Ian Schrager Relaunches His Transformative New Brand Public for A New Beginning for Both the Hotel and New York City

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Jun 07, 2021, 09:30 ET

NEW YORK, June 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It is not often in life, if ever, that you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in something really special, and yet have a second chance to rethink, refine and improve upon what was previously done. This unprecedented period of madness has given Ian Schrager just that…. a second chance.

PUBLIC, what Schrager considers his most important idea to date, is a hotel that exudes impeccable taste and offers great style, great fun, great service, a new kind of luxury and affordability to everyone who wants it. For the past year, Schrager has re-imagined and re-thought all amenities and offerings at PUBLIC in a pursuit of excellence, and on his quest to do a hotel as close to perfection as possible.

"I'm on a mission to create a masterpiece. I may never get there, but I'll die trying," says Schrager.

When PUBLIC premiered in 2017, its new, radical idea was LUXURY FOR ALL. Schrager is taking advantage of this second chance to clarify and demystify the idea—so people will understand it—and what he is trying to accomplish.

Schrager's first hotel, Morgans, created with his late partner and friend Steve Rubell, was a profound game changer. That and Royalton spawned a new genre of hotel— "the lifestyle hotel/boutique hotel"—and every hotel since then has been built on that foundation. There are now thousands of versions of them in virtually every city of the world.

Simply put, their intention was to do an entirely new kind of hotel. One for their generation that reflected their lifestyle, their popular culture, tastes and the spirit of the times—and one that was modern. It was not intended for previous generations, because things had changed, as they always do.

In the exact same way, PUBLIC and LUXURY FOR ALL is a new idea for a new age. It is intended to reflect a new time, a new reality, and a new way that people live. If you come to PUBLIC expecting the traditional luxury that your parents or grandparents expected, you will not find it here. The old idea of luxury needed an update…a revision to reflect what people actually want today.

"Everything changes…times change and people change. Change is the only constant in life. Luxury as we once knew it has also changed, and will continue to change. The notion of luxury simply cannot be static and the same as it was in the past. It has to stay in step with the way modern people live. You cannot have an analog definition of luxury in a digital world.

The old and outdated idea of luxury was defined by how rich you were, where you lived, what car your drove and what fashion brands you wore. Luxury is no longer about those irrelevant and meaningless status symbols, material possessions or how much something costs. It's not merely a business classification for marketers to sell to you.

LUXURY IS HUMANITY. Luxury is now accessible to everyone who wants it…and it should be. It's egalitarian and democratized. Luxury today is about how something makes you feel, it's emotional and visceral, and about comfort, ease, convenience as well as being freed from distractions and hassles and allowing more free time to do the things you really care about. It's the ULTIMATE LUXURY…the FREEDOM OF TIME.

Absolute freedom, to me, is contentment, emotional wellbeing, feeling good, protected and looked out for. You can connect the dots all the way from Studio 54 to PUBLIC—that freedom to be yourself and be happy and feeling good and protected that we sought at Studio 54, which I feel was one of the main reasons for its success—is the same that we seek at PUBLIC," says Schrager.

Schrager realized that there are things that people just don't need or want anymore at a hotel—services and amenities that are pointless, no longer matter and are out of step with today. Modern people have simply moved on. Travelers today want a really comfortable bed and a great night's sleep and don't really care anymore about the pretentious idea of sheet thread count. Similarly, they want great coffee, but delivered fast and hot, not in fine bone china or a sterling silver pot and served by someone wearing white gloves.

LUXURY FOR ALL is built on 4 key pillars—modern, re-thought and re-edited service, sophisticated style, a unique, fun and elevated experience that makes your heartbeat faster and value. Schrager sought to make this new notion of luxury accessible and affordable to everyone who wants it—not only rich people. It's the right thing to do and so well suited for the times and the future.

Two imperatives to ensure a successful execution of LUXURY FOR ALL was rethinking the entire approach to service and the use of technology. At PUBLIC, technology is smart, intuitive, effortless, user friendly, well thought out and hassle free. It's not technology for the sake of it.

"Our approach to technology was similar to Steve Job's approach. We started with the need and what made things easier, quicker, cheaper and more convenient and then sought out the technology rather, than starting with the technology and searching for a use which usually turns out to be useless, pointless and pretentious—like gratuitous interactive display boards in a lobby," says Schrager.

