David S. Kriss Realty, Inc. Leases 1,400 SF Upper East Side Retail Location to Serenity Day Spa

New York, NY – David S. Kriss Realty, Inc, a leading boutique independent New York real estate firm specializing in commercial and retail leasing has completed a lease with Serenity Day Spa at 1397-1399 Third Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, which is located on the East Side of the Third Avenue between 79th and 80th St. The lease is for a total of 1,400 SF ground floor retail space, plus basement space that makes up the two stores of 1397-1399 3rd avenue.

David Kriss and Andrew Kriss represented the landlord, INT Realty LLC, and the Tenant, Serenity Day Spa in the transaction.
“This is our second lease in the redevelopment of the block front, and we feel that Serenity Day Spa adds tremendous value to the property, and the neighborhood,” noted David Kriss.
Redevelopment of 3rd Avenue Block Front:

The retail units that make up 1395 – 1413 Third Avenue between 79th and 80th street were purchased by INT Realty LLC in September of 2008. The entire block front is currently undergoing redevelopment, under the guidance of David Kriss Realty and the ownership.

Spa Opening

CityCenter Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World Development Corp, announced certain scope changes related to The Harmon Hotel & Spa which include postponing the opening of the hotel to late 2010 and cancelling The Harmon residential condominium component.

CityCenter Holdings, LLC is currently developing a spectacular 67-acre vertical city on the Las Vegas Strip. The Harmon is just one component of the CityCenter complex. Once complete The Harmon Hotel & Spa will feature approximately 400 rooms and suites. The Harmon as developed would have had approximately 200 residential units, of which 88 are under contract to be sold. Purchasers will be entitled to receive refunds of their deposits, but will be given the opportunity to purchase units at the Residences at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, Vdara and Veer Towers. Construction at The Harmon will continue through completion of the structure and exterior, with interior fit out to be deferred.

With the cancellation of The Harmon residential component as well as other additional cost savings the company now anticipates total cost savings of approximately $600 million up from its previously stated $400 million. In addition, by postponing The Harmon Hotel by one year CityCenter will defer approximately $200 million in construction costs to complete the interior fit out of The Harmon.

“By cancelling The Harmon condominium component, we will be able to avoid the need for substantial redesign of The Harmon resulting from contractor construction errors,” said Robert Baldwin, President and CEO of CityCenter. “In taking these steps related to The Harmon we can remain focused on maximizing the operating performance of Aria, Mandarin, and Vdara to their desired levels.”

All other components of CityCenter remain on schedule for a December 2009 grand opening. Aria Resort & Casino is a dramatic soaring hotel tower designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli architects and is CityCenter’s centerpiece. The sophisticated, contemporary design will be demonstrably different from any building that has preceded it and will provide a rich variety of experiences at street level. The resort will feature approximately 4,000 rooms and suites, 150,000-square-foot casino, fine dining and world-class entertainment. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Residences will feature 400 hotel rooms and 227 residential units and will be managed by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Veer Towers will contain 670 residential units in two towers surrounded by the best retail, restaurants and entertainment. Vdara is a 1,495 hotel-condominium tower designed by Rafael Vinoly. Crystals retail and entertainment complex will offer approximately 76 outlets featuring high-end fashion, boutiques, dining and entertainment venues.

“The construction progress to date on this enormous project is nothing short of incredible,” said Mr. Baldwin. “Over the next 11 months we will begin energizing these architecturally beautiful buildings with the hiring of more than 12,000 individuals for this dynamic resort complex. Creating this many jobs will have a tremendous impact for both Las Vegas and the State of Nevada for many years to come.”

“We have full confidence in the long term future of the Las Vegas market and the success of CityCenter,” said Chris O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer of Infinity World Development Corp. “This is an appropriate action in the current circumstances.”

In October 2008, CityCenter secured a $1.8 billion senior bank credit facility which can be increased to $3.0 billion. Both sponsors continue to actively pursue additional financing for the project.
“These scope changes received overwhelming support from our CityCenter bank group,” said Dan D’Arrigo, Executive Vice President and CFO of MGM MIRAGE. “CityCenter has two supportive sponsors who are fully committed to this project. We will continue to seek financing that is in the best interest of CityCenter as well as its sponsors.”

