The transformation of Waldorf Astoria in New York is nearly a decade in the making, and after eight years of construction, our revival of this Art Deco icon is nearly complete.

For the first time since 2017, the doors to the Waldorf Astoria’s ornate, block-long lobby is open to the public. New York Magazine and The New York Times offer a first look into these spaces, and a sneak preview of what’s to come.

Describing “a renovation that combines museum-quality restoration mixed with back-to-bare steel rehab,” architecture critic Justin Davidson lauds SOM’s work to recapture the splendor of Schultze & Weaver’s Waldorf, from the landmarked interior—a 62,000-square-foot series of opulent public spaces—to the transformation of 96 percent of the building into a luxury residence and boutique, five-star hotel.

For NYT, Julie Satow delved into the details of the public spaces, starting from the Park Avenue Lobby and Peacock Alley before rising to the Grand Ballroom and Silver Corridor above. “The architects from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which oversaw the renovation, spent years plumbing the Schultze & Weaver archives, and cross-referencing them with thousands of old photographs and colorized postcards,” she wrote. That research informed thousands of decisions over the course of design and construction, creating a “gleaming and refreshed” space reminiscent of the original architect’s vision.