DOCSLIB.ORG

To Download a PDF of an Interview with Ronen

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
To Download a PDF of an Interview with Ronen Reshaping an Icon An Interview with Ronen Nissenbaum, Managing Director, Waldorf Astoria New York The Waldorf Astoria New York Park Avenue Lobby (left) and entrance (above) EDITORS’ NOTE Ronen Nissenbaum There are very few iconic brands Hilton has signed a management contract for was named to his current post in and hotels where you say the name 100 years – that’s a fi rst in the industry, and June of 2014. He formerly served and everybody knows exactly what a clear statement to our team members that as the President and CEO of The you mean. we are here to stay. Communicating that we Plaza Group including oversee- The Waldorf Astoria New York envision a multiyear project that will bring ing the Plaza Hotel in New York is at the pinnacle of the hotel industry the Waldorf Astoria to its rightful place has as well as development of the Plaza in terms of property size, revenues, generated a lot of excitement within the team, hotel brand. Prior to this role, he and profits. I enjoy big properties and we all look forward to being a part of held extensive leadership posi- with enormous development poten- this legacy. tions at properties around the tial. This is the only full city block The Waldorf brand was born in this build- globe including Senior Executive hotel in New York with 1,413 guest ing and it will continue to be the fl agship of Vice President of Operations at rooms. Even though there are hotels 27 Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world. Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Ronen Nissenbaum with more rooms, the size of their Even if the rooms come down to 800 Nissenbaum’s other global hospital- rooms are relatively small in com- or so in number, at that size, can you still ity positions include senior management roles parison and the buildings typically occupy offer luxury and personalized service? with Forte hotels in London and Euro Disney one-third or a quarter of a block. Our diverse Part of luxury is personalized experi- in Paris. Nissenbaum also had a successful 13- meeting facilities are exceptional and host ence. We have hundreds of customers who year tenure with InterContinental Hotel Group the most prestigious clients in the city. The communicate to us that they are amazed holding various roles from General Manager in Waldorf Astoria has unique room confi gura- with the personalized service they receive – Tel-Aviv, Berlin, Paris, and Atlanta to Regional tions and historic facilities – it’s a landmark that is today, in a 1,413-room hotel. Our Vice President of Operations for North America hotel, which has hosted an extraordinary ar- most loyal and frequent guests enjoy a level where he was responsible for 16 owned and ray of royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities. of personalized service that most 150-room managed Intercontinental Hotels. His hospital- The fact that it is currently owned by properties don’t achieve. With potentially ity career began with positions in the front of- Hilton and will be managed by Hilton for 100 fewer rooms in the new Waldorf Astoria, fice and food & beverage departments at years is an important element in the decision one can expect an even higher level of properties in Belgium, Switzerland, and Israel. process. In my opinion, it has always been personalized service. Nissenbaum earned an executive M.B.A. from about working for people rather than compa- Irrespective of the hotel’s final design, the renowned Goizueta Business School at nies and fi nding the right industry leaders to our commitment to creating inspirational en- Emory University. He is a graduate of the Swiss follow, learn from, and associate with. The vironments where events of extraordinary Hotel School “Les Roches.” He is also a veteran of opportunity to work with the Hilton leader- importance occur will be part of the Waldorf the Israeli Air Force and an offi cer of the Israeli ship team was very exciting. moving forward. Our commitment to True Defense Forces as IDF Spokesperson. I was also attracted to Hilton’s tremen- Waldorf Service and developing the authentic dous growth – it has more hotels in the pipe- moments that the rich and the famous, as PROPERTY BRIEF The most legendary land- line than any other hotel company in the well as the general public, experience at the mark on Park Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria New world. This is a result of the incredible en- hotel are equally important. Those three fac- York (waldorfnewyork.com), has occupied its ergy, enthusiasm, and culture of Hilton’s lead- tors are most important to me – inspirational current location since 1931. Originally opened ership, which is truly palpable. environments, where authentic moments oc- on Fifth Avenue in 1893, the