View source for Barbizon 63

{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Short description|Condominium building in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Redirect|The Barbizon|the French commune|Barbizon|the book by Paulina Bren|The Barbizon (book)|other uses|Barbizon (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox building
| name                = Barbizon 63
| image               = Barbizon-hotel.jpg
| image_alt           = The facade of Barbizon 63 as seen in 2007
| image_caption       = (2007)
| mapframe_wikidata = yes
| coordinates         = {{coord|40|45|52|N|73|57|58|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=it}}
| former_names        = Barbizon Hotel for Women
| alternate_names     =
| etymology           = [[Barbizon school|Barbizon artistic movement]]
| building_type       = [[Condominium]]s (mixed residential and commercial)
| architectural_style = [[Italian Renaissance architecture|Italian Renaissance]], [[Gothic Revival architecture|Late Gothic Revival]], and [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]
| classification      =
| address             = 140 East 63rd Street
| location_city       = [[Manhattan]], New York
| location_country    = United States
| groundbreaking_date =
| start_date          = March 1927
| completion_date     = February 1928
| opened_date         = October 31, 1927
| renovation_date     = 1980–1984 (converted to mixed-gender hotel)<br />2005 (converted to condominiums)
| cost                = $4 million (1927)
| ren_cost            =
| client              =
| owner               =
| landlord            = <!-- or |management= or |operator= or |governing_body= -->
| height              =
| structural_system   =
| size                =
| floor_count         = 23
| floor_area          = {{cvt|175,623|ft2}}
| elevator_count      =
| grounds_area        = {{cvt|13,136|ft2}}
| architect           = [[Palmer H. Ogden]], [[Everett F. Murgatroyd]]
| architecture_firm   =
| developer           =
| engineer            =
| structural_engineer =
| services_engineer   =
| civil_engineer      =
| other_designers     =
| quantity_surveyor   =
| main_contractor     =
| awards              =
| designations        =
| parking             =
| public_transit      =
| website             = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| embed               =
| embedded            =
{{Infobox NRHP
|embed = yes
| name                     = Barbizon Hotel for Women
| added                    = October 29, 1982
| refnum                   = 82001186
<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2009a}}</ref>
| designated_other2_name   = New York City Landmark
| designated_other2_date   = April 17, 2012
| designated_other2_abbr   = NYCL
| designated_other2_link   = New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
| designated_other2_number = 2495
| designated_other2_color  = #FFE978
}}
| references          =
| footnotes           =
}}
'''Barbizon 63''' (formerly the '''Barbizon Hotel for Women''' and the '''Melrose Hotel''') is a mostly residential [[condominium]] building at 140 East 63rd Street, at the southeast corner with [[Lexington Avenue]], on the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in New York City. The 23-story hotel was designed by Everett F. Murgatroyd and Palmer H. Ogden in a blend of the [[Italian Renaissance architecture|Italian Renaissance]], [[Gothic Revival architecture|Late Gothic Revival]], and Islamic styles. From 1927 until 1981, it was a [[Women-only space|women-only]] [[residential hotel]]. The Barbizon is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and is a [[New York City designated landmark]].

The facade consists of salmon-colored brick, with [[limestone]] and [[terra cotta]] decorations, and is divided into a three-story base, a 15-story shaft, and a five-story tower. The building contains numerous [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]], as well as a [[light court]] to the east, and the upper stories contain large arched windows. When the Barbizon was built, it contained various amenities for its residents, including a gymnasium, private library, [[Terrace (building)|solarium]], swimming pool, and [[Hammam|Turkish bath]]. Generally, men were only permitted to enter the ground-level stores, the double-height lobby, and the mezzanine-level recital room. The upper stories originally contained 655 bedrooms, which were eventually downsized to 306 hotel rooms, then to 66 condominiums. The modern-day condominium building contains a three-story [[Equinox Fitness]] club at its base.

The Allerton Hotel chain, headed by William Silk, developed the Barbizon on the site of a synagogue that dated from the 1870s. The hotel opened on October 31, 1927, and initially catered to women who worked in the arts. The building was sold twice in the 1930s and was profitable by the end of that decade. Between the 1930s and the 1960s, the hotel hosted numerous clubs, and entities such as [[Mademoiselle (magazine)|''Mademoiselle'']] magazine, the [[Katharine Gibbs School|Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School]], and the [[Ford Modeling Agency]] rented rooms there. After the Barbizon's occupancy rate began to decline in the 1970s, the hotel was refurbished. The Barbizon was sold three times between 1979 and 1981, and it started accepting male guests on February 14, 1981. The hotel underwent further renovations in the 1980s, during which it was sold twice more. [[Metromedia]] acquired the Barbizon in 1995 from [[Ian Schrager]], partially renovated it, then sold it back to Schrager in 1998. The [[Berwind Corporation|Berwind Property Group]] bought the hotel in 2001 and renovated it further before converting the building to condos between 2005 and 2006.

== Description<span class="anchor" id="Architecture"></span> ==
Barbizon 63, originally the Barbizon Hotel for Women, is at the southeast corner of [[Lexington Avenue]] and 63rd Street on the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in [[New York City]]. It occupies a trapezoidal site with a [[frontage]] of {{convert|120|ft}} on 63rd Street and {{convert|124|ft}} on Lexington Avenue.<ref name="NYCL p. 9">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=9}}</ref> The site has a total area of {{convert|13136|ft2}}.<ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web |title=140 East 63 Street, 10065 |url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1397/7505 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]]}}</ref>

The Barbizon was designed by the firm of Everett F. Murgatroyd and Palmer H. Ogden, who designed the [[Allerton Hotel for Women]] and [[Barbizon-Plaza Hotel]] in New York City and the [[Warwick Allerton - Chicago|Hotel Allerton]] in [[Chicago]].<ref name="NPS p. 4">{{harvnb|Covell|1982|ps=.|p=4}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 6">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> The structure is faced in salmon-colored brick with [[limestone]] and [[terra cotta]] decorations.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /><ref name="Bren p. 28">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=28|ps=.}}</ref> The hotel's architecture combines elements of the [[Italian Renaissance architecture|Italian Renaissance]], [[Gothic Revival architecture|Late Gothic Revival]], and [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] styles.<ref name="Bren p. 28" />

=== Form and facade ===
The Barbizon is 23 stories high.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /><ref name="ZoLa"/><ref name="Bren p. 27">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=27|ps=.}}</ref> Its facade is divided into three horizontal sections: a three-story base, a 15-story shaft, and a five-story tower that is [[Setback (architecture)|set back]] significantly from the shaft. The base occupies nearly the whole site and is rectangular. Above the third story, the south [[Elevation (architecture)|elevation]] of the facade is visible; there is a [[light court]] at the center of the south elevation. The east elevation is also visible above the fifth story; there are various setbacks and smaller light courts on the north, west, and east elevations.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /> The facade mostly retains its original design, but openings for air conditioners have been cut into various parts of the facade.<ref name="NPS p. 3">{{harvnb|Covell|1982|ps=.|p=3}}</ref><ref name="NYCL pp. 10–11" />

==== Base ====
[[File:Lexington Av Feb 2023 82.jpg|alt=The "corner pavilion" on Lexington Avenue. The facade contains alternating stone and brick bands at the second story, and there is an angular brick-and-stone balcony above the third story.|thumb|The second and third stories of the "corner pavilion" on Lexington Avenue]]
The lowest section of the facade, immediately above the sidewalk, consists of a stone [[Water table (architecture)|water table]]. Above the water table, the facade contains alternating stone and brick bands.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /> The north elevation on 63rd Street measures 11 [[Bay (architecture)|bays]] wide, while the west elevation on Lexington Avenue is 10 bays wide.<ref name="NYCL pp. 9–10">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|pp=9–10}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 2">{{harvnb|Covell|1982|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> The first two stories contain [[Arcade (architecture)|arcades]] supported by Romanesque-style [[pilaster]]s made of stone and brick or of plain stone.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /> Each pilaster is topped by [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]]-style [[Capital (architecture)|capitals]] that contain [[Acanthus (ornament)|acanthus leaf]] motifs.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /> The first-story windows and storefronts have been modified over the years, but many of the original second-story [[casement window]]s and arched [[Transom (architecture)|transom]] windows remain in place.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /><ref name="NPS p. 2" />

The three center bays on 63rd Street comprise the main entrance, which is accessed by a set of stone steps. At some point after the building opened, the original metal-and-glass double doors were replaced.<ref name="NYCL pp. 9–10" /> The main entrance was originally topped by a balcony,<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /> but this has since been replaced by a marquee.<ref name="NYCL p. 10">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=10}}</ref><ref name="p1243011904" /> The 30-foot-long bronze marquee, designed in the [[Art Deco]] style and installed in 1940, contained cut-outs of the letters "Barbizon".<ref name="Bren p. 72">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=72}}</ref> The entrance is flanked by rectangular windows with Gothic-style frames. The easternmost bay of the 63rd Street elevation contains a service doorway, while the westernmost three bays contain large storefronts with [[Canopy (building)|canopies]] and wall sconces.<ref name="NYCL pp. 9–10" /> The second-story windows contain projecting [[Window sill|sills]] with wrought-iron grilles.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /> Above the second story, the center three bays are flanked by a pair of stone [[corbel]]s, which originally carried [[flagpole]]s.<ref name="NYCL pp. 9–10" />

On Lexington Avenue, the ground story only contains storefronts.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="NYCL p. 10" /> The design of the first two stories is similar to that of the outer bays on 63rd Street. However, the third and ninth bays from the north have doorways with projecting canopies, while the other bays contain canopies and wall sconces.<ref name="NYCL p. 10" /> The doorways on Lexington Avenue lead to the hotel's fitness center.<ref name="Geran p. 144">{{harvnb|Geran|1998|ps=.|p=144}}</ref> Above the second-story setback on Lexington Avenue is a metal fence, behind which are [[HVAC]] equipment.<ref name="NYCL p. 10" />

==== Upper stories ====
[[File:Lexington Av Feb 2023 76.jpg|alt=The brick facade of the upper stories, which includes rectangular windows. There are arched corbel tables beneath the setbacks.|thumb|Facade of the upper stories]]
The four corners of the building are designed in a manner similar to [[Turret (architecture)|turrets]].<ref name="Bren p. 27" /><ref name="AF 1928-05-1">{{cite magazine |last=Price |first=Matlack |date=May 1928 |title=The Barbizon |url=https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1928-05-1.PDF |magazine=Architectural Forum |volume=48 |page=677 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216192229/https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1928-05-1.PDF |url-status=live}}</ref> On the 63rd Street elevation, the five center bays are set back above the second story, while the outermost three bays continue upward as "corner pavilions". In the center bay of each corner pavilion, there is an angular brick-and-stone balcony above the third story. Similar decorations are present on the corner pavilions of the Lexington Avenue elevation.<ref name="NYCL p. 9" /> The east and south elevations are asymmetrical. The light court at the center of the south elevation measures five bays wide and six bays deep; this splits the south elevation into a western wing measuring three bays wide and an eastern wing measuring four bays wide.<ref name="NYCL p. 10" /> The north, east, and west elevations all have six setbacks.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /> On these elevations, the intermediate stories contain cruciform niches and projecting bricks, while the setbacks are marked by arched [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]]–style [[corbel table]]s and trellises.<ref name="NYCL p. 5">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=5}}</ref>

On the north, west, and south elevations, as well as on the northern part of the east elevation, the third through 17th stories are accented by vertical brick corbels and horizontal corbel bands. The eastern light court, and some of the windows on the southern part of the east elevation, contain darker brick.<ref name="NYCL pp. 9–10" /> Over the years, many the windows on all four elevations have been lengthened, while some windows on the east and south elevations have been sealed.<ref name="NYCL pp. 10–11">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|pp=10–11}}</ref> The north elevation contains iron balconies at the 10th and 14th stories, as well as brick [[parapet]]s at the 12th and 15th stories, parts of which have been replaced with metal balustrades. Some of the brick parapets on the east elevation have also been replaced at the 12th, 14th, and 19th stories; in addition, there are spherical lamps on the east elevation above some of the 13th- and 16th-story windows.<ref name="NYCL p. 10" />

