So Retro ... It's A Landmark!

At its meeting today, the Department of City Planning unanimously voted to support the Landmarks Preservation Commission's landmarking of the Summit Hotel (now the Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel), at 569 Lexington Avenue at 51st Street. The aquamarine S-shaped building, which was designed by Morris Lapidus--whose other buildings include Miami Beach's Fountainbleau and Eden Roc--was built in 1960 with reinforced concrete and is adorned with glazed brick and green tiles. The building officially gained landmark status back in May, but there's a four-month review process still to come. Next stop, the City Council for an up-or-down vote, which should happen in the next couple of months. F.Y.I.: King-size single rates start at $329 per night. A queen-sized bed saves you $20. - Matthew Grace