Waldorf Astoria The opportunity to be a part of reshaping cur, delivered with true Waldorf service. is one of New York’s premier luxury hotels, and the Waldorf Astoria into the next century was With inspirational environments like offers a choice of 1,413 rooms and suites. This instrumental in my decision to pursue this Peacock Alley, the restored Park Avenue lobby, includes the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, an role. The result of future investments will en- Silver Corridor, Starlight Roof, Vanderbilt and intimate, richly appointed luxury hotel, which sure that the Waldorf Astoria regains its right- Empire Rooms in the main building, and occupy the top 14 fl oors of the property, featur- ful position as “the greatest of them all.” The Towers residential and historic apart- ing 101 suites and 79 executive guest rooms, How important is the communication ments, we have created an extraordinary ex- with exclusive entrance steps off Park Avenue in to reassure your people that some of the perience in the city. We provide authentic the heart of midtown Manhattan. One can ex- tradition and history will be maintained moments through ultimate dining experi- perience refi ned cuisine at the legendary Bull & as you bring the property into the future? ences at Bull & Bear and Peacock Alley, a Bear Prime Steakhouse and the gem of the ho- The passion and love that the Waldorf “Meet me at the Clock” moment as a pre- tel’s lobby, Peacock Alley, along with person- Astoria Team members have for this hotel has lude to events of signifi cance, and roof-to-ta- alized pampering at the Guerlain Spa. resulted in a culture unlike anywhere else in ble dining and spa treatments. To top that off the world. with true Waldorf service that is genuinely How did you know that this role would be For most people, change can be unsettling delivered by our staff, one can only have but the right fi t and what excited you about the and the best way to alleviate their concerns is a single destination in the city: The Waldorf opportunity? through honest and sincere communication. Astoria and Towers New York.• 98 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2015 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 38, NUMBER 1.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hotel Administration 1962-1963
    CORNELL UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCEMENTS JULY 24, 1962 HOTEL ADMINISTRATION 1962-1963 SCHOOL OF HOTEL ADMINISTRATION ACADEMIC CALENDAR (Tentative) 1962-1963 1963-1964 Sept. 15. ...S ..................Freshman Orientation......................................................Sept. 21... .S Sept. 17...M ..................Registration, new students..............................................Sept. 23...M Sept. 18...T ..................Registration, old students................................................Sept. 24...T Sept. 19...W ..................Instruction begins, 1 p.m.................................................Sept. 25...W Nov. 7....W ..................Midterm grades due..........................................................Nov. 13...W Thanksgiving recess: Nov. 21.. .W ..................Instruction suspended, 12:50 p.m.................................. Nov. 27...W Nov. 26...M..................Instruction resumed, 8 a.m..............................................Dec. 2 ....M Dec. 19. .. .V V ..................Christmas recess..................................................................Dec. 21... .S Instruction suspended: 10 p.m. in 1962, 12:50 p.m. in 1963 Jan. 3.. .Th ..................Instruction resumed, 8 a.m............................................. Jan. 6... ,M Jan. 19 S..................First-term instruction ends............................................Jan. 25 S Jan. 21....M...................Second-term registration, old students......................Jan. 27....M Jan. 22. ...T ...................Examinations begin.........................................................Jan.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Hospitality Report Manhattan 2015
    FALL HOSPITALITY REPORT (2015) MANHATTAN FALL HOSPITALITY REPORT MANHATTAN 2015 1 | P a g e FALL HOSPITALITY REPORT (2015) MANHATTAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY According to the Starr report, Manhattan’s hotel sector has been growing by over 4.0 % since 2010 both by ADR and number of rooms. The demand still far exceeds supply especially for 5 star brands. Early in the hotel recovery in 2011, three star brands grew in number of rooms and ADR initially. As the recovery went into full swing by late 2013, four and five star hotel development continued to outpace three star hotel growth. Global investors are seeking five star hotel product in Manhattan and at $1.0 million up to $2.0 million per key. For instance, Chinese investors bought the Waldorf Astoria and the Baccarat Hotels both at substantially