Poor Eloise!

[spatch]

The Plaza Hotel in New York City will be closing in April for an 18-month renovation project. When it reopens, it will be as private condominiums and a mini-mall. The irony is that while the exterior of the hotel has National Landmark status, the interior has no such protections and, as such, the hotel's new owners can do what they see fit to it.

Of course there's movements in place to save the Plaza, or at least keep the famous portions, like the Oak Room, the Palm Court and the ballroom, but from what I've heard the Plaza Oyster Bar has already closed. I wonder what will happen to the Eloise mural.

Comments

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Aww, that's sad. They really should keep those classic rooms. Why the hell would anyone in NYC need a mini-mall with more Gaps and Burger Kings?

[wahhappen.livejournal.com]

I hate when people nowadays destroy parts of this country's history. It makes me sick.

[off_coloratura]

The article you linked to said they would be keeping the Oak room, the restaurants, and the ballroom, although the restaurants' menus may change.

[spatch]

I also read over at MeFi that the Oyster Bar had already closed at least, so honestly I don't know who to believe, but I'm going to believe the worst until it happens... not that there's much else I can do myself, here.

[off_coloratura]

Well, the article also said that the "most famous" restaurants were closing for the renovations but that they'd open again in 2006. I don't know if that includes the Oyster Bar.

Also, it said they will still have hotel rooms there. It's not going completely condo.

[spatch]

savetheplaza.com says "Elad Properties claims that a 150-room hotel is part of its plan, but a hotel that small would have to charge more than $800 per room with 100% occupancy just to break even." I hate being such a pessimist, but it doesn't look good.

[duchez.livejournal.com]

I have tried...I just can't visualize the inside of the Plaza gutted and filled with a mall.