4th October 2012 – The iconic 21 Club has recently unveiled a brand new look in two of the private dining rooms in this former speak easy in the heart of Manhatten, making it the perfect choice for brides searching for their chic city wedding venue or families looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion in the Big Apple.  As one of the most long-standing and famous dining landmarks in New York City, 21 has put the finishing touches on a £1.1 million remodel of the popular Puncheon Room and the newly renamed Gallery (formerly referred to as the Main Dining Room). The recently refurbished space, which when combined can now accommodate 200 guests for a seated dinner and 450 guests for a reception, offers prominent views of the famous 21 Club jockeys and an unparalleled space for both social soirees and corporate affairs. 

With 60% of annual revenue attributed to private event bookings, 21 is always looking for new ways help the ever-evolving clientele celebrate a milestone birthday or special occaison. “With the former shape of these rooms, we were losing opportunities for social event business because we could not offer unobstructed views in our largest private dining space,” says General Manager Bryan McGuire. “After two months of complex construction, including the mammoth task of removing a bearing wall between 19 and 17 W 52nd Street, we have now transformed the space into one of the most beautiful rooms in all of New York City and unlike most of the hotels where a majority of weddings in Manhattan are booked, we offer restaurant quality food, a Grand Award winning wine list and service that has been likened to being welcomed into a good friend’s home.”

Spearheaded by NYC architects Beyer Blinder Belle, who also designed Bar 21 which was unveiled one year ago this autumn, the focal point of the remodel was to expand the sight lines of this t-shaped room and create a more evenly flowing, rectangle shaped space amenable for a variety of occasions. 

The design itself restored some of the original characteristics from the 140-year-old townhouses that together make up 21.  The millwork was adapted to reflect some of the original masonry from 21 West 52nd Street and the ceiling was pushed up nearly 2 ½ feet to almost its original height. To obtain the new shape of the room, a bearing wall between two of the three townhouses that comprise 21 had to be taken down.  Hints of the once classical period can now be seen through the new crown moldings and fluted columns. 

At the same time the designers have added a lighter more contemporary feel, including custom made crystal chandeliers and matching wall sconces. What was once a more masculine and dark room, reflective of original owners Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns, is now lighter and offers a broader appeal, whether for the bride-to-be, the silver wedding anniversary couple or the rising star executive looking to host a power lunch. 

21 Club boasts an expansive 10 private event spaces, ranging from the newly remodeled Puncheon Room and Gallery, to the iconic Prohibition-era Wine Cellar, the nautical inspired Harbor Room and many more.  Conveniently located in midtown, 21 can host parties of 10 to 200 for lunch or dinner and up to 450 for a reception.  For more information on the rooms, capacities and pricing please visit www.21club.com or call Orient-Express reservations on 0845 077 2222. 

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Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. is a luxury hotel company and sophisticated adventure travel operator which seeks to deliver memorable experiences that are the ultimate expression of each destination's authentic culture.   The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly thereafter recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities.   Today the Orient-Express brand embraces 45 hotel, restaurant, cruise and luxury rail businesses in 22 countries, including distinctive properties such as Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, Hotel Ritz Madrid, Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro and Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.  The Company also operates six luxury tourist trains, two river cruise operations and the ‘21’ Club, one of New York’s most iconic restaurants and watering holes.  www.orient-express.com

For further information, please contact Sara Mirza or Emily Wilson at Orient-Express on 0203 117 1376 or sara.mirza@orient-express.com, emily.wilson@orient-express.com