W New York – Union Square: Larvikite Details

Since opening in 2000, W New York – Union Square has been a key landmark in the city’s downtown culture. Housed in the Guardian Life Building from 1911, the hotel underwent a transformation 25 years later when the architecture and design firm Rockwell Group was commissioned to refresh the property. The goal was to modernize the look while preserving its historic character.

The result is a hotel that elegantly balances classical architecture with contemporary design. Rockwell Group transformed the grand setting into a lively meeting place, where Beaux-Arts details meet strong geometric forms, contemporary art, and a rich color palette.

Larvikite as a Defining Material

Among the materials setting the tone is Lundhs Emerald®, the darkest Larvikite from Lundhs Real Stone®. The stone is used on the bar in the hotel’s new lounge and in selected details in the entrance. With its deep green and blue tones and sparkling crystals, it adds both exclusivity and durability – a natural contrast to the more playful elements of the interior.

Historic Frames – Modern Contrasts

Guests entering the lobby are greeted by an asymmetrical staircase covered in a custom carpet that evokes flowing brushstrokes. Alongside graphic floor patterns, backlit glass, and a monumental mural by Shantell Martin, this creates a dynamic introduction to the hotel. The reception area features two sculptural desks in steel combined with polished Lundhs Emerald®. On the second floor, the former ballroom has been transformed into a lounge – a grand space with double-height ceilings, marble columns, and Corinthian capitals. Here, classical details meet a palette of blue and orange tones. At the center of the room, the bar in polished Lundhs Emerald® acts as a natural focal point, uniting tradition and modernity.

Inspired by Union Square

Union Square is known as a hub for art, community, and self-expression – values that underpin the hotel’s new identity. By incorporating Norwegian natural stone, the project adds a global dimension: a connection between New York’s energy and the exclusive stone from Larvik.

Enduring elegance

The renovation of W New York – Union Square demonstrates how Larvikite from Lundhs Real Stone® can play a central role in modern luxury projects. Its durability, unique crystal structure, and aesthetic depth make it a natural choice for spaces where both function and design are meant to last for generations. 

Larvikite is naturally silica-free; our stones do not contain harmful quartz minerals and are safe to work with.