The MC Hotel Opens in Montclair
It’s been almost a decade since I graduated from Montclair State University but every year since then, I’ve watched in awe of how the town has grown. Every time a new business opens up, it’s almost as if the city is adding another piece to its complex puzzle. For me, some of my most memorable experiences have been at these businesses. From writers’ workshops and concerts, to birthdays and first dates—many of these moments won’t soon be forgotten.
Last month, I attended the grand opening of The MC Hotel on August 15th. From the moment I stepped inside, I could tell it was positioned to be another of those landmark businesses in town. In years past, I had often wondered what would one day stand at the hotel’s central location at the corner of Bloomfield Ave and Orange Road. To be honest, I’d always been concerned that some big conglomerate would come in and the nichey vibe of the city would dwindle. But the new hospitality landmark—really the first of its kind in Montclair—feels to have enriched downtown rather than diminish its roots.
Inside the MC Hotel’s artistic lobby.
“[Businesses] of the past have meaning and charm in their time,” Major Robert Jackson said during the hotel’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “That was a very different point in life—in this community. If you see what Montclair has been transformed into, what this end of town has become—it’s astonishing. It’s a special time for Montclair. Now we have a brand new, state-of-the-art, sparkling, fantastic hotel here. I want to thank and congratulate the people who made this possible.”
His words struck a chord. It was an affirmation of how I felt at that moment and how I felt about this new opening.
Mayor Robert Jackson addressing the crowd at The MC Hotel’s grand opening ceremony.
As I looked around at the investors and local leaders attending The MC Hotel’s ribbon-cutting event, it was evident that, for all involved, it was a passion project from the start. Inside the lobby, I also got acquainted with the MC’s art program—most notably featuring a 30-foot black and white mural by renowned illustrators Ruben and Isabelle Toledo. Elsewhere, much of the artwork is inspired by the town’s creative roots, including original pieces hinting at Montclair’s visual surroundings.
A fresh, new look for the MC Hotel’s guest rooms.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” MC Hotel’s GM Oscar Fontana Ross said. “This community is so important and so warm. They have taken us in since the first day that we were here. We’ve created some amazing partnerships in the last year; we’re working with some amazing collaborators all throughout Montclair… I want to thank the community especially because that’s who we are. We’re going to be a place for the community, and we want everyone to join us.”
The 159-room hotel, managed by Aparium Hotel Group, join the Marriott’s Autograph Collection and will offer full-service dining in its 95-seat restaurant. In addition to The MC Hotel’s lobby bar and restaurant, Alto—a 106-seat rooftop bar and lounge—will open later this month featuring a craft cocktail program. And I, for one, am personally looking forward to spending some autumn nights beneath the stars.
Visit The MC Hotel here for more information.
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