Las Vegas Spas, Spa Business, Spa Business Plan, Spa Opening

Erica M. Michaliga of Zen Day Spa’s dreams were shattered when a coma led her to sell Atmosphere a year and a half ago.

After going to Florida for a series of treatments, Michaliga returned to Wilkes-Barre and opened Zen Day Spa one month ago.

“I feel as though it is my calling to be in the spa industry because there are numerous reasons why people, especially in today’s society, need massage therapy and body work,” she said.

Michaliga said there are physical, mental and emotional benefits to massage and skin therapy.

Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. We are forgetting how to relax, and that is understandable in today’s society.

Massage is a perfect elixir to provide an integration of the mind and body.

Massage therapy releases endorphins, relaxes and softens overused muscles, increases circulation of the blood and lymph systems, which improve the skin, our largest organ; increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs; relieves migraine pain and decreases the need for medication. Expectant mothers also receive benefits of having massage therapy, as studies have shown it assists with shorter labor and decreased pain associated with child birth.

Michaliga believes in massage, skin and body therapy.

“If I didn’t, I would have never returned to the valley and opened a day spa. I believe that too many medications are being prescribed for illnesses that can be prevented or cured with massage therapy,” she said.

Day Spa, PA Day Spa, Spa, Spa Business, Spa Opening

DE PERE — The Day Spa, 600 N. 10th St., has added a hair salon to its services.

Located in a separate wing of The Day Spa’s 15,000-square-foot facility, the full-service salon is managed by Kelly Ninneman, who has 27 years’ experience in the beauty industry. Ninneman has certifications in cosmetology and laser aesthetics.

In addition to salon services, The Day Spa has added hot lava shell massages, eyelash extensions and infrared sauna services to its available spa services.

Spa Opening, WI Day Spa

The DSF Group and Kimpton Prepare the $50 million Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, Virginia for Ope

On Feb. 12, 2009, the $50-million Lorien Hotel & Spa will debut in Alexandria, VA as Kimpton’s crown jewel of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Owned and developed by the DSF Group and managed by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the 107-room urban retreat will bring an elevated level of style and service to historic Old Town, Alexandria with a full-service spa, world-class interior décor by acclaimed designer Vicente Wolf, and three culinary venues by celebrated chef Robert Wiedmaier.
“The Lorien Hotel & Spa will be a destination all its own, with a level of service that is unsurpassed,” says Don Anderson, general manager and Alexandria native. “We are in the unique position to offer the comfort and intimacy of a boutique hotel, with the amenities of a resort, to deliver a four and a half star-caliber hotel experience. This is a highly anticipated opening for Kimpton and Old Town alike.”

At Kimpton hotels, every hotel tells a story, and the Lorien Hotel & Spa will celebrate the story of dreams. The dream story will be brought to life through personalized amenities such as a 24-hour “dream” button on all guestroom phones, with a direct line to a highly-trained concierge to coordinate all elements of a perfect stay. An extensive “Dream Service Menu” will make available specialized amenities including comfort foods, soothing bath, aromatherapy and pillow options, that can be delivered to the room to help set the stage for a good night’s sleep and sweet dreams.
With an eye towards offering a heavenly retreat for travelers, world-class designer Vicente Wolf was hired to create the hotel’s décor. Artfully blending old with new, Wolf reinterprets American classic design with a modern flair at Lorien Hotel & Spa. The building’s exterior reflects the historic charm of Old Town with its warm coral-hued brick walls and copper rooftops. But stepping inside, guests are welcomed by sleek and elegant interiors that hint at both past and present and evoke a fresh and contemporary feel.

The 107 spacious guestrooms and suites have a warm and residential atmosphere, with a calming palette of robin’s egg blue, gray and white. Custom-made furnishings, such as wingchairs and trellis-style headboards, are reinterpreted with a contemporary flair. Numerous suites and specialty Spa Rooms also boast spacious bathrooms with claw foot tubs and rainfall showers.

