Faena New York Opens With Art, Performance, and Design at the Center
From Francis Mallmann’s La Boca to Diego Gravinese’s mural, Faena New York blends culture with hospitality.
Photo: Courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group
The long-awaited Faena New York officially opened on Sept. 10, bringing the brand’s blend of hospitality, art, and culture to Manhattan. The debut follows Faena’s earlier projects in Buenos Aires and Miami Beach, extending its model of mixing lodging with performance, dining, and public programming.
The hotel occupies 500 W. 18th St., a Bjarke Ingels Group-designed tower overlooking the High Line. Inside, the 120 rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Hudson and the skyline. At the top end, the Faena Suite spans two floors and includes three bedrooms, a landscaped terrace, and a baby grand piano.
Public spaces are central to the concept. Guests enter through The Cathedral, where Argentine artist Diego Gravinese has created a site-specific mural titled The Sefirotic Journey. The Living Room serves as the social hub, with Deco-style bars at each end, a terrace above the High Line, and a gallery that includes a Keith Haring work. El Secreto, a nightlife venue, is defined by a deconstructed disco ball designed by Sebastian Errazuriz, while La Cava wine cellar displays a light installation by Chris Levine.
Dining comes through La Boca, the hotel’s signature restaurant, led by Francis Mallmann. The Argentine chef is known for his fire-driven approach to cooking, and here he combines that style with live performances and interiors accented by murals from Edgardo Gimenez and chandeliers by Alberto Garutti.
Two major amenities will follow in stages. Tierra Santa Healing House, a 12,000-square-foot wellness center with a hammam, infrared sauna, treatment rooms, and South American-inspired therapies, opens later this year. Faena Theater, scheduled for spring 2026, will add cabaret and artistic productions in a gilded, Old Hollywood-inspired setting.
The Plaza at the front of the building is designed as a public gathering space. It will host installations and performances through Faena Art, the group’s nonprofit foundation dedicated to commissioning work for the public realm. Programs will be free and open to all.
“New York City has historically been the center of innovation, creativity, and pushing boundaries,” said founder Alan Faena. “Faena embraces and amplifies that spirit, offering a touch of magic that honors and contributes to the vibrant legacy of New York.”
For Manhattan, where the luxury hotel market is crowded, Faena New York stands out for putting cultural programming on equal footing with rooms and suites.
