GO: NYC - The Chelsea Hotel, Grammercy & SoHo
finally made it to The Hotel Chelsea in NYC. It was built in 1883, initially as a co-op when the area was the theatre district. As the neighborhood changed it was converted into a hotel in 1905. I was intrigued by its history of iconic literary, musical and artistic types living/staying/hanging out within its walls.
The Lobby
Hallways and Stairwells lined with Art
Bob Dylan, musician, wrote the majority of the lyrics for his double album Blonde on Blonde in room 211. Dylan Thomas, poet, was found in a coma in room 205 after having 18 whiskey drinks at the White Horse Tavern and subsequently died at a hospital. Arthur Miller, playwright, wrote the 1964 stage show "After the Fall" in room 614 post his divorce from Marilyn Monroe. Sid Vicious, bassist for the Sex Pistols, was charged with the stabbing Nancy Spungen to death in room 100, but died from a heroin overdose before conviction. Robert Mapplethorpe, photographer/artist, lived with Patti Smith, musician, in room 1017 and took his first photographs in the building. Andy Warhol filmed Chelsea Girls, primarily at the hotel. The long-term manager, Stanley Bard, was known to accept art for rent. There are many more stories of well known entertainers creating their craft at the hotel.
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Tuna Niçoise
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As of 2022 it is now a luxury boutique hotel continuing the artistic heritage but with more upscale finishes. It has two restaurants: Cafe Chelsea, open since 2022 (French) and El Quijote, open since 1930 (Basque/Spanish). We had a tasty brunch at the cafe.
Don Quijote greets guests.
Afterward we meandered over to Gramercy Park to look for the east 19th Street home of George Bellows (famous Columbus born realist artist during the early 20th century) where he created numerous artworks in his windowed fourth story studio.
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Next stop Union Square.
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Lillie's Victorian Establishment decorated for the holidays
November - January.
November - January.
Afterward, we headed to midtown to see the holiday tree at
Rockefeller Center on its final night before being disassembled and
chopped up to build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
Rockefeller Center on its final night before being disassembled and
chopped up to build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
SoHo
Soho (South of Houston Street) is renowned for its delightful, decorative 19th century cast-iron buildings and cobblestone streets. It has the largest concentration of that style of edifice in the world. Originally a dry goods and manufacturing area, then artist enclave, and now high end fashion brands, independent retail, design stores and art galleries.
Architecture - Cast-Iron
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Dining
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Balthazar (French) is a must stop, and always quite the scene. Open since the 90s and absolutely wonderful!
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Manuela offers a contemporary art ambience paired with locally sourced food. The food and drink is fresh and artfully pulled together for a delicious dining experience.
Art
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Fashion & Design
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GO NYC, London & Paris
w/Kathy & Alec Wightman
Issue LX
w/Kathy & Alec Wightman
Issue LX
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