All rooms offer a wide range of amenities including 42″ flat panel televisions, a spacious work area, wireless and wired high-speed Internet access, an iHome clock radio, laptop safe, plush robes, and a gourmet honor bar featuring organic and healthy options. Guests can also enjoy signature Kimpton services including in-room yoga, Pilates and meditation TV programming, 24-hour room service, Forgot It? We’ve Got It! travel items, and overnight shoe shine and valet/laundry service.

Perhaps one of the most inspiring aspects of the Lorien Hotel & Spa is the hotel’s Terrace Suites. These unique suites offer expansive terraces, some as large as 700 square feet, complete with cozy couches and seating ideal for hosting intimate gatherings for up to 30 people, or for nighttime stargazing. To enhance the experience, the hotel will offer a “Terrace Menu” with choices that range from private wine tastings and alfresco dining to dance lessons, as well as more playful amenities such as sleeping bags, luxurious blankets, telescopes, and more.

The Lorien Hotel & Spa will be the first hotel in Old Town Alexandria with a full-service spa. The 4,000 square foot spa and fitness center includes five treatment rooms, private locker rooms, two steam rooms and an indulgent dream-inspired treatment menu utilizing organic and paraben-free products from Kerstin Florian that are restorative to the body and in harmony with the environment. The spa’s 24-hour fitness center offers a full range of exercise equipment, free weights, and personal training and private yoga classes are available by appointment.

Lorien Hotel & Spa is also a gourmand’s dream with not one, but three dining venues helmed by celebrated chef Robert Wiedmaier. The foodie trifecta includes a 105-seat restaurant, a 43-seat tasting room, and a wine and cheese retail shop. At the restaurant, Chef Wiedmaier will serve Belgian cuisine with American inspiration and offer a collection of hard-to-find, yet approachable wines and an extensive list of Belgian beers to pair with any meal. The tasting room will provide a more casual, European-style dining experience experience, where guests can enjoy light fare from the chef’s wood-fired oven and sample wine and other spirits. At Chef Wiedmaier’s retail shop, which will be Old Town’s first gourmet food shop, guests and locals alike can shop for wine, gourmet beer, and various treats ranging from cheese to olives and charcuterie.

The Lorien Hotel & Spa will also feature more than 3500 square feet of sophisticated meeting and event space, including three meeting rooms, a hospitality suite, and functional outdoor venues. Customized meeting breaks, including private wine tastings and chef dinners, can be arranged through the hotel’s team of highly trained professional meeting planners.

Lorien Hotel & Spa is ideally located within steps of the metro, located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria and offers easy access to the surrounding Washington, D.C. area. The hotel is just four miles from Ronald Reagan international Airport, and four blocks from the Amtrak station. For guests who prefer a different mode of transportation, complimentary bicycles are available for a ride to the Potomac River. Chef Wiedmaier picnic baskets, filled with all the makings for a gourmet lunch, can be prepared upon request.

Room rates at Lorien Hotel & Spa start at $329, and special weekend rates are available. Lorien Hotel & Spa is located at 1600 King Street, Alexandria VA, 22314. For more information or reservations, please call 703.894.3434 or 877.856.7436 toll free or visit lorienhotelandspa.com.

The Owners DSF Group
The award-winning DSF Group is a private real estate company that makes value-added investments in multifamily and commercial properties, primarily in the high-growth Northeast Corridor between Washington DC and Boston.

Having extensive business and leisure travel experience, the founders of The DSF Group wanted to create a hotel they would choose to stay at…and one they would want to return to.

Lorien Hotel & Spa is the result of that vision. The DSF Group partnered with boutique hotelier experts Kimpton Hotels, world-renowned designer Vicente Wolf and critically-acclaimed Washington DC chef Robert Wiedmaier to create an environment in which the business traveler could relax, unwind and feel rejuvenated following a long day. Whether that is accomplished through a private spa treatment, dinner from one of the three destination food venues or simply returning to the restful guestrooms, it is all available to choose from at Lorien Hotel & Spa.

