Living with Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog

Jaz Jericho Continues to Support Stanley Bard in Words and Music

It's been a whole year since Adam Rushfield lost his battle to stay at the Chelsea.  He recently wrote to let us know that the Chelsea is still in his heart and in his music.  Late last week, Jaz attended the Miami opening of "Chelsea Hotel on the Rocks," where he got to hang out with Stanley Bard, who was also on hand to enjoy the screening.  Earlier in the day, Stanley Bard could be found hob nobbing with the stars at a press conference, where we heard he had a chance to talk about his side of the Chelsea Hotel management crisis.  (The lyrics to Jaz's song "Stanley was the Patron Saint" are after the jump.)
  

 
Ken Kelsch, Willem Dafoe, Shanyn, Stanley Bard and Abel Ferrera

Did Facebook Lose a Member?

We can't imagine what happened (actually we can) but a mere 2 1/2 hours after writing about Chelsea Hotel minority shareholder David Elder's facebook page his profile seems to have vanished!  I guess he already has enough friends.

Does Chelsea Hotel Minority Shareholder David Elder Really Have 27 Friends on Facebook?

It's been a long time since we've had a Chelsea Hotel "manager" take advantage of the Internet's social networking opportunities. Who can forget our favorite St. Louis Beach Bum Glennon Travis and Myspace?  (Those were the days.  Bring Back Gigi!)  Unfortunately, Glennon's little venture didn't turn out too well, now did it.  Well, we're now thrilled to report that Chelsea Hotel Minority Share holder David Elder is on Facebook.  Check out his "boyfriend pose."  Friend him up!

Is Dr. Marlene Krauss, Harvard MBA, PlD., Planning to Evict Chelsea Moving?

     Multiple sources confirm that Chief of Engineering Larry Mc"Laugh"lin is telling Chelsea Hotel employees that plans are already in the works to evict Chelsea Moving & Storage.  If this is true, why would Marlene Krauss want any of her employees talking about this?  And why would Marlene Krauss, Harvard MBA, seek to empty another rent paying retail client when so many unrented retail store fronts are already available to her. 
     Well, sources in the real estate industry say that, given Marlene's ocean of bad publicity, her best strategy would be to empty the Chelsea Hotel of tenants, commercial and residential alike as soon as possible. Could this be the first stage of her diabolical plan?

Official Chelsea Hotel Flower, Philosopher and Motto

Sherill Tippins is hard at working putting the finishing touches on her forthcoming history of the Chelsea Hotel.  Sherill writes to inform us that she has unearthed potential candidates for an official flower, philosopher and motto for the hotel.

I found this on a website about Charles Fourier, the Chelsea Hotel's philosophical father, and thought you might like to make it the website's Official Flower: The Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis), Charles Fourier's emblematic flower.

According to popular wisdom, it symbolizes majesty.  For Fourier, it represents the true scientist or artist living poorly in Civilization, whose worth is not recognized, and who has only his enthusiasm to sustain himself.

And here's a quote of Fourier's that's appropriate for the Chelsea right now: "Truth and commerce are as incompatible as Jesus and Satan."

Who Confused "Tourists" with "Terrorists"?

Thank goodness it's not often that we receive e-mails with the subject line "MACHINE GUNS?????" Is this what new management considers the red carpet treatment? We hope not.  Thanks to Artie for the photos of the scene outside of the Chelsea Hotel earlier today.

 
 

 

 
 

 

Stanley Bard Hard at Work at the Chelsea Hotel

Some things never change. Here's Jerry Weinstein in 1981 looking the same as ever.  Unfortunately, though, some things do change.  In this nine minute clip from the 1981 BBC Arena documentary, Chelsea Hotel, you'll find Stanley Bard hard at work.  Now days you couldn't find a General Manager if your life depended on it -- chiefly because Marlene Krauss won't hire one. Bring Back the Bards.  P.S. Does anybody know the white-haired telephone operator?  That was a bit before our time.
. 

Yeah, and His Hair Sucks Too!

 
(Image via New York Magazine, February 16, 2009, p. 13)

Rumors Persist: Is Elder Giving Marlene All of the Information?