According to [[Robert A. M. Stern]], the top six stories were designed similarly to a [[chapel]].<ref name="NY1930" /> The 18th through 23rd stories originally featured multi-paned casement windows.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /> The terraces on the 18th floor contain iron balconies and open [[loggia]]s,<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> and the west side of the 19th floor contained an outdoor solarium.<ref name="Bren p. 28" /><ref name="NY1930">{{cite NY1930|pages=212}}</ref> The north, west, and east elevations contain brick corbels on the 18th through 23rd stories, which form a diaper pattern. The 19th and 20th stories contain three double-height arches, topped by molded brick hoods and [[archivolt]]s; each archway contains iron-framed windows with ornamental [[spandrel]] panels. On the north and west elevations, the center of the 21st story contains round windows, which flank a double-height arched [[dormer]] with a [[gable]] and a brick and stone frame. The dormer, spanning the 21st and 22nd stories, contains a multi-light sash window topped by a [[quatrefoil]].<ref name="NYCL pp. 9–10" /> The east and south elevations also have double-height windows at the center of the 21st and 22nd stories. The 22nd story has a parapet with [[machicolation]]s on all four sides. At the 23rd story, all four elevations contain louvers instead of windows.<ref name="NYCL pp. 10–11" /> The building is topped by a standing-seam copper [[hip roof]].<ref name="NPS p. 2" />

=== Interior ===
The building's two basement levels, as well as the first two stories, occupy the entire site.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /> At the 18th floor, a terrace wraps around the Barbizon's tower stories, which taper to {{convert|25000|ft2}}.<ref name="p121821928">{{cite news |last=Oser |first=Alan S. |date=February 27, 1981 |title=About Real Estate Barbizon Hotel, Long an Anachronism, Begins a New Life |page=R7 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|121821928}}}}</ref> The building contained various amenities for its residents, including a gymnasium, private library, [[Terrace (building)|solarium]], swimming pool, and [[Hammam|Turkish bath]].<ref name="NPS p. 4" /><ref name="p104003194" /> According to the [[New York City Department of City Planning]], the modern-day building contains {{convert|175623|ft2}}, split across 86 residential condominiums and two non-residential condominiums.<ref name="ZoLa"/>

==== Public rooms ====
The main entrance on 63rd Street originally led to a double-height lobby, which was surrounded by a balcony.<ref name="p104003194" /> The lobby was designed in a northern Italian style;<ref name="p104003194">{{cite news |date=November 1, 1927 |title=The Barbizon Opened; New Club Residence for Women on East Sixty-Third Street. |page=47 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|104003194}}}}</ref> the original decorations have since been removed.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /> When the Barbizon was converted into a mixed-gender hotel in 1981, the upper portion of the lobby was converted into a palm court, with a 200-seat restaurant and bar.<ref name="p121821928" /> At ground level, there were also eight stores on Lexington Avenue, such as a bookshop, milliner, pharmacy, hosiery store, dry cleaner, and hairdresser. All these stores could be accessed both from the street and from inside.<ref name="Bren p. 18">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=18|ps=.}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 4" />

On the second floor, behind the lobby, was an English-style recital room with wood paneling.<ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="p104003194" /><ref name="Bren p. 18" /> The room could fit 300 people<ref name="p104003194" /> and hosted performances by both residents and established musical artists.<ref name="Bren p. 18" /> The south wall contained a stained-glass window with a depiction of the Barbizon, above which was a broken pediment commemorating the Barbizon's completion in 1927.<ref name="NPS p. 3" /> On the east wall was a church organ,<ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="p104003194" /> which had 600 pipes.<ref name="n118855241" /> The organ was seldom used after 1947 and was completely abandoned in the early 1970s; it was restored in 1982.<ref name="n118855241">{{Cite news |last=Chadwick |first=Bruce |date=September 8, 1982 |title=Bringing the Music Back to Life |pages=95 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118855241/bringing-the-music-back-to-lifebruce/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217180117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118855241/bringing-the-music-back-to-lifebruce/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The swimming pool, in the basement,<ref name="Geran p. 144" /><ref name="nyt-1979-02-18">{{Cite news |date=February 18, 1979 |title=Realty News |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/18/archives/realty-news-american-express-expands-downtown-barbizon-hotel.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723105649/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/18/archives/realty-news-american-express-expands-downtown-barbizon-hotel.html |url-status=live}}</ref> was clad with ceramic tile and measured {{convert|25|by|60|ft}}.<ref name="nyt-1978-01-23">{{Cite news |last=Roach |first=Margaret |date=January 23, 1978 |title=Indoors: Swimming in the City |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/23/archives/indoors-swimming-in-the-city-new-pools-old-pools-free-pools.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015405/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/23/archives/indoors-swimming-in-the-city-new-pools-old-pools-free-pools.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The pool, occupying a double-height space, was completely closed for about 15 years and was used as storage space.<ref name="Geran pp. 144, 147">{{harvnb|Geran|1998|ps=.|pp=144, 147}}</ref> By the 1970s, there was a health club adjacent to the pool.<ref name="p171535168">{{cite news |last=Lauerman |first=Connie |date=December 28, 1977 |title=Barbizon Hotel: Still Home Away From Home for Women: The Barbizon Reserves Its All-Female Hospitality |page=B1 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|171535168}}}}</ref> The health club had been incorporated into a three-level fitness center, operated by [[Equinox Fitness|Equinox]], by the late 1990s.<ref name="Geran p. 144" /><ref name="p219112563">{{cite magazine |last=Gabriel |first=Frederick |date=June 30, 1997 |title=Hotels Bulking up on Fitness Centers |magazine=Crain's New York Business |volume=13 |issue=26 |page=4 |id={{ProQuest|219112563}}}}</ref> The fitness center has been variously cited as spanning {{Convert|34000|ft2}},<ref name="p1884989695">{{cite news |last=Holcomb |first=Henry J. |date=May 25, 2001 |title=Berwind Will Add Barbizon to Hotels: The 306-Room Manhattan Landmark Will Be the Third Upscale Hotel in the Company's Melrose Chain. Berwind Property Group Buys N.Y.'s Barbizon Hotel |page=D.1 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |id={{ProQuest|1884989695}}}}</ref><ref name="p265569620">{{cite news |date=March 15, 2000 |title=Lend Lease Buys Parkway Singapore: A Fund |page=6 |work=South China Morning Post |id={{ProQuest|265569620}}}}</ref> {{Convert|35000|ft2}},<ref name="Geran p. 144" /> or {{Convert|40000|ft2}}.<ref name="nyt-1997-10-19">{{Cite news |last=Witchel |first=Alex |date=October 19, 1997 |title=Day Care for Grown-Ups; For Busy, Busy People in the 90's, The City Spa Is Booming. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/19/style/day-care-for-grown-ups-for-busy-busy-people-in-the-90-s-the-city-spa-is-booming.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223012242/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/19/style/day-care-for-grown-ups-for-busy-busy-people-in-the-90-s-the-city-spa-is-booming.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The pool's dimensions were modified to {{convert|21|by|65|ft}}, and a whirlpool, steam room, showers, and hot and cold plunges were added next to the pool.<ref name="Geran p. 147">{{harvnb|Geran|1998|ps=.|p=147}}</ref> The fitness center also contains a juice bar and cafe on the first floor, as well as workout rooms and [[consultant]]s' offices on the second floor.<ref name="Geran p. 144" />

The Barbizon's upper stories included a 3,000-volume library,<ref name="Weisinger p. 61">{{harvnb|Weisinger|1949|ps=.|p=61}}</ref> as well as a soundproof, double-height rehearsal room on the 19th story.<ref name="Bren p. 18" /> Other amenities included an art gallery, music rooms, and handball and basketball courts;<ref name="NPS p. 4" /> later on, the building also had a television room.<ref name="p914425878">{{cite news |last=Ommerman |first=Betty |date=April 1, 1965 |title=Residence Clubs Change With the Times |page=59 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914425878}}}}</ref> When the Barbizon was converted to condominiums in 2006, its owners added a salon, a dining and reception area, a library, and a screening room with 20 seats.<ref name="Free Online Library 2015">{{cite web |date=March 1, 2006 |title=Former Barbizon Hotel Gets Glamour Condo Make-Over |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Former+Barbizon+Hotel+gets+glamour+condo+make-over.-a0143211557 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219211842/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Former+Barbizon+Hotel+gets+glamour+condo+make-over.-a0143211557 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Real Estate Weekly |via=Free Online Library}}</ref>

==== Club rooms ====
When the building opened, the 18th floor contained a clubhouse for the Wellesley College of New York, which served graduates of the women's liberal-arts school [[Wellesley College]]. The clubhouse contained 20 bedrooms, a large lounge, a dining room, a drawing room, and outdoor terraces facing south and west.<ref name="p104114661">{{cite news |date=August 7, 1927 |title=Wellesley Club Rooms: New York Members Take Floor in the Barbizon |page=RE1 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|104114661}}}}</ref> The 20th through 22nd floors contained the headquarters of the [[Junior League|Association of Junior Leagues of America]]. The 21st floor contained a clubroom with white decorations, red upholstery, blue carpets, and a fireplace, in addition to executive offices. The 20th story hosted the offices of ''Junior League Magazine'', while the 22nd story contained headquarters for several subsidiaries of the Association of Junior Leagues.<ref name="p1113396922">{{cite news |date=October 17, 1928 |title=Junior Leagues Open New Headquarters With Tea for 300: Three Floors of the Barbizon House Activities of the National Association |page=27 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113396922}}}}</ref>

==== Guestrooms and condominiums ====
The average room measured {{convert|9|by|12|ft}} across, and most rooms did not have their own bathroom.<ref name="n118796937">{{Cite news |last=Fulman |first=Ricki |date=September 6, 1977 |title=Q. What Do Farrah Fawcett-Majors And Princess Grace Have in Common? A: Well, They Have Both Lived at the Barbizon Hotel for Women |pages=327 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796937/q-what-do-farrah-fawcett-majors-and/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|2302848133}} |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118796937/q-what-do-farrah-fawcett-majors-and/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p536018362">{{Cite news |date=February 14, 1981 |title=Women Only Sign Comes Down at New York's Barbizon Hotel |page=A3 |work=The Sun |id={{ProQuest|536018362}}}}</ref> There were 655 rooms in total. This consisted of 130 "private rooms", which had their own bathrooms; 47 pairs of "semiprivate rooms", which shared a bathroom; and 431 "pension rooms", whose occupants had to walk down a hallway to use the bathroom.<ref name="p121821928" /> As late as 1981, forty-five percent of the rooms lacked private bathrooms.<ref name="p536018362" /> Each room had a dresser, bed, lamp, armchair, and small desk,<ref name="n118796937" /><ref name="Bren p. 3">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=3|ps=.}}</ref> as well as a radio.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref name="Weisinger p. 62">{{harvnb|Weisinger|1949|ps=.|p=62}}</ref> None of the bedrooms initially contained televisions.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13">{{Cite news |last=Wedemeyer |first=Dee |date=March 13, 1977 |title=Barbizon, At 49: A Tradition Survives |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/13/archives/barbizon-at-49-a-tradition-survives.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192400/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/13/archives/barbizon-at-49-a-tradition-survives.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By the late 1940s, the rooms all had telephones, in addition to other features such as reading lamps and large closets.<ref name="Weisinger p. 62" /> The furniture was described as being in a "modern French" style, with "highly feminine boudoirs".<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref name="nyt-1927-09-25">{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1927 |title=Reflects Modern Woman; Barbizon Residence Exhibits Strength and Daintiness. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/09/25/archives/reflects-modern-woman-barbizon-residence-exhibits-strength-and.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216000637/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/09/25/archives/reflects-modern-woman-barbizon-residence-exhibits-strength-and.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

