Waldorf Astoria New York Returns: Global Icon on Park Avenue to Launch Sales of Luxury Condominium Residences

NEW YORK - Today, the iconic Waldorf Astoria New York will officially launch the sales of the building’s condominium residences, The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. The celebrated New York City landmark will introduce an unprecedented residential lifestyle to the heart of Midtown Manhattan, offering residents a world of exclusive private amenities along with special access to the best-in-class services found only at the globally renowned Waldorf Astoria New York. 

The Waldorf Astoria has been a beacon of timeless glamour and luxury for nearly a century—home to Hollywood’s elite, host to countless world leaders and the site of cultural events and galas that hold a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. When the Waldorf Astoria opened on Park Avenue to rapturous reviews in 1931, it was the largest and tallest hotel in the world and is currently New York City’s largest privately owned landmark. The property is in the midst of an unprecedented restoration, undertaken with care by developer Dajia Insurance Group and renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with great attention given to the original Art Deco design. This talented team has invested years of work to understand the building’s history and maintain its heritage for future generations while bringing it into a new age. The full block property, which will include 375 condominium residences and the 375-key Waldorf Astoria New York hotel, will welcome residents and guests in 2022.  

“Today, we celebrate the official sales launch of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria,” said Sheng Luo, Head of Overseas Business, Dajia Insurance Group. “We look forward to seeing the restoration of this remarkable landmark through to completion. The restoration is a top priority for Dajia as we continue to commit significant resources and passion to this project.” 

“We have embraced a profound responsibility as the stewards of the Waldorf Astoria and assembled an incredible team to bring an unmatched residential product to the New York City market,” added Andrew Miller, CEO of Dajia US. “For almost 100 years, the Waldorf Astoria has been ­­­­­New York’s ‘Unofficial Palace,’ and was famously anointed by Conrad Hilton as ‘The Greatest of Them All.’ Now, with residences for sale for the first time, buyers from New York and all over the world can call it home.” 

The sophisticated residential interiors and amenities by internationally renowned designer Jean-Louis Deniot, the visionary behind some of the world’s most opulent private homes, create a truly modern experience within the building’s historic framework. Deniot has carefully considered each detail, designing his own custom creations for The Towers that include: solid custom-paneled interior doors with bespoke antique bronze hardware, custom cabinets manufactured by Molteni&C in Italy, vanities with polished marble countertops, custom forged polished nickel fixtures and tile mosaics featuring a Waldorf Astoria-inspired pattern, done in a modern style with a nod to French Art Deco, further complementing the building’s history. 

“The Waldorf Astoria has a forever lavish aura,” says Jean-Louis Deniot. “The interiors will reflect the magnificence of the past mixed with today’s great sense of energy. They will be grand and playful, all highly inviting, with many elements of surprise and excitement.” 

The wide variety of residences range from gracious studios to opulent four bedrooms and magnificent penthouses, many with unique floorplans, and several marquee residences with expansive private outdoor spaces. Approximately 10-foot ceiling heights are typical throughout The Towers, with select residences on upper floors featuring heights of up to 13 feet. Every residence has been outfitted with all-new windows that feature modern sound-attenuating technology while bringing back the 1931 design, and herringbone floors with a custom cerused finish are laid throughout the homes. Residence kitchens feature a full suite of integrated state-of-the-art Gaggenau appliances, all fully vented to the outside. 

Privacy and security are paramount at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, which offers a discrete residential experience separate from the hotel. There are two residential entry lobbies—both fully staffed 24-hours per day—and a dramatic porte cochère with double-height vaulted ceilings that will offer residents a private entry with 24-hour valet service from East 50^th Street. There are six dedicated residential elevators with destination dispatch technology, as well as a secure residential entrance into the Waldorf Astoria New York, offering access to the hotel’s numerous food and beverage venues as well as world-class spa. Because of the generous scale of the property, residents will enjoy the highest number of service staff of any super-luxury residential building in New York, including a dedicated onsite concierge. One of the most unique features of the residences at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria is the concierge closet, which is integrated into the design of the entryway in every home. The closet is used for the secure and private delivery of packages, laundry, and room service, and is accessible from both the common corridor as well as inside of the home.  

