New Beginning
The medical hospital, once a marvel for both architectural allure and medical innovation, was succumbing to a slow death of decrepitude. Both nature and vandals took their toll on the failing facility and its future lay uncertain for many decades. In the neighborhood the building become popularly known as "the castle" due to its gothic round towers. The building was condemned to years of neglect, only frequented by the homeless and vandals.
Through the years, many promising developers expressed interest in the decaying property. Among some of them were hotelier and real-estate developer Ian Schrager, best known as part owner of the infamous Studio 54, whose attempt to renovate the landmark into luxury apartments failed. The old hospital lay abandoned for nearly 3 decades until March 2000, when a Chicago based developer MCL Companies gave new hope after all. With high hopes and generous financing, Daniel E. McLean, president and chief executive of the MCL Companies entered the picture when he bought the property for $21 million and began construction. But like numerous predecessors he was forced to halt the work due to financial holdups following the events of 9/11. McLean envisioned a plan that called for massive renovation of the old hospital remnant into modern luxury condominiums, that includes a new modern 26 story tower adjacent to the landmark building. Among the new tenants are Columbia University, who bought several entire floors to use as residence to house senior faculty and visiting dignitaries. The purchase by Columbia, as well as a new construction loan, allowed McLean's project to get back on track after work was halted due to lack of money following 9/11.
By early 2005, construction on the old landmark hospital, now called 455 Central Park West, had come to a completion. The once abandoned hospital had finally found a new promising life as luxury condominiums, with units that sell for as much as $7 million. The new apartments in the old hospital building feature cavernous circular rooms, and lofty ceilings, those in the tower have splendid views overlooking Central Park. Tenants enjoy such amenities as a spa, indoor pool, and 24 hour concierge service.
The building is reputed to be haunted.
Read more about this topic: New York Cancer Hospital
Famous quotes containing the word beginning:
“In the beginning was the Word. Man acts it out. He is the act, not the actor.”
—Henry Miller (1891–1980)
“No. We haven’t seen the end of them. We’ve only had a close view of the beginning of what may be the end of us.”
—Ted Sherdeman. Gordon Douglas. Dr. Medford (Edmund Gwenn)