Every interaction was considered for ease, breakneck speed, efficiency and effectiveness. Check-in and check-out are meant to be completely invisible and the Arrival/Departure experience seamless and holistic. You can get up to your room using your mobile device just as quickly as you can get up to your home or office…which, to PUBLIC, is the ideal and the future. There is no longer a need to make small talk or sit and have a glass of Champagne while being checked-in or checked-out. People don't want that anymore. They want to get up to their room as fast as possible and not stop by a front desk. There is ample opportunity for personal contact with team members in countless more important ways and times. Other technology offerings which make a stay effortless include a state-of-the-art app, live chat, web chat, mobile key and key sharing and major enhancements to the iPad check-in technology.

PUBLIC SERVICE, a brand new department, was created to solely support and help guests when they need it. Service will be humanizing, friendly, caring, emotional, warm and empathetic, with ferocious follow through. The focus was on universally appealing service such as being treated genuinely. It won't be obsequious service, but rather that which is attentive, unscripted and tailored for the individual—because service is not 'one-size-fits-all'.

"We created another new idea for the hotel called "PUBLIC SERVICE". I wanted to ensure that when you came to the hotel and throughout your stay, you felt as if you were staying at your friend's or family's house who really cared about you and tried to be a gracious host—you felt good, cared for, dignified and at home. It's personalized comfort. We are genuinely concerned about looking after you. The inspiration came from the tech companies, such as Amazon and Apple, and how they have mastered customer service and providing support and guidance when needed in an instant. At PUBLIC, like them, we are customer and product obsessed," says Schrager.

Schrager rethought everything at PUBLIC and has introduced many new initiatives and offerings. The popular oasis Chrystie Park has been thoughtfully redone with new landscaping by Madison Cox. This lush, verdant garden park in the city with its plentiful variety of trees, flowers, plants and grasses will now be available for dining, drinking, lawn parties, picnics, sculpture installations and private events. It's PUBLIC's own micro version of Central Park in downtown New York City.

Upon entering the hotel and just past the amber glow of the escalators, familiar faces and friends of PUBLIC will notice a completely re-imagined LOUIS, and a new restaurant and bar. The new food and beverage offering brings together a collaboration between two outstanding world class award-winning chefs—Diego Muñoz and John Fraser. It's the first time ever that two chefs of this caliber are coming together, each with his own role, on a single project.

"Two chefs working together like this is an unprecedented collaboration. No one is better suited to interpret the culinary intent of a great chef than another great chef. It is a first of its kind, with Chef Diego in the kitchen and Chef John running front of house, which makes it so unique and ensures a holistic experience," says Schrager."

"Previously, we were the first to recognize that the hotel's bars and restaurants should be geared to the people of the city first and foremost, and visitors will want to go where the people in the know of that city go. We are taking this to a new level with Chef Diego and Chef John. With PUBLIC's many outlets and the variety of culinary experiences, we are creating an immersive food bazaar that has never been seen before. Moreover, there is a global aspect, since Peruvian cuisine, with its multicultural influences, is a microcosm of the world's best food," says Schrager.

At Popular, diners will have a special opportunity to enjoy authentic, original, healthy and globally inspired Peruvian cuisine by Chef Diego Muñoz, who helmed The World's 50 Best Restaurants' #1 rated Latin American restaurant, Astrid y Gaston, in Lima. Chef Diego, a rare talent, proudly brings to New York City, the ultimate international getaway, the best of his Peruvian homeland's multicultural cuisine—a microcosm of some of the world's greatest culinary traditions—Incan, Spanish, Moorish, African, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. Signature dishes include sublime ceviches, wood-fire roasted Pollo a la Brasa and Duck Leg Fried Rice, American classics like Prime New York Strip Steak, and an abundance of fresh vegetables. The intimate Bowery Garden, the restaurant's outdoor dining space, will be ideal for al fresco dinners and a special weekend brunch.

The faster, more casual, lively and less expensive Cantina and Pisco Bar will turn into a hot Latin club complete with its own bespoke menu from Chef Muñoz, an extensive selection of Pisco, the aromatic grape spirit and Peru's legendary unaged brandy, best-in-class cocktails, and curated live music and entertainment. This new spot will be perfect for Champagne and oyster pairings, a pre-dinner indulgence or after dinner cocktails and entertainment. Both Popular and Cantina and Pisco Bar menus will be highlighted with the freshest seafood of the day from the new Ceviche and Raw Bar, the only freestanding Ceviche Bar of its kind in New York City that will feature "Live" Ceviche made tableside and à la minute.

