AKA Takes Wraps Off A Refreshed Rittenhouse Location

A living room in one of AKA Rittenhouse Square’s new “Sky Suites,” designed by Nicholas Cardone. | Photos: William Waldron, courtesy AKA

The original AKA extended-stay residence hotel on Rittenhouse Square reopened its doors last week (Tuesday, June 5th) after undergoing nearly six months of major renovations.

The makeover has refreshed the hotel’s furnished suites and added new amenities for guests. It also added a new penthouse suite in a most unusual location: the hotel’s second floor.

All of AKA Rittenhouse’s one- and two-bedroom suites and penthouses come with full kitchens; this photo shows part of a penthouse kitchen.

With the room renovations complete, guests can look forward to elegant interiors reflecting designer Nicholas Cardone’s refined minimalist style. The new second-floor penthouse brings the open floor plan and extensive space of the top-floor penthouse suite close to street level. From here, one can enjoy a close-up view of Rittenhouse Square’s greenery and vitality.

The new amenities are set to come on line later this summer. They include:

• a private library of more than 1,000 books on architecture and design curated by architect Stephen Potts
• a.cinema, a seven-seat theater that will feature curated screenings of award-winning films, weekly screenings of hit shows and more
• on-demand beauty and wellness services
• a fitness center equipped with Technogym equipment like that found at AKA University City
• a 15-seat private conference room aimed at business travelers

In addition, guests now have access to all of the facilities at the Sporting Club at the Bellevue. And as before, AKA Rittenhouse residents also get preferred access to a.kitchen and a.bar, Chef Eli Elliott’s award-winning restaurant and people-watching hangout.

A penthouse-suite bedroom.

With all of these new services in place, AKA Rittenhouse Square veers far from your typical hotel. Starting at $200 per night, an AKA stay takes the form of a relaxing vacation in a living space that could be confused with your home.

Located diagonally across from the square itself, AKA Rittenhouse Square serves as a place to find solace in the busy city. “Offerings like the library and on-demand wellness services will truly make the property an escape from the outside world,” says AKA President Larry Korman. AKA Rittenhouse Square combines the comfort, luxury and space of a condominium with the style and hospitality of a hotel to create the perfect home away from home.

This 12-story historic landmark offers beautiful views of the city and the park. The lower-floor rooms look out on Rittenhouse Square while the top-floor penthouses offer views of Philadelphia’s skyline.

With these new amenities in place, and with its pristine design and architecture, AKA Rittenhouse Square provides a highly personal high-end alternative for away-from-home living. As the AKA website states, “Don’t just visit—Live it.”