Hospitality Design - July 2024 - 8

from the editor
pure genius
I have long been a fan of Sean MacPherson. With
a portfolio of New York hotels that includes the Bowery, the
Marlton, the Jane, the Maritime, and most recently, the Hotel
Chelsea, how could you not be? His knack for seamlessly
layering texture, fi nishes, and patt erns to create that special
feeling-that aura of cool-is bar none. In fact, I was at an
intimate dinner a few summers ago as a plus one, a highly
curated evening hosting a handful of celebrities, fashion and
art shapers, and Sean. Being the design nerd I am, I was
more excited to sit next to him than the stars-to hear his
incredible story of growing up with an unconventional mother
who inspired his creativity, to launching a series of successful
restaurants and bars in LA, to moving to New York and
helping to change the face of the downtown Manhatt an hotel
scene (as well as the restaurant scene with the Park and the Waverly Inn). So when Sean and his
partners, Ira Drukier and Richard Born, agreed to be interviewed for our annual People issue, I
jumped at the chance to share their genius.
The trio has made a huge impact on this industry, but in contrast to others in their space,
they have fl own under the radar. So much so that when we asked for a photo of the three of
them together, we found out that didn't exist. Luckily, we found a day to meet up at the recently
renovated Hotel Chelsea to do a photo shoot of them on the property's original, iconic staircase
and in one of the beautiful suites.
They are part of the impressive group of 22 people we profi led for this issue. From educators
and brand experts to prolifi c designers, this group of visionaries continues to raise the bar across
design, hospitality, and beyond. We also caught up with three designer-owner collaborators to
hear about their process and the secrets to a successful partnership (page 34); highlight three
fi rms that have caught our att ention (page 45); and spotlight a few of the key takeaways from
some of our incredible panelists at this year's HD Expo + Conference (starting on page 53),
including photo highlights from the show.
One of the most special interviews in this issue is with Michael Pandolfi , Nora Liu-Kanter,
and Tim Rooney, the newly appointed partners at Jeff rey Beers International, who will continue
the legacy of their former boss following his death in March at 67 years old. Jeff was a dear
friend, a mentor, and a huge support throughout my two-plus decades with this magazine. His
passion, kindness, and talent were one of a kind and he will truly be missed. I was honored to
share a few words about what he meant to me at his celebration of life event last month-as well
as a few tales of our annual lunch, which I always looked forward to-where more than 300
came to honor him and his incredible legacy. It was a magical night.
As a past honoree, we will celebrate Beers' career this year in New York at the Platinum
Circle Awards gala on November 8th at the Lighthouse at Pier Sixty during BDNY, when we
induct a new handful for their lifetime achievements. Head to hospitalitydesign.com to meet this
year's class of industry greats. We hope you join us for what will be an evening to remember.
Stacy Shoemaker Rauen
Editor in Chief/Senior Vice President, Design Group
Follow me on Instagram: @StacyRauen
100 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10005
editorial
STACY SHOEMAKER RAUEN < Editor in Chief
sshoemaker@hospitalitydesign.com; 646.668.3751
JONATHAN MARSLAND < Creative Director
jmarsland@hospitalitydesign.com; 646.668.3733
ALISSA PONCHIONE < Executive Editor
aponchione@hospitalitydesign.com; 646.668.3749
KATIE KERVIN < Senior Managing Editor
kkervin@hospitalitydesign.com; 646.668.3743
CAITLIN ST JOHN < Senior Digital Editor
cstjohn@hospitalitydesign.com; 646.668.3725
STEPHANIE CHEN < Associate Editor
schen@hospitalitydesign.com; 646.668.3771
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hd editorial advisory board
Andrew Alford Andrew Alford Creative Aaron Anderson the 26 Co David Ashen dash design Malcolm Berg EoA
Matthew Berman Workshop/APD Glen Coben Glen & Co. Meghann Day HBA Sara Duffy Stonehill Taylor Deborah
Lloyd Forrest ForrestPerkins Julie Frank Aspen Hospitality Timothy Griffi n Wellbrook Hospitality William Harris
AvroKO Kemper Hyers Auberge Resorts Collection Amy Hulbert Best Western International Tom Ito Gensler Gulla
Jónsdóttir Atelier Gulla Jónsdóttir Helen Jorgensen Host Hotels & Resorts Jon Kastl Marina Bay Sands Aliya Khan
Marriott International Raul Leal SH Hotels & Resorts Scott Lee SB Architects Jeremy Levitt Parts and Labor Tony
Machado Highgate Lisa McClung InterContinental Hotels Group Margaret McMahon Wimberly Interiors Will Meyer
Meyer Davis Julia Monk Hospitality Leader Alessandro Munge Studio Munge Barry Nidiffer Barry Partners Lionel
Ohayon ICRAVE Robert Polacek RoseBernard Studio Brian Quinn Sonesta Adam Rolston INC Architecture & Design
Lauren Rottet Rottet Studio Lisa Simeone KTGY Kellie Sirna Studio 11 Design Sam Suleman Equinox Hospitality
Shawn Sullivan Rockwell Group Michael Suomi Suomi Design Works Roger Thomas Roger Thomas Collection Larry
Traxler Hilton Worldwide Audra Tuskes Marriott International Sabine Vessnow Weldon Joel Villalon BraytonHughes
Design Studios Kia Weatherspoon Determined by Design Anne Wilkinson BAMO
For Advertising/Editorial Reprints
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Photo by KATE PREVITE
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Hospitality Design - July 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - July 2024
