One of New York City’s most famous hotels is preparing for a lengthy shutdown as it undergoes a major restoration, bringing a temporary pause to more than a century of hospitality and history.
The Plaza Hotel will close in January 2027 for at least four years while crews carry out extensive repairs to its historic façade, the property announced on October 14, 2026. The work involves a landmark-protected exterior, and the hotel said the complexity of the project would significantly disrupt its day-to-day operations.
Plans for the restoration are still being developed, with further details under review. The project will require coordination with relevant stakeholders and compliance with historic preservation requirements.
Since welcoming its first guests on October 1, 1907, The Plaza has become a defining feature of Manhattan, attracting world leaders, dignitaries, celebrities and visitors from across the globe. Its prominent position on Fifth Avenue, beside Central Park, has helped cement its reputation as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
The hotel is known for its luxury accommodations, restaurants and shopping, along with its celebrated Palm Court afternoon tea experience. Its facilities also include wellness amenities and grand event spaces, including the Grand Ballroom and Terrace Room, which the property says have been restored to reflect their original grandeur.
Designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, The Plaza has undergone numerous renovations and ownership changes throughout its history. Among its former owners was Donald Trump, who purchased the property in 1988 for $390 million and owned it until 1995.
The hotel later underwent a partial conversion to condominiums in the early 2000s. According to its website, the property currently contains 282 hotel guestrooms, including 102 suites, alongside 181 condominium units.
The upcoming closure has raised questions about what the extended restoration will mean for condominium residents. The hotel’s operator, Fairmont, had not clarified whether owners living in those units would be required to leave during the work, according to The New York Times. The Plaza had not provided further details in response to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The impact on hotel employees is another significant concern. The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, which represents workers at the property, said 378 union members will be eligible to return to their jobs at their existing pay rates once the hotel reopens.
During the closure, the union plans to assist affected workers in finding employment elsewhere, a union spokesperson told The New York Times. The organization had not immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment.
Although the restoration is intended to preserve the landmark’s historic exterior, the multiyear shutdown leaves important questions about the lives and livelihoods connected to the property. Further information about the construction schedule and arrangements for residents and employees remains to be confirmed.
Source: Compiled from various sources.
