The Hotel Chelsea roof, by Sam Horine
Is the Hotel Chelsea one step closer to becoming a shell of its former self? A trendy, celeb hot spot, a generic boutique hotel... that kinda thing? You betcha. Hoteliers Andre Balazs and Ian Schrager have both been interested in the property, and may now be entering a bidding war; Page Six reports that "several bids are in but no deal has been struck." A source told the paper that "management has already been whittling down the tenants. They would go in there and get building permits to renovate the rooms and then make them hotel rooms. They aren't giving out long-term leases." The source noted that the place will "cost a fortune to overhaul," and the only way to avoid lawsuits is to buy tenants out in cash. Whoever takes this place over, they better not touch that amazing roof.
Sort of related: if you have managed to stick it out this long and still live at the hotel, and have a piano, please contact us asap! Thank you.
