NewYorkology points out that controversial hot spot of yore (2009—those where the days!) the Jane Hotel has lowered its March room rates from the famed $99 per night to just $69 per night. Which means a month of crashing at the Jane would be $2,139, not bad for a staycation in a newly renovated studio in the West Village! If you, er, don't mind sharing a bathroom. But the sights make up for it. [NYology]
Lost in the hubbub over the Jane Hotel and its neighbor-enraging nightlife is what makes the historic property such a quirky little addition to the downtown boutique hotel scene: the mix of budget-hunting, style-conscious travelers cramming into $99-a-night "cabins" (bunk beds, bathrooms down the hall, etc.) and the rent-controlled tenants left behind in unrenovated rooms from the hotel's days as an SRO. One Dallas dad decided to spend a recent weekend at the hotel to visit his NYU-attending daughter, and on his blog he writes a lengthy review of his stay. It was mostly enjoyable, despite the smell that permeated the hallway of his floor and got increasingly worse as the weekend went on. He gets a number of explanations from building staff, including a maintenance guys who tells him, "Someone with really bad hygiene. And some ladies used the bathroom in there, too." The story changes, however, when the door gets sealed and a Police Department D.O.A. notice is posted. "Older guy, lived here," an employee finally fesses up. So what about the pressing matter at hand: Would the blogger stay at the Jane again?
Good question. Overall, it was a great hotel for our hostel-like needs. On the other hand, the experience had a touch of the movie “Hostel”.The Nightmare on Jane Street blog has been eerily silent since October 7, but let's not jump to any conclusions.In my opinion, the management failed miserably. Were I running things, police-seals or not, I would have added the duct tape immediately, and covered the entire door with a drop cloth, hiding the sticker (any workers trying to enter the room would see it of course).
I would have moved everyone near the room to other rooms (perhaps they did - we were towards the far end of the hall). I would have contacted every guest on the floor with a suitable cover story - yes, a lie. Just “plumbing trouble” would do, with assurances that their health was not in jeopardy (though maybe it was… I would have checked with health authorities, and again, perhaps they did).
West Villagers, sharpen your pitchforks: Word from the blogosphere is the neighbor-baiting Jane Ballroom is reopening tonight. True? If so, get your popcorn ready. [The Dizzy Fizz; previously]
FIDI—All hail Beekman Tower, rising king of, uh, the City Hall environs! The tipster who sent us the above cool pic writes, "Now just four stories away from being complete and nearly half of the building has been covered in stainless steel curtain wall. At a pace of one floor every two days, this building should be topped out within two weeks. Looks like the project is progressing on track." That's 77 stories of pure, unfiltered Frank Gehry. We love it. Others don't. [CurbedWire Inbox]
LAS VEGAS—Not only is John Varvatos capitalizing on the Bowery's gritty lore with his boutique in the old CBGB space, but he's also exporting the Bowery to the masses. According to a press release, dude just celebrated the opening of his Bowery NYC store in Vegas's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with an Alice Cooper concert. How does that make you feel, Vanessa Hudgeons? [CurbedWire Inbox]
WEST VILLAGE—Staunch opponents of the Jane Hotel may want to boycott J. Crew. Check out who's modeling in their new catalog.
It's Downtown hotelier Sean MacPherson, showing off an $825 leather jacket. According to the writeup, the jacket is, "Built for speed in hand-distressed, oiled Italian leather complete with authentic road-warrior details." Also keeps the dog pee off your skin. [CurbedWire Inbox]
Just because the controversial Ballroom is temporarily closed doesn't mean there isn't fun to be had in the West Village. Check out this casting call: "Male model under 30, great abs, masculine, some body hair preferred for provocative, edgy, funny and dramatic street semi and full nudes. I work with a lookout at off hours when the streets have empty moments...My next shoot will be on the morning of Saturday, October 24 from 6 am to 8 am around the new Jane Hotel on Jane Street. We will also shoot some nudes in one of the hotel rooms." [Actors Connect; previously]
