The Passion of Pomeranc
Hotelier Jason Pomeranc takes some time to chat with the Observer this week and addresses the issue that always seems to be staring him in the face, namely the delays that have pushed back the opening of his new Thompson LES on several occasions now (not to mention made Pomeranc something of a running joke in the industry). But Pomeranc has good news! Three of the 22 floors will open this week, although if you'd like to use the pool or sample the restaurant on the second floor, you'll have to wait until October 15th when it will probably be too cold to swim anyway. "There are always unforeseen circumstances that cause delays in scheduling," Pomeranc tells Chris Schott. (Not addressed: The rumor that Pomeranc spends more time jetting around the world with his hottie publicist girlfriend Ali Wise, above, than he does at the office.) But if you think the delays and bad press may have humbled Jason just a little bit, well, don't get ahead of yourself.
You're going to be thanking him pretty soon for making the Lower East Side, don't you know?
"Usually, that process culminates with a luxury project—like what I believe the Thompson Lower East Side will be—where it integrates the vibe and the flow of the neighborhood but introduces a new audience as well.
"I view a project as successful, like when we opened 60 Thompson, when it inherently became identified with the neighborhood. It became synonymous with Soho. I hope that the Thompson Lower East Side will do the same."
Well, just as soon as the hotel actually opens and Jason and Ali get back from St. Tropez or Porto Cervo or wherever they are this week.
