admin Pete Davidson and Colin Jost’s transformation of a retired Staten Island ferry into an unconventional hotel and entertainment venue. Ron Castellano, architect and investor, shares exclusive insights with Travel + Leisure, shedding light on this ambitious project’s intricacies.
At first, the Staten Island ferry venture was not taken seriously by anyone. Gradually but surely, the ferry serves as the source of innovativeness and creativity. Castellano gets into the details of the 24 hotel rooms, teasing how the vessel’s original charm and modern luxuries will blend in such a way that people will simply love it.
Not only entertainment but the ferry now can be proud of its first multi-floored hotel rooms which also add some live to the old deck. Castellano emphasizes that it is of paramount importance that the ferry does not lose its character while the added features such as private decks for each room are amalgamated into the service.
One of the project’s most groundbreaking features is its mobility. Castellano seems to be suggesting that the place where the venue will take place could change from one city to another depending on the season, and that the visitors would stay in this environment to the end of the year. Such an adjustability not only increases the place’s uniqueness but also makes the place one of the factors of its relevancy in the diversified settings.
With Davidson and Jost’s loyalty to their hometown carried out by their business project, it turns into more than just a business, it’s a demonstration of their support to the preservation of the local culture. Staging Jost’s wedding announcement with the ferry as a meaningful background, demonstrates the profound connection between the couple and the community.
The restoration, which during next two or three years would be executed as a collaborative effort, is a joint undertaking. Castellano has emphasized the importance of input from all the participants by highlighting the purpose of the shared vision and iterative design process so that the program effectively works.
From the beginning of the process to the implementation stage, the team overcome the logistical issues with an efficiency. From the layout of kitchen to the HVAC factor, every detail is given attention to ensure the utility and comfort of the guest.
Castellano’s engagement goes beyond this project to reflect his wide range of skills and knowledge. Davidson might be on his nationwide tour while Jost is busy with his SNL commitments, but Castellano stays on the project bringing home the team commitment spirit.
Along the journey of the ferry hotel project, the suspense keeps building until the final revelation of the finished product. Castellano’s vision represents a hotel that will transcend conventional standards by offering guests the best in history, novelty and uncompromising attention to quality.
Magazine 
