“Conrad Hilton thought the Waldorf Astoria was ‘The Greatest of Them All.’ And the reason that he loved Waldorf Astoria is because his belief was this is the hotel that defined luxury hotels, this was the most iconic hotel in the world,” said Chris Nassetta, president & chief executive officer, Hilton.
Waldorf Astoria New York has been undergoing a meticulous transformation with the intention of restoring the hotel’s eye-catching glamour that wowed travelers from around the world for decades, while also redefining modern-day luxury.
When Waldorf Astoria New York opened its doors in 1931, the hotel set a record as the highest and largest hotel in the world, emerging as an Art Deco icon and a symbol of New York culture. The hotel encompasses 62,000 square feet of landmark-protected spaces that required special care during the restoration, which has been led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
Throughout the public spaces, guests will notice the preservation efforts reflected in every single detail from the many frescoes lining the walls and hand-painted gold leaf touches adorning the ceiling to the restored 1893 Waldorf Astoria Clock and Cole Porter Piano. Iconic heritage spaces such as Peacock Alley have been brought back to life with Silver Corridor, the Grand Ballroom, the Basildon Room and other areas making their debut this September.
The all-encompassing restoration work required a bevy of expert craftsmen, artisans, painting conservators, and historians who say that preparing this treasured landmark to be unveiled to today’s travelers has been a highlight of their professional careers.
“This whole building is so thematic—the thistles, the birds, absolutely everything,” said Victoria Zintchenko, metalworker foreman, Allen Architectural Metals, who worked on the restoration. “It’s this pattern-making that was done so meticulously that it’s still good and it’s still true to itself that our work is just heightening what it was.”
Leading interior design for Waldorf Astoria New York is Pierre-Yves Rochon. The hotel’s interiors have been reimagined with a design ethos that is both thoughtful and bold, combining tradition with modern luxury, the old and the new. Throughout, the hotel feels bright and light.
As the hotel opens its doors, the Waldorf Astoria New York team has also spent time carefully defining what being “the greatest” in this new era of luxury will mean, from designing team member wardrobes that mix fashion and function to refining the quality of guest service, to elevating the hotel’s dining options and more.
“I can’t wait to welcome our very, very first guest,” said Luigi Romaniello, managing director, Waldorf Astoria New York. “I know the potential of Waldorf Astoria in New York City and I know it will be the greatest once we reopen.”
