Colin Cowie: The Crown Prince of Hospitality

Colin Cowie was doing what Colin Cowie does best – mesmerizing a crowd of tastemakers
with his tantalizing Anglo-African rasp about all things bespoke in the realm of elevated style and hospitality. As one would expect, he was doing so at Manhattan’s most spectacular new private residential tower and the most talked-about new skyscraper on the planet – Central Park Tower. It’s the buzz of Billionaires Row and is already regarded as Gotham City’s most prestigious new address. Central Park Tower is that preening, regal and gorgeous slither of silver that the zillion-dollar-listing crowd has christened ”The Pencil” now fully topped off at 1,550 feet as the latest ‘supermodel’ to the already fabled New York City skyline.

So, there was the masterclass long famous for creating some of the world’s most bespoke luxury experiences once again being that visionary and showing how to stage an unforgettable cocktail party in the post-pandemic era. That this gathering was to celebrate his 11th book with the setting the jaw-dropping luxe of this new tower – where he’s helped set the ephemera as the appointed ”Lifestyle Curator” – made it quite clear that the 60-year-old Zambian-born tastemaker is still very much at the top of his game.

Colin Cowie rose to fame as Oprah Winfrey’s go-to party planner. He first made waves as the
classy impresario for the millionaire class sourced to stage that one-of-a-kind-meta-destination wedding. Over three decades he’s finessed his brand to become that mercurial authority on how ‘The 1%’ live with style and elan. And so the news that Mr. Cowie had been recruited by Gary Barnett (CEO of the blue-chip Extell Developers) to finesse the hospitality aspect to his 21st Century skyscraper has now proved to be brilliant gut instinct and perfect creative synergy. ”This is over a decade of planning and collaboration with the world’s
most talented designers and consultants and this is now our greatest achievement.” The Extell CEO is on the record for exalting about his already iconic NYC tower.

Without question ‘The CPT’ is now the ultimate prestige tower to live in off Billionaires Row. The next-level realtors from Corcoran Sunshine are trilling with glee and eager to let you know that this thoroughly curated oasis of luxury is now the best-selling Manhattan residential tower of 2021. Colin Cowie Lifestyle was hired to set the seduction for the common space for residents on the fourteenth floor and the one-of-a-kind Central Park Club and restaurant concept for 50,000 square feet on the hundredth floor of this stunning glass tower. It is slated to be the most private and exclusive boite – with the most stratospheric views – only for the gilded set who are lucky to live here.

Haute snobbism is a mere understatement in this part of town. And if the 100th floor
ephemera is going to be as stunning and intoxicating as the vast outdoor 14th-floor esplanade – replete with gym, spa and the 60-foot pool – then Central Park Tower will be totally sold out by the end of this feature. ”This is how we seduce the customer,” the tastemaker purred as we donned construction crew hats for a quick tour of the grand state-of-the-art surroundings. And that was just the beginning.

GW – You’ve said that your whole idea here was “to create an oasis that these lucky residents will never want to leave.” That was your mantra when you took this gig from Extell Developers. So, are you happy with the final outcome?

CC – I’m beyond happy with the result of what Extell has developed. We have every amenity imaginable to WOW our residents and to create an oasis they will never want to leave.

GW – Who approached whom? Did Extell CEO Gary Barnett make the pitch, or did you come up with the notion?

CC – I was introduced by a creative agency that Extell was working with. As soon as I came on board, my role and scope of the work increased.

GW – What’s the most seductive aspect to the glorious setting you’ve helped to create here on the 14th floor of what is now considered Manhattan’s most prestigious new address, Central Park Tower?

CC – I’m madly in love with the 14th floor. Particularly the outdoors. It’s like a beach club in Manhattan and ideal for outdoor entertaining. With a fabulous outdoor kitchen, BBQ, swimming pool, fireplace, lounge beds and TV there is no need to leave! I was there last Tuesday and ironically, they were mowing the lawn! Indoors has a great lounge and a very comfortable screening room.

GW – They call you a ”Lifestyle Specialist”. Is that a fair assumption?

CC – I create authentic experiences, so lifestyle specialist seems appropriate.

