The Plaza Hotel is a French Renaissance-inspired landmark at the corner of Central Park

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located at 768 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the Plaza Hotel has served as an icon of luxury since its 1907 completion. Designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, this 18-story structure combines French Renaissance architecture with a historic role as a hub for the city's wealthy and famous guests.

The current Plaza Hotel replaced an earlier structure built between 1883 and 1890. Construction of the existing building took place from 1905 to 1907, with a significant expansion by Warren and Wetmore added between 1919 and 1921. The building is defined by its 18-story steel frame, white brick facade, and a distinctive green Ludowici-tiled mansard roof. Its location at the southeastern corner of Central Park, facing Grand Army Plaza, has made it a central fixture of the neighborhood, leading to its designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Internally, the hotel was engineered for immense scale and service. At its peak, it housed over 800 rooms, supported by a massive mechanical plant in the subbasement that included nine 3,500-horsepower boilers and a system capable of filtering 1,500,000 U.S. gallons of water daily. The ground floor was designed with a complex network of corridors connecting grand public spaces like the Palm Court, the Oak Room, and the Edwardian Room. These areas were decorated with intricate mosaics, plaster coffered ceilings, and marble finishes, reflecting the opulence of the early 20th century.

The building has undergone numerous transitions in ownership and function. Following a major 2008 renovation, the hotel was reconfigured to include 282 hotel rooms and 181 private condominiums, known as the Plaza Residences. Throughout its history, it has been owned by various entities, including Conrad Hilton and Donald Trump, before being acquired by Katara Hospitality in 2018. While the hotel's interior layouts have evolved—such as the conversion of the original ballroom into office space by the 1970s—it remains a member of Historic Hotels of America, preserving its status as a premier New York City institution.

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