Cue up Cole Porter!
The legendary Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, previously the residence of the eminent Broadway composer, is set to welcome guests once more in September. This long-anticipated reopening comes after an eight-year closure and occurs several months later than initially promised by Hilton, following four postponed reopening dates since the hotel shut its doors in 2017.
A Hilton Instagram post says, “The iconic hotel is set to welcome guests once again this coming September.”
A Waldorf-Astoria New York spokesperson told The Post, “We expect to open our doors sooner. Our exact opening date is still being determined.”
An industry source said, “No wonder they’re being cautious. Every time they touted a reopening, it didn’t happen.”
This reopening is significant for Hilton, which still holds 90 years on its century-long management agreement. Initially, the Waldorf-Astoria was projected to reopen in 2021, then 2023, 2024, and most recently, this past spring.
New Yorkers and tourists have a deep affection for the Waldorf-Astoria due to its iconic Art Deco design and interior gems, including Peacock Alley and the famous Cole Porter piano, which will once again be available for guests to admire.
Multiple media outlets have touted hotel managing director Luigi Romaniello, its decorators, a restaurant called Lex Yard run by Gramercy Tavern chef Michael Anthony — and also the inaccurate opening schedules.
A Hilton web site posting for staff uniforms “designed by NO Uniform, the specialist design studio led by acclaimed British couture designer Nicholas Oakwell,” also included the September reopening date.
Construction sources told The Post in February that the Waldorf’s spring target couldn’t be met and the hotel wouldn’t be ready to receive guests until as late as October.
Hilton operates several dozen hotels and resorts around the world branded as the “Waldorf Astoria Collection.” But sources said Hilton suits were “privately fuming” over repeated delays to bringing back the original Waldorf on Park Avenue.
Hilton sold the landmarked property to China’s Anbang Insurance Group for $1.95 billion in 2015. Anbang was to convert more than half of the landmark to luxury condos while reducing 1,400 guest rooms and suites to 375, although the new ones would be larger than the originals.
But as the $2 billion-plus construction project inched along, Anbang’s chief executive was imprisoned by the Chinese government in 2018. A new company, Daija Insurance Group, took over the Waldorf job — but proved little more swift than its predecessor.
The new Waldorf boasts 375 luxury condo units, a few of which have begun receiving residents.
Sources said Daija’s frenzy to complete the condos — from studios priced just below $2 million to lavish four-bedroom units up to $15 million — got the most attention. “The hotel part wasn’t on the fast track,” one source said.
