Tempo Times Square

Hilton’s debut location of its newest lifestyle brand, Tempo, designed for the ambitious modern traveler who aims to live in the moment as they balance the rhythm of life with energy and relaxation. The 52-story, mixed-use tower redevelopment includes an impeccably restored historic Palace Theatre; prime street-front retail and entertainment space; animated façade lighting; a new 17,000-sf, super-high-resolution LED screen; and a 700-room luxury hotel. Perkins Eastman is the design architect for the façade, which is a mix of glass curtain wall, metal panels, stone, and metal meshes. The goal is to express a multi-faceted Times Square hub, improve the building exposure, and enhance hotel views and experience for all user types.

One of the most intricate parts of the redevelopment involves the landmarked Palace Theatre, which will be carefully lifted 29 feet, have its historic interior restored to its original 1913 grandeur, and benefit from renovations and expansion of its lobby, backstage operations, and other public facilities.

As for the interiors of the hotel, the Wimberly Interiors team found inspiration in Mark Twain’s notion to “explore, dream, discover” as they dug into the context of the energetic Times Square site, the aspirational and adventurous target customer, and the modern and inviting Tempo brand. The guest’s experience of the hotel and their journey through each space has been informed by this concept of exploration, and the design details are inspired by images of aviation, cartography, photography, and discovery.

Setting Tempo’s functional-yet-elevated and approachable-yet-modern tone, the street-level entrance is marked by a light canopy featuring a map graphic as it extends above the sidewalk and beckons guests in to explore and begin their journey. Elevators then lift guests to the 11th-floor sky lobby, a dramatic space flanked by the largest open-air terrace in Times Square. From here, guests find a variety of spaces, including a grab-and-go amenity and signature hydration station, a restaurant and cocktail lounge, and a vault-like room behind the bar, designed for flexible uses such as meetings or private dining.