In Manhattan, at the intersection of Central Park and Fifth Avenue, there is the most popular hotel in America – the Plaza. It is the hallmark of New York. It has been home to politicians, celebrities (Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, Liza Minnelli) and millions of tourists. Throughout its history, it has become legendary for its majestic appearance and luxurious interiors. Learn more about it at new-york-future.
A brief history of the Plaza Hotel in New York
For many years, this hotel has been one of the most beautiful and prestigious in America. It resembles a fairy-tale castle that many people dream of visiting. The doors of this magnificent building were first opened to visitors in the early 20th century. At that time, New York experienced a construction boom, a significant increase in population and tourists, so the construction of a huge hotel became a very relevant decision.
It was designed by architect Henry Hardenbergh. On his initiative, the hotel was built in the style of a French chateau. Its main feature is luxurious interiors with a wide variety of coarse and fine textures (wood, stone, silk…).
Construction of the hotel began in 1905. The owners invested not much in it, 12.5 million dollars, although at the time, it was a huge amount. For comparison, the last reconstruction of the hotel took place in 2005-2008. It cost 400 million dollars.
On October 1, 1907, the Plaza Hotel welcomed its first visitors. At that time, a room per night cost $2.5, and since 2020, the price for 1 room has been from $700. In the mid-1940s, the hotel administration decided to divide the large suites to make them guest rooms.
In 1943, the hotel was bought by American businessman Conrad Hilton for 7.4 million. After that, he spent another 6 million on its reconstruction. Then the new owner resold it several times. One of them was former American President Donald Trump. He bought the hotel in 1988 for $407.5 million.
Since then, Plaza has been hosting guests from all over the world. For example, in 1964, the legendary British band The Beatles visited the venue for the first time. It was their first trip to New York. Politicians, Hollywood actors, entrepreneurs and many others have also frequented the hotel.
Interesting facts about the Plaza Hotel
- This hotel consists of 282 rooms and 152 apartments. The former was sold for 10 million to Israeli entrepreneur Lev Leviev, and the latter for a record 50 million.
- In 1980, the Plaza Hotel was added to the New York City Register of Historic Places.
- The interiors of this hotel have a luxurious appearance. They are created in the style of Louis XV. Items are made of custom-made furniture, marble and other materials and have a unique design. Everything around is gilded and thought out to the smallest detail.
- The first yellow taxis started driving on the streets of New York on the day the Plaza Hotel opened. Historian Harry Allen said that the taxi stand was right in front of the hotel.
- A year after the opening of the Plaza, a representative of the royal family, the Hungarian Princess Elisabeth Vilma Lwoff-Parlaghy, visited it. She lived here with several pets: cats, dogs, owls and 2 alligators.
The most scandalous guest of the Plaza Hotel
Living in an apartment in the center of NYC has always been an expensive pleasure that not everyone could afford. But once upon a time, an incident happened in the history of the hotel that amazed everyone. One lady managed to live in the Plaza for 35 years! Her name was Fannie Lowenstein. She moved to the hotel in 1958 with her husband Leo. Back then, the hotel staff was looking for people who wanted to live in the Plaza for a long time.
Three years later, her husband died. Since then, Fannie continued to live in the hotel and paid $500 a month for a room overlooking Central Park. Many people wondered why she lived there for so long. It turned out that she managed to live in the hotel for 35 years thanks to her good knowledge of the law and an experienced lawyer. She went to court several times with complaints, and then received compensation for the inconvenience. In addition, Lady Fannie was very conflicted. The hotel staff said that she would make a scene for any reason.
One of the Plaza’s lawyers recalled that Fannie complained about everything and even screamed. The lawyer witnessed it herself. Everyone was afraid of her – a small woman who was about eighty at the time, the hotel’s lawyer added, according to afisha.life.
Even many years after the death of the conflicted client, the staff still recalls her if something breaks or goes wrong in the hotel.
Plaza Hotel in the movies: how did the audience remember it?
Many people recognize this hotel at a glance, even without having been here, as it has been featured in 14 films! The Plaza made its debut in big cinema in 1959, when Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest was filmed. It was also then that the legendary Black and White Ball was held in these expensive interiors and celebrities and politicians began to meet there.
Later, the Plaza gained great popularity and became known all over the world after filming a series of American movies: Big Business, Crocodile Dundee, Bride Wars, Gossip Girl…
Of all the movies that have been filmed here, Home Alone 2 turned out to be the most popular. To shoot one of the scenes when the main character Kevin was running away from the staff and sliding on his stomach on the lobby floor, the carpets had to be removed in advance. After that, the former owner of the Plaza, Donald Trump, ordered them to be removed altogether.
It is also known that in honor of the hotel’s 25th anniversary in 2017, its employees came up with an unusual tourist offer – to spend the winter holidays at the hotel, just like in the movies. They specially prepared surprises for guests based on the plot of the movie Home Alone 2.
