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[[File:Plaza Hotel May 2010.JPG|left|thumb|The Plaza Hotel and surrounding buildings (including the [[Solow Building]] in the center background) as seen from [[Central Park]] in May 2010]]
The Plaza Hotel is at 768 [[Fifth Avenue]] in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]].<ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=768 5 Avenue, 10019|url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1274/7504#16.21/40.764454/-73.972105|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=September 8, 2020|website=|publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]]}}</ref> It faces [[Central Park South]] (59th Street) and [[the Pond and Hallett Nature Sanctuary]] in [[Central Park]] to the north; [[Grand Army Plaza (Manhattan)|Grand Army Plaza]] to the east; and [[58th Street (Manhattan)|58th Street]] to the south. Fifth Avenue itself is opposite Grand Army Plaza from the hotel.<ref name="NYCityMap">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=NYCityMap|url=http://maps.nyc.gov/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=March 20, 2020|website=NYC.gov|publisher=[[New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications]]}}</ref><ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 1">{{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1969|p=1}}</ref> The Plaza Hotel's site covers {{convert|53,772|ft2||abbr=}}.<ref name="ZoLa" /> It measures {{Convert|285|ft||abbr=}} along 58th Street and {{Convert|275|ft||abbr=}} along Central Park South, with a depth of {{convert|200.83|ft}} between the two streets.<ref name="NPS p. 2">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> As completed in 1907, it originally measured {{Convert|145|ft||abbr=}} along 58th Street and {{Convert|250|ft||abbr=}} along Central Park South, with an "L" running the entire 200-foot depth of the lot along Grand Army Plaza.<ref name="rer19050617">{{cite journal|date=June 17, 1905|title=Fuller Company Will Build the New Plaza Hotel|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_035&page=ldpd_7031148_035_00001400&no=10|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
The Plaza Hotel is near the [[General Motors Building (Manhattan)|General Motors Building]] to the east, [[Park Lane Hotel]] to the west, and [[Solow Building]] and [[Bergdorf Goodman Building]] to the south.<ref name="NYCityMap" /> The hotel's main entrance faces the ''[[Pulitzer Fountain]]'' in the southern portion of Grand Army Plaza.<ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 1" /><ref name="Stern (1987) p. 18">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|ps=.|p=18}}</ref> An entrance to the [[Fifth Avenue–59th Street station]] of the [[New York City Subway]]'s {{NYCS trains|Broadway 60th}} is within the base of the hotel at Central Park South.<ref>{{cite NYC neighborhood map|Midtown}}</ref>
== Design ==
The Plaza Hotel, a [[French Renaissance]]-inspired [[château]]-style building,<ref name="nycland">{{cite nycland|pages=156-157}}</ref> contains 19 stories and is {{convert|251.92|ft|abbr=on|}} tall.<ref name="Emporis">{{cite web|title=The Plaza Residences|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/114521/the-plaza-residences-new-york-city-ny-usa|access-date=November 25, 2020|publisher=Emporis}}</ref> The Plaza Hotel's floors use an European floor-numbering pattern, where the first floor is one story above the ground floor, so the highest floor is numbered 18.<ref name="wp19750615">{{cite
=== Facade ===
[[File:ThePlaza Hotel West 59th St. Entrance.jpg|thumb|Entrance on Central Park South]]
The detail of the [[facade]] is concentrated on its two primary [[Elevation (architecture)|elevations]], which face north toward Central Park and east toward Fifth Avenue. The facade's [[Articulation (architecture)|articulation]] consists of three horizontal sections similar to the components of a [[column]], namely a base, shaft, and crown. The northern and eastern elevations are also split vertically into three portions, with the center portion being recessed. The northeastern and southeastern corners of the hotel contain rounded corners, which resemble [[turret]]s. There are numerous [[loggia]]s, [[balustrade]]s, columns, [[pilaster]]s, balconies, and arches repeated on various parts of the facade.<ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 1" /><ref name="NPS p. 2"/> The 1921 annex contains a design that is largely similar to Hardenbergh's 1907 design.<ref name="Architecture and Building 1922">{{cite journal|year=1922|title=Hotel Plaza Addition, New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mS_nAAAAMAAJ|journal=Architecture and Building|publisher=W.T. Comstock Company|volume=54|pages=
The ground and first stories of the facade{{efn|In this article, the facade is described using the interior floor-numbering system, which uses European floor numbering. For example, the first floor is one floor above the ground level; under U.S. floor numbering, it would be considered the second floor.<ref name="wp19750615"/>}} are clad with [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] blocks of [[marble]], while the third story contains a smooth marble surface.<ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 1"/><ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="AA (1907) p. 134">{{harvnb|American Architect|1907|ps=.|p=134}}</ref> The Plaza Hotel contained two guest entrances in the 1907 design: the main entrance on Central Park South and a private entrance for long-term residents on 58th Street.<ref name="AA (1907) p. 134" /><ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 2" /> The main entrance, in the center of the Central Park South facade, contains a porch above the three center bays, and large doorways.<ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 2">{{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1969|p=2}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 5">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=5}}</ref> The Grand Army Plaza side originally contained a terrace called the Champagne Porch,<ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 2" /> and three minor entrances, including one to the porch.<ref name="ABM (1907) p. 1">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1907|ps=.|p=1}}</ref><ref name="nyt19070929" /> The large central entry on that side, created in 1921, consists of six [[Tuscan order|Tuscan]]-style columns, supporting a balcony on the first floor, immediately above ground level. The first and second floors at the center of the Grand Army Plaza facade contains paired [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]]-style pilasters supporting an entablature.<ref name="NPS p. 2" /><ref name="NYCL (1969) p. 2" />
The Plaza Hotel was developed with a steel frame superstructure with hollow tile floors, as well as wire-glass enclosures around all stairways and elevators.<ref name="AA (1907) p. 134" /> Originally, five marble staircases led from the ground floor to all of the other floors.<ref name="Arch (1907) p. 179">{{harvnb|ps=.|Architecture|1907|p=179}}</ref><ref name="ABM (1907) p. 4">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1907|ps=.|p=4}}</ref><ref name="ABM (1907) p. 16">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1907|ps=.|p=16}}</ref> As constructed, the stories above the ground floor surrounded a large courtyard,<ref name="nyt19070929" /> which was covered over with office space in a 1940s renovation.<ref name="NPS p. 5" /><ref name="nyt19820927">{{Cite news|last=Goldberger|first=Paul|date=September 27, 1982|title=At 75, Plaza Hotel Seeks to Remain Forever Old; an Appraisal|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/27/nyregion/at-75-plaza-hotel-seeks-to-remain-forever-old-an-appraisal.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Hardenbergh, in designing the Central Park South foyer, had believed the lobby to be the most important space in the hotel,<ref name="NYCL p. 10">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=10}}</ref><ref name="Hardenbergh 1902" /> as did Warren and Wetmore when they designed the Fifth Avenue lobby.<ref name="AF-1923-11">{{cite journal|last=Hopkins|first=Walter|date=November 1923|title=Architectural Design for Hotel Interiors|url=https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1923-11.pdf|journal=Architectural Forum|pages=205, 208}}</ref><ref name="NYCL pp. 12-13">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|pp=12–13}}</ref> Furthermore, Warren and Wetmore had thought restaurants to be the second most significant space in a hotel, in designing the Terrace Room.<ref name="AF-1923-11" /><ref name="NYCL p. 13" />
