Jan Hendzel creates towering timber sculpture for entrance of Hotel Park Ave

A 12-foot-tall wooden sculpture conceived by designer Jan Hendzel and designed by Jacu Strauss forms the centrepiece of Hotel Park Ave in New York by hospitality chain Lore Group.

The hotel marks Lore Group's seventh venture and is designed by in-house creative director Jacu Strauss.

living area within a hotel suite — Hotel Park Ave's suites offer views of the Manhattan skyline

Situated on the corner of Park Avenue South and East 30th Street, Hotel Park Ave comprises 180 rooms, including nine suites, a lobby, cocktail bar and gym.

Strauss's design for the refurbished hotel, formerly the Mondrian Park Avenue, was conceived to offer a calming and cohesive interior away from the bustle of Midtown New York.

seating area with overhead lamp — Bespoke red curved seating was created for each of the hotel's nine suites

"I wanted to weave a sense of personality to reflect New York and its people, so rooms are full of bold artworks and bespoke pieces in pops of colour, but underpinned by a neutral palette that offers a feeling of calm," Strauss told Dezeen.

The lobby area features Jan Hendzel's third commission for Lore Group – and their first US project – having previously created wooden sculptures at One Hundred Shoreditch and Sea Containers in London.

Jan Hendzel created a towering sculpture for the lobby

"Having Jan Hendzel pieces in multiple hotels creates a nice through line in our design portfolio," Strauss said. "I love the idea of a guest spending time in the One Hundred Shoreditch lobby, then noticing the same artist on their visit to Hotel Park Ave in New York."

Named Pebble Jumble, the sculpture is crafted from British-grown timber and consists of five giant egg-shaped forms balanced on top of each other.

Large wooden sculpture — British-grown timber was used to create the 12-foot-tall piece

The piece soars towards a mirrored ceiling, surrounded by original artworks by Strauss, elongating the appearance of the sculpture even further.

"Pebble Jumble was designed to immediately capture the attention of people entering the lobby, but also pique the curiosity of passersby," Strauss told Dezeen. "We wanted to deliver that 'wow' moment."

Bespoke furniture pieces and smaller sculptures by Hendzel also feature across the lobby, including an oval check-in desk, which encircles the central sculpture, and a coloured timber bench with an adjoining statement lamp.

marble floor with wooden bench — Strauss wanted to create a "wow" moment for Hotel Park Ave's lobby

The nine suites at Hotel Park Ave were designed to evoke Manhattan loft living, each including a balcony and full-height glazing with uninterrupted views of the cityscape.

"The suites have an air of understated elegance, but with more of an edge," Strauss said.

In the bedrooms, a neutral palette punctuated with pops of red and blue nods to the American flag and graphic paintings by Strauss offer a contemporary take on the shapes and skylines of New York.

"The geometric shapes and block colours are a nod to the beloved city skyline," he said.

Desk area with window — Bespoke and contemporary design pieces have been used to furnish the suites

The bedrooms are furnished with a selection of bespoke and contemporary design pieces, including a chrome floor lamp by Verpan, a USM Haller black desk and a Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp.

Copper-toned mirrored headboards with chrome surrounds help to make the sleeping areas in the suites feel more expansive, while matching bedside lamps feature pleated shades.

Bedroom area with statement art — Jacu Straus has used the bold colours of the American flag in the suite's interior schemes

Jacu Strauss collaborated with RD Studio to create an earthy and lived-in interior for the hotel's cocktail bar, Seed Library New York.

According to Strauss, the design of Seed Library took cues from its sister bar of the same name at One Hundred Shoreditch. However, "rather than replicate the London Seed Library, the aim was to translate the emotional quality of the bar into a New York context," he explained.

cocktail bar seating area — The cocktail bar's colour palette leans into earthy tones of red and orange. Photography by Nicholas Ruiz.

"The approach for Seed Library New York grew from the idea of creating a warm and nostalgic escape in the middle of Midtown," Strauss added.

Inspired by a 1970s living room, the bar's palette leans into earthy tones of deep red and amber, using layers of natural fabrics to create warmth.

low lighting bar area — Seed Library was designed as a warm escape from bustling Manhattan. Photography by Nicholas Ruiz.

"The darker hues and warm shadows subtly nod to the city's timeless bar culture, while still keeping the atmosphere intimate and a little fuzzy at the edges," explained Strauss.

Other hotels featured on Dezeen include The Rosemary Riad hotel in Marrakesh and The Reserve hotel in Chester Zoo.

The photography is by James McDonald unless otherwise stated.

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