Thursday, August 12, 2010

The 1924 Shelton Hotel -- 49th and Lexington


In the jazzy, early days of the 1920's James T. Lee had an idea – a big one. He envisioned an enormous bachelor hotel, as much a men’s club as a hotel. It would offer a swimming pool, solarium, pool rooms, squash courts – even an infirmary. When his vision was fulfilled it would encompass 1200 rooms.

Lee, the grandfather of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, commissioned architect Arthur Loomis Harmon to design his 34-story hotel at Lexington Avenue and 49th Street. Harmon, who would help design the Empire State Building a few years later, made visionary use of the city’s 1916 zoning law requiring setbacks on tall buildings to admit air and light to the streets below. It was the tallest hotel in the world when it opened in 1924. Architectural critics raved: this would be the benchmark for skyscrapers going forward.

The Hotel received awards from the Architectural League of New York and the American Institute of Architects.

Drawing on a mixture of styles and architectural periods – Romanesque, Lombard, Byzantine and a smattering of others – Harmon used roughened, irregular tan bricks to give the impression of a centuries-old structure. Even before it was completed, artist Hugh Ferriss depicted it in his 1922 “The Shelton Hotel,” noting “a strange yet majestic form began to loom against the New York horizon.”

The New York Times architecture critics called it “A stately, breath-taking building,” upon its opening and Commonweal Magazine’s Lewis Mumford said it was “buoyant, mobile, serene, like a Zeppelin under a clear sky.”


Hugh Ferriss's The Shelton Hotel, 1922


Because it was a men-only hotel, there seemed to be no problem that approximately 400 of the rooms shared baths in the hallway. It became a problem when later in 1924 Lee changed his mind and admitted women and families.


Georgia O'Keeffe's "Shelton Hotel New York No. 1" 1926


The Shelton almost immediately drew attention, both good and tragic.  In 1925 Artist Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz moved in, living in their 30th floor apartment for 12 years. The Shelton became a frequent subject for both, adding to its international celebrity.

In February of 1926 actress Pauline Armitage threw herself to her death from her 14th floor suite. Later that same year Harry Houdini had himself locked in a coffin-like box and submerged in the colorful basement swimming pool. From the gallery that overlooked the pool, spectators watched nervously for an hour until Houdini’s box was pulled out and he emerged unharmed.

Despite its colorful history and architectural uniqueness, The Shelton, as is the case with almost all aging hotels, fell from favor. There were only 11 full time residents in the mid-1970s. In 1978 it became the Halloran House when Edward J. Halloran bought the foreclosed property.  He hired Stephen B. Jacobs to redesign the interiors, reducing the number of rooms to 650.

By 2007 it was owned by Morgan Stanley, which handed operation over to the Marriott.  Now called the New York Marriott East Side, it received a $25 million room renovation.  The downstairs swimming pool was removed and the cavernous space was divided into three levels.
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Exterior restoration was conducted by Superstructures under the supervision of architect Richard Moses. Most of the original architectural detailing – griffins, gargoyles and other elements that make the Shelton a visual feast – were in good shape. Those which were heavily affected by weathering were reproduced and replaced.




The Shelton Hotel was threatened with demolition in the 1970's by then-owner Tishman Realty.  Today it enjoys new life as a stylish architectural remnant of 1920's Manhattan.

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7 comments:

  1. Very good information. Thanks.

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  2. My Mum stayed here on a visit to New York in 1950. The luxurious (black and white) brochure - which she still has - promises, on 3 of its 8 pages, 'Television in your room at no extra charge'. How times have changed!

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  3. I am writing an historical novel about an aunt of mine who stayed at the Shelton in 1928. Your information is very interesting.

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  4. My Dad stayed in The Shelton Hotel when he was sent to Britain and the USA towards the end of 1939. WW11 was declared whilst he was on board the Queen Mary from Southampton to New York. He was sent on business from South Africa at the age of 32. I am busy writing about this using 13 detailed letters, and am fascinated by the history of the Shelton Hotel, thank you.

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  5. I recall two things from childhood walking by. (I grew up nearby.)
    I believe at one point in the late '60's or early'70's there was a Playboy club on the first floor. I also recall it being closed and appearing about to be pulled down...

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