Mermaids, stilt walkers, human candles and disco balls, Ivy Girls, go-go dancers, human fish, and various other acts entertained guests at a Dream Downtown bash in New York City June 16. Sant and Vikram Chatwal, along with Tao Strategic Group Founders Noah Tepperberg, Jason Strauss, Marc Packer, and Rich Wolf, celebrated the opening of the hotel and its venues.
The hotel offers 316 loft-inspired guestrooms and suites, a lobby restaurant and VIP penthouse lounge, both operated by TAO Strategic Group, and a fine dining restaurant concept by Dr. and Chef Miguel Sanchez Romera, as well as a pool deck, beach club, and fitness facilities with spa services.
The evening began with a ribbon cutting by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, followed by a cocktail reception hosted by Chairman and CEO of Hampshire Hotels & Resorts Sant Chatwal and Vikram Chatwal Hotels Founder Vikram Chatwal. The official celebration bash kicked off with a DJ set by Solange Knowles, followed by DJs Sam Ronson, Paul Sevigny, Harley Viera-Newton, and Nervo. Celebrity guests included Leonardo DiCaprio, Kellan Lutz (“Twilight”), Justin Bartha (“The Hangover”), R&B singer Maxwell, rapper Eve, and model Tyson Beckford.
Those in attendance enjoyed hors d’oeuvres by chefs Ralph Scamardella and Manual Trevino in the lobby, at Marble Lane Restaurant, and The Beach at Dream Downtown. During the VIP portion of the night at PH-D lounge, grinder girls and fire throwers performed on the adjacent rooftop of the presidential suite.
After a $270 million renovation of an Albert C. Ledner building, designed in 1966 for the National Maritime Union, the Dream Downtown officially opened June 29. The project was presided by Handel Architects and leading design partner Frank Fusaro. The 190,000-square-foot property, situated between Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood and Meatpacking District, is the new flagship of the Dream brand by Vikram Chatwal Hotels. The brand has an agreement with Wyndham Hotel Group in which Wyndham holds exclusive rights to franchise and manage the Dream brand globally.
