Welcome NY Times Book Review Readers
Welcome to everyone who’s coming to the blog from the NYTBR. I’m sure you’ll find much of interest here, including updates on what has transpired since the beloved Stanley Bard was ousted as manager over the summer. In a nutshell, the long term manager and majority owner of the hotel Stanley Bard, was accused by the minority share holders Marlene Krauss and David Elder of being a bad businessman and forced out in a hostile takeover. The bottom line is, the hotel had simply become too valuable and the millions that their shares were producing for them just wasn't enough. They brought in glass tower developers Richard Born and Ira Drukier to manage the hotel. And the bohemian vibe of the Hotel was forever altered as media outrage ensued. We’d like to see the Bard family reinstated, and for that reason the attention generated by the review is doubly welcome.
It’s nice to get a reviewer (Jeff Giles) who really knows how to write. What’s more, despite some of his more critical comments (which I thought were more or less fair enough), he seems to really get where I’m coming from with the book, and the comic/tragic vibe of the hotel. One correction: the book is not exactly a collection of the blog entries. About half of the material in the book has never appeared on the blog. -- Ed Hamilton
It happens everywhere, all the time. Property values go up, developers move in, good-bye landmarks and cool places. End of story.
Posted by: Danno | October 29, 2007 at 09:43 AM
It doesn't happen all the time. People like Jane Jacobs in the Village, who take action and act intelligently, can make huge changes in very short periods of time.
If the Chelsea Hotel residents call their lawyers and keep up the pressure, they can save one of the city's most important buildings.
There are a lot of people in New York who are sympathetic to the Chelsea and will help if and when called on.
Defeatist attitudes are so boring.
Posted by: witness | October 29, 2007 at 11:43 AM
with popularity comes value, the West Village is not the same as in the 50s & 60s and the East villgae also changed with popularity and the type people who lived and made both so cool were driven out. Can the Chelsea hold on?? HOPE SO
BIG GLASS buildings with no soul stink
Posted by: Jim Stavola | October 29, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Hi Ed,
I've noted you here in my blog. Best wishes to all.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/a-chelsea-rhapsody-chelsea-mournings/
Posted by: Desembedded | October 29, 2007 at 07:58 PM
witness...what Danno said IS TRUE. It DOES happen all the time. I don't know how you can dispute a fact like that.
HOWEVER, what you said is a VERY important point. Just because it happens all the time doesn't mean you shouldn't FIGHT to STOP it from happening when the situation presents itself. It's always bothered me when people think there's nothing you can do just because it happens all the time. MAYBE, but if you DON'T try, it'll definitely keep happening. It's worth the fight.
Posted by: | October 31, 2007 at 05:52 PM