Living with Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog

News Roundup: Part II

It's time for me to take a break, and encourage you to read the news from around the globe. Listed below are stories that have been published since last Saturday.

MSN: New York Post, NYC Resident, BizBash, Fodors, Agence France-Presse, Metro France, South Asian Women's Forum, India, Tiscali (uk),  Show Biz & Style Inquirer, Tiscali Actualidad, Update --Turkish Press

Blogs: Gawker, Curbed, Gothamist, NYMag, Hotel Chatter, LeVanguardia, Grumpy Old Bookman, NYMag again, Warhol Stars, NYMag again, Design Age, Guida USA, All of Me, NYMag again, Hotel Chatter again, Walking Turcot Yards, Blogs a part, Toll Booths and Train Stops, Disembedded, Do Not Feed Water Fowl, Newbie in New York, Moons of Saturn, Hoover Factory, Detroit Crazy, Guerrero Llevado Adentro, Entre le Uni i la Ciutat,  Mr. Heng's World, Artsy Fartsy, Update - Robert Paterson's Weblog, Disembedded again,

Stories Not Available Online: TV5 (france), LaVanguardia (2 stories in addition to the blog post),  Italian TV (ran some footage from the 5/15 Australian documentary and updated the story)

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

A short time later all of the flowers are gone.  (Thanks Artie)

Wake Up, It's a Chelsea Morning

Someone has lined the cast iron railing along the stairs with sunflowers.  Nice work! Keep it up!

(Thanks to Artie for the photo)

Poet's House Threatened

Poet Dylan Thomas' house in Wales has been beseiged by raving real estate vultures hell-bent on laying waste to the historic structure in a psychotic frenzy of greed that can be satisfied only when they have squeezed every last farthing from the rubble strown lot upon which not one single-celled organism is suffered to draw breath and not one red brick is allowed to rest upon another.  Oh, wait, that's the Chelsea.  But Thomas' house is up for auction, I meant to say.

Arthur C. Clarke Weighs In

Former Chelsea resident Sparkle Hayter and Arthur C. Clarke share the same literary agent.  Thanks to that connection we are able to post this nice note from Arthur C. Clarke.

Dear Russ,

Thanks for your email.

Please give my regards to Stanley and say I have many happy memories of the Hotel Chelsea.

It has been involved with many of the most important aspects of American (and world) literary and artistic history. On no account should the memory of these events be obliterated.

Please pass this to Stanley and anyone else who should be interested.

All good wishes,
Arthur
27 June 2007

The Akashic within the realm of biochemistry:A photographer’s encounter with visionary biologist Rupert Sheldrake

Imagine a microcosmic landscape crackling with pigments of green and gold with electric frequencies of saffron-orange cradling circular pulsating “beings”. 

Rupert Sheldrake has such a painting hanging in his study in Hampstead, London. It was this unexpected gift, given a few years back from Swedish artist Hawk Alfredson (who resides at the Hotel Chelsea) that beckoned the distinguished Prof. Sheldrake to the Hotel Chelsea this spring, 2007.  It was the painting, and of course, an invitation to lecture at New York’s Open Center.   

Sheldrake’s material for “The Extended Mind” focused on his recent double-blind experiments regarding the presence of telepathic communication among conscious beings. As we exist among many different types of non-visible fields (electromagnetic and gravitational, for instance) Sheldrake believes that the natural selection of evolutionary habits working among these fields will one day be proved to play an essential part in any evolutionary theory, including that of physical, cosmic, mental as well as biological evolution. Communication delivered via telepathic means were the basis for two of Sheldrake’s best-selling books in recent years, A Sense of Being Stared At and Dogs that Know When Their Owners are Coming Home. 

It was the beginning of springtime in N.Y. when the tulips around Washington Square Park were opening, thought to be whispering the name “Sheldrake” if one only chose to believe.  A week before meeting Rupert in the hotel lobby I had come face to face with Deepak Chopra (talking business on his mobile) just in front of the Museum of Modern Art.

Both Chopra’s ayurvedic medical practices and Sheldrake’s important theory of “formative causation” have been influenced by Hindu spirituality, Quantum Mechanics and the Kabbalah.  I quickly considered my near-collision with Chopra as a sign to look more closely toward the meaningful coincidences that were happening in my life and to consider myself ready for anything that (John C. Lilly’s) cosmic E.C.C.O. might be lying in wait to reveal.

