Plaza Hotel

Plaza Hotel. An iconic luxury hotel located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South in Midtown Manhattan. Since its opening in 1907, it has been a symbol of Gilded Age opulence and a National Historic Landmark, hosting countless dignitaries, celebrities, and society events. The French Renaissance-style château, designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, stands as a cornerstone of New York City's cultural and social history.

History

The hotel was developed by a syndicate including financier Bernard H. Beinecke, real estate executive Harry S. Black, and restaurateur John R. Thompson, opening its doors on October 1, 1907. It quickly supplanted the earlier Plaza Hotel built on the site in 1890, becoming a premier address for the elite of the Progressive Era. In 1943, it was purchased by hotelier Conrad Hilton, becoming a flagship of Hilton Hotels and later passing through the hands of notable owners like A. M. Sonnabend and the Westin Hotels chain. The property was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and underwent a major, controversial conversion to condominiums and private residences led by El-Ad Properties in the early 21st century, before returning to full hotel operations.

Architecture and design

Designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, who also designed the adjacent Dakota Apartments and the original Waldorf-Astoria, the structure is a prime example of French Renaissance château-style design. The exterior is clad in white brick and limestone, featuring a steep mansard roof clad in patina-green copper. The interior, extensively renovated over the decades, famously features the Palm Court and the Grand Ballroom. Later renovations involved prominent designers like Frank Lloyd Wright and firms such as Gal Nauer Architects, with the Oak Room and Oak Bar being celebrated fixtures.

Notable events and guests

The hotel has hosted an extraordinary roster of guests, from political figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Fidel Castro to entertainment icons such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe. It was the site of the famed 1955 Gridiron Dinner and the 1966 wedding of Truman Capote's Black and White Ball. Fictional characters also made their mark, most notably Eloise, the children's book character created by Kay Thompson. The venue has been central to numerous society weddings, charity galas, and film premieres throughout its history.

In popular culture

The hotel is deeply embedded in global popular culture, serving as a setting for numerous films including Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, the comedy Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and The Great Gatsby. It is famously the home of Eloise in the series of books by Kay Thompson, illustrated by Hilary Knight. The building has been referenced in songs by artists like Kanye West and Lana Del Rey, and has appeared in television series from The Twilight Zone to Gossip Girl, cementing its status as a symbol of New York City glamour.

Ownership and management

Ownership has changed hands among several prominent entities, including Conrad Hilton, the Trump Organization under Donald Trump, and a consortium including Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. Since 2018, the majority owners have been Qatar's Katara Hospitality and India's Sahara India Pariwar. Management has been overseen by major hotel groups, including Hilton Worldwide, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and briefly Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. The hotel's operations have often been intertwined with high-profile real estate deals and complex financial arrangements reflective of the Manhattan property market.

Category:Hotels in Manhattan Category:National Historic Landmarks in New York City Category:Buildings and structures on Fifth Avenue