A Celebration
for All
of Mrs. Madrigal from Tales of the City by Armistead
Maupin. Maupin, learning recently of that inspiration in a
post by Lesiger on Chelsea Pines’ anniversary blog, sent
a congratulatory note.
“It’s thrilling to know that Mrs. Madrigal helped to
inspire one of Chelsea’s most treasured institutions,”
Maupin wrote. “Thanks for making me feel part of your
rich history by telling this tale of Sheldon’s dream. May
Chelsea Pines continue to thrive and bring joy to the
free spirits who are lucky enough to discover it.”
(Another post on the blog worth perusing is one
from Janis Siegel, famed jazz singer, who lives in the
A lot can change in 25 years, but one
thing has not changed at Chelsea Pines
Inn. It is still a place with a friendly greeting
and welcoming smile for every free spirit
lucky enough to discover it.
n 1986, Jay Lesiger set out to open a small, stylish
hotel with a mission of exquisite hospitality and a nod
to Hollywood.
Now, 25 years later, Chelsea Pines Inn is celebrating its
own success and that of the burgeoning namesake neighborhood surrounding it. The inn, once on the fringes, is
now in the center of the action in Chelsea. A visitor can
enjoy a rich slice of New York right outside the front door.
Twenty-five years ago, the nearby meatpacking district was still just that. Now it throbs with restaurants and
nightlife. And the Chelsea Market down the
street, in a converted Nabisco factory from the
1800s, is a food lover’s oasis. Eat there or pick
up a baguette and some cheese and head over
to the High Line, the new and innovative park
built on a former elevated railway. It’s become
famous around the world overnight. Phase 2 of
the High Line just opened in June, doubling the
overall size.
Other parks, too, are nearby. The Hudson
River Park runs the length of Manhattan and
is just a couple of blocks away.
The Chelsea Triangle Park on Ninth Avenue o;ers “Sunset Salsa” lessons and other
cool and unusual activities.
Chelsea is the capital of art galleries (with
350 in the area) and coming in 2012 is a bold
step for New York art with the opening of
the Whitney Museum’s new home. It will be
adjacent to the High Line.
Jay’s late partner, Sheldon Post, had
dreamed of being an innkeeper on the order
TOP: DELUXE ROOM
MIDDLE: ARMISTEAD MAUPIN
BELOW: JAY LESIGER
Chelsea Pines Inn • 317 W. 14th St. • New York City • 212-929-1023 • chelseapinesinn.com
