Youngwoo plans 18-story hotel-and-office building in Washington Heights

Young Woo’s Youngwoo & Associates intends to build a 192- to 212-key hotel and an office building at the upper edge of Washington Heights, according to permits filed with the city.

The 18-story building at 2420 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 180th and 181st Streets, will span more than 214,100 square feet, according to Department of Buildings filings.

Plans show two distinct portions of the building overlooking Highbridge Park, which abuts the Harlem River. According to filings, the development will be comprised of two portions – one that will house a hotel and the other intended to be used as offices. The building will have retail at the base, as well as attended parking for 169 cars. Marvel Architects is the architect of record.

According to the fillings, the hotel tower will have 41 rooms on floors second through fourth floors; 13 rooms on floors five through 10; and 11 rooms on the 11th floor.

The office tower will include amenity space, including an event space and terrace on the ninth floor and additional terrace space one floor up. On the 18th floor, there will be an eating and drinking establishment (also with outdoor space.)

Youngwoo paid $12 million for the Amsterdam Avenue site, a former parking lot, in May 2013.

In 2014, the firm, founded by Young Woo, purchased the Bronx General Post Office, which it is converting into a retail and dining hub. The developer is also behind the redevelopment of Pier 57 into a huge retail and events hub, along with partner RXR Realty.

Overall, the city is in the midst of a hotel boom, having adding more than 18,000 rooms since 2010 with another 36,000 in the pipeline, as The Real Deal has reported.

Last year, Washington Heights got its first two hotels: Manny Singha’s Hotel Cliff at 505 West 181st Street has 52 rooms and the Edge Property Group’s Edge Hotel at 515 West 168th Street has 54 rooms and medical office space.