When the Barbizon was converted to a mixed-gender hotel in 1981, its 544 vacant rooms were converted into 461 guestrooms. Each of the vacant pension rooms was combined with another pension room, doubling its size.<ref name="p121821928" /> Even so, many of the rooms continued to have shared bathrooms; in particular, there was one bathroom for every two semiprivate rooms and every four pension rooms.<ref name="n118851948">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Randy |date=January 16, 1981 |title=A Femme Fortress Falls |pages=449 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118851948/a-femme-fortress-fallsrandy-smith/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217164747/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118851948/a-femme-fortress-fallsrandy-smith/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A women-only wing for existing residents, which contained 150 rooms,<ref name="p964230816">{{cite news |last=Fischkin |first=Barbara |date=February 15, 1981 |title=Men Now Get by Desk At Exclusive Barbizon |page=19 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|964230816}}}}</ref> was created on the 4th through 11th floors.<ref name="n118851948" /> In the 1990s, the rooms were redecorated in pastel colors,<ref name="p384898316" /><ref name="nyt-1997-09-21">{{Cite news |last=Trucco |first=Terry |date=September 21, 1997 |title=What's Doing In; New York |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/21/travel/what-s-doing-in-new-york.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219201018/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/21/travel/what-s-doing-in-new-york.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the top two floors were converted into seven luxury "spa suites".<ref name="p219112563" /> Other guestrooms on the upper floors were rebranded as "tower suites", which included features such as [[Jacuzzi]]s and outdoor terraces.<ref name="nyt-2001-03-22">{{Cite news |last=Siano |first=Joseph |date=March 22, 2001 |title=The Barbizon Hotel and Towers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/22/travel/the-barbizon-hotel-and-towers.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219201023/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/22/travel/the-barbizon-hotel-and-towers.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2006, the building has contained 66 condominiums.<ref name="Free Online Library 2015" /><ref name="bizjournals.com 2006">{{cite web |date=March 20, 2006 |title=Fabled NYC Hotel Will Be Converted to Condos |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2006/03/20/tidbits1.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Philadelphia Business Journal |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220160720/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2006/03/20/tidbits1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> These include apartments with between one and three bedrooms, as well as five penthouse units that vary in size from {{convert|680|to|5000|ft2}}.<ref name="Free Online Library 2015" /> The residences contain decorations such as floor moldings,<ref name="Free Online Library 2015" /> rosewood floors,<ref name="Free Online Library 2015" /><ref name="Finn 2013">{{cite web |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=April 5, 2013 |title=Big Ticket – $10.2 Million for Sweeping Vistas |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/big-ticket-10-2-million-for-sweeping-vistas/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=City Room |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219215430/https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/big-ticket-10-2-million-for-sweeping-vistas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and {{Convert|6|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} double-paned windows.<ref name="Finn 2013" /> All of the condominiums above the 11th floor have different layouts. The topmost penthouse, a duplex on the 22nd and 23rd floors.<ref name="Finn 2013" />

==History==
Developers started constructing [[speculative development]]s on the Upper East Side in the late 19th century, and many upper-class families had moved to the neighborhood by the beginning of the 20th century.<ref name="NYCL p. 2">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> [[Temple Beth-El (New York City)|Temple Beth-El]], one of several synagogues that had relocated from the [[Lower East Side]] northward during the late 19th century,<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="Bren p. 19">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=19|ps=.}}</ref> had relocated to the southeast corner of 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue in 1873.<ref name="p882841530">{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1891 |title=Temple Beth-El: Its New Edifice History of the Congregation the New Building Dedication Ceremonies |page=5 |work=The Jewish Messenger |id={{ProQuest|882841530}}}}</ref> [[Congregation Rodeph Sholom (Manhattan)|Temple Rodeph Sholom]] acquired the synagogue in 1892.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="p917663826">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1917 |title=Temple Rodeph Sholom's 75th Anniversary |page=3 |work=The American Israelite |id={{ProQuest|917663826}}}}</ref> During the early 20th century, the open-air [[Park Avenue main line]] was placed in a tunnel, and the [[New York City Subway]] was built in the area, spurring further high-rise development around Lexington Avenue.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> This prompted ''The New York Times'' to say in 1923 that Lexington Avenue was "undergoing a transformation very similar to that which has made Park Avenue within recent years the most magnificent apartment house thoroughfare in the world".<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="p103152025">{{cite news |date=December 23, 1923 |title=Many Changes on Lexington Avenue |page=RE2 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|103152025}}}}</ref>

In the years following [[World War I]], there had been a great increase in the number of female college students, who had long been underrepresented in higher education compared to their male counterparts. Most of these women planned to go into business, professional or social-science careers after graduation, so they planned to move to urban areas with suitable jobs.<ref name="NYCL p. 4">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rothman |first=Sheila |url=https://archive.org/details/zdanh_test_031_womansproperplac00roth/page/181 |title=Woman's Proper Place: A History of Changing Ideals and Practices, 1870 to the Present |publisher=Basic Books |year=1978 |isbn=978-0-465-09203-1 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/zdanh_test_031_womansproperplac00roth/page/181 181]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Harris |first=Alice |url=https://archive.org/details/outtoworkhistory00kess_0/page/227 |title=Out to Work: A History of Wage-Earning Women in the United States |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-19-515709-3 |location=Oxford, England New York, New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/outtoworkhistory00kess_0/page/227 227]}}</ref> However, there was a shortage of housing units available in New York City due to [[inflation]] and [[Rent regulation|rent controls]] implemented during World War I, and the few available apartments tended to be overly expensive.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=September 1923 |title=A Panhellenic House by 1923 |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015080038295?urlappend=%3Bseq=30 |url-status=live |journal=Banta's Greek Exchange |volume=10 |page=218 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515184543/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015080038295;seq=30;a=zoom:1 |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |via=HathiTrust |number=24 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015080038295?urlappend=%3Bseq=30}}</ref> Moreover, options such as hotels and lodges tended to be biased toward men, while self-supporting women's homes mostly catered toward the immigrants and the working class.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> Just prior to the Barbizon's construction, only three women's hotels in the city accommodated businesswomen: the [[The Redbury New York|Martha Washington Hotel]], the Rutledge Hotel, and [[Allerton Hotel for Women|the Allerton Hotel]].<ref name="NYCL p. 4" />

===Development===
[[File:Lexington Av Feb 2023 72.jpg|alt=The Barbizon, a 23-story brick building, as viewed from the corner of 62nd Street and Lexington Avenue. There are several 4- and 5-story buildings to the right of Lexington Avenue, in front of the Barbizon.|thumb|View of the Barbizon from 62nd Street and Lexington Avenue]]
In January 1926, the trustees of Temple Rodeph Sholom voted to sell their {{convert|92|by|120|ft|adj=on}} site on the southeast corner of Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street to the Amri Realty Company, which planned to build an [[apartment hotel]] there.<ref name="nyt-1926-01-31">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1926 |title=Temple Rodeph Sholom Sells 63d St. Site; Will Move Uptown, Making Way for Hotel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/01/31/archives/temple-rodeph-sholom-sells-63d-st-site-will-move-uptown-making-way.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220000705/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/01/31/archives/temple-rodeph-sholom-sells-63d-st-site-will-move-uptown-making-way.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1112720992">{{cite news |date=January 31, 1926 |title=Temple Rodeph Sholom Sold To Builder: Edifice at Lexington Avenue and 63d St. To Make Way for 20-Story Hotel Apartment; 5 Million Involved |page=B3 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1112720992}}}}</ref> Amri's president, Bernard Reich,<ref name="p11127209922">{{cite news |date=July 28, 1926 |title=Sells Interest In Lexington Avenue Plot: Bernard Reich Parts With Share in Temple Property at 63d St. Corner; $3,500,000 Project for Site |page=29 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1112720992}}}}</ref><ref name="p103787069">{{cite news |date=July 28, 1926 |title=Buy Interest in Site: 15-Story Hotel to Be Erected on Lexington Av. |page=33 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|103787069}}}}</ref> hired [[Emery Roth]] to design the new building since, at the time, the surrounding neighborhood did not have any apartment hotels.<ref name="nyt-1926-01-31" /><ref name="NYCL pp. 2–3">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|pp=2–3}}</ref> A judge approved the sale of the synagogue that April.<ref name="p1112882770">{{cite news |date=April 17, 1926 |title=Congregation Can Sell Rodoph Sholeom Temple: Court Gives Permission for Sale of Property on Lexington Avenue Corner |page=26 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1112882770}}}}</ref> Concurrently, the Simon brothers and the Hartstein brothers also acquired a neighboring structure at 813 Lexington Avenue.<ref name="p11127209922" /> Simon, Hartstein, and Bernard Reich had planned to jointly develop a structure known as the St. Nazaire, but Simon and Hartstein bought out Reich's interest in July 1926.<ref name="p11127209922" /><ref name="p103787069" /> This gave Simon and Hartstein a site of {{convert|112|by|120|ft}}.<ref name="p11127209922" />

Amri sought to sell the synagogue and the Lexington Avenue structure to the Allerton Hotel chain, headed by William Silk, by September 1926.<ref name="NYCL p. 3">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> The sale was finalized the next month for $5 million.<ref name="p103913129">{{cite news |date=October 2, 1926 |title=Lexington Av. Hotel to Cost $5,000,000 |page=33 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|103913129}}}}</ref><ref name="p1112679090">{{cite news |date=October 2, 1926 |title=Real Estate Transactions in City and Suburbs: Big New Hotel Will Involve $5,000,000 Arlington Interests Acquire Temple Rodoph Sholom Property at Lexington Avenue and 63d Street |page=25 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1112679090}}}}</ref> Silk planned to construct an 18-story apartment hotel for women, known as the Barbizon, with 700 apartments as well as 16 storefronts on the lowest two floors.<ref name="p1112679090" /> The hotel was named after the [[Barbizon school|Barbizon artistic movement]] of the 19th century, which in turn was named after the French commune of [[Barbizon]].<ref name="Bren p. 29">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=29}}</ref> Hughes and Hammond placed a $1.85 million construction loan on the site later the same month.<ref name="p1112633539">{{cite news |date=October 19, 1926 |title=$3,250,000 Is Lent For Residential Construction: $1,400,000 Loaned on 15 Story Apartment Going Up on West End Ave. And $1,850,000 On Tall Hotel |page=40 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1112633539}}}}</ref> The architecture firm of Murgatroyd & Ogden submitted plans to the [[New York City Department of Buildings]] in December 1926.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> The next month, the developers announced that they had received a $1.85 million construction loan from William Henry Barnum Co.<ref name="p104280587">{{cite news |date=January 20, 1927 |title=New Lexington Av. Project Assured by $1,850,000 Loan |page=40 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|104280587}}}}</ref><ref name="p1129927206">{{cite news |date=January 20, 1927 |title=$1,850,000 Is Lent On Hotel Project For Lexington Ave: Money Advanced for 23-Story Building on Site of Old Temple Rodolph; Other Loans on Realty |page=33 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1129927206}}}}</ref>

Construction began in March 1927,<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> and Silk received a $3&nbsp;million first-mortgage loan from Hughes and Hammond that October.<ref name="p103939119">{{cite news |date=October 21, 1927 |title=$3,000,000 Mortgage On Lexington Avenue |page=41 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|103939119}}}}</ref><ref name="p1113581716">{{cite news |date=October 21, 1927 |title=Close to $15,000,000 Placed On Realty in Various Sections: $3,000,000 On Barbizon Hotel, On Lexington Ave.; Metropolitan Loans Will Provide Homes for 771 Families; Large Sums Advanced for L. I. Projects |page=41 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113581716}}}}</ref> Advertisements for the new apartment building began to appear in local media in September 1927, and the hotel began accepting applications from potential residents on September 15.<ref name="Bren p. 27" /> Initially, the Barbizon was scheduled to open "on or about" October 15.<ref name="Bren p. 27" /><ref name="nyt-1927-09-25" /> The Barbizon Hotel for Women ultimately opened on October 31, 1927,<ref name="p104003194" /> though it was not completed until February 1928.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="Bren p. 41">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=41}}</ref> At the time of the building's opening, more than one thousand women had expressed interest in living at the Barbizon.<ref name="p104003194" /> The Wellesley Club of New York had rented 20 rooms, while the Four Arts Wing contained 100 rooms for art students.<ref name="p104114661" /> The structure had cost $4 million in total.<ref name="Bren p. 51">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=51}}</ref>

=== Women's hotel ===
When the Barbizon opened, the upper floors were restricted to women. Traditionally, men were only allowed to enter the lobby, dining room, and recital room; they could obtain a visitor pass for the mezzanine or the 18th floor.<ref name="nyt-1975-08-18">{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=George |date=August 18, 1975 |title=Woman, 79, Found Slain In Room at the Barbizon |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/18/archives/woman-79-found-slain-in-room-at-the-barbizon.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192400/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/18/archives/woman-79-found-slain-in-room-at-the-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bren p. 4" /> Traditionally, men were only allowed to enter the lobby, dining room, and recital room;<ref name="nyt-2005-08-14">{{Cite news |last=Pollak |first=Michael |date=August 14, 2005 |title=Dakota's Mystery Couple |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/nyregion/thecity/dakotas-mystery-couple.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529182231/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/nyregion/thecity/dakotas-mystery-couple.html |url-status=live}}</ref> they could obtain a visitor pass for the mezzanine or the 18th floor.<ref name="Bren p. 18" /><ref name="nyt-1975-08-18" /> This rule was aimed at boyfriends but also applied to family members.<ref name="p152780601">{{Cite news |last=Cates |first=Ellan |date=May 7, 1981 |title=Barbizon Hotel Now Admits Men: Staid, Faded Starlet Accepts a New Role |page=d7 |work=Los Angeles Times |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|152780601}}}}</ref> The hotel contained "beau rooms" for residents to meet with their boyfriends.<ref name="p305697691">{{cite news |last=Diehl |first=Lorraine |date=August 24, 2002 |title=Secret City |page=26 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |id={{ProQuest|305697691}}}}</ref> Doctors and those in service trades, such as electricians and plumbers, were the only men who were allowed to visit the residential floors.<ref name="Bren p. 18" /> Elevator operators and security guards enforced the hotel's women-only rule.<ref name="p536018362" /><ref name="p152780601" />

