ThePlazaHotel

[MrBern]

100 years old today!

The Plaza Hotel in 1907. The Plaza opened 100 years ago, on Oct. 1, 1907, and the first guest checked into the Plaza was Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt

NYT article on Plaza opened 1907

a 1907 advertisement showing the Plaza’s original prices. A room went for as little as $2.50 a day ($4 with bath). A room with a parlor, two bedrooms and two baths was $25 a day.

and check out the scale model birthday cake

 

[dhermann1]

The Plaza

You mean the condo formerly known as The Plaza Hotel?
I saw Angela Lansbury walk through the lobby there once, wearing a (VERY nice) fake leopard skin coat. All heads turned as she went by. Absolutely regal. Last year my girlfriend played for a small reception there, so I hung out in the lobby for a while. Mighty nice spot. It's a major disgrace and an outright scandal this condo thing was allowed to happen. I suppose we should be grateful it wasn't torn down.

 

[Fletch]

I suppose - they tried in the 60s, I know that.

Last I heard they were still going to book rooms, but only 100 or so and only overlooking 58th St. The rest - private spaces.

My theory on Mr. Trump (former owner) is that he never sells property except to people who are even more shameless than he is. He probably admired the chutzpa of these folks, proposing to take a privately owned landmark even more fully private.

 

[Tomasso]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with this deal. I couldn't care less if they're now condos in the building. It's not as if any of the amenities will be lost. The reality is that the Plaza was sorely in need of renovation and Trump (or any other hotelier) wasn't prepared to spend the amount needed to properly restore the property. BTW, the hotel/condo/co-op model is almost as old as the Plaza itself. If I can still walk up the red carpeted steps and stroll though Palm Court on my way to the Oak Bar then all is well in NYC.