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Trump Soho almost there
The controversial Trump Soho condo-hotel at Spring and Varick Sts. will open in February, nearly four years after developers first announced the ambitious high-rise project.
The glass-paneled, 42-story building - which has weathered protests from neighborhood preservationists over its size and operation, lawsuits from local civic organizations and the death of a construction worker at the site in early 2007 - is slated to debut on Feb. 1, said Julius Schwarz, executive vice president of Bayrock Group, the project's co-developer along with the Trump and Sapir organizations.
"We're moving full speed," he said of hitting the target opening date. "Everyone's very excited."
The building’s in-house restaurant, Quattro, and bar spaces will also be up and running by the opening, but other portions of the building - like the spa center - might have to wait a bit longer, Schwarz added.
"We're by far and away being booked at a higher percentage than any other hotel," he said, citing figures he's gathered from online hotel booking agencies. "That should bode well for the future."
Trump Soho also recently launched a new Web site, trumpsohohotelcountdown.com, featuring Trump scion Ivanka offering a come-hither stare and encouraging would-be guests to enter a contest for the chance to win a free two-night stay at the skyscraper.
As for the number of units sold in the building - which residents can only stay in 120 days per year, and no more than 29 days straight - Schwarz referred to recent statements by the developers putting the high-rise at about 55 percent sold.
"We still have some contracts that are coming in, but the velocity has certainly slowed," he acknowledged of sales at the building, which has boasted prices as high as $3,000 per square foot. "I do expect after opening the velocity is going to pick up again. I think it's going to create quite an impression on people."