GW – The final bit to this monumental and epic involvement of yours with the developers of Central Park Tower is the hottest private club in the world that you plan to create with
50,000 square feet on the 100th Floor of CPT. Tell us more!

CC – [FYI, it’s not 50,000 sq ft – I’ll get the right number for you] The 100th floor is the epicenter of the Central Park Tower Club. Boasting a 45-seater restaurant with a coterie of revolving celebrated chefs like Alfred Portale, Gabriel Kreuther and Lauren Tourondel – the menu will be seasonally driven by our extraordinary chefs. Each time the menu changes, napkins, water goblets and votive candles will change too. There will always be something new to offer our residents and guests. Add to that a private cigar and cognac bar stocked with the very finest spirits available. We also have a ballroom that will seat 150 guests with the most staggering views of Central Park. There is nothing else that comes remotely similar to what we are doing. It’s a unique model.

GW – So it will be, no pun intended, the most elevated private nightclub in the world?

CC – Indeed, it will be the chicest private club with wrap-around views of New York City and Central Park.

GW – How would Colin Cowie define the art of reading a room? What are the first signs you look for when something is not going right?

CC – I always strive for harmony with the senses. Building and decorating can be relatively easy – how you bring a room alive and give it a soul is what takes time and a ton of effort. I use the senses to tell my story. It’s all about how music, lighting, temperature, fragrance and food come together and seduce the senses.

GW – Is this Central Park Tower project the greatest opportunity you’ve ever had to, as you say in your lectures, ”the opportunity to tell a story”?

CC – Central Park Tower is certainly a very exciting and glamorous project and I feel very honored to bring the guest experience alive and to tell their story.

GW – What are the three simple rules to crafting inimitable service?

CC – Inimitable is the right word! It starts with the client DNA, so the branding is woven into the overall experience that’s personalized, shows attention to detail and is delivered consistently. Without consistency, you have no credibility.

GW – You plan to have top-flight rotating chefs such as Alfred Portale and Gabriel Kreuther to change out the menu every 90 days down to even the votive candles you’ve said.

CC – answered above.

GW – Your brand pivot during the Covid crisis was remarkably deft and clever. Talk a bit about that – such as the collaboration with the Boca Raton Beach Club.

CC – When all our parties and events for 2020 were postponed I refocused my team and efforts and homed in on luxury resort developers. My first project was The Boca Raton Club. I reimagined the design of the lobby, lounge bar and patio, and created a new restaurant called Marisol. All have been very well received by our members and guests. We are now working on the interior design of the guest rooms and guest experience. In development are another restaurant and a beach club. My focus is interior design, programming of all spaces, menu development, uniforms, floral and a signature fragrance.
In addition to Boca Raton, we are also working very closely with Tavistock on their amazing Pier 66 – a 32-acre development built from the ground up. It will be a game-changer in Ft Lauderdale. Other projects include Four Seasons Surfside, Zaha Hadid Building in Hong Kong and several others.

GW – More than 20 years in the hospitality business and he’s visited over 100 countries, but which five are your absolute favorites?

CC – It’s 15.5M miles and close to 100 countries. I was born in Zambia, but I am very partial to South Africa, love the UK, Turkey is a favorite, as are Italy and France in the summertime.

GW – Talk about this new book of yours, and your eleventh– The Gold Standard (HarperCollins/Leadership).

CC – This is my 11th book and my first business-to-business book. I wrote The Gold Standard to give the reader the right protocols and tools to deliver proactive customer service and how to stand out in a crowded space. Why creating the ‘emotional connection’ is the goal of any transaction and why it’s important to always look for opportunity. None of this can happen without a motivated team that is aligned and all working toward the same goal. The book is very anecdotal and loaded with ideas and sizes businesses can use and be inspired by.

GW – What else can Colin Cowie possibly say that he hasn’t already in the previous ten books?

CC – It was a fun challenge to write this book which is focused on how to do it vs. how to design it.

GW – Central Park Tower– the tallest residential building in the world! When are you moving in?

CC – I’m just waiting for the paint to dry!

Author – George Wayne
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