Chelsea Hotel

Located in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood, the Chelsea Hotel has an extraordinary history that began in 1883, back when it opened its doors in Chelsea’s former theater district. Its Victorian-Gothic style made it a standout at the time, yet it went bankrupt just a few years after opening. It wasn’t until 1905 that it welcomed guests again, mostly intellectuals, musicians, actors and writers, who stayed here for long periods of time, sometimes for free or in exchange for their artwork. It quickly became a hub of New York’s artistic life and became famous throughout the city, home to some of the greatest artists, including Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Jane Fonda and Bob Dylan. In 1978, it became the scene of a world-famous crime story: the girlfriend of the famous Sex Pistols lead singer was found dead in her room at the Chelsea Hotel. The case was never solved, despite the numerous suspects, among them her boyfriend Sid Vicious, who died of a heroin overdose before standing trial. The hotel’s legendary reputation was further enhanced and celebrities kept coming back for more. In the 2010s, as the 200-year-old building fell into disrepair, renovations were undertaken, forcing out some of the tenants, including Jim Georgiou, who found himself homeless, unable to afford a new place. He settled opposite the Chelsea Hotel and witnessed part of the construction work, including workers who were about to throw away the old doors of the rooms where famous celebrities once stayed. With the help of some of his friends, he decided to salvage them and hold an auction, where they sold 55 doors, including those of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Jim Morrison and Bob Dylan, which fetched over $100,000. It goes to show the sentimental value this hotel holds in the hearts of Americans! It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. As for the renovations that began in 2011, they sparked an outrage among the hotel’s remaining tenants. Many filed lawsuits against the hotel, claiming that the construction work was hazardous to their health. Even so, the renovations continued, and the Chelsea Hotel reopened to guests in 2019.