In this extensive history of the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, the author examines the philosophical motivation (Frenchman Charles Fourier) for the experiment in communal living that featured “art” as a social connection between residents. From Thomas Wolfe to Sid Vicious, the Chelsea has served as cauldron for creativity. The question naturally arises whether this tradition can maintain in the age of electronic communication—and, if so, does physical proximity promote more creative community or simply more chaos?