May 9

Written by: Jeremy Glowacki
5/9/2007 4:00 PM 

I had the unique opportunity, recently, to view the model apartments in the Plaza Hotel, which is still under renovation as a private residence and hotel combo. The 1,600-square-foot apartments, which are fetching $6-million minimum, provided amazing views of Central Park and an amenities package designed and integrated by Concierge Direct of New Rochelle, New York.

Systems Contractor News editor Kirsten Nelson originally wrote about this ongoing project, when it was first announced last summer http://resmagonline.com/articles/publish/article_1353.shtml
This was the first time, however, that any of us were able to see what the finished interiors will look like. Led on the tour by Nicholas DeClemente, director of operations for Concierge Direct, I was shown AMX in-wall and countertop touch panels that were programmed with Plaza script directing future residents of the luxury apartment to various services provided by the historic high-rise and surrounding businesses.

Concierge Direct's Nicholas DeClemente

The plan is to connect the concierge package not only to the hotels valet, but also to participating parking garages, noteworthy NYC restaurants, and boutiques in the Plazas planned lower-level shopping concourse. In-ceiling and freestanding speakers will also adorn the Plaza apartments of the rich and famous, thats not the big story. The bigger story is that Concierge Direct is banking its whole future on working with high-end MDU (multi-dwelling unit) projects with developers in New York City and surrounding areas.

Its a business plan that has been several years in the making and may soon finally begin to pay off, according to DeClemente. The dapper DeClemente, dressed in Italian suit and tie, smiles when I make the comment about how his income status is about to change when these apartments finally start getting finished. Lets hope so, he says.

Two other projects, including the Stanhope (across from New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art), are also underway for Concierge Direct. So, it appears that the companys aggressive business plan is about to take flight.

I plan on reporting in greater detail about this project when it reaches completion in October. At that time, Ill find out how profitable this new approach to high-end custom installation worked for Concierge Direct and what can be applied to other markets around the country.

The Plaza's view of Central Park in Spring