Following the exit of its last remaining homeless residents last month, the Lucerne Hotel is expected to reopen to paying guests by October 1, Crain’s reports, noting that “minor renovations and updates” will be made.
The Lucerne’s website has a “reopening notice,” though as of writing, all it says is that they’re currently closed and look forward to being open again. “Please continue to check back for updates about our reopening date,” the page states, above an embedded contact form for future visitors.
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The city put a recent pause on the relocation of homeless individuals from hotels to shelters, though this came after all temporary residents had already vacated the Lucerne. The pause was the result of a motion filed by the Legal Aid Society. The judge presiding over the case ruled that any homeless individual who is disabled must be properly assessed before being transferred back into a shelter, and that the “city must provide written notice to shelter residents at least a week before scheduled moves out of hotels.”
“Today’s decision affirms that the City rushed the moves of homeless New Yorkers from safe placements in hotels back to crowded shelters without meeting its obligations, endangering the lives of New York’s most vulnerable residents,” read a July 13 press release from The Legal Aid Society. “The City cannot phase out the hotel program without ensuring that it meets its obligations under Butler. We thank the court for recognizing that the City must meet this obligation as prescribed by law.”
The Department of Social Services has so far ended the shelter-designation of 23 of the 60 hotels which have served this function since the pandemic began, which Crain’s reported on July 15 includes the Belnord Hotel (209 West 87th Street) and the Hotel Belleclaire (2175 Broadway).
Big applause to The Lucerne for their Humanity! Now let’s get the next chapter right.
What’s next for the Belleclaire?
“Minor,” I bet! The place must be a mess.
They will have to really renovate and fumigate. The other two hotels have to get back to normal too. It’s been disgusting
When was the last time you even stepped foot inside the Lucerne that allows you to make such a ignorant statement? These are humans you’re talking about. I hope you never have to prove your worth in order for others to treat you with kindness and respect.
Carla, you are ignorant and have no idea what you’re talking about. Do you even live in this neighborhood? If so, don’t you have any respect for people who want to live their lives without people harassing them and defecating in the streets. I feel bad for the mentally ill, but it’s not a hotel but a hospital that they need
Very Sad situation. I am a long time former “upper westsider”. I have been living in Houston for many years and now have 4 children. For all those many years I have lived in Houston, the Lucerne has been our “home away from home” several times a year. The children always thought we “owned” our apartment there. All the employees, front desk, Doormen, Concierges, watched my children grow up through our last trip 2 years ago, seeing them all now as teenagers. I seriously hope all those in dire need have found help since leaving , it’s a big struggle for the City, for sure. I also seriously hope the long time permanent residents have been cared for–it sure seems it would have been a struggle for them during this sudden disruption in their lives. I also selfishly hope the Lucerne can reemerge to the “home away from home” is has been for us for many years, and to reemerge as the stable UWS community member it was for many years.
Considering how these Hotels have destroyed the UWS, you couldn’t pay us to stay there. They took the cash and dumped a mentally ill, drug addicted population in our already challenged neighborhood. Karma will get you. We encourage no one to book in the 3 hotels involved. Covid didn’t destroy us -you did. Just take a walk on Broadway in the 70’s and 80’s…
Who would wiillingly choose to be here?
How would you feel about them if ownership/management changed hands?
So you want these hotels to go out of business and be empty buildings or SROs with the same type of mentally ill drug addicted tenants? Because that’s what will happen if you encourage people not to stay at these hotels. It will further hurt the neighborhood and it’s just getting back.