The Penny Hotel

At a Glance

Sydell Group
4,200 SF
Williamsburg
2022

To walk through The Williamsburg Penny Hotel and residence is to be immersed in exuberant plant life, art, furniture, and architectural design. Partnering with the hotelier, we strategically integrated native flora across four conceptually distinct spaces, leveraging botanical artistry to its full potential. Every space is a canvas teeming with greenery, a true exhibition of the power of plants to reinforce brand identity, bolster the inherent spirit of the spaces, and support hospitality’s mission of community.

Our designs offered continuity to a courtyard, patio, terrace, and rooftop for the new hotel, integrating horticulture at its most playful capacity to match the character of the spirited Brooklyn neighborhood.

Sandwiched on two sides by exterior spaces, we outfitted the distinctive 11th-floor rooftop with robust plantscapes. Serving as both the hotel’s lobby and a gathering space with elNico, their restaurant and bar, we cultivated a gallery-like sensibility through the framework of impactful greenery. Complementing scene-stealing furnishings and art, our lush, first-touch environment sets the stage for the guest experience.

Perimeter plantings punctuate the rooftop, tethering the space together with assorted pots that dot the dining and bar areas. Bayberry, the poignant reds of sumac, and the bright purples of the “Leather plant” clematis interplay seasonally, flowering at different times to match the energy of the Penny’s punchy brand identity.

In contrast to the sun-soaked upper level, the second-floor green roof offers respite from the rays. Conceptualized as a meadow-like space, the grasses provide flowy volume while upright boxwoods add height. Shrubs and vines cascade from the perimeter and over the parapet to caress the façade, so greenery is integrated into each room’s view.

A character-rich, graffitied courtyard houses a considered selection of trees—from laurel to dense magnolia to sturdy birch—alongside shade-loving perennials like fluffy tiarella and colorful heuchera. The trunks and small canopies provide a sense of calm, contrasting the tall buildings engulfing the neighborhood.

From the outside, looking up from street level or down the long blocks from the Williamsburg waterfront, the building is one of enchantment and curiosity. Its terraces, overflowing onto the façade with wild-seeming plant life, make the Penny stand out as a wonder of landscape design and a signal beckoning visitors to the fun and beauty within.

Collaborator

SYDELL GROUP
STONEHILL TAYLOR
KSK CONSTRUCTION GROUP
THE COLLECTIVE LIVING

WILLIAMSBURG, NEW YORK.

Every space at The Penny Williamsburg is a canvas teeming with greenery. Partnering with the hotelier, Sydell Group, our designs offered continuity to a courtyard, patio, terrace, and rooftop for the new hotel, integrating horticulture at its most playful.

Bayberry, the poignant reds of sumac, and the bright purples of the “Leather plant” clematis interplay with one another seasonally, flowering at different times to match the energy of the Penny’s punchy brand identity. Shrubs and vines cascade from the perimeter and over the parapet, so greenery is integrated into each room’s view.

With wild-seeming plant life overflowing onto the façade, the building is one of enchantment and curiosity. The Hotel is a true exhibition of the power of plants to enforce brand, bolster the inherent spirit of spaces, and support hospitality’s mission of community.