Airbnb Preparing Luxury Suites at Rockefeller Plaza

Guests looking for accommodation in New York will soon be given the opportunity to book an Airbnb in the iconic Rockefeller Center. After purchasing ten floors of 75 Rockefeller Plaza, Airbnb plans to transform them into 200 apartment-style suites with the help of their new partners RXR Realty LLC. Part of the home sharing platform’s goal with this investment is to offer an authentic New York City experience that visitors might not typically have access to.

This offering is part of Airbnb’s efforts to expand beyond simply being a home sharing platform as it pushes to become a comprehensive travel platform. While Marriott International Inc. announced their plans to expand their home-sharing platform to the US, Airbnb remains focused on diversifying its developments as the company prepares for its initial public offering in the future. With its purchase of HotelTonight and this partnership with RXR Realty, Airbnb is looking to make its mark in the hotel and real estate sector while strengthening their brand with in-house produced travel entertainment content.

The ten floors Airbnb has purchased at Rockefeller Plaza are among the higher floors of the 32-story tower, providing guests some breathtaking views of the big apple’s landmarks below. Depending on the apartment, guests will have views of the Empire State Building and St. Patrick’s Cathedral along with being able to see the Rockefeller Center’s ice rink and Christmas tree during the wintertime. For those worried about losing Airbnb’s “home sharing charm” that a host provides, Airbnb has noted that guests staying at the Rockefeller Center will have access to a digital and physical concierge.

Along with their digital concierge program that’s being built to support these new developments, these new suites are purported to come with a variety of building amenities and features. From having a “fully stocked” kitchen for every suite to a private social club and business centre at the top of the Rockefeller tower, Airbnb is looking to offer a truly unique travel experience for those staying in their suites. Ideas for curated events, courses, and Airbnb experiences are also in the mix, and offer more opportunities for Airbnb to continue expanding its offerings to travelers.

Airbnb isn’t just looking to offer high-end apartments at Rockefeller Plaza, but are also working with RXR Realty to potentially restore and offer short-term rentals at 47 Hall Street in Brooklyn. Right across from the Brooklyn Navy Yard and part of Brooklyn’s “tech triangle”, 47 Hall Street is a multi-building property belonging to RXR Realty. Airbnb is planning to potentially renovate the 10-building campus in order to continue expanding its developments across New York. These continuous expansions and diversifications by Airbnb highlight their progressive steps towards becoming a more complete travel and lodging company, and leave many wondering where the home sharing startup might be looking to expand further.