Wimberly Interiors has completed the redesign of JW Marriott Essex House’s Promenade Suite. Situated on the 38th floor, the suite is envisioned as a singular expression of luxury within the hotel’s iconic Art Deco tower.
Inspired by The Promenade, also known as The Mall and Literary Walk in Central Park, and New York City’s cultural character, the design creates a dialogue between the interiors and the city beyond. Expansive windows frame unobstructed views of Central Park, the East River and the Hudson River, making the panorama an integral part of the experience and linking the interiors to the park’s landscape and the New York skyline.
“Luxury today is about creating spaces that feel personal, memorable, and connected to their surroundings,” says Liana Hawes Young, Associate Principal, Wimberly Interiors. “For the Promenade Suite, we looked to Central Park, the hotel’s Art Deco heritage, and New York’s cultural institutions to inform every layer of the design, from the material palette to the artwork and furnishings.”
Organised around an expansive parlour, open kitchen and dining area, the 1,390ft2 suite provides a natural setting for gathering. Two bedrooms extend directly from these central living spaces. Through adjoining connections, either a king guestroom or a one-bedroom suite can be added, allowing the accommodation to expand to a three- or four-bedroom configuration on the 38th floor. The planning strategy balances flexibility with residential scale and privacy.
The design team introduced subtle references to nearby Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera through a palette of rich merlot, aubergine and green balanced by softer hues inspired by Central Park. Warm woods, burnished metals, geometric detailing and richly textured wallcoverings acknowledge Art Deco influences.
Tailored furnishings and select vintage pieces bring a curated residential quality. Classic motifs and natural stones appear in unexpected applications that allow familiar elements to feel current within the space. Artwork curated by Ryan Art Advisory, including pieces by New York-based artist Scott VanderVoort and Brooklyn-based artist Tess Michalik, complements the material palette through abstract geometry and botanical compositions, celebrating craftsmanship and New York’s contemporary creative community.
Materiality and colour selections carry through the central living spaces into every bedroom within the configuration to support a cohesive aesthetic while giving each room its own identity. The two bedrooms connected directly to the main suite are colour drenched, one in merlot and the other in green, with both walls and ceilings fully enveloped.
The adjoining king guestroom and one-bedroom suite transition to quieter moments defined by warm neutrals, deep brown leather and cooler shades of blue. Each bedroom features custom-designed headboard panels that introduce pattern, texture and a distinct focal point.
The primary bath includes a freestanding soaking tub, expansive vanity and dressing area and separate shower, while striated stone, accent colours and additional artwork add character. A second full bathroom and powder room provide additional convenience for guests.
The Promenade Suite expands JW Marriott Essex House’s Central Park Suite Collection, weaving architectural history and cultural narratives into a contemporary interpretation of luxury. Every detail contributes to a space that feels intimate and quintessentially New York.
