Historic Gilded Age Women's Boarding House Transformed into Luxury Hotel in Manhattan
The Margaret Louisa Home, a Romanesque Revival boarding house built in 1891 for single working women in New York, has been converted into The Twenty Two hotel. Originally established by philanthropist Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt Shepard with the Young Women's Christian Association near Union Square, the building now operates as a hybrid hotel, dining venue, and members' club. London-based Child Studio, led by Alexy Kos and Che Huang, designed the interiors over five years, referencing the building's history while creating modern spaces. The property features 78 rooms and suites, a Mediterranean restaurant called Café Zaffri, and exclusive members' areas. Located at 16 East 16th Street, the hotel blends historic preservation with contemporary luxury hospitality.
Key facts
- The Margaret Louisa Home was constructed in 1891 as a boarding house for single working women during the Gilded Age
- The building has been transformed into The Twenty Two, a luxury hotel with 78 rooms and suites
- Interior design was handled by Child Studio, a London practice led by Alexy Kos and Che Huang
- The property includes a Mediterranean restaurant, Café Zaffri, operated by sisters Jennifer and Nicole Vitagliano
- The hotel incorporates a members-only club with annual fees around $3,000
Entities
Institutions
- The Twenty Two
- Margaret Louisa Home
- Young Women's Christian Association
- Child Studio
- Café Zaffri
- Post Company
Locations
- New York
- Manhattan
- Union Square
- 16th Street
- London