Our readers responded enthusiastically yesterday to news that the Empire of Harvard MBA Doctor  Marlene Krauss may be on the rocks.  In particular, one comment mentioned:

"Marlene Krauss was at the Chelsea Hotel YESTERDAY. She was in the lobby with David Elder reviewing spreadsheets and other documents. From what I overheard she was unhappy that information was not being "reported up" in a timely fashion."
 
While Marlene's physical arrival at the Hotel came as a great shock to us (did anyone hear the trumpets?), this observer unintentionally corroborates something we've heard from multiple sources for a very long time:  the rumor that David Elder -- along with BD Hotels, Tilley and now Tamasar -- have been willfully withholding information about the daily operations and profitability of the Chelsea from Harvard MBA and President of the 23rd Street Corporation Doctor Marlene Krauss.  Could this indeed be true?
 
The rumors say specifically that Elder and his incompetent managerial Band of Brothers past and present hate dealing with Her Majesty Marlene Krauss so much that when asked by their staff if they should pass on said information to Marlene -- or copy her on emails -- that they are told, "No, Marlene doesn't need to know about that.  We can handle it without her."
 
And, while other sources in the financial community opine that dealing with The Plumber's Daughter is "like surgery without anesthesia" (to quote one), it gives us great pause to think that Marlene's latest discovery, budding hotelier David Elder is more business savvy than the killer Krauss.
 
Apparently, the voices say, that David Elder is quite pleased that Marlene will not be bringing in another manager as he enjoys playing with his large staff as King of the Castle.  Indeed, rumors say that Elder himself was happy with BD's ouster as well as Tilley's dubious "resignation" as he reportedly felt that they got "too much attention".  (An affidavit of Glennon "Gigi" Travis confirms this as well).
 
We've lastly heard that David Elder and Arnold Tamasar are having a lovely honeymoon presently as Elder simply "can't get enough" of Tamasar's treacly ass-kissing and that they have mutually agreed that Elder can be the top.  ("If he'll wash, Arnie will wipe"). 
 
If we were Marlene, we would intervene and look at the books ourselves.  And quickly.  Is there a forensic accountant in the house?  -- New Kid on the Blog

Can Things Get Much Worse for Chelsea Hotel Minority Shareholder Marlene Krauss?

She had two accounts with Bernie Madoff. Scott Griffin has inked a deal to write her biography.  And the Chelsea Hotel Cash Cow is now producing at the rate of $89.00 per night with a reported 30% occupancy.   (Stanley used to get a top price of $700 a night at 100% occupancy).  Well, it turns out YES IT CAN get worse -- much worse:  the SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) has sent Marlene word that KBL Healthcare III, her venture capital SPAC company, is in danger of being delisted as a  tradeable commodity (i.e. booted from the Exchange).  Turns out Harvard MBA Doctor Marlene Krauss hasn't held a KBL shareholders meeting in a year.  Why not?  She certainly hasn't been too busy at Summer Infant following her prompt resignation at their plunging stock price and Lord knows she's been totally absent here at the Chelsea Hotel, thus giving her plenty of leisure time to pay attention to the troubles of KBL (more later).  Although here, she has managed to burn through three or four security firms, two managers, and more law firms than I can shake a stick at.  Then there's that little matter of all of those tenants who have lawsuits against the Hotel - don't bother Marlene with details!  Guess it's no surprise Harvard MBA Doctor Marlene Krauss forgot to hold that KBL shareholder meeting -- after all, when was the last time she had a shareholder's meeting here? (Photo:  Google)

Deep Throat’s Photos of Bob Dylan Room Destruction

As promised here are some of the revealing photos provided by "Deep Throat" showing the extensive destruction of  Bob Dylan’s room.  The first photo on this page is of the fire place destruction.  The next two photos show where the wall was torn down.  The last photo on this page is a picture of the apartment when the wall was standing.
Click through to page two to view the photo of the plans which show the wall removed and which of course are not the same as the plans filed with the DOB.    Notice the two photos of the plans.  The first one (1) is what  we have altered to show the location of the wall that was illegally demolished.  The second photo is the actual photo sent to us by "Deep Throat". Note the wall separates the bedroom and the living room.  

