$350 million restoration to include re-creation of the Palm Court’s original 1907 laylight. On July 12, 2005, Landmarks voted to designate eight interior rooms in the Plaza Hotel; the Palm Court, the Grand Ballroom, the Terrace and Edwardian Rooms, the Oak Room and Oak Bar, and the 59th Street and Fifth Avenue lobbies. The Plaza’s exterior had been designated in 1969.

Landmarks calendared the interior rooms’ designation after the Plaza’s new owners, Elad Properties, filed a change of use application with the City, seeking to allow permanent retail space in areas like the Terrace and Edwardian Rooms as part of its proposed conversion of the hotel to condominiums. 2 CityLand 41 (Apr. 15, 2005). After two public hearings where there was strong support for the interior rooms’ designation (2 CityLand 92 (Jul. 15, 2005)), all Commissioners on July 12, 2005 enthusiastically and unanimously approved their designation. Chair Robert B. Tierney summed up his feelings by saying it was a proud moment for Landmarks and that he could not think of a series of rooms that were more evocative of New York City and its history. (read more…)

The Plaza’s new owners testify in support, claiming $350 million to be spent on restoration. Landmarks held two public hearings in June on the proposed designation of interior spaces in the Plaza Hotel, including the Oak Room and Oak Bar, the Terrace and Edwardian Rooms, the Palm Court, the Grand Ballroom’s first floor, and the two entrance lobbies at West 59th Street and Grand Army Plaza. While the exterior of the Plaza was designated an individual landmark in 1969, no interior rooms were designated. Landmarks voted in March to consider the interior designations after the Plaza’s new owners, Elad Properties, filed a change of use application with the City seeking to permit permanent retail space in areas like the Terrace and Edwardian Rooms, historically used as hotel function rooms. See 2 CityLand 41 (Apr. 15, 2005).

The Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council, AIA and the Municipal Arts Society testified with others in support of the designation at the first hearing on June 7, 2005, but Elad failed to testify. At the June 28th hearing, Landmarks heard testimony on three applications: the potential designation; the application to change the use, which needed Landmarks review of the preservation purpose relating to the change; and a permit for proposed alterations to the Plaza’s exterior, which included enlarging some window openings. (read more…)

Landmarks takes first step towards designation of the Plaza’s interiors. On March 8, 2005, Landmarks voted to hold a hearing on the designation of five public interior rooms of the Plaza Hotel: the Oak Room, the Oak Bar, the Palm Court and the entrance lobbies at West 59th Street and Grand Army Plaza. By a second vote on March 15, 2005, Landmarks added the Plaza’s Terrace Room and first floor of the Grand Ballroom to its consideration.

The Oak Room, the Oak Bar and the West 59th Street lobby retain most of Henry Hardenbergh’s original 1905 design. Landmarks noted that the Palm Court, which still contains the original mirrored arched openings, marble Corinthian columns, and carytids, carved supporting columns, was modified in 1941 by Conrad Hilton when he acquired the hotel. The Grand Army Plaza lobby, the Terrace Room, and the Grand Ballroom date to a 1921 addition to the Plaza completed by Warren & Wetmore. Landmarks noted that the Grand Ballroom, known for its ornate chandeliers and balconies, was the location of Truman Capote’s famous 1966 Black & White Costume Ball. To be designated, Landmarks must first hold a public hearing, which has not yet been scheduled. (read more…)