With it's prime location along 8th avenue in the 40's, the heart of the theatre district, the hotel has hosted scores of tourists for decades.
In December, the 1300-room hotel will began its own 18-month 'nap' , of sorts, closing temporarily for an extensive renovation.
Though a porter told Eyewitness News he couldn't talk about it, Hotel management says it has notified it's 354 employees that they'd be laid off with severance pay.
More than two thirds of the workers are members of the New York Hotel Trades Union, and under their collective bargaining agreement have the right to be recalled to work after the renovations. "I like working here," said Shimea Yates.
The work being done includes a mechanical overhaul and an interior re-design. The hotel is set to reopen in October 2011.
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