Inside The InterContinental Barclay’s $180M Makeover

The InterContinental Barclay is nearing the end of its $180M makeover.

Construction is set to wrap within the next few months for the project, and the extensively remodeled 704-room hotel plans on taking reservations starting May 1. 

For decades after its opening in 1926, the Barclay was an iconic fixture in New York’s hotel scene, but years of wear-and-tear and the building’s cramped floor plan eventually became too much to ignore.

The remodel aims to preserve the hotel’s heritage by staying true to the original Federal style of the building and its décor, with architecture firm Stonehill + Taylor and interior designers HOK responsible for the vintage wallpaper, imposing chandelier displays and other 1920s-style touches that will define the finished project. 

The remodel also aims to update the hotel for the 21st century. Shawmut Design and Construction has taken steps like blowing out the second-story’s low ceilings and small rooms and building several wide-open convention rooms in their place.

When the remodel is complete, the Barclay will feature a 5k SF ballroom, roughly 3k SF of event space, a smaller ballroom and a members-only lounge, as well as 31 suites. 

The sweeping bar in the lobby will also receive some TLC, reopening as the vaguely speakeasy-themed Gotham Gin, which will serve cocktails and light fare to customers at its massive marble rotunda. 

Jason Moskal, a VP at InterContinental Hotel Group, says the remodel will restore the Barclay to its previous status as one of IHG’s flagship hotels, much like the Mark Hopkins San Francisco and Willard Washington DC.

"The extensive renovation of this hotel will showcase the authentic and luxurious experience the InterContinental brand offers its guests," he says.