It's been a while since we heard anything about the Jane Hotel, whose ballroom was shut down in October after numerous noise complaints were filed by locals (who also became a press force to be reckoned with, armed with a blog and Twitter). But today their worst nightmare may be coming true: the Jane's ballroom is reopening! Dun dun dun. more ›

When the Jane Hotel first entered the neighborhood, Community Board members say they were enthusiastic about the ballroom, having "visions of people reading from their new works in an elegant salon." While the March sisters may have found parlor readings of contemporary literature a satiating social experience, the Olsen twins represent the Jane's real clientele, and we're guessing they don't read much Murakami whilst making their late night rounds. more ›

Our very own Jake Dobkin braved some disintegrating buildings in Harlem this past weekend. Both the ballroom (in the first photo) and the school (shown in all other photos) are located in Central Harlem about 10 blocks apart from each other, and are clearly abandoned now. He notes of the former: "This building looked like it had been empty for twenty years. Trees were growing out of the floors and poking out of dozens of holes in the roof. All the windows were gone, and the floors that weren't covered with snow were thick with dust and the skeletons of dead pigeons. There wasn't any evidence of human habitation-- no footprints, homeless encampments, or graffiti." more ›