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Go figure. In a year when the US economy has taken a plunge, several luxury hotels are opening in New York City. Those who came of age in the Big Apple will be interested, or perhaps horrified to note that these luxury palaces are being built in the once funky and low rent areas of the city. There goes the neighborhood!

The Trumping of Soho

As The Donald makes his mark on most popular US travel destinations, you knew that he'd eventually conquer the artsy Soho district. Thus, in the fall of 2009, the Trump Soho will open on the corner of Spring and Varick Street. According to the website, the rooms will have a "sophisticated loft-inspired design," thereby paying homage to the artists who can no longer afford to live in the real lofts of Soho.

http://www.trumpsohohotel.com/ hotel_overview/hotel_overview. asp

Vikram Chatwal Had a Dream

...which is turning into a nightmare. The property at 346 West 17th Street was once a homeless shelter. Then, with the inevitable gentrification of the Chelsea neighborhood, the shelter was demolished. It will soon be reincarnated as the Downtown Dream Hotel, a pet project of hotelier, Vikram Chatwal. The Dream was scheduled to open in early 2009. However, according to the project website, "This job had a very unusual design for the windows, which demanded specialized engineering details for the rounded windows." Translation: The opening is delayed. Instant karma eventually gets you. Intrigued? Visit the website http://www.dreamdowntown.com/, but turn down your speakers!

Seeking Sanctuary

The Portland Square Hotel was once a popular budget lodging venue in New York's theater district. Sadly, the property has been sold to the appropriately named Impulsive Group. The building, located at 132 W 47th St., will soon become the Sanctuary Hotel. According to Luxist, guests can book a Sanctuary Hotel & Impulsive Superyacht Package. "After sailing the Mediterranean on Impulsive, guests will be able to hop a private plane to New York and arrive in style for a stay in the Sanctuary's duplex penthouse suite. http://www.sanctuaryhotelnyc.c om/

Learn more about this author, Lisa Marie Mercer.
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