When Paul Caruana bought the Norblad Hotel in downtown Astoria in 2008, it was a mess. The roof leaked, the floors were a wreck and it had become better known for the presence of police than guests.
“It was like a drug den,” he said. “It was an interesting property.”
“Interesting” might be downplaying the issues, but Caruana and business partner Brian Faherty were able to see beyond the old carpet and electrical issues to the beautiful historic architecture that lay hidden underneath. By following that vision, he’s been able to transform the Norblad over the last 10 years into a hip, modern hotel that caters to a crowd looking for affordability over luxury.
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