Arthur Backal: Top of the Heap
In the world of event planning, there is one New Yorker who is definitely “top of the heap,” and that’s Arthur Backal. He is the go-to guy when planning parties and special events. “I helped open the Mandarin Oriental, and it’s a project I keep near and dear to my heart. It’s been eight years and I’ve helped steer the hotel through the recent economic challenge. It’s coming out of it very strong,” says Backal, a well-dressed 49-year-old, as we sit in a conference room at his most recent venture, Apella, a collaboration between Backal Management Group, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, and Riverpark, a Tom Colicchio restaurant. Apella, an impressive event and conference center, offers 10 thoughtfully designed private rooms that accommodate up to 300 guests, contemporary interiors, and sweeping views of the East River. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, the developer and owner of the new building on East 29th Street, contacted Backal last January about operating a conference center. “When I saw their plans, I realized this was much more than a conference center. I always like to push the envelope. I told them I’d run it like a five-star property and do the best conferences in town, but would do social events here, as well.” And that’s exactly what he has done at Apella, which opened on October 26, 2010.
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