After eight years of restoration works, New York’s famous Waldorf Astoria has reopened its doors. Have a look at the renovated Art Deco interiors and new additions.
When the Waldorf Astoria opened in 1931, the building designed by Schultze & Weaver became one of New York’s best examples of the Art Deco movement. However, over the years – especially during the 1960s – many alterations were made to the original interiors, and a renovation was overdue.
In 2017, the hotel closed its doors for what would turn out to be an eight-year renovation. Global architecture firm SOM was asked to return the Waldorf Astoria hotel to its former glory, and in order to do so, they looked at the original blueprints of the building, carefully putting back the Art Deco details that went missing over the years.
“We delved into the records of the hotel and the archives of The Wolfsonian, which holds thousands of documents produced by Schultze & Weaver at Florida International University. These records included the full specification book, original drawings, renderings, and early photographs – offering a clear view into the building’s evolution”, SOM said in a statement.
The building
When the hotel closed down in 2017, it counted no less than 1,400 rooms. Now, upon its reopening, the 190 metre-tall building houses 375 hotel rooms and 372 private residences.
While the façade was mainly cleaned, some cluttering additions were hidden in order to restore its architectural balance, and a second porte cochere was added in order to separate residents from hotel guests. All the 5,600 windows were replaced by ones more closely resembling the original design from 1931.
The 5,760 square metres of public space have been recognised as an interior landmark since 2017; they were treated with extensive attention to detail, conserving and restoring as many original features as possible. For example, Louis Rigal’s Wheel of Life mosaic in the Park Avenue foyer was restored and backlit, and luminous marble panels were added on the ceiling as a historic photograph revealed their initial existence.
The Waldorf Astoria’s most well-known feature, the Grand Ballroom, also underwent an intensive renovation. The three-story room with a 1,500-person capacity was equipped with incorporated luminescent cove lighting, as originally intended by Schultze & Weaver and soundproofed, while details such as the bas relief medallion on the ceiling were carefully restored.
Hotel rooms
As far as the hotel rooms are concerned, the standard rooms have been doubled in size compared to those from 2017, and the suites have also been expanded. French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon took care of the interior design, offering a contemporary take on Art Deco. The rooms were divided into 11 different categories, while five speciality suites will be opening this fall.
The Guerlain Wellness Spa will offer a luxurious relaxation space for guests as of this fall, designed by interior studio Wimberly Interiors. 16 treatment rooms, a fitness centre, and two Guerlain boutiques will offer a complete spa experience.
“Every treatment becomes part of a personalised journey rooted in the four foundational pillars of Guerlain Wellness: Nutrition, Movement, Sleep, and Mindfulness. These elements shape curated retreats and programs designed to nurture vitality, emotional balance, and inner harmony over time”, the Waldorf Astoria hotel writes in a press release.
Aside from luxurious rooms and a spa, the hotel also offers a wide range of culinary experiences. At Peacock Alley, guests will be able to find an extensive cocktail menu by mixology expert Jeff Bell, accompanied by light bites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Signature restaurant Lex Yard by Michael Anthony concentrates on seasonal ingredients and refined dining. And at Yoshoku by Ry Nitzkowski, the Japanese culinary tradition is reimagined through a New York lens.
Private residences
The private residences count one to four bedrooms, boast views over the city, and have their own range of private amenities on the top floors – including a 25-meter Starlight Pool overlooking Park Avenue, a fitness centre, wellness area, gaming room, and a theatre. The most spectacular apartments are now lodged inside the twin copper pinnacles, offering duplex penthouses. Prices start at $1.875 million per condominium.
“From the street to the pinnacle, this project is a complete transformation of one of New York’s most treasured landmarks. Our blend of preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse bridges the gap between the past and future, reestablishing the grandeur of the city’s ‘unofficial palace’ and setting the stage for the building’s second century”, SOM stated.
The hotel’s reopening in 2025 doesn’t come as a surprise, as the Art Deco movement celebrates its 100th anniversary, with events being organised across the globe.
