A Passion For Theater Sets The Stage At CIVILIAN
The hotel features the talents of SIXTY HOTELS founder Jason Pomeranc and Rockwell Group founder David Rockwell
(CIVILIAN)
Location: The Theater District, Manhattan
Perfect For: Theater fans looking to continue the Broadway experience
For theater fans visiting New York City, the experience doesn’t have to end at the curtain call. Around the corner from the stages of Broadway is CIVILIAN, a boutique hotel offering theatrical immersion. Visiting the 203 guest room hotel is an experience that leaves visitors “in awe,” according to David Lopez, Managing Director and Project Management at CIVILIAN.
“Really, the guests I have spoken to, that's exactly what they say, they just can't get enough of it. We have some guests that come six times a year that are specifically just here because of (the hotel’s) design.”
(The Olio Collection on display in the Blue Room)
Broadway fans will no doubt appreciate theatrical touchpoints found throughout the hotel, especially in CIVILIAN’s standout Blue Room on the hotel’s second floor.
The lounge showcases an impressive collection of theatrical memorabilia co-curated by Rockwell Group founder and CIVILIAN designer David Rockwell and Tony-award-winning Hamilton costume designer Paul Tazewell. The Olio Collection includes costumes and props from productions like Wicked, Cabaret, The Phantom of the Opera, and more.
(A mask and fedora from the original Phantom Of The Opera Broadway production)
“(Rockwell) wanted to curate the hotel as it relates to artwork,” Lopez explains. “Just everything within the property is David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group. And so, he has a very special place, obviously, with a Tony Award winner in sets. And so he really, really just put so much care into this property. And so we are lucky to have what we call the Olio Collection. If I'm not mistaken, there's over 350 pieces that have been curated for the property. So I think, for me, as it relates to Broadway, per se, I think that you'll find a nuance in the building. But freshly done in a different way. It's not hokey. It's heavy design. Really, really, just so gorgeous. Like it's hard to describe, really…it's a pleasant place to come on a daily basis.”
“When (theater fans) come here, they actually are fulfilling a personal fantasy.” - David Lopez
CIVILIAN was developed with passion by accomplished hotelier and SIXTY Hotels founder Jason Pomeranc. As Lopez details, Pomeranc’s vision was integral in the conceptualization of CIVILIAN.
“Jason is one of the most iconic lifestyle hotel visionaries, I think. Obviously Ian Schrager, but Jason is very much in tune to both the nightlife, the vibe that needs to be created in a lifestyle property. Clearly he launched the Thompson Hotels, one of the most infamous brands around and still today is a solid brand. But you know, he created SIXTY right after Thompson and then of course, COVID, right, managed to put us all in a pause. And so now he's back at some incredible prominent projects that he desires and that he wants to be part of. And his vision for CIVILIAN was affordable luxury. It was the stepping stone to SIXTY hotels. And so I think without that vision and direction we might not have what we have today, which is the CIVILIAN hotel.”
(A miniature set of Hadestown can be found in CIVILIAN’s Rosevale Kitchen)
One standout onsite offering is a showcase of expertly crafted miniature theatrical productions found in CIVILIAN’s Rosevale Kitchen. The collection features staggeringly detailed reproductions of sets from Hadestown, Funny Girl, and more. It’s a collection that Lopez is understandably awed by.
“The sets that are located in the cocktail room are actual original sets. And these are the pieces that (theater companies) use prior to actually launching. And they have to put a set together. A concept. Just like you had to put a hotel together, you need a concept. And…I've never experienced that before. I've never seen a set in my entire life until now. I think we have, I don't know, 18 sets and they're all interchangeable, because part of what we do here is a rotation of art in, like the Blue Room…where all the memorabilia is at. Even some of the artwork that's in the cocktail room (is) in partnership with the American Theatre Wing. So between the American Theatre Wing and David Rockwell, I mean, that's a pretty stunning program. And as the managing director here, I have to say that they do the heavy lifting and that's only because everything is vested in this and to ensure that this is an incredible experience for a guest and it's constantly evolving.”
(A CIVILIAN guest room)
The theatrical focus also extends to the guest rooms, which are available in two sizes (cozy and spacious) and recall backstage dressing rooms. The rooms, which come in navy blue or bordeaux, also offer customization options. Guests can select either the basic, essential, or inclusive packages for their stay, with offerings ranging from minimal (basic Wi-Fi and housekeeping) to more expansive services (early check in and late check out, a $35 per day F&B credit, and more).
“You can develop various brands constantly and they all have the same proposition offer,” Lopez shares. “We did something a little bit different. CIVILIAN launched with a tiered approach of affordable luxury. And part of that was our basic rate, (which) people would call your best available rate. And that actually didn't include housekeeping services. And it was really just kind of stripped down so that it became affordable. And then if you wanted to upgrade that, you want to do (the) essential and or inclusive package. And so all of those are propositions for the guests. They decide how to curate their stay. They want to add on particular amenities, they can. If they don't, then they can stay with the basic rate. And I think that is something that the CIVILIAN was probably one of the first hotels that actually put that in place.”
(One of many markers celebrating theaters at CIVILIAN)
Though CIVILIAN is perfectly positioned for theater lovers in Manhattan, Lopez reveals the boutique concept could be coming to other markets, as well.
“I believe you will see CIVILIAN hotels (in other cities) in the future, and one of my favorite places that a CIVILIAN would actually open would be Chicago. I think Los Angeles, Miami. Originally there was supposed to be a Miami project, but COVID hit, and we were lucky enough to…be the first in New York. And I think when you're here, anybody else would say, ‘Wow, can you really duplicate this?’ ‘Cause it's a very special project in New York. I think we can.”
For more from Lopez, including insight into CIVILIAN’s partnership with the American Theatre Wing, the hotel’s F&B offerings, including nightlife rooftop lounge Starchild, and more, check out the Managing Director and Project Manager on A HOTEL PODCAST below.
Find more via CIVILIAN. And subscribe for more from A Hotel Podcast on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Words and media by Jaime Black.
Overnight accommodations provided by CIVILIAN and M18 Public Relations.