Unlike the Allerton and Martha Washington hotels, the Barbizon targeted women who worked in the arts;<ref name="Bren p. 26">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=26|ps=.}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> many residents worked for magazines or at nearby stores.<ref name="p2562360091">{{cite news |last=Byron |first=Ellen |date=August 31, 2004 |title=Rooms for Rent: Maid Service, Hot Meals, No Men: At the Webster in New York, Values Date to 1923; Chats in the 'Beau Parlor' |page=A1 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|2562360091}}}}</ref> All potential residents had to provide three [[Letter of recommendation|references]] and undergo an interview.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /><ref name="Weisinger p. 62" /> Assistant manager Mae Sibley interviewed every applicant, ensuring that the prospective resident was "presentable" and of "good and moral character".<ref name="Bren p. 3" /> Residents were then classified into one of three groups (A, B, and C) based on their age; group A was the youngest, while group C was the oldest.{{Efn|Sources disagree on the cutoff for each group. According to author Paulina Bren and a 1977 ''New York Times'' article,  group A was under age 28, group B was between the ages of 28 and 38, and group C was over age 38.<ref name="Bren p. 3"/><ref name=nyt-1977-10-31/> According to the hotel's manager Barry Mann, group A was under age 25, group B was between the ages of 25 and 40, and group C was over age 40.<ref name=n118850488/>}}<ref name="Bren p. 3" /><ref name="nyt-1977-10-31">{{Cite news |last=Klemesrud |first=Judy |date=October 31, 1977 |title=Barbizon Hotel Celebrates Half Century of Service to Women |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/31/archives/barbizon-hotel-celebrates-half-century-of-service-to-women.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216192222/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/31/archives/barbizon-hotel-celebrates-half-century-of-service-to-women.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Women in group A were typically given private rooms, women in group B usually stayed in rooms with shared bathrooms, and women in group C usually were rejected.<ref name="p152780601" /> Prospective residents were also classified into one of two groups based on their appearance.<ref name="n118850488">{{Cite news |last=Flynn |first=Don |date=June 29, 1980 |title=Barbizon Hotel: Still Strait-Laced After 53 Years |pages=490 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118850488/barbizon-hotel-still-strait-laced/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217164745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118850488/barbizon-hotel-still-strait-laced/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Younger women could still be rejected if they were unattractive, while older, attractive women were sometimes accepted.<ref name="n118850488" /> In the hotel's first few decades, all the residents were well-to-do white women.<ref name="n118850488" /><ref name="Bren p. 5">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=5|ps=.}}</ref> This led the hotel to be called "New York's Most Exclusive Hotel Residence for Young Women".<ref name="nyt-2002-09-22">{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Nancy Beth |date=September 22, 2002 |title=After Graduation, Lessons in Renting |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/22/realestate/after-graduation-lessons-in-renting.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219211842/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/22/realestate/after-graduation-lessons-in-renting.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Residents had to adhere to strict rules: for example, they had to sign a [[logbook]] in the lobby when they exited or entered,<ref name="n118850488" /> and there was a 10 p.m. curfew.<ref name="p305697691" /> In addition, residents had to maintain a "ladylike appearance".<ref name="p305697691" /> Various events such as organ recitals, [[contract bridge]] games, and [[afternoon tea]] were provided for residents, and the hotel even had its own social director.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /> [[Paulina Bren]] wrote that the hotel's residents formed a [[social network]] and that women "felt empowered just by being at the Barbizon".<ref name="Bren p. 7">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=7|ps=.}}</ref>

==== Early operation ====
An early advertisement in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' magazine proclaimed that "The Barbizon has become the latest accepted rendezvous for the art and music-loving young set", due to the large number of clubs that were headquartered at the Barbizon.<ref name="Bren p. 41" /> In addition to the Wellesley Club of New York and Four Arts Wing, the Barbizon contained the clubhouses for alumni of [[Mount Holyoke College]] and [[Cornell University]].<ref name="p104003194" /><ref name="p557989361">{{cite news |date=August 19, 1931 |title=Foreclosure Suit Brought On Barlizon: Fashionable Women's Hotel in New York Defaulted in Interest Due Chase National Bank |page=3 |work=The Hartford Courant |id={{ProQuest|557989361}}}}</ref> These clubs sponsored music recitals at the Barbizon, which radio station [[WOR-FM]] started broadcasting in early 1928.<ref name="nyt-1928-01-15">{{Cite news |date=January 15, 1928 |title=Radio Audience to Hear; Metropolitan Opera Soprano and Irish Tenor in Joint Recital on Friday Over Twelve Stations |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/01/15/archives/radio-audience-to-hear-metropolitan-opera-soprano-and-irish-tenor.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215175804/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/01/15/archives/radio-audience-to-hear-metropolitan-opera-soprano-and-irish-tenor.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1113424429">{{cite news |date=January 15, 1928 |title=New Series of Recitals Opens At the Barbizon: Sophie Braslau Sings on January 17 in First of Twelve Concerts on Tuesday Evenings |page=F9 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113424429}}}}</ref> The Arts Council of New York moved to the Barbizon's mezzanine shortly after it opened,<ref name="Bren p. 41" /><ref name="nyt-1927-08-21">{{Cite news |date=August 21, 1927 |title=Arts Council to Move; More Spacious Quarters Secured In the Barbizon Club Residences. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/08/21/archives/arts-council-to-move-more-spacious-quarters-secured-in-the-barbizon.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216192224/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/08/21/archives/arts-council-to-move-more-spacious-quarters-secured-in-the-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the Association of Junior Leagues of America relocated its national headquarters to the building in mid-1928.<ref name="p1113396922" /><ref name="nyt-1928-04-20">{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1928 |title=Junior Leagues Plan New Headquarters; Association to Move in Fall to the Barbizon—Suite To Have Modern Decorations. Daughter to Capt. And Mrs. Heraty |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/04/20/archives/junior-leagues-plan-new-headquarters-association-to-move-in-fall-to.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215175802/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/04/20/archives/junior-leagues-plan-new-headquarters-association-to-move-in-fall-to.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Barbizon Players and the Irish Theatre also performed in the building's auditorium, and the Barbizon Book and Pen Club met in the library.<ref name="NYCL p. 7">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=7}}</ref>

By the [[1930 United States census]], the Barbizon's residents included actresses, interior designers, fashion illustrators, models, and singers. Women working in non-artistic trades also lived at the Barbizon, including statisticians, clerks, librarians, nurses, secretaries, and teachers.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="Bren p. 42">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=42}}</ref> After the Barbizon Corporation defaulted on the building's first mortgage, [[Chase National Bank]] acquired the Barbizon in August 1931, becoming its [[trustee]].<ref name="p557989361" /><ref name="nyt-1931-04-18">{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1931 |title=Takes Over the Barbizon; Chase National, As Trustee, Gets Possession of New Hotel. Elmsford Tax Rate Lower. Leases Putnam Valley Farm. Greenwich Acreage Sold. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/18/archives/takes-over-the-barbizon-chase-national-as-trustee-gets-possession.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192402/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/18/archives/takes-over-the-barbizon-chase-national-as-trustee-gets-possession.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1221628570">{{cite news |date=April 18, 1931 |title=Mrs. J.J. Brown Dies, Survivor of the Titanic |page=11 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1221628570}}}}</ref> Chase National appointed Edward H. Crandall as the Barbizon's new manager,<ref name="nyt-1931-04-18" /><ref name="p1221628570" /> and Silk paid the bank nearly $39,000 to manage the building.<ref name="nyt-1931-04-22">{{Cite news |date=April 22, 1931 |title=Barbizon Agreement Recorded. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/22/archives/barbizon-agreement-recorded.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192354/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/22/archives/barbizon-agreement-recorded.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Although the city government had appraised the hotel at $2.95 million, Chase argued that the Barbizon was worth only two-thirds that.<ref name="Bren p. 52">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=52}}</ref> A bondholders' committee led by real-estate agent [[Lawrence B. Elliman]] bought the Barbizon at an auction in July 1932,<ref name="p99710529">{{cite news |date=July 6, 1932 |title=Leaseholds Listed: Manhattan Properties Recorded Under New Control. |page=37 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|99710529}}}}</ref> bidding $460,000 for the hotel and $28,000 for the furnishings.<ref name="Bren p. 52" /><ref name="p99710529" /> The East River Savings Bank placed a $400,000, five-year mortgage loan on the Barbizon the same month,<ref name="nyt-1932-07-29">{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1932 |title=Trading Picks Up in Westchester; New Deals Show Large Part of Suburban Realty Activity Centres There |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/07/29/archives/trading-picks-up-in-westchester-new-deals-show-large-part-of.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192357/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/07/29/archives/trading-picks-up-in-westchester-new-deals-show-large-part-of.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1114528263">{{cite news |date=July 29, 1932 |title=Hotel Barbizon Owners Gel $400,000 Financing |page=30 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114528263}}}}</ref> and the bondholders' committee formed a new organization, Hotel Barbizon Inc., to operate the hotel.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />

The [[Katharine Gibbs School|Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School]] had rented the 16th floor for its students in 1930, and it expanded to the 17th floor around 1934.<ref name="Bren pp. 56–57">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|pp=56–57}}</ref> The dormitory had its own lounge and cafeteria, although its occupants were also allowed to use the amenity spaces on the 22nd floor.<ref name="Bren p. 57">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=57}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> Barbizon Hotel Inc. received a $250,000 loan from Pease & Elliman in May 1935.<ref name="nyt-1935-05-06">{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1935 |title=$250,000 Loan on Hotel. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/05/06/archives/250000-loan-on-hotel.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192400/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/05/06/archives/250000-loan-on-hotel.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The hotel was profitable by 1938, and the [[1939 New York World's Fair]] further increased the Barbizon's business.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="Bren p. 71">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=71}}</ref> Informational pamphlets from 1939 described the Barbizon as "a cultural and social center in itself" and emphasized the building's proximity to the subway, theaters, stores, and the World's Fair, as well as the presence of cultural attractions such as the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]], [[Carnegie Hall]], and [[Radio City Music Hall]].<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> To protect views from the east,<ref name="Bren pp. 71–72">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|pp=71–72}}</ref> the Hotel Barbizon Inc. acquired an adjacent house on 63rd Street in 1939.<ref name="nyt-1939-08-05">{{Cite news |date=August 5, 1939 |title=Hotel Purchases Adjoining Parcel; Barbizon in East 63d Street Acquires Property That Will Safeguard Its Light |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/05/archives/hotel-purchases-adjoining-parcel-barbizon-in-east-63d-street.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192401/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/05/archives/hotel-purchases-adjoining-parcel-barbizon-in-east-63d-street.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1254064917">{{cite news |date=August 5, 1939 |title=Real Estate News in City and Suburbs: Hotel Barbizon Buys Adjoining Small Building Takes East 63d St. Structure for Light Protection; Marks Takes Store |page=24 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1254064917}}}}</ref>

