A preservation plan approved by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission Wednesday for the Plaza Hotel will preserve most of its famous interior public spaces such as the Oak Bar, the Oak Room, the Grand Ballroom, the Edwardian Room and the Palm Court and permit the reinstallation of a "skylight," or "laylight," in the Palm Court.
The commission also approved a waiver to permit the creation of 39,000 square feet of commercial space.
Before the 8 to 0 decision, with one abstention, Elad Properties, which purchased the hotel last year for about $675 million, said it would recreate domed glass ceiling in the Palm Court, a plan suggested by the commission at a recent hearing.
When the famous hotel at Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets expanded in 1921, the addition blocked the natural light hitting the skylight, which was removed a generation later because of blackout concerns for air raids. The new plan will utilize artificial lights above the skylight.
The hotel was closed recently for renovations, estimated to cost about $350 million, by Elad, which will reduce the number of hotel rooms from 800 to 350 and create 180 condominium apartments. It is expected to reopen late next year for its centennial.
The commission also approved a waiver to permit the creation of 39,000 square feet of commercial space.
Before the 8 to 0 decision, with one abstention, Elad Properties, which purchased the hotel last year for about $675 million, said it would recreate domed glass ceiling in the Palm Court, a plan suggested by the commission at a recent hearing.
When the famous hotel at Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets expanded in 1921, the addition blocked the natural light hitting the skylight, which was removed a generation later because of blackout concerns for air raids. The new plan will utilize artificial lights above the skylight.
The hotel was closed recently for renovations, estimated to cost about $350 million, by Elad, which will reduce the number of hotel rooms from 800 to 350 and create 180 condominium apartments. It is expected to reopen late next year for its centennial.
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
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