The Standard Hotel

Looking like a giant friendly robot in mid-stride over the High Line, the latest Andre Balazs project is well on its way to completion. With a soft-opening in December, this hotel is designer-chic, eco-chic, and currently—construction-chic. Look for a rooftop pool, in-house restaurant, and plenty of paparazzi. Rack rates ($195) through early 2009 include WiFi and a binder full of take-out menus. Look out MPD, here it comes.