above $1.0 million per key. Manhattan is one of the best hotel markets in the world between growing tourism and inexpensive accommodations compared to other global gateway cities like London, Paris, Moscow, Hong Kong, etc. Any established global hotel brand also requires a presence in Manhattan. In 2014 alone, 4,348 keys were added to Manhattan’s existing 108,592 rooms. Currently, another 14,272 rooms are under construction in the city and about 4000 keys (1/3) are for boutique hotels. As of July 2015, the Manhattan market has approximately 118,000 keys. They are segmented as follows: Currently, there is a 4.0% annual compounded growth rate. Despite this growth, demand for hotel rooms from tourism, conventions, cultural events, and corporate use continues to grow as Manhattan is one of the most desirable locations for all of the above uses especially tourism from Asia and Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Media Contact: Jessica Busch Phone: (858) 217-3572 Email: [email protected]
    Media Contact: Jessica Busch Phone: (858) 217-3572 Email: [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CUMMING CONTINUES FOCUS ON STRATEGIC NATIONWIDE EXPANSION WITH OPENING OF NEW YORK CITY OFFICE, BRINGS ON SEVERAL INDUSTRY VETERANS NEW YORK - (Oct. 15, 2013) – Cumming, an international project management and cost consulting firm, announced today it will further expand its East Coast presence with the opening of a New York office and the hiring of veteran talent. Supporting a nationwide growth plan, the construction management firm’s Midtown office located at 60 East 42nd Street will focus on serving the Greater New York City-area and growing its client base. “Expanding Cumming’s geographical footprint with a New York City office and adding leaders that have deep Tri-State experience, will allow us to better serve our clients as construction in the region continues to rebound,” said Peter Heald, President at Cumming. While the firm has been involved with numerous projects in the Greater New York City-area since 1998 - representing approximately $2 billion in development value - Cumming is solidifying its commitment to clients by adding a physical office and key senior talent. Regional project experience includes: EDITION New York, Waldorf Astoria New York, World Trade Center Towers 2 & 4, West 57th Street by Hilton Club, New York Public Library, Westchester County Medical Center, 432 Park Avenue, and SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, among many others. Cumming’s New York-based team specializes in program, project and cost management. The team supports clients nationwide and across a broad range of building sectors. Noteworthy regional leaders that have recently joined the firm include: • John Perez, Vice President - Joining Cumming as Vice President, John has more than 26 years of construction and facilities management experience.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Luckman Papers, 1908-2000
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8057gjv No online items Charles Luckman Papers, 1908-2000 Clay Stalls William H. Hannon Library Loyola Marymount University One LMU Drive, MS 8200 Los Angeles, CA 90045-8200 Phone: (310) 338-5710 Fax: (310) 338-5895 Email: [email protected] URL: http://library.lmu.edu/ © 2012 Loyola Marymount University. All rights reserved. Charles Luckman Papers, CSLA-34 1 1908-2000 Charles Luckman Papers, 1908-2000 Collection number: CSLA-34 William H. Hannon Library Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California Processed by: Clay Stalls Date Completed: 2008 Encoded by: Clay Stalls © 2012 Loyola Marymount University. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Title: Charles Luckman papers Dates: 1908-2000 Collection number: CSLA-34 Creator: Luckman, Charles Collection Size: 101 archival document boxes; 16 oversize boxes; 2 unboxed scrapbooks, 2 flat files Repository: Loyola Marymount University. Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections. Los Angeles, California 90045-2659 Abstract: This collection consists of the personal papers of the architect and business leader Charles Luckman (1909-1999). Luckman was president of Pepsodent and Lever Brothers in the 1940s. In the 1950s, with William Pereira, he resumed his architectural career. Luckman eventually developed his own nationally-known firm, responsible for such buildings as the Boston Prudential Center, the Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles, and New York's Madison Square Garden. Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English Access Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University. Publication Rights Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • Chaim Gross (1904-1991)
