The gorgeous new Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is getting a lot of attention these days for its posh amenities - but did you know that it used to be a gritty factory back in the day? The former red brick textile factory was built in 1901, and the boutique hotel retains many of its original historic details, which are accented with reclaimed materials throughout the space. Fused with a three-story glass and aluminum addition that sits atop it, the hotel combines old world elegance with modern amenities and superior views of the Manhattan skyline.

The original five-story factory was extended to eight for the renovation, with a glass-encased cube that mimics the design of the original factory windows. The addition, which caps off the original factory, give the hotel’s interior a unique lightness, flooding it with sunlight while connecting it to the iconic skyline just across the river. The factory’s original masonry, pine beams, arched windows and cast-iron columns have all been preserved.

Each of the 72 guest rooms features the original timber factory 13-foot ceilings, radiant heat concrete floors, and oversized windows. The rooms are decorated with art works by local artists, and many have floor to ceiling windows for uninterrupted Manhattan views. Two rooms boast private terraces, and some were even designed to host bands on tour by combining four to six beds to bunk dorm-style.

Guests and visitors can also dine in the first floor Reynards restaurant, or relax on the rooftop bar, Ides, both of which are owned by Andrew Tarlow of Williamsburg favorites, Marlow & Sons and Diner.

The Wythe Hotel preserves the historic legacy of the Williamsburg area, while creating an affordable, yet stylish hotel away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

+ Wythe Hotel