Theatre-inspired Civilian hotel opens in New York

Architecture and design studio Rockwell Group designed the 27-storey hotel, which is located between 8th and 9th Avenue in New York. It offers a ground-floor restaurant, a first-floor bar and a rooftop lounge. 

The design has been influenced by the look and feel of old theatres and by founder David Rockwell’s work designing sets for more than 60 productions, including Kiss Me Kate, She Loves Me, Kinky Boots and Hairspray.

It features marquee-inspired lighting, dramatic curtains, transformative set and stage-like elements and dressing rooms. Rooms offer platform four poster beds and a costume trunk-inspired wardrobe. 

The hotel also debuts the Olio Collection curated art programme, with permanent and rotating works by emerging and established theatre creatives and contemporary Broadway photographers. Sketches, models, still photos, and custom furnishings feature throughout the public spaces and guestrooms.

A spokesperson explained: “Guests enter the hotel through what feels like a discreet side stage door into a runway-like vestibule with an abstract interpretation of marquee lighting in the ceiling. Two layers of mirrors at the end of the hallway give the space an infinity room feel. A digital check-in area is located by a curtain draped wall, which also features salvaged theatre seating.”

The Rosevale kitchen restaurant is situated on the ground floor, while the Rosevale cocktail bar and lounge on the first floor has been created to feel like a theatre back of house, with reclaimed brick and adjustable stage lighting. An outdoor lounge has been designed as a secret urban garden, with terracotta tiles and rattan furniture. 

The Blue Room is a second, more intimate lounge, while Starchild is the hotel’s 27th floor rooftop bar, overlooking the New York skyline and the Hudson River. 

Civilian will donate a portion of its fees to American Theatre Wing, which supports theatre creatives.