The news that The Plaza Hotel will close in January for four years of exterior repairs has shocked New Yorkers. One of our most beloved landmarks, The Plaza is an enduring symbol of New York recognized around the world.
Equally troubling is the suggestion that “landmark regulations” are responsible for the length and complexity of the project.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) reviews proposed exterior work on designated landmarks to ensure that historic features are properly preserved. Routine restoration projects are approved regularly, including work on some of the city’s most intricate historic facades. The landmark review process does not explain why this project is expected to take four years.
The Conservancy’s Role at The Plaza
The Conservancy has a special relationship with The Plaza. We have held our annual Living Landmarks galas there since 1994, and we hold a preservation easement on the hotel’s exterior. Under that easement, we inspect the facade and review covered work to help ensure the building is properly maintained and its historic character protected.
We have worked alongside the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to review and approve numerous exterior projects at The Plaza over the years.
A History of Successful Restoration
When the El-Ad Group purchased The Plaza in 2004, they sought to turn its public rooms into retail areas. The Conservancy led a successful campaign to protect these extraordinary rooms, and they were designated as interior landmarks in 2005. These include the Grand Ballroom, Terrace Room, Palm Court, and Fifth Avenue Lobby.
El-Ad subsequently undertook a reported $400–$450 million renovation in the fall of 2005 that included exterior and roof work, a smaller hotel operation, and the conversion of the Central Park-facing portion of the building into condominiums. The newly landmarked public rooms received meticulous restoration. All this took slightly less than three years.
El-Ad was so proud of the results that it published a substantial book, The Plaza Unveiled, documenting the work and hosted a celebration for the Conservancy.
That experience demonstrated that major investment and historic preservation can go hand in hand.
Questions About the Current Plans
Katara Hospitality, owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, has owned The Plaza since 2018. The company did not notify us of its plans for the proposed exterior work. We reached out to remind its representatives that exterior work requires our approval.
We are committed to working constructively with Katara and the LPC to ensure that the restoration is appropriate and carried out to the highest standards. But important questions remain: Why is the work expected to take four years? Why must the hotel’s interiors close while exterior repairs are underway? And what work is planned, and on what timetable?
We would welcome clear answers from the owner. Historic preservation should not be used as a catch-all explanation for a project’s schedule.
The People Behind The Plaza
Our concern extends beyond the building itself. The Plaza’s hotel and event staff have become friends to us over decades of celebrations. The announced closure has disrupted travel plans, weddings, and charitable fundraisers. The ballroom was fully booked for next year. We are concerned about the consequences for the employees and event professionals whose livelihoods depend on the hotel.
El-Ad came to understand just how much The Plaza means to New York. We hope Katara Hospitality will recognize that responsibility, too.
