Get ready to say goodbye to a New York city icon, the Waldorf Astoria hotel will close it’s doors in spring 2017 so owner Anbang Insurance Group Co. can begin converting most of the more than 1,400 rooms to luxury condos.
In 2014 The Waldorf was purchased from Hilton Worldwide for $1.95 billion and has been in need of updating and renovations. Every US president since Herbert Hoover has stayed in the Presidential Suite. And both Marilyn Monroe and Paris Hilton once called the famous hotel home.
All that said, it’s easy to see how some NYers are a little upset.
A little piece of me just died. #NativeNewYorker #NYC #waldorfastoria https://t.co/GTF4p5CT5e
— Jarrod Meistle (@jmeistle) June 27, 2016
…and it was sometimes hard to pick through the misinformation:
New Chinese owner plans to turn Waldorf Astoria into a condo and brothel.
— williambanzai7 (@williambanzai7) June 27, 2016
It’s clear that it will take we New Yorkers time to adjust. We can already see the 5 stages of grief:
Denial
Doubt this story has any merit, the luxury condo market in NYC is over saturated already. #grainofsalt https://t.co/zx3vSEX924
— Steven Marty Grant (@SMG_Sales) June 27, 2016
Anger
So the Waldorf-Astoria is going to become condominiums. Because what New York really lacked was penthouses for rich assholes. #smh
— Jack Obora (@JackObora) June 28, 2016
bargaining
Close the Trump Plaza. Not this one. https://t.co/DrSKvi81S2
— Erix Antoine (@ErixAntoineNet) June 27, 2016
Depression
'The Waldorf Astoria is closing in 2017 to convert to condos' – Time Out New York https://t.co/KdQclpbb8C via @Gong pic.twitter.com/ldwuyI43d3
— Claire Kiedis (@ClaireKiedis) June 27, 2016
Acceptance
https://twitter.com/joesentme/status/747547240605097984
Even though we are coming to understand that change is inevitable, some of us are still left with questions.
What happens to the Peacock Alley now that the Waldorf Astoria is becoming a condo? pic.twitter.com/ybgWjim0nS
— devourTheCity.com (@devourTheCity) June 27, 2016
Take heart in the fact that it seems the place really does need a face-lift…
yep!… currently ranks #281 on @TripAdvisor NYC hotels https://t.co/5t9jsCVuWe
— Chris McGinnis (@cjmcginnis) June 27, 2016
…and have faith that the landmark building will be converted with care.
Featured image source: [thestandardedition]