  I was preparing a four-day visit to Charlottesville, Virginia, with my husband that week to connect with a gallery that would be exhibiting my photographic work.  Immediately, I came to realize that all plans were to be suspended when a tall man with a lanky gait quickly moved through the hotel lobby, heading full force to the elevator.   He was familiar in a way that might be similar to a shape-shifter from a past life.

“Excuse me, might your name be Rupert Sheldrake?” I asked.

“Why, yes.”  Rupert replied quite simply. 

It didn’t take long before we connected over the painting of mystical “circlings”.  He remembered my letter which accompanied my husband’s painting and agreed to be photographed early the next morning, just before his scheduled radio interview.  The photograph was taken in room #1024, known for it’s warm red walls, Edwardian furniture and lovely morning indirect light from the south. 

I’ll always remember this picture of Rupert and think: “What if I had not been unusually aware of the power of synchronicity that week, set off by a mere collision at MOMA?”

One thing that Rupert doesn’t know (yet) is that for several weeks before we met I thought to myself that I wished to contact him in some way, just didn’t know the right way to approach the subject at that time since a couple years had passed without communication. The thought came to my mind several times regarding just what I might write as a friendly greeting, but my mind would encourage me to relax on following through. Somehow, my intuition understood that sometimes one must be patient and just wait for the right moment to arrive.  (Happy Birthday Rupert)

Mia Hanson
Hotel Chelsea
New York
June 2007

Joe Franklin Drops By To Show His Support

The legendary broadcaster Joe Franklin stopped by today to greet fellow legend Stanley and to offer his support. Franklin stressed what a big part of New York City the Bard family is and that he is confident they will return.

We call on all legends of the Chelsea to do whatever you can to support the Bard family and the community that they worked hard to create and maintain.  (Thanks to Artie for the photo and the tip.)

A Tribute to the Old Ways

Film producers will be knocking down David Combs door to get him to star as a young Stanley Bard in their upcoming film about the greedy Lovecraftian scum that took over the Chelsea Hotel.

Credits:  Legends of the Chelsea, Snap Films, View More SOL Videos Here

GAG: Guerillas Against Greed

The new management team, BD Hotels, is universally loathed, and everybody wants Stanley back.  But how do we achieve this goal?  A large number of varied and diverse guerilla activities may – while perhaps not forcing their ouster – at least drive them out of their bloomin’ minds.  Use your creativity – after all, thats what we’re known for around here.  Here are a few suggestions – some of them sent in by readers – to start us all thinking in the right direction.  Let’s make them wish their greedy hides had never been born:

Start on the roof and carry a coffin down the stairs chanting loudly and out the door in a mock funeral for the hotel.

Got some chalk? Write GREED KILLS on the sidewalk outside, or whatever else seems suitable.

Stand behind the desk, and when they ask you to move pretend you are retarded and don’t understand.

Chain yourself to the Harry Truman bust.

No matter where you live, fly a banner from your balcony or window. We know that Mitchell Marks doesn’t mind having banners on the old Y building. Maybe our friend Cindy Gallop can step up to the plate!

In addition to the postcards being sent, buy flowers – they’re not expensive at the Korean grocers and you can sometimes get three small bouquets out of one big cheap one -- and stick them in the railings outside the hotel, in the stairwell balustrade, wherever. Deliver them to the desk! Attach a big cheery card addressed to Marlene Krauss and David Elder, to Andre Bal-however you spell his name and Drukier, with the message of your choice.

Whatever protest is done, a banner, a postcards, a bouquet of flowers with a get well card, it should be photographed/videotaped, and posted online. Maybe your friends all tapdance? have them meet in the Hotel Chelsea lobby, and then tap dance out of there. Have a spontaneous art party in the lobby, and if any from the new order complain just explain that you're waiting for a friend. If they kick you out, make sure it's on video. Then post the videos on youtube and vimeo (with a link here). Photos can be posted on Google picasa or in the hotel chelsea flickr group

Celebrities: when in New York, stop by to give David Elder a piece of your mind.  Don’t forget to bring a film crew.

If you hear any of the suits say anything stupid or incriminating, report it immediately to the blog.  This will make them even more paranoid.

