Four Seasons Philadelphia Inducted into Esquire’s Hotel Hall of Fame

Philadelphia has always been a city of firsts, rich history, and world-class culture. But if you needed any more proof that the City of Brotherly Love is a premier global luxury destination, look no further than the skyline.

The prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center has officially been named one of the world's most timeless properties, earning a coveted spot on Esquire’s Hotel Hall of Fame.

To make this exclusive list, a property can’t just be a shiny new opening. It has to endure, shape the identity of its city, and demonstrate a lasting impact on the local community. Perched at the very top of the Comcast Technology Center—North America’s highest hotel—the Four Seasons Philadelphia has done exactly that, redefining urban luxury from the clouds down.

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A Masters-Level Lesson in Architecture and Design

Stepping into the hotel is an experience in itself. From the street-level entrance, guests are whisked up 60 stories in a high-speed glass elevator, watching the historic streets of Philly shrink below.

The hotel’s physical space is a collaboration between legendary architect Lord Norman Foster and world-renowned artistic director Jeff Leatham. The result? A sleek, hyper-modern urban sanctuary that subtly brings the outside in. Everywhere you look, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and strategically placed mirrors reflect the shifting sky and flood the minimalist, warm-toned rooms with natural light.

Sky-High Wellness & Healing Crystals

For those looking to escape the hustle of the city, the hotel's entire 57th floor is a dedicated health and wellness sanctuary. It features:

• The Infinity-Edge Pool: An absolute showstopper where guests can float "above the clouds" while taking in panoramic views of the sunrise or the twinkling city grid below.
• The Forbes Five-Star Spa: Known for its unique focus on crystal healing, the spa walls are embedded with over 700 pounds of crystals to promote absolute tranquility.

Culled from the Best: A Culinary Destination

A true Hall of Fame hotel needs a world-class culinary program, and the Four Seasons delivers on multiple levels.

• At Jean-Georges Philadelphia (occupying the 59th and 60th floors), Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves up breathtaking tasting menus alongside unobstructed, 360-degree city views.
• Down on the ground floor, Philly’s own James Beard Award-winner, Chef Greg Vernick, puts a modern, Jersey Shore-inspired spin on the classic American oyster bar at Vernick Fish.

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Setting the Standard for Philadelphia's Big Year

This induction into Esquire's Hall of Fame arrives at a massive moment for the city. With Philadelphia gearing up to take center stage for America250 and the 2026 World Cup, international travelers are looking for iconic places to anchor their stay.

Whether you’re booking a stay in a Skyline Corner Suite to overlook the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or simply stopping by JG SkyHigh for a cocktail above the clouds, it’s clear why Esquire considers this property a masterpiece. The Four Seasons Philadelphia hasn't just joined the skyline; it has defined it.

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Have you ever stayed at or dined at the Four Seasons Philadelphia? What's your favorite view of the city? Let us know in the comments below!

Vernick Fish, By James Beard Award-Winning Chef Greg Vernick, Will Open At The New Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia At Comcast Center In Summer 2019

Vernick Fish, helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Greg Vernick, will open at the new Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center in Summer 2019.  With a focus on pristinely fresh fish and seasonality, Vernick Fish will reflect Greg’s unique approach to American cooking and excellent service and will feature a lively atmosphere with a warm, neighbourhood feel.  

“Vernick Fish will share the same spirit as Vernick Food & Drink, the best quality seafood product served, unexpected and impactful flavour combinations and seasonality. I’ve had a modern take on an American oyster bar in mind for the last several years, and I’m grateful to be able to open another restaurant in Philadelphia, a city that I will forever call home,” says Chef Greg Vernick

Concept Highlights

• Located on the street level of the new Comcast Technology Center at the intersection of Arch and North 19th street, Vernick Fish can accommodate up to 200 guests both day and night, featuring indoor and outdoor patio seating, communal and private dining, and an expansive and lively bar.
• Blending local and global ingredients, Vernick Fish will feature an extensive menu of beautifully prepared fish and shellfish, and a selection of other proteins and vegetables.
• The restaurant’s beverage offering will feature curated cocktails and a concentration on sparkling and white wines.

Design Highlights

• Vernick Fish marks Tihany Design’s first project in Philadelphia.
• Widely regarded as one of the world's preeminent hospitality designers, Adam Tihany is known for his practice of thoroughly interpreting a chef’s vision and bringing it to life within the interiors of a restaurant.
• With a refined industrial appeal, Vernick Fish features a partially exposed ceiling and a sophisticated use of bronze and antique brass details.
• Custom terrazzo floor, speckled with what looks like crushed white shells, offers a subtle hint to the sea while echoing the natural colour palette throughout the venue.
• The space is contemporary and casual with a seamless transition from bar to dining area. The white terrazzo extends along the back wall, where the chef’s kitchen is set against a backsplash of blue and cream coloured ceramic tile, the shapes reminiscent of a school of fish.

“I have watched the Philadelphia restaurant scene evolve over the last few years to rival some of the most sought-after food cities in the world. Greg has been a part of that growth, which is why I am excited that Vernick Fish will mark our first-ever project in Philadelphia. We aim to translate the culinary team’s vision of a refined, loft style bar and restaurant into a buoyant local experience with subtle ties to the sea,” says Adam Tihany, Tihany

Design Details

• Seat: 200 total seats, indoor and outdoor
• Restaurant Designer: Adam Tihany
• Cuisine: Modern oyster bar and seafood with a selection of other proteins and vegetables
• Location: One North 19th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia

“Greg is an excellent Chef and it’s been a joy to work so closely with him to develop Vernick Fish. Greg and his team share the commitment of Four Seasons to delivering impeccable service while making people feel right at home. Vernick Fish will be an incredible part of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, and it will help set the high standards for what will be a world-class hotel," says Ben Shank, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center.

"I have admired Greg and the team at Vernick Food & Drink since day one. They have managed to make world-class dining feel warm, accessible, and authentically Philadelphia. We are proud that Greg has chosen our campus for his next undertaking and excited to support him as he builds on his outstanding success,” says Brian L. Roberts, Chairman & CEO, Comcast Corporation

About Chef Greg Vernick

The Cherry Hill, New Jerscy native earned a degree in hospitality management from Boston University and went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America. In New York City, he worked with Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s team at Perry Street, Nougatine, Spice Market and later travelled to Qatar, Tokyo, Vancouver, Boston and Park City to train Chef Vongerichten’s opening teams. In 2012, Greg returned to the Philadelphia area, with his wife Julie, where they opened the doors to their own restaurant, Vernick Food & Drink, serving their honest, no-fuss take on new American cooking. Vernick Food & Drink has been recognised by the likes of Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Philadelphia magazine, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. In May 2017, after receiving his third nomination for the category, Vernick was named Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation.

About Adam D. Tihany

Widely regarded as one of the world's preeminent hospitality designers, Adam D. Tihany has created hotel and dining interiors at some of the most iconic properties around the globe, including Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, One & Only Cape Town, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre. Tihany was one of the first designers to collaborate with celebrity chefs, creating signature restaurants for culinary stars such as Thomas Keller, Heston Blumenthal and Daniel Boulud. Tihany Design is a multidisciplinary design atelier with offices in New York and Rome that has a focus in luxury hospitality design.