The Plaza Hotel, one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks, will close for four years beginning in January 2027 to undergo an extensive restoration of its historic exterior. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which operates the property, announced the plans on Wednesday, October 14.
“Understanding the unique place in New York City’s architectural heritage and cultural history it holds, The Plaza Hotel is advancing plans for repair and restoration works to its landmark-protected façade,” Fairmont said in an announcement. “The undertaking reflects the complexity of maintaining a property of such architectural and historical significance, with careful consideration given to preservation requirements and the building’s long-term care, as well as the safety of our guests, employees, and the wider community.”
Fairmont has not disclosed the restoration’s cost, specific repairs, or an expected reopening date.
The closure will also affect other parts of the property, including its Palm Court restaurant and event spaces, which are also set to shut down in January. The Plaza currently features 282 hotel rooms and 181 condominium residences. Whether residents will be required to leave during construction remains unclear.
The shutdown will affect 378 unionized hotel workers, according to The New York Times. The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, which represents the workers, said employees will be entitled to return to their positions at the same pay when the hotel reopens. The union is seeking alternative employment for them in the meantime.
The Plaza, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, was designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. It opened its doors in 1907 and has become renowned for its elaborate architecture and longstanding place in New York’s cultural landscape. In 1969, the city officially designated it as a city landmark.
Beyond its architectural significance, The Plaza has a notable place in film history. The hotel is featured prominently in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, checks in during his solo adventure in Manhattan, as well as The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller North by Northwest. The property has also welcomed famous guests, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, and The Beatles, among others.
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