==== 1940s to 1960s ====
[[File:Lexington Av Feb 2023 93.jpg|alt=The upper stories of the Barbizon's brick facade as seen from the intersection of 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue. There are numerous setbacks on the upper floors.|thumb|Upper-story facade at 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue]]
The hotel's owners paid off the $400,000 mortgage in February 1940,<ref name="nyt-1940-02-02">{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Lee E. |date=February 2, 1940 |title=New Plan in Effect on the Ritz Tower; Mortgage Is Paid Off on Barbizon Hotel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/02/archives/new-plan-in-effect-on-the-ritz-tower-mortgage-is-paid-off-on.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192400/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/02/archives/new-plan-in-effect-on-the-ritz-tower-mortgage-is-paid-off-on.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and a marquee designed by [[Schwartz & Gross]] was installed above the entrance that May.<ref name="p1243011904">{{cite news |date=May 19, 1940 |title=Hotel Barbizon Erects Marquee at Entrance: Bronze Marquee for Barbizon |page=C4 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1243011904}}}}</ref><ref name="Bren p. 72" /> Milton A. Kimmelman and George Zauderer bought the Barbizon in 1944,<ref name="nyt-1979-02-18" /> and Hugh Connor became the hotel's manager the same year.<ref name="Weisinger p. 62" /><ref name="nyt-1977-10-31" /> [[Mademoiselle (magazine)|''Mademoiselle'']] magazine also began housing its guest editors at the Barbizon in 1944;<ref name="Bren p. 83">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=83}}</ref><ref name="Bren p. 6">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=6|ps=.}}</ref> the program, which mentored 20 interns per year, operated for the next three-and-a-half decades.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> At the time, weekly rent at the hotel averaged $12 for rooms with running water or $15 for rooms with private bathrooms; for an extra $4 monthly fee, women could rent art and music studios for one hour per day.<ref name="Bren p. 207">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=207}}</ref> Bren wrote that the Barbizon's women-only policy allowed ''Mademoiselle's'' editors the "freedom to come to New York and get a head start on their own lives as career women".<ref name="Bren p. 84">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=84|ps=.}}</ref> The [[Ford Modeling Agency]] started housing its models at the Barbizon in the late 1940s.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> The hotel acquired another house on Lexington Avenue in 1948<ref name="nyt-1948-10-04">{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1948 |title=Hotel's House Protects Light; The Barbizon Adds to Realty on 62d St.--New Owners for 5Th Ave. Building |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/10/04/archives/hotels-house-protects-light-the-barbizon-adds-to-realt-on-62d-stnew.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192349/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/10/04/archives/hotels-house-protects-light-the-barbizon-adds-to-realt-on-62d-stnew.html |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and resold it two years later.<ref name="nyt-1950-02-16">{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1950 |title=Sells Light Protector; The Hotel Barbizon Disposes of Lexington Ave. Parcel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/02/16/archives/sells-light-protector-the-hotel-barbizon-disposes-of-lexington-ave.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216175158/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/02/16/archives/sells-light-protector-the-hotel-barbizon-disposes-of-lexington-ave.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

By 1949, the hotel housed 700 women, and its waiting list had 100 more names; the average resident was an unmarried 23-year-old.<ref name="Weisinger p. 60">{{harvnb|Weisinger|1949|ps=.|p=60}}</ref> Many of the hotel's residents were studying in such disparate fields as singing, merchandising, and brain surgery. Music students could rent the hotel's soundproof studios for $6.50 a month, while art students could display their artwork in the mezzanine for free. Women could rent single rooms for $18 to $27 per week, or they could occupy a double room with a roommate for $15 per week; this excluded the cost of meals in each room.<ref name="Weisinger p. 62" /> The artist [[Barbara Chase-Riboud|Barbara Chase]] may have become the first Black woman to live at the Barbizon in 1956.<ref name="Bren p. 227">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=227|ps=.}}</ref>

The Barbizon continued to attract young women through the 1950s and 1960s, including students of the [[Parsons School of Design]] and the Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> An advertisement in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' in 1966 claimed that "many of the world's most successful women were Barbizon girls".<ref name="nyt-2009-11-05">{{Cite news |last=Stout |first=Hilary |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Where the Boys Aren't |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/fashion/05webster.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219215429/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/fashion/05webster.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Barbizon had 600 residents during this time, and Connor remained as its manager.<ref name="p914425878" /> The hotel remained profitable until the late 1960s, at which point the hotel's practices had become dated. The Barbizon still requested that potential tenants provide three references, but it refused to accept credit-card payments, and the lobby needed refurbishment.<ref name="n118796937" />

==== 1970s ====
The New York City government enacted a law in 1970 that banned gender discrimination in public places.<ref name="nyt-1971-01-15">{{Cite news |last=Fosburgh |first=Lacey |date=January 15, 1971 |title=City Rights Unit Ponders Sex Law |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/15/archives/city-rights-unit-ponders-sex-law-hears-hotels-pleas-to-keep.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216195417/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/15/archives/city-rights-unit-ponders-sex-law-hears-hotels-pleas-to-keep.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The city's Human Rights Commission ruled in 1972 that hotels such as the Barbizon were not exempt from this law.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Charlton |first=Linda |date=January 20, 1972 |title=City Widens Ban on Bias Over Sex |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/20/archives/city-widens-ban-on-bias-over-sex-bars-hotels-or-residences-for-men.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216195417/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/20/archives/city-widens-ban-on-bias-over-sex-bars-hotels-or-residences-for-men.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p511291520">{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Ricky |date=March 22, 1972 |title=Removing Sex Bias Is Complicated N.Y. Task |page=18 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |id={{ProQuest|511291520}}}}</ref> The commission asked the Barbizon to start accepting male residents,<ref name="p511291520" /> but the [[New York City Council]] later passed an amendment exempting single-sex residential hotels from the law.<ref name="p133801946">{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Karen |date=July 13, 1973 |title=Women Have Changed, But Women's Hotels Remain Quite Proper: Result: Occupancy Rates Fall; But 'Right Kind of Girl Still Stays Here;' Room for Men? Women Have Changed, But Women's Hotels Remain Quite Proper |page=1 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133801946}}}}</ref> Meanwhile, the Katharine Gibbs School had closed its dormitory at the Barbizon in the early 1970s,<ref name="p171535168" /><ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> which caused occupancy to decrease significantly.<ref name="p171535168" /> When Connor resigned as the hotel's manager in 1972,<ref name="nyt-1977-10-31" /> the Barbizon was unprofitable,<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /><ref name="p133801946" /> and its occupancy rate had declined to 40 percent.<ref name="p146715726">{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Vivian |date=August 28, 1977 |title=Refurbishing The Barbizon |page=D32 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|146715726}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1979-11-25">{{Cite news |last=Daley |first=Suzanne |date=November 25, 1979 |title=A Simple Success Story: The Last Women's Hotels |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/25/archives/a-simple-success-story-the-last-womens-hotels.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216235219/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/25/archives/a-simple-success-story-the-last-womens-hotels.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The hotel's restaurant continued to operate in the early 1970s,<ref name="nyt-1972-07-07">{{Cite news |last=Hewitt |first=Jean |date=July 7, 1972 |title=The Food Is Classic French, The Setting Is 18th Century |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/07/archives/the-food-is-classic-french-the-setting-is-18th-century.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219174707/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/07/archives/the-food-is-classic-french-the-setting-is-18th-century.html |url-status=live}}</ref> but management closed the hotel's library, coffee shop, and restaurant.<ref name="p536018362" /> The construction of the [[63rd Street lines|63rd Street subway lines]] was causing significant disruption to the hotel's business.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /> Assistant manager Mae Sibley told ''The Wall Street Journal'' that occupancy rates had decreased because young women "haven't any morals anymore".<ref name="p133801946" /> Other women's hotels in New York City also had low occupancy rates,<ref name="p133801946" /><ref name="nyt-1979-11-25" /> but this was due to reduced tourism and the fact that many single-sex hotels had restrictive policies, which many women sought to avoid.<ref name="nyt-1979-11-25" />

By the mid-1970s, the hotel rented rooms on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and about 130 rent-controlled residents were still living at the Barbizon.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /> Late the following year, the hotel's managers hired marketing consultant David M. Teitelbaum, who ended the hotel's practice of classifying residents and began distributing advertisements.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /> Working with the hotel's manager Barry Mann,<ref name="p146715726" /> Teitelbaum spent $500,000 to renovate the hotel, including removing furniture from the lobby.<ref name="p171535168" /><ref name="nyt-1976-10-10">{{Cite news |last=Rejnis |first=Ruth |date=October 10, 1976 |title=‐Home Style |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/10/archives/home-style-beautifying-the-barbizon.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216235218/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/10/archives/home-style-beautifying-the-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Workers built a laundry room, relocated the library, and renovated the reception room, and they generally renovated ten rooms a week.<ref name="p146715726" /> Workers also renovated the restaurant and coffee shop; repainted various interior spaces, restored the plasterwork and carpeting; and added TVs, washing machines, and dryers.<ref name="p171535168" /> A women's health club, serving both residents and non-resident members, was also opened next to the swimming pool.<ref name="nyt-1978-01-23" /> Residents could rent mini-fridges for their rooms, and they received discounted health-club memberships.<ref name="p171535168" /><ref name="n118796937" />

Although the construction of the subway caused noise pollution, the building's managers reported in 1976 that its occupancy rates were increasing.<ref name="nyt-1976-12-19">{{Cite news |last=Solochek |first=Beverly |date=December 19, 1976 |title=Sacrificed for a Subway: Two Blocks' Repose |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/19/archives/sacrificed-for-a-subway-two-blocks-repose-sacrificed-for-a-subway.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216231941/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/19/archives/sacrificed-for-a-subway-two-blocks-repose-sacrificed-for-a-subway.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The hotel was 90 percent occupied by its 50th anniversary in October 1977,<ref name="n118790842">{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Sheryl |date=October 31, 1977 |title=The Barbizon Reflects on 50 Starlit Years |pages=257 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118790842/the-barbizon-reflects-on-50-starlit/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118790842/the-barbizon-reflects-on-50-starlit/ |url-status=live}}</ref> even as rents had been increased to between $13 and $22 per day.<ref name="p171535168" /><ref name="nyt-1977-10-31" /> The rooms were marketed to young women who were beginning their careers; the average resident lived there for three months. Seventy percent of residents were under the age of 40, but most of the women who were at least 40 years old lived in rent-controlled or rent-stabilized rooms and were protected from rent increases.<ref name="p171535168" /> About half of tenants rented rooms by the week, while 15 percent of guests only stayed there for a few nights.<ref name="n118796937" /> The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' wrote that the hotel still had a "homey atmosphere", with a "moderately priced coffee shop and restaurant".<ref name="p171535168" /> The [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] had rented space in the sub-basement and third story for 63rd Street subway workers, mostly men, who had their own entrance.<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /> The Barbizon had an occupancy rate above 90 percent in 1979, higher than in comparable mixed-gender hotels,<ref name="nyt-1979-11-25" /> but the occupancy rate quickly decreased after the hotel raised its rents.<ref name="p964230816" />

===Conversion to mixed-gender hotel===
[[William Zeckendorf Jr.]] bought the building in February 1979 for $7 million.<ref name="nyt-1979-02-18" /><ref name="nyt-1980-05-31">{{Cite news |last=Salpukas |first=Agis |date=May 31, 1980 |title=Barbizon Hotel Sold To Partners; Big Indian Chain One of 2 Buyers One of 3 Women's Hotels Barbizon Hotel Is Sold to Partnership VW Acquires Michigan Plant Once Like a Social Club |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/05/31/archives/barbizon-hotel-sold-to-partners-big-indian-chain-one-of-2-buyers.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015412/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/05/31/archives/barbizon-hotel-sold-to-partners-big-indian-chain-one-of-2-buyers.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Zeckendorf planned to convert the Barbizon to rental apartments as part of New York City's J-51 tax-abatement program. Under Zeckendorf's ownership, the hotel stopped renting rooms by the week or month.<ref name="p121821928" /> Saudi businessman [[Fuad Abdalla]], as well as Indian company [[The Oberoi Group|Oberoi Hotel Management Group]], were considering buying the Barbizon by November 1979; at the time, Abdalla and Oberoi had made a down payment of $1 million and had promised to pay another $8.5 million.<ref name="n118790895">{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1979 |title=Barbizon Hotel May Be Sold |pages=179 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118790895/barbizon-hotel-may-be-sold/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015401/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118790895/barbizon-hotel-may-be-sold/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Barbilex Associates, composed of Abdulla and Oberoi,<ref name="nyt-1980-12-29">{{Cite news |last=Gargan |first=Edward A. |date=December 29, 1980 |title=For 114 Women at the Barbizon, A Grim Uncertainty; Considering Several Options Living in Hotel Since 1935 'Turned Him Down Flat' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/12/29/archives/for-114-women-at-the-barbizon-a-grim-uncertainty-considering.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015406/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/12/29/archives/for-114-women-at-the-barbizon-a-grim-uncertainty-considering.html |url-status=live}}</ref> finalized their purchase in May 1980 for approximately $10 million.<ref name="nyt-1980-05-31" /> Teitelbaum continued to manage the Barbizon. The owners announced in mid-1980 that they would either start accepting male guests or convert the hotel to long-term apartments or offices.<ref name="nyt-1980-06-14">{{Cite news |date=June 14, 1980 |title=Change Pondered at Barbizon |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/14/archives/change-pondered-at-barbizon.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217164745/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/14/archives/change-pondered-at-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p162846245">{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1980 |title=N.Y. Hotel to End Women-Only Policy |page=B4 |work=Los Angeles Times |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|162846245}}}}</ref> By then, the hotel's occupancy rate had decreased to 64 percent, even as other hotels in New York City were fully booked.<ref name="p1620856524">{{Cite news |date=September 28, 1980 |title=Barbizon Hotel for Women Will Be Converted Into Apartments or Offices |page=11F |work=The Atlanta Constitution |id={{ProQuest|1620856524}}}}</ref>