There were originally laundry rooms in the basement and the eighteenth floor.<ref name="AA (1907) p. 136" /><ref name="ABM (1907) p. 25">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1907|ps=.|p=25}}</ref> The basement also contained a grill room, kitchen, various refrigeration rooms, and amenities such as a [[Turkish bath]] and a barber shop
==== Hallways and lobbies ====
The Grand Army Plaza lobby, also called the Fifth Avenue lobby, was created during Warren and Wetmore's expansion as the hotel's new main lobby, occupying the former Plaza Restaurant's space.<ref name="Architecture and Building 1922" /> The lobby contains a "U"-shaped mezzanine running above the northern, eastern, and southern walls, with three entrance vestibules below the eastern section of the mezzanine. The Fifth Avenue lobby was decorated in bas-relief and preserved some of the original decorations from the Plaza Restaurant, including paneled pilasters and a beamed ceiling. Other features, including the mosaic floor and a crystal chandelier, were added by Warren and Wetmore.<ref name="NYCL p. 32">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=31 (PDF p. 32)}}</ref>
The 58th Street entrance has three elevators and adjoins what was formerly a women's reception room.<ref name="Arch (1907) p. 179" /><ref name="rer19070914">{{cite journal|date=September 14, 1907|title=Newest Great Hotel|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_040&page=ldpd_7031148_040_00000436&no=1|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
The layout of the upper floors was based on the layout of the ground-floor hallways, because all the stairways and elevators were placed in the same position on upper floors.<ref name="Frohne p. 362">{{harvnb|Frohne|1907|ps=.|p=362}}</ref> On the third floor and all subsequent stories, a centrally located C-shaped corridor runs around the north, east, and south sides of the building, connecting to every room.<ref name="ABM (1907) p. 14">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1907|ps=.|p=14}}</ref>
The Terrace Room, west of the Palm Court,<ref name="NYCL pp. 21-22">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|pp=21–22 (PDF pp. 22–23)}}</ref> is part of Warren and Wetmore's 1921 design. The room was so named because it contains three terraces.<ref name="Architecture and Building 1922" /><ref name="NYCL p. 13">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=13}}</ref> The terraces split the room in thirds, increasing in height from east to west; they are separated by balustrades and connected by small staircases.<ref name="NYCL p. 62">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=62 (PDF p. 63)}}</ref> The space contains Renaissance style motifs on the pilasters, ceilings, and wall arches, as well as three chandeliers and rusticated-marble walls.<ref name="NYCL pp. 62-63">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|pp=62–63 (PDF pp. 63–64)}}</ref> [[John B. Smeraldi]] was commissioned to paint the Terrace Room's ornamentation.<ref name="Gura p. 92">{{harvnb|Gura|2015|ps=.|p=92}}</ref><ref name="NYCL pp. 62-63" /> The Terrace Room is surrounded by a balcony, with a painted coffer ceiling possibly commissioned by Smeraldi, as well as marble pilasters and floors.<ref name="NYCL p. 13" /> A balcony runs slightly above the Terrace Room on its southern wall.<ref name="NYCL p. 63">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=63 (PDF p. 64)}}</ref> Immediately south of the balcony is the Terrace Room's corridor and foyer.<ref name="NYCL pp. 21-22" /><ref name="NPS p. 11" />
The southwestern corner of the ground floor also originally contained a staff dining room before being redesigned as the Oyster Bar.<ref name="NPS p. 5" /> The southeastern corner originally contained the 58th Street Restaurant, which was exclusively for the hotel's permanent residents.<ref name="Arch (1907) p. 179" /> In 1934, it was replaced by a nightclub called the Persian Room.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> The Persian Room had red and Persian blue upholstery by [[Joseph Urban]], five wall murals by [[Lillian Gaertner Palmedo]], and a 27-foot bar.<ref name="Brown p. 76">{{harvnb|Brown|1967|ps=.|p=76}}</ref><ref name="Satow ch. 6" /> The Persian Room operated until 1978.<ref name="Satow ch. 10">{{harvnb|Satow|2019|ps=.|loc=chapter 10}}</ref>
==== Ballroom ====
Hardenbergh's design included the State Apartments on the northern side of the first floor.<ref name="Frohne p. 356">{{harvnb|Frohne|1907|ps=.|p=356}}</ref><ref name="AA (1907) pp. 134-135">{{harvnb|American Architect|1907|ps=.|pp=134–135}}</ref> The [[state room]] was one of the most lavish suites in the entire hotel; it had a drawing room, antechambers, dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, and food storage.<ref name="AA (1907) p. 135" /> Also on the first floor were private banquet, reception, and card rooms.<ref name="nyt19070929" /><ref name="Frohne p. 352" /><ref name="ABM (1907) p. 14" /> The state room was turned into a private dining area and restored in 1974.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Similarly ornate suites were located along the Central Park South side on eleven of the upper floors.<ref name="Gathje p. 81" />
In the early and mid-20th century, several designers such as [[Elsie de Wolfe]] and [[Cecil Beaton]] were hired to design special suites for the Plaza Hotel.<ref name="nyt19820927" /> During 2013, a {{Convert|900|ft2||abbr=|adj=on}} suite on the 18th floor of the hotel was furnished with various decorations from the movie [[The Great Gatsby (2013 film)|''The Great Gatsby'']]. The furnished room was based on the [[The Great Gatsby|novel of the same name]] by [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]], which had several scenes at the Plaza Hotel (see {{Section link||In media}}).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ceallaigh|first=John O'|date=April 30, 2013|title=The New York Plaza hotel's new Great Gatsby suite
== History ==
The lots making up the present-day Plaza Hotel were first parceled and sold by the [[government of New York City]] in 1853, and acquired by John Anderson from 1870 to 1881.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> Prior to the Plaza Hotel's development the site was either occupied by the New York Skating Club,<ref>{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|pp=2–3}}</ref><ref name="Harris p. 6">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> or was vacant.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> When John Anderson died in 1881, his will stipulated that his land would pass to his son, John Charles Anderson.<ref name="nyt18870605">{{cite news|date=June 5, 1887|title=John Anderson's Will Invalid|page=10|work=The New York Times|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/63886742/|access-date=November 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> The first development on the lot was proposed in 1882 when [[Ernest Flagg]] was enlisted to design a 12-story apartment building for a syndicate led by his father Jared.<ref>{{cite journal|date=December 23, 1882|title=Out Among the Builders|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vollist=1&vol=ldpd_7031128_030&page=ldpd_7031128_030_00000636|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
=== First hotel ===
John Duncan Phyfe and James Campbell acquired the site in 1883.<ref name="Stern (1983) p. 261" /><ref name="Stern (1999) pp. 529-530">{{harvnb|Stern|Mellins|Fishman|1999|ps=.|pp=529–530}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 30, 1883|title=Sale of Fifth Avenue Plaza Lots|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1883/10/30/archives/sale-of-fifthavenue-plaza-lots.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 23, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Phyfe and Campbell announced plans for a nine-story apartment building at the site that October,<ref>{{cite journal|last=|first=|date=October 13, 1883|title=Out Among the Builders|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031128_032&page=ldpd_7031128_032_00000336&no=1|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
