The Civilian
rich velvets from the fabrics or the tile in the bathroom or the quality of sheets and linens and pillows,” says Pomeranc. “The quality level should not diminish because of the room size.”
Visitors enter through a lobby that feels like a stage door and into a vestibule with an abstract interpretation of marquee lighting imbedded into the ceiling. A bank of theater seats rescued from an upstate theater sit along a brick wall and visitors climb a set of metal spiral stairs past a curtain to the second-floor bar, lounge and library.
“Does it feel like you’re stepping into kind of the fly loft you always wanted to get in?” asks Rockwell and, to be sure, there’s a strong “The Phantom of the Opera” feel.
There are photos throughout, starting in the lobby with black-and-white photos by Little Fang, the husband-and-wife team known for their openingnight portraits. Each floor will have framed art in the hallways clustered around a theme. The fourth floor, for example, is dedicated to rehearsal shots, with photos of Michael Bennett at “Dreamgirls” and the cast
of “Miss Saigon.”
In the restaurant are 41 round, custom sconces featuring sketches of the Broadway theaters by set designers including Derek McLane, Es Devlin, Scott Pask, Tony Walton, Mimi Lien and Rockwell. A roof deck to open in the spring will have an enclosed lounge and bar.
Pomeranc hopes to create a series of different types of public space experiences, from turning the lounge from a place where people can work and communicate during the day to a music-filled space in the evening to relax. “It really speaks to the journey of the guest that’s looking for an authentically New York experience,” he said.
Partial proceeds from the Civilian will be donated to the American Theatre Wing, which also has supplied the hotel with images from its photo archives. Wing President and CEO Heather Hitchens says a watering hole for the theater community is deeply needed.
“A place for theater people to gather that also showcases and celebrates the work of those who don’t always get the attention they deserve is a welcome addition,” she says.