Rendering by Noë &Associates / The Boundary
The reopening of the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel has been postponed until next spring. The landmarked Midtown East hotel has been closed since 2017 for a major revamp, which includes turning its 1,400 guestrooms into 375 hotel rooms and 375 condo residences, according to Travel Weekly. The building, a New York City icon since it opened its doors in 1931, had most recently aimed to reopen in 2024.
“The timing of the reopening has been thoughtfully adjusted to ensure that we are able to dedicate the necessary time that goes into the highest level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and preservation of this historic icon,” Hilton said to Travel Weekly.
In addition to the significant capacity changes, the hotel will feature two new porte cocheres to make arriving at the hotel less hectic.
Other public spaces, including the renowned Peacock Alley restaurant, are also being revamped, while the Grand Ballroom will be restored and upgraded with modern technology.
“Beneath this beautiful art deco veneer, you’ll have the technology you need to do the events of today,” Dino Michael, global category head of Hilton, told Travel Weekly. “The event space is important, and I think that the Waldorf Astoria will once again be a focal point for the New York event calendar.”
The property was purchased by China’s Anbang Insurance Group from Hilton for $1.95 billion in 2015, and the renovation project was originally expected to take roughly two to three years to complete.
Work was delayed by the pandemic and a 2018 corruption scandal that led to the seizure of Anbang by the Chinese government. The property and other Anbang assets are now under the control of Dajia Insurance Group, according to Travel Weekly.
The Waldorf Astoria Residences offer an opportunity to live in one of the world’s most iconic hotels. Sales launched in 2020 for the residences; current availability starts at $1.875 for a studio.
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