Once a glittering symbol of New York City’s golden age, the Roosevelt Hotel has taken on a starkly different role—becoming a temporary home for thousands of migrants amid the city’s escalating shelter crisis.
A Historic Landmark’s New Purpose
Opened in 1924, the Roosevelt Hotel on East 45th Street was a jewel of Manhattan’s hospitality scene, hosting celebrities, presidents, and even serving as the fictional setting for Mad Men. Now, its grand lobby and opulent halls are lined with cots, housing asylum seekers in a city struggling to manage an unprecedented influx.
The Migrant Crisis Overwhelms NYC
New York has received over 180,000 migrants since 2022, stretching shelter systems to their limits. The Roosevelt is one of several hotels repurposed as emergency housing, sparking debates over costs—projected to exceed £10 billion by 2025—and long-term solutions.
From Glamour to Government Contracts
The hotel’s owners, Pakistan International Airlines, closed it in 2020 due to pandemic losses. Last year, NYC officials leased it as part of a £275 million deal to address shelter shortages. Critics argue the city’s approach is unsustainable, while advocates stress the humanitarian need.
The Human Toll
Inside, families navigate cramped conditions, with limited access to kitchens or laundry. "We’re grateful," said one Venezuelan mother, "but this isn’t a life—just waiting." Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams warns of further strain on public services without federal support.
As the Roosevelt’s chandeliers watch over a new era, its story reflects a city—and a nation—grappling with immigration’s complex realities.