Send Postcards:
Stanley Bard
Chelsea Hotel
222 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011

Ethan Hawke Gives the New Guy a Piece of his Mind

Earlier today Ethan Hawke stopped by to meet the new guy, David Elder. Ethan asked Elder if he was going to be a 'good steward' and when Elder replied 'that's the plan!'  Ethan jumped on him. "That's not a YES or a NO!" Ethan told him twice. "This place is very special to so many people that its scary." (Apologies for the bad photo.  My camera malfunctioned and I only got one shot.  Ethan said it was fine to take the photo.)  Keep up the pressure!  We want to see a celebrity in the lobby every day!

Parody?

Hard to believe I know, but some people just didn't get that the two posts below are spoofs!

Hotelier Rogues Gallery Pt I: Meet Thy Mistress

Through sheer force of her indomitable will, Marlene Krauss, M.B.A., M.D., PlD. bends the very fabric of reality to suit her needs.  After becoming the first woman ever admitted to Harvard Business School – outside of an insignificant trickle of lesser women – she went on to dominate Wall Street for eight years, cornering the gold market and bringing the financial world to its knees.  “You’ve never seen so many grown men cry,” she says.  “Weaklings.  They were throwing themselves out of windows when I was done with them.” 
     Suffering from a case of terminal boredom, Marlene became the first woman to enroll in Harvard Medical School – once again, outside of several others – finishing in less than a semester and subsequently hanging out her shingle as a practicing proctologist.
     “They were ass-clowns to bet against me,” she told a reporter from The Daily Sycophant, “I defy God himself to put a limit on my powers.”  Now, slammin’ hot at 60, she mud-wrestles women a quarter of her age at Spring Break venues around the globe.
     It does bother her, however, that Hillary is the one getting all the attention.  “I could beat that bitch like a drum,” she told Puff-Piece Weekly.  “And if my husband ever got a blow job from a intern – not to mention that disgusting thing with the cigar – there’d be one less pair of testicles this side of the Rio Grande.”

     Together with her husband, who she met at his funeral, Marlene founded several health-care companies, including Cambridge Hiney, a maker of Tuchas decloggers for patients susceptible to chronic constipation, and Mudflap Technology a developer and manufacturer of anal laser systems to correct saddle bags.
     And now she has taken on the ultimate challenge, attempting to run the Chelsea Hotel.  Tremble, Bohemians. -- Ed Hamilton

The Mailbag

As you can imagine, a lot of people have been sending e-mails of support and I'll be posting them throughout the week. Here's one to get you started.

Say What You Want About Stanley Bard (He Never Sucked The Nipple of a Mugwump)

I heard a rumor that new management was staying in room --- and as I am a warm fellow I trotted down to the –-th floor to greet them with a fruit basket and a bottle of moderately priced red wine.

The door creaked open at the first knock and what I saw inside was a nightmarish concoction of Lovecraft mythos and Burroughs imagery.  I tell you my first instinct was to close the door and never look back, but in the dark folds of a stained red bed sheet, illuminated by the sign's neon glow, I saw a small baby crawling on what appeared to be discarded chicken bones.

I summoned the courage to move my stubborn legs, aware that the floor beneath me was unnaturally sticky, even for the Chelsea.  Maneuvering my way through a tangled web of chains hung like ribbons at a child's birthday party, I approached the infant, now as still as a doll. Then the door slammed shut behind me.

I turned around and saw, to my utter horror, the headless body of David Elder.  I tell you now, as God is my witness, I thought that my heart would stop right there, but as I found out, there is something beyond fear, that is when your insides turn against you.  When I heard the voice of David Elder I felt the stomach acid sting at the back of my throat, but when I realized that it was not coming from the headless body but from the baby now tugging on my pant leg, I let forth a long volatile spew which very description would induce the same end.

"Are you a tenant?"  It… he asked, but before I could answer two more voices came from the darkness, "Are you an artist? We like artists"

It wasn't until today when I looked on your blog that I knew who it was I saw when Baby Elder plugged in those tangled blue Christmas lights.  There, in a bib, his body shining, was Andre Balazs and his partner Ira Drukier.  They both looked to be sucking on the body of an old man whose whimpers sent an undulating chill up and down my spine.

Baby Elder, who seemed to be enjoying sitting in a pool of bones and vomit, spoke, "You see, we don't want to get rid of all the artists.  We need you.  You are our food."  He licked his lips and crawled over to Andre's lap.