The first Plaza Hotel finally opened on October 1, 1890,<ref name="Gathje p. 4" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=September 30, 1890|title=For Eight Hours of Work.; Letter Carriers' Mass Meeting in Cooper Union Indorses the Bill|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1890/09/30/archives/for-eight-hours-of-work-letter-carriers-mass-meeting-in-cooper.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="tribune18900930">{{cite news|date=September 30, 1890|title=A Great Hotel Finished|page=7|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64065129/|access-date=November 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> at a cost of $3 million.{{efn-lg|Equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|3|1890|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}<ref name="Gathje p. 4" /><ref name="NPS p. 3">{{harvnb|ps=.|National Park Service|1978|p=3}}</ref><ref name="King 1892 p.">{{cite book|last=King|first=Moses|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/King_s_Handbook_of_New_York_City/cKkUAAAAYAAJ|title=King's Handbook of New York City: An Outline History and Description of the American Metropolis|publisher=Moses King|year=1892|isbn=|location=|page=208|pages=|oclc=848600041}}</ref> The original hotel stood eight stories tall and had 400 rooms.<ref name="Gathje p. 4" /><ref name="King 1892 p." /> The interiors featured extensive mahogany and carved wood furnishings; lion motifs, representing the hotel's coat of arms; and a {{Convert|30|ft||-tall|abbr=|adj=mid}} dining room, with stained glass windows and gold and white decorations.<ref name="tribune18900930" /><ref name="King 1892 p." /><ref name="Harris pp. 8-9">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|pp=8–9}}</ref> [[Moses King]], in his 1893 ''Handbook of New York City'', characterized the hotel as "one of the most attractive public houses in the wide world".<ref name="Stern (1983) p. 261" /><ref name="Harris p. 6" /> Despite being described as fashionable,<ref name="Gathje p. 6">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> it was not profitable.<ref name="nyt18910826" /><ref name="Jackson p. 1003">{{harvnb|Jackson|2010|ps=.|p=1003}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported in 1891 that the hotel netted $72,000 in rental income, out of $1.8 million that New York Life had spent to complete the hotel, including loans to Phyfe and Campbell.{{efn-lg|The rental income is equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|0.072|1891|r=2}} million, and the total investment is equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|1.8|1891|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}.{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}<ref name="nyt18910826" />
=== Replacement and early 20th century ===
The first Plaza Hotel had been relatively remote when it was completed, but by the first decade of the 20th century, was part of a rapidly growing commercial district on Fifth Avenue.<ref name="NYCL p. 6">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> Furthermore, several upscale hotels in Manhattan were also being rebuilt during that time.<ref>{{cite journal|date=June 24, 1905|title=The Hotels of Manhattan|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_035&page=ldpd_7031148_035_00001458&no=1|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
==== Construction ====
[[File:Plaza Hotel NYC.jpg|thumb|The rebuilt Plaza Hotel during the early 20th century]]
Henry J. Hardenbergh was hired as architect in 1905, initially being commissioned to expand the existing hotel by five stories.<ref name="AA (1907) p. 134" /><ref name="rer19050513">{{cite journal|date=May 13, 1905|title=Plans for Plaza Hotel Annex|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_035&page=ldpd_7031148_035_00001134&no=2|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
The first Plaza Hotel was closed on June 11, 1905,<ref>{{cite news|date=June 10, 1905|title=Old Plaza Hotel to Make Way for New Structure|page=9|work=Buffalo Times|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/64050137/|access-date=November 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref><ref name="tribune19050613">{{cite news|date=June 13, 1905|title=Won't Leave Plaza|page=7|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64065310/|access-date=November 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> and demolition commenced immediately upon the expiration of the lease there.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /><ref name="Harris p. 17" /> The existing hotel's furnishings were auctioned immediately.<ref name="rer19050617" /><ref name="tribune19050613" /> The site was cleared within two months of the start of demolition.<ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="NPS p. 7" /> Hardenbergh filed plans for the hotel with the [[New York City Department of Buildings]] that September.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 21, 1905|title=The Vendome Changes Hands|page=12|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/64049935/|access-date=November 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> By the next month, contractors were clearing the old hotel's foundation.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 5, 1887|title=Framework Still Sound|page=2|work=The New York Times|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/64048330/|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> The new hotel was to use {{Convert|10000|ST|LT t|abbr=}} of steel, and a group of 100 workers and seven derricks erected two stories of steelwork every six days.<ref>{{cite
Hardenbergh and Sterry directed several firms to furnish the interior spaces.<ref name="AA (1907) p. 134" /><ref name="NYCL p. 10" /> Sterry recalled that all of the interior features were custom-designed for the hotel,<ref name="NYCL p. 10" /><ref name="Harris p. 17">{{harvnb|ps=.|Harris|1981|p=17}}</ref> such as 1,650 crystal chandeliers and the largest-ever order of gold-rimmed cutlery.<ref name="Gura p. 92" /> Much of the furniture was manufactured by the Pooley Company of Philadelphia; where the Pooley Company could not manufacture the furnishings, the Plaza's developers chartered ships to import material from Europe.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /><ref name="Harris pp. 17-18">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|pp=17–18}}</ref> Sterry was himself dispatched to Europe to purchase these materials.<ref name="Harris p. 17" /> The developers anticipated that the hotel would cost $8.5 million to construct, including the furnishings.<ref name="NYCL p. 5">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=September 12, 1907|title=New Plaza Hotel Cost $12,500,000; $4,000,000 More Than Original Estimate, but the Fund Was Easily Raised|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/12/archives/new-plaza-hotel-cost-12500000-4000000-more-than-original-estimate.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> However, additional expenditures pushed the final construction cost to $12.5 million.{{efn-lg|The original budget is equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|8.5|1907|r=2}} million, and the final cost is equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|12.5|1907|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}.{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}<ref name="NPS p. 7" /><ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> To pay for the construction costs, the developers received a $5 million loan in mid-1906,<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=June 29, 1906|title=In the Real Estate Field; Loan of $5,000,000 on the New Plaza Hotel -- West Side Apartments Sold -- Bulk of Trading Confined to Small Properties|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/06/29/archives/in-the-real-estate-field-loan-of-5000000-on-the-new-plaza-hotel.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 29, 1906|title=A $5,000,000 Building Loan|page=14|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/64050024/|access-date=November 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> followed by another $4.5 million loan in 1907.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 8, 1907|title=A $4,500,000 Mortgage|page=14|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/64049632/|access-date=November 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref>
[[File:Day Trip to New York City (2788481970).jpg|thumb|The main entrance was moved to Grand Army Plaza (pictured) as a result of the 1921 expansion by Warren and Wetmore.]]