 

 

Who Is The Chelsea Hotel's “Deep Throat”?

We received this anonymous tip on the illegal construction activity in Bob Dylan’s room back on Saturday, December 6.  It’s pretty clear that the sender has intimate knowledge both of what went on in the permit application process and the construction itself.   Anyone have any guesses as to who the Chelsea Hotel “Deep Throat” may be, and why he/she chose to send this information to the blog?   If so, add your guesses to the comments section or send them to [email protected].  Our “Deep Throat” also sent along some very revealing photos.  And, I’m sure that we’re not the only media outlet to have received such a tip. 
     The Chelsea Hotel “Deep Throat” seems to be reliable. One of “Deep Throat's” statements was subsequently confirmed when former Chelsea Hotel manager Andrew Tilley was quoted on Jan. 4 in The Independent of London and other sources (NY Post Dec 9) as saying he ordered the wall to be torn down because it was unsafe.    

Here's the e-mail:

Count you as a friend and lets face it I've got enough problems now....got some info for you - shows the complete violation of the "certificate of no harm" and the "renovation" permits for room 211.  Some of the photos are repeats but there are clear shots of the wall lines demonstrating the extensive demolition. More importantly there are a couple of pictures of the plans taped to the wall which reveal the original intent of the management. You get the idea I'm sure; they applied for a minimal permit - kitchen and bath only - but their intent was to gut the historic place - which they knew they couldn't get approval for - at least not easily....so they apply for one thing but do another...but how to catch and prove their original intent? As in court they would claim the walls just fell down in their aged and poorly maintained condition (putting the blame on former management as usual) or maybe they would say they didn't change the layout of the famous apt., no of course not why it was already like that, why that must have been former management, we just did the kitchen and bath, as in the permits. How to catch them in their lies? Ah hah, the plans, the architectural plans affixed to the wall above the fireplace they demolished, the existence of these plans proves that management ALWAYS INTENDED TO VIOLATE THE PERMITS, EVEN BEFORE THE APPLIED FOR THEM. Which, and with your legal mind, I am sure you are starting to chuckle, amusingly enough means they are guilty of fraud, in making a false application to the NYC Dept of buildings, and to the court in their challenge to the stop work order. This means their attorneys have knowingly lied to the court. Grounds for disbarment. Funny.

And we haven't even gotten to the illegal alteration of the C of O.

We're Agog! Scott Griffin Inks Deal to Write Biography of Minority Shareholder Marlene Krauss

        Last week producer and tenant activist Scott Griffin signed a publishing deal to write what promises to be a "definitive, tell-all" biography of venture capitalist and Chelsea Hotel minority shareholder, Marlene Krauss.  ""My pitch was 'It's Scarface meets Yentl, with a hint of Coal Miner's Daughter,'"  Griffin said over cocktails at Elaine's.     

"For nearly two years now, I've had half the world calling me with all of their stories about Marlene" -- incredible stuff, Griffin said -- "and agent friends have been trying to get me to write a book for years.  But nothing ever seriously took hold of my imagination.  Then, a few weeks ago, I couldn't sleep and I was reading a copy of the speech Marlene supposedly made at her father's funeral, and I mean, it's very, very, moving stuff, so I thought, you know, why not?  Let's do it.  So I made the call."  
     The book promises drama galore, Griffin said.  "I mean, you have to hand it to the woman, it's a gripping story:  an immigrant plumber's daughter in the Bronx, through good grades and determination, climbs the icy ladder of the Ivy League to dominate the medical profession AND outshark the sharks of Wall Street -- all as a woman in a man's world -- only to possibly lose her entire fortune to Bernie Madoff!  Or did she? 
     It could be a rags to riches to rags classic.  But that's the exciting part of writing about a living person -- she gets to choose the ending!  Will Marlene come out on top or not?  It's Shakespearean, really.  Most importantly, though, is that you understand her humanity and not just her ambition.  But I know everyone secretly wants the Kitty Kelly stuff since that's what sells books."  
     The publisher, Amour Livres, said, "Scott Griffin knows dealmaking and the psychology of stars inside and out and is in a strong position to understand groundbreaking multihyphenate Marlene Krauss.  We think this will be an explosive, essential book for the holidays and are very excited to be working with his team."
       While Griffin said he'd love to turn this around quickly for a fall release, he says he intends to be thorough.  "Let's get real, it took me and my staff three weeks just to read all her SEC filings."
       And, while Griffin declined to reveal the amount of his advance, he has pledged to donate any and all proceeds from the book to a legal defense fund for Chelsea Hotel tenants facing eviction under Krauss's regime.
      "It's a small but respectable sum in keeping with Marlene's growing public persona.  But if it can help a needy person keep a roof over their head, then that's a good thing."
      So, if you, or anyone you know, would like to contact Scott with information on Marlene Krauss -- photos, stories, letters or emails -- you can write him at [email protected]. 
      Stay tuned, curious-minded Bohemians, for further updates. -- Ed Hamilton

