Update: The Plaza Closing April 30

[PamOKW]

UPDATE: I know many of you doubted my original post but there are further reports in the press today. Please check any reservation you are holding beyond April 30. I was also skeptical of the recent guest at The Plaza who first broke the news that the hotel was below par and he was told it was because they were closing soon. The Associated Press, the New York Times and several other sources are reporting today that The Plaza (NYC) is indeed closing on April 30. The plan is to convert the hotel into 200 condos, 150 hotel rooms and new stores and restaurants. The new hotel rooms will all face 58th Street (rather than Central Park or 5th Avenue). It will reopen in 2006. My guess is that when it reopens it will no longer be part of the Concierge Collection. The New York Times requires you subscribe to see their article. I think this version of the AP article will be accessible to everyone. -- Sorry this link also needs you to subscribe. I can't find an "open" link to share. Here's the first paragraph from today's New York Times article:

The Plaza Hotel, where F. Scott Fitzgerald drank and Alfred Hitchcock directed and Truman Capote held sway and Eloise romped, will close by April 30 to be divided into three parts - condominiums, stores and a much smaller hotel.

Here's a link to one of today's articles.
The Plaza to Close April 30

The posters who had the inside info on The Plaza were correct. I heard a report on WCBS Radio that The Plaza will close in May for transformation into high-end condos.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Is Donald hurting for money? I stayed in one of the suites for my honeymoon and I thought it was an outstanding hotel.

 

[jmminarik]

The posters who had the inside info on The Plaza were correct. I heard a report on WCBS Radio that The Plaza will close in May for transformation into high-end condos.

I assume you mean the Plaza hotel in NYC and not the Casino/Hotel in AC?

Condo's are becoming a big trend in the Philadelphia real estate market, so this doesn't surprise me. Convert a building to condos, sell at a nice profit, charge monthly 'fees' for maintenance (which includes management fees), it often just makes fiscal sense over letting rooms for a night or a month.

-Joe

 

[PamOKW]

The Donald sold it several years ago and it was more recently sold again --- hence the condo idea. I'm not sure if it will be a combo hotel/condo or all condos -- prices are in the multi-million dollar range.

The current owners are an Israeli company -- Elad. I found a recent article -- plans for what will happen are still sketchy but it looks like a May closing for a year or two is pretty much a lock.

NY Post Article

 

[DrBond007]

There goes all those movies where they show people staying at the Plaza. Where will Crocodile Dundee stay?

 

[mom2rb]

There goes the 10 year anniversary trip I had been planning. I know I can go somewhere else but I have always wanted to stay there.

 

[Disney Doll]

Which Plaza??? The Plaza Hotel in NYC near Central Park??? Or one of the Trump Plazas?????

 

[spiceycat]

i am pretty sure it is the Plaza Hotel in NYC - it is still on our list for concierge

 

[Disney Doll]

I am quite surprised at that! The Plaza has been an "institution" in NYC for such a long time!!!!!!!

 

[JimFitz]

Are we sure this is the Plaza Hotel?

 

[jmminarik]

Are we sure this is the Plaza Hotel?

According to the NY Post article, I'd say yes.

-Joe

 

[mbb]

We've been on a ticket request list for David Letterman for oh, a few years now!!LOL...I had hoped to surprise DH with tickets and a stay at the Plaza...

What do you think - if anything - will be subbed in?

 

[PamOKW]

Yes, it's THE Plaza -- the NYC landmark. The new owners are being a little vague about the future plans but it sounds like some type of high-end condo/hotel venture is planned. But, it will be shut for 1 1/2 - 2 years and there's no guarantee it will rejoin the Concierge Collection.

For now, the Shelburne Murray Hill is our NY option. Someone just posted a nice review of their weekend stay. While it's good to have a nice place to stay in NY, it ain't The Plaza. (Although someone's post about their recent stay indicated that they are just letting the place wind down as they prepare to close and right now The Plaza isn't THE PLAZA either.)

 

[mbw12]

wow....I can't believe it! the Plaza is such a NYC landmark....can't believe that I won't get to stay there! I always figured that I would "someday".

 

[vwlfan]

I dunno. My wife and I had planned to do two days at the Plaza in May for her birthday. When I saw the post here, needless to say, I was very disappointed. However I called Member Services this afternoon to book two days. MS booked this for me with no mention of an impending closing in May. I then indicated to her what was noted on this thread. She said that they had no information about this at all. So, my fingers are crossed that the reservations hold true at least through May.

Any further info is appreciated.

 

[LakeAriel]

Please don't listen to anything the NY Post says. It's like the Enquirer. Donald Trump does not own the Plaza on Central Park in NYC and they are currently taking reservations late into the summer.

 

[PamOKW]

The NY Post was an on-line reference. I also heard it reported on the WCBS Newsradio 880 Business report which is why I thought I'd share it with the folks on this board. Of course, CBS doesn't have much of a "news" track record these days either.

I'm glad to hear that reservations are still being taken and I hope we get to use our privileges there for years to come. I just thought I'd share a "heads up" that changes are happening at the hotel. The Oak Room at the hotel has indeed closed.

Donald Trump hasn't owned The Plaza for quite a few years now (sold it in '95). He sold it to an Arab group who sold it to the Israeli firm Elad in October. Elad hasn't announced their plans but the rumors heard by the DVC'er who stayed at the resort recently, the reports in the NY press and the closing of the hotel restaurants indicate something may be up. Bears watching in any case.

 

[LakeAriel]

Apparently the Israeli firm just bought the Plaza and is more interested in the almighty buck then a New York landmark.There is, however, a growing endeavor to save it!

 

[keenercam]

Okay, here is what I heard from a very reliable source: The top couple of floors are being converted to condos. They are not closing the hotel during the conversion. I just made reservations for May and there was no issue.

Hope this helps.

 

[pbharris4]

The Plaza is such a NYC landmark and a beautiful building I couldn't see anyone even "letting" that happen. Personally, I wasn't very impressed with The Plaza. The lobby and location (next to some great stores and Central Park), but the rooms weren't worth it. Of course it's older, but there was mildew in the bathrooms (that awful mildew smell) and the bed spread had red nail polish stained on it, then the crib they sent us was wobbly, and the food was absolutely awful. In fact, 50% of the meals we ate in NYC were awful. (We eat at plenty upscale restaurants in the D.C. area so it was just bad food). My DH, 7 yr DD and then 4 mo DD stayed there in Nov 2003. The room was spacious. It's defintely not a kid friendly hotel..meaning they won't even HELP you get the stroller down the steps. I'll never stay there again. But it IS a beautiful building and I'd hate for it to be turned into condos. Speaking of Trump...I've been in Trump Tower several times over the years and the last time I was in there he hardly had any tenants. There was a newstand on the bottom floor and maybe 1 or 2 others. He just talks the talk and I think people are getting sick of his bragging. He sold the hotel awhile ago.