New York’s iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel—almost the definition of a luxury hotel in many people’s minds—is closing March 1 for two years of renovation and upgrades that are intended to keep it at the top.
The Art Deco landmark occupies a full square block of Manhattan, and sits above the tracks leading into Grand Central Terminal. It opened in 1930, and has been the New York home for presidents, monarchs, celebrities and just plain people with money since. Managing Director Michael Hoffman told media that “we had no choice. It has to be classic, but it’s an 85-year-old building.”
The plan for the renovation comes as part of the deal in which China’s Anbang insurance company bought the building two years ago for nearly $2 billion from Hilton, which had owned for years. It will continue to be operated by Hilton when it re-opens.
Photo: James G. Howes/Wikimedia
