Plans For Renovated Plaza Hotel Unveiled By New Owner

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Plans For Renovated Plaza Hotel Unveiled By New Owner
04/28/2005 04:12 PM
By: NY1 News

Revised plans for the Plaza Hotel were unveiled Thursday, as the new owner prepares to close the building for renovations.

The Fifth Avenue landmark will now be turned into a mix of hotel guest rooms and condos during the 18-month makeover. Originally the building was going to be converted entirely into condominiums, but the owners of the Plaza and the unions representing the hotel’s workers reached a compromise.

Under the new design, public spaces like the Plaza's Grand Ballroom, Oak Room and Palm Court will be preserved.

"We strongly believe what was here in 1907, in 1927, maybe in 1947, was the best of the best,” said Elad Properties President Miki Naftali. “The Plaza was the best hotel in the world, the most elegant hotel in the world, and that's what we would like to do. So we are not going to change the design to have a contemporary design. This is not what the Plaza is all about."

The owner also says in addition to the new condos, there will be a hotel suite dedicated to the fictional character Eloise, who lives in the Plaza in the series of books named after her.

The Plaza will close for its $$350 million renovation Saturday afternoon.