The Lexington Hotel in New York wished Marilyn Monroe happy birthday on June 1 with the unveiling of a suite in honor of the famous Gemini.
The new Norma Jean Suite is the exact 600-sf space that Monroe lived in with Joe DiMaggio during their brief marriage. Formerly known as the Centerfield Suite, it is here where the famous couple was living when Monroe filmed the iconic skirt-blowing scene just a couple blocks away from the hotel for the movie, “The Seven Year Itch,” which also happened to debut on June 1 back in 1955.
The suite pays homage to Monroe’s birth name, Norma Jeanne Mortenson, and features a mid-century modern look—perfect for any VIP or private group looking to incorporate the Mad Men–era theme. A palette of black, white and blush, with splashes of red, exude the bombshell look for which Monroe was known. Velvet and silk fabrics meld with mixed metals and mirrored surfaces for a sense of luxury throughout the living room and dining room that leads out onto a private terrace.
DiMaggio also plays a role in the space, with a Louisville Slugger bat placed in the couple’s umbrella stand. Other touches that give the space a homey feel include the Bloomingdale’s shopping bags (from Monroe’s favorite store) and a vintage Dom Perignon Champagne bucket in the bar. Even the vanity features a repurposed bottle vase of Chanel No. 5, and the headboard for the bed is made with white vegan leather and black velvet trim.
This latest makeover continues the hotel’s historic theme. Built in 1929, the hotel underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that debuted in late 2013. The entire property takes groups back to the hotel’s glory days with a refreshed look that combines old and new.
