A Space Reimagined and Transformed
One of the key elements of The Manor’s renovations was the transformation and expansion of its preexisting rooftop banquet spaces. Formally known as the “Minuet Room”, this space consisted of a smaller-scale enclosed party room and the use of a portion of the upper level public space for cocktail hours and pre-function purposes.
Recognizing the importance of offering an entirely private and separate reception space apart from our other event rooms for wedding couples, corporate events and social gatherings, the Knowles family, owners of The Manor, established plans to completely gut, enlarge, and modernize our second floor. With designs for a new restroom, bridal suite, service areas, pre-function space, and banquet room, The Manor set in play the creation an entirely self-sufficient and self-contained party space. Our brides would now have a complete, thoroughly- and thoughtfully-designed exclusive rooftop space for their receptions.
To create this reimaged space, significant structural work first had to be accomplished. Included among these substantial efforts was the retrofitting of the sub-floor with structural steel supports below the room-to-be. This required a great deal of planning and ingenuitive engineering. Beams were carefully integrated into the ceilings of the existing level below, taking care not to damage the valuable pre-existing décor and internal structures of the historic building. Much care and effort went into ensuring strong and stable framework for new construction above.
Once the structural elements were successfully in place, the pouring of thousands of pounds of concrete for a sub-floor could proceed, as well as the reworking of the layout that would ultimately define the new Garden Room. The existing Minuet Room roof was also raised to create a more lofty pre-event space. Additionally, an underutilized portion of The Manor’s rooftop patio was used on which to expand the upper-level footprint for a new party room–The Garden Room.
The first of two adjoining rooms in this space was designed to create a more social and interactive environment for guests. With a dedicated lobby, soft lounge-type seating and an immaculate bar area, this pre-function space was created with our guests’ needs in mind. Easy access to restrooms and an elevator were also incorporated, and designed with ADA-compliant handicapped accessible accommodations. The renovation team also created a connected bridal suite to offer immediate proximity to a bride’s reception and her seamless introduction to her party.
The main banquet room was also the focus of a great deal of conceptual planning. Wanting to take full advantage of its sunlit rooftop exposure, vantage-point overlooking The Manor’s grand waterfall, and views of Eagle Rock Reservation beyond, the Knowles family planned for a light, open and more pastoral-feeling space. Lined on two sides with glass-paneled doors that open to a wrap-around outdoor patio, the room is bathed with light in the daytime and shows off the glow of The Manor’s accent lighting on its grounds in the evenings. With homages reminiscent of an English conservatory, The Garden Room brings a fresh and unique option for guests looking for a distinctive event space; one that is more inviting and a refreshing change from other more typical cookie-cutter “banquet halls”. This aesthetic is fluidly integrated with modern amenities including a large-scale video display screen and customizable LED lighting in the ceiling coves.
The design and build process for The Garden Room paid considerable respect to blending the classical and traditional aesthetics of an English manor with more contemporary and hand-crafted elements as part of the mission to enrich and evolve The Manor’s warmth and timeless charm. Great pains were taken to utilize authentic materials for its construction to ground the environment in a greater sense of place and character. The Manor has always set itself apart from other event venues by creating environments that are less sterile, shying away from over-the-top gaudiness, and offering visitors a more refined, well-rooted atmosphere. While more costly and challenging to implement, the Knowles family was intent on ensuring that every detail added to the genuine feel of the space and had a relatable reference to the sophisticated elegance of a palatial manor house. Every stain, color palate, patina, and plank of wood were specially selected to meet The Manor’s mandate to provide unique environments for our guests that feel grand, yet at the same time, comfortable and inviting. We hope you’ll visit us to experience our new Garden Room and judge for yourself if we’ve achieved our goal.
