An iconic turn-of-the-century Chelsea inn with deep ties to the city’s gay community is hitting the market for $9.95 million.
The five-story red brick and brownstone-clad residence, at 318 W. 22nd St., has been operating as the Colonial House Inn since 1985.
It has also served as the first home of the formerly named Gay Men’s Health Crisis (now just the GMHC) and, according to Time Out New York, the city’s first “clothing-optional” roof deck. At 7,310 square feet, the stately home sits in the middle of the block between Eighth and Ninth avenues.
The late Mel Cheren, a music entrepreneur, bought the brownstone to serve as the GMHC’s first home.
After the organization outgrew its space, Cheren transformed it into a reasonably priced bed and breakfast with the aforementioned sundeck.
Today it operates with 22 single rooms, including two private suites, one with access to a two-tiered landscaped garden.
One of 22 rooms inside the Colonial House Inn. Duplex Imaging
There’s 7,310 square feet of colorful space. Duplex Imaging
A kitchen inside one of the units. Duplex ImagingThe townhouse’s parlor level entry also hosts a small lounge and office.
The home comes with a high stoop entry that opens to the parlor floor with 12-foot ceilings. There’s also a basement-level entry.
The townhouse has been operating as a hotel since 1985. Duplex Imaging
Outside you can enjoy shade underneath an umbrella. Duplex ImagingOriginal details inside include preserved period moldings, fireplace mantles and banister railings — along with a roof garden with city skyline views.
The townhouse can remain as a hotel with an owner’s apartment or converted into a multi- or single-family mansion. The listing brokers are Matthew Lesser, Ravi Kantha, Gian Mitchell and Cameron LeCates, of Leslie J. Garfield.
