Elysée New York to Reopen as Wunderkind Flagship
The 100-year-old Manhattan hotel completes an 18-month renovation and returns with 83 keys in December 2026.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Hotels
Elysée New York will reopen in December 2026 as the flagship property of Wunderkind Hotels & Resorts. The hotel completed an 18-month renovation and will return with 83 keys as it celebrates its 100th year.
Why it matters
The reopening brings a historic Manhattan hotel, first opened in the 1920s, under a new boutique hotel collection. It signals a fresh chapter for a property that has long been popular with artists and writers.
The renovated hotel will have 83 keys after an 18-month renovation period. Pricing and the exact opening date within December 2026 have not been announced.
The players
Wunderkind Hotels & Resorts
A global collection of boutique hotels created by Hera Hospitality Group, with Elysée New York as its flagship property.
Wolfgang Joop
A creative leader providing direction for the Wunderkind Hotels & Resorts collection and the Elysée renovation.
Edwin Lemberg
A creative leader providing direction for the Wunderkind Hotels & Resorts collection and the Elysée renovation.
The details
The hotel underwent a complete renovation led under the creative direction of Wolfgang Joop and Edwin Lemberg. Monkey Bar, operating in the hotel for nearly 90 years, retains its iconic monkey murals by caricaturist Charlie Wala, and Salon Sanssouci occupies the second floor.
Timeline
1920s: Elysée New York first opens and becomes popular with artists and writers.
18-month period before December 2026: Complete renovation of the hotel.
December 2026: Elysée New York reopens as the Wunderkind flagship.
Legacy Revival
The reopening revives Elysée New York's original role as a gathering place for artists and writers after its 1920s opening, now under the boutique model of Wunderkind Hotels & Resorts. The hotel's 100th-year milestone frames the renovation as a restoration of that legacy rather than a clean-slate rebrand.
Travelers planning a New York stay around the holiday season of 2026 may want to check the hotel's booking channels once reservations open. The reopening is 20 days away from the reference date, so rates and availability have not yet been published.
The takeaway
Travelers interested in Manhattan's historic hotels should watch for the December 2026 reopening of Elysée New York. Booking early once rates are posted may help secure a room in the restored property.
Further reading
Explore more New York City Hotels coverage for context on the city's boutique hotel scene.
