Music Row, the historic NYC strip of instrument stores, repair shops and record stores that long dominated Manhattan’s West 48th Street will be receiving a new neighbor, a more gentrified one if you will. Soon enough, you’ll be able to stay in your very own music-themed suite at the new Hard Rock Hotel New York, set to open its doors in Spring 2019 in the heart of Times Square.
Stores on the once-thriving block such as Rudy’s Music Stop and Manny’s Music used to serve as a one-stop music shop for classic rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, the Rolling Stones and The Who. Most stores were forced out over time, and even major retailer Sam Ash felt the sting of raised rents and the shift to
ecommerce. Pressure to sell and make way for new condos signaled the official death of the iconic Music Row when the last instrument shop, Alex Musical Instruments, shuttered their doors for good in 2015.
Now Hard Rock Hotel hopes to breathe new life into Music Row, with the new reinvented and music-focused 445-room hotel. By honoring the city’s musical and cultural heritage with live music events and artist-inspired design elements, the hotel hopes to become a destination for music lovers from all over the world. And the design should be quite considerable as Hard Rock International stands as curators to the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia. Hard Rock reps state that the memorabilia for this particular hotel will be carefully selected with a focus on contemporary artists who call New York home, as well as iconic musicians and pivotal moments in history that have shaped the city’s rich musical legacy.
Related: Hard Rock wins auction for Elvis Presley piano
The hotel will also feature a signature restaurant, a rooftop bar & lounge and a swanky, underground speakeasy for guests and non-guests. Plans for the hotel’s rooftop include day and evening activities, ranging from artist sessions and DJ sets, to events featuring top artists and celebrities. Guests will have access to the Hard Rock’s spa and gym as well as extravagant amenities such as Fender guitar and DJ-equipment rental delivered in-room for impromptu jam sessions.
Though you won’t find instruments for sale or catch a glimpse of Keith Richards picking up strings before a show, you will be able to rest your head on the humble midtown block where music legends shopped for the tools they would use to create the soundtrack to our lives.
Though Times Square has no shortage of major hotels, expect the new Hard Rock Hotel New York to stand out.
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