    CHAIM GROSS (1904-1991) BORN: Wolowa, East Austria EDUCATION: 1919, 1920 Academy of Art, Budapest 1921 Kunstgewerbe Schule, Vienna 1921-1926 Educational Alliance Art School, New York 1922-1925 Beaux-Arts Institute of Design, New York 1926 Arts Students League, New York ONE-PERSON EXHIBITIONS: 1932 Exhibition of Sculpture by Chaim Gross, Gallery 144, New York 1935 Sculpture, Boyer Galleries, Philadelphia, PA 1935 Store Studio Galleries, Boston, MA 1937 Chaim Gross, Boyer Galleries, Boyer Galleries NYC, New York 1939 Sculpture Chaim Gross, Cooperative Gallery, Newark, New Jersey 1942 Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1943 Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1945 Chaim Gross, Muriel Latov Interiors, Springfield, MA 1946 Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1946 Massillon Museum, Massillon, OH 1947 Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1948 Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1949 Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1950 Massillon Museum, Massillon, OH 1952 Chaim Gross Sculpture & Drawings, State Teachers College, New Paltz, NY Chaim Gross Watercolors & Sculpture, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA Associated American Artists Galleries, New York 1953 Chaim Gross Exhibition The Jewish Museum, New York, NY Sculptures & Drawings, Muriel Latow Gallery, Springfield, MA 1955 Sculptures, Watercolors & Drawings, The Shore Studio Galleries, Boston, MA 1957 Chaim Gross Exhibition, Duveen-Graham Gallery, New York 1961 Chaim Gross, Marble Arch Gallery, Miami, FL 1962 Chaim
    [Show full text]
  • SCOUT Participating Property List
    SCOUT Participating Property List Inn Code Brand Property name ABEAW GI Hilton Garden Inn Allentown West PA ABEGI GI Hilton Garden Inn Allentown-Airport PA ABEHW HW Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown-West, PA ABIAB GI Hilton Garden Inn Abilene TX ABITX HX Hampton Inn Abilene ABQAA GI Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Airport ABQAP HW Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque-Airport NM ABQCO XS Hampton Inn & Suites Albuquerque-Coors Road NM ABQDU HT Home2 Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Downtown/University ABQEM ES Embassy Suites Albuquerque ABQMT HX Hampton Inn Albuquerque-University (UNM) NM ABQRR GI Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque North/Rio Rancho ABQSP XS Hampton Inn & Suites Albuquerque Airport ABQUP GI Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Uptown, NM ABRSD XS Hampton Inn & Suites Aberdeen ABYDR XS Hampton Inn & Suites Albany ABYGI GI Hilton Garden Inn Albany, GA ACTHM HW Homewood Suites by Hilton Waco TX ACTKL GI Hilton Garden Inn Killeen ACTSO XS Hampton Inn & Suites Waco-South TX ACTWC HX Hampton Inn Waco ACTWH HF Hilton Waco TX ADDIL XS Hampton Inn & Suites Addison ADMAR GI Hilton Garden Inn Ardmore, OK ADMRW XS Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Ardmore AEXLA XS Hampton Inn & Suites Alexandria LA AEXMV XS Hampton Inn & Suites Marskville AGOHW HW Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills, CA AGSAG GI Hilton Garden Inn Augusta AGSAW HT Home2 Suites by Hilton Augusta AGSDT DT Doubletree Hotel Augusta AGSGA HX Hampton Inn Augusta-Washington Rd. @ I-20 GA AGSGH HX Hampton Inn Augusta/Gordon Highway AGSSC HW Homewood Suites by Hilton Augusta AGSTH HX Hampton
    [Show full text]
  • Hotel Development in NYC Hotel Development In
    Hotel Development in NYC Hotel Development in NYC Welcome to New York. From the Bronx to Brooklyn, across Queens to Staten Island’s new North Shore, new hotel properties are joining the dynamic developments in Manhattan, as the hotel pipeline in New York City continues to outpace the US growth picture. With a range of ground up new buildings, restorations of historic buildings, and expansions, the outlook for new inventory supports the city’s Welcome. Always. message to visitors offering accommodations to suit all traveler needs and preferences. Over the past decade the city has attracted new brands, international properties, authentic neighborhood independents, and a wide-ranging collection of select service brands, business class hotels, lifestyle and boutique properties, and new luxury destinations. This report covers almost 200 hotels and projects, including almost a dozen new entries, that represent an additional 20,000 rooms to the city’s already diverse inventory. At the current pace, the city is expected to reach almost 139,000 rooms in active inventory by the end of 2021. For calendar year 2018, 18 new hotels opened with a total of approximately 3,400 rooms added to the City’s supply. Among the new openings are the upscale Park Terrace across from Bryant Park in midtown, the Aliz Hotel Times Square, the City’s first TownePlace Suites by Marriott, the Insignia Hotel in Brooklyn, a member of the Ascend Collection, Mr. C Seaport, a Leading Hotels of the World member, and The Assemblage John Street, a co-working space with extended stay accommodations in Lower Manhattan.
