The medical hospital , neglected , lay overgrown and vandalized for many decades . In the neighborhood the building become popularly known as " the castle " due to its gothic round towers . Through the years , many promising developers expressed interest in the decaying property . Among some of them were hotelier and real-estate developer Ian Schrager , best known as part owner of Studio 54 , whose attempt to renovate the landmark into luxury apartments failed . The old hospital lay abandoned for nearly three decades until March 2000 , when the Chicago-based developer MCL Companies became involved . With generous financing , Daniel E. McLean , president and chief executive of the MCL Companies bought the property for $ 21 million and began construction . But like numerous predecessors he was forced to halt the work due to financial holdups following the September 11 attacks . McLean envisioned a plan that called for massive renovation of the old hospital remnant into modern luxury condominiums , including a new modern 26-story tower adjacent to the landmark building . Among the new tenants would be Columbia University , who bought several entire floors to use as residence to house senior faculty and visiting dignitaries . The purchase by Columbia , as well as a new construction loan , allowed McLean 's project to get back on track after work was halted due to lack of money following 9/11
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
New York Cancer Hospital