Our Story, 100 Years | Elysée New York

A lacquered burr-wood cabinet, brass floor lamp and velvet armchair at Elysée New York

Two showgirls in feathered headdresses and fur, in black and white

Elysée New York opened its doors on East 54th Street in 1926, at a moment when New York was rewriting the rules. Creativity flourished, jazz filled the city and social conventions were being gleefully overturned. Conceived as a European-style hotel with discreet, highly personal service, Elysée New York soon developed a character that was unmistakably New York.

Movie stars moved in. Writers stayed for years. Musicians played late into the night. Downstairs, The Monkey Bar became one of Manhattan's storied haunts; upstairs, Elysée New York offered its quieter counterpart: intimate, individual and famously discreet.

The creative soul behind Elysée New York is Wolfgang Joop. For him and his partner, Edwin Lemberg, New York was never simply a place to visit. For fifteen years, it was home. Living high above Manhattan in the penthouse of a building once inhabited by Marilyn Monroe, they immersed themselves in the city’s energy, culture and unmistakable character. Those years shaped a deep and enduring connection to New York; one that now finds a new expression at the hotel.

Days were spent discovering hidden curiosities and returning to favorite watering holes where artists, dreamers and provocateurs have gathered for generations. It was this distinctly New York mix of glamour, grit, creativity and freedom that captured their imagination and never quite let go. At Elysée New York, that enduring love affair comes to life. More than a legendary stay, it is a deeply personal affair, curated with a human hand, a free-spirited mind and an artistic soul.

Two men dressed in black posing on a fur-covered chair in front of a colorful painting

Discover the many sides of Elysée New York.

Two yellow painted vases on a lacquered cabinet beside a colorful portrait

Deeply Artistic

Creativity is woven into every detail. From art and music to scent, craftsmanship and design, Elysée New York is a celebration of expression in all its forms. Classic elegance meets contemporary confidence, with unexpected contrasts and thoughtful details that invite a closer look.

A chrome Art Deco frame reflecting red and blue neon light

Enchantingly New York

Inspired by an extraordinary era when New York was the center of the world. When jazz filled the air, Art Deco flourished and the city's most fascinating characters came together. Elysée New York carries the spirit of those golden years into the present, with a distinctly New York sense of glamour, culture and possibility.

Sensuously Audacious

A little daring goes a long way. Inspired by free spirits, creative minds and those who have never been afraid to express themselves, Elysée New York invites you to indulge your curiosity. To embrace the unexpected, explore your senses and discover the pleasures of stepping beyond the familiar.

A woman in pearls reaching across a dressing table

Mischievously Ravishing

Elegance has a playful side. From its beginnings as a destination for European society to its more indulgent nightlife years, Elysée New York has always known how to entertain. Today, gracious hospitality meets a subtle sense of mischief, where sophistication is effortless and there's always more than meets the eye.

Wall of graphic artworks with handwritten slogans at Elysée New York

The Art of Elysée New York

Art at Elysée New York is not simply something to look at; it is part of the hotel’s identity. Conceived as a living carnet de voyage, artworks, furniture, textiles and objects collected across cultures and eras sit together instinctively rather than according to convention. Contemporary works meet antiques, fine art meets craft, and pieces by artists including Daniele Buetti, Patricia Rowland, Bokja, Alma Allen and Natalie Rich Tambien appear alongside Ge Ba textiles, found objects and pieces from Wolfgang’s own collection. Some command attention; others wait quietly to be discovered.

Patterned chaise longue and rug in Salon Sanssouci at Elysée New York

Table lamp with a metallic shade beside a gilt-framed painting at Elysée New York

A New York Original, Since 1926

Meet Wolfgang and Edwin

Discover the many sides of Elysée New York.

Deeply Artistic

Enchantingly New York

Sensuously Audacious

Mischievously Ravishing

A living collage of art, culture and curiosity. Where a century of New York character meets Wolfgang’s instinctive world of art, objects and unexpected encounters.