Wash Heights Hotel In Lego-Style Tower Gets OK For Liquor License

UPPER MANHATTAN, NY — For anyone walking near West 180th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights, it is almost impossible to miss the colorful Lego-style tower rising from the concrete.

The building, dubbed the Radio Tower & Hotel, will open in the next couple of months with office space, a retail area, and a hotel.

The hotel was one of three new businesses in Upper Manhattan that went in front of Community Board 12's Licensing Committee last month, seeking approval for a first-time liquor license.

The 22-story tower will be one of the tallest buildings in Washington Heights, contain 212 hotel rooms, and is expected to open by the end of the year.

The hotel eventually got the board OK in its liquor license request, but not until uptown residents and the CB12 committee grilled its representative about its 4 a.m. closure time and security concerns in the area.

Ray Mann, a representative from a local business, expressed concern about how the hotel would impact nearby storefronts. Ben Savitsky, who spoke on behalf of the Radio Tower & Hotel, responded that the hotel had previously agreed to offer information about local businesses as well as a walking tour of Washington Heights storefronts from inside the hotel lobby.

Another resident said he supported the new hotel, but was concerned with the business' 4 a.m. close time.

Committee members followed up the resident's remarks with their own concern with the late hours of operation and the parking availability in the high traffic area.

CB members added that they were worried about possible security risks and suggested the use of metal detector wands at the door.

Savitsky said that the hotel had already engaged security advisors to address any and all security concerns moving forward.

Developers of the new hotel have specified it as a good option for visitors traveling to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and conferences hosted by Yeshiva University, according to NY Yimby.

The liquor license application was subsequently supported with one abstention.

During the meeting, the Licensing Committee also supported a liquor license for a new restaurant opening at 184 Dyckman Street and voted not to support a liquor license for a restaurant at 3805 10th Avenue.

You can find more information about the Radio Tower & Hotel and see renderings of the completed tower on New York Yimby's website.