As with the travelers and seekers of the original Freehand concept, the Freehand brand has taken the long route around the nation, touching points south, north, and west before returning east to the island of its inception: Manhattan. The larger brand vision, led by Roman and Williams in creative collaboration with the Sydell Group, is manifest with the fourth location of the Freehand hotel, celebrating the spirit of communal culture and alternative and fresh interpretations of hospitality. Building off of the three previous locations designed by Roman and Williams, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the Manhattan flagship establishes the Freehand spirit of inversion and irreverence by taking the long route home.

Roman and Williams has designed a much-anticipated addition to Gabriel Stulman and Happy Cooking Hospitality’s growing New York dining empire.

The restaurant, Simon & The Whale, speaks to themes of childhood and playfulness, but takes its design quite seriously. The existing architectural bones of the space receive new life with new iroko millwork and tile cladding. Again, Roman and Williams-designed custom lighting, wait stations, banquettes, bar stools, and tables adorn the space. The palette of authentic materials is defined by the warmth of the wood millwork, banquettes and service stations, and complemented with the green & blue hues of ceramic tile, cool green hues in the marble accents throughout, and with the polished & burnished brass metal accents throughout.

Freehand New York no doubt marks a significant point in the evolution of the Brand and its enterprise to spread a more communal and more cultural and a more free-spirited approach to hospitality and the hotel experience.