In the heart of New York City’s Broadway District, a significant transformation has been underway. Like the Roosevelt Hotel that now migrants, the Square Hotel is doing the same. What once catered to tourists seeking the glitz and glamour of the Great White Way has quietly shifted its focus to serve a different demographic: migrants in need of shelter.
Operating under the radar for over a year, the Square Hotel has been discreetly accommodating individuals and families amid the ongoing migrant crisis gripping the city. National Guard soldiers stationed at the entrance, escorted visitors turned away, and warnings about the removal of parked motorbikes paint a picture starkly distinct from the typical hustle and bustle of a tourist hotspot.
Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, reflects on the shift: “These hotels could be doing a fine tourist business right now, but they are being lazy, and a sure-thing 100-percent occupancy on the city dime, and without having to provide traditional hotel services, is just too good a deal to pass up.”
Indeed, this transition hasn’t been without controversy. Some lament the encroachment of migrants into what was once solely a domain for entertainment and leisure. State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar remarks, “We consider the Broadway District a key to the city’s economy. There is only one Broadway —in the entire world!”
However, amidst the debate, voices of empathy emerge. Jesus Delber, a migrant seeking work, reminds us of the human faces behind the statistics: “If you are willing to work hard, life will always help you find honest work.”
As the city grapples with the influx of migrants, the Square Hotel stands as a microcosm of broader challenges and opportunities. While concerns about safety and economic impact persist, there’s an undeniable sense of resilience and compassion echoed by individuals like retiree Judie Rudman, who prioritizes the well-being of migrants: “If they have a place to stay, it makes the city safer.”
In the midst of uncertainty, the Square Hotel’s quiet transformation serves as a reminder of New York City’s enduring spirit of adaptation and inclusivity.
