The History of the Martinique - Part 1

In the late 1800’s, developer William R. H. Martin (hence the name Martinique), had invested heavily in real estate in this area of the city. He built, and expanded he Hotel in response to the growth of entertainment, shopping, and transportation activities in this busy midtown section.

Martin hired the distinguished architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, who had acquired a reputation for his luxury hotel designs, including the original Waldorf and Astoria Hotels, as well as the Plaza Hotel. The Martinique was constructed in three phases; 1897-98; 1901-03; and 1909- 11. In Hardenberg’s hotel and apartment house designs, he created picturesque compositions based on Beaux-Arts precedents, giving special care to interior planning and appointments.

For the sixteen-story, French Renaissance-inspired style Hotel Martinique, the architect capitalized on the openness made possible by Greeley Square, to show off the building's boldly-scaled mansard roof, with its towers, and ornate dormers. The glazed brick, terra cotta, and limestone- clad structure also features rusticated stonework,balconies and prominent cartouches on all three of its main facades: Broadway,32nd Street and 33rd Street. Despite having been created in three sections, the building maintains a harmonious street presence on all three facades.

The Radisson Martinique is part of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America; a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation