Hotel Commodore, Grand Hyatt New York

It was originally named Hotel Commodore, in memory of Commodore Vanderbilt, founder of the New York Central Railroad system, and today the Grand Hyatt New York. It opened its doors on January 28, 1919, at 109 East 42nd Street, in Midtown Manhattan, next to the Grand Central Terminal.

The site was formerly occupied by the Hospital for Crippled Children. The 26-story building, 295 feet (90 m) high, was originally design by Warren & Wetmore. The same firm also designed the Vanderbilt Hotel, completed in 1913. The construction began in the late 1916 or early 1917 and shortage of steel delayed the completion. The hotel had 2,000 rooms, each provided with a bath.

The hotel was leased from the day of completion by the Bowman Hotel Corporation, headed by John McE. Bowman, for a period of 40 years. In 1964, the Franchard Corporation became the prime lessee.

After renovation and the outside of the building encased in glass, the Grand Hyatt New York reopened in 1980.

Hotel Commodore on 42nd Street, between Lexington and Park Avenues, next to Grand Central Terminal. Park Avenue ramp is in the foreground. Chrysler Building is across Lexington Avenue. Vintage postcard published by Lumitone Photoprint, postmark: 1956.

Intersection of East 42nd St., Vanderbilt Ave. and Pershing Square, with the Grand Central Terminal on the left and the Grand Hyatt New York on the right. Later, Pershing Square was closed to traffic (credit: Julienne Schaer / NYC & Company).