A two-star Midtown Manhattan lodge is going through allegations it has change into a entrance for prostitution — and the town has sued to get the doorways closed for good.
The glass double doorways at 38 W. thirty first St., referred to as the NoMad Suites, open to a slim foyer the place unsuspecting vacationers wheel of their suitcases out and in. However at night time, neighbors say, the tone shifts.
“You see ladies 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 dwelling in a short-term Airbnb rental on the NoMad Suites for the previous three months, informed The Submit in response to the lawsuit. “I figured they had 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 homeowners and operators of permitting intercourse work to flourish unchecked inside visitor rooms whereas advertising the property as a respectable lodge.
The criticism obtained by The Submit, filed on Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court docket, requires a full one-year closure and $1,000-a-day fines towards landlord 1234 Broadway LLC and different named respondents. A consultant for the constructing’s possession entity couldn’t be reached for remark. No legal prices 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 loss of life contained in the property. The shelter closed not lengthy after.
Since then, the constructing has transitioned again into non-public use. However it now operates as a hybrid lodge/Airbnb/house 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 industrial use has masked illicit exercise promoted overtly on-line and confirmed by undercover NYPD stings.
“These ads included … specific pictures and/or suggestive statements,” the criticism says.
The criticism additionally alleges that metropolis officers discovered a web based advert promising: “We’re cute and horny Asian ladies,” and “scorching physique” on the premises.
In keeping with the criticism, on Sept. 4, 2025, one officer entered Suite 142 of the constructing and was supplied a therapeutic massage and “guide stimulation” for $100.
Per week later, one other officer was directed to the suite the place a girl 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 sophisticated picture on-line, with listings providing “non-smoking rooms” and a “24-hour entrance desk,” metropolis officers declare the truth inside is much extra darkish.
“Defendants have owned, leased, used, maintained or carried out the topic premises for the aim of prostitution, and have permitted, promoted, condoned or acquiesced in the usage of 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, informed The Submit on Wednesday they hadn’t seen something overtly suspicious — however did hear loads. They declined to supply their names for privateness.
“There’s loads of hooting and hollering, and drunk individuals at night time,” they mentioned. “However nothing that made us suppose this was happening. That’s loopy.”
4 males sharing one other Airbnb rental, who additionally didn’t share their names, mentioned that they had no thought the property was underneath metropolis investigation.
“We simply thought it was an everyday Airbnb,” one informed The Submit. “We simply stroll across the neighborhood. We don’t know something.”
And whereas most friends from out of city had been oblivious to the exercise, the criticism highlights that some locals had been very conscious of what was happening.
“A evaluation of the information 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 criticism mentioned.
Subsequent door to the constructing is MRA Fragrances, a fragrance store that leases area by the identical landlord now being sued. The shop’s proprietor, who additionally declined to share his identify, mentioned he’s involved the town’s case may put his enterprise in jeopardy.
“I see so many individuals coming out and in, it’s arduous to maintain monitor,” he mentioned. “Lots of people from overseas come — they’re the primary clients. However now I’m apprehensive. If the town shuts that constructing, I’ve to shut too.”
With dozens of friends and tenants flowing out and in, officers say the constructing grew to become the right cowl for illicit exercise.
Throughout the road, a store supervisor of a jewellery retailer who additionally declined to share his identify, 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 go away earlier than darkish. Possibly at night time you see extra.”
