Wrapping up a year-long extensive renovation, the Robert Treat Hotel in downtown Newark has unveiled its new Crystal Ballroom. Artie Wassif, director of sales for the venerated hospitality venue, said that the ballroom’s makeover includes a new centerpiece—a three-tier chandelier with 30,000 hand-cut and polished crystals and technology that enables the staff to change the chandelier’s color across the rainbow spectrum. The fixture is designed as a cascading halo of light overhead.
“We have the Old World elegance of all that crystal with the contemporary touch of customizable lighting colors that shine right through,” said Wassif. “We hosted a wedding here in late May that was the first to use the new system; the bridal couple selected a range of blue colors to match the party décor. We were able to program the lighting to change from deep blue to baby blue throughout the party; the effect really added to the elegance of the room.” For a recent political event held there, the chandelier was lit red, white and blue.
Adding to the Crystal Ballroom’s luster are two dozen crystal wall sconces around the room’s perimeter. The ballroom, which measures 4,200 square feet, can accommodate up to 300 people at a banquet, over 800 theatre style and over 150 people classroom style (with long tables) for conferences, presentations and other business or organization meetings. There is a removable dance floor that can be laid out in different sizes for parties.
“We can host any event for business or social occasions, from a corporate breakfast, seminars and conferences to Sweet Sixteen or quinceañera parties, communions, weddings, bar or bat mitzvah and other receptions,” said Wassif.
Built in 1916, the Robert Treat Hotel is across from the recently renovated and much improved Military Park in Newark’s central business district, across the street from NJ PAC and within walking distance of Newark Penn Station, the Broad Street light rail, and many cultural and entertainment venues. The century-old hotel has hosted five presidents: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, President John F Kennedy, President Gerald Ford, President Woodrow Wilson, among countless public figures including Albert Einstein and foreign dignitaries. In 1980, it became the first hotel in Newark to be listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The hotel was purchased in 1987 by The Berger Organization, a multi-faceted real estate development and management firm. Under the direction of CEO Miles Berger, the building’s lobby was refurbished and new systems were installed to start the process of upgrading the hotel in a way that modernized its amenities while retaining its historic look.
Other improvements include new carpeting and new wall coverings, a bar with mahogany detail and marble top, and a drop-down AV screen and surround sound system for live or piped-in music, speeches and presentations. Wassif noted that all hotel meeting rooms and the huge Tri-State Ballroom have been made over and upgraded to meet the demands of today’s corporate and social catering clientele. A new executive chef, Frank Heizler, joined the banquet team in late May and is busy updating the menu selections to reflect the diverse tastes and backgrounds of the Newark area and regional residents.
The Berger Organization is an active member of the Newark business community, and the hotel has been the site of numerous political and business events as well as charitable events that support the local community. “We take great pride in working closely with civic leaders and companies from Newark and the surrounding area,” said Wassif.
The Robert Treat Hotel is located at 50 Park Place in Newark. For information about its facilities, visit https://www.rthotel.com/ or call (973) 622-1000.
