Back in December 2010 a lawyer at a Community Board SLA meeting told us that the Cooper Square Hotel was "very close" to being bought by the same folk who run the SoHo and TriBeCa Grands. And while that deal fell through it has now emerged that the hotel actually did change hands that month. In fact, it was taken over by Westport Capital in an "amicable" loan restructuring the same day they announced the Grand deal was donzo. more ›

Earlier in the month lawyers for the SoHo and TriBeCa Grand Hotels told us they were "very close" to a deal to buy the troubled Cooper Square Hotel. Last week the hotel shut down its Scott Conant restaurant, Faustina, presumably to make the upcoming sale smoother. We guess they weren't close enough. This morning we received an e-mail from the hotel's reps telling us that in fact it will "not be sold to an outside party." Further, they'll announce plans for a new restaurant in early 2011. We were really hoping they were going to rename it the Cooper Grand. Oh, well. more ›

Yup, looks like the rumor that the Cooper Square Hotel is going to be sold to the same people who run the Soho and Tribeca Grands is not a rumor. That much was confirmed at last night's relatively short Community Board 3 State Liquor Authority committee meeting (only two and a half hours!). more ›

New York City was amply represented during last night's National Design Awards at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. more ›

On Sunday we posted about the Bard Family being all but dismissed from their post at the Hotel Chelsea. As the interrogation spotlight continues to shine in the faces of the faceless "Board" that made the decision, a press release was sent out to explain what's going on behind the famous doors. more ›

The Soho Grand and Tribeca Grand hotels just relaunched their websites with some drool-licious shots of their rooms. Most rage-inducing is probably the penthouse loft tour at the Soho Grand-- according to this handy PDF guide, both the north and south lofts are 1200sqft each, with four flat-screen televisions, a wet bar, and fireplace. Sort of makes our 300 sqft closet/apartment/office seem a little more depressing! Rental rates are not posted online, but Gridskipper is estimating $1500 per night. [Related: the SoHo Grand is giving away two-nights in the penthouse-- might make a nice Valentine's Day weekend for some lucky couple.] more ›

The Art Brut hype started around June when the critics universally praised the UK rock band's debut album. Tiny Mix Tapes wrote, "I feel strange writing this review considering how big Art Brut will become over the next few months. No American dates are scheduled thus far, but they’re doing the UK festival circuit this summer and are poised to win just about everyone over." Eventually American dates were scheduled, and as usual NYC gets to be one of the first to experience the overseas sensation. This week you have FOUR chances to catch them. (@ Maxwell's, Mercury Lounge, Northsix and Tribeca Grand) more ›

We couldn't help but notice the abundance of talented white male rockers invading NYC this week. New and old and originating from various corners of the Earth, the white boys of rock n' roll are invading. Let us be your guide. more ›

The weekend is here, and unfortunately our run of nice weather has run out. The rains will be coming. Luckily the city is prepared with plenty of indoor activities to enjoy, and if you're not scared of getting a little wet there is some outdoor fun to be had as well. more ›

Gothamist doesn't really like New Years Eve, it's overhyped and too expensive. So short of suggesting you just stay at home here's a little list of things you could do to ring in '05. more ›

The NY Post gives date suggestions for where to take girls, whether they be trend surfer, a highbrow glamour-puss or a proud bohemian" - apparently proud bohemian also means "cheap date." (And it seems like the Post doesn't think the Olive Garden is a good date option. D'oh!) Some of the usual suspects are named: Sumile, The Sanctum at Tribeca Grand, the new cafes at the Met. But, if you want to show someone a Gothamist good time, our top picks are:
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