Attorney Kristen Pennessi has designed this boutique hotel in Greenport Village, Long Island, as a modern reference to the area's fishing and whaling heritage.
Pennessi and her husband Dan partnered up with Manhattan architect Tom Pedrazzi to design the 16-room property at the town entrance – formerly the site of a famous antique carousel that was moved to Mitchell Park in 2011.
The interior public spaces of The Menhaden – named after a local fish – are flecked with nautical artifacts hidden in plain sight, including bottles, bricks, horseshoes and a mast from one of Greenport's whaling ships. Many of these items were discovered during the hotel’s construction.
Clean lines, black lacquer and brass accents characterise the hotel's ground floor, including the lobby, adjacent lounge area and grab-and-go cafe.
"We chose something contemporary and bold for the lobby floor and softened it with shiplap walls and modern finishes," Pennessi told Dezeen.
Guestrooms are designed to "evoke a feeling of home that varies from room to room".
White walls establish a setting that is "light and airy", complemented by whitewashed furniture and a neutral colour palette that leverages green accents and salvaged driftwood. Furniture is almost exclusively sourced from Restoration Hardware.
Abstract photography by Long Island artist Scott Farrell showcase maritime subjects like boat hulls.
Bathrooms are intended to be ''spa-like", featuring a soaking tub or walk-in shower with amenities from Roam, a female-owned enterprise that makes American-made vegan, gluten and cruelty-free items.
Pennessi also created "galleys" on each floor with gloss black Smeg refrigerators filled with complimentary snacks and beverages.
The Menhaden also includes a restaurant called The Merchant's Wife.
For lounge-style dining, Pennessi custom designed two raw oak banquettes finished with caning and black mohair, and accompanied them with Fyrn Bartlett and De Haro stools. Marble table tops were included for a more formal dining experience.
The black shuttered bar is topped with a poured concrete counter, and overhung by spherical black wicker pendant lamps and tea lights. Floor-to-ceiling botanical murals were hand painted in greyscale by local artist Kara Hoblen.
There is also an outdoor terrace that overlooks Greenport Harbor, and features a bar, firepits and lounge seating.
The greater area of Long Island is a thriving holiday spot for those working in New York City. Other recently completed accommodation in the area includes A Room at the Beach, a boutique hotel once owned by American fashion designer Donna Karan, and a Hamptons wellness retreat.
Photography by Read McKendree.