In an interview, we asked Mr. Balazs about his building's entendre-heavy name (and his martini-sipping beaver logo). "First off, not many people get--focus on that. It’s utter descriptiveness," he said, meaning that the building is located at William and Beaver streets. "We like beavers, they’re very industrious creatures. And, frankly, they’re such an important part of New York. You know the Astor family, the wealthiest family at the time this building was built, their family crest has a beaver on it. Most of the wealth from New York was based on trapping trade!"

And here's this from the handsome hotelier: "Beavers are a very venerable, important animal to New York; I say that with a straight face."