 The Knickerbocker opened October 23, 1906, and quickly became a part of the New York social scene.The $3.3 million hotel contained 556 rooms and luxurious restaurants and bars on the first three floors with seating for 2000 for after-theater dinner.Artist Maxfield Parrish was commissioned to paint a 30-foot-long mural of "Old King Cole" for the bar.