With over $1.5 billion invested in four million square feet since the year 2000, The DSF Group has quietly become one of the most successful private real estate investment firms in the country.

Designer Vicente Wolf
In the world of contemporary design, Vicente Wolf has been at the top for three decades. Through his firm, Vicente Wolf Associates, he explores his passion for design, guided by the principles of integrity and simplicity. Lorien Hotel & Spa is the latest in his pursuit of this passion, benefitting from his design throughout the hotel, the spa and the restaurants.

Wolf has designed a wide range of projects, including the LS Store in Hong Kong, the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and Café Rodeo in Beverly Hills, the Andrew Fezza company offices and showrooms, the Registry stores in Chicago, Bedell Cellars Winery and guest cottage on Long Island’s North Fork, the executive office of J Records for Clive Davis, the interiors of New York’s L’Impero and Alto restaurants and an extensive list of residential interiors.

House Beautiful named Vicente Wolf as one of the ten most influential designers in the United States and Interior Design Magazine inducted him into its Designer Hall of Fame. Selected as one of the top 100 designers in both Metropolitan Home’s “Design 100″ and Architectural Digest’s “AD 100,” Wolf’s work has been featured in various design books and magazine, including these publications, The New York Times, Elle Décor, House & Garden, Vogue Decoration, Country Living and Maison & Jardin.
Over the last few years, Wolf has become known for his other passion: photography, which can be found throughout the Lorien Hotel & Spa. He has had individual gallery shows, photographed his design projects for magazines and shot the advertising campaign for Anichini Linens. He also put together an exhibit of his photography, titled Series III: Compositions, for the Pucci Gallery in New York.

Wolf has contributed his designs to many arts and charitable organizations, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Wolf teaches an annual course through Parsons School of Design in the Dominican Republic and his first book, Learning to See, focuses on personal style and travel.

The Chef Robert Wiedmaier
Now leading the culinary efforts at Lorien Hotel & Spa, chef and proprietor Robert Wiedmaier developed a strong passion for the culinary arts at a young age while growing up in Germany. Born to a father who is 100% Belgian and a mother who is Californian, Wiedmaier was given a chance to experience ingredient-based cuisine with the freshest produce, meat and dairy.

Wiedmaier attended the Culinary School of Horca in the Netherlands. His apprenticeship at the Thermidor Restaurant, a Michelin two-star establishment, brought him to Brussels to work with famed Chef Eddie Van Maele. In 1986, he took the position as Saucier at Le Chardon D’Or in the Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, bringing him to the United States for the first time in his culinary career.

In 1988, Wiedmaier joined the team at the renowned Le Pavillion as Chef Poissonnier, and a year later, moved to the Four Seasons, the most prominent hotel in the city, as Sous Chef position at Aux Beaux Champs restaurant under the tutorial direction of Chef Douglass McNeill.

Seven years later, Chef Wiedmaier opened Café on M at The Grand Hotel, giving Wiedmaier a personal venue to use his culinary roots and where he established his critically acclaimed French Cuisine Flavored with a Flemish Flair.

In June of 1996, The Watergate Hotel asked Wiedmaier to oversee and manage the culinary operations for the hotel. He also undertook the re-design of the kitchen and opened their then-new restaurant, Aquarelle. Wiedmaier replaced Executive Chef Jean-Louis Palladin, whose tenure at the hotel had been immensely successful as well as having been a strategic mentor to Wiedmaier.

In March of 1999, Robert Wiedmaier opened Marcel’s restaurant, named after his first-born son. Between this opening and the opening in April of 2007 of Brasserie Beck, named for his younger son (and only a mile from Marcel’s), Wiedmaier received significant acclaim for his cuisine, including Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year (2004) award by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Institute. Marcel’s was inducted to the prestigious Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA), the only anonymous restaurant inspection program in North America and maintains Washingtonian magazine’s high level of status with 3.5 out of 4 stars. Additionally, Zagat rates Marcel’s in the Top 5 for Food category.

