The most visited spot this week was the liquidation sale of the Gramercy Park Hotel.
The legendary hotel – which housed Madonna, the Rolling Stones and John F. Kennedy, among others – closed during the pandemic and an auctioneer organized a day-long sale of its furniture, fixtures and accessories.
We’re told that nightlife impresario Nur Khan — the creative director of the spot’s celebrity-friendly Rose Bar in the first decade of the century — was one of the souvenir hunters. He threw a legendary concert series there with performances by Axl Rose, the Black Keys and Liza Minnelli.
John McDonald, CEO of Mercer Street Hospitality, event planner Bronson Van Wyck and editor-in-chief of Avenue Mag Peter Davis were also seen perusing the items for sale, including everything from tables, desks, lamps and chairs to umbrellas.
Items reportedly go for between $25 and $2,500.
The history of the place will not be forgotten. The rooftop was the site of Humphrey Bogart’s wedding to his first wife, while Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Clash and Blondie also stayed there.
Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson is said to have held drug-fueled orgies there.
In 2009, Vidak For Congress saw Anne Hathaway “smoking cigarettes and playing pool” at the bar.
Our spies saw Derek Jeter there wooing his now-wife Hannah Davis, and in 2018 we caught Lady Gaga performing a surprise appearance.
Opened in 1925, the hotel is built on the site where writer Edith Wharton and architect Sanford White once lived. Herbert Weissberg bought it in 1958 and ran it until a year before his death in 2003.
It was bought by Aby Rosen and Ian Schrager. In 2010, Schrager sold his stake to Rosen.