The Bryant Park Hotel, housed in the landmark American Radiator Building at 40 West 40th Street, underwent a peculiar pivot during the pandemic: its owners quietly marketed the entire 25‑story property as boutique office space. By 2025, however, the hotel had not only remained open but surged to the top of guest‑review rankings, helped by a room redesign and a location that puts Bryant Park literally across the street. This review digs into that contested history and what it means for travellers considering a stay today.

Last checked: 2026-06-14

Hotel Name: The Bryant Park Hotel · Address: 40 West 40th Street, New York, NY · Neighborhood: Midtown / Times Square · Key Amenities: Restaurant, bar/lounge, 24-hour fitness center, valet parking, concierge · Room Style: Spacious, modern rooms with elegant atmosphere · Notable Feature: Overlooks historic Bryant Park

The Bryant Park Hotel at a glance

1 Location & landmark status

• Operates in the landmark American Radiator Building, completed 1924, designated a New York City landmark in 1974 (Wikipedia)

2 Ownership & acquisition

• Acquired in 1998 by Philip Pilevsky, Raymond Gindi and Joseph Chehebar for about $150 million (The Real Deal)

3 Office‑marketing episode

• In August 2020, owners hired Philips International to market the hotel as “boutique” office space, 122 000 sq ft over 25 floors (Connect CRE)

4 Guest satisfaction (2025)

• By late October 2025 the hotel was ranked 1 of 514 New York City hotels on Tripadvisor (Tripadvisor)

Detail	Value
Hotel Name	The Bryant Park Hotel
Address	40 West 40th Street, New York, NY
Neighborhood	Midtown / Times Square
Key Amenities	Restaurant, bar/lounge, 24‑hour fitness center, valet parking, concierge
Room Style	Spacious, modern rooms with elegant atmosphere
Notable Feature	Overlooks historic Bryant Park

Specification	Data
Year built	1924 (American Radiator Building)
Year hotel opened	2001
Number of floors	25
Landmark designation	New York City landmark (1974), National Register of Historic Places
Check‑in / Check‑out	3 PM / 12 PM
Nearest subway	5th Avenue / Bryant Park (B, D, F, M) and Times Square‑42nd St
Parking	Valet parking available
Ownership	Philip Pilevsky, Raymond Gindi, Joseph Chehebar (since 1998)

Pros & cons based on guest feedback

What guests consistently praise

• Spacious, modern rooms for New York standards (Expedia)
• Immaculate cleanliness and elegant atmosphere (Tripadvisor)
• Highly attentive, customer‑service‑oriented staff (multiple platforms)
• Prime Midtown location overlooking Bryant Park

Minor drawbacks noted

• Occasional street or city noise in some rooms (Tripadvisor)
• No swimming pool (typical for historic Midtown boutique hotels)
• Valet parking only, no self‑parking garage on site

Who owns the Bryant Park Hotel?

Ownership history

The American Radiator Building at 40 West 40th Street was completed in 1924 as the headquarters of the American Radiator Company. In 1998 the building was sold to investor Philip Pilevsky, who later partnered with Raymond Gindi and Joseph Chehebar to acquire the property for about $150 million (The Real Deal). The trio converted the interior and opened the Bryant Park Hotel in 2001.

Current ownership status

Pilevsky, Gindi and Chehebar still own the hotel as of early 2026. Yelp lists the property as “Independently Owned,” confirming it is not part of a major chain (Yelp). During the COVID‑19 downturn, the owners explored a different use: in August 2020 they hired Philips International to market the entire 122 000‑sq‑ft building as “boutique” office space, asking rents of $85–$125 per square foot (Connect CRE). No public record shows that any office lease was signed, and the hotel continued operating. The bottom line: the ownership group remains committed to the hotel, having invested in a room redesign by 2025.

Is Bryant Park a good area to stay?

Neighborhood character

Bryant Park sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, bounded by 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue, 40th and 42nd Streets. The park itself is a historic public space that hosts seasonal markets, ice skating in winter, and outdoor film screenings. The hotel’s front door is directly across 40th Street from the park’s southwest corner, a location frequent reviewers describe as “unbeatable” for exploring the city (ChiLuxe Travel).

Safety and walkability

Multiple guest reviews note that the area feels safe even at night, thanks to heavy foot traffic and the park’s evening programming. The hotel is a short walk to Times Square, the Theatre District, Grand Central Terminal, and dozens of subway lines. The trade‑off: Midtown is busy and can be loud, but the Bryant Park Hotel’s blackout blinds and quiet air‑conditioning mitigate street noise effectively, according to Booking.com reviews. Why this matters: you trade some quiet for unmatched convenience to Midtown landmarks.

What hotel does Robert De Niro own in NYC?

The Greenwich Hotel

Robert De Niro is a co‑owner of The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca, a 88‑room boutique property that opened in 2008. Unlike the Bryant Park Hotel, the Greenwich Hotel occupies a modern building designed by David Rockwell and features a Moroccan‑inspired spa, an Italian restaurant, and a pool (Wikipedia).

Comparison with Bryant Park Hotel

While both are independent boutique hotels, the Bryant Park Hotel is older (housed in a 1924 landmark), sits in Midtown rather than Tribeca, and has a stronger corporate‑travel orientation. The Greenwich Hotel leans toward a quieter, residential vibe. For travellers who value a historic setting and direct park access over a celebrity‑owned brand, the Bryant Park Hotel offers a distinct alternative.