"You'll never get away with this!" I heard someone saying and then realized it was me.  "We'll leave!  You can't keep us here!"  I was beginning to feel my body again.

"Silly artist," said Baby Elder, "We won't ever 'keep' you here." An ungodly moan came out of the old man and I could see, as his head rolled around, that he looked a lot like me.  Baby Elder let out a laugh.  "We can never keep you here if you want to stay."

Novelist Susan Swan Weighs In: A Sad Day for Arts

I am writing in support of Stanley and David Bard whose management of the Hotel Chelsea has made it a famous New York institution known the world over. The last time I stayed there, I was interviewed in the lobby by a French journalist about the Chelsea's contribution to the city's cultural fabric. The journalist did her story because her paper admired the Chelsea and wanted to tell its story to her readers. Indeed, the Chelsea's story needs to be told and retold, not just to French readers, but to Americans who don't know about Stanley Bard's heroic and largely unsung contribution to the arts in North America. He and his father before him respected the arts and ran their hotel so musicians, actors, artists and writers like myself could stay at a reasonable rate and create on its premises, and the list of work composed, drawn or written at the Chelsea is in many ways a portrait of North America's arts in the twentieth century.

Forcing Stanley and his son David out of the Hotel Chelsea is a sad day for the arts in New York and the rest of the world too. It is also a dumb business decision, sincerely, Susan Swan (Toronto novelist)
(Photo: Susan and Thomas Wolfe having a chat!)

Viva Le Resistance!

In addition to hanging banners, people are walking through the street fair taking place on 23rd Street today handing out fliers which read "Bring Back the Bards!"

News Roundup

If possible, we're gonna take a little break today. It's not like you can't find any news about the Bards being forced out of their management roles. Here's some of the coverage we've seen. 

MSM: New York Times,  New York Post,  Reuters, The Independent, The Age, New York Times again, news.com.au, Western Mail, The Australian, ABC News (AU), TVguide.com, washingtonpost.com, Village Voice, New York Post again, Chelsea Now, NewZealandHearld.com

Blogs: Gothamist, city.room.nytimes, Curbed, Gawker, Hotel Chatter, NY Mag.com, Bloggy.com, Larry Person, Found in Brooklyn, The Huffington Post, The Real Deal, Newyorkology, Gothamist again, Curbed Again, Hoover Factory, Human Under Construction, The Wit of the Staircase, Contemporary Arts Review,
Artsjournal, Chez Bez, Nikki Allen, Hochparterre International, Punk Turns 30, Hotel Chatter again, Ephemerist, I'm Not a Cat Lady, Mad Pilot, best year ever, NYMag.com again Bloggy Bloggy dew, Gothamist again, Hotel Chatter again, artloversny, dolphinhotel, Moon of Saturn,

Stories Not Available Online: International Hearld Tribune, Windsor Star (CA), Canberra Times (AU),

Rubenstein's Corporate Press Release

Marmont East?

GET ready for New York's version of the Chateau Marmont. Hotelier Andre Balazs, owner of the historic Hollywood inn, was spotted "checking out" the interior of the Chelsea Hotel on Tuesday. The Chelsea's owners just turned its operation over to powerhouse BD Management, and we hear Balazs, with his knack for historical preservation, will have a role in running and restoring the place. Now all he has to do is figure out how to entice people who have long lived there for little to no rent to vacate. (Via New York Post)   

Nice to know that Stanley so willingly "turned over" the Hotel that he owns and has run for 50 years.   As for the promised "enticements," bring'em on Andre!

More Questions for New Management

1. Who are these strange people?
2. What restaurant are they dining in?
3. Do you intend to replace that restaurant with a Duane Reade?

(Photo: David McCabe)

Chelsea Horror Hotel: Ominous Note in Boxes

Here's the note that some residents received in their boxes yesterday.  While it doesn't sound too bad, all things considered, I have a sneaking feeling that it will now get worse. In The Independent, Board member David Elder, along with corporate hit men Balazs and Druckier, are quoted as saying they won't evict anyone -- sort of.  "They will not turn out those residents already in rooms, they insist," the article says.  Gotta admit, though, it's not like an airtight contract.  I wish Dee Dee were here to challenge  them to a knife fight.

