Gowanus Inn & Yard, Brooklyn
“This is a place where the idea is to ‘be.’ A base that sets the stage for you to discover and indulge, and where mindful details and a carefully considered simplicity allow you to explore.” Savvy Studio, New York
Architecture, design and branding practice, Savvy Studio’s latest project, Gowanus Inn & Yard is a boutique hotel nestled in the revitalized suburb of Gowanus, in New York’s trendy Brooklyn. The hotel fits in with surrounding warehouses, factories and heritage buildings, however, it’s carefully considered design and attention to detail separate it from the crowd. The hotel’s brick facade is minimal, with a lack of signage to suggest what lies inside. The only give away is a large vibrant blue door, subtly hinting that there’s more than meets the eye.
Once you pass the hotel reception you are greeted with an expansive lobby, which receives an abundance of light through large warehouse-style windows. Light pours through onto white-washed walls, plush armchairs, and patterned bricks, inviting you to take a seat and to get comfortable. The space is enticing, as clustered armchairs, leather sofas, and wild greenery scatter the room, giving you the option to tuck yourself away in a corner or socialize.
The furnishings inject a pop of colour and soften the interior. The warmth of the velvet armchairs, cushiony daybeds, and leather sofas gently contrast against the cement walls, brick flooring, and steel staircase.
The hotel’s deep materials are illuminated by beautifully rounded and sculptural lighting, which adds a decorative element to the design. The hotel is made up of 76 rooms, which vary slightly in design. Timber flooring is mirrored with timber ceilings, Akari Noguchi pendants (an Arent&Pyke favourite) adorn the ceilings and lush beds with patterned bed-heads and rests – are all some of the comfortable details Savvy Design have considered.
In addition to being an architecture and design studio, Savvy Studio’s expertise in branding means that all details have been envisioned. Hotel stationery, toiletries, menus and signage are all meticulously designed to create an aesthetic that is sophisticated and contemporary.
“With the aim of configuring the best way of merging this concept into the neighborhood, we chose typefaces, textures, and materials that were subtly adjusted to reflect their context. The result is functional, relatable design that acknowledges the historically industrial character of the area while adding a carefree sense of playfulness to it.” – Savvy Studio
With so many beautiful hotels to visit in New York, Gowanus Inn & Yard is definitely one that should be added to the list. Beautifully designed, sensitive to its surroundings and intimate, Gowanus Inn & Yard ticks all the boxes.
Credits: Yatzer , Savvy Studio, Gowanus Inn & Yard
Photography: Coke Bartina