    [Show full text]
  • A Self Guided Tour
    Things to See in Midtown Manhattan | A Self Guided Tour Midtown Manhattan Self-Guided Tour Empire State Building Herald Square Macy's Flagship Store New York Times Times Square Bank of America Tower Bryant Park former American Radiator building New York Public Library Grand Central Terminal Chanin Building Chrysler Building United Nations Headquarters MetLife Building Helmsley Building Waldorf Astoria New York Saks Fifth Avenue St. Patrick's Cathedral Rockefeller Center The Museum of Modern Art Carnegie Hall Trump Tower Tiffany & Co. Bloomingdale's Serendipity 3 Roosevelt Island Tram Self-guided Tour of Midtown Manhattan by Free Tours By Foot Free Tours by Foot's Midtown Manhattan Self-Guided Tour If you would like a guided experience, we offer several walking tours of Midtown Manhattan. Our tours have no cost to book and have a pay-what-you-like policy. This tour is also available in an anytime, GPS-enabled audio tour . Starting Point: The tour starts at the Empire State Building l ocated at 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets. For exact directions from your starting point use this helpful G oogle directions tool . By subway: 34th Street-Herald Square (Subway lines B, D, F, N, Q, R, V, W) or 33rd Street Station by 6 train. By ferry: You can now take a ferry to 34th Street and walk or take the M34 bus to 5th Avenue. Read our post on the East River Ferry If you are taking one of the many hop-on, hop-off bus tours such as Big Bus Tours or Grayline , all have stops at the Empire State Building.
    [Show full text]
  • Hotel Development in NYC Hotel Development In
    Hotel Development in NYC Hotel Development in NYC Welcome to New York. The hotel pipeline of active developments, renovations, restorations, and expansions continues to outpace the US growth picture. With an active inventory across the five boroughs of more than 117,300 hotel rooms; the city is attracting new brands, international properties, authentic neighborhood independents, and a wide-ranging collection of select service brands, business class hotels, lifestyle and boutique properties, and new luxury destinations. This report covers more than 200 hotels and projects that represent almost 40,000 net room additions to the city’s diverse inventory between 2015 and 2020-2021. So far, this year, we have added six new hotels representing 1,685 additional rooms through April 2018. Looking out to 2020 there are another 121 projects in the development pipeline bringing the room capacity to 138,000 rooms or more. Exciting developments through the second half of 2018 will include the Times Square Edition, a new citizen M Hotel, the Spanish AC Hotel in downtown, two new Moxy branded properties (Chelsea and Downtown), and a new Ace hotel-affiliated Sister City on the Bowery. Brooklyn will see the opening of several independents including Baltic Huis, The Hoxton Brooklyn, and the Bond Hotel. Queens hotel development is moving beyond the airports to exciting neighborhoods in Long Island City, Flushing, Jamaica and Fresh Meadows as several properties will open including a Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Indigo, SpringHill Suites and a dual branded Courtyard by Marriott/Fairfield Inn & Suites. Less well known, but definitely on the visitor map, are the new developments in both the Bronx and Staten Island.
    [Show full text]
  • The Foreign Service Journal, May 1957
    Jcticnl Q.KC MPO RTED) O.F.C. CANADIAN WHISKY ONLY O.F.C. IS GUARANTEED OVER 6 YEARS OLD! \ HIK \1> Among Canadian whiskies, only O.F.C. tells you its exact age by placing a Certificate of Age on every bottle. Every drop has the same unchanging taste and quality. Yet O.F.C. costs no more than other Canadian whiskies. SchmkyM' Any bottle that says ^Schcnlc says SCHENLEY INTERNATIONAL CORP., NEW YORK, N Y. For Business .. For Pleasure Fnr a WnrIH nf ^prvirp YOU CAN COUNT ON AMERICAN EXPRESS Here are the world-wide, world-wise service, offered by American Express . 397 offices in 35 nations always ready to serve you completely, expertly, whatever your needs for business or pleasure. TRAVELERS CHEQUES MONEY ORDERS The best-known, most widely accepted cheques in the world! Pay bills and transmit funds American Express Travelers with convenient, economical Cheques are 100% safe—immediate American Express Money refund if lost or stolen. You can Orders... available through¬ buy them at BANKS, Railway out the U. S. at neighborhood Express and Western Union offices. stores, Railway Express and Western Union offices. TRAVEL SERVICES The trained and experienced OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES staff of American Express Swift... convenient and dependable, will provide air or steamship other world-wide American Express tickets... hotel reservations... financial services include: foreign uniformed interpreters, and remittances, mail and cable transfer plan independent trips or of funds, and the purchase and escorted tours. SHIPPING SERVICES American Express offers t complete facilities to handle personal and household effects shipments, also the entire operation of import or export forwarding, including customs clearances and marine insurance.