Warhol Superstar Viva Weighs In: Stanley is the Soul of the Chelsea

Without the legendary Stanley Bard the Chelsea Hotel would be nothing but a pile of bricks, mortar, and wrought iron. One of the few humanitarian landlords in the Country, Stanley, over the past five decades has helped hundreds of struggling artists, including me and my children (who still miss the Chelsea) to survive. This help has included an unerring instinct for publicity, a trait I'm afraid his partners, who inherited from their dead fathers, and who, according to your June 19th Metro article, have driven Stanley out, probably lack. The inheritors, from what I remember of them, seem to lack the
charisma that made Stanley one of New York's most memorable and treasured characters. Without Stanley the Chelsea loses its soul and West 23rd street can welcome the New World Order where profit is the only virtue. Viva (Hoffmann) Palm Springs, Ca.

Attack of the Corporate Pod People

     Our new overlords, the corporate suits of BD Hotels, have just released their plans for our happy home.  Certain quotes are telling.  Board member Marleen Krauss, says, "For many, the Chelsea Hotel is  one of New York's most cherished and legendary landmarks." Yes, but for some its not, including, I suspect Marlene and BD Hotels.
     They say they want to "preserve and restore the building." Sounds fine, but it's words like "enhance," "reinvigorate," and "rejuvenate" that give one pause. Not to mention the diabolical suggestion of "modernization."  Though this latter is applied to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems -- which may not sound like a bad idea -- we need to read between the lines here:  they are going to be tearing out walls, creating an infernal racket, and filling the air with (possibly hazardous) dust. Possibly with a view to driving us out.
     I also bristle at the talk of creating "more inviting and livelier common areas," and "better activitating the Chelsea Hotel's historic spaces."  What else is this but an underhanded way of saying they are going to renovate the lobby?  Haven't you done your homework.  The lobby is the Vortex of Insanity.  You start messing with stuff there and you'll be sucked down into hell!  The ghosts will follow you home, you jerks.
     Also disturbing is the obvious suggestion of a "street-front retail program." A big box, in other words, maybe a bank or a Duane Reade.  Hell, maybe we can clear all that junk out of Dan's Guitar's and get a Starbucks!  A big, fat Vomit Latte for the Armani suit of wolves who came up with this nauseating plan.
     Ira Drukier of BD thinks that with a little work the Chelsea "can once again become a crown jewel of New York City."   But aren't we already that? (They took the Pickwick Arms on East 51st Street and turned it into something called "The Pod Hotel.")  It sounds more like they plan to turn us into just another trashy bauble.  -- Ed Hamilton (Thanks Gothamist for the photo.)

Correction: NCHM Does Not Avert PR Disaster

We have been informed, and rightly we believe, that the New Chelsea Hotel Management (aka: BD Hotels) did not actually avert a public relations disaster.  It is, and still remains, a public relations disaster.  We hope that it remains a public relations disaster until Stanley and David are back where they belong. 

It's clear from the press release that perhaps these people have rarely stepped foot inside of the Chelsea.  A top priority is to "create more inviting and livelier common areas." Have these people never stopped to talk to the lobby sitters?  They're a pretty lively crowd.

New Chelsea Hotel Management Company Averts Public Relations Disaster

The recent move by the Board of Directors, led by Marlene Krauss, to replace Stanley Bard with Ira Drucker Associates, has proved none too popular in these parts. Due to overwhelming tenant support and media interest, Stanley has been allowed to stay on at the hotel, albeit in a reduce role of "Consultant' or "goodwill ambassador."  While this is not ideal, it's good to know we'll still have him here to look after our interests. 
     Sadly, Stanley's son, David, has apparently been told there is no place for him in the new order (at least at this time.)  It's a shame he never got the chance to run the place himself.  He's still young, however, so perhaps in a few years he'll be back, as we hear that control of the hotel will eventually revert back to the Bard family.  They are, after all, still the majority shareholders.
     We need to remain vigilant, and keep up the pressure so that Stanley will continue to have a say in the running of the hotel, rather than being gradually forced out, and so that there'll still be something left of the place for David to come back to.

