This month in real estate history

From the March issue: The Martha Washington Hotel, the first hotel built in New York to cater to single professional women, opened its doors at 29 East 29th Street 113 years ago this month. Touted as ideal for women and girls traveling solo, the 12-story hotel was immediately booked up, with over 200 women on the waiting list, the New York Times reported. All told, the hotel’s apartments accommodated 500 permanent guests and 150 temporary guests. While the weekly rent for permanent guests was between $3 and $17, temporary guests paid anywhere from $1 to $3.50 a day, plus an additional $6 for meals. [more]