Continental: The Hotel To Open In NYC?

As you may remember, earlier this year Stephen Starr became yet another Philadelphian to try New York City, opening Morimoto and Buddakhan up in the original five boroughs.

In an interview in the current issue of New York magazine, Starr explains his newest idea for New York: a hotel.

What’s next for you in New York?

We’d like to do one of the Philly restaurants here, Jones or Continental. I’m also thinking of opening a small hotel in New York. I used to just want to do it in Philadelphia, but the more I’m here the more I feel confident I could do one here.

Stephen, how could you? You’re supposed to do your cool things in Philly first (for much cheaper, might I add!) and then move them to New York or Atlantic City or wherever you’re planning on going next.

Come on, open a hotel near the Convention Center or something. We have hotels here in Philadelphia that were built on top of parking garages. And that hip Aloft hotel is going near the airport instead of in, oh, a good location.

As The Illadelph wrote, “You need to open a boutique hotel in Philadelphia. And you need to do it soon…. Philadelphia wants a fucking original. An independent. Be the man. Think the James, but even a little more urban. You’ll own the market.” I can’t help but agree.

Time’s yours, Stephen.

Mr. Big Box [NY Mag]
Breaking: Stephen Starr’s hotel dreams resurface [The Illadelph]
Jan. 25: Morimoto, Buddakan latest Philly expats