisticated Miami club vibe and a venue that will host everything from movie screenings to comedy to theater. There’s no room service, but there’s several in-house options for food and there’s also no front desk or concierge because guests check themselves in on iPads. Photos by Richard Drew