Hotel Chelsea’s doors used by famed clientele will go to auction

More than 50 doors from the historic Hotel Chelsea will be auctioned off this spring, which initially doesn’t sound all that exciting but gets cooler as you learn the backstory.

According to amNY, a homeless man seeking shelter stumbled across the lot of 52 white washed doors that had been discarded as the hotel undergoes its redevelopment into a new hotel with condominiums. The doors made their way to Guernsey’s auction house, who conducted extensive research and uncovered that the doors were tied to rooms once occupied by legends like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Janis Joplin, Andy Warhol, W.E.B DuBois, Mark Twain, and many more.

The aged doors will be on display at the Ricco/Maresca Gallery beginning April 5th and will remain there until the auction on April 12. Bidding for each door will begin at $5,000.

Per Guernsey’s website, “A substantial portion of the proceeds from the unique event will support City Harvest, the non-profit organization that pioneered food rescue in 1982,” as a way to honor the wishes of the formerly homeless man who found the doors.

• Chelsea Hotel doors used by Warhol, Marley up for auction at Guernsey’ [amNY]
• Iconic Chelsea Doors [Guernsey’s]
• All Hotel Chelsea coverage [Curbed]