Some of Wiedmaier’s favorite things to cook with are sweetbreads, foie gras, skate and any variations of wild game at Marcel’s and at Beck’s. According to Wiedmaier, “My cuisine is simple. I concentrate on high quality ingredients. More than anything, I’m a cook first, chef second.” An exceptional highlight of Wiedmaier’s cuisine techniques is his use of all parts of each animal he cooks with to create his sauces. “Nothing goes to waste. If you’re not tasting, you’re not cooking.”

Resort Spa, Spa Opening, Spa Resort, Virginia Spa

Couple opening spa in Boonsboro

Some people go on a cruise with hopes of relaxing and reconnecting with a special person.

Lisa Adali-Piston did all that but also came back with a new career.

She and her husband, Tom Piston, are opening the South Mountain Day Spa Saturday, Dec. 13, at 210 N. Main St. in Boonsboro.

“Tom and I were on a cruise and I tried an ionithermie detox spa treatment,” she said. “I was astonished at the results.”

After Adali-Piston lost a lot of weight, she was left with some sagging skin and cellulite. She tried several things to correct those problems and said nothing worked like the ionithermie detox.

“We built this business around that treatment — it was the catalyst,” said Tom Piston.

The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., during which a demonstration of ionithermie detox treatment will be available.

Invented more than 25 years ago, ionithermie detox treatment utilizes a handheld device that transmits two gentle forms of low-level stimuli through a body mask of conductive clay.

The process breaks down fatty deposits by electrophoresis. It tones muscles, removes toxins and cleanses skin at the cellular level, the couple explained.

Adali-Piston explained there is a sensation of pins and needles, and some feelings of contractions, but no pain.

Representatives of the product lines will also be part of the open house, as will sales of holiday decor, jewelry and other items. Refreshments will be available.

“At first, the business will be just me doing the ionithermie detox treatments and facials,” Adali-Piston said. Later she hopes to hire a massage therapist.

Tom Piston has been in the Boonsboro area since 1988. He has two sons, one at Boonsboro High School and the other at Salisbury University.

Employed by Futrex, Tom Piston’s company manufactures body composition analyzers.

A native of Wisconsin, Adali-Piston said she met her future husband online. They were married in 2006 and she moved to Boonsboro.

“We were looking at retail space but it was too expensive,” she said. They bought the house in May and have been remodeling extensively.

Regular hours, by appointment, will be Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Full Article and Credits

Day Spa, Maryland Day Spas, Spa Business, Spa Opening

Day spa has plans for growth

Carla Weinman is being tugged in a lot of directions these days, but it hasn’t stopped her from attending to details.

Weinman admits she is still getting things perfected at her salon and day spa Bahamas Northwest. Nonetheless, she continues to visualize the next improvement on her 11 scenic acres bordering the Santiam River.

Located on Mountain View Road off of Scravel Hill, northeast of Albany, Bahamas Northwest has been building a name for itself since January.

Through complete spa packages that can be as detailed or as simple as a customer desires, Weinman thinks she is offering something unique to the area.

“I like to think of a visit here as a rejuvenation,” said Weinman, who ran Salon One Eleven in downtown Albany for 18 years. “We try to offer a complete package. It’s a full-service salon. It’s an escape from everyday life.”

From her 3,300-square-foot log home, built by her late husband Dan, she has converted a portion into a luxury retreat. Beyond the regular spa packages, Weinman can host weddings, receptions and other events on the property that includes decks, hot tubs, water features and a view of the river.

“We customize everything,” said Weinman, who accepts clients by appointment only.

The full kitchen allows for catering larger events. She says the retreat specializes in working with small groups to personalize each event. Weinman’s staff includes an event planner and a licensed massage therapist.

It’s been an interesting ride according to Weinman.

“It has taken me two years to get to this point,” she said. “We’re still getting our timing and flow down but we’re growing.”

An additional bed and breakfast-type retreat she hopes to open in 2010 is the next step. Weinman is building a 4,000-square-foot private resort that will offer in-ground hot springs, water features and panoramic views of the secluded property.

“I’ve tried to blend a certain lifestyle into it,” says Weinman. “I want to combine the wholistic with cutting edge.”

She points out the spa is not exclusive to women.

