He had only been on the job for about an hour and a half when the brand new GM of the Four Seasons Hotel New York, Mr. Mehdi Eftekari, opened the doors and welcomed guests for the first time to the hotel’s newly renovated event space, FIFTY7.
Part of a phased hotel-wide renovation that already has hotel visitors and hospitality insiders salivating over Four Season NY’s new-art deco inspired TY Bar, the unveiling of FIFTY7, a 3200 square foot first-of-its-kind versatile room (or rooms) overlooking 58th Street — and indeed the arrival of Mr. Eftekari — has been much anticipated.
Formerly a bar and L’Atelier Restaurant, FIFTY7 now encompasses three intricate areas that can be separated by two decorative panels (sliding doors)… or none at all, to create as grand or as intimate a space as needed for larger meetings, prominent events, and even weddings.
As guests approach the dramatic entrance at the end of the grand magny limestone staircase and pass through its glass paneled doorway, the impressive lightness of the room becomes apparent — emphasized by the neutral overall interior, which allows for the flexibility of planning a variety of events.
A drawing on the red panel screens in particular catches the eye. It is an abstract pattern in gold leaf inspired by a black and gold screen of New York skyscrapers by night designed by Gaston Suisse (a Parisian artist specializing in decorative Chinese lacquers and designs) back in 1925.
FIFTY7 accommodates up to 200 guests and features custom wall-to-wall carpeting designed by Rochon, a built-in show kitchen (visible or invisible) at one end of the room, and at the other end, a removable counter that can be opened or closed to save space. In addition, two large built-in screens at both ends of the room allow for a broadcast of any form of digital communication — like a message to welcome the new GM to the space for their mutual inaugural introduction.
With TY Bar and FIFTY7 completed and now open to the public, the hotel will enter the final stage of its renovations later this year, refurbishing its 368 guest rooms and floor corridors.
