The Hotel Chelsea in New York is famous for its artistic and bohemian history, with famous writers, musicians, and filmmakers having stayed there. It has a creative atmosphere and a “anything goes” vibe, with many wild parties having occurred there. The hotel is still home to artists and actors, and even derelicts and strays are welcome if they can pay the bill.
The saying, if these walls could talk, has never been more apt than when applied to the Hotel Chelsea. The Chelsea Hotel is famous all over the world, particularly for artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers. Located at 222W 23rd Street, New York, it has been described as the ultimate outpost for the bohemian.
Built in 1884 and originally opened as a family apartment complex, it was the tallest building in New York at the time. It opened its doors as the Hotel Chelsea in 1905. Chelsea seemed to have a magnetic pull that brought in the creative and the strange. The guest list of residents at the Hotel Chelsea reads like a who’s who of the artistic elite.
Legendary writers are a staple at the Hotel Chelsea. Mark Twain, Nelson Algren, William Burroughs, Thomas Wolfe, Dylan Thomas and Arthur Miller have all worked at the Hotel Chelsea. Many great works of literature have been written there when writers have moved and decided to stay, sometimes for years.
The Chelsea Hotel seemed to have an invisible attraction and was extremely conducive to a creative atmosphere. Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and many more came, worked, stripped, did drugs and partied at Chelsea. The infamous and alleged murder of Nancy Spungen by Sid Vicious in Room 100 only adds to Chelsea’s legendary mystique. Apparently, for some reason, room 100 is gone.
In the 1960s, Andy Warhol’s troupe moved into the Hotel Chelsea, bringing in the transvestites and flamboyants. There were stories of artists paying their rent with paintings. While it’s doubtful that strangers can still pay with paintings, the hotel still retains its “anything goes” vibe.
The walls of the Hotel Chelsea are lined with artwork, and artist David Combs can be found painting in the lobby most days. The Chelsea Hotel is said to bring a community feel to its residents. It’s as if you live in the creative center of the world and the story seeps into your soul.
Many books have been written about the Hotel Chelsea. The internet is awash with stories about the wild happenings and parties that have occurred there. Anyone who has ever been there seems to have taken the elevator with at least one celebrity guest, most likely Ethan Hawke. In recent years, Hawke has been a regular at the hotel. He also directed a movie called Chelsea Walls.
Staying at the Hotel Chelsea is an experience not to be missed when visiting New York. It may not have the largest of rooms, but it has the feel of something special. The Chelsea Hotel is still home to writers, actors and artists, and if they can pick up the bill, derelicts and strays are welcome too.
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