From the start, the Plaza Operating Company was already preparing for the possibility of expansion, and came to acquire the lots between 5 and 19 West 58th Street in the first two decades of the 20th century.<ref name="NYCL p. 12">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=12}}</ref> This land acquisition commenced before the second hotel had even opened.<ref name="NYCL p. 12" /><ref name="Frohne p. 358">{{harvnb|Frohne|1907|ps=.|p=358}}</ref> By 1915, the Plaza Operating Company had acquired four lots at West 58th Street and one on Central Park South.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 15, 1915|title=The Real Estate Field.; Allerton Realty Company Buys East Thirty-ninth Street Plot for Apartment House Site|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/10/15/archives/the-real-estate-field-allerton-realty-company-buys-east-thirtyninth.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Plaza Operating Company received an exemption from the [[1916 Zoning Resolution]], which set height restrictions for new buildings on the 58th Street side of the lots.<ref name="Satow ch. 5" /> The company filed plans for a 19-story annex along 58th Street in August 1919, to be designed by Warren and Wetmore.<ref>{{cite journal|date=August 9, 1919|title=Alterations|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_064&page=ldpd_7031148_064_00000126&no=1|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real
The Champagne Porch was only frequented by the extremely wealthy, and after the start of Prohibition, Sterry decided to remove the room altogether in 1921.<ref name="Harris p. 34" /><ref name="bt19210708" /> An enlarged entrance was placed at the site of the Champagne Porch.<ref name="Architecture and Building 1922" /><ref name="NYCL pp. 9-10" /><ref name="Harris p. 30">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=30}}</ref> The work also included building a new restaurant called the Terrace Room, as well as a ballroom and 350 additional suites.<ref name="Architecture and Building 1922" /><ref name="Harris p. 34" /><ref name="bt19210708" /> Warren and Wetmore designed the expanded interior with more subtle contrasts in the decor, compared to Hardenbergh's design.<ref name="Architecture and Building 1922" /><ref name="NYCL p. 12" /> The annex opened October 14, 1921, with an event in the ballroom,<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 15, 1921|title=Society Aids a Benefit.; Appears in 'The Garden of Youth' in New Ballroom of the Plaza|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1921/10/15/archives/society-aids-a-benefit-appears-in-the-garden-of-youth-in-new.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> but was not officially completed until April 1922.<ref name="NYCL p. 12" /> With the advent of Prohibition, the bar room was also closed, and the gender segregation rule was relaxed.<ref name="Harris p. 40" /><ref name="NYCL p. 54">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=54}}</ref><ref name="Gathje p. 30">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=30}}</ref> The space occupied by the present-day Oak Bar became the offices of brokerage [[EF Hutton]].<ref name="NYCL p. 14" /> The Plaza had become the city's most valuable hotel by 1923,<ref name="Satow ch. 5" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 2, 1923|title=City Realty Value Jumps One Billion to $11,275,526,200; Total and $840,629,525 in Personalty Three-fourths of the State's Wealth|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/10/02/archives/city-realty-value-jumps-one-billion-to-11275526200-total-and.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the U.S. Realty Company overall was highly profitable, paying increasingly high dividends during the 1920s.<ref name="Satow ch. 5" />
For unknown reasons, Warren and Wetmore's ballroom was reconstructed from June to September 1929, based on neoclassical designs by Schultze & Weaver.<ref name="NYCL p. 36" /> Shortly afterward, U.S. Realty's stock price collapsed in the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929|Wall Street Crash]] of October 1929, from which commenced the [[Great Depression in the United States]].<ref name="Satow ch. 5" /> Plaza Hotel co-owner Harry Black killed himself the following year in 1930,<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 20, 1930|title=H.s. Black Ends Life by Bullet in Home|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/07/20/archives/hs-black-ends-life-by-bullet-in-home-no-motive-revealed-financier.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and his partner Bernhard Beinecke died two years later.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=December 21, 1932|title=Bernhard Beinecke Dies; a Hotel Man|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/21/archives/bernhad-beinecke-dies-a-hotel-man-chairman-of-board-of-plaza-86.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The rebuilt Plaza's first manager, Fred Sterry, died in 1933.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=August 15, 1933|title=To Manage Hotel Plaza.; Henry A. Host Will Fill Position of the Late Frederic Sterry|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/15/archives/to-manage-hotel-plaza-henry-a-host-will-fill-position-of-the-late.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The early 1930s were also financially difficult for the Plaza Hotel, as only half of the suites were occupied by 1932. To reduce operating costs for the hotel's restaurants, the grill room in the basement was converted into a closet, while the Rose Room became an automobile showroom. The furnishings of the Plaza Hotel fell into disrepair and, during some months, management was unable to pay staff.<ref name="Satow ch. 6" />
By the mid-1930s, the old tea room was officially known as the Palm Court, having been referred to as the "Palm Room" for the previous decade.<ref name="Harris p. 38" /><ref name="NYCL p. 15">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=15}}</ref><ref name="Brown p. 79">{{harvnb|Brown|1967|ps=.|p=79}}</ref> The back room was reopened as the Oak Room restaurant in 1934,<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref name="Gathje p. 32">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=32}}</ref> although it was still referred to as the "back room" by its frequent visitors, which included bankers and brokers.<ref name="Harris p. 51" /> The same year, display windows and a doorway on the southern wall were added to the Fifth Avenue lobby, and the southeastern corner of the ground floor was refurbished into the Persian Room.<ref name="Brown p. 76" /><ref>{{cite news|date=January 31, 1934|title=Hotel Plaza Plans New Cocktail Room: Corner at 5th Av. And 58th St. Will Be Fitted Up at Cost of $50,000|page=34|work=The New York Times|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/101079852|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331
=== Mid-
==== Hilton operation ====
[[File:New York City (4374514714).jpg|thumb|Seen from the east on 58th Street]]
U.S. Realty continued to lose money through the 1930s, and was selling off its properties by 1942, including the Plaza Hotel.<ref name="Satow ch. 6">{{harvnb|Satow|2019|ps=.|loc=chapter 6}}</ref> [[Atlas Corporation]], collaborating with hotelier [[Conrad Hilton]], bought the Plaza Hotel for $7.4 million in October 1943.{{efn-lg|Equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|7.4|1943|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 8, 1943|title=Atlas in Control of Plaza Hotel; Corporation Buys All Stock of U.S. Realty in Fifth Avenue Property|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/10/08/archives/atlas-in-control-of-plaza-hotel-corporation-buys-all-stock-of-us.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=October 8, 1943|title=Atlas Interests Buy Plaza Hotel In Security Deal: Large 5th Avenue Property Sold by General Realty to Floyd B. Odlum Group|page=29|work=New York Herald Tribune|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1268022005|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020
The Plaza Hotel Corporation, the hotel's operator, was merged into the [[Hilton Worldwide|Hilton Hotels Corporation]] in 1946.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=June 7, 1946|title=$60,000,000 Hilton Hotel Concern Formed as Four Companies Merge; Plaza, Stevens, Palmer House, Dayton-Biltmore Combined|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/06/07/archives/60000000-hilton-hotel-concern-formed-as-four-companies-merge-plaza.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The following year, the Plaza Rendez-Vous opened within the old grill room space.<ref name="Harris p. 69">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=69}}</ref> By the early 1950s, women were allowed inside the Oak Room and Bar during the evenings and summers, although it still acted as a men-only space before 3 p.m., while the stock exchanges operated.<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref name="Harris pp. 55-56">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|pp=55–56}}</ref><ref name="Gathje p. 142">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=142}}</ref>
