Hotel Chelsea New York - Historic Hotel Featured In Famous MoviesHotel  
Chelsea

The Hotel Chelsea, or more simply the Chelsea, is a historic landmark of New York City that has been home to scores of notable literary and film stars over the years. Finished in 1885, this 250-unit hotel was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

This 12-story building was first set up as a self-contained community and a new social structure where members of various economic classes intermingled in a bohemian and utopian environment, supporting creative and intellectual endeavors.

Its distinctive architectural features are the red-bricked façade, iron balconies, and the grand staircase, which scales the entire building. While the building itself is of architectural interest, what makes it historically significant are the famous names who called the Chelsea home.

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Type: Heritage   Movie
Location: New York  USA  North America

Photo by Bobbi Bowers

Hotel Chelsea historical building

Some of America’s greatest writers, such as Mark Twain, O. Henry, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Allen Ginsberg, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Thomas Wolfe, resided here.

Hotel Chelsea building in New York

Film stars like Stanley Kubrick, Elliot Gould, Ethan Hawke, and Uma Thurman could be seen here, in addition to prominent musicians such as the Grateful Dead, Iggy Pop, Cher, Bob Dylan, Alice Cooper, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and Madonna to name a few.


The long lists of celebrities that have graced its halls are well documented and mentioned on the guided tours.

Hotel Chelsea facade and entrance

Photo by Chris Goldberg


Many movies feature the hotel as well: Chelsea Girls (1966), Portrait of Jason (1967), Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986), Léon: The Professional (1994), Midnight in Chelsea (1997), Chelsea Walls (2001), Pie in the Sky the Brigid Berlin Story (2002), The Interpreter (2005), House of D (2004), Chelsea on the Rocks (2008), Hotel Chelsea (2009).

Hotel Chelsea illuminated sign at night

Photo by Dominic Simpson


The hotel was officially closed in 2011 to undergo renovations, although many long-term residents remain in the building. The hotel re-opened in 2022 to welcome guests to relive its illustrious history.

Hotel Chelsea lobby check-in

Photo by Chris Goldberg

Hotel Chelsea lobby art

Photo by Andy Wilson

Hotel Chelsea lobby

Photo by Buzz Andersen

Hotel Chelsea staircase filled with art

Photo by The All-Nite Images

Hotel Chelsea plaque
222 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011, United States