Former Hotel Chelsea owner dies at age 82

Stanley Bard became majority owner in 1957 and sold his stake in 2007

Stanley Bard posing for a photo in the lobby of the Chelsea Hotel on January 10, 2011 (Credit: Getty Images)
Stanley Bard posing for a photo in the lobby of the Chelsea Hotel on January 10, 2011 (Credit: Getty Images)

Stanley Bard, former owner and manager of the Hotel Chelsea during its height as an artists’ colony, died on Tuesday. He was 82.

Bard became the majority owner and manager of the hotel at 222 West 23rd Street in 1957, after the death of his father, who purchased the building in 1940, the Chelsea Hotel Blog reported. Over the years, guests at the legendary hotel included Bob Dylan, Stanley Kubrick, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen and more. Bard once referred to the hotel as the most famous building in the world.

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“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,” Bard once said. “This hotel has heart and soul and it’s not all about the bottom line!”

He was ousted from the hotel in 2007 following issues with minority shareholders. The hotel has since had a carousel of different owners , and most recently BD Hotels’ Richard Born, Ira Drukier and frequent collaborator Sean MacPherson took over after purchasing it for $250 million. The partnership plans to redevelop the property as a hotel and condominiums.  [Chelsea Hotel Blog] — Kathryn Brenzel