Hilton sold the hotel in 1953 to Boston industrialist A.M. "Sonny" Sonnabend for $15 million,{{efn-lg|Equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|15|1953|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} and immediately leased it back for 2.5 years.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 15, 1953|title=$15,000,000 Paid for Plaza Hotel; Hilton Interests Take Lease Back From the Sonnabend Group of Boston, Mass|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/10/15/archives/15000000-paid-for-plaza-hotel-hilton-interests-take-lease-back-from.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Gathje p. 163">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=163}}</ref> Sonnabend became president of national restaurant chain [[Childs Company]] in 1955, and Childs purchased the Plaza that November, for $6.2 million in stock.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 18, 1955|title=Childs Approves Plaza Purchase; Holders Also Agree to Lease 3 Other Hotels, Change Corporate Name|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/11/18/archives/childs-approves-plaza-purchase-holders-also-agree-to-lease-3-other.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The same year, the ground-floor Plaza Restaurant was renamed the Edwardian Room.<ref name="Gathje p. 30" /><ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref name="Brown p. 192">{{harvnb|Brown|1967|ps=.|p=192}}</ref> Air conditioning was also installed in each guest room around this time.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Grutzner|first=Charles|date=July 8, 1956|title=Year of the Air Conditioning; New York Hotels Putting Millions Into Cooling and Renovations|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/08/archives/year-of-the-air-conditioning-new-york-hotels-putting-millions-into.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Childs became the Hotel Corporation of America (HCA) in 1956,<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=February 23, 1956|title=Childs Co. Changes Name|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/02/23/archives/childs-co-changes-name.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Hilton's lease was renewed indefinitely that year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 1, 1956|title=Hotel Corporation of America Buys 2 Hotels for $14,930,000|page=15|work=Daily Boston Globe|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/842256840|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 27, 2020
==== Sonnabend operation ====
The Plaza Hotel experienced financial difficulties during the early 1960s, but under Sonnabend's management, the Plaza's financial outlook improved by 1964.<ref name="nyt19791230">{{Cite news|last=Cuff|first=Daniel F.|date=December 30, 1979|title=The Plaza Hotel: A Moneymaking Fairyland|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/30/archives/the-plaza-hotel-a-moneymaking-fairyland-but-its-an-easy-target-for.html|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Satow ch. 9">{{harvnb|Satow|2019|ps=.|loc=chapter 9}}</ref> The facade of the Plaza Hotel was cleaned in late 1960, the first time that the exterior had been fully cleaned since its construction.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=November 25, 1960|title=Sidewalk Foremen Watch Face-Lifting At the Plaza Hotel|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/11/25/archives/sidewalk-foremen-watch-facelifting-at-the-plaza-hotel.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This was followed in 1962 by extensive exterior and interior renovations, which resulted in the redecoration of many of the suites and public rooms.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ennis|first=Thomas W.|date=September 9, 1962|title=Hotels Spruce Up as Rivalry Rises|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/09/09/archives/hotels-spruce-up-as-rivalry-rises-they-answer-newcomers-with-vast.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="wsj19650823">{{cite news|last=|first=|date=August 23, 1965|title=The Grand Hotel: Aging but Still Elegant, Gotham's Storied Plaza Prospers on Nostalgia Edwardian Opulence, Service Enchant Jet-Age Patrons|page=1|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/132999458|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0099-9660
Upon Sonny Sonnabend's death in 1964, his son Roger took over the hotel.<ref name="Satow ch. 10" /> Further changes to the hotel's ownership occurred the next year, when [[Sol Goldman]] and [[Alexander DiLorenzo]]'s firm Wellington Associates bought an [[Option (finance)|option]] to obtain a half-interest in the underlying land from Hilton.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=August 31, 1965|title=Wellington to Get Land Under Plaza|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/31/archives/wellington-to-get-land-under-plaza.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Gender restrictions at the Oak Room were removed in 1969, after the [[National Organization for Women]] held a sit-in to protest the men-only policy during middays.<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref name="Gathje p. 142" /><ref name="Harris p. 56">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=56}}</ref> HCA, by then renamed Sonesta International Hotels,<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 23, 1969|title=Hotel America To Change Name Nov. 10 to Sonesta|page=64|work=Hartford Courant|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/550282274|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 27, 2020
The renovations coincided with a decline in Sonesta's and the Plaza's finances, with the hotel recording a net negative income by 1971.<ref name="Satow ch. 10" /> Sonesta repurchased the Plaza Hotel from Wien in 1972.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reckert|first=Clare M.|date=July 6, 1972|title=Sonesta International Takes Title to Plaza Hotel|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/06/archives/sonesta-international-takes-title-to-plaza-hotel-sonesta-corp-buys.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Shortly afterward, Sonesta looked to sell its interest in the Plaza Hotel to [[Harry Helmsley]], and Wellington attempted to take over Sonesta by buying its shares.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hammer|first=Alexander R.|date=May 10, 1973|title=Sonesta Shares Target in Deal|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/10/archives/sonesta-shares-target-in-deal-wellington-seeking-to-buy-up-to-a.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gallese|first=Liz Roman|date=May 10, 1973|title=Sonesta Sought by Wellington Associates, But Such a Take-Over May Prove Difficult|page=16|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/133819150|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 30, 2020|issn=0099-9660
=== Late 20th century ===
==== Westin, Trump, and Al-Waleed ownership ====▼
In November 1974, [[Westin Hotels|Western International Hotels]] announced its intention to buy the Plaza Hotel from Sonesta for $25 million.{{efn-lg|Equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|25|1974|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 13, 1974|title=Western Hotels Co. Buying the Plaza For $25‐Million|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/11/13/archives/western-hotels-co-buying-the-plaza-for-25million.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The same year, the Edwardian Room was largely restored to designs by Charles Winslow, being rebranded as the Plaza Suite.<ref name="NYCL p. 27">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=27}}</ref><ref name="Harris p. 43">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=43}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Goldberger|first=Paul|date=February 12, 1974|title=Plaza Turning Back Clock to '1907‐New' Look|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/12/archives/plaza-turning-back-clock-to-1907new-look-a-softer-glow.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Following Western International's acquisition of the Plaza, it renovated the interior spaces, cleaned the exterior, and restored many of the original designs,<ref name="nyt19820927" /><ref name="wp19750615" /> at a total cost of $200 million.<ref name="newsday19880328">{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Michael|date=March 28, 1988|title=5-Star Facelift; Trump to make over city's Plaza Hotel|page=02|work=Newsday|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/277975654|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020|id={{ProQuest|277975654}}|via=ProQuest}}</ref> The four hydraulic elevators serving the Central Park South lobby, among the last of their type in the city, were also replaced with electric elevators in 1976.<ref name="nyt19760415" /> Westin also bought the Shinn murals that year for $1 million; they had not been part of the original sale.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=May 18, 1976|title=Plaza Buys Murals By Everett Shinn From Old Owners|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/18/archives/plaza-buys-murals-by-everett-shinn-from-old-owners.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next year, a 204-seat theater called Cinema 3 opened in the basement.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goldberger|first=Paul|date=March 24, 1977|title=Design Notebook: Inglorious Urban Entries See a Movie In Style Order Carved Out of Openness|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/24/archives/design-notebook-inglorious-urban-entries.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Persian Room was closed in 1978 and a clothing boutique opened in its place.<ref name="Satow ch. 10" /> By the late 1970s, the Plaza Hotel was again making a net profit.<ref name="Satow ch. 10" />▼
▲In November 1974, [[Westin Hotels|Western International Hotels]] announced its intention to buy the Plaza Hotel from Sonesta for $25 million.{{efn-lg|Equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|25|1974|r=2}} million in {{Inflation year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|index=US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}}<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 13, 1974|title=Western Hotels Co. Buying the Plaza For $25‐Million|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/11/13/archives/western-hotels-co-buying-the-plaza-for-25million.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The same year, the Edwardian Room was largely restored to designs by Charles Winslow, being rebranded as the Plaza Suite.<ref name="NYCL p. 27">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=27}}</ref><ref name="Harris p. 43">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=43}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Goldberger|first=Paul|date=February 12, 1974|title=Plaza Turning Back Clock to
