9. The Largest Hotel in New York City Was Once in Brooklyn Heights
The St George Hotel, which now houses dormitories for NYU, Pace and other schools, was once the largest hotel in New York City. A large salt water swimming pool could be found in the basement. Remnants of the pool can still be seen in the converted gym there today. The hotel also has a rich musical history as Columbia Records used the ballroom to record songs. The iconic “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, among others, was recorded in the hotel. The lobby has since been converted into a subway entrance, one of the quirkier in the city.