Why is Bryant Park so famous?

Historic significance

Bryant Park was established in 1847 as a public space and later named after the poet and editor William Cullen Bryant. Its current design dates to a 1930s renovation by the architect Gilmore Clarke. The park sits above the main branch of the New York Public Library, whose iconic building forms its eastern edge.

Cultural events

Today Bryant Park is famous for its year‑round programming: the Bryant Park Winter Village (with a seasonal ice‑rink and holiday shops), Summer Outdoor Film Festival, and the weekly “Piano in the Park” series. Its location in the middle of Manhattan’s corporate corridor makes it a lunchtime hub for office workers and a tourist attraction in its own right. The hotel’s guests benefit from being steps away from all of these amenities.

Bryant Park Hotel reviews and amenities

Guest ratings

As of late 2025, the hotel held a 4.0 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor and was reported to be ranked 1 of 514 New York City hotels on that platform (Tripadvisor). On Booking.com, verified guests frequently highlight the hotel’s cleanliness, views over Bryant Park, and effective, quiet air‑conditioning. Multiple reviewers note that the rooms feel spacious for New York, with well‑designed lighting and blackout curtains.

Restaurant and dining

The hotel houses a restaurant and a bar/lounge on the ground floor. The restaurant occupies the space that once served as the American Radiator Company’s showroom. While we have not independently verified the menu, the presence of both dining options is consistent across all major booking platforms.

Fitness center and gym

A 24‑hour fitness center is available for guests. Expedia, Tripadvisor and the official site all confirm the gym. Reviews describe it as compact but sufficient for a workout during a city stay.

Pricing overview

Typical nightly rates start from €317, according to Kayak. Prices fluctuate by season; winter and holiday periods command higher rates. The hotel positions itself as a luxury boutique property, and the rate aligns with other independent Midtown hotels offering similar amenities and location.

Location and how to get there

The hotel is at 40 West 40th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. It is directly across from Bryant Park. The nearest subway stations are 5th Avenue / Bryant Park (B, D, F, M) and Times Square‑42nd Street (N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, 7). Grand Central Terminal is a 10‑minute walk. Taxis and ride‑shares have direct access to the entrance on 40th Street. Valet parking is available.

Alternatives to consider

• Omni Berkshire Place – A Midtown hotel near 52nd and Madison that, like the Bryant Park Hotel, was mentioned as a potential office‑conversion candidate during the pandemic (The Real Deal). It offers a similar location but a more traditional chain‑hotel experience.
• The Greenwich Hotel – Robert De Niro’s Tribeca property, for a quieter, residential‑style stay away from Midtown crowds.
• Other boutique hotels in the immediate Bryant Park vicinity (the area has several independent properties) may be worth comparing for specific rate and amenity preferences.

Timeline: a century of the building

• 1924 – Completion of the American Radiator Building, designed by Raymond Hood.
• 1974 – Designated a New York City landmark; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1998 – Sale to Philip Pilevsky for about $150 million.
• 2001 – Opening of the Bryant Park Hotel after interior conversion.
• August 2020 – Owners market the entire building as boutique office space.
• 2025 (September–October) – Room redesign completed; hotel reported ranked 1 of 514 NYC hotels on Tripadvisor.

“It felt like an apartment. They just did a re‑design of the rooms, and everything was very fresh and new.”

— NYC, Style & a little Cannoli, reviewing a September 2025 stay

“Staff is helpful, attentive and each member we interacted with was customer service oriented.”

— Expedia guest review (2025–2026)

“We stayed at the Bryant Park Hotel in Midtown, New York City, for a lovely four nights in October of 2025.”

— ChiLuxe Travel reviewer

Related reading: White House Hotel London: Art Deco Stay Near Regent’s Park ? Hotel Commercial Property: Definition and Investment Insights

Additional sources

facebook.com

For another historic Midtown property that has hosted musicians and travelers since the 1920s, consider the nearby Park Central Hotel with its own storied past opposite Carnegie Hall.

Frequently asked questions

What is the address of the Bryant Park Hotel?

The Bryant Park Hotel is located at 40 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, directly across from Bryant Park. This is the same address as the historical American Radiator Building.

Does the Bryant Park Hotel have a gym?

Yes. The hotel offers a 24‑hour fitness center, confirmed by the official website, Expedia, and Tripadvisor. Guests consistently note it is clean and adequately equipped for a workout.

Is the Bryant Park Hotel being converted to offices?

In August 2020 the owners hired Philips International to market the building as boutique office space, but no public record indicates that any office lease was signed. The hotel continues to operate as a hotel, and a 2025 room redesign demonstrates a continued hospitality focus.

What is the American Radiator Building?

The American Radiator Building is a 25‑story, black‑and‑gold skyscraper at 40 West 40th Street, completed in 1924 and designated a New York City landmark in 1974. It was originally the headquarters of the American Radiator Company and now houses the Bryant Park Hotel.

Is Bryant Park safe at night?

Bryant Park is generally considered safe at night. It is well‑lit, patrolled by security, and heavily used for evening events. Multiple hotel guests mention feeling comfortable walking in the area after dark.

The bottom line: Bryant Park is generally considered safe at night. It is well‑lit, patrolled by security, and heavily used for evening events. Multiple hotel guests mention feeling comfortable walking in the area after dark.