==== Trump ownership ====
By March 1995, CDL and Saudi prince [[Al-Waleed bin Talal]] had raised $325 million for a controlling stake in the Plaza.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sutton|first1=Larry|last2=Michelini|first2=Alex|date=March 16, 1995|title=Looking to Trump two on Plaza deal|page=1272|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64215917/|access-date=November 26, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> Trump sold the controlling stake to CDL and Al-Waleed the next month.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 12, 1995|title=Trump selling controlling interest in Plaza Hotel|page=44|work=Journal News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64216225/|access-date=November 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gilpin|first1=David|last2=Stout|first2=Kenneth N.|date=April 12, 1995|title=Trump Is Selling Plaza Hotel To Saudi and Asian Investors|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/12/business/trump-is-selling-plaza-hotel-to-saudi-and-asian-investors.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As part of the transaction, the debt was cut by $25 million, Kwek and Al-Waleed each bought a 42 percent stake in the hotel, and Citibank received the other 16 percent stake.<ref name="Satow 2019" /> Two years later, Hong Kong developer [[Great Eagle Holdings]] agreed to buy half of Al-Waleed's stake in the Plaza Hotel.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 30, 1997|title=Metro Business; New Plaza Hotel Owner|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/30/nyregion/metro-business-new-plaza-hotel-owner.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> DiLorenzo International renovated the ballroom in the mid-1990s,<ref name="NYCL p. 36" /> and Adam Tihany refurbished the Edwardian Room prior to 2001.<ref name="NYCL p. 27" />▼
The Plaza was sold to real estate developer [[Donald Trump]] in March 1988 following a [[handshake agreement]];<ref name="wsj19880318" /><ref>{{cite news|date=March 19, 1988|title=Trump May Buy Plaza Hotel; Sues to Block Resorts Bid|page=13|work=Newsday|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/277985843|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020|via=ProQuest}}</ref> the sale was valued at either $390 million<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cole|first=Robert J.|date=March 27, 1988|title=Plaza Hotel Is Sold To Donald Trump For $390 Million|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/27/nyregion/plaza-hotel-is-sold-to-donald-trump-for-390-million.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> or $410 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 28, 1988|title=Trump to Pay $410 Million for Plaza; Developer Vows to Restore Hotel's Luster|page=4|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/135376084|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0099-9660|via=ProQuest}}</ref> After gaining title in July of that year, Trump appointed his wife [[Ivana Trump|Ivana]] as the hotel's president<ref>{{cite news|title=Ivana Trump: Hard work, discipline and self-reliance|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|first=Marion M.|last=White|date=September 26, 1988|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB528F413ED16AC&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news|date=July 20, 1988|title=Playing The Palm Court As a Trump Card Says Ivana Trump, `We appreciate the old beauty|page=04|work=Newsday|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/277975714|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 28, 2020|via=ProQuest}}</ref> and announced a major renovation program.<ref name="newsday19880328" /> The work involved gilding many surfaces, replacing carpets, and reupholstering furniture.<ref>{{cite news|last=Revson|first=James A.|date=1989-09-21|title=Donald and Ivana Glitz the Plaza|page=04|work=Newsday|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1943384125|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-11-30|via=ProQuest}}</ref> The hotel made a modest profit for about two years after Trump's purchase, largely from increased occupancy, suite rates, and banquet bookings.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Agovino|first=Theresa|date=January 29, 1990|title=Profit in Sight for a Rejuvenated Plaza|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/219134786|journal=Crain's New York Business|volume=6|issue=5|pages=1|url-access=subscription|via=ProQuest}}</ref>
Trump had borrowed extensively to purchase the Plaza Hotel, but its [[operating income]] was several million dollars below the [[Break-even (economics)|breakeven]] point.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Norris|first=Floyd|date=June 5, 1990|title=A Haze of Debt Clouds The Plaza Hotel's Gleam|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/05/business/a-haze-of-debt-clouds-the-plaza-hotel-s-gleam.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As a result, the Plaza Hotel's debt ultimately grew to $600 million.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Reuters|first=|date=March 19, 1992|title=Trump Relinquishing Half of Plaza Hotel Sale of Suites as Condos Fails to Raise Cash|page=2D|work=Sun Sentinel|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/388941901|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-11-30|via=ProQuest}}</ref> By 1991, Trump was making plans to pay off the hotel's debt by selling off the vast majority of its units as [[condominium]]s. Trump estimated that the conversion would net $750 million, almost twice the purchase price.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 10, 1991|title=Trump planning to convert posh Plaza Hotel into condos|page=16|work=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, NY|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64215188/|access-date=November 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hylton|first=Richard D.|date=April 9, 1991|title=Trump Aims to Turn Most of Plaza Hotel Into Condominiums|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/09/business/trump-aims-to-turn-most-of-plaza-hotel-into-condominiums.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Trump expected to sell rooms in Plaza Hotel|newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News|first=Richard D.|last=Hylton|date=April 9, 1991|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EF612924BA52D15&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> Trump also considered converting the offices within the mansard roof to penthouse condos.<ref name="Satow ch. 11" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Lueck|first=Thomas J.|date=1990-06-03|title=Reaching for the Sky to Add a Room|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/03/realestate/reaching-for-the-sky-to-add-a-room.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The conversion plan failed because of a drop-off in prices in the city's real estate market.<ref name="Satow ch. 11" /><ref name=":3" /> As a last resort, in March 1992, Trump approached the Plaza's creditors, a group of seventy banks led by [[Citibank]], who agreed to take a 49% stake in the hotel in exchange for forgiveness of $250 million in debt and an interest rate reduction.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Trump yields 49% of Plaza Hotel in N.Y.|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|location=Newark, NJ|date=March 19, 1992|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12246C4B02ABA3B8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lowenstein|first=Roger|date=1992-03-19|title=Trump Agrees to Give Lenders 49% of Plaza Hotel|page=A5|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/135320103|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0099-9660|via=ProQuest}}</ref> The agreement was submitted as a [[prepackaged bankruptcy]] in November 1992<ref>{{cite news|date=1992-11-04|title=Prepackaged Bankruptcy Is Filed for Plaza Hotel|page=A6|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/398326488|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0099-9660|via=ProQuest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=1992-11-04|title=Company News; Trump Revises Plaza Loan|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/04/business/company-news-trump-revises-plaza-loan.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and approved the next month.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reuters|date=December 12, 1992|title=Company News; Trump's Plaza Hotel Bankruptcy Plan Approved|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/12/business/company-news-trump-s-plaza-hotel-bankruptcy-plan-approved.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==== Sale to Kwek and Al-Waleed ====
