Historic Knickerbocker Hotel to Reopen in Manhattan

The Knickerbocker Hotel, one of the most historic buildings in New York City, is about to reopen after a $115 million renovation.  The building has been completely gutted with the exception of the historic facade. The hotel will feature 330 luxury guest rooms, including 40 suites, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and meeting space for up to 250 attendees.  It will also include a lobby cafe, 4th floor signature bar and restaurant and a spectacular 7,500-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge.

It was constructed as a hotel in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV and was famously a watering hole for F. Scott Fitzgerald.  After Astor died on the Titanic in 1912, his son Vincent Astor took over and long-time residents included opera singer Enrico Caruso and playwright and composer George M. Cohan.  In the 1940s and ‘50s, it was home to the Newsweek offices.

There is also a little urban legend with the hotel as it is rumored that the first ever martini was made there!

The renovation of the Knickerbocker is yet another example of how new, renovated hotels are opening in Midtown.