Lifelong Sinatra Fan, Longtime Staffer Named ‘Waldorf Stories’ Winner

A longtime employee at the Waldorf Astoria who recounted meeting his idol, Frank Sinatra—as well as his future wife—at the iconic hotel was selected as the winning contributor to the “ Waldorf Stories ,” a website launched in October to honor, document and preserve the oral history of the world’s most famous hotel in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue. Gary Merjian began his career at age 21 at the Waldorf Astoria, where Sinatra kept an apartment in The Towers. After working there for 15 years, orchestrating high profile events and tending to the needs of every living U.S. president who passed through, Merjian got his chance to meet the legendary entertainer when he planned a major event for him and became close friends with his management team. Gary Merjian from “Waldorf Stories” Planning The Chairman of the Board’s 75th and 80th birthday parties is among the most cherished memories of his time at the Waldorf Astoria, Merjian says. The most important moment, however, was when he met his then coworker and now wife of 32 years, Heidi. They were married in the Starlight Roof Ballroom on the 18th floor, where Frank Sinatra famously performed. Since launching in October, Waldorf Stories.com received numerous submissions from former guests, residents and employees, and will continue to accept submissions now that the contest has ended. Douglas Elliman Executive Chairman Howard M. Lorber, who was a former resident of The Towers in the 1990s, shared his recollections with Elliman Insider . Top Elliman agent  Kirsten Jordan  submitted her own Waldorf Story recounting the first time she met her Italian in-laws in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria and revealed that she was fluent in Italian. When it opened in 1931, the Waldorf Astoria was the largest and tallest hotel in the world—built in only a year during the Great Depression. 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. With its planned reopening, the property will return as New York’s most glamorous hotel and residences. The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria 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.