The daily gazette., 1874-09-08
Hotel Life In NeiO York.

HOtet Ltfe an NcW York.
Few persons, unless familiar with
New York hotel life, can form any
idea of the capital, labor, and executive
ability required to conduct one of the
palatial homes, where everything move
with such clock-work regularity. A
visit to what is known rs the "work-
ing department" of hotel like the st.
Nicholas, Fifth Avenue, or Windsor
is one of our city sights, and amply re-
pays the time spent if the "Open
sesame" can be obtained.
The phrase "He can keep a hotel"
derives all its popular significance
for keeping hotel with success re-
quires much more than ordinary abili-
ty, decision OF character, and rapid
organizing executive power not unlike
that required for the command of an
army. Our hotel system is daily be-
coming more popular, and besides all
the swelling tides of travel, the num-
ber is steadily increasing of those who
prefer to be free of all the toll and
trouble of housekeeping. Thus the
hotel business of late years has been
very profitable, handsome fortunes
having been made in some instances
in single year. AS a consequence,
desirable houses, well located, are
quickly taken up, and the demand al
ways exceeds the supply. The rents
paid (some of which are given below
may seem high at the first glance, but
when the cost of lots well located and
the cost of building are considered a
return not at all excessive, and some
times too small, is finally made to
owner.
The Fifth avenue including stores,
rents for 100000. The lessees pay
taxes, assessments, and repairs-a total
of about $3.50, 900. The average annu-
al profits in this house since its open
ing have been about $780, 900. Twen-
ty-five years ago the ground was offer
ed on ninety-nine year lease at $500
annum. The lots on which this bull
ding stands could have been bought in
1858 for $4,000 per lot. 1t accommo-
dates $50.
The Windsor is leased for ten years,
at $685. 600 per annum, including the
whole building, which cost over ST.
600, 900. The land it occupies is valued
at $S00,000. This is the last great no.
tel opened to the public. 1t is superb
and complete in all its appointments,
and already enjoys world wide repu-
tation. 1t is to-day the finest hotel in
New York, and Nine. Christine Nils
son, who makes it her home, and whose
experience in both hemispheres is very
extensive, says ''It's the finest hotel in
the world" 1t accommodates 525.
The Gilsey rents for 1886, 900 includ-
ing stores. 1t is an admirably conduc-
ted house on the European plan. 1t
accommodates 200.
The st. Nicholas rental is $95, 900,
without stores The owners of the bull
ding retain one half the net profits.
This house is very well managed. Its
present senior proprietor has few equals
ill his business. One year this house
netted $400,0 profits. 1t accommo-
dates 600.
The Metropolitan rental is $105, 900,
which includes several stores. 1t ac-
commodities 1896.
The Hoffman rental is $47, 900. This
house is admirably managed and isde-
servedly popular. 1t accommodates 225.
The Brunswick is kept upon the Eu
ropean plan. Its cuisine is in high fa-
vor. Over $780, 900 was spent in 1878
upon the improvements. The rental
is $85, 900. 1t accommodates 225.
The st. james has recently passed
into the hands of Senator Jones, of Ne
vada, who is fitting it up, regardless Of
cost, for one of his kinsmen, Mr. Jones
of the Hoffman House. 1t accommo-
dates 225.
The Brevoort, Clarendon, Everett and
Albemarle are all successful. The pro-
prietors commencing In some cases with
little or no means, are now all wealthy
The Buckingham is to be the title of the
new hotel, erecting on the corner of
Fiftieth and Fifth avenue, facing the
Cathedral. Its owner, the well known
druggist, Mr.. George Kemp, is sparing
no expense to make it most attractive
establishment. Mr.. Wait of the Bre-
WORT whose capacity is well known by
all travellers, is treating for the lease.
The Knickerbocker, commenced ut
Fifty ninth street and Fifth avenue,
will probably not be completed. Its
present cost, Including land, is over$1, ),
200, 600, and another million would be
required to finish it. This would imply
a rental Of 1926 900 to pay its owners 7
per cent. on the investment. The lots
are now offered for sale singly.
The Grand Central comes under the
head of second-class hotels; its rental is
about $4,000 without stores. 1t is
very well conduced, and its proprietor,