White Horse Tavern Landmark Designation Requested After Sale to Steven Croman

NEW YORK CITY—It’s said that the White Horse Tavern at 567 Hudson St. in the West Village was where poet Dylan Thomas had his last drink of whiskey before collapsing on the sidewalk. He died a few days later from pneumonia and other complications at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Now, landlord Steve Croman who has served time behind bars for fraudulent refinancing of loans and tax fraud has recently acquired the historic site. In 2018, the infamous landlord paid an $8 million settlement over charges that he harassed, coerced and used fraud to force rent-regulated tenants out of their apartments to convert them into market-rate units.

Steve Croman acquired the four-story, 17 unit property at 561-567 Hudson St., which includes the ground floor White Horse Tavern. Industry sources note Croman bought the property from James Munson and Eddie Brennan. Eytan Sugarman (who is partners with Anthony Scaramucci at the Hunt & Fish Club in Times Square) will operate the historic bar restaurant.

The exterior of the building is landmarked as part of the Greenwich Village Historic District. But Village Preservation (the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation) points out that the tavern’s interiors are not landmarked and could be destroyed, altered or replaced anytime. The non-profit group notes the bar was established in 1880, and the insides including its woodwork and fixtures are an integral part of the location. It was a spot frequented by people like Jane Jacobs who helped forge the neighborhood’s identity.

Village Preservation submitted research and documentation to the Landmarks Preservation Commission urging designation of the White Horse Tavern’s interiors as a New York City Landmark.

“There are few more historic locations in New York than the White Horse Tavern, a legendary gathering spot for some of the great minds of the 20th century. Visitors come from around the world to see the place where Dylan Thomas, Allen Ginsberg, James Baldwin, and so many other great writers shared ideas, drank, argued, and held court. One can still go to the White Horse and see more or less intact the place where these great writers and thinkers gathered, and that should never change,” says Andrew Berman, executive director of Village Preservation.

“With the building sold and the bar coming under new ownership and management, it’s critical the Landmarks Preservation Commission ensure that treasured piece of New York and world history is protected, and won’t be going anywhere, regardless of who owns or runs it,” adds Berman.

The preservation group was organized in 1980 to protect the architectural and cultural heritage of the Greenwich Village, the East Village and NoHo. It has worked to secure landmark designation for more than 1,250 buildings.