KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL

The Knickerbocker Hotel once located at the SE corner of 42nd Street and Broadway was one of the four “Elephant Legs” (landmarks) of the new 42nd street. It was build by the Astor family in 1902 and once home to the famed opera great Enrico Caruso. By 1965 the real estate values fell and the hotel was converted to commercial space, at one time accommodating Newsweek Magazine. Today the building still stands as with commercial and retail tenants. There is a Gap Store on the corner.


One of the legends about this building comes from the drink called the martini, which was said to have been invented by the house bartender in 1912. According to the story, one Martini di Arma di Taggia mixed dry vermouth and gin together and the mixture gained the favor of residents and visitors alike.

When the hotel first opened it advertised that it had all the modern conveniences such as underground transportation system.

The pictured sign, in the 42nd street subway near the end of the Shuttle closest to Grand Central, is a reminder of the fact that the hotel had direct access to the underground transportation system.