Affinia 50 is a Residential Hub Modern Professionals

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Affinia 50, located in the heart of New York City’s sophisticated Midtown neighborhood (on 50th Street at Lexington Avenue), is currently undergoing a top-to-bottom renovation that is scheduled for completion in November 2013. The renovation encompasses the entire Midtown Manhattan boutique hotel: all guest rooms and suites, as well as all public spaces, including the lobby, popular second floor Club Room and corridors. The hotel has remained fully operational during the renovation process. Affinia 50’s $18 – $20 million transformation pays homage to its surroundings, capturing the energy and evolution of the neighborhood and incorporating all the comforts of home. The boutique hotel’s overall design will offer more of an open layout, created to reflect a chic, city-smart space where guests can balance business with leisure. This will be the first renovation for the property in ten years.

As part of the new overall direction for the NYC hotel, Affinia 50 will look to forge outside partnerships to enhance the guest experience. Recently, Affinia 50 launched a collaboration with FreshDirect, offering guests ready-to-make meals delivered to the hotel, and NakedWines.com, an online community that supports independent winemakers, to host the hotel’s nightly wine hour.
Re-imagined by celebrated architect Nobutaka Ashihara and international interior design firm Dawson Design Associates, the property’s approachable yet modern environment will be achieved through textures, rich woods and classic lines – all of which underlies the Affinia 50 boutique hotel experience.

“The new Affinia 50 will be a space where guests can enjoy facilities and hotel amenities designed for the well-seasoned traveler – whether in town for business or pleasure,” said Brian Gehlich, Affinia 50’s general manager. “The completely renovated property includes curated elements that evoke a sense of familiarity, chic, modern and locally inspired in its design. We want the hotel to be a welcome haven for guests to feel right at home.”

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Daniel Fountain / 13.10.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.