In early 2017, New York City’s iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel will close for about three years as the property undergoes a major conversion, turning a large portion of its guestrooms into Midtown condominiums. Of the hotel’s 1,413 rooms, roughly 1,100 will be refurbished and sold as private residences, while the remaining rooms will receive an extensive, luxury renovation to preserve the hotel’s legacy of high-end hospitality.
Since the original Waldorf opened in 1893, the property has seen periodic updates, but the most comprehensive work in over a century is planned after China-based Anbang Insurance Group acquired the building in 2015. The new ownership has committed to restoring and modernizing the entire property while maintaining the landmark’s historic character.
There is concern about the impact on the workforce: about 1,500 staff members currently support full hotel operations, and many roles will change once a majority of rooms become residential. Anbang has stated that the residences will feature five-star amenities and 24-hour services, which suggests ongoing demand for an experienced staff to manage concierge, housekeeping, maintenance and other luxury services for condo residents.
Located on Park Avenue, just north of Grand Central Terminal, the Waldorf Astoria has long hosted notable guests, from Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra to every serving U.S. president since Herbert Hoover. The renovation aims to balance modern comforts and services with preservation of the hotel’s storied history, ensuring that the building continues to serve as a distinguished address in Manhattan.