Stylish Serenity in the City
The city sky is the limit at Faculty House, located on Columbia University’s pristine campus, where couples can customize their multiple event spaces to create the wedding of their dreams.
As any Manhattanite will tell you, New York City has a special “magic” to it—a city where you can get almost anything your heart desires.
Faculty House brings that essence into their iconic location on the Upper West Side of the urban island. Nestled on the esteemed, tree-lined Columbia University campus, the 1920s red-bricked landmark offers couples the opportunity to truly customize their special day, a trait that is difficult to find in New York City venues. “It’s where cosmopolitan meets campus serenity,” says Leslie Robinson, the Catering and Events Manager at Faculty House. “We’re this urban gem in upper Manhattan where you have great architecture near the park and a lovely terrace with skyline views.”
The 30,000 square feet of space is aptly divided into four floors to tailor to the needs of individual couples and allowing them multiple options for their ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and everything in between.
As guests pass through the landscaped courtyard, they enter the garden-level reception area which boasts original terrazzo flooring, a cascading marble staircase, and a lounge perfect for a relaxed cocktail hour. The second floor is favored for casual events, such as a rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch, while the third and fourth are designed for larger, formal affairs. The third floor, the Presidential Level, can accommodate up to 250 guests for dinner and dancing. “For our more traditional events, our Presidential ballroom is definitely ideal because of the amenities it has to offer: a built-in dance floor, great panoramic views of the city, and a monotone look that goes with any brides’ or grooms’ color palette,” says Robinson.
| The team doesn’t take LGBT concerns lightly, ensuring that each of the vendors they use are LGBT-friendly. “The entire staff at Faculty House understands that every client has to be greeted with a level of respect. Understanding their background and where they’re coming from and how they want their event to be executed,” says Hernandez. |
“Our fourth floor is really for the modern brides or grooms,” says Robinson. “It has that New York chic feel to it with the outdoor terrace.” Guests can dance the night away underneath vaulted ceilings and elaborate chandeliers in the dramatic, intimate space, while the terrace wraps around one side to offer breathtaking views of Manhattan’s sweeping skyline.
“You can choose which floor to use based on your own personality and the kind of event you want to have,” adds Kristina Hernandez, Director of Marketing at Faculty House.
Along with top-of-the-line atmosphere, Faculty House has partnered with some of the city’s hottest names to execute each event. The menus are envisioned by in-house executive chef Uwe Toedter, whose impressive culinary resume boasts stints at city staples such as Essex House and the Hilton New York. His farm-to-table mantra ensures that his creations are nothing short of genius and full with imaginative flavors.
Wedding cakes are provided by Ron Ben-Israel, well-known around town as the “Manolo Blahnik of cakes.” His lifelike confectionery couture is always one-of-a-kind bursting with flavors that melt in your mouth.
Along with the high-quality features of Faculty House, it’s their respect for the LGBT community that gives the gem that extra sparkle. “We’re a part of Columbia University, which is a very richly diverse and open community comprised of people from all walks of life—all cultural backgrounds, all religious affiliations, all sexual orientations—and I think the events we hold here are reflective of that,” says Hernandez.
The team doesn’t take LGBT concerns lightly, ensuring that each of the vendors they use are LGBT-friendly. “The entire staff at Faculty House understands that every client has to be greeted with a level of respect. Understanding their background and where they’re coming from and how they want their event to be executed,” says Hernandez.
Photo credit: Tom Crane
