The operators of the 1920’s-era Hotel Elysee — home of the Monkey Bar – bought the building from its long-time family owners.
Hoteliers Richard Born, Ira Drukier and Henry Kallan are the new owners of the 15-story, 103-key hotel at 60 East 54th Street. They paid $55 million, the New York Post reported.
“At the end of the day, we were the logical buyers,” Born told the Post. “We love the asset.”
ABS Partners’ Alan Cohen marketed the building.
The neo-Renaissance hotel, built in 1927, is known for its iconic piano bar, the Monkey Bar, that was featured in “Mad Men” and “Sex and the City.” The bar is operated separately from the hotel.
Hatcheck concession magnate Meyer Quain bought the hotel in 1937 after the original owners went bankrupt. Quain’s children redesigned the place, making each room unique and giving them names such as the “Sayonara” suite.
Playwright Tennessee Williams lived there for fifteen years before dying, poetically, in the “Sunset” suite. [NYP] – Ariel Stulberg