Roosevelt Hotel New York: History, Closure & Migrant Shelter

The Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan — a 19-story Beaux-Arts landmark that opened in 1924 — closed its doors to paying guests in 2020 and later became New York City’s largest migrant shelter, processing over 155,000 asylum seekers before shutting down that operation in June 2025. This article traces the hotel’s century of history, its abrupt closure, and its controversial second life as a crisis response center.

Last checked: 2026-07-12

Address: 45 East 45th Street, Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY · Original owner: New York Central Railroad · Current use: Temporary migrant housing (since 2023) · Notable former guests: Marilyn Monroe, Robert De Niro (film location), numerous celebrities

What Has Happened to the Roosevelt Hotel in New York?

The Roosevelt Hotel ceased operations as a traditional hotel in late 2020, a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on New York tourism. CNN reported in October 2020 that the property, owned by Pakistan International Airlines, would permanently shut down due to “extremely low demand.” The closure was completed by December 18, 2020. After sitting shuttered for more than two years, the hotel was repurposed in May 2023 as a city-run shelter and processing center for asylum seekers. According to Voice of America, the hotel “weathered Prohibition, the Great Depression, and World War II” but could not survive the pandemic’s financial toll.

Closure to the public

The pandemic-driven closure was not a surprise to industry watchers. The Express Tribune reported that the hotel had been struggling financially for years, and the COVID-19 crisis delivered the final blow. The hotel’s 1025 rooms were emptied, and the building became a ghost in Midtown.

Transition to migrant housing

In May 2023, the city of New York began using the Roosevelt as an Asylum Seeker Arrival Center. The hotel’s grand lobby was converted into a registration and intake area, and its guest rooms became temporary housing for families. The New York Times reported that the hotel operated as a shelter for 767 days, processing more than 155,000 people from roughly 150 countries.

Current ownership status

The property remains under the ownership of Pakistan International Airlines Investment Limited. Real estate trade outlet The Real Deal noted that local lawmakers sought landmark status for the building in 2022, a move that could complicate any future sale or redevelopment. As of mid-2025, the hotel’s long-term future is uncertain.

Why Is the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC Famous?

The Roosevelt Hotel earned its fame through a combination of architectural grandeur, historical events, and celebrity connections. It was designed as a 19-story Beaux-Arts building near Grand Central Terminal to serve railroad passengers. But its cultural impact ran deeper.

Historical significance

The hotel hosted the first Tony Awards in 1947 and was used as a venue for early Academy Awards ceremonies. It also became a backdrop for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, according to Civilian Magazine. The hotel’s nickname, “The Grand Dame of New York,” reflects its status as a Midtown institution.

Cultural impact

The Roosevelt has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including scenes in “The Irishman” and “Mad Men.” Its location at 45 East 45th Street put it within walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway theaters, making it a favored stay for performers and tourists alike.

Notable events and guests

While the hotel hosted many celebrities, the most famous name associated with the Roosevelt Hotel — Marilyn Monroe — is actually tied to the Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, not the New York property. This common confusion is addressed below. Nevertheless, the New York Roosevelt welcomed politicians, musicians, and business leaders over its nearly 100-year history.

Is the Roosevelt Hotel in New York Still Housing Migrants?

As of late June 2025, the Roosevelt Hotel is no longer housing migrants. The city’s Asylum Seeker Arrival Center and Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at the Roosevelt officially shut down at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday in late June 2025, per CBS New York (source cited above). Only about 10 migrant families remained in the building shortly before closure, according to ABC7NY.

Current use as of 2025

The hotel is now vacant. The New York Times reported that the building showed “significant wear and deferred maintenance” after its intensive use as an emergency shelter. The city has not announced any new lease or operational plan for the property.

City contract details

Mayor Eric Adams announced the closure in February 2025, saying it would “save taxpayers millions” while allowing asylum seekers to move forward in their journeys (NBC News, source cited above). The exact financial terms of the city’s lease with the hotel’s owners were not publicly disclosed.

Public response

The hotel’s use as a migrant shelter sparked significant debate. Supporters saw it as a necessary humanitarian response; critics raised concerns about safety and crowding. The closure of the center coincided with a drop in the number of migrants in city care — from a peak of about 69,000 in January 2024 to fewer than 45,000 by February 2025 (NBC New York).

What Is the Most Haunted Room in the Roosevelt Hotel?

This is a common question that leads to confusion. The most famous claims of paranormal activity at a Roosevelt Hotel refer to the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, not the New York property. The Hollywood Roosevelt is known for ghost stories involving celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift. The New York Roosevelt Hotel has no verified haunted room, and no credible reports of paranormal activity exist in the research.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel confusion

Because both hotels share the same name — “Roosevelt Hotel” — and both are historic, many online searches conflate the two. The New York City property is located at 45 East 45th Street; the Hollywood Roosevelt is at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard. The New York hotel has no documented ghost sightings.

Alleged paranormal activity at NYC property

Some online forums mention “room 302” or other numbers, but these claims are unsubstantiated and appear to be copy-pasted from the Hollywood Roosevelt’s lore. Without a credible source, we cannot confirm any haunted room in the New York Roosevelt.

Did Marilyn Monroe Stay at the Roosevelt Hotel?

Marilyn Monroe did not stay at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Her famous stays and photo shoots at the “Roosevelt Hotel” were at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. The New York property did host other celebrities, including actors, musicians, and politicians, but Monroe is not among them.

Marilyn Monroe at NYC property

No verified record places Monroe at the New York Roosevelt. The confusion arises from the shared name and the fact that the Hollywood Roosevelt prominently markets its Monroe connection.

Connection to Hollywood Roosevelt

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which opened in 1927, has a pool where Monroe famously posed for photographs. It also claims to have a “haunted” suite where her spirit lingers. None of this applies to the New York Roosevelt.