Marriott International said it plans to open "the world's
tallest modular hotel" in New York late next year.
Set to break ground this fall, the AC Hotel New York NoMad
will be located at 842 Sixth Ave. and top out at 26 stories. The 168-room
development will be built using prefabricated guestroom modules, which will
arrive at the project site fully constructed and outfitted, with walls painted
and beds, sheets, pillows, flooring and toiletries already in place. The
property's roof and rooftop bar will also be built using modular construction,
while the lobby and restaurant are expected to be built using more traditional
methods.
Design of the AC Hotel New York NoMad is being led by Danny
Forster & Architecture.
A rendering of the AC Hotel New York NoMad.
Marriott has been experimenting with prefabrication and
modular building since 2014, in response to lengthening hotel construction
times and an ongoing labor shortage. According to the company, the modular
building process "reduces the construction timeline, curbs site waste and
noise and results in a higher-quality product produced with factory level
precision."
More than 30 Marriott Intrnational hotels have already been
built using prefabricated guestrooms and/or bathrooms, though those properties
have all been low-rise.
Most recently, the company has unveiled modular versions of
its prototypes for four high-volume brands, including Courtyard by Marriott,
Fairfield by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by
Marriott. It also announced the upcoming development of a modular-built Moxy
hotel in Oakland, Calif.
Marriott is offering incentives this year to developers that
utilize prefabrication for guestroom construction.