Washington Heights 'Lego' Hotel Celebrates Soft Open, Ribbon Cutting

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The latest addition to the Upper Manhattan skyline is not actually a life-sized LEGO building, but the newly-opened Radio Hotel.

Mayor Eric Adams appeared Monday on the corner of 181st Street and Amsterdam Avenue to celebrate with a ribbon cutting of the self-proclaimed “hottest new boutique hotel in New York City.”

Adams touted the draw of the hotel — including its office space and lobby podcast booths — for those who would not typically consider Washington Heights as one of the city’s premier business districts.

“It's about growing locally,” Adams said. “Bringing the technology here, to the Radio Hotel is just a real signal that is going to allow us to see the prosperity grow in this community.”

The hotel was developed by Youngwoo & Associates, a Manhattan-based company that develops real estate projects in the NY Metro Area and throughout the United States.

In the large courtyard, insulated from the busy street by the hotel’s multicolored-brick walls, the ribbon cutting featured speeches from a Youngwoo representative, U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY 13th District), NYC Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and the mayor.

All the speakers emphasized the importance of the hotel’s opening to the surrounding community.

Adams called the hotel opening a pathway to an economic future for Washington Heights, and a sign of the city reviving following the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hotels in the city are recovering close to 90 percent of the occupancy from pre-pandemic levels, according to Adams.

“You don't have to go to downtown Manhattan to get the Manhattan experience and feeling here. I think it cascades out,” Adams said.

Commissioner Rodriguez, who represented uptown for years in the City Council, called the new hotel the “biggest private investment in Washington Heights,” citing the $300 million spent by the time the project finishes. However, Rodriguez said Youngwoo’s contribution to the community was not just monetary.

“When you invest in a community, you believe in it, and you are part of a family,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also noted the importance of developing the community without pushing people out, presenting the hotel as a place of connection for Washington Heights and the surrounding communities in addition to creating jobs and entertainment options.

“And of course, this is connected to The Bronx. In many ways that bridge across the street is an invisible artery that connects communities of common interests” Rodriguez said.

After several, sawing snips through the ribbon with the large scissor by Adams, the ribbon was cut followed by clapping and cheers from those gathered.

The building at the corner of 181st Street and Amsterdam Avenue will feature:

• 221 Rooms.
• A Santo-Domingo-inspired restaurant by Richard Sandoval Hospitality.
• Courtyard with ongoing programming and live music.
• Rooftop lounge with panoramic views of Downtown Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge and the Harlem River.
• 10,000 sq ft of event space, 175,000 sq ft of office and retail space, and a 170-spot underground public parking garage that will be available to the community.