If you’re visiting the blog for the first time because you saw the segment on Channel 7 Eyewitness News this morning, welcome. I’m sure you’ll find much of interest here, including updates on what has transpired since the beloved Stanley Bard was ousted as manager over the summer. In a nutshell, the long term manager and majority owner of the hotel, Stanley Bard, was accused by the minority share holders Marlene Krauss and David Elder of being a bad businessman and forced out in a hostile takeover. The bottom line is, the hotel had simply become too valuable and the millions that their shares were producing for them just wasn’t enough. They brought in glass tower developers Richard Born and Ira Drukier to manage the hotel. Media outrage ensued and the bohemian vibe of the Hotel was forever altered. We’d like to see the Bard family reinstated, and for that reason the attention generated by WABC News is doubly welcome.
In many ways, the Chelsea Hotel is a microcosm of New York. The city is encouraging luxury development at the expense of affordable housing, and middle class and working class New Yorkers are being priced out. Landmark protections and rent protection laws need to be strengthened if New York is to retain its diversity and remain on the cutting edge. Please let politicans know of your concern on these issues.
As far as the Chelsea itself, an important cultural institution is being destroyed because the new management company (BD) refuses to take in new permanent tenants, preferring instead to convert all rooms to transient use. The heart and soul of Chelsea Bohemia is the building’s mix of permanent tenants and transients over a wide range of economic situations. In addition, rent-stabilized units are being lost. Once again, please voice your displeasure to your state & local representatives. You might also want to call the hotel, or even drop by, to complain. — Ed Hamilton
Living with Legends
Hotel Chelsea Blog
5 responses to “Welcome WABC TV Viewers”
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Ed, Were you interviewed on eyewitness news? Is there a link to the story anywhere online? Would love to see it.
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I stayed at the Chelsea last week, for the first time (and the last). I could rant about a number of problems, but these are the two I cannot forgive: 1) I found a toenail clipping in the bed that definitely was not mine, and 2) I never got my wake-up call on the one morning I really needed it.
At this rate the Chelsea is never going to make it as a proper hotel and might very well hang on to its bohemian vibe for years to come.LikeLike
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we never found toenails that weren’t ours in our bed under Stanley and we always got our wakeup calls. The hotel is getting worse in every way under BD and our Dear Overlords.
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Hello! I stayed at the Hotel 11/9-11/11 and was pleased with the stay. I was disheartened that Stanley Bard was not at the front desk upon arrival and had no knowledge of the hostile takeover,i was simply ecstatic that i’d be staying at the hotel that i’d read and heard so much about. My friend and i were “upgraded” to an apartment at check in and had a great room in which our balcony ran directly below the marquis,which i love. Although i hate the takeover of the hotel and what it may mean to the long time residents and bohemians that frequent the lobby,i’d hope that some common ground will eventually be reached so that the hotel can profit while the guests stay interesting!!
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Don, the hotel did profit, just not enough,. Greed is insatiable, so I wonder how it would be possible for common ground to be reached. A change of heart and attitude on the Overlord side would do the cause a lot of good.
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