DATA SHEET
Developer: Dajia Insurance Group
Operator: Hilton
Preservation, restoration, adaptive reuse: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Original design architect: Schultze and Weaver
Hotel Interiors: Pierre-Yves Rochon Inc.
Residential interiors: Jean-Louis Deniot
Residential art curator: Simon de Pury
Images: Noë & Associates/The Boundary
The iconic and legendary Waldorf Astoria has reopened its doors, revealing monumental marble geometries and interior sequences that have been restored to their former glory. This extensive restoration project was led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with interior design by Pierre-Yves Rochon and residential designs by Jean-Louis Deniot.
With the aim of preserving its rich history, the New York-based firm SOM integrated concepts of conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse, following in-depth archival research and close collaboration with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This approach ensured the integrity of the original 1931 design was maintained while preparing the building for the future.
The hotel’s interior design, masterfully executed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, creates a spatial sequence where intimate, secluded entrances lead into expansive, luminous volumes. In a rare dialogue between meticulous preservation and metamorphosis, the spaces have rediscovered their imposing presence and identity. Steeped in a tradition that includes some of the world’s most memorable moments—from the first Tony Awards and early Met Galas to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony—the iconic Grand Ballroom, Silver Corridor, Astor Salon, and the Basildon and Jade rooms have all been returned to their original grandeur.
Peacock Alley, the hotel’s vibrant heart and a beloved gathering place for New Yorkers, a stage for encounters and stories, rediscovers its beauty with the restoration of the iconic Waldorf Astoria Clock and Cole Porter’s piano. Meanwhile, the destination gourmand experiences at Lex Yard and Yoshoku transform cuisine into a sensory extension of the space. “The Greatest of Them All”—as Conrad Hilton described the historic building—returns to its 1930s magnificence thanks to the meticulous work of artists and master artisans, once again redefining the global benchmark for luxury hospitality. “The Waldorf Astoria New York is, on many levels, the most important hotel in the world. It is the first true luxury hotel and the place where the very concept of luxury service was perfected. It represents not only a fundamental part of Hilton’s history but also of modern history,” stated Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton.
To seal the luxury experience of the Waldorf Astoria’s new era, the number of hotel rooms has been reduced from 1,400 to 375, complemented by 372 residences. These residences, averaging around 53 square meters, are among the largest in Manhattan. Conceived by PYR as authentic residential “homes,” they feature soft lines in custom-made furnishings, neutral palettes, and separate zones for living, working, and sleeping, delivering a dimension of discreet luxury. The generously sized bathrooms are designed as mini-spas for personal well-being.
In an exquisite balance of rigor and lightness, the recently opened and most impressive Guerlain Wellness Spa is set to become the most exclusive address for rejuvenation. Located above the hotel, the Waldorf Astoria Residences appear as a “city within a city,” defined by Jean-Louis Deniot’s interior design, which has crafted elegant and understated domestic landscapes.
Exclusive access to 4,600 square meters of private amenities and the option of furnishings curated by B&B Italia redefine contemporary art de vivre, maintaining that essential link to the historical memory of an authentic legend returned to the New York scene, in the sign of the sublime.
