When the imposing, 21-story neighborhood lightning rod Cooper Square Hotel finally rolls out its sprawling, three-floor bar and restaurant program this summer—complete with an angry-neighbor-friendly “soundbaffling” terrace—what will the developers do as an encore next door?

Another innovative noise-reducing restaurant? A whopping whole other shark-fin-shaped hotel? Perhaps the bigger question: Will affable hotelier Gregory Peck still be around to see it?  read more »

The Villager is reporting that Cooper Square Hotel developers Gregory Peck and Matt Moss have "finally caved" and agreed to neighbors' "tough terms for operating [the hotel's] outdoor areas."

Under the deal, outlined on local Community Board 3's Web site, the builders have agreed to restrict loiterers, taxis, and limos along East 5th Street and prohibit smoking on the hotel's second-floor terrace -- located just 30 inches from some neighbors' windows.

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