When a reader last week mentioned that Aloft Harlem has delayed their opening date to December 2nd, we just had to take a breather for the week. There probably has now been a dozen delayed opening dates for the highly anticipated affordable Harlem branch of the notable W Hotel chain that will debut on the corner of 124th Street and FDB/8th Avenue. Keep checking the officials website for updates but we think waiting for the final press release might be the best bet at this point:
LINK. Even if Aloft opens at the end of December, there should be enough folks traveling to New York City for New Years to drum up some business. Keeping our fingers crossed (they at least removed the plywood on the upper windows!). Curbed just added photos of the interior shots from the Aloft preview party this past Monday:
LINK
One wonders what the people who were hired to work here think about all the delays.
ReplyDeleteAll construction projects have delays, and if the folks who were hired want the job they will be patient. Starwood is a good company to work for so i do not see the issue.
ReplyDeletePassed by the other day and the illuminated sign looks great at night.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what's going on with the building sandwiched inbetween the Aloft....last I heard there were lawyers involved to address the structural damage.
ReplyDeleteHope it all ends well for all parties.
Harlem BBC the issue is that if one is promised a job to start at a certain time and this is delayed then there is a certain amount of disappointment especially in an economy like this. And if one is one of the many unemployed out there then this is an issue-a job means alot if you haven't got one and then to have it delayed over and over. Uhm
ReplyDeleteAnd not "all" construction projects have delays, especially repeat delays.
Check out the just added Curbed link to the post for interior shots from this past Monday's Aloft preview party.
ReplyDeleteGreg, I have been in that situation where I had to wait after being given an employment contract and you know what I waited. The point is the job is there if in the mean time you need something to fill the time so that you have some money coming in the door that is a very different story and I have no suggestions there. Service jobs are definitely plentiful, the question really is do you want to do those jobs. For me I took on a waiter position until the position i was waiting for came due.
ReplyDeleteIf you have been involved with a project that had no delays then you are among a very rare few :)
@Ulysses: Thanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteWhile the Curbed article notes that the Aloft might not add much to the Harlem Nightlife overall, there's an upside.
Local business should really get a boost from Aloft patrons ooking for stuff to do/eat.
I also respect their decision not to include a restaurant, specifically for that reason - so other eateries in the neighborhood will benefit.
ReplyDelete@Chris—you really think they decided not to have a restaurant so "other eateries in the neighbourhood will benefit"?
ReplyDeleteI have this bridge for sale. . . slightly used.
Ha, I know Sanou's Mum. Surely there is a little integrity somewhere?!
ReplyDeleteSomewhere, I am sure, Chris. But I doubt it’s in the "hospitality" industry.
ReplyDeleteSM: Agreed -- they developed a plan and model for their business as any would. It seems clear that their model is intended to be light on the cost side, and thus they decided to forgo having a full-service restaurant.
ReplyDeleteHaving made that decision, they then have to decide how explain it. If their take is, "Our new neighborhood has a lot of great restaurants, and we plan to send our guests their way" -- that's not a bad thing at all.