STAMFORD, Conn.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that extensive refurbishments to meeting spaces have been completed as part of the ongoing $65 million renovation and re-flagging of the New York Helmsley Hotel. The Helmsley Hotel will transform and fly the Westin flag, becoming the Westin New York Grand Central, this September after a nine-month long renovation.
The 12,000 square feet of renovated meeting space at the Westin New York Grand Central includes four new breakout rooms and an expanded 4,100 square-foot ballroom, ideal for everything from intimate business affairs to large-scale corporate and receptions accommodating up to 450 guests. As part of the overhaul, all event spaces are now equipped with teleconferencing capabilities, fiber optics and some of the highest bandwidth in Manhattan.
In addition, all meeting rooms will have new carpeting and lighting, while preserving some of the hotel’s historic elements including wood paneling and New York photos dating back to 1981. The hotel’s history and close proximity to Grand Central is also reflected in the meeting room names, which include a space entitled “Track 61,” the name of the mysterious once-secret train platform located in Grand Central Terminal.
The overhaul, which is halfway through completion, also includes a complete redesign of 774 guestrooms. The hotel will offer the full suite of Westin signature amenities. The new bar/restaurant will be extended to 42nd street and the entire façade of the building will be completely transformed. The renovation is expected to be completed by fall 2012, and rooms will remain open to accommodate guests during the conversion.
