Gilsey Hotel
historic place
The Gilsey Hotel, a historic place in New York, New York, is located at 1200 Broadway at West 29th Street. Designed by architect Stephen Decatur Hatch for Peter Gilsey, construction began in 1869 and was completed in 1871. This eight-story building opened as a luxury hotel, showcasing a Second Empire style with a distinctive white cast-iron facade. Its opulent interiors featured rosewood, walnut, and marble. Notably, it was the first hotel in New York City to offer telephone service to guests. The Gilsey Hotel attracted prominent figures like Samuel Clemens, Diamond Jim Brady, and Oscar Wilde, reflecting its central role in the vibrant Broadway entertainment district. After closing in 1911 due to legal issues, it was converted to lofts for the garment industry. By 1980, it became condominium apartments. The Gilsey Hotel was designated a New York City Landmark in 1979 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It stands as a significant example of the city's Gilded Age architecture and social history.