Contact: Sunny Mindel/Matthew Higgins (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today presided over the grand opening of The Benjamin Hotel at Lexington Avenue and 50th Street, following the completion of a $30 million refurbishment project. The renovation has transformed the former Hotel Beverly into a state-of-the-art, luxury hotel while preserving and highlighting the original design of its famed architect, Emery Roth. Manhattan East Suite Hotels expanded the property to accommodate 209 rooms, including 97 one-bedroom suites and a deluxe two-bedroom suite, and renamed it The Benjamin in honor of the family-owned company's founder, Benjamin Denihan, Sr. The environmentally friendly hotel features many high tech amenities, with every room equipped to provide high-speed Internet access - a first for a New York City hotel.
Joining the Mayor at the ribbon cutting ceremony were several New York City officials, including Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and Assemblymember John Ravitz, and The Manhattan East Partners.
"The Benjamin preserves and enhances the grandeur of the Hotel Beverly, but incorporates the type of modern amenities that people will come to expect in a 21st century luxury hotel," the Mayor said. "The $30 million that Manhattan East Suite Hotels invested in this project demonstrates the vitality of New York City's hotel and tourism industries."
Manhattan East Partner Patrick Denihan said, "Manhattan East Suite Hotels has played an important role in the city's hotel industry for more than 30 years. The Benjamin, our 10th property, is our finest achievement to date, representing our first four-star Executive Suite Hotel. My partners and I are very proud of the new hotel and we look forward to our next edition in the world's greatest city."
Built in 1927, the former Beverly is considered to be one of architect Emery Roth's most successful creations. In November 1997, the Beverly was purchased by Manhattan East Suite Hotels, which owns 10 properties throughout the city with more than 2,100 units and over 1,000 employees.