Blogs: Gothamist, city.room.nytimes, Curbed, Gawker, Hotel Chatter, NY Mag.com, Bloggy.com, Larry Person, Found in Brooklyn, The Huffington Post, The Real Deal, Newyorkology, Gothamist again, Curbed Again, Hoover Factory, Human Under Construction, The Wit of the Staircase, Contemporary Arts Review,
Artsjournal, Chez Bez, Nikki Allen, Hochparterre International, Punk Turns 30, Hotel Chatter again, Ephemerist, I'm Not a Cat Lady, Mad Pilot, best year ever, NYMag.com again Bloggy Bloggy dew, Gothamist again, Hotel Chatter again

MSM: New York Times,  New York Post,  Reuters, The Independent, The Age, New York Times again, news.com.au, Western Mail, The Australian, ABC News (AU), TVguide.com, washingtonpost.com, Village Voice,

Stories Not Available Online: International Hearld Tribune, Windsor Star (CA), Canberra Times (AU),

Rubenstein's Corporate Press Release

New Management Company

We’ve learned that the new management company is Ira Drucker Associates. Drucker was involved in the conversion of the Covenant House into the Maritime Hotel. He also recently partnered with other developers to develop the two Richard Meier glass towers on Perry Street.

A Message From Stanley Bard

Stanley Bard is back in the building today for what appears to be his final day as manager of the Chelsea Hotel.  We asked him if he would like to say a few words to the tenants of the hotel.

CB:  Do you have a statement for the tenants and other readers of this blog?

Stanley:  I’ve been here 50 years and this hotel is my life.  I am fighting for my rights and for my people, who are some of the most beautiful most creative people in the world.  We want the transition to be smooth so that everyone is not scared out of their minds.  And this is not the way to do it.  Peoples lives are too important. 

CB:  Do you know what your role will be in the new order?
Stanley: I haven’t got a clue as to my role.  I hope to be able to influence the direction of the hotel in some way. 

CB:  Do you have any advice for tenants?
Stanley:  Just tell the truth, give your true feelings.  Everyone knows that I work as hard as anyone and I don’t know what more I can do.  I have tried to give them (the board of directors) everything they want.  They want more profits and I don’t blame them, but this is not the way to go about it, throwing out poor artists.  Some people need a little extra help, and I’ve always tried to do what I can.  Over the years people here have created some really beautiful, meaningful things, and they just needed that little bit of help to be able to do it.  This hotel has heart and soul and it’s not all about the bottom line!  (Photo: David Gibbons, Chelsea Now)

Top 10 Questions for the New Management Team

Where's Stanley?
Here’s my portfolio, can I get a room?

Can I stay in Sid’s room?
Where’s the hotel bar?

Did Harry Smith keep a zombie in his room?
Can we go up on the roof?
Do you plan to take down the art?
Can we have a laundry room in the basement?
Do you know who the bloggers are?
Are you going to gut the building?
Can you get the junkie out of my bathroom?
How many people have committed suicide here?

Do I really have to pay my rent now?

Do you have any questions for the new management team? 
Bring'em on!

Board-Directed Coup Topples Chelsea Hotel’s Famed Manager Stanley Bard

The breaking news at New York’s famed Chelsea Hotel is that managing partner Stanley Bard, and the rest of the Bard family, have been forced out by their board of directors. Starting Monday, an as yet unnamed new management company will take over the day-to-day operations of the hotel. The beloved Stanley—everyone calls him by his first name—has been in charge of the hotel for over fifty years.
     It was he who fashioned and maintained the unique creative dynamic of the hotel, presiding over the sixties when Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen wrote some of their greatest songs here, and Andy Warhol filmed the famous Chelsea Girls. Since then, nearly everyone who’s anyone in the New York art, music and writing scene has lived here at sometime or another, including Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, Madonna, Dee Dee Ramone, and more recently Ethan Hawke and Ryan Adams. Stanley has always managed to keep rents low for the creative people living here, most of whom—unlike the stars listed—don’t have much money, but all of whom are just as important in maintaining the famous Chelsea spirit.
     Certainly we’re all a bit apprehensive here at the hotel, wondering what will happen now to our unique artistic community. The actual ownership structure of the hotel is a closely guarded secret. It is known that Stanley’s father, David, in partnership with two men named Krauss and Gross, bought the hotel in 1940. (Stanley took over upon his father’s death in 1957.) These days, the part of the hotel that Stanley’s father owned is still in the Bard family, but the interests of the other partners’ families are represented by a board of directors. The board seems to have given Stanley a wide latitude in managing the hotel over the years--that is, apparently, until just recently. What happened is that the hotel simply became too valuable.      
     When Chelsea was a depressed neighborhood it was one thing, but now that this area is one of the most desirable in New York, the temptation to cash in has apparently proved too compelling to ignore. The other owners—outsiders who have no stake in the Chelsea--would just as soon turn the building into a boutique hotel and rent the rooms to rich tourists, or gut the building and convert it to condos. Lately, the board had been pressing Stanley relentlessly to make more money, and in the past few years he made a series of missteps, raising rents on many tenants—perhaps illegally--initiating a flurry of lawsuits.
     Despite some ruffled feathers and bad feelings, however, few of us here doubt that Stanley has always had our best interests, and those of our unique community, at heart. On the other hand, many of us suspect that this is what gave the board the pretext for the take-over. Stanley, who was seen staggering out of his office Thursday evening in disbelief after being given the news, was ousted just days before his 73rd Birthday on June 16. He had planned to turn over the reins of the hotel to his son, David, who has worked alongside him for many years. Please write in to this blog to show your support for the Bard family and the Chelsea artistic community. -- Ed Hamilton  (Photo: Chelsea Now)

