T
he Watson Hotel, a 19-story property in Hell's Kitchen, is being converted into a residential building. The hotel, which once catered to tourists and later housed asylum seekers, will be transformed by Yellowstone Real Estate Investments into 249 apartments.

    Located at 440 W. 57th St., the two-tower property was acquired for $175 million in 2021. Plans filed with the Department of Buildings include an indoor pool, rooftop terrace, gaming room, pet playroom, and cellar-level parking garage.

    The hotel's history dates back to 1964 as a Holiday Inn, which was rebranded as the Watson in 2017. During the pandemic, it served as a temporary humanitarian relief center for migrants before closing in June.

    Yellowstone Real Estate Investments is expanding its residential portfolio in Midtown, with plans to convert another office tower into apartments. The firm's CEO, Issac Hera, has led the company's growth through various developments.