Leona Helmsley’s late lap dog, Trouble, who inherited $12 million from the billionaire hotelier, inspired the name of the New York Palace Hotel’s new cocktail den, Trouble’s Trust.
The hotel, once owned by Helmsley, aimed to create a space so luxurious that a prized pooch such as Trouble, who initially beat out Helmsley’s grandchildren for a stake in her estate, would feel comfortable resting his paws.
“We wanted it to be a decadent space that plays off Trouble’s rich inheritance,” said project designer Stella Bok of Champalim
The lacquer paneling, embossed leather walls, Italian furniture and curvaceous long banquettes evoke dark aura of Helmsley, who was dubbed the “Queen of Mean” for her vicious demeanor.“All of the finishes and colors are really rich and very dark, creating a moodiness,” Bok said.
The menu may be covered in printed golden paws, but even the most refined dogs are not allowed in the posh lounge.
Drinks include the $19 Pampered Pooch that’s a mix of Owney’s Original New York Rum, B&B, Cocchi Bianco, fresh lime, simple syrup, creole bitters and sugar cane garnish.
“Trouble would love this,” it says on the menu below the drink.
The Queen of Mean, named after Helmsley, is a whiskey drink with ginger, apple juice, gin, elderflower syrup, lemon and baked apple chip garnish.
Trouble’s Trust was built as part of a $140 million renovation and is one of six bars and restaurants added to the Midtown hotel.
There’s no artwork of the maltese or his master in the cozy, den-like room nestled below the grand staircase.
Helmsley died in 2007 of congestive heart failure at 87.
Trouble succeeded her by three years, living in luxury under the care of Helmsley Sandcast Hotel general manager Carl Lekic, who was paid a $60,000 guardian fee.
Until his death in December 2010, the dog’s inheritance was spent annually on $8,000 for grooming, $1,200 for food and $100,000 on security after he received death threats. Her other grandchildren, Craig and Meegan Panzirer, were disinherited but ended up receiving $6 million of the $12 million bequeathed to Trouble.
Helmsley wished to have the dog laid to rest in her mausoleum, but state law prohibits pets in human cemeteries, so he was cremated.
Two of Helmsley’s grandchildren received $5 million from her will on the condition that they visit their father’s grave annually.
