The closing of the historic Waldorf Astoria hotel last night for a renovation into condos hit a nerve for many of Untapped Cities’ writers and tour guides. Despite other seeming immovable plans, Laurie Gwen Shapiro hopped in a taxi to say goodbye. David Freeland checked in to the hotel. With so much history and so many secrets. Lynn Lieberman, who authored our Secrets of the Waldorf-Astoria article, shared a bevy of photographs she’s taken over the years. Here are Shapiro’s, Lieberman’s, and Freeland’s photographs from the last night at the hotel:
In the Waldorf archives area
The Waldorf-Astoria hotel proper will be reduced in size and remaining sections repurposed into condo apartments. This continues a trend already extant inside the Waldorf Astoria: The Waldorf Towers has been a separate residence since 1931. Though the interior landmark for the Waldorf Astoria is still awaiting it’s hearing, it is expected that the public areas, such as the lobby, will be kept and spruced up.
Kitchen in the Waldorf Astoria (we snagged a pastry)
The Frank Sinatra room in the Waldorf Astoria
Dinner room at the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf. Barack Obama was the last US president to stay at the suite.
During renovations, the clock will be on display at the New-York Historical Society
Next, check out the Secrets of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
