AKA Unveils Exclusive Resident Lounge Offering A Private Hideaway Above Times Square

NEW YORK - April 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Media Contact: Natalie Taylor, Quinn, 212-868-1900 x259; ntaylor@quinn.pr

NEW YORK – April 16, 2014 – AKA (http://stayaka.com/), the leader in luxury serviced residences (http://www.stayaka.com/), unveils a.lounge at AKA Times Square, exclusive to residents, including a previously hidden level, appropriately named a.13, with a wraparound terrace.

The striking 3,000 square foot bi-level penthouse lounge, available exclusively to residents, was designed by renowned international designer and architect Piero Lissoni and his U.S. design firm, BY Lissoni (http://www.lissoniassociati.com/). Led by Larry Korman, president of AKA, the high-design project was born out of his passion for art and architecture, which has established the brand as an incubator of innovative design.

a.lounge is an urban oasis integrating modern design with the magnetic energy of Times Square and rich history of the landmarked building. Slat walls created with Japanese charred wood and wide-plank white-oak flooring are combined with refined furniture, such as famed lighting designer Ingo Maurer’s lamps, B&B Italia's Charles Sofa and Arne Jacobsen’s iconic swan chairs, to create an inviting atmosphere for residents to relax and unwind.

“The space is imagined for the global nomad – the tastemaker at home in the world – evoking the cultured energy of the AKA brand, the neighborhood and the city. This growing niche of travelers looks for privacy, functionality, luxury hospitality (http://www.stayaka.com/) and residential comfort,” said Korman. “These qualities are elegantly expressed in the reconceived a.lounge which incorporates a once secret 13^th floor – a vestige of the building’s sometimes roguish history. We opened up this level for the first time to expose the beautiful architecture of the hideaway within a hideaway.”

Adaptable and intimate, a.lounge’s 2,000 square feet of interior space is divided between the top two floors of the building. The 12^th floor features a Technogym^® fitness center, media alcove and cozy seating nooks. A large pendant FLOS light, reminiscent of the iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve ball serves as a centerpiece.

A floating steel and glass staircase leads up to the 13^th floor, a.13, a sophisticated retreat with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning sky views of Times Square. Lustrous grey Venetian plaster walls surround a centerpiece meeting table made from blackened ribbons of steel and glass. A private resident- and guest-only bar offers a unique gathering spot for small groups, featuring a honed Pretoria, black granite surface and an a.vod vodka vault installation on the adjacent wall. Residents are invited to bring beverages into the space for their enjoyment.

The contemporary elegance of the interior opens up to a 1,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, with a cantilevered structure offering enclosed heaters and ethereal covering, as well as open-air lounging. The evening glow of Times Square acts as a natural design feature, creating a warm and inviting vibe that integrates the pulse of the neighborhood into the private hideaway.

For reservations, ideal for stays of a week or more, and additional information, please visit www.stayaka.com or call (866) AKA-9999.

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AKA, a division of Korman Communities, is an innovative, and growing collection of luxury serviced residences in prime urban locations.  Currently AKA owns and operates properties in: New York City (4), Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and London, with a new property in lower Manhattan to be opened in 2015. Across the brand, architecturally inspired spacious accommodations, which range from studios to two-bedroom penthouse suites, offer the privacy of a luxury residence (http://www.stayaka.com/) infused with hotel services.  While each property is unique and has distinct resident offerings, all feature the AKA brand standards and amenities of: a lounge, a cafe, fitness centers; full-service business centers with meetings space and complimentary high-speed Internet access; en-suite dining; same-day, valet dry-cleaning and laundry service; 24-hour front desk assistance; dedicated doormen, a dedicated resident services team and full-time, on-site management and maintenance.  All suites include top-of the-line kitchens, contemporary furnishings, luxurious bathrooms, meticulous housekeeping; extended digital cable with HBO and Wi-Fi access.  Personalized service is a hallmark of AKA.  www.stayaka.com

BY LISSONI, a hospitality and lifestyle division of Lissoni Associati, was launched by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni and his partner Nicoletta Canesi in May 2010 and is headquartered in NYC.  The company provides real estate developers in both the hospitality and residential sectors with complete lifestyle solutions from concept to implementation.

Taking a modular, 360-degree approach, BY Lissoni offers customized lifestyle solutions for real estate developers, both residential and in the hospitality industry.  The company unifies integrated planning, architectural and interior design, concept development, space programming, project management and creative services under a single umbrella and access to a Brand Partner Portfolio that includes Maserati, Michelin star-rated chef Davide Oldani, and San Lorenzo Yachts.

For more information visit www.bylissoni.com/ www.lissoniassociati.com