Manhattan’s most iconic hotel reopens after eight years
- Jake Nicholas
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
After an eight-year closure and a $2 billion restoration, the Waldorf Astoria New York officially reopened on July 15, 2025, reasserting its place as one of Manhattan’s most iconic addresses. The revival marks a historic chapter for the legendary hotel, which first opened in 1931 and has now been reintroduced with a refined vision that respects its Art Deco roots while elevating the guest experience for a new era.
Once home to 1,400 rooms, the reimagined hotel now features 375 generously sized guest rooms and suites—most exceeding 570 square feet. The upper floors have been converted into 372 private condominiums under the Waldorf Astoria Residences brand. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill led the architectural transformation, with interiors designed by Jean-Louis Deniot and furnishings by B&B Italia.
Hotel rooms were redesigned by Pierre-Yves Rochon, blending historic mosaic details and Art Deco influences with modern custom furniture and richly veined marble bathrooms.
The reopening also brings three new dining venues to life, each open to guests, residents, and locals. Lex Yard, a brasserie from Gramercy Tavern’s Michael Anthony, serves a seasonal American menu featuring Waldorf classics and elevated comfort dishes. Peacock Alley returns beneath the hotel’s iconic lobby clock as a cocktail lounge, while Yoshoku introduces a Japanese kaiseki-inspired concept in a serene, gallery-like setting.
Later this year, the Waldorf’s Grand Ballroom and meeting spaces will reopen on September 1, restoring the hotel’s legacy as a premier venue for events and social gatherings. A new Guerlain Wellness Spa, expected to span over 20,000 square feet, will debut before year’s end, completing the hotel's transformation into a full-service destination.
With original architectural details like the Wheel of Life mosaic and bronze elevator surrounds carefully preserved, the Waldorf Astoria reemerges not as a reinvention—but as a timeless return. In every detail, the hotel invites guests to experience the enduring grandeur of a New York landmark, restored with precision and purpose.
