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

[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.