5.  Cole Porter Bequeathed His Steinway to The Waldorf Astoria

The largest suite in The Towers belonged to Cole Porter, who lived there from 1934 until his death in 1964. The 4,300 square foot Suite #33A consists of 5 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths. Porter had two baby grand pianos inside along with his two cats named “Anything” and “Goes.”

Cole Porter’s piano, which was given as a gift to the artist by the hotel, was built in 1907. It was in Suite #33A and on this piano that he wrote most of his music. After Porter’s death in 1964, Frank Sinatra and his wife Barbara took over the lease and lived there until 1988. The piano was located in the Peacock Alley Lounge, just off the main lobby. The piano underwent restoration at the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria and then spent some time at the New-York Historical Society, where guests enjoyed performances of Cole Porter classics by renowned pianists. It is currently back at the Waldorf Astoria New York in the residential gallery. When renovations are complete, it will return to the hotel’s central lobby.