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Our Story
Hotel Story
To tell the story of New York is, in some sense, to tell the story of the Waldorf Astoria. Like the city itself, this storied hotel is more than a place — the Waldorf Astoria is a legend — one that has drawn cultural icons, world leaders, and visiting royalty. It has also been home to a legacy of extraordinary moments. Explore the illustrious history of Waldorf Astoria New York, and discover why it became known as The Greatest of Them All.
Design
Reinvention, from sidewalk to spire
Renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, in collaboration with interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and a team of skilled preservationist and craftsmen, meticulously restored the hotel’s iconic exterior and interior spaces.
In this once-in-a-lifetime restoration, they introduced contemporary design updates, state-of-the-art technology, and modern amenities, while preserving the hotel’s timeless radiance and allure.
A Legend – Then, Now, Always
Destined for Greatness
Conrad Hilton recognized something extraordinary about the Waldorf Astoria. He kept a photo of the hotel on his desk, on which he had written a single phrase: “The Greatest of Them All.”
Culinary Innovator
Waldorf Astoria New York’s restaurants have changed the face of fine dining, introducing and popularizing scores of celebrated dishes, including Eggs Benedict, Red Velvet Cake, Lobster Newburg, and, of course, its namesake salad. The hotel’s culinary team also invented Room Service, first offered to prominent guests to dine in privacy and comfort, and now a standard for travelers around the world.
Birth of the Met Gala
In post-War New York, pioneering style and fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert secured funding for the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute. To celebrate its inauguration, Lambert hosted donors at Waldorf Astoria New York’s Grand Ballroom, launching the global phenomenon now known as the Met Gala.
Dawn of the Digital Age
Heralding the start of the Digital Era, IBM introduced the first Personal Computer at a press conference in the Waldorf Astoria New York’s Grand Ballroom on August 12, 1981. It was the IBM PC’s then-radical design, which ultimately made personal computing accessible to the masses.
A Starring Role
With its aura of glamour and legacy of star-studded galas and gatherings, Waldorf Astoria New York has been both host and home to generations of Hollywood stars, becoming a global icon in its own right. The hotel has also made appearances in scores of movies, including The Godfather, Coming to America, Scent of a Woman, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Catch Me If You Can.
Rock & Roll Royalty
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s ceremonies were held annually at Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand ballroom for decades. Among many unforgettable moments was the closing performance by Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen, of the Beatles classic “Let It Be” to a rapt audience.
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