In September 1980, Barbilex announced that it planned to close the hotel at the beginning of January 1981 and relocate all residents to other buildings.<ref name="nyt-1980-12-29" /><ref name="n118850135">{{Cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Jerry |date=September 30, 1980 |title=Barbizon Hotel Guests Decry the Inn's Closing |pages=14 |work=The Journal News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118850135/barbizon-hotel-guests-decry-the-inns/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217165313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118850135/barbizon-hotel-guests-decry-the-inns/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This prompted protests from the hotel's remaining long-term residents.<ref name="n118850135" /> Many of the 114 residents were elderly, and 14 of the residents were protected by rent control, while the other 100 lived in rent-stabilized rooms.<ref name="nyt-1980-12-29" /> Barbilex withdrew its original plans and converted the Barbizon into a 461-room hotel, renovating one floor at a time.<ref name="p121821928" /> Barbilex also created a women-only wing, which was physically segregated from the rest of the hotel.<ref name="p121821928" /><ref name="p536018362" /> Half of the residents moved to the women-only wing, while the other half stayed in their existing apartments.<ref name="p536018362" /> The renovation was to cost $10 million.<ref name="p536018362" /><ref name="p152780601" />

Barbilex announced in January 1981 that the Barbizon would become a mixed-gender hotel, rather than be converted into offices or apartments.<ref name="n118851948" /><ref name="nyt-1981-01-17">{{Cite news |date=January 17, 1981 |title=The City; Hotel for Women To Be Open to All |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/17/nyregion/the-city-hotel-for-women-to-be-open-to-all.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015400/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/17/nyregion/the-city-hotel-for-women-to-be-open-to-all.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Barbizon Hotel for Women dropped the last two words in its name and started accepting male guests on February 14, 1981, coinciding with [[Valentine's Day]].<ref name="p121821928" /> The first man to stay at the Barbizon was David Cleveland, a doctor from Massachusetts who had won a raffle.<ref name="p121821928" /><ref name="p536018362" /><ref name="p964230816" /> Other sources cite publisher [[David Hershkovits]] as the first man to sleep at the Barbizon.<ref name="nyt-1994-01-02">{{Cite news |last=Spindler |first=Amy M. |date=January 2, 1994 |title=Ten Years Young |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/02/style/ten-years-young.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219174706/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/02/style/ten-years-young.html |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, guestrooms with private bathrooms rented for about $40 to $69 per night,<ref name="p121821928" /><ref name="p964230816" /> while guestrooms with shared bathrooms were generally cheaper.<ref name="p121821928" />

=== Transient hotel ===

==== 1980s ====
[[File:Lexington Av Feb 2023 95.jpg|alt=The Barbizon's ground-level facade as seen from the intersection of 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue. There are large archways with storefronts. On the right, there is scaffolding in front of the storefronts.|thumb|Ground-level storefronts at 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue]]
Teitelbaum bought the hotel from Barbilex in September 1981 and announced that he would close the hotel that December for a yearlong renovation.<ref name="n118852833">{{Cite news |last=Moritz |first=Owen |date=September 29, 1981 |title=Developer Buys Barbizon |pages=10 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118852833/developer-buys-barbizonowen-moritz/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217174613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118852833/developer-buys-barbizonowen-moritz/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The project cost $20 million,<ref name="n118854493">{{Cite news |last=Sutton |first=Horace |date=June 20, 1982 |title=New York's Barbizon Hotel Is Finally Going Coed |pages=205 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118854493/new-yorks-barbizon-hotel-is-finally/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217174613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118854493/new-yorks-barbizon-hotel-is-finally/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n118856360">{{Cite news |last=Haun |first=Harry |date=August 8, 1982 |title=Liz Smith |pages=12 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118856360/liz-smithharry-haun/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217180143/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118856360/liz-smithharry-haun/ |url-status=live}}</ref> although the federal government gave the hotel a $4 million tax credit, which reduced the cost of the renovation.<ref name="nyt-1982-05-23">{{Cite news |last=Daniels |first=Lee A. |date=May 23, 1982 |title=New Tax Breaks Spurring Preservation |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/23/realestate/new-tax-breaks-spurring-preservation.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103225636/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/23/realestate/new-tax-breaks-spurring-preservation.html |url-status=live}}</ref> A full spa was built around the swimming pool in the basement, and the bar and lobby were also re-clad with pink marble.<ref name="n118854493" /> The top five stories were planned to be converted to four residential condominiums, each with between one and four bedrooms, which would have been placed for sale in August 1982;<ref name="nyt-1982-07-18">{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1982 |title=A Luxury Icing For the Barbizon: Condos at the Top |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/18/realestate/postings-a-luxury-icing-for-the-barbizon.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217174613/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/18/realestate/postings-a-luxury-icing-for-the-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref> these condominiums were never built.<ref name="nyt-1984-04-08" /> The lower stories were converted to 360 guestrooms.<ref name="nyt-1982-11-07">{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=George W. |date=November 7, 1982 |title=City Adding 3,500 Hotel Rooms |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/07/realestate/city-adding-3500-hotel-rooms.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101174740/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/07/realestate/city-adding-3500-hotel-rooms.html |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p1538937958">{{cite news |last=Unger |first=Harlow |date=January 15, 1983 |title=No End to New York Hotel Building Boom in Sight |page=20 |work=South China Morning Post |id={{ProQuest|1538937958}}}}</ref> The hotel reopened in phases;<ref name="nyt-1982-11-07" /> about 100 of the rooms had reopened by September 1982.<ref name="n118855241" /> However, the rest of the renovation was delayed in 1983 due to the [[early 1980s recession in the United States]].<ref name="nyt-1984-04-20">{{Cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Susan Heller |last2=Prial |first2=Frank J. |date=April 20, 1984 |title=New York Day by Day; Festival at the Barbizon |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/20/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-festival-at-the-barbizon.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217174612/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/20/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-festival-at-the-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Golden Tulip, a subsidiary of Dutch airline [[KLM]], took over the hotel in 1983.<ref name="nyt-1984-04-08">{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Shawn G. |date=April 8, 1984 |title=Postings; Revival Pushed |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/08/realestate/postings-revival-pushed.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217174614/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/08/realestate/postings-revival-pushed.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n118857479">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Liz |date=August 28, 1983 |title=For Woody, It's a Matter of Principal |pages=101 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118857479/for-woody-its-a-matter-of/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217180113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118857479/for-woody-its-a-matter-of/ |url-status=live}}</ref> By April 1984, Golden Tulip had rebranded the hotel as the '''Golden Tulip Barbizon''' and was spending $60 million to complete the renovation.<ref name="nyt-1984-04-08" /><ref name="n118858057">{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Bruce Jr |date=April 20, 1984 |title=Koch's Turf Is Breaking Ground |pages=7 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118858057/kochs-turf-is-breaking-groundbruce/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217180118/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118858057/kochs-turf-is-breaking-groundbruce/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, 300 of the guestrooms were open to the public.<ref name="nyt-1984-04-20" /> The company hired architect David Kenneth Specter and interior designer Judith Stockman to finish the renovation, which included three restaurants, a ground-level retail arcade, and a health club at the base.<ref name="nyt-1984-04-08" /> The recital room was converted into an event space known as the Rousseau Room.<ref name="n118858690">{{Cite news |last=Moritz |first=Owen |date=July 31, 1986 |title=Room for Hotel Renaissance |pages=102 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118858690/room-for-hotel-renaissanceowen-moritz/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217180115/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118858690/room-for-hotel-renaissanceowen-moritz/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Golden Tulip also canceled the planned condominiums on the upper stories.<ref name="nyt-1984-04-08" /> Golden Tulip operated the Barbizon as a regular short-term hotel, although some long-term residents remained there.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> According to a 1985 article in ''[[The Morning Call]]'' in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], the Barbizon was advertised as "elegant but not formal, urbane but not urban, romantic but not precious."<ref name="p391989267">{{Cite news |last=Koch |first=Jane |date=September 15, 1985 |title=In New York City, There's Plenty of Room at the Inn Travel Notebook |page=F.08 |work=The Morning Call |id={{ProQuest|391989267}}}}</ref>

Golden Tulip agreed in August 1988 to sell its majority stake in the hotel to [[Philip Pilevsky]] and [[Arthur G. Cohen]].<ref name="nyt-1988-08-31">{{Cite news |date=August 31, 1988 |title=Metro Datelines; Barbizon Hotel Sold To Developers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/31/nyregion/metro-datelines-barbizon-hotel-sold-to-developers.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216162123/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/31/nyregion/metro-datelines-barbizon-hotel-sold-to-developers.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p278028467">{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Michael |last2=Freifeld |first2=Karen |last3=Mulcahy |first3=Susan |date=August 18, 1988 |title=Inside New York |page=06 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278028467}}}}</ref> Contemporary media reported that the hotel was to be sold for $60 million.<ref name="p278028467" /><ref name="p219124101">{{cite magazine |last=Agovino |first=Theresa |date=October 3, 1988 |title=Why Prices for Hotels Are Hitting the Roof |magazine=Crain's New York Business |volume=4 |issue=40 |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|219124101}}}}</ref> Pilevsky and Cohen—in partnership with nightclub operators [[Ian Schrager]] and [[Steve Rubell]], who had operated the [[Studio 54]] nightclub—finalized their purchase of the hotel that November, paying "under $50 million".<ref name="nyt-1988-11-16">{{Cite news |last=Slesin |first=Suzanne |date=November 16, 1988 |title=The Barbizon, As Urban Spa |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/16/garden/the-barbizon-as-urban-spa.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121195915/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/16/garden/the-barbizon-as-urban-spa.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The four men planned to spend at least $10 million on renovating the hotel into a European-inspired "urban spa",<ref name="nyt-1988-11-16" /> which Schrager said would "be a sanctuary, a total atmosphere".<ref name="nyt-1989-05-07">{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Linda |date=May 7, 1989 |title=Beauty/Fashion; Spa Life |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/07/magazine/beauty-fashion-spa-life.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219174706/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/07/magazine/beauty-fashion-spa-life.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The owners attempted to fire all of the hotel's 150 workers, but an arbitrator forced the men to rehire the employees several hours later.<ref name="nyt-1988-11-17">{{Cite news |last=Barron |first=James |date=November 17, 1988 |title=New Owners Dismiss Barbizon Workers, But Judge Intervenes |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/17/nyregion/new-owners-dismiss-barbizon-workers-but-judge-intervenes.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219174706/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/17/nyregion/new-owners-dismiss-barbizon-workers-but-judge-intervenes.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n118918042">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1988 |title='Comeback Kids' Have Other Plans |pages=160 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118918042/comeback-kids-have-other-plans/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219174706/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118918042/comeback-kids-have-other-plans/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The employees had been part of a [[Labor unions in the United States|labor union]], and Rubell claimed that he had fired the employees so the union would be more willing to negotiate.<ref name="n118918042" /> When Rubell died in 1989,<ref name="nyt-1989-07-27">{{Cite news |last=Flint |first=Peter B. |date=July 27, 1989 |title=Steve Rubell, Studio 54's Creator And a'Pasha of Disco,' Dies at 45 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/27/obituaries/steve-rubell-studio-54-s-creator-and-a-pasha-of-disco-dies-at-45.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214142337/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/27/obituaries/steve-rubell-studio-54-s-creator-and-a-pasha-of-disco-dies-at-45.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Schrager continued to operate the hotel alone through the [[Morgans Hotel Group]] (MHG).<ref name="p278156417">{{cite news |last1=Berkowitz |first1=Harry |last2=Lander |first2=Estelle |date=August 1, 1989 |title=Rubell's Hotels Face Sale to Settle Estate |page=35 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|278156417}}}}</ref> Pilevsky considered selling the hotels that he had co-owned with Rubell and Schrager, including the Barbizon, [[Morgans Hotel|Morgans]], [[Paramount Hotel|Paramount]], and [[Royalton Hotel|Royalton]]. By then, the Barbizon had a 72 percent occupancy rate, lower than that of the chain's other hotels.<ref name="p278156417" /> Schrager denied that his hotels were for sale.<ref name="n119101801" />

