not that I could afford this hotel or would even stay there if I could but…it is iconic and I guess it will be forever changed.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/classic-waldorf-hotel-to-be-gutted-up-to-1-100-rooms-turned-into-condos-1466949782
I remember reading about similar plans years ago.
Already done at the Plaza - they created condo units after their last renovation - more money can be made as apartments at ridiculous prices then as hotel rooms.
The latest in NYC real estate is for foreign millionaires (many Chinese as they have lots of excess money right now) to purchase very high end apartments and leave them empty (basically a way to invest or hide their money) http://www.businessinsider.com/expensive-new-york-apartments-empty-2016-1
Think the main hotel will stay a small “boutique” hotel - but renovated. Those rooms were old and small.
It is the “Towers” that will be converted. I don’t think this is going to be a great deal for prospective purchasers - I am sure they will be uber expensive but if you are going to pay that wouldn’t you want some sort of “view?” Not going to get one in that area. I am supposing it will be foreign buyers looking for a crash pad - 49th and Park is not a residential area of the city, so it is not going to appeal to families.
Shame, it is sort of a NY Landmark - hope they keep the Bull and Bear bar!
harvestmoon…rich Chinese,russian ,Brazilian, saudis ,and Turkish with money to hide off shore are not looking for family friendly neighborhoods.
Oh wow, I used to take my girls for tea parties here. They loved it. I hope the change is for the better. It’s a beautiful hotel.
Park Avenue is still a very nice address even without a view and the hotel really is in dire need of renovation.
@zobroward yes, I think I said that. But they will be looking for views and you won’t get them in that particular location.
harvestmoon ,
I bet many of the owners will never set foot in the building. view or no view. they will not even use it as a crash pad.
Agree @zobroward.
We stayed there once, and I was unimpressed. The room was pretty big, but there was virtually no furniture in it other than the bed, a desk and a single chair. It had room enough for a couch, etc., but there wasn’t one. We called to ask for some chairs, and they brought up a couple of regular chairs that they probably use in meeting rooms. Every time we stay in a Residence Inn or something like that, we comment that the room is better furnished than our room at the Waldorf.
^^^My experience too–rooms weren’t bery big and not interesting. It seemed like a place that jad seen better days. The lication, however, was great for us.
Once years ago, I stepped into the lobby to have a look and saw a giant RAT run across the floor.
a RAT in the lobby is just NYC keeping it real for you!
He/she could have been a wealthy tourist rat excited to be in a landmark hotel while taking in NYC. 
They used to have a “rare book” store on the side of the back lobby run by the most interesting man. I used to get my hair cut at Kenneth which closed last year, and I would always stop and chat with him. Wonder if the store is still there.
Whenever I take the train into the City to meet friends, I use the ladies room at the Waldorf before I continue on my way. It’s charming, with a rest-room attendant hovering around. But I especially love the ladies room because every stall is in effect a little half-bath, with the toilet and its own sink.
Yes, the bathroom in the front lobby to your right - good place to change if you had a date right after work.
I just heard from a coworker that a hotel in Maui is undergoing a similar reno project - it is being converted into a condo complex with the prices to begin at $12-15M