Brief
Plaza Hotel to close for at least four years for façade restoration
The 119‑year‑old New York landmark will be dark from January 2027, with work expected to last until 2031.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced Wednesday that the Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue will close for a sweeping façade restoration starting in January 2027, a project that could keep the building dark until 2031.
What happened
The operator said the work is required because of the “complexity of this undertaking and significant intrusion to operations.” The restoration will involve extensive scaffolding around the marble and brick exterior and will affect the hotel’s public spaces, including the Palm Court and event venues. Management did not disclose the cost or the exact scope of the work.
What the reports add
According to the New York Post, condo owners were informed months before Fairmont’s public announcement. Corcoran broker Kane Manera, who handles two penthouse listings in the building, told the outlet that residents have known about the shutdown for “many, many months.” He said he first heard of the plan early in the year. Douglas Elliman’s Michael Passoro confirmed that owners who live in the 181 condos were told by building staff that they would not be forced to vacate, and that the residential entrance on 58th Street remains separate from the hotel lobby.
What was said
Manera said, “The residents have known about this for many, many months now,” and added that the residential lobby is “in a completely different space to the hotel.” Passoro said, “They had confirmed with the doorman and management that residents will continue to live there.” Passoro also noted that 29 units are currently on the market and that a recent $10.625 million sale was completed “with a cloud hanging over it.”
How it came about
The Plaza, a 119‑year‑old landmark, has long been a difficult property to sell. The announced façade work follows years of speculation about the building’s condition and its impact on condo sales. Brokers say the shutdown will remove the hotel’s “glamour” perks for residents, such as access to the Palm Court, while the building’s exterior is wrapped in scaffolding for the duration of the project.
Key facts
- Fairmont announced the Plaza Hotel will close for a façade restoration starting January 2027. (nypost.com)
- The restoration is expected to last at least four years, possibly until 2031. (nypost.com)
- Condo owners will not be forced to vacate during the shutdown. (nypost.com)
- Residents lose access to hotel amenities such as the Palm Court during the closure. (nypost.com)
- 29 condo units are currently on the market, with some previously sold units being relisted. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Exclusive | Plaza Hotel to close for four years as broker warns selling there is ‘gonna be tough’”
