New LEED-Seeking Conrad Hotel Brings a Rooftop Garden to Battery Park

The newly-opened <a href="http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/conrad-new-york-NYCCICI/index.html" target="_blank">Conrad New York</a> is a luxurious 16-story hotel, complete with gorgeous harbor views and a lush <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/green-roof">green roof garden</a>. Located next to the World Financial Center, the hotel features a light-filled atrium and sustainable design, bringing a new destination to Battery Park created by a team of renowned architects and designers, including landscape architect <a href="http://kensmithworkshop.com/">Ken Smith</a>. The building is expected to achieve <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-gold">LEED Gold</a> certification.

Conrad Hotels and Resorts is the global luxury brand of <a href="http://www.hiltonworldwide.com/" target="_blank">Hilton Worldwide</a>, and the new NYC hotel is the Conrad's first New York address.

Perched out over the water, The Conrad New York will give guests superior views of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/liberty-islands-retail-pavilion-is-nycs-fifth-leed-platinum-building/" target="_blank">Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island</a> (and New Jersey if we’re counting). 

Once summer comes, the rooftop bar will become the Loopy Doopy Lounge and Garden, a sure hot spot for enjoying food and drink, waterside. The roof will also be home to The Conrad’s own <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-zoning-proposal-could-bring-1200-acres-of-rooftop-farms-to-nyc/" target="_blank">edible garden</a>. An array of herbs and produce will supply the lounge, as well as the in house restaurant, Atrio, and other local kitchens with fresh local herbs.

The hotel will be seeking <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-gold" target="_blank">LEED Gold</a> certification, and in addition to the roof garden, it boasts sustainable features like public bike racks, low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lights, low-VOC materials, and Energy Star kitchen equipment in all of the suites. 

The lobby holds a traditional barber shop for both guests and visitors, and a large ballroom is sure to be home to many Manhattan events and weddings.

Each of the 463 suites is lined with large windows, giving 360 degrees of light and waterfront views to guests. The hotel will also have a vast <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/artist-jenna-spevack-turns-ordinary-furniture-into-clever-gardens-with-her-microfarms/" target="_blank">art collection</a>, displaying over 2,000 works throughout its lobby and guest rooms.

Conrad New York worked with several partners, including architects <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Ponce_de_Leon" target="_blank">Monica Ponce de Leon</a>, Marianne McKenna of <a href="http://www.kpmb.com/" target="_blank">Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg</a>, and <a href="http://www.kpf.com/" target="_blank">Kohn Pedersen Fox</a>, designers <a href="http://www.jillgreavesdesign.com/" target="_blank">Jill Greaves</a> and <a href="http://www.remediosstudio.com/" target="_blank">Peter Remedios</a>, lighting design firm <a href="http://www.lobsintl.com/" target="_blank">L’Observatoire</a>, landscape architect <a href="http://kensmithworkshop.com/" target="_blank">Ken Smith</a>, engineering firm <a href="http://www.wspgroup.com/en/Welcome-to-WSP-Flack--Kurtz/WSP-Flack-Kurtz/" target="_blank">Flack and Kurtz</a>, catering by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events, and the <a href="http://www.publicartfund.org/" target="_blank">Public Art Fund</a> and Elizabeth Gould Vales, who curated the hotel's art collection.

The Conrad is one of the first new developments to enliven the Battery Park area, helping to phase out the touristy restaurants and shops and replace them with venues that feature quality, locally sourced food and libations.