The Waldorf Astoria New York, which closed for redevelopment in March, received approval to move forward on the owner’s plan to restore much of the iconic hotel’s interior and exterior to its 1930s art deco origins.
New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission gave the OK to alter marquees, entrances, storefronts and porte cocheres so that they more closely resemble how they looked when the hotel opened in 1931.
Permission was granted to replace almost 5,400 windows to more closely match their original grey color and thinner profile. And, plans call for enlarging 814 windows on the hotel’s upper floors and punching an additional 277 windows into the side of the property, which spans a city block.
The property’s cooling tower will be relocated so that it’s less visible and much of the building’s exterior will be scrubbed to remove stains that have accrued over the decades.
Inside the property, many of the original design features will be restored in the hotel’s lobby, Park Avenue foyer and grand ballroom, including indirect lighting.
“The building will have a presence in the city that it hasn’t had in decades,” said Frank Mahan, Managing Director at architecture firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill, which is overseeing the renovation. “We’re very happy to have surpassed this milestone.”
Mr Mahan declined to disclose how many hotel rooms and residences the Waldorf will have when it reopens or how much the renovation will cost. He said that plans have been submitted to New York City’s Department of Building, but declined to say when that regulator will rule on the renovation.
He reiterated that the renovation will take two to three years to complete. The hotel will operate under a 100-year management contract with Hilton when it reopens.
The Waldorf’s most recent major renovation was a $140 million upgrade that was completed in 1993, the year the building’s exterior was designated a New York City landmark.
