From The Peopling of NYC

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The famous or perhaps infamous Studio 54 is a staple of New York history. Located at 254 West 54th Street, the disco opened on April 26, 1977. Owned and operated by Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, the studio catered to celebrities and soon became known for the hedonistic behavior that took place inside. Lavishly decorated and often attended by record numbers, Studio 54 has become embedded in history as representative of the disco craze of the 70s. The fantastic atmosphere and the various celebrities frequenting the place (Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Donna Summer, and Mick Jagger only some of more than a hundred well-known names) made for a one-of-a-kind experience. Unfortunately, so did the criminal activities which soon caused the downfall of the studio. Owners Rubell and Schrager were arrested in 1979, suspected of money laundering and the club would then close on February 4, 1980. To this day however, it remains an important symbol of the freedom and art expression prevalent in the 70s.

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