Iconic New York hotel to close for restoration works

The Plaza Hotel has been a landmark on New York City’s Fifth Avenue for more than a century, instantly recognisable thanks to its iconic façade.

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Now that façade is getting a facelift, with works set to take at least four years to complete. The hotel will close its doors in January 2027.

In a statement, The Plaza Hotel management said: “The undertaking reflects the complexity of maintaining a property of such architectural and historical significance, with careful consideration given to preservation requirements and the building’s long-term care, as well as the safety of our guests, employees, and the wider community.

“The scope and complexity of the façade works require detailed planning and coordination with relevant stakeholders, alongside adherence to applicable historic preservation requirements.”

The Plaza Hotel has been recognised as one of the Historic Hotels of America, one of just 288 properties selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The history of The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel, which is styled after a French Renaissance chateau, first opened in 1907 and quickly became an icon – it even featured in The Great Gatsby and was the setting for the Eloise series of books.

Outside of the world of books, The Plaza Hotel has been shown on the silver screen numerous times, with films shot here including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (which has a cameo from Donald Trump, who owned the hotel at the time), Crocodile Dundee and Sleepless in Seattle.

Since the beginning, The Plaza Hotel has been a hub for celebrities, with famous past guests including The Beatles, Liza Minnelli and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Afternoon tea at The Palm Court is a must for many New York City tourists, so if you’ve been putting off a trip, you might just want to book your flight ASAP or you’ll miss your chance for nearly half a decade.