On a recent Untapped New York Insiders tour of One Hanover, Insiders were treated to every urban explorer’s dream, access to a hidden room! While exploring the newly renovated office and event spaces inside the historic Financial District Landmark, our group got to see both renovated and raw spaces as the building nears completion of a massive $20M+ transformation from the longtime home of India House – an early 20th-century social club for men in the maritime trade industry – to new office spaces for the modern worker. Check out photos from our Insiders below, including a sneak peek of the grand Marine Room.
Our tour started in the communal amenity space on the ground floor. Inside the cozy, club-like living room we enjoyed complimentary snacks and drinks from the bar and met our tour leader, Ian Ross, founder of SomeraRoad, the real estate investment and development firm responsible for the building’s renovation. With dark wood trim, floor-to-ceiling windows, and comfortable, luxe seating, this room maintains an old-school charm and pays homage to the building’s days as a private social club.
Next, we peeked into SomeraRoad’s headquarters and more office spaces on the upper floors that are available to tenants. The offices boast conference rooms, phone booths, and flexible meeting spaces, all designed with an approachable yet sophisticated style by the design studio Husband Wife. Throughout the landmarked building, modern design aesthetics are blended with historic architectural features that remind you of the building’s history, most notably in the Marine Room.
The Marine Room was designed by noted architects Delano and Aldrich during the days of India House, the private club that occupied the building until 2022. It is covered with nautical-inspired ornamentation including scalloped chandeliers, seashell plaster details, a vaulted ceiling, and a stained-glass skylight. There are also original fireplaces in the ballroom that are being restored.
India House was formed in 1914, but One Hanover has a long history that pre-dates the club. The building was originally constructed as Hanover Bank in 1851 and was officially opened in 1854. In 1870, the New York Cotton Exchange moved in and renovated the structure with architect Ebenezer L. Roberts. By 1885, the building was occupied by the headquarters of W. R. Grace & Co., owned by Irish immigrant and former New York Mayor William Russell Grace. In the 1970s, Harry’s Steakhouse opened. The restaurant in the basement remains a staple of the Wall Street lunch scene and has been featured on shows like Billions.
The rest of the floor where the Marine Room is located is still under construction. While doing renovations, the crew found a surprise, a small hidden room on the top floor that is only accessible by a fire escape that leads to the roof. It’s unclear what the room may have been used for, and the future use of the room has yet to be decided (speakeasy?…). You can peek inside the mysterious space in the photo below! What would you turn it into?
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