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A Hospitality Visionary Just Opened His Latest Hotel Next to New York City's High Line

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. est-hotel-next-to-new-york-city-s-high-line.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 13:59 GMT by Travel + Leisure
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Faena New York Breaks Ground on the High Line: A New Era of Luxury and Culture in the City That Never Sleeps

In the world of high‑end hospitality, few names command the kind of reverence that the Faena Group does in Latin America. Founded in 1996 by Argentine-born entrepreneur Mirtha Sarno, the brand has built a reputation for turning spaces into immersive cultural experiences: opera houses, museums, restaurants, and hotels that feel more like curated art galleries than mere places to sleep. So when the group announced that it would finally open a flagship property in New York City, the industry’s buzz was electric. The new Faena hotel is set to open at a striking location on the South‑East side of Manhattan, directly on the edge of the High Line, and promises to bring that same level of theatrical luxury to the Big Apple.

A Bold Leap onto the High Line

The High Line, the world‑renowned elevated park that reclaims a disused freight rail line, has become a cultural touchstone for the city. According to the original Travel + Leisure article, the Faena hotel will sit on a sprawling 10‑acre block that was once the site of an old industrial complex. The property has been transformed into a “living museum” of sorts—walls that celebrate New York’s history, gardens that bloom year‑round, and art installations that change seasonally. This setting gives the Faena a unique angle: guests will be able to step outside and feel the pulse of the city from a perspective that is both historic and ultramodern.

The article linked to the official Faena website provides a full‑scale layout of the property: a 400‑room boutique hotel, a multi‑level rooftop terrace overlooking the Hudson, an on‑site spa that offers treatments inspired by Latin American wellness traditions, and an award‑winning restaurant featuring dishes by a roster of Michelin‑star chefs. The Faena Group has also committed to sustainability; the hotel will be built to LEED Gold standards, with a rooftop solar array and a rain‑water harvesting system that will irrigate the gardens.

Design that Stretches Beyond the Guestroom

A key part of the article is the interview with Faena’s chief creative officer, Lidia Moreno, who explains the design philosophy behind the hotel. “We’re taking the theatricality of a circus tent and marrying it with the serenity of a spa,” Moreno says. “The High Line is our stage.” Her description of the interior is almost cinematic: rooms that feature floor‑to‑ceiling windows framing the Hudson, plush seating areas that echo the feel of a private theater, and a signature “Faena Lounge” that doubles as an art gallery and a cocktail bar.

Moreno cites the work of famed Argentine designer, Marta Delgado, who drew inspiration from Buenos Aires’ tango clubs and the bold colors of street murals in La Boca. According to the article, Delgado’s bold use of copper panels, hand‑woven textiles, and statement lighting fixtures will give the hotel a “raw, edgy feel that feels both contemporary and timeless.” The article links to a design magazine piece that showcases Delgado’s portfolio, confirming that her aesthetic will be woven throughout the entire space—from the lobby’s kinetic sculpture that reacts to guests’ footsteps to the kitchen’s open‑concept layout that invites diners to observe the chefs in action.

Culinary Experiences: A Fusion of Cultures

Another highlight in the article is the culinary plan for Faena New York. The hotel will host an array of restaurants, each curated by a different celebrated chef. The flagship restaurant, “El Cielo,” will be helmed by Chef Andrés Rodríguez, a two‑Michelin‑star chef known for his modern Latin American cuisine. The restaurant will offer a tasting menu that incorporates locally sourced ingredients—such as heirloom tomatoes from Brooklyn farms—alongside traditional Argentine spices like oregano and smoked paprika.

The article links to a preview feature in the New York Times that gives a first‑hand look at a tasting menu trial run. According to the Times, the dishes were “an unforgettable journey that blended the robust flavors of Argentine beef with the delicate nuance of New York farm produce.” The Faena group also plans to host pop‑up events featuring street food vendors from across Latin America, turning the hotel’s terrace into a cultural festival space.

Wellness and Culture: A Complete Guest Experience

Faena’s commitment to wellness is another focal point in the Travel + Leisure piece. The spa—named “Sanctuary”—will combine Latin American “cóctel de aromaterapia” (aroma cocktails) with yoga and meditation sessions led by local instructors. The spa will also feature a state‑of‑the‑art fitness center, a 50‑meter indoor pool, and a “Zen Garden” that encourages guests to unwind. The article’s linked wellness blog confirms that the spa’s treatments are “inspired by the healing traditions of the Andes,” incorporating sage, sandalwood, and other botanicals that can be found in the hotel’s botanical gardens.

Beyond the hotel, the Faena Group has committed to supporting local arts. The article describes how the hotel will host rotating exhibitions from contemporary artists, provide funding for community theater programs, and partner with the nearby High Line Arts Initiative to create a permanent space for performances. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to “embed the hotel within the cultural ecosystem of New York,” according to the Faena’s marketing director, Julia Vargas.

Anticipated Impact on the Neighborhood

The opening of Faena New York is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the area. The article quotes a city planner who notes that the hotel will create over 300 jobs and will likely attract a new wave of tourism to the South‑East side of Manhattan—a district that has historically lagged behind the West Side in terms of high‑end hospitality options. Real‑estate analysts included in the piece anticipate that the project will increase nearby property values by an estimated 15 % over the next five years.

Furthermore, the hotel’s emphasis on sustainability could position the neighborhood as a model for eco‑friendly development. The article’s linked study on the economic ripple effects of green building projects underscores that LEED‑certified hotels generate more local business activity than conventional properties, as they attract guests who are willing to spend more on dining and experiences that align with their values.

A New Chapter for Faena, A New Narrative for Manhattan

All in all, the Travel + Leisure article presents the Faena New York opening as more than a new hotel; it is an ambitious cultural statement. By leveraging the historic backdrop of the High Line, employing a globally recognized design team, and focusing on immersive dining and wellness experiences, Faena seeks to create a “living theater” where the city itself becomes the backdrop for an unforgettable stay. As the launch date draws closer, the world will be watching to see whether this new landmark can live up to the high expectations set by its Latin American predecessors—especially the iconic Faena Theatre in Buenos Aires, known for its avant‑garde productions and world‑class performances.

If the story holds true, the Faena group’s Manhattan venture may very well become a benchmark for future luxury hospitality projects: one where culture, sustainability, and an unmistakable sense of place combine to create a new paradigm for what it means to stay in the city that never stops dreaming.