You’ve probably seen the photos of the moss-covered indoor pool or the crumbling mid-century joists of the "Big G." For decades, those eerie images of decay were the only way most people experienced Grossinger's Catskill Resort New York. But the story of this place isn't just about ruins or a fire that finally leveled what was left in 2022. It’s actually a wild tale of a Jewish immigrant family who basically invented the modern American vacation.
Honestly, the "Dirty Dancing" connection is what everyone mentions first, but it’s kind of the least interesting thing about it.
The real Grossinger’s was a 1,200-acre empire in Liberty, NY, that had its own ZIP code, its own airstrip, and a hostess, Jennie Grossinger, who was essentially the Oprah of the mountains. It wasn't just a hotel; it was a "social laboratory" where Rocky Marciano trained for fights and Elizabeth Taylor came to be seen.
The Rise of a 35-Building Empire
It started small. Like, "renting out rooms in a farmhouse" small.
In 1914, Selig and Malka Grossinger moved up from the Lower East Side because Selig’s health was failing. They bought a farm that wasn't great for farming, so they started taking in boarders. Jennie, their daughter, was the one who saw the potential. She didn't just want to provide a bed; she wanted to provide a lifestyle.
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By the 1950s, the place was massive. We're talking:
- A dining room that seated 1,300 people (and the food was legendary).
- The first resort in the world to use artificial snow (1952).
- Two golf courses, including the famous "Big G."
- An Olympic-sized indoor pool that became the poster child for "ruin porn" decades later.
People called it the "Waldorf of the Catskills." It was the crown jewel of the Borscht Belt, a string of resorts where Jewish families could vacation safely and luxuriously when other hotels still had "Restricted" signs (which was code for "No Jews allowed").
Why It Actually Closed (It Wasn't Just Air Travel)
Most people blame the 1986 closure on cheap flights to Florida or the Caribbean. That's part of it. When the younger generation decided they’d rather go to Vegas than the Catskills, the writing was on the wall.
But there’s more to it. Jennie Grossinger died in 1972. She was the heart of the place. Without her personal touch—she reportedly knew thousands of guests by name—the resort lost its "soul." By the time the family sold it to Servico in 1986 for $9 million, the infrastructure was a nightmare to maintain.
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The new owners tried to keep it going, but they were fighting a losing battle against time and a shifting culture. The "Big G" golf course stayed open for a long time, even as the buildings behind it started to look like something out of The Last of Us.
What’s Happening at the Site Right Now?
If you drove past the site on Route 17 today, you wouldn't see much.
The main hotel was demolished in 2018. A massive fire in August 2022 destroyed one of the last standing structures—a 3.5-story wooden building. Firefighters had a hell of a time getting to it because the roads were so overgrown and blocked by concrete barriers.
But here is the news most people are missing: In June 2025, a Florida-based developer called PPG Development bought the 1,100-acre property for $14.75 million.
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They aren't planning to rebuild the old Grossinger’s. That’s gone. Instead, they’re looking at a "thoughtful revival." Early reports suggest a mix of high-end residential housing, a luxury boutique hotel, and a renovation of the iconic golf course. Ari Pearl, the CEO of PPG, says they want to celebrate the legacy while bringing it into the 21st century.
Realities of the "Dirty Dancing" Connection
Everyone loves to say "this is where Dirty Dancing was filmed."
Actually, it wasn't. It was filmed in Virginia and North Carolina because the production couldn't afford to close down a Catskills resort for the shoot. But the spirit of the movie? That was 100% Grossinger's. Screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein vacationed there as a child. The "Muzak" in the background, the "champagne" competitions, and the intense social hierarchy of the staff versus the guests? All of that came directly from her memories of Liberty, NY.
What to do if you're a fan of the history:
- Visit the Liberty Museum & Art Center: They have a permanent collection of Grossinger’s memorabilia. It’s better than trespassing on a construction site.
- Follow the Catskill Resort Museum project: There are local efforts to preserve the history of the entire Borscht Belt.
- Check the Golf Status: Keep an eye on the "Big G" renovations. If PPG follows through, that course might be playable again by 2027.
The era of 1,300-seat kosher dining halls is over. You can't go back to 1955. But seeing new investment in Liberty is actually a good thing. The property sat as a rotting eyesore for nearly 40 years. Whether or not a "luxury lifestyle residential development" captures the magic of Jennie Grossinger is debatable, but at least the hill won't be empty forever.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to explore the area, don't try to hike the old grounds—it's private property and heavily monitored now. Instead, take a drive through the town of Liberty to see the ongoing downtown renovations, like the Liberty Theater, which are benefiting from the same "momentum" that brought the new developers to the Grossinger's site.