Schrager may not pass on Hotel Chelsea

Ian Schrager and the Hotel ChelseaIs hotelier Ian Schrager having second thoughts about passing up the chance to own the storied Hotel Chelsea? He told Bloomberg News last month that he didn’t see enough potential in the site, even though “it’s a sexy asset with an incredibly sexy history and we felt obliged to take a look at it.” But Page Six now reports that Schrager was spotted touring the 250-room landmark just yesterday, and that he has even put in a bid. The Standard hotel owner Andre Balazs was also reportedly seen touring the property, at 222 West 23rd Street, last week. Sources said that there have so far been at least five or six bids on the Chelsea, which is said to be asking close to $100 million. [Post]