Local Paper Chelsea Now Says Bring Back David Bard

You can add the community newspaper Chelsea Now to the growing chorus of voices outside of the hotel that realize that the Chelsea Hotel can only be managed by the Bard family. (The same has previously been said by hotelier Ira Drukier and actor Ethan Hawke.)  In the wake of Andrew Tilley’s shameful abdication, Chelsea Now proposes a compromise between the minority shareholders and the Chelsea Hotel ’s tenants: bring back David Bard as general manager of the Chelsea under the (hopefully limited) direction of the minority shareholders.  Chelsea Now is right in saying that tenant activists would support this compromise, and so now the only barrier seems to be minority shareholder Marlene Krauss’s perverse desire to bury the Bard family at all costs.  And costly it has been indeed for the Chelsea Hotel and its shareholders, as occupancy rates reportedly sunk to 20% or less under Tilley’s incompetent stewardship.  
         We would like to point out, however, that while Chelsea Now claims that “. . .the more outspoken tenants’ guerilla tactics have been disgraceful. . .” referring perhaps to Tilley’s unproven claim to have received panties and magazine subscriptions in the mail, the newspaper fails to mention the hotel management’s own far more reprehensible tactics, such as hiring goons to assault a tenant (David Elder admitted to this in a DHCR hearing), endangering tenants with illegal construction, and evicting tenants, including the elderly. THIS IS OUR HOME, FOLKS! There is a vast difference in kind here between the tactics of dedicated, unpaid activists (which no one would be complaining about if they hadn’t been successful) and those of management.  While Tilley may have been made uncomfortable by some tenants’ actions, I have yet to hear of anyone showing up at his home in New Jersey and attempting to turn him out into the street.  
     Nobody is trying to evict Marlene Krauss either, though it she keeps investing in ponzi schemes, she may finally come to empathize with the plight of the Chelsea  Hotel’s tenants. -- Ed Hamilton

Tamasar says “BA” Humbug to Tenant Activist’s Message of Hope: Yet Another Tenant Forced Out By Management

On Wednesday, Man-Kinda-Sorta-In-Charge Arnold Tamasar had workers take down the letters “RD” in the room next to tenant activist Arthur Nash.  The tenant who previously lived in the room had allowed Arthur to use her windows to display part of his message in support of the return of the Bard family.  Unfortunately, the tenant was forced out by management a couple of weeks ago, as part of their program to clear the building of permanent tenants (they are concentrating on this wing of the second floor, where Bob Dylan’s room is also located).  Fortunately, management will not be able to do any demolition/renovation in the room at this time, as the building is under a DOB stop work order due to illegal construction in Dylan’s room.  -- Ed Hamilton

Arnold Tamasar Evicts 75-Year-Old Man From Chelsea Hotel:First Act as Man-Kinda-Sorta-In-Charge

On Thursday, February 6, the police were called to escort a 75-year-old man from his room at the Chelsea Hotel.  The elderly gentleman, a regular at the hotel when Stanley was in charge, no doubt thought the same rules would apply when he checked into the hotel in January.  He had been expecting to be able to stay on indefinitely, as he had been in the past, and had actually paid his rent through to the next week.  He was on his 29^th  day in residence, when Director of Operations Arnold Tamasar swooped down on him with the cops at approximately noon, ordering the gentleman to be out by 4 PM. (Actually, it took a lot of negotiating to get this extension to 4, as Tamasar wanted the resident out immediately.)   

