How do you honor the 90-year history and cultural legacy of a New York City icon while planning its next chapter? 

At the Waldorf Astoria New York, we approached this question through a comprehensive transformation, a methodical work of preservation, and a meticulous restoration. The interplay between all three approaches informed thousands of decisions over the course of design and construction. 

While 96 percent of the building was converted from a 1,400-room hotel into a 372-unit luxury residence and a 375-key hotel, the remaining 62,000 square feet—encompassing the iconic lobbies, corridors, ballroom, and event spaces—was carefully restored in collaboration with Higgins Quasebarth & Partners and Building Conservation Associates to recapture the hotel’s original 1931 splendor. 

The result is a rejuvenation: the Waldorf Astoria New York serves a new role in the city, while remaining true to its history as one of the finest examples of Art Deco design. This work has been recognized with a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the highest honors for outstanding preservation excellence in New York City.