If the Moxy Time Square’s Coming Out Party is any indication of the party scene that it will offer to New Yorkers, it’s going to fit right in to the Big Apple. Most recently hosting Heidi Klum’s 18th annual Halloween party, Moxy Time Square partnered with MADE fashion brand to kick off its grand opening with a Coming Out Party last week in New York City. This party personified the saying “kid in a candy store” with an evening of fun that transported guest back to their childhood. The partygoers at the adult playground relived their childhood dreams on the basketball court, ball-filled bathtub, tire swings, trampolines, and more. Celebs in attendance included Malin Akerman, Chanel Iman, Coco Rocha, Krysten Ritter and Victor Cruz who enjoyed lively music, designer drinks, and an adult style “play pen” perfect for an impromptu play date.

One would never have guessed that this hip and exciting hotel once provided affordable accommodations primarily for working class clerks, mechanics and chauffeurs. Today’s version has been transformed into a dynamic, design-driven hotel. The property is welcoming, surprising, and instantly comfortable with 612 bedrooms and over 22,000 square feet of flexible event space. Formerly the New Mills Hotel, built in 1907, Moxy Times Square proves that affordability doesn’t have to mean a sacrifice of style or comfort.

The developer of Moxy Times Square, as well as five other Moxy properties planned for New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, is Lightstone, one of the largest and most diversified privately held real estate companies in the United States. To bring Moxy to life in New York City, a star team of collaborators was formed: Yabu Pushelberg for the design of the bedrooms, lobby and second floor public spaces; TAO Group cultivated the food and beverage program; Rockwell Group designed the restaurant and bar spaces; and New Stand runs retail operations. Thanks to the collective ingenuity of these partners, Moxy Times Square exudes a vibrancy that contrasts with the lackluster efficiency of other affordable hotels.

The hotel’s concept was built on the Moxy brand’s design-forward sensibility, and is playfully executed with thoughtful detailing, honest materials, and basic exposed construction techniques. A wide variety of cleverly designed bedrooms were conceived to be flexible and functional and adapt to modern traveler’s changing needs. From king suites to quad rooms with twin bunks, all rooms include Yabu Pushelberg-designed versatile foldaway furniture, large walk-in rain showers, wood-frame beds with storage, and open pegboard closets. Saying goodbye to old-school hotel technology, bedrooms feature furiously fast and free Wi-Fi, bluetooth soundbars, and large flat-screen HDTVs with personal screencasting technology allowing guests to stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and more.

From the moment guests enter the hotel, Instagram-worthy moments of cheeky fun are brought to life through Moxy’s thoughtful and thought-provoking design. Instead of the traditional hotel lobby, guests check in with a crew member at dedicated kiosks—if they haven’t already accessed keyless entry through the Marriott Mobile App. Programming at the hotel is designed to appeal to savvy New Yorkers, bringing in guest DJs, pop-up trunk shows, guest speaker series, and collaborations with local digital artists. Foxy Times Square’s ongoing rooftop fitness series #SWEATatMoxy, even has an it-girl fitness studio modelFIT.

“With Moxy Times Square, we wanted to create something that fulfills the modern traveler’s desires—that, after all, is what really defines hospitality today, more than gratuitous services or frivolous amenities. Today’s travelers don’t need a newspaper at their door, or a mint on their pillow. They want to be engaged by unique experiences that create a sense of place. We believe a hotel can do all that while remaining accessibly priced—and never sacrificing on style or comfort,” said Mitchell Hochberg, President of Lightstone.

One hundred and ten years later, it looks like the building located on the corner of 36th and 7th has come full circle. Originally serving the needs of the people in 1907, and today passing the torch to Moxy Time Square to serve the needs of the modern traveler.

By Brandy Cochrane, Plant Candy