Behind-the-Scenes at the Area’s New Boutique Hotel

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JANIE ROSMAN 

To learn more about TIME Nyack, the Rockland County Times visited the site earlier this week for a first-hand look what happens before employees enter the 400 High Avenue property.

Beams and metal rods gave no indication of the upscale hotel expected to open by November 1. This newspaper reported in July that the four-story building would open in October based upon information provided at that time.

Donning a hardhat, this reporter toured the building with general manager Christopher Costabile. While partitions hinted at the interior’s special layout, it was difficult to discern how it would look given the beams, rods and construction equipment everywhere.

Two separate entrances on the first floor — which has two elevators and a coffee bar — in the lobby area lead to meeting rooms. Guest rooms and suites have high-ceiling; third-floor guest rooms have balconies. An outside parking structure is at the end of the guest-room side of the building and is the first thing you see from the exit ramp.

To the right of the lobby is the pre-function space used prior to going into the meeting room or event. Meeting planners take note that the primary event room is about 2,800 square feet; the hotel has four interior meeting rooms with a cumulative area of about 4,000 square feet. The private dining area can also be used as an additional meeting room.

The building’s roof generator provides the building with 100 percent power. “For the consumer, that’s convenience,” Costabile said.

A restaurant is to the left of the main entrance, and a 5,500-square foot outdoor space adjacent to it has outside seating; behind it are two outdoor spas (Jacuzzis, whirlpools) and a fitness center. He pointed to one of the meeting rooms, roughly 540 square feet, is glass-paneled so the light can come through the rooms.

“There’s progress every day, so each day when I come in, I’m more visible to monitor the progress. That’s what’s exciting about it,” he said.

Shortly after entering the building we met WY Group principal Michael Yanko during one of his twice-daily visits. “We’re going to wrap it up (finish) in two months,” said.

“The plan is to open by November first,” Costabile said. “What usually happens is once construction is done we have a TCO (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy) from the village.”

From a safety standpoint, people who will work in the building are allowed inside.

“At that time the hotel is given over (from the construction company) to the operator, and that’s where we come in, install all of our systems, do all of our training and get ready to open,” he said.

Costabile grinned and pointed to his head. “Then it’s legal to enter the building without hardhats.”

“The most important thing,” Yanko added, “is if we feel they’re not trained enough or it’s not 100 percent correct we’ll open two weeks later. (It will be) sometime in November. Sometimes it’s better to wait until everything’s just right.”

Until the website goes live (within the week) guests can call 866-451-3547 or email [email protected] for reservations.