The Waldorf Astoria New York originally opened in 1893 on the current site of the Empire State Building. In 1931 it opened at its current location on Park Avenue. In 1993 it was designated an official New York City landmark. Now, in 2017, the Waldorf Astoria New York has closed its doors in order to undergo one of the most complex and intensive landmark preservation efforts the City of New York has ever seen.
Plans for the renovation were recently submitted for public review by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The plans, which were designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, outline the restoration all of the recently landmarked interior spaces.
If approved, the restoration will modernize the building’s functional capability and revive key elements of the Art Deco building that have been altered over time. The building’s historic public and events spaces will be restored to their original intent. Additionally, when the hotel reopens, it will feature new guest rooms, suites, and condominiums.
"Our design for the Waldorf Astoria New York reclaims the full potential of one of New York City's most legendary buildings and opens a new chapter in the hotel's celebrated history,” says Roger Duffy, Design Partner, SOM, in a release. “We are honored to be leading the effort to restore this Art Deco masterpiece, while turning it into a world-class destination for the 21st century."
SOM has previously led restoration and adaptive reuse projects for other New York landmarks such as the Moynihan Train Hall and the General Electric Building headquarters.
If everything stays on schedule, the Waldorf Astoria New York will reopen in two to three years.
Lobby. Rendering courtesy of SOM and Methanoia Inc.
Lexington Entry. Rendering courtesy of SOM and Methanoia Inc.
Peacock Alley. Rendering courtesy of SOM and Methanoia Inc.
Related Stories
| Mar 11, 2011
Holiday Inn reworked for Downtown Disney Resort
The Orlando, Fla., office of VOA Associates completed a comprehensive interior and exterior renovation of the 14-story Holiday Inn in the Downtown Disney Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The $25 million project involved rehabbing the hotel’s 332 guest rooms, atrium, swimming pool, restaurant, fitness center, and administrative spaces.
| Mar 11, 2011
Blockbuster remodel transforms Omaha video store into a bank
A former Hollywood Video store in Omaha, Neb., was renovated and repurposed as the SAC Federal Credit Union, Ames Branch. Architects at Leo A Daly transformed the outdated 5,000-sf retail space into a modern facility by wrapping the exterior in poplar siding and adding a new glass storefront that floods the interior with natural light.
| Mar 11, 2011
Historic McKim Mead White facility restored at Columbia University
Faculty House, a 1923 McKim Mead White building on Columbia University’s East Campus, could no longer support the school’s needs, so the historic 38,000-sf building was transformed into a modern faculty dining room, graduate student meeting center, and event space for visiting lecturers, large banquets, and alumni organizations.
| Feb 15, 2011
Iconic TWA terminal may reopen as a boutique hotel
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hopes to squeeze a hotel with about 150 rooms in the space between the old TWA terminal and the new JetBlue building. The old TWA terminal would serve as an entry to the hotel and hotel lobby, which would also contain restaurants and shops.
