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May 16, 2022

Hotel Marcel opens for first night of bookings on Long Wharf

PHOTO | Liese Klein Hotel Marcel Sales Director Susan Norz in the building's lobby on its first day in operation, May 16, 2022.
By Liese Klein

The floors were gleaming, the front desk staff was already checking people in and the tables at the restaurant were set.

Almost everything was in place on Monday at noon as the new Hotel Marcel at 500 Sargent Drive in New Haven prepared for its 3 p.m. official opening. As the deadline approached, a few construction workers made their way through the lobby to put finishing touches on rooms and amenities at the new hotel, which overlooks Interstates 95 and 91 and the Long Wharf district. 

So far bookings have been strong, and the hotel staff has gotten lots of positive feedback, said Susan Norz, director of sales and marketing. 

“The community, the universities, the sustainability community…it’s sort of overwhelming in a positive way,” Norz said. “We’re going to be successful because everyone wants us to be.”

Developer Bruce Becker of Wesport made it to the finish line to open the hotel in time for the  expected rush of visitors around graduation and alumni gatherings at area universities. Shuttles will run from Long Wharf to downtown during Yale’s events, and Norz said she expects the Marcel’s 165 rooms to be fully booked for the festivities.

“As being a part of the community we really wanted to open for commencement and the reunion weekend,” Norz said. 

PHOTO | Liese Klein
The exterior of the Hotel Marcel, designed by famed architect Marcel Breuer in the Brutalist style.

The hotel, carved out of Marcel Breuer’s Brutalist Pirelli Building, opens as a milestone both for New Haven’s hotel scene and the green building movement. Becker launched a $50 million renovation of the long-derelict structure in fall of 2020 after buying the building from IKEA for $1.2 million earlier that year. 

The Hotel Marcel is opening under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand and is being operated by Remington Hotels.

Solar panels on the roof and parking structure, plus eco-friendly features like induction burners in the restaurant’s kitchen, combine to make the hotel the first in the nation anticipated to earn Passive House and net-zero energy certifications. The Marcel’s design has been certified at the top Platinum level by LEED, a global effort to build structures that save energy and reduce pollution.

The new interior of the 1970-vintage building features contemporary design in its public spaces, enlivened by painting and sculpture from modern female artists. Top floor “Breuer Suites” in the former Pirelli executive offices will open later in the year after extensive renovation, Norz said. 

Dutch East Design of Brooklyn did the interiors, which feature muted tones, angular furniture and light fixtures and touches like cut-velvet walls and pivot doors that open from the lounge into a first-floor event space that seats 200. 

The pandemic caused some delays in the construction process, Norz said. Features including covered parking, additional solar arrays and top-floor event space with an open courtyard and a 400-person capacity will come online in the coming months, Norz said. 

PHOTO | Liese Klein
BLDG restaurant in the Hotel Marcel.

Part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, the Marcel joins The Study at Yale, The Blake and Graduate New Haven as part of New Haven’s boutique hotel scene. 

Rates at the Marcel started at $218 on Hilton’s website for opening night and ranged up to $324 for a king bed in a corner room. Bookings have been bolstered by Hilton’s loyalty program, Norz said. 

The hotel’s new restaurant, BLDG, was also set to open on Monday night, featuring farm-to-table cuisine at an accessible price point, Norz said. Another dining option for guests is the IKEA cafeteria, only a few dozen yards away from the Marcel’s parking area.

Norz surveyed the lobby area of the Marcel, looking forward to the last of the construction and the busy weeks to come. “The hard part’s done, but we want to look our best,” she said. 

Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.

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