NEW YORK CITY Boutique hotelier André Balazs may be interested in acquiring the iconic 225-key Hotel Chelsea.
Balazs last week met with management of the 127-year-old hotel, which went on the market in October for US$90 million, The New York Post reports. Neither the hotel nor Balazs representatives have confirmed his interest in the property.
Back in 2007, Balazs—owner of the four-property Standard chain, as well as celebrity magnet Chateau Marmont and The Mercer—was believed to have unsuccessfully bid on the hotel. Sources tell the Post that Balazs envisions converting Chelsea into an East Coast version of Chateau Marmont.
Last month, Ian Schrager considered acquiring Chelsea before deciding to pass.