The police acted with professionalism and courtesy, but many of them expressed obvious disgust that they were forced to carry out this unsavory task.  One officer, incredulous, even asked Tamasar, “You’re evicting a 75-year-old man?!”

      Though Tamasar claimed to be acting within the letter, if not the spirit, of SRO laws intended to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers from ending up on the street, it is likely that the   man was here long enough to make a claim of  permanent status.  (As Stanley said, everything they do ends up in litigation, and this will be no exception.)  In any event, with the hotel at 35% occupancy and forced to rent even the largest suites for $89 per night, how much sense does it make for Tamasar to turn up his nose at a stable tenant paying much more?  (Answer: it only makes sense if they intend to get us all out.)  
            The issue is complicated by Tamasar’s bizarre claim that the man threw a bag of orange powder, marked BIOHAZARD, from the balcony of his room, somehow managing to wing it underneath the hotel awning.  Much of Tamasar’s time, upward of two hours,  that afternoon was spent observing and audio taping myself and other concerned residents as we struggled to move the gentleman’s belongings out before the deadline.  Additionally, he wasted more time attempting to entrap the elderly gentleman into some kind of admission of guilt in this matter.  

In your face, Tilley! cocky bathroom specialist Tamasar must be saying, You were only able to evict three tenants in your whole six months on the job, and I’ve already booted one in my first week! -- Ed Hamilton (Photos provided by Arthur Nash. 1 - Tamasar and Cops, 2 - Man searches for receipts while cops discuss situation.)

Marlene Krauss, Harvard MBA, Falls for Ponzi Scheme

Last week the complete list of Bernie Madoff’s “victims” was released by the courts.  And low and behold, the Chelsea Hotel’s own Marlene Krauss, Chair of our board of directors, was featured in its pages, with not one, but two listings.  Unfortunately, the document doesn’t reveal the amount of money she “invested,” though maybe that will come to light at a future time.We’re sure that the money is from her own personal fund rather than that of the investors in her heath care venture capitalist firms (KBL Healthcare Corp III and KBL IV), as such would, we understand, not be quite kosher.  Though the temptation might have existed to put the KBL money in what appeared to be a higher-yield fund such as Madoff’s, we’re sure Marlene would want to do the right thing and put the approximately $350 million into a more secure fund such as treasury bonds. But what she worry?  With room rates at the Chelsea Hotel slashed to $89/night for even the most expensive suites, she’s sure to make her money back in no time.  Expressions of sympathy should take the form of personal checks, money orders, loose change, S&H Green Stamps or gently used coats, and can be sent to Mistress Marlene at her POB Box or dropped in the convenient repository at the Chelsea’s front desk.  -- Ed Hamilton

Will David Bard Return to Manage the Chelsea Hotel? Marlene Krauss Says No Comment

    Hearts around the world warmed today with Marlene Krauss’ suggestion that a reconciliation with the Bard family may be possible.  Although declining to go on the record at this time, Patrick Hedlund writes   that, “Krauss said she still keeps an open dialogue with Stanley Bard…”  but would not go further at this time to confirm David Bard’s long awaited return as manager of the Chelsea hotel.  
     Needless to say, even the prospect of David Bard’s return should be cause for an international celebration and a sincere opportunity to restore the Chelsea Hotel ’s good reputation and fiscal balance.  
    As tenants, we welcome this opportunity to come together with management and get behind Marlene Krauss and David Elder to support David Bard's possible return to manage the hotel.  Marlene Krauss, we're rooting for you. (Photo: The Observer)

     

Former Chelsea Hotel Manager Andrew Tilley Sets the Record Straight

In Chris Shott’s Observer article of Feb 4^th, Andrew Tilley discusses his tenure at the Chelsea Hotel and explains why he resigned.  Read the article and draw your own conclusions.  

