citizenM Bowery, New York

The citizenM Bowery hotel, located in downtown New York, is distinguished by its bold, contemporary design.

Polcom Group set out to achieve this standout hotel through a modular approach, relying on off‑site building and well‑coordinated international teams.

Delivering a complex modular high-rise

Our project and programme delivery team played a pivotal role in realising this complex high‑rise ahead of its 2018 opening.

Our work focused on the building exterior and the modular units, coordinating a global network of contributors: manufacturers and façade specialists in Poland, a New York‑based design team, structural engineers in London and independent certifiers. With multiple time zones, disciplines and technical requirements in play, our priority was to bring every element together into a single, cohesive outcome.

Global teams, one coordinated process

We served as the central hub for the off‑site design process, managing submissions, tracking comments, driving approvals and establishing a clear pathway to achieving US code conformance for both the modules and the façade system. Our role extended far beyond moving information between teams; we created a structured process that enabled decisions, approvals and technical reviews to happen efficiently and transparently.

Working closely with the client, we shaped the building exterior to reflect citizenM’s brand identity while meeting all technical and regulatory requirements.

A mock-up that mattered

A pivotal stage of the programme was the construction and testing of a full‑size mock‑up hotel unit. We managed this process end‑to‑end, bringing together manufacturers, designers and testing specialists to ensure the prototype met US requirements for air and water resistance while supporting the wider approval pathway for the modular system.

The prototype quickly evolved into a standalone project, with demanding timescales, detailed testing protocols and multiple stakeholders involved in sign‑off. We worked closely with independent reviewers and third‑party certifiers, providing the evidence they needed on production methods, code compliance and adherence to US building standards.

By identifying potential issues early, we helped the project move into production with clarity, confidence and fewer surprises.

A landmark debut in the heart of the Bowery

CitizenM Bowery opened in July 2018 and has since become known for its high occupancy rates and distinctive presence within the neighbourhood. It is also home to the Museum of Street Art, integrated directly into the building.

This $40 million development was shaped by collaboration across countries, disciplines and approval systems – all under the pressure of a major New York City build. By managing coordination, testing and approvals from the earliest stages, we helped create a clear, reliable pathway from concept to completion.