Stanhope Hotel
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| The Stanhope | |
| Building Information | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Stanhope |
| Location | Upper East Side, New York City, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Architect | Rosario Candela |
| Completion Date | 1926 |
| Style | neo-Italian |
Stanhope Hotel is a 16-story building at 995 Fifth Avenue in New York City, across Fifth Avenue from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The building was renamed The Stanhope in 2005, reflecting its current use as a residential co-op with 27 units.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The Stanhope Apartment Hotel opened in 1927 under the ownership of the 955 Fifth Avenue Corporation. It shortly passed into the ownership of Benjamin Winter, Inc. in 1928, followed by joint ownership among four banks, including the Bank of United States, 1932. Following acquisition by Hopestand Realty Corporation, the Stanhope Hotel built a reputation for luxury and live music. The hotel's Rembrandt Room cabaret featured George Feyer from 1968-1980, and Greta Keller for several weeks each year[2] through 1964, returning for a week's encore in 1971.[3]
Hotel ownership changed twice in 1961, first to Webb Knapp, Inc. in August, then to the Alliance Realty Company in October. The hotel continued its reputation as home to many well-to-do New Yorkers and entertaining celebrity visitors like Ringo Starr in 1969[4]
Judson Realty purchased the hotel in 1980 and renamed it the American Stanhope Hotel as a statement about several major local hotels passing into foreign ownership. In 1982, Herbie Mann established the music policy at the hotel's Saratoga Room restaurant.[5]
The hotel was acquired by New York developer Gerald Guterman's Hanover Companies for $19 million in 1986. He undertook a $26 million Louis XV-style renovation with plans to sell the 132 rooms and suites as cooperatives while running the building as a luxury hotel.[6] When the hotel reopened following renovations, it was among the first hotels in the city to pass the room cost of $200 per night. [7] Unfortunately, the expected profit was not realized and the Hanover subsidiary that owned the Stanhope filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 1988. [8]
The hotel was purchased by Tobishima Associates at a November 1988 bankruptcy auction for $76 million.[9]
In 1999, the building was purchased by Hyatt and subsequently operated as the Stanhope Park Hyatt Hotel. The hotel's cabaret was revived as the Melrose Room, featuring talents including pianist Steve Ross[10] and soprano Anna Bergman[11]. It ceased operation as a hotel on January 13, 2005.
[edit] Famous deaths
- 1946: Kiki Preston (née Alice Gwynne), plunged out a window.
- 1955: Charlie Parker, in the suite of Nica de Koenigswarter.
[edit] Fictional references
- Sex and the City, Episode 39 Season 3: "Easy Come, Easy Go", Carrie goes to The Stanhope Hotel to get away from the noise in her apartment.
- Sex and the City, Episode 5 Season 1: "The Power of Female Sex", Over dinner, a friend introduces a young, handsome architect to Carrie. Her evening ends at his luxurious hotel (The Stanhope). Waking up, she finds that the man has left her a considerable sum of money.
[edit] References
- ^ Barbanel, Josh (2006-11-09). A Classic Candela With a Storied Past, but Few Takers. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Drake, David (2002-10-28). Ross Recovers a Rembrandt. Playbill. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Wilson, John S. (1971-03-05). Greta Keller Sings And Evokes Aura Of the Twenties. The New York Times.
- ^ Judy Klemesrud. (1969-06-01). But His Teeth Are Regular Pearls. The New York Times.
- ^ Wilson, John S. (1982-04-09). Pop Jazz; HERBIE MANN ESTABLISHES MUSICAL BASE ON FIFTH AVE.. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Foderaro, Lisa W. (1988-02-17). A King's Fall: Tax Changes Reverse Rise Of Developer. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Lyons, Richard D. (1986-11-30). Manhattan Hotels Break the $200 Barrier. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ S.E.C. Cites Realty Unit. The New York Times (1988-06-07). Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Associated Press (1989-01-14). Japanese Company Buys Hotel. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (2002-11-12). CABARET REVIEW; Channeling Cole and Noël For Starters. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (2004-03-04). CABARET REVIEW; A Line Between Rodgers and Gounod, You Know. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
