Monday, 5 December 2016

Philips International, The Historic Buildings of New York

When we think of some of the most iconic buildings in the entire world, chances are that many of them are found in New York City. Some of New York’s most famous buildings are known around the world for their innovation and the symbolism they represent. The Statue of Liberty, for example, has been a symbol of welcome and freedom to those coming to the United States for the first time; the Empire State building towers as an example of American ambition and prosperity; the One World Trade Center is a symbol of American resilience and our constant strive to better ourselves and rebuild from our past. This motivation, the rebuilding of our past in order to benefit our future, is a particularly important concept when it comes to the builds of New York. Many of them are in serious need of repairs and revitalization, motivating developers like Philip Pilevsky to find new purposes for iconic buildings.

In a recent article about Philips International, “History, Politics, and Architecture”, Philip Pilevsky was described as “one of the most successful real estate developers of the modern age”. Part of his appeal as a developer is his insistence on protecting and preserving the cultural heritage and history of the cities he loves. He first got into real estate after graduating from Columbia University and moving to Florida. While in Florida, he started “flipping” properties, essentially buying underappreciated properties, fixing them up, and then reselling them at a higher price. This experience motivated him to move back to New York and take his real estate career to the next level.

After returning to New York, he took the concept of repurposing buildings and applied it to the boutique hotel industry. He became famous for his popularization of the boutique-style hotel. In contrast to typical chain hotels, a boutique hotel is one that has a smaller number of rooms and an atmosphere that is entirely unique. This provides guests with a feeling that they are having a one of a kind experience.

For Philips International, excellence in hotel development is found in the Bryant Park Hotel, a boutique hotel situation is midtown Manhattan. This hotel is a perfect example of the cultural preservation needed in New York City’s developments. The building was originally built in 1924 for the American Radiator Company and has a façade of black and gold bricks designed to represent the coal and fire of the American Radiator Company. Philip Pilevsky chose to keep the façade as it is and preserve it in the unique character of the Bryant Park Hotel.

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