By 1994, Trump was looking to sell the Plaza before Citibank and other creditors could find a buyer, thereby wiping out his investment; one of his executives identified Hong Kong-based [[Sun Hung Kai Properties]] as a potential buyer. The deal fell through after the family of Sun Hung Kai executive [[Walter Kwok]] got trapped behind a jammed door while touring the Plaza Hotel.<ref name="Satow ch. 12">{{harvnb|Satow|2019|ps=.|loc=chapter 12}}</ref><!-- Trump, attempting to maintain public appearances, threatened to sue the ''New York Post'' that December for reporting on another potential buyer.<ref name="Satow ch. 12" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Henry|first=David|date=1994-12-22|title=Trump Says He'll Sue Post for $500M|page=A53|work=Newsday|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/278840199|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-12-01|via=ProQuest}}</ref>--> Meanwhile, the creditors had also identified Singaporean developer [[Kwek Leng Beng]] as a likely buyer.<ref name="Satow 2019">{{cite web|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=May 23, 2019|title=That Time Trump Sold the Plaza Hotel at an $83 Million Loss|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-05-23/that-time-trump-sold-the-plaza-hotel-at-an-83-million-loss|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Kwek's company, Singaporean chain [[City Developments Limited]] (CDL), offered to take over the creditors' ownership stake.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Barron|first=James|date=January 11, 1995|title=Company News; Singapore Chain Seeks Plaza Hotel Stake|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/11/business/company-news-singapore-chain-seeks-plaza-hotel-stake.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Saudi prince [[Al-Waleed bin Talal]] was also interested in buying the Plaza, and by March 1995, Al-Waleed and CDL had raised $325 million for a controlling stake.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sutton|first=Larry|last2=Michelini|first2=Alex|date=March 16, 1995|title=Looking to Trump two on Plaza deal|page=1272|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64215917/|access-date=November 26, 2020|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> Trump unsuccessfully petitioned Kwek to partner with him instead of Al-Waleed.<ref name="wsj19970219">{{cite news|last=Pacelle|first=Mitchell|date=1997-02-19|title=Asian Investors Buy Up Hotels in U.S., Europe, But Move Cautiously|page=A1|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1619948359|url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0099-9660|via=ProQuest}}</ref>
▲
=== 21st century ===
[[File:Plaza Hotel Birthday Celebration.JPG|thumb|The Plaza Hotel turned 100 years old in October 2007, celebrating with ceremonies and fireworks]]
In July 2012, [[Sahara India Pariwar]] agreed to buy a 75% controlling stake for $570 million from El Ad Properties.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018">{{cite web|last=Mashayekhi|first=Rey|date=July 18, 2018|title=The Plaza Hotel - The Long and Winding Ownership History|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2018/07/the-plaza-hotel-ownership-history/|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Commercial Observer}}</ref> Two years later, Sahara's [[Subrata Roy]] announced he was seeking a buyer for his company's majority stake in the Plaza for $4 billion.<ref name="nyt20140823">{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=August 22, 2014|title=Legal Woes of Owners Help Put the Plaza Back in Play|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/nyregion/legal-woes-of-owners-help-put-the-plaza-back-in-play.html|access-date=July 9, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At the time, Sahara was experiencing legal issues and was selling off other properties that it owned.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018" /> After Roy was unable to secure a buyer, he hired a broker in August 2017 to sell the hotel,<ref name="wsj20170822">{{Cite news|last=Karmin|first=Craig|date=August 22, 2017|title=Famed Plaza Hotel Is On the Block|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/famed-plaza-hotel-is-on-the-block-1503394221|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=August 23, 2017|title=The Plaza Is for Sale, but a Part-Owner Has Other Ideas|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/nyregion/plaza-hotel-for-sale-subrata-roy.html|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> prompting inquiries from about 50 potential buyers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Karmin|first=Craig|date=September 19, 2017|title=Dozens of Investors Show Interest in Plaza Hotel|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/several-investors-show-interest-in-plaza-hotel-1505836448|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The same year, Saudi businessman [[Al-Waleed bin Talal]], whose [[Kingdom Holding Company]] owned a minor stake in the hotel, partnered with [[Ben Ashkenazy|Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warerkar|first=Tanay|date=May 25, 2017|title=Beleaguered Plaza Hotel purchase may soon be finalized|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2017/5/25/15690120/plaza-hotel-saudi-prince-sale|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Curbed NY|language=en}}</ref> Kingdom and Ashkenazy's partnership included a [[right of first refusal]], which allowed the companies to match any third-party offer for the hotel.<ref name="wsj20170822" /> In May 2018, the Sahara Group announced it had finalized a deal with businessmen [[Shahal M. Khan]] and [[Kamran Hakim]] to buy a majority share of the hotel for $600 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=May 4, 2018|title=Deal Is Reached to Sell the Plaza Hotel|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/nyregion/plaza-hotel-sale.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Warerkar|first=Tanay|date=May 3, 2018|title=Legendary Plaza Hotel will sell for $600M to Saudi prince|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/5/3/17316124/plaza-hotel-nyc-contract-sale-600-million-prince-alwaleed-bin-talal|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Curbed NY}}</ref> However, Ashkenazy and Kingdom exercised their right of first refusal,<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018" /> sued Sahara for trying to sell the hotel to a third party,<ref>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Miriam|date=May 21, 2018|title=Minority Owners Of The Plaza Hotel Sue Majority Owner For Trying To Sell To Third Party|url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/hotel/investors-trying-to-buy-the-plaza-hotel-are-suing-its-majority-owner-88672|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Bisnow}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tan|first=Gillian|date=May 18, 2018|title=New York Plaza Hotel Buyers Ashkenazy, Alwaleed Sue Owner|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-18/alwaleed-ashkenazy-partnership-sues-over-sale-of-plaza-hotel|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> and received an extension to close on their purchase of the Plaza.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Will|last2=Maurer|first2=Mark|date=June 26, 2018|title=Ashkenazy, Kingdom get extension to close on Plaza deal: sources|url=https://therealdeal.com/2018/06/26/ashkenazy-kingdom-get-extension-to-close-on-plaza-deal-sources/|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=The Real Deal New York}}</ref>
Qatari state-owned hotelier [[Katara Hospitality]] ultimately acquired full ownership of the Plaza Hotel in July 2018.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Betsy|date=July 5, 2018|title=Plaza Hotel Sold for $600 Million|url=https://www.globest.com/2018/07/05/plaza-hotel-sold-for-600-million/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=GlobeSt|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tan|first=Gillian|date=July 5, 2018|title=NYC's Historic Plaza Hotel Sold to Qatari State-Owned Company|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-05/nyc-s-historic-plaza-hotel-is-sold-to-qatari-state-owned-company|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York City]], and a corresponding [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism|downturn in tourism globally]], the Plaza's hotel rooms temporarily closed in March 2020, and several hundred employees were laid off.<ref>{{cite web|last=Engquist|first=Erik|date=March 27, 2020|title=Plaza Hotel in New York City Closes, Lays Off 251|url=https://therealdeal.com/2020/03/27/the-plaza-shuts-down-and-lays-off-251/|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=The Real Deal New York}}</ref> The residential section of the Plaza remained open through the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Yeginsu|first1=Ceylan|last2=Norman|first2=Derek M.|date=October 9, 2020|title='If No Tourists Come, I Have No Business': New York's Tourism Crisis|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/travel/nyc-tourism-travel-restrictions.html|access-date=November 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>▼
▲Qatari state-owned hotelier [[Katara Hospitality]] ultimately acquired full ownership of the Plaza Hotel in July 2018.<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Betsy|date=July 5, 2018|title=Plaza Hotel Sold for $600 Million|url=https://www.globest.com/2018/07/05/plaza-hotel-sold-for-600-million/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=GlobeSt|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tan|first=Gillian|date=July 5, 2018|title=
== Use ==
=== Social scene ===
The Plaza Hotel became associated with celebrities and the wealthy upon its opening, surpassing the original Waldorf Astoria in that respect.<ref name="Satow ch. 1">{{harvnb|Satow|2019|ps=.|loc=chapter 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Groth|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iISubnikC2kC|title=Living Downtown: The History of Residential Hotels in the United States|publisher=University of California Press|year=1994|isbn=978-0-520-06876-6|location=|page=42|pages=}}</ref> The Palm Court (then the tea room), with its mostly female guest list, was particularly frequented. Weeks after the hotel's 1907 opening, actress [[Mrs Patrick Campbell]] attempted to smoke there, and the resulting controversy boosted the Plaza's stature.<ref name="NYCL p. 57" /><ref name="Harris p. 66, 68">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|pp=66, 68}}</ref> In January 1908, crowds flocked to see heiress [[Gladys Vanderbilt Széchenyi|Gladys Vanderbilt]] and her fiance, Hungarian count [[László Széchenyi]], have tea while Theodora Shonts arrived with her fiance [[Emmanuel d'Albert de Luynes]], the [[Duke of Chaulnes]].<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=January 12, 1908|title=Crush to See Brides Who'll Wear Titles; Throng of Women at the Plaza Jams Corridors, Men's Cafe, and Grill. Duke and Count on View With Miss Theodora Shonts and Miss Gladys Vanderbilt, Whom They Are Soon to Wed|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/01/12/archives/crush-to-see-brides-wholl-wear-titles-throng-of-women-at-the-plaza.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Brown p. 174">{{harvnb|Brown|1967|ps=.|p=174}}</ref> That year, the ''New York World'' dubbed the hotel the "Home-for-the-Incurably Opulent".<ref name="NPS p. 8">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1978|ps=.|p=8}}</ref><ref name="Harris p. 66">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=66}}</ref> By 1909, the Palm Court was consistently exceeding its 350-person capacity.<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=April 25, 1909|title=Society's Latest Fad--Tearooms|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/04/25/archives/societys-latest-fadtearooms.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
