Was talking with old friend and 1515 Broadway owner Chris Jaszczak last week and he mentioned that possibility too. Ash approached him about purchasing 'air rights' to build balconies on the north side that would therefore overhang 1515 and deny his lot the ability to build higher.

I told Chris that if the hotel happens he owes them a cup of coffee. He has endured the Wurlitzer ruins next to his place for decades including a chunk of it falling through the roof of 1515 into his second floor living space.