The Iconic Waldorf Astoria Turns 90, Celebrates with ‘Waldorf Stories’

Entertainers, presidents and royalty alike have all called the Waldorf Astoria home. In celebration of their 90th anniversary on Park Avenue on Friday, October 1, the building has introduced “ Waldorf Stories ,” a brand-new website that will honor, document, and preserve the oral history of the world’s most famous hotel through stories told by the people that lived them—the guests, visitors, and staff who have experienced special moments at the legendary building. Douglas Elliman Executive Chairman Howard M. Lorber , a former resident of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, has his own Waldorf stories. “I had an amazing experience at the Waldorf Astoria in the early 1990’s,” Lorber recalled. “At the time, my business partner and I decided it was necessary for us to spend more time in New York City, so we rented a large two-bedroom suite at the Waldorf Towers, which was a more exclusive part of the Waldorf Astoria.” Howard M. Lorber “It was incredible to reside in a place with such a storied past.”  – Howard M. Lorber Rather than typical hotel rooms, Lorber noted, the Towers were very high-end apartments with oversize bedrooms, bathrooms and living space, as well as separate entrance and separate security. “But what made the Waldorf Towers really special was the history of its residents. Most U.S. Presidents, foreign dignitaries and people from the sports and entertainment industry all had a stay at the great apartments of the Waldorf Towers, so it was incredible to reside in a place with such a storied past.” Now you too can be a part of Waldorf Astoria history by uploading your own unique “Waldorf Story” at  WaldorfStories.com . Select stories will be featured, and a winning entry will be chosen and awarded the grand prize: a “Weekend at the Waldorf” for two: an opportunity to be one of the first guests to stay at the hotel when it reopens in 2023, including a VIP stay at the hotel with specially curated experiences. When it opened in 1931, the Waldorf Astoria was the largest and tallest hotel in the world—built during the Great Depression in only a year. Renowned architects Schultze & Weaver were responsible for the design of the original building which became known as the “unofficial palace of New York” and set an architectural benchmark with its Art Deco design. Now it will return as New York’s most glamorous hotel and residences in 2023. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is exclusively handling sales and marketing for The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, which is currently in the midst of an unprecedented restoration, undertaken with care by renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with great attention given to the original Art Deco design. Contact the sales team for more information on the 375 residences starting from $1.8 million and featuring sophisticated residential interiors and amenities by internationally renowned designer Jean-Louis Deniot. Submit your Waldorf Story today!