Move over Hotel Williamsburg and (forthcoming) Williamsburghotel, there's another boutique hotel opening in the neighborhood. It's called the Wythe Hotel, so named for its location on Wythe Avenue, conveniently located across the street from Brooklyn Bowl. It's axiomatic that boutique hotel + Williamsburg = automatic eye-roll, but after a preliminary inspection last night, we're giving the Wythe a premature endorsement. Located in an old cooperage built in 1901, the 72-room hotel still retains its turn-of-the-century industrial rustic charm, with lots of exposed pine beams, cast-iron columns, and furnishings made from old wood reclaimed from the building itself.
The Wythe isn't taking reservations until next week, but it held the first event last night, a VICE party for the street art collective FAILE. (The group has a cool tile mosaic on the exterior of a building on North 7th that was commissioned by 42Below vodka.) The first thing you notice when passing through the hotel's neat curved glass door is the ground floor restaurant and bar called Reynards, that's currently soft open for friends and family. Operated by the team that runs Marlow & Sons and Diner, it's expected to open next week. You won't be surprised to hear that Reynards is a dark and charming establishment very much in the There Will Be Blood style our modern scenester has come to expect, but why mess with a good formula?
There will be a rooftop bar with commanding views of Manhattan opening in the coming months, as well as a screening room and more event space in the basement. The original five story building is complemented by a new 3-story glass and aluminum addition "that references the hotel’s existing factory windows while dramatically pulling the building into the present," according a hotel rep. We didn't venture up there, but we did find ourselves in a 42Below-fueled party up in one of the fourth floor rooms, which boast 13’ high original timber ceilings, radiant heat concrete floors, custom wallpaper, a little balcony, and eco-friendly bath products from Goldies.
The Wythe's shrewd owners are taking advantage of Williamsburg's appeal to musicians—there are several "band rooms" available for rent, which can accommodate up to six future rock stars on bunk beds (ironic pajamas not included). Rates range from $179 up to $495 a night for one of the upper-level loft penthouses with the private terrace. If you want to take a look around, the FAILE gallery will be open to the public this weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn // (718) 460-8000
