The Wythe Hotel Turns 10!

Joshua Edwards and his sister, Tyrone Martin and Samphel Dhonden

Ziggy Levin, Peter Lawrence and family members

Lhakpa Sherpa, Tsering Sherpa and Sonmam Palmo

Pam Stubbs and Amy, Charlie Smith and Meg, Ashley Edery and Ian

Al-Nisa Petty, August Pereyra and Alexa Davis and friend

Friends, family and neighbors

Peter Lawrence

Installation by Designs by Ahn

The fabulous Deva Mahal (Musician)

Jed Walentas

Secret sketching

The Wythe Hotel Turns 10! Chef Partner Jake Leiber with Andrea and Claudine of Aduo Design - the team behind the branding for Bar Blondeau and Le Crocodile

Chef Partner Jake Leiber with Andrea and Claudine of Aduo Design - the team behind the branding for Bar Blondeau and Le Crocodile

Secret sketching

Chef Partner Aidan O’Neal and friend

Installation by Designs by Ahn

Wythe Hotel’s Main Hall

Jarett Karlsberg and his family

By Ernesto Roman on 6.02.22

Wythe Hotel has turned 10, marking the beginning of a new decade for Brooklyn’s original boutique hotel. It represents Williamsburg’s history, innovation, and creativity, which has been home to many artists and culture shakers in NYC.

Located near the Williamsburg waterfront on Wythe and North 11th St, Wythe’s owners Peter Lawrence and hotel partner Jed Walentas (Two Trees), had the bold vision to open the hotel in 2012, when the neighborhood was still an abandoned industrial area, usually home to clandestine raves. Williamsburg wasn’t as populated as it is today. Originally built as a barrel factory for sugar refiners in 1901, the industrial building was also a textile factory; the original arched windows, exposed bricks, and cast iron columns have all been preserved. Wythe brought a shining aura to the area, including the iconic “HOTEL” sign, a 50-foot-tall marquee that glows red neon at night, designed by artist Tom Fruin.

The trailblazer property introduced the hotel rooftop scene to the area, which is now home to a handful of outstanding boutique hotels. We remember the thrill and novelty of going to the rooftop and sipping on craft cocktails while watching the sunset falling behind Manhattan’s skyline. You couldn’t do that anywhere else around there then.

Today, Wythe’s brand stands firm with the popular Bar Blondeau on the 6th floor, serving a seafood focused menu and a curated natural wine list, overlooking the river views of Manhattan, along with the main floor’s restaurant, Le Crocodile, serving delicious french fare.

Last June, the Wythe family celebrated its 10th anniversary, with a gathering of staff, friends, family and the people behind the brand. The event was hosted by owner Peter Lawrence and hotel partner Jed Walentas, along with chef partners Aidan O’Neal & Jake Leiber. It was a joyful night celebrating life in the neighborhood, with a long list of attendees including industry notables and such as Jonathan Rosen of P.R. Agency BerlinRosen, local business representatives from Colossal Media— hand painting billboards in Williamsburg for the last 20 years, The LOT Radio, Davines, and KITH. Live musical performances by Deva Mahal, D.J. James Mulry, live sketches by A.E. Kieren & Colin Verdi, a Staff Portrait Series by Anne Joyce, including Guy Saint Elien (10-year veteran Head Porter), and many more.

Photographer Gui Benites captured the energy of the night

Check out Laura Jame’s review of The Wythe Hotel on A Hotel Life.

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