In September, the Waldorf Astoria New York re-opens its doors and shines with new splendour, thanks to the work of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, which has renovated the spaces by meticulously preserving the Art Deco aura (and charisma) of the building and enhancing its character as an iconic venue for luxury hospitality.
The historic hotel designed by Schultze & Weaver at 301 Park Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets in Midtown Manhattan, has been an epicentre of New York society and culture since its opening in 1931: a legacy that the firm has embraced and reinterpreted with grace and responsibility. “Few buildings have a legacy like the Waldorf Astoria, and for a full-scale renovation like this, upholding that legacy is an incredible responsibility,” said SOM Partner Kenneth A. Lewis. “We had to dive deep into the building’s past. Every room and detail has its own story, and our goal was to return to and pay our deepest respect to the building’s origins. These public spaces now look as spectacular as they did 94 years ago”.
After careful archival research, the project involved the renovation of all public spaces, brought back to their original appearance, without any historical additions or layers, from the atriums to the spectacular Grand Ballroom, from the mirror-covered corridor to the period furnishings. Between the seventh and fifteenth floors, the rearrangement of the interiors allowed for the creation of 375 five-star hotel rooms and 372 luxury residential units in substitution of the original 1,400 rooms. Apartments and rooms, each reconfigured by SOM according to a unique layout, were designed in the interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon and Jean-Louis Deniot, with particular attention to balancing contemporary needs with the spirit of the place.
The exteriors also reveal their soul once again, thanks to meticulous work in interpreting the historical typological and material characteristics, reviving to its former glory the limestone and grey brick façade punctuated by terracotta, aluminium and cast stone spandrels, reintegrated according to the original design. “The result of all this research is a methodical work of preservation, a meticulous restoration, and a comprehensive transformation all at once,” said SOM Principal Frank Mahan. “Every single inch of this building has been carefully and thoughtfully renovated. We’ve reestablished Schultze & Weaver’s original design intent throughout the landmarked interior, while upgrading the building to contemporary standards”.