==== 1990s ====
The Barbizon's manager and controller had both resigned by early 1990.<ref name="n119101801">{{Cite news |last=Liu Ebron |first=Betty |date=January 12, 1990 |title=Apparently It's Checkout Time at Hipster's Hotel Empire |pages=6 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119101801/apparently-its-checkout-time-at/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219172534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119101801/apparently-its-checkout-time-at/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the hotel's operators were trying to attract conferences and conventions.<ref name="nyt-1990-09-09">{{Cite news |last=Trucco |first=Terry |date=September 9, 1990 |title=Mid-Priced Perches |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/09/travel/mid-priced-perches.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503002305/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/09/travel/mid-priced-perches.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Another renovation of the hotel started in July 1990; at the time, the project was supposed to be completed in 1992.<ref name="nyt-1990-09-09" /> Schrager and Pilevsky fell behind on paying city taxes on the property, and they owed $1.9 million by 1991.<ref name="n219168884">{{cite magazine |last=Feiden |first=Douglas |date=March 2, 1992 |title=N.Y. To Go After Assets of Top Tax Delinquents |magazine=Crain's New York Business |volume=8 |issue=9 |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|219168884}}}}</ref> Ultimately, Schrager was forced to give up the Barbizon in 1993.<ref name="p219131997">{{cite magazine |last=Rigg |first=Cynthia |date=September 27, 1993 |title=Reviver Does Whale of Job: Hotel Restorer Builds Chain of Boutiques |magazine=Crain's New York Business |volume=9 |issue=39 |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|219131997}}}}</ref><ref name="p398379812">{{cite news |last=Pacelle |first=Mitchell |date=May 11, 1993 |title=Japanese Lenders Start to Foreclose On Developers of Real Estate in U.S. |page=A2 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|398379812}}}}</ref> The [[MUFG Bank|Bank of Tokyo Ltd.]], which took over the Barbizon and Morgans hotels, influenced Schrager and Pilevsky to sell both hostelries.<ref name="p398379812" /> The hotelier Bernard Goldberg opted not to buy the Barbizon because he felt its $20 million asking price was too high.<ref name="p219131997" />

[[John Kluge|John W. Kluge]], president of [[Metromedia]], bought the Barbizon in 1995 for $19 million.<ref name="nyt-1995-03-26">{{Cite news |last=Deutsch |first=Claudia H. |date=March 26, 1995 |title=Commercial Property/Hotels; At New York Hotels, Things Are Looking Grand |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/26/realestate/commercial-property-hotels-at-new-york-hotels-things-are-looking-grand.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526145539/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/26/realestate/commercial-property-hotels-at-new-york-hotels-things-are-looking-grand.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Metromedia conducted some renovations but did not complete the project.<ref name="nyt-2002-07-03" /> The renovation was variously cited as costing $36 million<ref name="nyt-2002-07-03">{{Cite news |last=Siwolop |first=Sana |date=July 3, 2002 |title=Commercial Real Estate: Manhattan; A Restored Hotel Banks On Opulence and Service |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/03/business/commercial-real-estate-manhattan-a-restored-hotel-banks-on-opulence-and-service.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216162122/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/03/business/commercial-real-estate-manhattan-a-restored-hotel-banks-on-opulence-and-service.html |url-status=live}}</ref> or $40 million.<ref name="p208263726">{{Cite magazine |last=Lowe |first=Kimberly D. |date=April 15, 1998 |title=Work Out, Dine Out |magazine=Restaurants & Institutions |volume=108 |issue=10 |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|208263726}}}}</ref> The guestrooms were expanded and redecorated,<ref name="p384898316">{{Cite news |last=Haskin |first=Colin |date=December 28, 1996 |title=Travel Monitor Hotel Offers Skating and Guggenheim |page=F.2 |work=The Globe and Mail |id={{ProQuest|384898316}}}}</ref> and the top two floors were converted into seven "spa suites" for $4 million.<ref name="p219112563" /> The tower suites had a private [[butler]] service.<ref name="p208263726" /> In addition, [[Equinox Group]] opened a spa and fitness center at the hotel in 1997,<ref name="p219112563" /><ref name="nyt-1997-10-19" /> and the hotel's guests were allowed to use the fitness center's gym and pool for free.<ref name="p219155926">{{cite magazine |last=Sanders |first=Lisa |date=April 24, 1998 |title=Relaxation Will Have to Wait as Spas Pursue the Action |magazine=Crain's New York Business |volume=14 |issue=17 |page=27 |id={{ProQuest|219155926}}}}</ref> The Barbizon did not have a full-service restaurant after the renovation, so it launched a partnership with seven nearby restaurants.<ref name="p208263726" /> Schrager re-acquired the Barbizon from Kluge in May 1998, along with the Radisson Empire hotel on the [[Upper West Side]],<ref name="p398697629">{{cite news |date=May 27, 1998 |title=Business Brief – Ian Schrager Hotels LLC: New York Hotels Acquired From Metromedia Affiliates |page=B9, B3 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|398697629}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1998-05-22">{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=May 22, 1998 |title=Deal Turns Former Disco Owner Into City's Largest Private Hotelier |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/22/nyregion/deal-turns-former-disco-owner-into-city-s-largest-private-hotelier.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219184458/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/22/nyregion/deal-turns-former-disco-owner-into-city-s-largest-private-hotelier.html |url-status=live}}</ref> for $177 million.<ref name="nyt-1998-05-22" /><ref name="p398751009">{{cite news |last=Grant |first=Peter |date=March 7, 2001 |title=Plots & Ploys |page=B10 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|398751009}}}}</ref> The hotel had 306 rooms, including 12 suites in its tower section,<ref name="nyt-2002-07-03" /> although rent-controlled tenants still occupied some of these rooms.<ref name="nyt-1997-12-21">{{Cite news |last=Holusha |first=John |date=December 21, 1997 |title=Commercial Property/Lodging; For Many City Hotels, Some Guests Are Permanent |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/21/realestate/commercial-property-lodging-for-many-city-hotels-some-guests-are-permanent.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219184457/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/21/realestate/commercial-property-lodging-for-many-city-hotels-some-guests-are-permanent.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2000s ====
Schrager did not intend to own the hotel for the long term, as Kluge had just renovated it.<ref name="p398751009" /> Furthermore, the Barbizon's theming and style did not match that of Schrager's other hotels.<ref name="p1884989695" /><ref name="p219186942">{{cite magazine |last=Kramer |first=Louise |date=April 16, 2001 |title=More Empty Rooms |magazine=Crain's New York Business |volume=17 |issue=16 |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|219186942}}}}</ref> By 2000, Schrager had hired Carlton Advisory Services to advise on the hotel's sale.<ref name="p265569620" /> The [[Berwind Corporation|Berwind Property Group]] (later BPG Properties) had signed a contract in December 2000 to buy the hotel for $100 million, but negotiations over the sale later stalled.<ref name="p219186942" /> In March 2001, Berwind subsidiary Melrose Hotel Company agreed to buy the Barbizon Hotel from Schrager and North Star Capital Group.<ref name="p398751009" /><ref name="nyt-2001-03-08">{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=March 8, 2001 |title=Metro Business Briefing; Deal for Barbizon Hotel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/nyregion/metro-business-briefing-deal-for-barbizon-hotel.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216162122/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/nyregion/metro-business-briefing-deal-for-barbizon-hotel.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was finalized two months later;<ref name="p1884989695" /> the purchase price was not publicly disclosed, but it was estimated to have been $69 million<ref name="p1884989695" /> or $100 million.<ref name="nyt-2001-03-08" /> Berwind financed the purchase with a $62 million loan from [[Bear Stearns]].<ref name="p216591166">{{Cite magazine |last=Wood |first=Maria |date=Oct 2001 |title=Debt Slows to a Trickle |magazine=Real Estate Forum |volume=56 |issue=10 |page=78 |id={{ProQuest|216591166}}}}</ref>

Melrose initially planned to spend $8.5 million on renovations between 2001 and 2006. Following the [[September 11 attacks]], when hotels in New York City saw decreased business, Melrose decided to spend $5 million on renovations within 20 months. Occupancy rates had returned to pre–2001 levels by July 2002.<ref name="nyt-2002-07-03" /> As part of the renovation. Melrose restored the grilles on the windows and the stonework on the facade;<ref name="nyt-2002-07-03" /><ref name="NYCL pp. 8–9">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|pp=8–9}}</ref> the company also enlarged and replaced the windows, and it removed air-conditioning louvers.<ref name="NYCL pp. 8–9" /> The Barbizon was rebranded the '''Melrose Hotel''' in June 2002.<ref name="p305697691" /><ref name="nyt-2002-07-03" /> At the time, 15 women still occupied rent-controlled apartments at the hotel.<ref name="p305697691" /> Melrose allegedly enforced a strict English-only policy among staff members; this prompted several Spanish-speaking employees to sue the hotel in 2004, claiming that they had been fired or forced to resign.<ref name="p279808733">{{cite news |last=Padgett |first=Tania |date=September 24, 2004 |title=EEOC Lawsuit, Hispanic Workers Sue Hotel, Former Employees of the Melrose in Manhattan Allege Racial Discrimination, English Only Policy |page=A58 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|279808733}}}}</ref><ref name="p305909188">{{cite news |last=Zambito |first=Thomas |date=September 24, 2004 |title=Luxe Hotel Insults Hispanics: Fed Suit |page=22 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |id={{ProQuest|305909188}}}}</ref> The lawsuit was settled in early 2006, after the hotel had closed.<ref name="p306007628">{{cite news |last=Gearty |first=Robert |date=March 29, 2006 |title=New York Minute. Collared in Pooch Barbell Toss |page=20 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |id={{ProQuest|306007628}}}}</ref>

=== Conversion to condos ===
[[File:Lexington Av Feb 2023 92.jpg|alt=A light court in the center of the Barbizon's Lexington Avenue facade, above the second floor. There is a black fence in front of the light court.|thumb|Light court in the center of the facade]]
BPG Properties closed the hotel in 2005 with plans to convert the building to a [[condominium]] development.<ref name="nyt-2005-03-06">{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=March 6, 2005 |title=If the Tourists Come to Manhattan, Where Will They Sleep? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/nyregion/if-the-tourists-come-to-manhattan-where-will-they-sleep.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219010928/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/nyregion/if-the-tourists-come-to-manhattan-where-will-they-sleep.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Nancy Ruddy of architectural firm [[CetraRuddy]] oversaw the renovation.<ref name="Free Online Library 2015" /><ref name="nyt-2012-10-23">{{Cite news |last=Marino |first=Vivian |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Nancy J. Ruddy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/realestate/commercial/the-30-minute-interview-nancy-j-ruddy.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219211842/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/realestate/commercial/the-30-minute-interview-nancy-j-ruddy.html |url-status=live}}</ref> When the condos were completed the following year, the building was rebranded as '''Barbizon/63'''.<ref name="bizjournals.com 2006" /> According to a member of Berwind's sales and marketing team, the company had considered the Barbizon name "old and stodgy" but had received positive feedback about it; the number 63 was added to give the name "a modern spin".<ref name="nyt-2011-12-23">{{Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Joanne |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Using a Building's Name as Bait for Buyers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/realestate/new-york-city-buildings-names-are-buyer-bait.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219215431/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/realestate/new-york-city-buildings-names-are-buyer-bait.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Barbizon was split into 66 apartments, which ranged from a one-bedroom apartment costing $1 million to a {{convert|5300|ft2|adj=on}}, double-story penthouse costing $15 million. Fourteen women, most over the age of 50, remained in rent-controlled apartments, paying $113 to $424 per month.<ref name="nyt-2006-03-19">{{Cite news |last=Barbanel |first=Josh |date=March 19, 2006 |title=A New Chapter for the Barbizon |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/realestate/a-new-chapter-for-the-barbizon.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214165109/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/realestate/a-new-chapter-for-the-barbizon.html |url-status=live}}</ref> These women were relocated to their own floor.<ref name="Bren p. 5" />

