Originally named the RIHGA Royal, the hotel was the first all-suite hotel and the tallest in Manhattan when completed in 1989. It was among the first high-rise all-suite hotels in the world. The unique challenges of the site and program required an innovative architectural and structural design to accommodate zoning challenges and a program that called for potential future conversion to residential use. The design won an ACI award for most slender concrete frame high-rise built to date with a 12 to 1 aspect ratio. Shear walls were located between each suite and a mass damper was designed on top to counteract wind forces. Each of the 560 suites were uniquely designed with bay-windows to facilitate east-west views on the narrow cross-town street. A through-block arcade connected the building to a series of connecting arcades forming a unique multi-block urban promenade. (Adams was Project Architect and Lead Designer for Frank Williams & Associates).