Four Seasons Hosts Sneak Peak Party at BOK Building to Celebrate Comcast Plans in Philadelphia, PA

Greens and white candlelight … nature’s simple and perfect analogous match to bacon and eggs.

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

“Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” –Dom Pérignon, monk and cellar master attributed to the discovery of champagne, upon first tasting it.

As in Dom’s quote above, I found myself not only “tasting the stars” but doing so beneath them, when the Four Seasons Hotel celebrated its impending 2019 installation atop the Comcast Center by hosting a rooftop, invite-only Pop Down event at South Philly’s BOK building.

According to Peter Nowlan, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the hotel, “Four Seasons Pop Down brings the Four Seasons experience out into our communities by connecting people to the creativity, talent and passion of our people in new and exciting ways, and in unexpected places. With this event, we are particularly excited to reintroduce our brand to Philadelphia, offering the city a taste of what’s to come when Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center opens.”

And what an event this Pop Down was! I’ve covered enough pops (both up and down) to know exceptional and standout when I see and experience it. Approaching the BOK building, the staircase on either side was festooned with so many yellow and white roses they could’ve populated a field. More voluminous sprays of roses draped the entrance overhang, including a greenery base to create a lovely cascade effect. The flora and fauna welcome was glorious… the talk of the Bok, if you will. On entering, party-goers were served bubbly by a woman wearing a silken, upscale pajama set emblazoned with the hotel’s name. A large blossom graced her delicate up do, ensuring thematic consistency of a lush, bountiful natural paradise. Guests reached for flutes of pink champagne en route to the Pop Down’s portal, which transported us to yet another dimension of grandeur, where more botanical blooms and flourishing greens reigned supreme and prominent.

Party central’s cozy interior showcased incredible artisanal displays, including a giant topiary rabbit akin to the similarly shaped and representative green Liberty Bell at the building’s entrance. Several circular photo-op locations … one a red roses-laden and heart-shaped (through which the night skyline could be viewed) … another tall circle of greens beckoned attendees to pose, smile and “say cheese.” All greens were expertly manicured … so much so that I’d half expected to see Edward Scissorhands in mid-shear somewhere in the nearly standing room-only crowd. The warm glow of lighted candles enhanced the dream-like atmosphere. This rooftop beneath the stars created a magical vision of a veritable enchanted forest, a Shakespearean Midsummer Night’s Dream. Seating availability was a mix of open and roomy comfy sectional blocks or more intimate nook- and cranny areas.

The hotel, which had been absent from Philadelphia some three years, is slated to open mid-2019. Guest rooms will occupy floors 48 through 60 of the Comcast Center; the 57th floor claims a spa sanctuary that includes seven rooms in which to luxuriate and be pampered. If that’s not impressive enough, an indoor infinity pool will boast further a Garden of Eden-like experience. And speaking of gardens, the very artists whose work and creations populated the Pop Down will be permanently ensconced within the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia; renowned floral artist Jeff Leatham was named the hotel’s Artistic Director.

The good news continues! As with the floral artist being in-house, the masterful chefs and superb mixologists, whose creations were on display at the fete, will as well be an in-residence team at the hotel. Savor this talent: Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Philly’s own Chef Greg Vernick and Hotel Executive Chef Maxime Michaud. Praise for the Pop Down’s talent doesn’t stop with the permanent house team. Other featured Four Seasons Hotel foodstuff- and dessert creations at the one-night only party arrived courtesy of other Four Seasons hotels-both stateside and international. Making their pop down pit stops were experts from Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Jakarta, Florida, Austin and Dubai. Four Seasons hotels are no strangers to major metropolitan cities, so expect nothing but first-class treatment when you do eventually visit Philadelphia’s sure-to-be gem. Check out the snaps below and salivate over both the tempting appetizers and sweet treats we guests swooned over on sight and when tasting. I even got to break a heart … a chocolate one, that is.

While the Pop Down was an event to shout about from the rooftop, my desire to pop in to the actual hotel now intensifies. Mid-2019 can’t get here soon enough. Experience Philly’s continued growth and deserved pride in what will arguably become a repeat destination for those near- and far. See you soon beneath the stars!

Keep abreast of the opening date’s progress reports by visiting www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia.

Roses galore along the building’s façade and staircase welcome guests.

Guess the number of roses and win I’m not sure what; however, to see so many in one spot is to just want to count them!

Not quite the hologram, although this pop down welcome image still projects a similar shiny, happy effect.

Check it out: Philly’s Liberty Bell represented in topiary fashion!

It’s all pretty: floral display, Four Seasons silky jammies, the young woman and her up-do’s accessory and champagne. I don’t know where to look first.

Bubby and a frost-top amid glass, greens and candlelight. More prettiness ensues!

Is there any décor more appealing than flickering white candlelight nestled among greens, lovely lady notwithstanding, that is.

Herewith a mesmerizing display, easily one of the finest I’ve seen during my 2018 assignments. Talk about going “all out.”

How is it that these perfectly cozy thrones are unoccupied? Their vacancy didn’t last long.

Beautiful Four Seasons logo images in what surely resembles an enchanted garden.

Topiary bunny taking it all in of which there’s much to take in, including sweeping city views. Was this the work of Edward Scissorhands?

Who needs posing people in this frame blocking such a scenic backdrop?

In a word, spectaculariffic! [sic]

The view from on high’s pop down par-tay.

Good-time smiles are a fabulous sight to behold and two of our fabulous blogger friends to boot!

Is that a Johnny Jump-Up I see before me in my go-to cocktail, the margarita? It’s like a lily in a pond of booze.

This man is rocking the dapper gentleman look a la Cary Grant. Old-school elegance in denim, and he pulls it off with elan.

These charming floral-appointed cocktails were mega-photographically appealing.

This delicacy looks as if it would fit right in at the Philadelphia Flower Show, and yet it’s 100% edible. Compliments to the chef … or is it the horticulturist?

The man with the hand who created these foodstuff grands should definitely keep his day job.

Gotta have the requisite deejay at an event as special as was this one. This one was quite the tunes’ wizard.

WOW: can’t you just live here … so incredibly inviting it is. Talk about a room with a view.

Poised and lovely partygoers dressed to nines.

From left, Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess and Visit Philadelphia President and CEO Jeff Guaracino.

The light bites at this fete were devastatingly perfect on all levels on which such creations are judged.

The body language here suggests a conversation work eavesdropping on. But I kid–about the listening in, not the body lingo.

Stick around for the next few photos if you want to see a heart get broken. Herewith, the tools of the trade.

Sharon Kozden joyfully demonstrates how to break a heart … but only because it’s made of chocolate. Human hearts deserve to be cradled and never-ever emotionally mallet-stricken.