Chelsea Hotel Residents Denied Heat

Coldest Winter since 2004! So, Marlene Krauss, stop wasting your money on process servers and fix the fireplaces already! Oh yea, and once again, the process server is not Belkin Burden the law firm the Chelsea Hotel has been using, it was Keating & Walker.

The Sins of Former Chelsea Hotel Manager Andrew Tilley

Though he could never hope to surpass the sterling record of BD Hotel's Glennon "gigi" Travis, Andrew Tilley accomplished much in his short tenure at the Chelsea Hotel:

Testified against a tenant at a DHCR hearing,
Enforced Marlene Krauss and David Elder's plan to evict tenants,
Plotted to send Storme Delarverie to a nursing home,
Dismissed three long-term valued employees,
Failed to make tenants art-stars,
Achieved an occupany rate below 20%,
Trashed Bob Dylan's room,
Hired unnecessary security guards and installed spy cameras turning the Chelsea Hotel into a police state,
First person in 21st Century to take a job without googling employer

Alas, he never did get a chance to install those i-pod docking stations that was his only truly visionary idea.  -- Ed Hamilton

Chelsea Hotel Residents Rejoice at Manager Andrew Tilley’s Resignation!

Tireless tenant activist Arthur Nash reacts immediately to the good news of Andrew Tilley’s departure!  This is a great victory for the beleaguered  tenants and staff of the Chelsea Hotel.

"I Want My Balls Back!"

With that primal yawp of pain, Chelsea Hotel General Manager Andrew Tilley handed in his resignation last week.  No word as to when Mistress Marlene Krauss plans to relinquish the family jewels.  Anyway, if you're keeping score at home, the score card reads:

Andrew Tilley -- 7 months
Glennon "Gigi Travis" -- 8 months
STANLEY BARD -- 50 years

Marlene: enoughs enough!  The Chelsea has been your dungeon of pain for too long:  Please, we're not kidding: Bring Back the Bards!   (We'll provide more details as they become available.)

Prepared To Be Enlightened: WBAI To Host One Hour Chelsea Hotel Special

Join WBAI FM Sunday, Feb. 1 at 11:00 a.m. (99.5FM) for a program on the current Landlord- Tenant crisis at the famed Chelsea Hotel.  The one hour discussion hosted by Janet Coleman will feature:

Producer and current resident Scott Griffin, Producer and former tenant Jen Gatien (of the Abel Ferrara documentary "Chelsea on the Rocks"), Journalist Chris Shott (of The New York Observer), Author Sherill Tippins (now writing the definitive history of The Chelsea-- "Dreampalace"), and Legendary New York actress Marian Seldes

The guests will talk about the long history of The Chelsea and its current landlord-tenant crisis. An earlier program which aired  on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 2:00 is now archived.

Broadcasting at WBAI/NY 99.5FM
Streaming live at www.wbai.org

Crap on 23rd Street: Russell Brand Pronounces Judgment on the Chelsea

In his new book, Articles of Faith, Russell Brand has this to say about the Chelsea Hotel : “They may as well dispense with the toilet and the building; they could just have a bell hop stand in the street and charging you $200 a night to crap in the gutter and snuggle up with Oscar the Grouch."  Oscar the Grouch?!  Did Brand pick him up at Star Lounge?  Some people are just so hard to please!  But it's nothing a mini-bar and an I-pod docking station can't remedy, I'm sure.

Our Readers Demand Answers, And They've Got Some Tough Questions

We receive a lot of e-mail around here and we love hearing from our readers, but currently we don't have time to respond to each individual e-mail.  Perhaps other tenants and readers could help us out by providing replies via the comment box.  Thanks.  Here's a few of the e-mails we received this week:

I enjoy reading your blog.  
Before I moved to the city I would sometimes stay at the Chelsea.  One of my favorite rooms was (I believe) room 604.  It was a huge apartment with a purple shag rug and key-lime colored sofa.  The shower had no curtain but you have to take the good with the bad.  I’d request that room when I’d need a place to rehearse with my UCB friends.  After a while Stanley starting charging me less and less for the room.  When I moved to the city I still stayed at the Chelsea whenever my apartment’s ceiling would leak or some other disaster would force me from my place on 21^st street.