“We cater to both men and women, anyone aspiring to the good life,” said Weinman. “We even have a doggie day spa.”

Ultimately Weinman plans to add personal training and cardio boot camps to the retreat’s menu.

She is not losing track of what she currently offers, however. Weinman is still scheduling for the remainder of 2008 for meetings or holiday gatherings as well as normal spa packages.

Full Article and Credits

Spa Opening

Lorien Hotel and Spa to open in Old Town
Two days before Valentine’s Day next year, the first Old Town Alexandria hotel with a full-service spa will open its doors and steam rooms for business.

The $50 million Lorien Hotel and Spa at 1600 King Street is owned and developed by the DSF Group and managed by San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants.

The ground breaking was in August 2007. The property was originally acquired by DSF Group in 2004. Prior to the acquisition, the buildings on the site were a mix of office and retail space.

The historic façade of one of the original buildings was preserved, which is nearly 150 years old. The hotel itself is a completely new build.

The 107-room, 75,000 square-foot hotel has interior decorations by Vicente Wolf and three dining spots by chef Robert Wiedmaier.

“The Lorien Hotel and Spa will be a destination all its own, with a level of service that is unsurpassed,” said Don Anderson, general manager, in a statement. “We are in the unique position to offer the comfort and intimacy of a boutique hotel, with the amenities of a resort, to deliver a four and a half star-caliber hotel experience.”

The new Kimpton hotel’s theme is dreams. An in-room menu will offer comfort foods, bath, aromatherapy and pillow options.

Other Kimptons in Alexandria include the Morrison House, which has a theme of literature, and Hotel Monaco Alexandria, with a theme of history.

Lorien’s exterior has coral-hued brick walls and copper rooftops. Custom-made furnishings, such as wingchairs and trellis-style headboards, are integrated in the rooms, with modern accents like 42” flat panel televisions and wired high-speed Internet access.

The hotel’s terrace suites can host gatherings for up to 30 people.

The 4,000-square-foot spa and fitness center includes five treatment rooms, private locker rooms and two steam rooms.

Dining venues include a 105-seat Belgian cuisine restaurant, a 43-seat European-style tasting room, and a wine and cheese retail shop, which marks Old Town’s first gourmet food shop.

The venue will also contain more than 3,500 square feet of meeting and event space.

Room rates at start at $329. Kimpton projects are currently underway in Florida, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore and Chicago.

Spa Opening

Council may OK couples massages

Old ordinance was created to inhibit prostitution, but local resorts shouldn’t have problems, officer says.

The Newport Beach City Council is poised to rub out city restrictions that bar men and women from getting massages in the same room.

An ordinance the council will consider at its next meeting Wednesday would pave the way for local resorts to offer the latest trend in the spa industry — couples massages.

“Couples massage is one of those increasingly popular trend in terms of spa treatments,” said Gary Sherwin, president and chief executive of the Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. “You see more married couples going on weekend getaways at spas where they can recharge and reconnect. That’s why the spa technicians have come up with this service. This will allow us to compete with other places that are currently offering this type of treatment.”

Spas across the country have begun offering massage treatments aimed at couples with special suites, fireplaces and romantic music.

Most of Newport’s luxury hotels offer spa treatments of some type, Sherwin said, including the Balboa Bay Club & Resort and the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa.

The Newport Beach Planning Commission approved plans earlier this week for the Hyatt Regency to build a new 10,000-square-foot spa, Sherwin said.

Newport Beach municipal code prohibits men and women from getting massages in the same room. As written, the code requires spas to provide separate rooms for men and women. The new ordinance would allow Newport’s many resort hotels to obtain city licenses for couples massage.

The restrictions date back to a time when massage parlors in Newport Beach offered more than just rub downs, Newport Beach Police Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

“There was quite a number of independent massage parlors that were the scene of acts of prostitution. They started being strict in the city codes and thought that if they kept men and women out of the same room, it would cut down on that,” Sailor said. “I think the city realizes they don’t have to worry about that with the legitimacy of its resort hotels.”

Full Article & credits

Spa Legal Issues, Spa Opening