It was once said, “Nothing unimportant ever happens at The Plaza.” One of America’s most famous hotels, The Plaza opened its doors on October 1, 1907, to a chorus of stunning reviews heralding it as the greatest hotel in the world. Nestled at the prestigious corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, this luxurious landmark was built in New York’s most fashionable residential district. From its original 19th-century construction to a lavish $450 million restoration in 2008, the world’s most famous hotel boasts a remarkable history. Read more on manhattan1.one.
A Dream Forged into Reality by Three Prominent Men
The Plaza was the brainchild of financier Bernhard Beinecke, hotelier Fred Sterry, and Harry S. Black, president of the Fuller Construction Company. They acquired a hotel of the same name on the site, which had been operating for nearly 15 years, unanimously deciding to replace it with one of the world’s most elegant hotels. The construction of the 19-story building (a skyscraper at the time) took two years and cost $12 million—an unprecedented sum for that era.
Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, who also designed The Dakota apartments, the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., and the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, aimed to capture all the grandeur, glory, and opulence of a French château. No expense was spared in achieving this vision. The largest single order in history for gold-encrusted china was placed with L. Straus & Sons, and at least 1,650 crystal chandeliers were purchased.
For over a century, The Plaza has stood as a magnificent and unique landmark among New York City’s many hotels, deservedly recognized as a must-see attraction for all. Kings, presidents, and stars of stage and screen have graced its rooms. This legendary hotel has witnessed the most lavish social events and has served as the perfect backdrop for classic Hollywood films.
A still from the iconic movie ‘Home Alone,’ filmed at the hotel. Photo source: https://kino.rambler.ru/
A Historical Timeline
1883: Construction began on the first Plaza Hotel, on the site of the former New York Skating Club. However, the developers failed to secure the funding to complete it, and the New York Life Insurance Company foreclosed on the property, hiring architects McKim, Mead & White to finish the hotel and redesign its interiors.
1890: The first Plaza Hotel opens.
October 1, 1892: Across from The Plaza, on both sides of 59th Street, the New Netherlands and Savoy hotels open.
1903: Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ statue of General William Tecumseh Sherman is unveiled in Grand Army Plaza in front of the hotel.
1905: The original Plaza Hotel is demolished to make way for an even larger, more grandiose successor. The new Plaza Hotel, built in twenty-seven months at a cost of $12.5 million, opens its doors on October 1, 1907.
British officer and statesman Lord Kitchener stays at The Plaza during a highly publicized visit to New York. His suite would later be known as “The Rose Room.” The seasonal “Summer Garden” restaurant also opens. The “Champagne Porch,” an outdoor café on the Fifth Avenue side, is inaugurated.
1920: The Volstead Act forces the closure of the Men’s Bar. Construction begins on a 300-room annex on the 58th Street side. Additionally, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ is published, featuring scenes set at the hotel.
October 3, 1921: The new ballroom opens.