NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2013 -- The New York Palace (www.newyorkpalace.com), a luxury midtown hotel, commences the first phase of a $120 million redesign with a $25 million makeover of its luxurious Towers accommodations. The New York Palace has employed two design firms to assist in this renovation: San Francisco-based design firm BAMO ; who will redesign The Towers' 176 guest rooms and suites as well as the new private reception experience; and New York-based design firm BBG-BBGM , who is renovating two of the hotel's triplex suites and the new Metropolitan Suite. Reflecting an upscale residential atmosphere with hints of inspiration from The Palace's historic Villard Mansion, the redesign elevates traditional luxury to new heights for today's discerning global traveler.

The Towers is a separate and distinct part of The New York Palace, occupying the hotel's top 14 floors. With a private reception area, accessible from the main lobby, The Towers come complete with a dedicated Les Clefs d'Or concierge team, exclusively for The Towers guests. Elevators transport guests to floors 41 through 53, which house luxurious accommodations with spectacular skyline views.

The private entranceway to The Towers lobby will expand in size and boast stylish upgrades, such as art deco screens and warm lighting. Upon entering the reception area, guests are warmly greeted by The Towers' staff into a room of quiet elegance surrounded by richly appointed materials. The walls of the entranceway will feature silk and wood grain paneling. Elements of the lobby design will also harken back to the Villard Mansion design, with classical 19^th century patterns echoing through the design of the rich brown carpeting and ceiling.

From the luxe new lighting touches to the eclectic mix of materials and furniture, The Towers' updated rooms and suites will invoke a decidedly 'home away from home' feel for its sophisticated clientele. A soft, subdued color palette places the main emphasis on one of the best features of The Towers – the breathtaking city views from the suites' windows. Pops of color will also come from the mixed media artwork that adorn the walls, selected by art advisor Nancy Sweeney. Strong geometric elements punctuate the furniture, carpet, and textiles in the renovated rooms.

Other highlights include the addition of rainshowers in many of the rooms, repurposed wood features over guestroom doors and valances and sliding partition doors in The Tower Executive suites.

BAMO references the historic design of The Palace's Villard Mansion in subtle ways, such as incorporating the decorative nail head motifs into the sofas and the large custom-made, rosewood headboards that frame the beds.

"We wanted to tip a hat to the rich, historic feel of the Villard Mansion, but The Towers rooms and suites will also have a contemporary feel," said Steve Henry, BAMO's principal in charge on the project. "Our goal is to give guests the sense that while they are walking into a modern setting, they quickly understand that this is a timeless design."

The Metropolitan Suite, a 2 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath suite renovation, was originally styled a chilly white with austere finishes. Through the layering of art, accessories, color and texture, BBG-BBGM created a living art gallery in the sky. Each room was inspired by the urban fabric of New York City; the living room using yellow and blue accent colors which are derived from streaming taxi's below and a serene sky above; the master suite referencing the city's night views; and the second bedroom includes butterflies flying toward the window amidst a black and white photo collection of iconic New York images. Eclectic furniture is introduced throughout the suite and is layered with additional artwork, color and texture to create a space that feels like a living art gallery.

"Our vision coupled with the client's goal was to create an art installation rooted in elegance; a living art gallery in the sky," said Amy Jakubowski, Partner at BBG-BBGM.

In addition to a rejuvenated look and feel, rooms in The Towers will also receive a technological and sustainability facelift with a combined effort from integrator Mode: Green and hotel technology consultants Enterprise Solutions Providers, LLC. Business and leisure travelers alike will enjoy the simple Crestron touch-screen user interfaces that control all of the room's high-tech features, easily accessible electrical outlets, automated roman shades and blackout privacy curtains, iPod docking stations, television systems that can synch with computers or even personal Netflix accounts and full lighting controls to enhance the tasteful lighting designs of Bouyea & Associates. The combination of these technologies, including LED lighting and intelligent thermostats, also provides the hotel with behind-the-scenes energy management that creates zero impact on the overall guest experience. Beyond the room itself, guests will have access to an on screen menu of the hotel's amenity offerings including spa appointments and in-room dining menus.

"The connectivity and functionality in The Towers rooms and suites has become just as important to our guests as their beauty," said General Manager David Chase. "With this renovation, we have the opportunity to completely rethink how a hotel can serve its guests. The updated Towers are an extension of our guest's homes and offices, allowing them to access all of the comforts and conveniences of each – with the addition of an exceptional view over midtown Manhattan."

The Towers transformation will unfold in stages so as not to disrupt the guest experience. The rooms and suites are scheduled for completion in June 2013, with The Towers Lobby shortly following.