Residents will have exclusive access to over 50,000 square feet of private residential amenities, ranging from health and wellness to entertaining and business spaces, all brilliantly designed by Jean-Louis Deniot. The stunning 25-meter Starlight Pool will overlook Park Avenue in a dramatic double height-space, illuminated by a restored skylight that allows the original intent of the architects to be observed again for the first time in 70 years. The verdant Winter Garden and the Starlight Lounge, connected to the Starlight Terrace soaring above Park Avenue, are only two of the four private bars to residents, a nod to the famous entertaining spaces at the original Waldorf Astoria. A state-of-the-art fitness center with training studios and a cardio gallery overlooks the pool, and there are opulent private spas for men and women, each featuring a changing room and lounge, complete with sauna, steam room, showers, and treatment rooms. Numerous entertaining spaces, beautifully designed to support private functions, include the Grand Salon, a private dining room, wine tasting room, billiard’s room and game room. A selection of the remaining private amenities includes a curated library and lounge, children’s playroom, theater with performance stage and grand piano, private workspaces with boardrooms and meeting rooms as well as a co-working space.

Waldorf Astoria New York set the standard and defined hotel service at an ultra-luxury level, and future residents of the condominiums will enjoy priority access to the unrivaled services of the hotel, including signing privileges at restaurants and bars, preferred pricing, and a la carte services like housekeeping and 24-hour in-residence dining. In addition to the 50,000 square feet of private residential amenities, residents will also have access to 100,000 square feet of amenities at Waldorf Astoria New York, including the hotel’s restored landmarked heritage spaces, spa, restaurant and bars. 

“Waldorf Astoria New York is our flagship and origin story, and we look forward to reopening its doors to welcome guests to the iconic landmark, which is integral to the fabric of our brand as well as New York,” said Dino Michael, global head of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to offer a new residential component to the hotel, which will inevitably infuse a new life and spirit to the space and inspire us to bring our iconic ‘True Waldorf Service’ to the next level for residents.”

Renowned designer Pierre-Yves Rochon is spearheading the design of the luxurious hotel interiors of Waldorf Astoria New York, creating a contemporary experience for guests and residents while respecting and celebrating its signature Art Deco heritage. “The Waldorf’s beautiful architectural character from the American 1930s is the perfect mix of classic and modern, and the ideal setting for a timeless luxury hotel,” said Rochon. “The Waldorf Astoria has always had a special place in my heart, and working with this team to respect the history of the space while bringing it to a new era has been a dream come true.” 

Expert preservationists have undertaken years of meticulous study and great care in restoring the hotel’s unique artifacts, including the famed Spirit of Achievement statue that graced the Park Avenue entrance, the World’s Fair Clock, and acclaimed American composer Cole Porter’s own 1907 Steinway grand piano, all of which will be returned to their places of prominence in Waldorf Astoria New York. The architecture team at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill are responsible for orchestrating the project’s complex restoration, along with Building Conservation Associates, Inc. and Higgins Quasebarth & Partners LLC. 

“It is both an honor and an enormous responsibility to be overseeing this next iteration of the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York. We started this project from a place of profound respect for the building’s heritage, and detailed research into its history, including all of the changes made to it over the years. We are not only returning the building to its former glory, but also adapting it and making it relevant for future generations,” said Frank Mahan, Associate Director of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.               

In homage to the Waldorf’s long history of arts patronage, residents will enjoy artwork curated and commissioned by world-renowned auctioneer and collector Simon de Pury. For the collection, de Pury focused on dynamic emerging artists from around the world to develop custom works for private residential amenity spaces and communal areas, which will be owned by the condominium association. 

Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is the exclusive marketing and sales agent. “This will be an exciting opportunity for buyers to own a piece of New York City history. We aren’t just selling extraordinarily beautiful residences, amenities and services; we're offering the opportunity to buy into a legacy that can never again be duplicated,” said Dan Tubb, Senior Director of Sales at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. “There is no more glamorous residential lifestyle in New York City, and we are very excited about bringing The Towers to the market after receiving thousands of inquiries from as close as Park Avenue to the far corners of the world.” 

The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria will offer 375 residences starting from $1.7 million. Occupancy is projected for 2022. For more information, please visit waldorftowers.nyc, follow the building’s Instagram @WaldorfNYC or call 212.872.1200 for a private appointment at the building’s onsite residential gallery, located at 305 Park Avenue.

About Jean-Louis Deniot

Featured on the ELLE Decor and AD 100 lists of preeminent talents in architecture and interior design, Jean-Louis Deniot is recognized as one of the world’s most accomplished interior designers. After establishing his eponymous, Paris-based firm in 2000, Deniot’s work has expanded across six continents, encompassing opulent private homes, boutique hotels, yachts, and residential interiors and amenities at prominent new development properties, including the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York City. With projects from Paris to London, to Beverly Hills, Capri, New Delhi, Bangkok and Monaco, his design philosophy centers on elegant and dramatic interiors, full of texture, that promote harmony and balance. Deniot has also earned recognition for his furniture and lighting collections, most recently with his debut collection for Baker Furniture, and previously for his collections with Jean de Merry, George Smith, Collection Pierre, Pouenat, and Marc de Berny. Deniot is regularly featured in international publications including Architectural Digest and Elle Décor editions throughout the world, in addition to titles like Marie Claire and House and Garden, making him one of the most published designers of today. 

About Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is one of the largest and most influential architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world. Founded in 1936, the company has completed more than 10,000 projects in over 50 countries. Renowned for its delivery of iconic buildings and commitment to design excellence, innovation, and sustainability; SOM has been awarded over 2,000 accolades and remain the only practice to have twice won the Architecture Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects.  

About Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR)

Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) was founded in Paris in 1979 to create interior design solutions for luxury hospitality and residential environments. Every aspect of the guest experience is enhanced by the seamless integration of each property’s location, culture and history with its design. The studio’s design philosophy centers on creating a refined, comfortable atmosphere that celebrates elegance and warmth while providing a timeless backdrop for an ever-changing modern culture. PYR has been entrusted with iconic historic landmarks as well as cutting-edge developments around the world to deliver award-winning results for major international hospitality brands and restaurants. 

About Simon de Pury

de Pury provides independent curatorial and art advisory services for private individuals, museums, corporate and institutional collections, and assist in the acquisition, commission and sale of artworks in a complex global market with discretion and complete confidentiality. With expertise ranging from emerging contemporary artists to established blue-chip artists, through a combination of independent expert advice, diligent and extensive research, de Pury de Pury deliver the highest quality service to clients.

About Douglas Elliman Development Marketing (DEDM)

Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, a division of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, offers unmatched expertise in sales, leasing, and marketing for new developments throughout New York City, Long Island, The Hamptons, Westchester, New Jersey, South Florida, California, and Massachusetts, as well as throughout the United States and internationally. The firm ranks amongst New York City’s most prominent sales and marketing firms with over 100 in-house development professionals and an over $87 billion global new development portfolio. Our hybrid platform of matching experienced new development experts with our skilled brokerage professionals provides unparalleled expertise and real time market intelligence to our clients. Drawing upon decades of experience and market-specific knowledge, Douglas Elliman Development Marketing offers a multidisciplinary approach that includes comprehensive in-house research, planning and design, marketing, and sales. Through a strategic global alliance with Knight Frank Residential, the world’s largest privately-owned property consultancy, the company markets properties to audiences in 60 countries www.elliman.com/new-developments.