During the 1920s, the basement's grill room was a popular meeting place for young adults born during the [[Lost Generation]].<ref name="Harris p. 67">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=67}}</ref> The Oak Room was frequented by actor [[George M. Cohan]], and a commemorative plaque for Cohan was installed in the room in the 1940s after his death.<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref name="Gathje p. 78">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=78}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 11, 1943|title=Plaque to Honor Cohan, Harris|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/03/11/archives/plaque-to-honor-cohan-harris.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Persian Room was popular with the "cafe society", being frequented by socialites and fashion trendsetters.<ref name="Satow ch. 6" /> In the 1970s, the Persian Room hosted performances from pop singers like [[Robert Goulet]] and [[Dusty Springfield]].<ref name="Satow ch. 10" />
The hotel has also been popular among world leaders, particularly presidents of the United States. The first of these was [[Theodore Roosevelt]], the 26th U.S. president, who moved his [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]'s events to the Plaza Hotel from the [[Fifth Avenue Hotel]] after the closure of the former in 1908.<ref name="Harris pp. 109-110">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|pp=109–110}}</ref> Theodore Roosevelt's distant cousin, president [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], had his birthday luncheon in the Palm Court in 1935.<ref name="NYCL p. 58">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005|ps=.|p=58 (PDF p. 59)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=January 31, 1935|title=Gay Pageant Here Honors President|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/01/31/archives/gay-pageant-here-honors-president-ball-at-the-waldorf-is-central.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Other U.S. presidents who frequented the hotel's guestrooms or restaurants have included [[William Howard Taft]], [[Harry S. Truman]], and [[Richard Nixon]],<ref name="NYCL p. 58" /><ref name="Harris p. 110">{{harvnb|Harris|1981|ps=.|p=110}}</ref> as well as onetime owner Donald Trump.<ref name=":1" /> The Plaza Hotel also kept a series of national flags, which were displayed whenever a foreign head of state visited.<ref name="Harris p. 110" /> The Plaza Hotel has also been used for political events, as in September 1985, the finance ministers of several countries signed the [[Plaza Accord]] at the hotel, which [[Currency appreciation and depreciation|depreciated]] the [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]] in relation to other currencies.<ref>{{cite book|last=Funabashi|first=Yōichi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wuZgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA263|title=Managing the Dollar: From the Plaza to the Louvre|publisher=Institute for International Economics|year=1989|isbn=978-0-88132-097-8|series=Books / Institute for international economics|pages=261–271}}</ref>
==== Receptions
[[File:Dinner at the Plaza Hotel, New York 1908.jpg|thumb|Depiction of a dinner at the Plaza Hotel in 1908]]
The Terrace Room has frequently been used for press conferences, luncheons, and receptions.<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /> For instance, it hosted a 1956 press conference where [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Marilyn Monroe]] talked about their upcoming film ''[[The Prince and the Showgirl]].''<ref name="Gathje p. 111">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=111}}</ref> At another press conference in the Terrace Room in 1968, [[Richard Burton]] and [[Elizabeth Taylor]] discussed their film ''[[Doctor Faustus (1967 film)|Dr. Faustus]]''.<ref name="NYCL p. 15" /><ref name="Gathje p. 137">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=137}}</ref> In addition, during the Beatles' 1964 stay at the hotel, visitors were allowed to take pictures with the Beatles at the Terrace Room.<ref name="Gathje pp. 124-125" />
==== Benefits and weddings ====
=== In media ===
The Plaza Hotel has been
Several films have been set or filmed at the Plaza, such as ''[[North by Northwest]]'' (1959),''<ref name="Mashayekhi 2018" /><ref name="Jackson p. 1003" />''<ref name="Gathje p. 116">{{harvnb|Gathje|2000|ps=.|p=116}}</ref> [[Barefoot in the Park (film)|<u>''Barefoot in the Park''</u>]] (1967),<ref name="NYCL p. 16" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Shelley|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2CpzBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA23|title=Neil Simon on Screen: Adaptations and Original Scripts for Film and Television|publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers|year=2015|isbn=978-0-7864-7198-0|page=23|access-date=November 29, 2020}}</ref> [[Funny Girl (film)|''Funny Girl'']] (1968), [[Plaza Suite (film)|''Plaza Suite'']] (1971),<ref name="Jackson p. 1003" /><ref name="NYCL p. 16" /> ''[[The Way We Were]]'' (1973),<ref name="Jackson p. 1003" /> and ''[[Home Alone 2: Lost in New York]]'' (1992).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alberts|first=Hana R.|date=November 7, 2017|title=The definitive guide to 'Home Alone 2' filming locations in NYC|url=https://ny.curbed.com/maps/home-alone-2-new-york-filming-locations|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=Curbed NY|language=en}}</ref> Conversely, the Plaza Hotel has disallowed some productions from filming there.<ref name="Tampa Bay Times 2018">{{cite web|last=Spears|first=Steve|date=June 10, 2018|title=30 years ago, ‘Big Business’ was really small potatoes|url=https://www.tampabay.comundefined/|access-date=November 30, 2020|website=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref> The producers of [[Big Business (1988 film)|''Big Business'']] (1988), faced with such a restriction, created their own version of the Plaza Hotel on a [[sound stage]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="Tampa Bay Times 2018" />
== See also ==
===Sources===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Eve|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/plaza-its-life-and-times/oclc/1974859|title=The Plaza; its life and times,|date=1967|publisher=Meredith Press|location=New York|language=English|oclc=1974859}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Frohne|first=H. W.|date=1907|title=Designing a Metropolitan Hotel, the Plaza|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=gri.ark:/13960/t3b05zj49&view=1up&seq=365|journal=Architectural Record|volume=22|pages=
* {{Cite book|last=Gathje|first=Curtis|url=https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=01ACC6C4-CDC1-4A20-9A6D-AAAFB4C818F5|title=At the Plaza: an illustrated history of the world's most famous hotel|date=2000|isbn=978-1-4668-6700-0|language=English|oclc=874906584}}
* {{cite book|last=Gura|first=Judith|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Guide_to_New_York_City_Landmarks/AwYcSFtdE_AC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA157&printsec=frontcover|title=Interior landmarks : treasures of New York|publisher=The Monacelli Press|year=2015|isbn=978-1-58093-422-0|
* {{Cite book|
* {{cite web|last=|first=|date=November 29, 1978|title=Historic Structures Report: Plaza Hotel|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/05e74221-73db-47ef-9bd3-eba48d72013f|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=|publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]]|ref={{harvid|National Park Service|1978}}}}
* {{Cite enc-nyc2|ref={{harvid|Jackson|2010}}}}
* {{cite journal|last=|first=|date=1907|title=New Plaza Hotel|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924015137684&view=1up&seq=91|journal=Architecture|volume=16|pages=179, 187|ref={{harvid|Architecture|1907}}}}
* {{cite
* {{cite web|date=December 9, 1969|title=The Plaza Hotel|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0265.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1969}}}}
* {{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=October 1907|title=The Plaza Hotel, H. J. Hardenberg, Architect|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951000969824v&view=1up&seq=9|journal=Architects' and Builders' Magazine|volume=9|pages=
* {{cite web|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2174.pdf|title=Plaza Hotel Interior|date=July 12, 2005|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2005}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Satow|first=Julie|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Plaza/LvBzDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover|title=The Plaza : the secret life of America's most famous hotel|publisher=Twelve|year=2019|isbn=978-1-4555-6666-2|location=|publication-place=New York|pages=|oclc=1057242880}}
* {{cite New York 1930|ref={{harvid|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987}}}}
* {{Cite New York 1900|ref={{harvid|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983}}}}
* {{cite book|
{{refend}}
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