To promote the condominium complex, the developers of Barbizon/63 launched a marketing campaign featuring past residents of the hotel, such as Monegasque princess [[Grace Kelly]].<ref name="nyt-2007-10-21">{{Cite news |last=Barbanel |first=Josh |date=October 21, 2007 |title=Evoking the Memory of a Style Icon |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/realestate/21deal2.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219211842/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/realestate/21deal2.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By 2011, most of the condos had been sold at their listed prices, except for two of the penthouse apartments.<ref name="Kershaw 2011">{{cite web |last=Kershaw |first=Sarah |date=July 22, 2011 |title=Big Deal – Landmark Status Weighed for Barbizon |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/big-deal-landmark-status-weighed-for-barbizon/ |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=City Room |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192401/https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/big-deal-landmark-status-weighed-for-barbizon/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Local civic group Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts asked the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) to designate the Barbizon as a city landmark.<ref name="Kershaw 2011" /><ref name="Zimmer 2011">{{cite web |last=Zimmer |first=Amy |date=July 13, 2011 |title=Hotel Once Home to Famous Single Ladies Could Become Landmark |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110713/upper-east-side/hotel-once-home-famous-single-ladies-could-become-landmark |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=DNAinfo New York |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029080338/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110713/upper-east-side/hotel-once-home-famous-single-ladies-could-become-landmark/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Bren p. 289">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=289}}</ref> The LPC began considering the building for landmark status in July 2011<ref name="Kershaw 2011" /><ref name="Zimmer 2011" /> and designated the building as a landmark in May 2012.<ref name="Hogarty 2012">{{cite web |last=Hogarty |first=Dave |date=April 17, 2012 |title=Landmarks for Barbizon and More of Park Slope |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2012/4/17/10378914/landmarks-for-barbizon-and-more-of-park-slope |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219215429/https://ny.curbed.com/2012/4/17/10378914/landmarks-for-barbizon-and-more-of-park-slope |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable tenants==
===Female===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Edith Bouvier Beale]], socialite and cabaret performer<ref name="NYCL p. 8">{{harvnb|Harris|2012|ps=.|p=8}}</ref>
* [[Ann Beattie]], writer<ref name="Bren p. 4">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=4|ps=.}}</ref>
* [[Barbara Bel Geddes]], actress<ref name="Weisinger p. 61" /><ref name="nyt-1962-04-06">{{Cite news |last=Tolchin |first=Martin |date=April 6, 1962 |title=City Residences a Haven for Women Lovv in Funds, High in Hopes; Majority Study, Work and Look For a Husband A Starting Point Romance Encouraged Liberal Rules |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/04/06/archives/city-residences-a-haven-for-women-lovv-in-funds-high-in-hopes.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216192225/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/04/06/archives/city-residences-a-haven-for-women-lovv-in-funds-high-in-hopes.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Candice Bergen]], actress<ref name="nyt-2006-03-19" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Margaret Brown]], survivor of the [[Sinking of the Titanic|sinking of the ''Titanic'']]<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Janet Burroway]], author<ref name="Bren p. 178">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=178}}</ref>
* [[Peggy Cass]], comedian<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />
* [[Barbara Chase-Riboud|Barbara Chase]], writer and artist<ref name="Bren p. 5" />
* [[Carmen Dell'Orefice]], actress and model<ref name="NYCL p. 8" />
* [[Joan Didion]], writer<ref name="Bren p. 173">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=173}}</ref>
* [[Robin Chandler Duke]], diplomat<ref name="Bren p. 70">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=70}}</ref>
* [[Farrah Fawcett]], actress<ref name="n118796937" />
* [[Gael Greene]], writer<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Shelley Hack]], actress and model<ref name="NYCL p. 8" />
* [[Dayle Haddon]], actress and model<ref name="NYCL p. 8" />
* [[Elizabeth Hartman]], actress<ref name="NYCL p. 8" />
* [[Dolores Hawkins]], singer<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Bren p. 133">{{harvnb|ps=.|Bren|2021|p=133}}</ref>
* [[Tippi Hedren]], actress<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Diane Johnson]], journalist<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Jennifer Jones]], actress<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />
* [[Grace Kelly]], actress and later princess of Monaco<ref name="nyt-2006-03-19" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Phyllis Kirk]], actress<ref name="nyt-1962-04-06" />
* [[Cloris Leachman]], actress<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />
* [[Aline McDermott]], actress<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />
* [[Ali MacGraw]], actress and activist<ref name="nyt-2006-03-19" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Dorothy McGuire]], actress<ref name="nyt-1962-04-06" />
* [[Liza Minnelli]], singer and actress<ref name="nyt-2006-03-19" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Peggy Noonan]], journalist<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Cathy O'Donnell]], actress<ref name="Weisinger p. 61" />
* [[Jean Patchett]], model<ref name="NYCL p. 8" />
* [[Sylvia Plath]], writer<ref name="nyt-1977-03-13" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Phylicia Rashad]], singer and actress<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Nancy Reagan]], actress and later U.S. first lady<ref name="NYCL p. 7" />
* [[Georgette Mosbacher]], cosmetics executive; stayed at the hotel after its mixed-gender conversion<ref name="nyt-1990-06-14">{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=James C. Jr |date=June 14, 1990 |title=Violent Crime: 'Every Hotel's Nightmare' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/14/nyregion/violent-crime-every-hotel-s-nightmare.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219174705/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/14/nyregion/violent-crime-every-hotel-s-nightmare.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Margo Sappington]], model and dancer<ref name="NYCL p. 8" />
* [[Kathryn Scola]], screenwriter<ref name="Bren p. 66">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=66}}</ref>
* [[Cybill Shepherd]], actress and model<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Lynn Sherr]], journalist<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Mona Simpson]], writer<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Jaclyn Smith]], actress<ref name="n118796937" /><ref name="Bren p. 4" />
* [[Elaine Stritch]], actress<ref name="nyt-1962-04-06" />
* [[Gene Tierney]], actress<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="Weisinger p. 61" />
* [[Meg Wolitzer]], writer<ref name="Bren p. 4" />
}}

===Male===
According to Paulina Bren, for many men, "the Barbizon lobby seemed a perfect place for respite" just as they came to the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street.<ref name="Bren p. 4" /> Male visitors included writer [[J. D. Salinger]], who sat in the building's coffee shop while pretending to be a Canadian hockey player, and actor [[Malachy McCourt]], who claimed to have successfully sneaked into the upper stories.<ref name="Bren p. 4" /> Other men attempted to visit the upper stories by bribing employees, sneaking up the fire escapes, or dressing up in medical gear.<ref name="p152780601" /> Men who stayed or lived at the Barbizon after 1981 have included:
* [[Nicola Bulgari]]<ref name="Finn 2013" />
* [[David Hershkovits]], publisher<ref name="nyt-1994-01-02" />
* [[Ricky Gervais]], actor and comedian<ref name="Bren p. 286">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|p=286|ps=.}}</ref>

== Impact ==
Shortly after the hotel was completed, architectural critic [[Matlack Price]] wrote: "Though The Barbizon is mainly Gothic in detail, its total effect is of a very Romanesque sort of Gothic. The utilization of large Gothic windows is ingenious as applied to this type of building..."<ref name="AF 1928-05-1" /> H. I. Brock of ''The New York Times'' praised the colors on the building's facade, which ranged "from rose to a greenish shade, with bits of almost black".<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="nyt-1927-10-09">{{Cite news |last=Brock |first=H. I. |date=October 9, 1927 |title=Color Splashes in the City's Drabness; Polychromatic Trimmings, Green Roofs and Flashes of Gold Brighten the Gray-Brown Tone of Manhattan |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/10/09/archives/color-splashes-in-the-citys-drabness-polychromatic-trimmings-green.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219223033/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/10/09/archives/color-splashes-in-the-citys-drabness-polychromatic-trimmings-green.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Architect and writer [[Robert A. M. Stern]] wrote in 1987 that the Barbizon was a "romantically massed and detailed, tawny-colored" edifice.<ref name="NY1930" /> The hotel's design may have been inspired by that of the [[New York Marriott East Side|Shelton Hotel]] in Midtown Manhattan.<ref name="NY1930" /><ref name="NYCL-2557">{{cite report |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2557.pdf |title=Hotel Shelton |last1=Percival |first1=Marianne S. |last2=Postal |first2=Matthew A. |date=November 22, 2016 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |page=11 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719091056/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2557.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

A commentator for ''[[Newsday]]'' wrote in 1978 that "the lobby is positively chic looking, the restaurant good and modestly priced, and both the swimming pool and upstairs library-lounge bonus delights".<ref name="p964318972">{{cite news |date=July 30, 1978 |title=New York's Hotel Scenes There's Little to Love About It: The Penny-Wise Traveler |page=G1 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|964318972}}}}</ref> Another critic wrote in 1986 that the Barbizon's lobby was one of several "cozy and comfortable architectural gems" in New York City's hotels.<ref name="p389627458">{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Jean |date=December 14, 1986 |title=Winter Wonders in the Big Apple New York May Be One of the World's Most Expensive Cities, But There Are a Number of Low-Cost Ways to Enjoy the Town's Attractions |page=3J |work=Sun Sentinel |id={{ProQuest|389627458}}}}</ref> ''New York Times'' food critic Bryan Miller said of the hotel's restaurant in 1986: "This renovated {{as written|1920|'s}} hotel with its long polished bar and tables facing animated Lexington Avenue is a fine place to unwind with a glass of wine or champagne."<ref name="nyt-1986-01-03">{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Bryan |date=January 3, 1986 |title=Sampling Fine Wines, A Vintage Tour |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/03/arts/sampling-fine-wines-a-vintage-tour.html |access-date=February 18, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219160421/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/03/arts/sampling-fine-wines-a-vintage-tour.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Terry Trucco of the ''Times'' wrote in 1990 that the Barbizon "retains certain reminders of earlier times", with a mezzanine that resembled a "film palace" and a brasserie that did not serve alcohol.<ref name="nyt-1990-09-09" /> Arthur Kaptainis of the ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'' wrote that the lobby's "soothing early-Gothic look should lower your blood pressure nicely after a hard afternoon of glitz".<ref name="p432445462">{{Cite news |last=Kaptainis |first=Arthur |date=June 19, 1993 |title=The Art of Loitering; Lobby-Dawdling In New York's Grand Hotels Is a Game with Rules |page=J1 |work=The Gazette |id={{ProQuest|432445462}}}}</ref> In 1993, a writer for ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote that "the Barbizon is perfectly nice if you don't mind rooms the size of matchbooks".<ref name="p307613589">{{cite news |last=Zeman |first=Ned |date=April 18, 1993 |title=Rooms With Attitude: The New Hotel Scene |page=E01 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|307613589}}}}</ref>

Sylvia Plath's 1963 novel ''[[The Bell Jar]]''<ref name="p146715726" /><ref name="Bren p. 147">{{harvnb|Bren|2021|ps=.|p=147}}</ref> was set in a fictionalized version of the Barbizon, known as the ''"''Amazon".<ref name="p171535168" /><ref name="p133801946" /> Paulina Bren characterized the novel as "an almost literal account of [Plath's] life in New York in June 1953", albeit under the alias Esther Greenwood.<ref name="Bren p. 147" /> The hotel hosted a promotional party for the 1979 film ''[[The Bell Jar (film)|The Bell Jar]]'', which was based on Plath's novel.<ref name="p120928387">{{cite news |last=Buckley |first=Tom |date=March 23, 1979 |title=At the Movies |page=C6 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|120928387}}}}</ref> In addition, Bren published a book about the hotel, [[The Barbizon (book)|''The Barbizon'']], in 2021.<ref name="nyt-2021-03-02">{{Cite news |last=Donegan |first=Moira |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Some of America's Most Ambitious Women Slept Here |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/books/review/the-barbizon-paulina-bren.html |access-date=February 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192400/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/books/review/the-barbizon-paulina-bren.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Nast 2021">{{cite magazine |last=Cep |first=Casey |date=February 26, 2021 |title=When the Barbizon Gave Women Rooms of Their Own |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/08/when-the-barbizon-gave-women-rooms-of-their-own |access-date=February 15, 2023 |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215192354/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/08/when-the-barbizon-gave-women-rooms-of-their-own |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal bar|Architecture|New York City|NRHP}}
* [[List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 59th to 110th Streets]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 59th to 110th Streets]]
* [[List of YWCA buildings]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-vvtDwAAQBAJ |title=The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free |first1=Paulina |last1=Bren |publisher=Simon and Schuster |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-9821-2389-5}}
* {{cite report |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/82001186.pdf |title=Barbizon Hotel for Women |last=Covell |first=Anne B. |date=October 29, 1982 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]] |access-date= }}
* {{cite magazine |last=Geran |first=Monica |date=Jul 1998 |title=Ace of clubs |journal=Interior Design |volume=69 |issue=9 |pages=42–47 |id={{proQuest|234951480}}}}
* {{Cite report |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2495.pdf |title=Barbizon Hotel for Women |last=Harris |first=Gale |date=April 17, 2012 |publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission }}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Weisinger |first=Mort |date=Sep 1949 |title=For Girls Only |magazine=Redbook |volume=93 |issue=5 |pages=60–62 |id={{ProQuest|1858684770}}}}

== External links ==
* {{commonscat-inline}}
* {{official website|https://barbizon63nyc.com/}}

{{Upper East Side}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in New York}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barbizon 63}}
[[Category:1927 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Condominiums and housing cooperatives in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival architecture in New York City]]
[[Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1927]]
[[Category:Hotel buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Hotels established in 1927]]
[[Category:Lexington Avenue]]
[[Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Residential buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Residential condominiums in New York City]]
[[Category:Upper East Side]]
[[Category:1920s architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:Former clubhouses in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Women's club buildings in New York (state)]]