LPC approves new marquee, restoration of automobile court at Waldorf Astoria

The Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously
approved proposals for a new marquee and restoration of the automobile
court at the Waldorf Astoria at 301 Park Avenue this afternoon, according to a summary of a hearing today released by
Elisabeth de Bourbon, spokesperson for the LPC.

The project, led by architecture firm BBG-BBGM, will result in a glass and
nickel silver clad canopy that would stretch across the three primary
openings on the Park Avenue façade, and is designed to better
articulate each of the three bays into which the portals are set,
architect Gregory Cranford said.

Cranford explained at the hearing today that he and his team studied
canopies at other important New York City landmarks at Carnegie Hall,
the St. Regis, The Plaza and the Pierre as part of the development of
a strategy for the Waldorf.

Nadeszhda Williams from the Historic Districts Council said at the
hearing that while HDC supported the overall project, “[the canopy]
does feel a bit too generic for such a stylish landmark.”

But the commissioners, who voted 6 to 0 for the change, praised the
proposal.

“I find the whole plan to be thoroughly appropriate,” said
Robert Tierney, chairman of the LPC. The automobile entrance will be
returned to something “far better than it ever was”, said Frederick
Bland, another commissioner, said at the hearing.

Commissioner Joan Gerner added that the proposal “adds to the elegance” of
the hotel.
— Miranda Neubauer