7. The Former Gershwin Hotel

Image via Wikimedia Commons by Beyond My Ken

 The former Gershwin Hotel in New York’s Flatiron District boasted a uniquely whimsical facade that was instantly recognizable. The area where the structure was built was known as “Tin Pan Alley” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where many performers, musicians and songwriters converged. Among these musical figures was composer George Gershwin, best known for his orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, and which the Gershwin hotel was named after.

Designed in Beaux Arts style, the blood red colored building facade was adorned with eccentric Dali-esque giant white horns, a remarkably unforgettable sight.

Triumph Hotels acquired the property in early 2014 and the historic hotel, now known as The Evelyn, has been upgraded with references to its artistic and bohemian heritage. The quirky facade were sadly removed in the renovations.