"The food is really healthy. The ceviche and raw bar are totally authentic and will give people a special and unique experience. The preparation, right out there in front of everyone, is a first in New York City. It all adds up to not only great food, but dining as theater," says Schrager.

The cocktail culture will be taken to new levels of creativity and originality by both chefs. Cocktails will come "out of the kitchen" versus from the bar.

"On the cocktail side, the best people to create cocktails are chefs. Chefs are focused on the best possible tastes in their food, and as such, they can create the best cocktails with the best tastes. The entire hotel will take cocktails to a new level," says Schrager.

LOUIS is PUBLIC's global, fast gourmet food bazaar, bakery and a sophisticated coffee and tea bar with handpicked domestic and international offerings. It beckons with an eclectic array of prepared delicacies created by Popular's Chef Diego Muñoz, with New York City favorites and street foods curated by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser. This combination of high and low creates a combustible experience and variety…as it always does.

Presenting the next standard in gourmet food markets, LOUIS serves freshly baked in house breads, bagels and other bakery items, wood-fired pizzas, salads, fine local and global coffees, teas, wine, beer, soft drinks and housemade bottled cocktails. Popular's Chef Diego crafts artisanal empanadas, ceviche bowls and Peruvian-style, triple decker sandwiches, while Chef John spotlights reimagined New York City street foods, like kosher hot dogs and pretzels with spicy mustard, blending refinement and pop culture in every tasty bite.

Other food and beverage and entertainment offerings at the hotel will include PUBLIC EXPRESS for the "Best Of" breakfast favorites by two world class chefs delivered to your room at lightening speed in less than 10 minutes—you no longer need to wait 45 minutes for your breakfast and pay a fortune; A fully stocked array of curated, personalized minibar treats awaiting you upon arrival—"Do It Your Way"—options will include Junk Food, Healthy, Beverage, and a special chef's curated; Healthy, vegan and wellness menus from Diego Muñoz and John Fraser, so you can "come to NY for the cure" and actually go home feeling better than when you came; Weekend brunch; Barbecues and Tea Dances on the Roof with its 360-degree views of the city; A reimagined Diego bar with the most exquisite cocktails from Chef John Fraser; And a big surprise for the multimedia theater and interactive performance space. Both Diego and the new theater will be opening in September.

The Lobby will be a new destination for OFFICE-LESS AND DESK-LESS CREATIVES who will come to work but have fun as well. As leisure and work are more and more combined and the lines blur between home, office and hotel, Schrager sees more people desiring a social space to work, play, relax and create a sense of community. It's a SOCIALIZE "ON DEMAND" concept.

Technology refinement will also be apparent with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment for the most progressive virtual meetings in the redesigned banquet space on the 17th floor. Additionally, a multi-media installation on the ground floor will wow with curated art and video by top talent and artists from around the world.

"I am finally getting to fully realize my dream for PUBLIC—It's a new class of hotel and the best is yet to come. I have an incredible completely new management team—a dream team—to support me every step of the way to pull off this new idea. I feel so lucky to be living in New York City and to be getting our lives back. PUBLIC and NYC together are the perfect storm for the Renaissance that is inevitable for the city. The future holds great prosperity and forward-thinking creativity and I'm so grateful to be a part of it with PUBLIC," says Schrager.

ABOUT PUBLIC

PUBLIC's fundamental premise is LUXURY FOR ALL. It is built on four key pillars: service, style, unique experience and value. However, it's not luxury as we traditionally know it, but luxury reflecting a new definition. Luxury is no longer about things or how much something costs. It is not a business classification, a price point or based on scarcity. Luxury is now about experiences and how something makes you feel. Luxury is being democratized and is now for everyone. The 3 bars, Diego, The Roof and Lobby Bar each have their own unique vibe and personality so depending on the time, you might end up hitting all three on the same night or just one, depending on your mood. Lushly landscaped gardens, multiple communal workspaces, and private event rooms, both indoor and outdoor atop the building with jaw-dropping 360-degree unobstructed views of the city, the spaces provide the ultimate in socializing, entertaining, working and even just people watching.

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SOURCE PUBLIC