You know that feeling when you walk past a building in Manhattan and it just looks... tired? Not old-school cool, but genuinely exhausted. That was the vibe for years at the Excelsior Hotel Upper West Side New York. It sits right there on 81st Street, literally steps from the American Museum of Natural History. For decades, it was the go-to spot for families who wanted that classic, slightly dusty New York elegance without paying Central Park South prices.
But things changed. Fast.
If you try to book a room there today, you're going to hit a wall. The red awnings are gone. The lobby, which used to be filled with French country furniture and the smell of old coffee, is quiet. It isn’t just "closed for renovations" in that optimistic way hotels usually claim. The Excelsior, as we knew it, is basically extinct. It’s becoming something else entirely, and the story of how it got there is a perfect snapshot of how New York real estate actually works when the cameras aren't rolling.
The Rise and Quiet Fall of a Neighborhood Staple
The Excelsior Hotel Upper West Side New York wasn't always a point of controversy. It opened back in the 1920s. Back then, it was part of a wave of residential hotels that defined the neighborhood. It had 215 rooms. Most of them were suites with these tiny, quirky kitchenettes that felt like something out of a 1950s sitcom.
People loved it.
I mean, look at the location. You walk out the front door and you're staring at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. It’s arguably the best spot in the city for a kid who likes dinosaurs. Because of that, the hotel stayed busy. It didn't need to be trendy. It didn't need a rooftop bar with $24 cocktails. It just needed to be "fine." And for a long time, "fine" was a goldmine.
But the maintenance caught up with it. By the late 2010s, guests were starting to complain about the elevators. They were slow. Painfully slow. The carpets were fraying at the edges. Then, 2020 happened. The pandemic didn't just hurt the Excelsior; it acted as the final nudge for a building that was already leaning toward a massive identity crisis.
Why the Excelsior Hotel Upper West Side New York Isn't a Hotel Anymore
Here is the part most travel sites won't tell you plainly: the building was sold for roughly $80 million in late 2021. The buyer? Emmut Properties.
They didn't buy it to keep running a hotel. That's just not where the money is on the Upper West Side right now. They bought it to turn it into luxury rentals. It’s a trend we’re seeing across the city—historic hotels like the Roosevelt or the Waldorf (though that’s a whole different scale) being sliced up into permanent residences.
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It’s kinda sad, honestly.
The Excelsior was one of the last places in that specific zip code where a middle-class family could stay and feel like they were part of the neighborhood. Now, it’s being gutted and rebranded as "The 45," a luxury residential building. The transformation is extensive. We’re talking about taking those 200+ cramped hotel rooms and merging them into 134 high-end apartments.
The Human Cost of the Shift
It wasn't a clean transition. This is New York, after all.
Before the sale, the Excelsior was part of a program to house homeless individuals during the height of the pandemic. This sparked a massive debate in the neighborhood. Some residents were worried about safety; others were pushing for more compassion. It became a lightning rod for the tensions that define the Upper West Side—a mix of extreme wealth and a deep-seated history of social activism.
When the hotel officially shuttered to make way for the luxury conversion, the staff—some of whom had been there for twenty or thirty years—were out of a job. The New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council had to step in. There were legal battles over severance and how the transition was handled.
What to Expect from the New Building
If you're walking by 45 West 81st Street today, don't expect to see a check-in desk. The new development is leaning hard into the "pre-war charm meets modern luxury" aesthetic.
Emmut Properties is keeping the facade. Thank God for that. The brickwork and the ornate carvings are part of what makes that block feel like a movie set. But inside? It’s all gone.
- The Lobby: No more dusty floral patterns. Think marble, minimalist lighting, and 24-hour doormen who look like they’ve never had a bad day in their lives.
- The Rooms: The kitchenettes are being replaced with Bosch appliances and Caesarstone countertops.
- The Vibe: It’s moving from "family-friendly tourist hub" to "quiet sanctuary for people who can afford $6,000 a month for a one-bedroom."
Where Should You Stay Instead?
Since the Excelsior Hotel Upper West Side New York is no longer an option for your next trip, you're probably wondering where to go. You want that same neighborhood feel without being stuck in the chaos of Times Square.
The Hotel Beacon is the obvious successor. It’s on 75th and Broadway. It still has those oversized rooms with kitchenettes, and it’s managed to stay relevant without losing its soul. It’s a bit further from the museum, but the Broadway energy makes up for it.
Another solid choice is The Lucerne on 79th Street. It has a similar architectural pedigree to the Excelsior—lots of brownstone vibes and dark wood—but they’ve actually kept up with the renovations. It feels like what the Excelsior could have been if the previous owners had invested more into the infrastructure a decade ago.
If you’re feeling fancy, there’s always The Arthouse Hotel. It’s a bit more "boutique" and "Instagrammable," but it captures that Upper West Side intellectual energy.
The Reality of the "New" Upper West Side
Losing the Excelsior is a symptom of a larger shift. The neighborhood is becoming less of a place where people visit and more of a place where people "invest." When a hotel turns into a luxury rental, the foot traffic changes. The local diners see fewer tourists looking for a quick breakfast. The souvenir shops feel the pinch.
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But, strangely, the block is quieter now.
Some neighbors prefer it this way. No more tour buses idling on 81st Street. No more confused tourists blocking the sidewalk with giant suitcases. It’s a trade-off. You lose the accessibility, but you gain a certain level of residential "peace."
Mapping Out Your Visit
If you're still planning to visit the area, even without the Excelsior, you've got to hit the staples.
- Zabar's: It’s a cliché for a reason. Go get a bagel and some lox. Don't stand in the middle of the aisle or the regulars will literally mow you down with their carts.
- Levain Bakery: Yes, the line is long. Yes, the cookies are basically raw dough in the middle. And yes, they are worth it.
- The New-York Historical Society: Everyone goes to the Natural History Museum across the street, but this place is a gem. It’s quieter, cooler, and has some of the best curated exhibits on the city’s actual grit and glory.
Actionable Steps for Displaced Fans of the Excelsior
If you were a regular at the Excelsior and are feeling a bit lost, here is how you should pivot your next NYC trip.
First, stop checking the old booking sites. Many of them still have the Excelsior listed as "sold out" or "temporarily unavailable," which leads to a lot of wasted time. It’s gone.
Second, if you loved the Excelsior for the space, look specifically at "Apart-hotels" in the city. Places like Radio City Apartments or certain Sonder locations offer that multi-room feel that the Excelsior suites used to provide.
Third, embrace the change. The Upper West Side is evolving. While the Excelsior Hotel Upper West Side New York is becoming "The 45," the spirit of the neighborhood—the dogs in the park, the strollers on Columbus Avenue, the smell of rain on old stone—isn't going anywhere.
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For those looking to rent in the new building, be prepared for a rigorous application process. These aren't just apartments; they are "assets" in one of the most stable real estate markets in the world. Check the listings on StreetEasy for 45 West 81st Street to see the current availability, but don't expect any "hotel-style" discounts.
The era of the Excelsior has ended, and the era of high-end Upper West Side living has officially taken its place. It’s a different kind of New York story, but it’s the one we’re living in now.