CHELSEA — Tenants at the Hotel Chelsea finally have heat after days in the cold, but getting cooking gas restored may take some time, officials said.
Heat and hot water was slowly restored to most units throughout the weekend starting on Friday night, after the iconic inn at 222 W. 23rd St. was left without heat Thursday morning, leaving its tenants facing freezing overnight temperatures.
According to Con Edison, the building's main gas line was accidentally disconnected by a contractor working on the legendary lodge's long and controversial renovation. The gas system in the aging building needs to be comprehensively tested before officials can turn it back on, they said.
By Monday morning, tenants said they were able to take hot showers and that most of the building had heat. But residents were likely facing an all-takeout diet for days to come.
"We've been told, at best, it's several days before we can have cooking gas," said Zoe Pappas, who runs the hotel's tenants' association.
A representative for Joseph Chetrit, the building's landlord, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
