Royalton Hotel, NYC, Philiphe Starck

The Royalton pioneered the boutique hotel trend, which later inspired spaces designed for a younger, more dynamic audience—very similar to digital nomads today. Instead of a standard hotel experience, it focused on offering personality, social opportunities, and spaces that felt like home.

Starck’s reimagined lobby as a social and functional space laid the groundwork for the coworking-friendly hotel environments we see today. Digital nomads often gravitate to places where they can work, socialize, and network in one spot.

Minimalist Luxury: Starck used clean lines, rich materials (like leather, steel, and velvet), and bold, unexpected design choices, making the spaces feel modern and timeless.