    [Show full text]
  • Crain's New York Business
    20160620-NEWS--0001-NAT-CCI-CN_-- 6/17/2016 7:50 PM Page 1 CRAINS An angry good-bye in Harlem P. 6 | New York’s top-paid CEOs P. 12 | Trump’s not-so-public garden P. 15 ® JUNE 20-26, 2016 | PRICE $3.00 NEW YORK BUSINESS Networking Genius PAGE 17 The anxiety-provokingand the businesses but still helping vital Newpractice Yorkers of face-to-face master it meetings— VOL. XXXII, NO. 25 WWW.CRAINSNEWYORK.COM 0 71486 01068 5 25 NEWSPAPER 20160620-NEWS--0002-NAT-CCI-CN_-- 6/17/2016 7:51 PM Page 1 JUNECRAINS 20-26, 2016 FROM THE NEWSROOM | JEREMY SMERD A glaring problem IN THIS ISSUE 3 AGENDA THE COPS WHO FLOODED STREET CORNERS last summer in Bed- 4 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Stuy, my Brooklyn neighborhood, are gone, but the diesel- 5 THE BUSINESS OF POT powered floodlights that came with them remain outside 6 SPOTLIGHT the dilapidated Armstrong Houses. These 1,250-watt Ernst & Young 7 HEALTH CARE looks to decamp towers shine at least 20 times brighter than your average to New Jersey 8 REAL ESTATE light bulb—so bright that the U.S. military forbade soldiers 9 from facing Guantanamo detainees at them. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Designed for nighttime construction crews, they are 10 ASKED & ANSWERED used to deter crime. I hate the 11 VIEWPOINTS lights’ glare but I’ve learned to accept them. However Elderly residents, 12 THE LIST oppressive they feel, violence—or the fear of it—is more so. “I feel safer,” said Ann Johnson, 63, sitting with her women and parents FEATURES family under a concrete awning outside the Armstrong saw the lights as a 15 TRUMP’S SECRET GARDEN projects.
    [Show full text]
  • Waldorf Astoria Renovations Near Completion. Take a Look Inside
    December 25, 2019 Fox Business By James Leggate Waldorf Astoria renovations near completion. Take a look inside New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, with its art deco design, gilded prestige and unique public spaces, has been an icon of luxury since it opened on Park Avenue in 1931. Soon, you’ll be able to own a piece of it. The hotel closed in 2017 as its owner, since absorbed by Chinese insurance company Dajia, prepared to renovate the aging building and transform half of it into condos. The first of those units are set to hit the market in early 2020, with prices starting at about $1.7 million. And while the building has a new owner, the team working on the project has focused on its past and the features that made it a landmark. Frank Mahan of architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill told FOX Business that the goal with the renovations was to restore the building to its original design intent while updating it for contemporary needs and expectations. “The big idea is to create a bridge between the past and the future of the architectural, to create kind of a cultural bridge, if you will,” Mahan said. The Waldorf Astoria's Park Avenue entrance (Noë & Associates/The Boundary) December 25, 2019 Fox Business HILTON CLOSES ON $1.95B SALE OF WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK TO CHINESE INSURER When the Waldorf Astoria opened, it was the tallest hotel in the world at 13 stories. Its air conditioning was a novelty at the time — called “manufactured air,” according to Mahan — and it featured amenities like room service, a telephone switchboard and radios in every room.
    [Show full text]