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New York's Iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel Has Closed; Behold These Then & Now Photos

March 02, 2017
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5 min read
The foyer in 1933 and the same foyer today
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The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, one of New York City's most iconic and historical hotel landmarks, closed this week for a multi-year renovation that will convert many of the rooms into condominiums by 2020. As a brief homage, we're taking a look back at the property through the years.

At left: The 33rd Street entrance of the first Waldorf Astoria. At right: the Park Avenue entrance today. Images courtesy of the Library of Congress and Waldorf Astoria.

The Waldorf Astoria actually started out as two different hotels: The Waldorf Hotel, built in 1893 and the Astor Hotel, built in 1897. These buildings — connected by a bridge called Peacock Alley, now the name of one of the hotel's three main restaurants — were situated on the site where the Empire State Building now stands. Demolished in 1929 in order to make room for the Empire State Building's construction, a new Waldorf Astoria was completed on Park Avenue in 1931 (it was actually the world's tallest building from 1931 until 1963). Part of the building is named the Waldorf Towers, consisting of suites, many of which are rented out to tenants.

The Guest Rooms

While the rooms had clearly been updated, there were still regal touches of old-school decor. Heavy drapes, touches of gold and fringe and antique-style dressing tables, mirrors and benches are some of the items that seem to reflect the hotel's origins. While it's not clear how much rates were when the hotel opened, according to this article by the New York Post, in 1955, you could get a room for just $21.

A guest room from 1902 and a guest room in recent years.
Another guest room from 1897 and one in the modern era.

Dining

The Waldorf Astoria was reportedly the first hotel to offer room service and to hire female chefs — the first woman was hired as a chef in 1931. The signature dish of the hotel, the Waldorf Salad, was created in the 1890s; back in the 1950s, the price was close to just $1. The hotel's three most luxe restaurants (featured below) served more than 100 pounds of caviar per year.

The Astoria Restaurant in 1897 and the Peacock Alley Restaurant before the closing.
The Palm Garden Dining Room in 1902 and the Oscar Brasserie in recent years.
The Astor Dining Room in 1902 and a more recent look at the Bull & Bear Prime Steakhouse.

Around the Hotel

There's actually a piece of the New York City subway in this historic building; the hotel has its own railway platform, Track 61, which is connected to Grand Central Station. The platform was once used by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Douglas MacArthur, among others.

The hallways (date unknown) and the hallways in recent times.
The reception desk in 1897 and the Waldorf Towers front desk before the hotel closed.

Special Events

The Waldorf Astoria had always been known for hosting over-the-top, memorable events for all sorts of occasions.

A Guy Laroche fashion show in 1973 and prep for couture fashion shows in 2012.
A Lincoln dinner in 1910 and a Rita Hayworth gala in 2013.

Have you ever stayed at this iconic property? Share in the comments section below.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.