| Concord Resort Hotel | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Closed |
| Type | Hotel |
| Location | Concord Rd,Kiamesha Lake,New York,United States |
| Opened | 1935 (1935) |
| Closed | 1998; 27 years ago (1998) |
| Owner | Unknown |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 1,500 |
TheConcord Resort Hotel (pronounced KAHN-cord, (/ˈkɒŋkərd/)) was a resort in theBorscht Belt of theCatskills, known for its large resort industry in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Located inKiamesha Lake,New York, United States, the Concord was the largest resort in the region and was also one of the last to finally close in 1998, long after the others closed. (A primary competitor,Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel, closed in 1986.)[1] At the Concord, there were over 1,500 guest rooms and a dining room that sat 3,000; the resort encompassed some 2,000 acres (8.1 km2).[2] The resort was akosher establishment, catering primarily toJewish vacationers from theNew York City area, and it was more lavish in decor and activities than comparable large Catskill resorts.
A small establishment nearKiamesha Lake called the Ideal House existed during the 1920s and 1930s. Arthur Winarick acquired the property after a default and rebuilt it in 1937 as the 500-bed Concord Plaza. Keeping up withGrossinger's following World War II, the then-renamed New Concord Hotel rapidly expanded and added amenities to match Grossinger's ski slope and golf course. The Tropical Indoor Pool opened in 1951, accelerating the race. Expansion continued in the 1950s, when prominent hotel architectMorris Lapidus was hired to design newmodern style guest wings. At the Concord, Lapidus worked with architect-interior designer Theordor Muller on interiors for lobbies, dining spaces and night clubs. A rotunda and promenade, as well as the huge Cordillion Room, Night Owl Lounge and the even bigger Imperial Room night club were added. Lapidus employed his signature floating stair design in the rotunda to give guests an opportunity to make a grand entrance.[3]
The Concord was known for its impressive entertainment venues. The original Cordillion Room opened in the 1950s with 1500 seats, along with the Constellation Room, with its distinctive undulating bar. Winarick felt that more was needed, and the Lapidus-designed Imperial Room seated three thousand in a nearly-circular space: perhaps the largest in the Catskills, and a popular venue for major entertainers.[3]
Guest quarters in the tower sections were regarded as impersonal. Up to ten-story guest wings replaced the original hotel in the 1950s. A Lapidus-designed 1959 wing featured 210 rooms with projecting bay windows and his-and-her bathrooms, each with a dressing area.[3]
Following the construction of an elaborate indoor pool at Grossinger's, the original Concord pool was replaced by the Lapidus-design Bubble, which doubled as a solarium, as well as a large spa.[3]
The Concord attracted major entertainers who could fill the Imperial Room to standing room-only.Buddy Hackett was a frequently-featured performer, as wereTony Bennett,Milton Berle andTony Martin.Barbra Streisand andJudy Garland also played the Concord.Martin Luther King Jr. received an award at the Concord in 1963. Following Arthur Winarick's death in 1964, the resort was managed by son-in-law Ray Parker.[3]
In 1997, the business filed for bankruptcy, leaving a debt of over $8 million in back taxes to Sullivan County. In 1999, the property sold "for $10.5 million to a partnership led by Joe Murphy, with Louis R. Cappelli as a silent partner".[4]
In 2000, a news report stated that there was a plan to build a $500 million resort.[5] As of 2009, the Concord Resort & Golf Club was in operation, but it later closed. It was billed as the home of the famous "Monster" Golf Course.[6] There were 42 guest rooms attached to the golf course. The "Monster Golf Academy" was under the direction ofPGA Professional Todd Barker. The former hotel portion, though, was demolished[7] in 2008.
The Concord was used several times over the years by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs for their annual convention and trade show. In addition, every January, the Concord was the home of the yearly “Grand Council Pulaski Association Weekend” for many years, hosting members from the NYPD Pulaski Association, the Nassau County Police Pulaski Association and the Philadelphia Police Pulaski Association.
In 2010, financial disputes between the owners led to a legal settlement, splitting property between the parties. Entertainment Properties TrustREIT won 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of the Concord site from developerLouis R. Cappelli, who retained control of 116 acres (0.47 km2).[8]Monticello Raceway ownerEmpire Resorts announced plans to explore development of aracino resort on the property in partnership with Entertainment Properties.[9]
On May 5, 2011, the owners of theMohegan Sun casino inUncasville, Connecticut announced a competing joint venture with Cappelli Enterprises Inc. to build a $600 million racino on the site of the former hotel. According to the statement, the new resort will include a 258-room hotel, 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) casino with 2,100 videolottery terminals, five restaurants, aharness racing facility and grandstand, and a simulcast facility forpari-mutuel wagering.[8][10][11] In May 2017. it was announced the casino-resort, run byEmpire Resorts would be called "Resorts World Catskills", and planned to open in 2018.[12] In February 2018, Resorts World Catskills opened. The property can be seen as a filming location for the Showtime programBillions.[13][14]
41°40′44″N74°39′17″W / 41.678854°N 74.654642°W /41.678854; -74.654642