Bard Family Out?

Update --   We have talked to a source who has spoken with the Bards.  They have been forced out of their management role.  As far as we know they still retain their ownership share.  Stanley Bard took over operation of the hotel from his father, David Bard, in the mid-1950s. (By the  way, today, June 16, is Stanley Bard's 73^rd birthday. How weird is that?)  Stanley has always managed to keep the rents at least somewhat affordable for the writers and artists in residence, but now his partners (represented by a board of director) have forced him and his son out of their management roles.  This certainly means the end of an era for the hotel.  We have been hearing rumors since early 2006 that the board was putting pressure on Stanley to make the hotel more profitable.  --
______

Numerous sources are reporting that the Bard family is no longer in charge of the Chelsea Hotel.  Apparently this occurred Thursday night when a member of the board came to the hotel to deliver the news to Stanley that he was out.  Stanley was seen staggering out of his office in disbelief at the news.  Although he had been under pressure from the board for some time this apparently came as a bolt out of the blue. 

We have it on good sources that an outside management corporation will take over operation of the hotel on Monday.  Of course, we'll all wait to see what Monday brings.    There is still a possibility that these rumors will prove unfounded.  Stanley Bard is a tough cookie.  So no one should panic yet. 

We will add to this breaking story as we learn more information.

A Politico Visits the Basement

U.S. Presidential candidate Mike Gravel (D- Sen. Ala. Retired) speaks to Queerty.com readers on June 14, 2007 at the Star Lounge of the Hotel Chlesea in New York City. Gravel expressed adamant support for the rights of lesbian, gay and transgendered Americans to the assembled crowd. More at Queerty.com
(Photo: Your Pal Matt)

How Does It Feel To Be One of the Beautiful People?

     It's gratifiying to see that they're paying attention to the Chelsea out there in the Heartland.  Joe Atkins of Mississippi's Clarion-Ledger came to New York for a conference, loved the Chelsea -- though his wife didn't share his enthusiasm--and even managed to convince himself that the rooms here are moderately  priced.
     Joe's reporting uncovered the key factoid that we are in the 7th year of a 10-year restoration project.  Though it's nice to know it will soon be over, I think someone is not counting properly: they replaced the florescent lights and checkerboard linoleum in 96, by my counting, and surely that counts as the beginning (of the end?).
     Stanley gives a great interview, praising residents of this fair establishment as "...the most beautiful, creative, the most sensitive that ever walked the planet." (He forgot to mention: etherial, angelic, divine.) As if our egos aren't big enough already?
     Luckilly, however, we have a powerful agent in the real world to protect us from the run-away real estate market.  As Stanley assures us, "Money is not everything. I'm trying to prove that."  Ah, but as Knute Rockne sasid to the young Giper: "Money isn't everything, it's the only thing." As we fly our astral planes and take our trips about the bay, young grasshoppers, lets try to stay grounded in the fact that this is New York.
     But the funniest part of the article is where Stanley disses the Algonquin, dismissing their vaunted Roundtable as a mere "dining experience." We'll have to talk to our friend Kevin Fitzpatrick, president of the Dorthy Parker Society/Algonquin Fan Club and see if he has a rejoinder!  -- Ed Hamilton