I’ve since had to move out of the city because of work but I return often.
My questions are:
1.       Is staying at the Chelsea as a transient guest damaging to the tenants ongoing fight?
2.       Is staying at the Chelsea as a transient guest like staying at the “Y”.
3.       Have the rooms all been “updated” or are there still rooms that retain the charm of the Chelsea?
I have friends who are no longer in Stuy town after having some member of their family live there for nearly 40 years so I wish you luck in your fight against the greedheads.   All the best,   (name redacted)

Dear blogger,
When I was a teenager, I used to drive down to Hollywood and see Dainty Adore sing in a little club on Sunset.   I sent her fanmail and she was so sweet to respond.  Does anyone know if she is still performing or where to contact her?
Thank you, (named redacted)

Hi there,
I'll be in NY in march and I'd love to stay at the Chelsea.
I'll have my 10 month old daughter with me and I am a little concerned with all the bad reviews I read online, regarding bed bugs and smelly hallways. Is it all true? I like to believe it isn't.
Being a resident, what can you tell me about the place?
Thank you so much,
Tatu

...The reason im writing, is that im an artist (i work in video games), but i also write and draw comics in my spare time as well. i used my trip in may as vacation, but also as a chance to research a bunch of sites and what not for the graphic novel im currently working on......a part of the story will take place in the chelsea (including the room i stayed in...#631, i think it was). so, there's a scene where the main character checks in, and i wanted to include stanley bard in that scene, but since ive never met him, i wanted to see if you could tell me some things about him, like quirks and or expressions he might use often.....you know things like that, so i could i breathe some believable life into his cameo appearance. who knows you might end up making an appearance as well...

 

thanks for taking the time to read this. i appreciate your help.

Who Killed Nancy? Did Anyone Bother Asking Stanley?

According to this new documentary, Who Killed Nancy? by Alan G. Parker, neither Sid Vicious nor Rockets Redglare was the killer of the nauseating one.  Instead, Parker fingers a shadowy blond-haired Brit from the 6^th floor of the Chelsea Hotel, known only as “Michael.”  Who is this Michael, and what has become of him?  He could still be living on the 6^th floor, for all we know!  Only Stanley Bard knows for sure.  Bring Back the Bards!

Out With The Old, In With Ikea!

Here are some antique Chelsea Hotel doors that Andrew Tilley threw out on the street.  No doubt Stanley Bard was keeping them around in case any of the doors of the Hotel needed to be replaced.   If ever there was proof that the new management doesn’t respect the history of the Chelsea Hotel this is it.  And why did they need to cut then in half like that – so nobody else could use them. 

Tenant Scott Griffin Discusses Landlord/Tenant Issues at the Chelsea Hotel

Live -- on WBAI FM  Go to WBAI.org and click on "Listen Live" -- Now Playing!  If you miss this live broadcast the show will be archived.

Hey Dude, Where’s my Security Deposit Interest?

We just thought of something, the Hotel owes us interest on our security deposits.  In all of the time we’ve lived at the Chelsea Hotel we have never received any interest.  We would like, (and I’m sure many other tenants would like as well) some accounting of this money and of course to be paid.   Here is the relevant paragraph from the NY Rent Guidelines Board. 

The security deposit must be kept by the owner in an interest-bearing account in a New York State bank. The owner must notify the tenant of the name and address of the bank and pay the tenant the full annual interest, less 1% of the security deposit per year for the owner's administrative costs. The tenant can choose whether the interest is to be subtracted from the rent, held in trust until the end of the tenancy, or paid in a lump sum at the end of each year.

In addition to the tenants living here now, we assume that there are lots of former tenants who likewise have not received the proper accounting of their security deposits.  We think that all of them should contact Chelsea Hotel manager Andrew Tilley and ask for their money.   Let us know how it turns out. -- Ed Hamilton