A two-star Midtown Manhattan lodge is going through allegations it has turn out to be a entrance for prostitution — and town has sued to get the doorways closed for good.
The glass double doorways at 38 W. thirty first St., often known as the NoMad Suites, open to a slender foyer the place unsuspecting vacationers wheel of their suitcases out and in. However at evening, neighbors say, the tone shifts.
“You see girls dressed like they’re going to a membership, strolling out and in round midnight with different males,” one man, who declined to be recognized, and who’s been residing in a short-term Airbnb rental on the NoMad Suites for the previous three months, instructed The Publish in response to the lawsuit. “I figured they have been simply internet hosting events. Now it feels a little bit extra apparent.”
NoMad Suites is the topic of a newly filed lawsuit from the Metropolis of New York, which accuses the constructing’s house owners and operators of permitting intercourse work to flourish unchecked inside visitor rooms whereas advertising the property as a reliable lodge.
The grievance obtained by The Publish, filed on Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court docket, requires a full one-year closure and $1,000-a-day fines in opposition to landlord 1234 Broadway LLC and different named respondents. A consultant for the constructing’s possession entity couldn’t be reached for remark. No prison expenses have been filed in connection to the allegations.
In 2021, the constructing briefly operated as a city-run homeless shelter for New Yorkers. That stint resulted in tragedy when a 36-year-old man was stabbed to demise contained in the property. The shelter closed not lengthy after.
Since then, the constructing has transitioned again into personal use. Nevertheless it now operates as a hybrid lodge/Airbnb/condo combine, providing nightly bookings and longer stays. On-line listings present roughly 13 short-term suites, with the extra rental models.
The Airbnb models within the constructing, with an alternate deal with of 1234 Broadway, advertises as “one of many only a few absolutely authorized Airbnbs in Manhattan.”
Authorities cost the lodge’s quiet return to business use has masked illicit exercise promoted overtly on-line and confirmed by means of undercover NYPD stings.
“These ads included … specific photos and/or suggestive statements,” the grievance says.
The grievance additionally alleges that metropolis officers discovered a web based advert promising: “We’re cute and attractive Asian women,” and “sizzling physique” on the premises.
In line with the grievance, on Sept. 4, 2025, one officer entered Suite 142 of the constructing and was supplied a therapeutic massage and “handbook stimulation” for $100.
Every week later, one other officer was directed to the suite the place a lady allegedly agreed to supply oral intercourse for $150, along with $100 for a “half-hour of therapeutic massage remedy,” the submitting says.
Whereas the constructing presents a cultured picture on-line, with listings providing “non-smoking rooms” and a “24-hour entrance desk,” metropolis officers declare the fact inside is much extra darkish.
“Defendants have owned, leased, used, maintained or performed the topic premises for the aim of prostitution, and have permitted, promoted, condoned or acquiesced in using the topic premises for the criminal activity,” the submitting alleges.
A pair visiting from Greensboro, North Carolina, who booked an Airbnb unit contained in the NoMad Suites, instructed The Publish on Wednesday they hadn’t seen something overtly suspicious — however did hear loads. They declined to supply their names for privateness.
“There’s a variety of hooting and hollering, and drunk individuals at evening,” they mentioned. “However nothing that made us suppose this was occurring. That’s loopy.”
4 males sharing one other Airbnb rental, who additionally didn’t share their names, mentioned they’d no concept the property was beneath metropolis investigation.
“We simply thought it was an everyday Airbnb,” one instructed The Publish. “We simply stroll across the neighborhood. We don’t know something.”
And whereas most visitors from out of city have been oblivious to the exercise, the grievance highlights that some locals have been very conscious of what was occurring.
“A evaluate of the data of the New York Metropolis Police Division displays that in July and August of 2025, a number of members of the general public contacted the NYPD and alleged that prostitution was occurring on the topic premises,” the grievance mentioned.
Subsequent door to the constructing is MRA Fragrances, a fragrance store that leases house by means of the identical landlord now being sued. The shop’s proprietor, who additionally declined to share his title, mentioned he’s involved town’s case may put his enterprise in jeopardy.
“I see so many individuals coming out and in, it’s exhausting to maintain observe,” he mentioned. “Lots of people from overseas come — they’re the principle clients. However now I’m anxious. If town shuts that constructing, I’ve to shut too.”
With dozens of visitors and tenants flowing out and in, officers say the constructing turned the proper cowl for illicit exercise.
Throughout the road, a store supervisor of a jewellery retailer who additionally declined to share his title, mentioned his retailer closes at 6 p.m. — properly earlier than the road will get rowdy.
“I haven’t seen something,” he mentioned, “however then once more, I depart earlier than darkish. Perhaps at evening you see extra.”
