Hotel Cecil

New York, NY

An abandoned five story hotel was reclaimed for use as an SRO (single room occupancy) hotel for one hundred and twelve residents. As the site of a famous 1940's jazz club, the hotel was placed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places.

The first floor lobby offers a public common space, while the programmed spaces included single and double rooms with varying degrees of privacy, shared baths, kitchens and lounge areas. The building interior was completely renovated with a new elevator and new mechanical systems.

To optimize the distinctive spaces created by the building's configuration, common areas were placed at the semi-circular corner of the building. Concerns for creating an amiable and secure environment were addressed in both the design and the materials used throughout the space.