The William Vale announces the appointment of Sébastien Maingourd as the general manager of Brooklyn’s latest hotel development located on 55 Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. Maingourd, an accomplished hospitality executive with nearly 20 years of international boutique, resort and corporate brand experience, will direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the hotel slated to open in early 2016.
The William Vale is a 21-story hotel rising in Brooklyn’s dynamic Williamsburg neighborhood. From architecture firm Albo Liberis, the project will stand as a landmark signifying the area’s progressive spirit and inclinations toward a more modern and refined aesthetic. Maingourd will apply his extensive experience in all facets of the hospitality industry to ensure the property provides an authentic, approachable and luxurious experience for international travelers and locals alike. His expertise and leadership will further solidify the property as a Williamsburg mainstay and an icon that inspires New York City to continue to offer unparalleled experiences for travelers across the globe.
“Sébastien’s experience in food and beverage, resorts and boutique brands make him a natural fit for The William Vale team,” said Mordy Steinfeld, Director of Operations with Riverside. “Sébastien exudes an unmatched ability to dedicate full focus and attention to his guests which is exactly what we were looking for in a general manager. At The William Vale, we want every service touch to be personalized and meaningful.”
Maingourd began his career within the food and beverage sector where he served in various leadership roles including manager of The Como Melbourne in Australia where he oversaw venues including “So Bar” and “The Como Restaurant” as well as manager of The Loft KL in Malaysia where he worked with restaurants “Mezza Notte,” “Tokyo Tei” and “Upstairs.”
The William Vale is expected to be one of Williamsburg’s desired destinations for dining and entertainment. Elizabeth Blau, whose Las Vegas company helped develop the new Rainbow Room, was hired to consult on the restaurant and rooftop lounge concepts.
Most recently, Maingourd served as the General Manager of Hotel Christopher Villas and Spa in St. Barth’s, where he oversaw a vast hotel team, branding, outreach, communications and finances. Prior to this position, he held leadership roles at properties around the globe including General Manager at Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, where he was an instrumental player in the achievement of world rankings by TripAdvisor and Travel Choice awards, as well as Assistant General Manager with Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa where he developed courses related to the coral reef preservation to further enhance the property’s experience and brand.
Maingourd received a Master’s of Business Administration in international hospitality management from ESSEC Business School, in conjunction with Cornell University and earned a degree in hospitality management from École Hôtelière de Paris. He speaks French, English and Spanish and lives in Manhattan with his wife and child.
