How Westgate Is Revitalizing Tudor City In NYC Hotel

Built in 1927, the Tudor Hotel is an impressive, brick-clad building within the Tudor neighborhood and just minutes away from the heart of Midtown. Unfortunately, despite its rich history and imposing Gothic revival-style, the hotel has changed hands several times and slowly fallen into disrepair. That is, until recently. Westgate recently purchased the building and now, the once glorious hotel is taking Grand Central by storm once more.

A Brief History of the Tudor Neighborhood

Unlike most of the other neighborhoods in Manhattan, Tudor City is not one that you merely "stumble upon," as you can only access it via a series of staircases and ramps. The city was designed to be elevated for a reason: To provide residents with a sense of "seclusion" from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
During the Civil War, the area that is now home to the Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel was a slum, plain and simple. By the late nineteenth century, gang members of the infamous "Rag Gang" made the elevated land their home. However, when the gang's leader, Jimmy "Paddy" Corcoran died in 1900, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and wealthy New Yorkers were fleeing the city. To keep the elite in the area, several innovative minds tossed around the idea of creating a "suburb" within the limits of Manhattan. These talks lead to the drafting and construction of Tudor City.
Many people today think that Tudor City is oddly secluded from the rest of Manhattan, as the city's buildings face inward, toward interior parks and courtyards. However, this design, as well as its elevation, were purposeful so that residents didn't have to look out their windows to the slaughterhouses and powerplants along the East River. Many upper-class residents often referred to the newly developed city as their "country estate."

The Significance of Tudor Hotel

The Tudor Hotel was one of the first buildings constructed within this "residential skyscraper community," and thus it is now recognized as an important historical landmark. It is one of 13 buildings within the historic district, the last of which was constructed 25 years after the final building was erected. For many, the hotel serves as reminder of Manhattan's revival from a city of death and decay to one of the most luxurious metropolises in the world.
To see this once glorious hotel change hands so many times, and to watch if fall deeper into disrepair, has discouraged Tudor City residents and Manhattan natives alike. If this structure that signifies revival is allowed to collapse, what will become of the historic city itself? Westgate strives to ensure residents never have to find out.
The owner of some of the world's most luxurious resort hotels is currently conducting a multi-million dollar renovation on the confines of this building. While Westgate will not touch a single brick on the outside of this building, and while it promises to retain the integrity of the building, including the interior historical elements, historical preservationists can all agree that the building's innards can use a major overhaul. From updating the electrical and plumbing to redoing the drywall to fortifying the foundation, Westgate has been and continues to make much-needed improvements to the Tudor Hotel.
As of right now, the hotel is welcoming guests and ensuring they enjoy a comfortable, clean, and welcoming stay. The hotel's remarkable proximity to Grand Central Station (a five-minute walk away!) and other notable attractions, such as Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building, as well as modern convenience such as an indoor marketplace, full gym, and conference center all make this hotel an ideal place to stay for individuals, couples, and families alike.